Business View - August 2015 9
OPEI offers the following tips to help homeowners
and businesses to plan ahead for storm cleanup:
Look it over
– before the storm hits. Your first task
should be to survey your property and make a list
of what tools might be needed. You might need a
chainsaw, pruner, generator, or utility type vehicle.
Take stock of your outdoor power equipment.
Ensure your equipment is in good working order.
Take your equipment to an authorized service cen-
ter for maintenance or repair if needed.
Find your safety gear.
Locate safety gear includ-
ing sturdy shoes, safety goggles, hard hats, reflec-
tive clothing and work gloves.
Review the owner’s manuals for your equip-
ment and safe handling procedures.
Read prod-
uct manuals to ensure you know how to operate
your equipment safely.
Have the right fuel on hand.
Fuel stations may be
closed after a storm, so it’s important to have the
proper fuel for your equipment. Store your fuel in
an approved container and use the type of fuel rec-
ommended by your equipment’s manufacturer. It is
illegal to use any fuel with more than 10 percent
ethanol in outdoor power equipment.
Calm and commonsense are the keys to using
products effectively.
Be calm and use common
sense when using outdoor power equipment. For
instance, be aware of fundamental dangers that can
occur, such as chainsaw kickback, which may hap-
pen when themoving chain at the tip of the guide bar
touches an object, or when the wood closes in and
pinches the saw chain in the cut. Always stand with
your weight on both feet, and adjust your stance so
you are angled away from the saw chain blade. Hold
the chainsaw with both hands. Never overreach or
cut anything above your shoulder height.
Keep firm footing when using pole saws and
pole pruners.
Make sure you always keep a firm
footing on the ground. Observe the safety zone,
which means keeping bystanders and power lines
(those above you and any that might have fallen
down) at least 50 feet away from your work area.
Ensure portable electric generators have plenty
of ventilation.
Generators should never be used
in an enclosed area or placed inside a home, even
if the windows or doors are open. Generators pro-
duce carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and
poisonous gas that can be lethal. Place the genera-
tor outside and away from windows, doors, and
vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come
indoors. Keep the generator dry and do not use it
in rainy or wet conditions. Before refueling, turn the
generator off and let it cool down.
Drive Utility Type Vehicles (UTVs) with caution.
Keep the vehicle stable, drive slowly and do not turn
the vehicle mid-slope or while on a hill.
Be aware of others. Keep bystanders, children
and animals out of your work area.
Do not al-
low other people near outdoor power equipment,
such as chainsaws, pole saws or pole pruners when
starting the equipment or cutting with it.
Pay attention to your health.
Storm cleanup can
be taxing on the body and the spirit. Do not oper-
ate power equipment when you are tired or overly
fatigued. Drink plenty of water and take regular
breaks.
