UF/IFAS Okeechobee County Extension Service

458 Highway 98 North

Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578

Phone: (863) 763-6469

E- mail:  dfculbert@ifas.ufl.edu

September 1, 2004

Feature Article - for release the week of September 5, 2004

Dan Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent

Cleanup safety tips

It is possible that at the time that this article is printed, that our area will be in the midst of a massive storm cleanup effort.   It is also possible that Francis gave us a good scare and went up the coast with little for us to but to contemplate what we would have done. In any case, a few reminders about safety will always help Floridians.

While helping the residents of Arcadia and Wauchula throughout past weeks, I noticed that the number of persons with cuts, bruises and injuries increased as the cleanup proceeded.  Fatigue, storm stress and task overload  all added up to a greater likelihood of accidents.  University of Florida Extension Safety Specialist Carol Lehtola has also observed some important points to note from Hurricane Charley.  Many injuries have occurred not during the storm itself but during the clean-up phase.  Today’s column will highlight some things to remember when operating cleanup equipment.

Brush removal tools such as chippers and chain saws can be a major source of injury.  Fatalities have occurred with wood chipper when persons have attempted to unclog these machines, when the operator was the only person present, or where safety guards were removed before the cutting bars stopped rotating.

Chains saws are another favorite cleanup tool – and also are a hazard if the operator is moving too quickly or has not thought out how the materials being cut will react.  Here are some things to remember when using this tool:

• ALWAYS keep both hands (that’s two of ‘em) on the chain saw handles.
•  Cut only on the right side of your body.
• Cut below your head. Never cut over your head.
• Cut with the lower edge of the saw blade whenever possible.
• Cutting with the tip of the saw is inviting injury from kickbacks
• Watch out when cutting limbs or branches which are bent. They may snap back and hit you. 
• Falling branches can crush feet  - wear full shoes not flip-flops or sandals.
• Let the chain saw do the work. Don't try to force the saw.
• Wear protective clothing: hard hat, goggles, safety shoes, gloves and trim-fitting clothes.

Another problem that has led to deaths after both Charley and Isabel were deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning.  Some persons used portable gas generators in doors, close to open windows, or in an area where exhaust fumes could enter the house.  A couple of persons were also killed after Hurricane Isabel when they used charcoal grills indoors.  Propane gas grills used inside could also produce the same result.

And from those monitoring traffic in the aftermath of storms – another reminder to be careful when driving.  Several drivers were killed in traffic accidents in Charlotte County when they entered unmarked intersections.  They failed to realize that the familiar traffic lights and stop signs had been blown away.  Impatience and stress from living through the storm can easily distract drivers, but don’t add to the statistics of misery by forgetting a basic rule of the road: when entering an unmarked intersection, treat it like a 4-way stop sign.  Give up the right of way rather then get into an accident. 

There are many other useful tips in dealing with storms that are contained in the University of Florida Disaster Handbook.  Individual fact sheets are available in printed from our office, or if you can get on-line, look at the website at: http://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/ .  Oh yes – by the way – Happy Labor Day!!

 If you need additional information on how to safely cleanup windstorm damage, take a look at the references on our internet site, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/ or email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu.  Area residents can call us at 863-763-6469 or stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee. You can visit with our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners on Tuesday afternoons from 1 to 5 PM on Tuesday afternoons.  

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References

The Disaster Handbook   Gainesville:  University of Florida November 2003. http://www.disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/

Paul H. Moore et. al   Injury Associated with Working Near or Operating Wood Chippers.  US Department of Health & Human Services/ National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).  August 1999.    http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hid8.html

Untitled .  Portable Electric Generator Safety Tips.   Richmond: Dominion Resources, Inc.   2004.  http://www.dom.com/about/safety/generator.jsp

Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.   Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida .  Larry A.  Arrington, Dean This page is maintained by  Dan Culbert