5 Sawmill Safety Tips
The most dangerous occupation in the United States is that of a logger. In 2021, there were 43 fatal injuries in the logging industry. Getting struck by falling objects, falls from height, logging equipment accidents, and sustaining cuts from sharp tools and equipment are some of the most common ways injuries occur.
Sawyers might not necessarily do the same kind of work as loggers, but there are some similarities. Like loggers, sawyers work with sharp tools and objects, heavy equipment, and large logs. For this reason, it’s not uncommon for sawyers to sustain injury as well. Because of this, it’s important to sawyers to always adhere to safety practices when working on the mill. One way to do this is to follow these 5 safety tips.
1. Choose a Safe Place for Setup
Whether your sawmill is stationary or portable, you’ll always want to find the best place to set it up. The area you choose should be as flat as possible. The more level the area, the more smoothly your sawmill will run. If the sawmill is not level, the following problems might occur:
Misaligned sawmill blade
Blade tracking issues
Rolling logs
Besides having trouble with the equipment and the logs, an uneven area, or a place with rocks, bumpy spots, and tree stumps, might cause you to misstep or stumble, which could have disastrous consequences. That being said, along with having smooth ground, the area should also be as clear and open as possible. This allows the sawyer to have access to the sawmill from every side, which is important for running the machinery and handling the logs and boards.
One more thing to keep in mind is that even though you want the area to be open, clear, and well-ventilated, it’s best to also find a space that is somewhat sheltered from the wind, sun, rain, and other kinds of environmental factors.
2. Maintain a Safe Distance
Sawmill blades are super sharp for a reason. They are meant to cut through some of the hardest kinds of wood, easily and quickly. Because it’s so sharp, sawmill blades can be dangerous. It’s a good idea to stay at least 15 feet away from the blade wile the sawmill is running. Along with maintaining a safe distance, it’s also highly advisable to stand or be positioned on the back side of the blade versus the front side.
In some cases, there will be onlookers, especially when operating a portable sawmill. In these scenarios, you will want to make sure the onlookers stand at least 50 feet away from the sawmill at all times.
3. Keep up with Maintenance
If the sawmill or any of its parts are not running at optimum capacity, it could increase the chances of an accident occurring. For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep up with maintaining your sawmill. Some of these maintenance items you’ll want to do include:
Repair broken parts right away.
Keep the saw blades sharp and clean.
Clean and lubricate the sawmill on a regular basis.
Inspect the bandwheel bearings and blade guide bearings before each use.
Check the condition and wear of the belts on a regular basis.
Ensure proper drive belt tension.
Remove collection of sawdust that builds up inside the guards.
Check the engine oil levels before each use.
Inspect the sawhead cables for wear or kinks.
Proper maintenance is not only important for safety reasons, but it means your sawmill will run at optimum capacity for years to come.
4. Wear Protective Gear
There are many kinds of personal protective equipment that sawyers can wear to stay safe. Some of the most common kinds of protective gear include:
Safety glasses/goggles
Work boots
Gloves
Hard hat or loggers helmet
Hearing protection (such as over the head ear muffs)
Chainsaw chaps or pants
It’s always a good idea to wear tight clothing as well, since loose clothing can easily get caught in the sawmill blade. Sawyers who are working in colder weather might want to wear a tight-fitting jacket.
5. Be Aware of Things Sawyers Should Never Do
To stay safe, there are some things that you should never do:
Never smoke while operating the sawmill or refueling the engine.
Never have flammables near the sawmill as sawdust is highly combustible.
Never refuel the engine while it’s running.
Never use cellphones, electronic devices, or headphones as distractions could increase the chances of an accident.
Never overreach.
Never make adjustments or conduct any kind of maintenance while the engine is running.
Never keep milling if you experience abnormal noises or vibrations.
Never leave the sawmill running unattended.
Never use the sawmill to cut anything other than lumber.
June is National Safety Month, but these are good safety reminders any time you are sawmilling. Please, stay safe!
