Tighten Your Chaps and Talk About Rocks

By Travis Dotson

Here are a couple lessons from 2020. These particular lessons are highlighted in our 2020 Infographic. These lessons sound very basic---because they are.

Basic lessons are fantastic because you can very easily implement them.

Remember where these lessons come from---actual incidents.

You all get the picture. If the chaps are loose the chain can pull the protective material aside and get ahold of your leg. Then it's like not having chaps.

Many of us likely never really thought about how this could happen, but it makes sense as soon as you read about it. You have now read about it. You now have the lesson in your head. Please implement the lesson by tightening your chap straps. You might also want to share this lesson with whomever you swap tanks with (it's hard to run the saw from the back of an ambulance).

Chaps: Cinch 'em snug.

This lesson will prove particularly useful if you happen to be a Heavy Equipment Operator or Heavy Equipment Boss.

If you are neither of those, you should still file this lesson away for the next time you encounter heavy equipment operating on rocky ground. You may be able to pass this lesson on to the folks doing the scouting. You can say: "Hey, just thought I'd mention that I have seen multiple accident reports where heavy equipment rolled because of rocks shifting their operating angle. Just a heads up."

You might also add: "I got those reports from the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center. That outfit sure is helpful!"

OK, don't add that second part. That would be a little weird and they might not focus on the valuable lesson about rocks and heavy equipment, but rather why you are are going out of your way to promote the Lessons Learned Center.

Focus on the lessons please.

Let's Review:

1. Tighten your chaps.
2. Beware of Heavy Equipment on rocky ground (communicate this lesson to those who can put it to use).