OSHA and chainsaw permits

Editor,

I was privileged to attend Mrs. Melanie Fullman’s forest service 4:30 meeting yesterday along with Mr. Larry Olsen, Jim O’Reilly and two esteemed carbon county commissioners. Although somewhat of a curmudgeon, I was not asked to leave and for 2 hours became privy to the current thinking regarding the troublesome snowy range road closure controversy.

Of great interest is the hard fact that all volunteers who wish to use chain saws must take and complete a 2 day mandatory OSHA chain saw operation course given by approved teachers which, if completed, will provide a 3-year chain saw certification.

Then, the forest service will permit volunteers who have all the mandatory OSHA safety equipment to help in our forest to clear designated roads. Helmets, ear protectors, eye or face shields, long pants, chaps, and gloves were mentioned by Melanie.

The good news is that once certified to operate a chain saw, a person can take a short 2 to 4 hour refresher course to learn any new OSHA rules or regulations and, I assume, safety information.

Melanie made it clear she will not “wink” and violate any OSHA or forest service rules when organizing or approving volunteers use of chain saws.

But for $20 any applicant can purchase a “firewood cutting permit” and on their own, in the designated firewood cutting areas go cut firewood without the OSHA certification and assume their own liability for injury or harm to others.

Also much of the meeting was devoted to having volunteers soon, perhaps on June 6th, start to clean up roads and campsites and report any damages observed to culverts, signs, etc that needs heavier equipment and serious safety maintenance.

Melanie will keep people appraised of the road and campground cleanup plans as finalized.

I appreciate the candor and courtesies of allowing my participation.

Leon Hetherington,

Saratoga

 

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