The Top Safety Tips For Using A Log Splitter

There are plenty of reasons that homeowners and business owners alike are opting to use log splitters in their day to day lives – not only are they highly useful pieces of equipment, they can halve the time you spend cutting up wood and give you more time to focus on other tasks. Use these tips for ensuring that your splitter experiences are always safe ones:

• Children are a no-no
You should never let a child anywhere near a log splitter while it is in use, never mind letting them operate it. Unfortunately, children are more likely to be injured by the equipment, simply because they do not have the same capacity to judge risks as adults do.
• Protective gear is not an option
Whenever you will be operating or observing a log splitter, it is imperative that you wear the proper protective gear at all times – the very minimum that you should be wearing is safety goggles and steel-toed boots.
• Read the instructions
Most log splitter injuries could be prevented if only the operator would read the instruction manual. If you don’t use the equipment correctly, it could break or seriously injure the people around it.
• A clear work area is a must
It is never recommended to use a splitter in an area that is cramped or crowded with people – you need to ensure that there is a perimeter of several feet around the equipment at all times to protect the splitter from overheating and spectators from injury.
• Refrain from making adjustments
If, for some reason, you need to make an adjustment to the log splitter, only do this when the equipment has been completely turned off. If you try to make adjustments whilst it is still on, you could cause serious damage to yourself and the machine.
• Nighttime is rest time
Even though you may think you could use your log splitter with your eyes closed and your hands tied behind your back, it is not a machine that should be used at night or in the dark – one slip could cost you a lot.
• Don’t drink and drive
You should never operate a log splitter when under the influence of any sort of substance that could impair your vision or ability to react, including: drugs, alcohol and even some medications (such as decongestants).

As you can see, a lot of the safety tips surrounding the use of a log splitter should all come under the heading of common sense – it is a matter of thinking before acting. If you follow all of the above tips when it comes to next using your splitter, whether it’s at home or at work, you can help to ensure that safety is your prime concern.