K-State Chipper/Shredder Safety - Safe Fueling Procedures
12 – Chipper/Shredder Safety
Safe Fueling Procedures
Gasoline and other fuels are flammable. Following safe fueling pro-
cedures will help reduce the risk of fuel ignition.
4
Always shut off the engine and wait at least 5 minutes for the
engine to cool before refueling.
4
Use only approved fuel containers and store in a well ventilated
area, away from direct sunlight.
4
Never smoke or have an open flame near fuel.
4
Touch the fuel nozzle to the chipper/shredder before opening the
fuel cap to reduce the chance that a static spark will ignite the
fuel. Keep the nozzle in contact with the filler neck while fuel-
ing. Replace the cap as soon as you are finished.
4
Use a funnel or non-spill nozzle when fueling to reduce spillage.
4
Wipe up all spills immediately, before starting the engine.
4
Never clean your hands or tools with gasoline. Use a nonflam-
mable solvent instead.
Transportation & Traffic
Never move, load or transport a chipper/shredder while the engine
is running. First, shut off the power supply, wait for all moving
parts to come to a complete stop and then disconnect the spark
plug wire (if applicable).
When towing, be sure to connect safety hitch chains and tighten
and secure trailer hitch bolts. Rotate the chipper/shredder’s discharge
chute in a direction where it will not strike objects along the road-
way. Equipment should only be towed at the manufacturer’s recom-
mended speed.
If the chipper/shredder is operated near a roadway, make sure it is
positioned far enough away to not interfere with the flow of traffic or
injure passers by. Use flags and warning signs to alert motorists that
there are employees in the area. These employees should wear highly
reflective vests. Ensure the discharge chute is pointed away from the
roadway as well. This will keep debris from flying toward traffic.
Summary of OSHA Accident Inspection 111895140
An employee was sitting on a chipper that was loaded on a trailer.
As the trailer was moving, it hit a hole in the ground and the chip-
per tipped over. The employee’s hand was pinned between the
chipper and the ground. He sustained severe cuts to his left hand.
Never sit on any part of the equipment under
any circumstance.
Accident Report
Chipper Overturns on Employee
To Properly Fill Fuel Containers:
1. Set the container on the ground.
2. Touch the fuel nozzle to the container before
opening the fuel cap so that any static spark
will not ignite vapors.
3. Keep the nozzle in contact with the
container while filling.
4. Don’t fill to the brim. Leave room for
expansion. Portable containers and gas
tanks should be filled ¾ full.