| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess the work area | Hidden debris, uneven terrain, traffic, bystanders too close | Walk the area, remove large debris before starting, set cones when near roads, ensure crew stays clear of cutting path |
| Inspect the trimmer | Damaged guards, loose fasteners, worn line or blade, fuel leaks | Check guard placement, verify fuel cap tightness, inspect head assembly, remove defective equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Flying debris, noise exposure, eye injuries, foot injuries | Put on all PPE before operating equipment; confirm visibility vest is worn near roadways |
| Refuel and prepare trimmer | Fire hazard, fuel spills, burns from hot engine | Shut off trimmer before refueling, allow engine to cool, refuel on stable ground away from ignition sources, wipe any spills |
| Start and test trimmer | Unexpected movement, debris thrown toward operator | Start machine on level ground, engage throttle gradually, test controls before beginning work |
| Establish cutting plan | Slips, loss of footing, walking into hazards | Identify terrain hazards, plan direction of travel, maintain stable stance, avoid cutting on excessive slopes |
| Conduct brush cutting | Flying debris, contact with rotating head, kickback from metal blades | Keep both hands on trimmer, cut at waist height or below, direct debris away from people and vehicles, do not use metal blades without proper training and guards |
| Watch for crew location | Crew wandering into hazard zone, debris striking others | Maintain verbal communication, assign lookout if working near others, keep crew at least 50 feet away from cutting operations |
| Clear clogged head or tangled material | Entanglement, cuts, burns | Shut off trimmer, allow head to stop completely, remove spark plug wire if necessary, clear material with gloves and tools |
| Transport or reposition | Contact with rotating head, slips, tripping with running equipment | Shut off trimmer when moving to new area, hold cutting head pointed down and away from body |
| Final clean up and inspection | Cuts, contact with hot engine, lifting injury | Let equipment cool before maintenance, wear gloves, remove debris from cooling fins, store trimmer properly |
Safety glasses or face shield
Hard hat
Hearing protection
High visibility vest when near traffic
Cut resistant gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
Steel toe boots
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Chainsaw, Forestry, and Vegetation Management
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.
| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess the work area | Hidden debris, uneven terrain, traffic, bystanders too close | Walk the area, remove large debris before starting, set cones when near roads, ensure crew stays clear of cutting path |
| Inspect the trimmer | Damaged guards, loose fasteners, worn line or blade, fuel leaks | Check guard placement, verify fuel cap tightness, inspect head assembly, remove defective equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Flying debris, noise exposure, eye injuries, foot injuries | Put on all PPE before operating equipment; confirm visibility vest is worn near roadways |
| Refuel and prepare trimmer | Fire hazard, fuel spills, burns from hot engine | Shut off trimmer before refueling, allow engine to cool, refuel on stable ground away from ignition sources, wipe any spills |
| Start and test trimmer | Unexpected movement, debris thrown toward operator | Start machine on level ground, engage throttle gradually, test controls before beginning work |
| Establish cutting plan | Slips, loss of footing, walking into hazards | Identify terrain hazards, plan direction of travel, maintain stable stance, avoid cutting on excessive slopes |
| Conduct brush cutting | Flying debris, contact with rotating head, kickback from metal blades | Keep both hands on trimmer, cut at waist height or below, direct debris away from people and vehicles, do not use metal blades without proper training and guards |
| Watch for crew location | Crew wandering into hazard zone, debris striking others | Maintain verbal communication, assign lookout if working near others, keep crew at least 50 feet away from cutting operations |
| Clear clogged head or tangled material | Entanglement, cuts, burns | Shut off trimmer, allow head to stop completely, remove spark plug wire if necessary, clear material with gloves and tools |
| Transport or reposition | Contact with rotating head, slips, tripping with running equipment | Shut off trimmer when moving to new area, hold cutting head pointed down and away from body |
| Final clean up and inspection | Cuts, contact with hot engine, lifting injury | Let equipment cool before maintenance, wear gloves, remove debris from cooling fins, store trimmer properly |
Safety glasses or face shield
Hard hat
Hearing protection
High visibility vest when near traffic
Cut resistant gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
Steel toe boots