Politics & Government

Wenham Workers Get Chainsaw Training

Wenham workers received chainsaw training in advance of fall clearing and the potential for winter storm damage cleanup.

In time for fall cleanup season, Wenham town workers joined a total of 23 municipal workers from Chelmsford, Marlborough, Rutland, Wellesley, Westborough and Winchendon for a chainsaw training seminar last month at the Jericho Hill Recreation Center in Marlborough.

Chainsaws are one of the most formidable power tools used by municipal employees. Tim Ard, president of Forest Applications Training Inc., conducted the chainsaw training program to help reduce preventable chainsaw accidents and injuries. Participants learned about proper chainsaw safety and personal protective apparel, chainsaw maintenance and reduced down time, chain sharpening and starting procedures. Outdoor demonstrations included tree limbing and bucking, directional felling, and techniques for storm damage and removal.

“The town of Wenham has been proactive in not only putting aggressive employee safety programs in place, but also maximizing insurance cost savings for our taxpayers,” said Molly Martins, chairwoman of the Wenham Board of Selectmen. “This is a great example of a municipality teaming up with our insurance provider to focus on risk management that will lay a solid foundation for the safety of our workforce.”

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According to a Centers for Disease Control report, the primary cause of chainsaw accidents is improper training and cutting practices. The training was presented free of charge as a membership benefit by the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA), the property and casualty insurance provider for Wenham. Upon completion of this and other MIIA risk- and loss-prevention programs, Wenham is eligible to receive insurance premium credits through the MIIA Rewards Programs, reducing property and casualty insurance costs.

Submitted by MIAA.

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