SUGARING
Maple Safety

Electricity - Chain Saws - ATVs

Few resources have a greater potential to cause harm than electricity. Electrical systems will function almost indefinitely if properly installed and not overloaded or physically abused. If there are any doubts about the electrical circuits, wiring and equipment on your operation, have a licensed electrician inspect them.

Electrical panels

Electricity enters the farm through a control panel and a main switch where a person can shut off all the power in an emergency. This control panel contains either fuses or circuit breakers. Always use the correct fuse for the panel. Never use a greater number, or replace fuses with items like pennies. If there is a stoppage in power, check the control panel. If fuses are used, look for the broken metal strip in the top of a blown fuse. Replace the fuse with one that is marked with the correct amperage. If circuit breakers are used, reset them from off to on. Be sure to check why the fuse or circuit blew. Possible causes are frayed wires, overloaded outlets or defective appliances. Never overload a circuit with high-wattage appliances. Check the wattage on appliance labels. If there is frayed insulation or a broken wire, a dangerous short circuit may result and cause a fire. Circuit testers are available to inspect circuits. If power stoppages continue, or if there is a frayed or broken wire, contact an electrician.

Install a lock-out switch. This can turn off all power from one area. This is important if there is an emergency or when working on the electrical system. Do not have a switch turned on while you are working on the electrical system.

Grounding Electricity

Ground the entire electrical system. Protect ground wires and rods from damage. Proper installation will assure continuous service. Grounding to water pipes will not work if the system uses plastic pipes. Ground outlets that are outside or may come in contact with water.

To determine if an outlet is grounded, insert a neon test light into each outlet slot in turn. The screw is grounded if the light glows when the faceplate screw is touched with the other probe.

Shocks

If any appliance or device gives the user a tingling shock, turn it off, unplug it and have a qualified person correct the problem. Under the right conditions, any leakage can easily become a fatal shock. Never insert a metal object into an appliance without unplugging it.

Check equipment periodically to spot worn or cracked insulation, loose terminals, corroded wires, defective parts and any other components that might not work correctly. Have these appliances repaired at once by someone who knows how or replace them.

Outlets and extension cords

Make sure all electrical outlets are three-hole, grounded outlets with faceplates. If there is water in the area, there should be a Ground Fault Interference (GFI) outlet. All outdoor outlets should use GFI. Do not use extension cords unless absolutely necessary. Use them sparingly and do not place objects on them while they are in use. Keep the cords out of traffic areas. Place safety covers on unused receptacles. After using electrical cords, coil them and hang them where they will not be in the way.

Electricity and water

People are good conductors, particularly when they are standing in water or on a damp floor. A body can act like a lightning rod and carry the current to the ground. Never touch an electric cord or appliance when your hands are wet. Do not use electrical appliances in damp areas or while standing on damp floors.

Outside hazards

Be aware of overhead and underground power lines. Electrocution can occur when objects people are moving come in contact with the overhead power lines. Keep ladders, antennas and poles away from power lines leading to the sugarhouse and other buildings. If there is the possibility of underground power lines, call your local utility before digging.

Produced by University of Maine Cooperative Extension (www.umext.maine.edu).

One of the most common tools in a sugar bush is a chain saw. Choose a model with built-in safety features. Look for kickback guards that prevent the chain from hitting another object. Look for noise and vibration reduction features on new and used saws. A throttle interlock will prevent accidental throttle advance. Also, a high engine idle latch allows the operator to start the engine while holding the saw firmly on the ground. Choose a chain saw that is lightweight and has a cutting bar no longer than needed. Hand guards should be in place. The exhaust should be directed away from the operator on gas-
powered machines. Before using a chain saw, read the owner’s manual. Know how to operate the chain saw properly. Periodically read the owner’s manual to keep the information fresh in your mind.

Dressing for the job

Dress in the proper work clothing before operating a chain saw. Wear cuffless pants and trim fitting clothing that allows for easy movement. Safety shoes or boots with non-slip soles and light non-slip gloves are a must. Wear a hardhat, eye protection and hearing protection. Protection for the legs, such as safety chaps, leggings or safety pads will provide maximum protection against cutting accidents.

Before beginning work

It is important to check the area and equipment before working. Work with a buddy if possible. Clear an escape path and the area where work will take place. Check the chain saw for loose screws and bolts and tighten them. Check the chain for the proper lubrication, tension and sharpness. Examine the guide bar for damage. Make sure the handles are clean and dry.

A well-maintained chain saw is a safer saw. A good tool kit will help to assure continued operation of the chain saw. The tool kit should contain tools to repair the chain saw such as wrenches to fit all nuts and lugs on the chain saw, a screwdriver and an extra sparkplug. A round file and guide for touching up the chain and a flat file and depth gauge to file the depth guides should be included.

Beginning work

Start the chain saw on clear ground and oil the chain. The chain should not move during idling. If it does, adjust the chain to stop it. Grip the chain saw properly, and hold the running chain saw with both hands. When cutting through wood, remember the chain saw cuts quickly and will continue its downward path. Stay out of its path.

