The forest industry has been blessed by mechanization in the past twenty years. The amount of hard and demanding physical labor has been significantly reduced. The introduction of grapple skidders, feller-bunchers, buck saws, and delimbers has reduced risk in the industry. Such equipment has also reduced the physical exertion of logging employees.
Mechanized forest equipment operators enjoy incredible creature comforts, heaters, and air conditioners. The cabs of the newer logging equipment provide for a comfortable working environment.
On the other side of the coin, timber cutters and saw hands have a very physically demanding job.
When the summer heat is thrown into this equation, fatigue results. Fatigue is a grave risk that must be dealt with in our industry.
It's human nature; a tired or fatigued person will take a shortcut. Shortcuts in the logging woods can prove to be lethal. Fatigue affects the thought process. If we can limit or reduce fatigue levels, we end up with an alert, clear-thinking timber cutter. We must look at personal health and physical exertion to limit fatigue in the summer heat.
Above all, we must stay hydrated.
Gas for the saw, water for me is a saying that should be followed. Strenuous physical exertion may be reduced by working a little smarter, not harder.
TIPS TO KEEP YOU SAFE
Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exposure to the heat. Dark yellow-colored urine is a sign of not enough water being consumed.
Avoid caffeinated drinks; they tend to make you thirstier.
Keep in the shade as much as possible.
Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Doctors recommend at least eight glasses of water on a typical day, twice that should be consumed during high heat periods.
Work smart. The brain can save a lot of footsteps, less footsteps, less fatigue.
If at all possible, do most of the manual felling during the early morning to avoid the heat of the day.
If possible, toppers should be stationed in a shaded “safe zone” from the skidders.
Limit the time your toppers are exposed to the direct sun. Make one trip out of the safe zone to top 3 or 4 drags rather than running out to top a single drag.
Timber cutters can cut their whole drag before going down to top the timber. Limit your trips up and down the slope.
Ultimately, we have to work in the heat to feed our families and pay the bills. If we focus on keeping enough water in and thinking through our work plans, fatigue can be reduced. We must remember that fatigue breaks down the thought process. A sharp, alert mind will conquer risk by employing the proper technique or making correct decisions. Beat the summer heat by working smarter, not harder.
