Utah Fuels Work Woodchipper Malfunction 2024

An agency woodchipper experienced a malfunction while being used by an eight-person crew comprised of seasonal fuels crew and Conservation Corps members. On the morning of the incident, a crew member was feeding a branch into the chipper when a loud crashing noise was heard. Metal material was seen shooting out of the chute and bolts sheared from both blades, causing them to fall out of the rear feed tray. The operator quickly shut down the machine immediately following the noise and this metal discharge. No injuries occurred.

Close Call, Equipment, RLS