FORESTRY SAFETY

TERMS

• ACCIDENT: any sudden or unintentional event that causes injury or property damage

• ANTISEPTIC: a substance such as alcohol, iodine or hydrogen peroxide applied to prevent infection.

• ANESTHETIC: a substance used to stop pain or itching.

• LACERATION: a cut, tear or mangled place.

• WOUND: a hurt or injury caused by cutting, stabbing or breaking, etc.

• HABITAT: areas where animals & plants naturally live or grow.

• HEAT CRAMPS: caused by loss of salt resulting in muscular pains & spasms.

• HEAT EXHAUSTION: feel weak, dizzy, sweaty, nauseous, pale or have cramps after being in the sun.

• HEAT STROKE: victim has extremely high body temperature & a failure of the sweating mechanism. CAN BE LIFE THREATENING!

• SAFETY: the action or condition of being safe, free from danger, risk or injury.

COMMON ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

• HEAT

• INSECTS

• WILDLIFE

• TOPOGRAPHIC HAZARDS

HEAT

Hot temperatures causes burns, cramps, exhaustion & heat strokes.

PROTECTION:Proper clothingKnowing the signsPacing yourself

INSECTS

Generally not life threatening but annoying during spring, summer & fall.

PROTECTION:Knowing the dangerous insects &

how to avoid them.Dress properly.Use chemical repellents.

WILDLIFE

Most wildlife will avoid humans and most are not a threat.

PROTECTION:Be alert!Stay calmWear proper clothingUse good judgement

TOPOGRAPHIC HAZARDS

Uneven ground, holes, rotten limbs & dead trees. Twisted or broken ankles or backs are common occurrences.

PROTECTION:Recognize dangers in the forestStay alert!Practice Safety

FIRST AID

The immediate, temporary care given to the victim of an accident or sudden illness until the services of a physician can be obtained.

Can prevent infection, give comfort & assurance to a victim & in extreme cases can save an arm, leg or a life.

FIRST AID KIT CONTENTS

• Antiseptic• Adhesive bandages• Gauze pads, various sizes• Gauze rolls• Triangular bandages for large

wounds & slings• Scissors

FIRST AID KIT CONTENTS

• Tweezers• Elastic bandages for sprains• Snake bite kit• Burn ointment• Eye wash bottle• Inflatable splint

CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS

Many accidents occur due to negligence of an individual or group.

Not paying attention to hazardsDistraction by someone elseLack of concentration on the job at

handMOSTLY BY PURE CARELESSNESS!!!

HOW TO ELIMINATE HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS

Stay alert & keep your mind on the job.Conduct yourself in a safe manner, NO

HORSEPLAY!Look for potential hazards.Be aware of others & what they are

doing.Use the proper tool for the job.Know the safety regulations for the tools

& equipment you are using.

Report defective tools & equipment to the instructor.

ALWAYS REPORT ALL ACCIDENTS TO THE TEACHER, NO MATTER HOW SMALL OR INSIGNIFICANT IT MIGHT BE!

Wear proper clothing & safety equipment in the field.

SNAKES

The best protection against snakes is to be alert at all times & wear snake leggings or snake boots.

POISONOUS SNAKES

Timber rattler or Canebreak rattler

Cottonmouth moccasin

Copperhead

Red on yellow, kill a fellow!

Coral snake

SPIDER & OTHER INSECTS

Seldom cause death by bites but it does occur.

Prevalent in the forest of the SoutheastPrevention includes keeping alert,

watching where you sit or put your hands, use repellents.

TICKSCarry Lyme disease which

can be fatalCause Rocky Mountain

Spotted Fever (RMSF), Tularemia & American Q fever

PROTECTION: Keep pants tucked in, use repellents (DEET), wear light colored clothing

FIRE ANTS3 Species found in the

South, 2 imported from South America & 1 native.

Produce large mounds with thousands of insects.

Very aggressiveAttacks usually result in

several stingsPROTECTION: Keep alert

and avoid disturbing mounds.

SCORPIONSStings can be painfulFound in wooded areas,

under leaves, fallen trees & stumps

Some victims have severe reaction to stings

PROTECTION: Keep alert, watch where you sit or put your hands

Bees, wasps, yellow jackets & hornets

Usually nest in hives in the ground, trees, bushes or old buildings or barns

Very aggressive with multiple stings common

Can cause allergic reactions in some victims

PROTECTION: Keep alert and watch for nests or signs of insects

Yellow jacket

Hornets

Wasps

SPIDERS

Can cause a number of symptoms from minor to severe swelling, itching, nausea, blistering & pain but are not generally serious.

Two notable exceptions are the Black Widow, considered to be the most venomous spider in the U.S. & the Brown Recluse also called the Fiddleback spider.

BLACK WIDOW

Possess a neurotoxin that effects the central nervous system

Bites are extremely dangerous and should seek medical attention immediately

BROWN RECLUSE

Poison is a necrotoxin which causes the surrounding area to decay

Bites are extremely dangerous and should seek medical attention immediately

Also known as the fiddleback spider

SADDLEBACK CATERPILLAR

Found on underside of leaves of trees or bushes

Stings victims when touched or disturbed

Burning sensation when stung

PROTECTION: long sleeved shirts

POISONOUS PLANTS

Poison Ivy: usually vines found on trees but can appear as a bush; smooth margin leaves in groups of 3’s; produces berries that can cause outbreaks

Poison Oak: usually small bushes,

3-lobed leaves

Poison sumac

POSIONOUS PLANTS

PROTECTION: Keep skin covered & avoid plants with

3-leaf clustersWash hands with soap & water if you

contact the plantDo not burn poison ivy or oak. Smoke

can blister the lungs causing illness & sometimes death

TOPOGRAPHIC HAZARDS

Hazards found in the forest from terrain, dead trees, streams & objects found in forest settings.

The ability to recognize dangerous situations in the forest is the best safety factor.

Stay alertUse cautionUse good judgement

THINGS TO BE AWARE OF!

Dead snags or limbs hung up in the canopy that could fall on you.

Stump holes & old wells.Bluffs or sudden drop-offs.Deep ponds or creeks.Vines & briars that can snag you.Loose rocks or soil.Low hanging limbs.