When moving from one place to another, carefully carry the chain saw with the guide bar cover on. Carry the chain saw so the blade is behind you. Carry the chain saw with the blade in front only if you are going down hill. Carry it so the muffler is away from the body. Also bring along chain saw oil, adjustment tools and the owner’s manual wrapped in a plastic bag.

Felling trees

Look at the work area. The wind is unpredictable and can cause hazards, so cut trees on a still day. Look for widowmakers, spring poles and schoolmarms. Widowmakers are trees with broken or dead limbs or dead trees hung up in other trees that may fall on you. Spring poles are saplings or branches that are bent and held under tension by another tree. If the spring pole is cut or the other tree is removed from it, the sapling can snap up with a tremendous force and seriously injure someone. A schoolmarm is a tree with a prominent fork in the trunk making it difficult to predict which way it will fall. Look for other trees or buildings that a falling tree may encounter. If power lines are in the way, call the local power company, and they will help you.

Before felling a tree, identify a path where the tree will fall. Stand with feet well braced. Start the under cut notch one-quarter of the diameter of the tree on the side where it will fall. Back cut the opposite side parallel to the bottom notch an inch or so higher for the hinge. Slow down as the chain saw approaches the notch. Keep wedges nearby. Call a warning such as “timber” as the tree begins to fall. Get out of the way by moving off at a 45–degree angle.

Use extra care when cutting small trees. Trees four to five inches in diameter can usually be felled with one cut. Watch for bounce backs and limbs.

After the tree has been felled, begin trimming off the limbs and cutting the tree to manageable lengths. Trim the limbs from the opposite side keeping the tree stem between you and the chain saw. Never make cuts with the saw between your legs or straddle the limb to be cut. If working on a hill, stand on the uphill side. Work towards the top. If the saw seems pinched, begin a new cut on the opposite side or use a wedge. Make all cuts at top speed on full throttle.

Bucking

When cutting the trunk of a tree or bucking, make sure the chain does not hit the ground. An operator can cut many trees and not do the damage to the chain that striking the ground one time can do. A dry chain is not safe. If the trunk is supported along its entire length, make cuts from the top (called overbuck) one-third the diameter of the log deep, the entire length of the trunk. When this is completed, roll it over and make the final cuts.

If the log is supported on one end, make the first cut (underbuck) one-third the diameter, then complete from topside by overbucking the upper two-thirds to meet the underbuck.

When the log is supported from both ends, cut one-third the diameter from the top (overbuck), then complete the cut by cutting upward from the underside (underbuck) to meet the first cut.

Kickbacks

Avoid sawing with the tip or nose of the guide bar. This greatly increases the chances of chainsaw kickback. Kickback can occur if the chain suddenly hits a solid object or takes too large a cut. This can force the saw backward and upward and may result in a serious accident.

The chances of kickback can be reduced in the following ways. Hold the saw firmly with both hands. Grip the top handle with the thumb wrapped around it. Use a saw equipped with a chain-brake or kickback guard. Watch for branches that can pinch the chain. Do not pinch the bar while in the log cut. Saw with the lower part of the bar, close to the bumper, not on top near the nose. Maintain high saw speed when entering or leaving a cut in the wood. Keep the chain saw chain sharp. Do not reach above shoulder height to cut, because you reduce your control over the chain saw. The chain is too close to your face in this position.

Refueling

Turn off the chainsaw to refuel. Do not refuel over-heated saws. Move away from the work area and only refuel with the proper gasoline. Wipe up any spills. Return the caps to the chain saw and gasoline can. Return the gasoline can to a safe place and continue working.

Cutting at heights

Using a ladder when removing limbs from trees is very hazardous. Do not carry a chain saw up and down a ladder when the engine is running. Use a rope to hoist the chain saw up into the tree and then start the chain saw. Get into a stable position and keep a firm grip on the chain saw with both hands. Do not let the chain saw fall through the cut or it may strike your legs or other objects. Overhead cutting is extremely tiring and dangerous.

Using wedges

When the chances of binding exist, use wedges. However, stop the chain so there is no danger of driving a wedge into the moving chain. Use only wooden, aluminum or plastic wedges. Do not use steel or iron wedges, as they may do considerable damage to the chain if struck. Position yourself and helpers such that they will not be hit by a wedge should the chain strike it.

On windy days, for leaning trees or where trees must fall in a specific direction, wedges are essential. Two wedges are usually used. When the final cut is up to the proper depth for felling the tree, remove the chain saw. Shut the chain saw off and move it back to a safe position. Then tap the wedges with a sledge or maul to fell the tree.

Produced by University of Maine Cooperative Extension (www.umext.maine.edu).

