Safety Program

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04400640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Arial" ><B>LRWMA Home</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LRWMA Home"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> <B>Safety Program</B>   |   <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar">Calendar</A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newsletters">Newsletters</A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Events">Events</A>   |   <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="History">History</A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links">Related Links</A>   |   <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Books">Books</A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Frady Branch Trails">Frady Branch Trails</A>   |   <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mt. Grove Church">Mt. Grove Church</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="05d965c0.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="92" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Safety Equipment</B></div> <div> <B>is required!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="05f96210.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="289" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Safety Program</I></div> <div> As a volunteer organization with the US Forest Service, we are required to strictly follow their regulations.  Failure to do so would jeopardize our good relationship with the Forest Service, could result in a legal citation by FS Law Enforcement,  but more importantly, would risk the health and safety of our volunteers.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.lrwma.com/safety/safety.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.lrwma.com/safety/safety.htm"><B>Before going into the forest, see the guidelines for safety from the Forest Service and Sheriff's Association - click here!</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Why:</B></FONT><B>  </B>Pearl best explained why we need to follow the guidelines of the Forest Service when she told of a time when she was working with Jack Wynn on a Passport in Time project.  Jack had a safety discussion prior to the work, and had all the workers sign the required form.  As luck would have it, Pearl must have attacked a poison ivy bush at some point during the day and she was covered with poison ivy.  Jack gave her the signed form and told her to give it to her doctor and have the doctor bill the government.  Pearl proudly says that the government paid the entire bill.  By following the requirements of the Forest Service, they are required to treat us as employees in case of injury.</div> <bR> <div> <B>How we will implement the guidelines:</B></div> <bR> <div> Prior to working on any site or project, we will identify the 'safety observer' for the day who will complete the following steps and who will monitor the work to assure we meet the requirements.</div> <bR> <div> 1.  The safety observer will have a 'tailgate' safety discussion and will explain the safety requirements and have all participating volunteers sign the <A HREF="http://www.lrwma.com/safety/tailgate_checklist.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.lrwma.com/safety/tailgate_che">Tailgate Safety Checklist</A>. </div> <bR> <div> 2.  The site will be walked and reviewed for any safety hazards.  During this time, it is possible to remove only simple on-ground branches or trash. </div> <bR> <div> 3.  Prior to any mechanical equipment being used, all personnel not wearing hard hats (meeting ANSI Z89.1-1997 specification), eye protection, long sleeve shirts, ear protection, gloves, and 8 inch high boots must leave the area.</div> <bR> <div> 4.  Only volunteers having successfully completed the Chain Saw Certification course as offered by the Forest Service can operate a chain saw.  Those personnel must wear the protective equipment identified above plus chaps.</div> <bR> <div> The Friends of the LRWMA organization has 6 sets of hard hats and safety glasses that can be shared by members working on our maintenance projects.  Our members who so often help on the projects are encouraged to purchase their own hard hat and safety glasses.  </div> <bR> <div> Members of the Friends of the LRWMA organization working on-their-own on adopted sites or clearing trails must wear the safety equipment described above.</div> <bR> <div> <B>FAQ's</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >:</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>If I am just going to visit a site, am I required to wear all the equipment?</B>  No.  People hiking or simply enjoying the forest are free to dress as they seem appropriate.  However, it should be remembered that there is a reason for having boots to protect yourself from snake bites and to prevent slipping when crossing streams or wet areas.   Long sleeve shirts provide some protection against poison ivy.  If you are in a cleared cemetery, or a maintained trail, head injury is not likely, however, if you are going through the woods, head protection often precludes injury.   If you are on your own, just use common sense, but if you are injured, you are only covered if you are a member of Friends of the LRWMA and are using all the required safety equipment.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Can I use my chain saw when I am not with Friends of the LRWMA?</B>  No.  To operate a chainsaw in the National Forest, you must complete the chain saw certification course.  If you wish to obtain firewood from the national forest, you must obtain a permit from the office in Clarkesville.</div> <bR> <div> <B>What about Mt. Grove Cemetery?</B>  Since Mt. Grove Cemetery is privately owned, the FS requirements can not be enforced at that location, however, proper safety wearing apparel and action is certainly prudent in all areas.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Do I need a face shield?</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT>No, however, you are required to wear eye protection.  Side shields are not required, but sure do make sense!  Jim uses a website to purchase bifocal safety glasses for about $15.  If you are using a chainsaw, or a weedeater, you might consider a forestry hard hat system which provides the face shield, ear protection, and hardhat in one unit.  Typical approved equipment can be seen below:</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="05e58730.jpg" border=0 width="600" height="371" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>What is required for chain saw operation?  </B>The Forest Service offers a 2 session course consisting of classroom instruction, and field demonstration of your expertise and understanding.  To operate a chain saw, in addition to gloves, safety glasses and a hardhat, steel toe boots (8") and chaps are required.  A forestry hard hat is recommended, as it comes complete with the eye protection shield and the ear protection.  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> An example of proper equipment:</div> <div> <IMG SRC="060fae20.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="482" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div>   </div> </td> </tr></table></body>