Choose the equipment and prepare the area
Assessment should distinguish hand-fed chippers from mechanically loaded installations. Work volume and the size and shape of branches may make manual feeding inappropriate. Equipment selection belongs within the planning of Occupational risks in forestry work.
Ground conditions and trailer position must maintain stability and the intended access geometry. Separate pedestrians and traffic, direct discharge towards a safe area and prevent accumulated branches from obstructing the operator’s retreat space.
Chute, rollers and feed-stop devices
The shape and length of the chute limit reach towards dangerous parts. Feed-stop devices should be accessible from intended working positions and kept free from debris. Shortening a chute or immobilising a troublesome bar changes the protection.
A rubber curtain may reduce ejected chips but does not make the inlet a safe area. Normal forward and reverse controls should not be confused with all the machine’s protective devices. Functional checks must follow the manual without exposing anyone to the rollers.
Branches, clothing and foreign material
Branches can turn, strike or catch someone as they enter. Feeding methods and operator position require instruction using the specific machine. Ropes, metal components and other unsuitable material must stay out; clothing and personal equipment should not have parts that increase entanglement risk.
Noise, dust and flying debris also require assessment. Eye and hearing protection are selected according to exposure and do not replace guards or separation from other people.
Blockages and residual movement
Stopped feeding does not necessarily mean that the disc or drum has stopped. Before intervention, follow the Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure, control energy sources and confirm that dangerous parts are stationary. Do not reach for a jammed branch on the assumption that lack of feed movement proves a safe condition.
Repeated blockages and failures of feed-stop or return mechanisms require the machine to be taken out of service for competent examination. Pressure to clear the chute quickly must not change the agreed procedure. Access covers must continue to protect against contact throughout the time that internal parts can still move.
