1. UNIT 6 FORESTRY SAFETY
Forestry Revision Committee
May 2007

2. OBJECTIVES Define the terms.
List & discuss common environmental hazzards.
Discuss first aid & the contents of a first aid kit.
List causes of accidents.

3. Objectives Discuss how to prevent hazzardous situations.
List & describe poisonous snakes, spiders, insects & plants.
Discuss topographical hazzards.
Lists things to be aware of.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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!

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

8. COMMON ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
HEAT
INSECTS
WILDLIFE
TOPOGRAPHIC HAZARDS

9. HEAT Hot temperatures causes burns, cramps, exhaustion & heat strokes.
PROTECTION:
Proper clothing
Knowing the signs
Pacing yourself

10. 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.

11. WILDLIFE Most wildlife will avoid humans and most are not a threat.
PROTECTION:
Be alert!
Stay calm
Wear proper clothing
Use good judgement

12. TOPOGRAPHIC HAZARDS
Uneven ground, holes, rotten limbs & dead trees. Twisted or broken ankles or backs are common occurrences.
PROTECTION:
Recognize dangers in the forest
Stay alert!
Practice Safety

13. 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.

14. FIRST AID KIT CONTENTS Antiseptic Adhesive bandages
Gauze pads, various sizes
Gauze rolls
Triangular bandages for large wounds & slings
Scissors

15. FIRST AID KIT CONTENTS Tweezers Elastic bandages for sprains
Snake bite kit
Burn ointment
Eye wash bottle
Inflatable splint

16. CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS
Many accidents occur due to negligence of an individual or group.
Not paying attention to hazards
Distraction by someone else
Lack of concentration on the job at hand
MOSTLY BY PURE CARELESSNESS!!!

17. 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.

18. 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.

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

20. POISONOUS SNAKES
Timber rattler or Canebreak rattler

21. Cottonmouth moccasin

22. Copperhead

23. SPIDER & OTHER INSECTS Seldom cause death by bites but it does occur.
Prevalent in the forest of the Southeast
Prevention includes keeping alert, watching where you sit or put your hands, use repellents.

24. TICKS Carry Lyme disease which can be fatal
Cause Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), Tularemia & American Q fever
PROTECTION: Keep pants tucked in, use repellents (DEET), wear light colored clothing

25. FIRE ANTS
3 Species found in the South, 2 imported from South America & 1 native.
Produce large mounds with thousands of insects.
Very aggressive
Attacks usually result in several stings
PROTECTION: Keep alert and avoid disturbing mounds.

26. SCORPIONS Stings can be painful
Found 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

27. 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

28. Hornets

29. Wasps

30. 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.

31. BLACK WIDOW
Possess a neurotoxin that effects the central nervous system
Bites are extremely dangerous and should seek medical attention immediately

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. Poison Oak: usually small bushes,
3-lobed leaves

36. Poison sumac

37. POSIONOUS PLANTS PROTECTION:
Keep skin covered & avoid plants with 3-leaf clusters
Wash hands with soap & water if you contact the plant
Do not burn poison ivy or oak. Smoke can blister the lungs causing illness & sometimes death

38. 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 alert
Use caution
Use good judgement

39. 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.