# I never knew wood chippers were this dangerous. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 10, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409 "2012-04-10T21:34:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![PacifistPorcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PacifistPorcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PacifistPorcupine)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/101 "2012-04-13T16:09:50Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > it should be fitted with AI and senses so that it"ll know when to stop, and at the same time its mobility could be upgraded so workers don’t have to go to it - it’ll go to them. I can see it now, a 20 foot tall shredding robot designed to recognize humans. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/102 "2012-04-13T17:28:21Z")
> [@PacifistPorcupine](#): > > I can see it now, a 20 foot tall shredding robot designed to recognize humans. Stephen King short story-_[The Mangler](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mangler)_ ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/103 "2012-04-13T17:34:02Z")
> [@PacifistPorcupine](#): > > I can see it now, a 20 foot tall shredding robot designed to recognize humans. This sounds like the intro to a sci-fi/horror movie. I can hear it saying, in Bender’s voice, “Kill all humans”. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/104 "2012-04-13T19:49:04Z")
When I had a couple of trees removed, the company set up one of those chippers in front of our house, and it was _fascinating_. I can see why a little kid would be drawn toward it. I offered the tree guy $50 if he would run my old TV through it, but he refused. ---
**Author:** ![Whammo72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/77aa72/32.png) [@Whammo72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whammo72)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/105 "2012-04-13T21:48:10Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > Ha, I laughed. > > Seriously though, don’t you think we should punish people who can be proven beyond reasonable doubt that they acted negligently towards the care of a child? I assume you’d want to prosecute someone who left their baby in a car on a summer day, or left their infant in the sink/tub to answer the phone only to come back and find them drowned, or something similar. While I admit that this wood chipper case isn’t nearly as clear-cut, it must at least be considered to be in the realm of possible negligence. Especially since this man was supposedly a professional who brought his son to work with him. So it’s not about protecting society or individuals, its about punishing the negligent? What exactly is gained in that as a whole? BTW.. I’m not so sure he is negligent, I think that’s jumping to conclusions. I have a 9 yo son and a 7 yo son, would I let them run a wood chipper, no. Would I let them feed branches in, no. They would be standing way back, but you can bet your ass they will be watching and just WANTING to feed those branches in. I could definitely see any kid wanting to throw a branch in when dads back is turned even though he was told not to. Its horrific but sometimes accidents happen. I just pray to God it never happens to me or mine. ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/106 "2012-04-14T01:13:14Z")
> [@Whammo72](#): > > So it’s not about protecting society or individuals, its about punishing the negligent? What exactly is gained in that as a whole? > > BTW.. I’m not so sure he is negligent, I think that’s jumping to conclusions. I have a 9 yo son and a 7 yo son, would I let them run a wood chipper, no. Would I let them feed branches in, no. They would be standing way back, but you can bet your ass they will be watching and just WANTING to feed those branches in. I could definitely see any kid wanting to throw a branch in when dads back is turned even though he was told not to. Its horrific but sometimes accidents happen. I just pray to God it never happens to me or mine. Couldn’t agree more, **Whammo72**. It’s interesting to me that from media reports the family concerned is receiving all manner of support from their community - no bleating of the self-righteous, or attributing blame to the negligence of a father. As it’s from people who know the family personally, I think that speaks volumes. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/107 "2012-04-14T03:03:50Z")
> [@Whammo72](#): > > So it’s not about protecting society or individuals, its about punishing the negligent? What exactly is gained in that as a whole? > > BTW.. I’m not so sure he is negligent, I think that’s jumping to conclusions. I have a 9 yo son and a 7 yo son, would I let them run a wood chipper, no. Would I let them feed branches in, no. They would be standing way back, but you can bet your ass they will be watching and just WANTING to feed those branches in. I could definitely see any kid wanting to throw a branch in when dads back is turned even though he was told not to. Its horrific but sometimes accidents happen. I just pray to God it never happens to me sor mine. When my son was that age I’d have to have him duct taped to a tree to stop him from trying to toss a limb in. And I wouldn’t have realized the degree of risk. But I’m not an arborist. ---
