City Trees is a premier publication focused on urban + community forestry. In each issue, you’ll learn how to best manage the trees in your community and more!
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/84984
Safety and Woods Workers (SAWW) Training Program by Jim Tresouthick, City Forester, Village of Homewood, Illinois Photos Courtesy of SAWW Training Program The Safety and Woods Worker (SAWW) training program is a 501(c) 3 organiza- tion created to provide support and training to chain- saw safety trainers who in turn provide proper training regarding saw maintenance, felling, bucking, storm damage recovery, and communications for multiple levels of chainsaw users. Federal occupational safety departments in Canada and the U.S. as well as indi- vidual state departments of labor give our collective industry safety requirements to be followed and to regulate safety in the field. But the one thing they do not do is offer training regarding these standards, and in this vacuum we find ourselves providing tailgate training, videos, or on-the-job immersion. Safety, no matter the industry, is and should be first and foremost. It is the responsibility of urban forest managers to ensure that employees are properly trained in any task that their jobs may require. In addition to urban forest management, city foresters educate, bud- get, plan, operate equipment, give advice to residents, and address special interests. To further complicate our role, urban forestry responsibilities encompass much more than tree management and maintenance. In today's municipal forestry/arboriculture operations, such concerns include electricity/utilities, landscape maintenance, public safety, and streets. However, with this ever-increasing demand for wide-ranging operations, safety often becomes less of a focus as we managers Emerald Ash Borer's devastation has accelerated the need for sawyers trained in safe felling. 10 City Trees