Importance of Helmets

[jon12345]

Another example of how important it can be to wear a helmet:

Yesterday I was cutting down some small ash, 6-8" DBH that kept hanging up on one another.  Well I'm not sure exactly what happened but I know one was hung up and I was cutting the one underneath.  I expected them to both fall away, instead the second one I cut fell away and the top of the first that was hung up came crashing down.  I had no time to move and was soon immersed in ash limbs.  If it had been a bigger tree or I wasn't wearing my helmet, it could have been a lot worse.

Had I taken a serious hit, who knows what might have happened  :-[

[beenthere]

Very good point.
I also remember well the ringing in my head and the helmet driven down around my ears when a dead limb fell from above ?? when felling an oak tree. Glad I didn't have anything more than the ringing and seeing stars, but the limb seemed to come out of 'nowhere'. I don't go out to fell or work in the woods without the helmet, and even think I would be smart to wear it just walking through the woods. But that I don't do, probably cause I'm not THAT smart. 

[jon12345]

When I was in college we were required to wear one while doing any field work, and even in the sawmill. As soon as we left the landing they were required even  cruising and traversing.  Limbs can fall at any time, and if there were really high winds we didnt even go in the woods.  If a prof. caught us out there working outside of class time we were busted too.

Helmets provide not only protection but also conveniently provide face and hearing protection as well. Their bright color is another safety feature that helps other people in the woods identify you.  I think the cost of a helmet and taking the time to put it on is well worth it considering the alternative if something did go wrong.

Bailies has them starting at only 8+s&h, and you can get the whole kit n kaboodle for 45+ s&h   a small cost I think compared to a concussion or gaping headwound :

[wiam]

Probably 15 years I was chopping.  The skidder pulled a hitch around a balsam that was probably 8 inches through.  The balsam tipped over and hit me right on top of the helmet.  I had a sore neck for a couple of weeks.

Will

[sawguy21]

We were unloading some concrete guardrails. I reached up to stop one from spinning just as the operator moved the boom. The guardrail hit my hardhat and parked me on my butt real quick. Other than a sore arm from the fall and a bruised ego, I was o.k. The operator was on the opposite side of the truck from where we were placing the load.

[rebocardo]

> I know one was hung up and I was cutting the one underneath.

Sometimes you hit the jackpot, many times they hit you instead. Glad to hear you got through it without injury.

I was shooting lines into a tree SuperBowl Sunday and the customer wanted to help me to save money (hands on Navy guy). But, I had him stay 30 feet away from the tree and hide whenever I shot the weight up. Was all finished and just picking up the string so it would not be a trip hazard while cutting.

He is walking over and says watch out. Branch decided to break a few minutes after I am done. I could hear it coming and did not know where to run (no time) and I was not about to look up, so I ducked and covered my neck. Hit me square on the helmet. Was not very hard, just a rotted 1.5" branch. Would have been a nasty bruise or stitches though. He got the point about why I did not want him around without safety equipment on.

[Dale Hatfield]

I have been hit  as well as many who have worked in the woods.
The important thing is have a good fresh hard hat  on .
They dont last forever. The  degrade with use by UV rays and abuse. A couple of years is the limit for me. then its time for a new one.
I take some abuse for wearing one when i carve. but i have gotten use to having ear protection and face  shield at hand all the time.

If ya have doubts  about how old ya hat might be check under the bill their is  a  born on date their.
If its been hit it would a good idea to replace it .
Dale Hatfield

[Timburr]

Another way of determining whether your hard hat has passed it's use by date, is to flex (lightly) the peak into the hat. If it shows any white or light colouring in the corner, it's time to get a new one.......minute stress fractures caused from UV deterioration.

Structural integrity is also compromised, should you feel the need to adorn your hat with stickers. The adhesive de-polymerises and weakens the hat.

Tim

[DoubleD]

The father of a friend of mine had an accident. He was felling a tree, when the tree changed direction and hit him between the neck and the shoulder. He was "lucky" because the tree did not broke his back, now after several months he is doing better.
When I fell trees I alwais wear safety boots and gloves, but now I know that it is very important to wear safety gear. I have to buy helmet and chaps thank you to the people that form the FORESTRY FORUM

[jon12345]

Another useful thing for working with a number of people is to have your name or last name on your helmet  this helps by identifying and indiviual not 'HEY YOU' when you want to tell someone to move.  I don't think this compromised the structural integrity of the helmet.

Another way to decrease risk along with increasing efficiency is to run a cold system.  Person or people felling and limbing are not in a hurry to get the next hitch done before the skidder comes back, and are in less danger from hazard created by operation of the skidder. This also helps consolidate time the skidder is actually working and not sitting idle wasting fuel.