**Author:** ![FlyByNight512](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/82dd89/32.png) [@FlyByNight512](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyByNight512)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/108 "2012-04-14T14:30:13Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I’m sure something could be done. But it could just as easily be over-ridden. I don’t how all the different feed mechanisms work, but some of them use the chipping rolllers to provide the feed action, so a pretty strong stop is needed. The number of accidents involving wood chippers may not be all that high, and probably concentrates around people who are pretty stupid. The thing you mention, a two man operation is probably the best safety factor as long as there’s a big red shut off switch somewhere. This is true. The chippers I’ve seen up close had large shutoff switches where someone standing next to the chute could get to them. Of course, that doesn’t help if the person next to the chute is the one to get dragged in. As horrific as chipper accidents are, you’re probably right that the number of accidents isn’t high enough to warrant additional safety mechanisms, at least in the minds of the people who use them regularly. And a bypassed mechanism is more dangerous than no mechanism at all. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/109 "2012-04-14T21:54:34Z")
FYI, the funeral was today. [Here](http://www.norwichbulletin.com/carousel/x1157751738/Funeral-services-today-for-Salem-boy#axzz1s3OOppQt) is an article from a Connecticut newspaper, with photos. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/110 "2012-04-15T07:08:39Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > I’ve read and re-read this, but I still don’t quite get it. Your son and the dog were both running toward a big piece of farm machinery, neither one seeing it, and the dog loses a limb because he runs into the blades? 😕 Yes. _First._ When my stepdad heard his yelp he cut off the motor, thus not cutting off one of my son’s legs, too. Oh…they both saw it. That’s what they were running toward, because my son was young and the dog…was a dog. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/111 "2012-04-15T07:14:00Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:48, topic:618409”] I would be very curious about how many of the accidents with this kind of machinery happened to people who owned the machine or used it professionally, versus people who rented one for the weekend. And how many happened to the machine operator as opposed to bystanders. There are a million ways to screw up and hurt yourself (or someone else) using farm equipment, heavy machinery, saws, chippers, and so forth. It takes more than just a few minutes of training before you turn someone loose with this kind of gear. On the other hand, it’s VERY easy to get complacent, and that’s a recipe for disaster, too. “Barbed wire” [/QUOTE] Actually, the “wire” is pronounced “war.” Bob war. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/112 "2012-04-15T15:27:29Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > FYI, the funeral was today. [Here](http://www.norwichbulletin.com/carousel/x1157751738/Funeral-services-today-for-Salem-boy#axzz1s3OOppQt) is an article from a Connecticut newspaper, with photos. [Longer article](http://www.newbritainherald.com/articles/2012/04/15/news/doc4f8a24c575eed847505788.txt), this time from the newspaper in the city where the funeral occurred. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/113 "2012-04-15T20:57:00Z")
> [@FlyByNight512](#): > > A dead man switch isn’t terribly practical, since you need both hands to load branches. A dead man switch could easily be a foot pedal or a sensor pad that you stand on ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/114 "2012-04-16T12:00:56Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > A dead man switch could easily be a foot pedal or a sensor pad that you stand on Stand on or place a log on to keep it depressed and the tool more functional. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409/115 "2012-04-16T15:54:41Z")
> [@Whammo72](#): > > So it’s not about protecting society or individuals, its about punishing the negligent? What exactly is gained in that as a whole? > > BTW.. I’m not so sure he is negligent, I think that’s jumping to conclusions. I have a 9 yo son and a 7 yo son, would I let them run a wood chipper, no. Would I let them feed branches in, no. They would be standing way back, but you can bet your ass they will be watching and just WANTING to feed those branches in. I could definitely see any kid wanting to throw a branch in when dads back is turned even though he was told not to. Its horrific but sometimes accidents happen. I just pray to God it never happens to me or mine. But here’s the thing - you wouldn’t try to do your job of clearing the branches & feed them into the chipper AT THE SAME TIME you’re also watching your kids to make sure they don’t get too close to the chipper. Which is what the father did. I’m making the bold statement that by attempting to do both those tasks at the same time, he necessarily was being negligent. > [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](#): > > Couldn’t agree more, **Whammo72**. > > It’s interesting to me that from media reports the family concerned is receiving all manner of support from their community - no bleating of the self-righteous, or attributing blame to the negligence of a father. > > As it’s from people who know the family personally, I think that speaks volumes. If I knew the guy, I wouldn’t tell some reporter looking for a story that I thought the dad was negligent either. And it’s not like the people who know him can be objective about the matter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-never-knew-wood-chippers-were-this-dangerous/618409.md?page=5)