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are popular tools around many maple operations. However, ATVs are also responsible for a significant number of injuries in agriculture, so to reduce the risk of injury or fatality while operating an ATV keep these points in mind:

• ATVs are not toys; manufacturers suggest children under the age of 12 should not operate ATVs with engine sizes over 70cc.
• Children under the age of 16 years often lack the emotional maturity and physical size to operate or control most machines. They should not operate adult-size ATVs (greater than 90cc engine).
• Do not carry a passenger unless the ATV is designed for such use; the unique handling characteristics of the ATV require that the operator shift both weight and position on the seat to steer and control the vehicle. Extra riders hamper the operator’s ability to steer and control the ATV.
• Since ATVs are small and low to the ground, they are not as visible as larger vehicles. Lights, reflectors, and highly visible flags should be used to increase visibility.
• Never ride the ATV on public roads. ATVs are not designed for road use. Hard surfaces increase the risk of overturn.
• Avoid using ATVs while alcohol or drugs are in the bloodstream. In nearly 10 percent of all injuries, and in 30 percent of all fatal ATV incidents, alcohol use was a contributing factor.

Three-wheeler vs. Four-wheeler

A four-wheeler has greater capacity for work than a three- wheeler. They are more stable, and less prone to side over-turns. The overwhelming asset of the four-wheeler is its stability. The sale of new three-wheeled ATVs has been banned but many three-wheelers are still in use. Avoid purchasing a used three-wheeler.

ATVs and work hazards

• ATV Overturns
  A four-wheeler can do many of the tasks formerly assigned to the small farm tractor. Just as safe tractor operation is influenced by speed, topography and load size, so is the operation of an ATV. ATV overturns on steep or uneven terrain can happen quickly. High speed, uneven ground, ditches or large rocks increase the chance of the ATV being rolled or flipped during operation. Adding the operator and/or work material raises the center of gravity and increases the risk of an overturn. Moving the ATV at a slower speed while shifting the operator’s weight to the upper side of the slope reduces over- turn risk. Selecting an ATV with coil springs and shock absorber suspension systems will help reduce bouncing and pitching from side to side.
  Uneven terrain makes carrying or pulling a load more hazardous. Rear overturns can be caused by climbing steep slopes, “popping the clutch” on a hard surface, or by attempting to carry or tow too heavy of a load up a slope. Heavier, four-wheel ATVs have lower centers of gravity and present less risk than lighter and faster ATVs in pulling a load up a slope. A unique feature of the ATV is that the operator’s position on the seat can significantly change the overall center of gravity. For example, moving one’s body weight forward while traveling uphill moves the center of gravity forward thus reducing the risk of a rear overturn. Shifting the body’s weight from one side to the other is necessary for some steering maneuvers.
  Additional recommendations to reduce the risk of rear overturn include not carrying more than 1/3 the ATV’s weight on the rear carrying rack; spreading the load out between the front and rear carrying racks; and never towing a load heavier than the weight of the ATV plus the operator. Follow the manufacturer’s loading limitations.
• Loading and Braking
  Trailers that are loaded with firewood or tapping equipment may tax the pulling and braking capacity of the ATV. An attachment such as a tow behind mower may have more weight than the braking power of the ATV can handle. Heavy loads can push ATVs down slopes with an increased risk of “jack-knifing”, sliding out of control or being rolled over. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when pulling or towing loaded carts, mowers, or other attachments. Hitch only to the manufacturers hitch point.
• Unseen Obstacles
  Know the area over which you will operate the ATV. High-speed travel across a field may lead to the front end of the ATV dropping into a ditch or hole or hitting a rock. Rolling over or flipping the machine can result in severe injury.
  Personal protective equipment.
  Hazards involved in operating an ATV normally require standard items of personal protective equipment.
• Helmets
  Most experts recommend that a full-face helmet always be worn when riding an ATV. While some agricultural uses are at low speeds where a helmet may interfere with close inspection or become unbearably hot, low-speed work activity often occurs with higher speed travel to and from the work site. Consider the use of a ventilated helmet. At speeds in excess of 10 mph a full-face helmet can reduce the risk of head injury should a hazard be encountered. Therefore a full-face helmet should always be kept with the ATV.
• Face Shields and Goggles
  For some work at slow speeds no head or face protection may be needed but eye protection is recommended. For other slow-speed operations, such as working in woodlands or ornamental nurseries, a full-face shield or goggles should be worn. One branch or thorn in the eye and your sight might be lost. At higher speeds, face or eye protection should always be worn as even an insect could cause a serious eye injury.
• Boots or Shoes
  Quality boots or over-the-ankle work shoes with good heels are a must. The soles and heels should be made of slip-resistant materials rather than leather or neoprene-type material. While motorcycle or ATV-type boots are best, a good quality pair of over-the-ankle, tightly laced work shoes is adequate for most operations.
• Gloves and Clothing
  Gloves and clothing should be determined by the task. Long-sleeved shirts, full-length trousers, and well-padded gloves are normally needed. Avoid loose-fitting clothes that could easily catch on a branch or other obstacle.

Produced by The Pennsylvania State University (www.abe.psu.edu/ASH).