Logging Safety: a Field Guide
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LOGGING SAFETY: A FIELD GUIDE New York Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program New York State Department of Health Introduction Logging has consistently been one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. • 95 workers were fatally injured in the U.S. logging industry in 2006, resulting in a fatality rate of 85.6 deaths per 100,000 workers. The fatality rate for all occupations in the U.S. in 2006 was 4.0 deaths per 100,000 workers. • 40 workers were killed in New York State while performing tree work, including logging, between 20022007. • 17% of logging employee fatalities are machine related accidents. • 40,000 logging injuries occurred in the U.S. in 2007. Total medical costs approached $300 million. The information in this booklet reviews the key elements of logging hazards and the OSHA Logging Standard requirements and suggests some preventive measures that can help loggers and other tree workers to reduce injuries and work safely. 1 Table of Contents SECTION ONE: Logging Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) . 3 SECTION TWO: Chain Saw Safety . 12 SECTION THREE: Manual Felling . 19 SECTION FOUR: Limbing and Bucking. 35 SECTION FIVE: Skidding/Yarding . 45 SECTION SIX: Loading and Transporting. 48 SECTION SEVEN: Machines and Vehicles . 52 SECTION EIGHT: Chemicals. 64 SECTION NINE: Signaling and Signal Equipment. 66 SECTION TEN: First Aid and Emergencies . 67 SECTION ELEVEN: Logging Safety Program. 80 APPENDIX: Glossary of Logging Terms. 96 Acknowledgments . 107 2 SECTION ONE 1 Logging Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) L o g g i n g • Use to protect the head, ears, eyes, P e r face, hands, legs and feet. s o nal • Wear even in hot weather. P r o t • Inspect before each use. e cti v • Does NOT eliminate the hazards! e E q Training and enforcement of PPE use ui p are responsibilities of the employer. m e Employer must provide PPE to employees nt ( at no cost (except boots). P P E ) 3 1 Head Protection Many loggers are killed by being struck in the head by falling/flying objects ) E P (limbs, branches, etc.). Even the smallest piece of wood can be deadly. P ( nt • Hard hats must be worn! e m p • Hard hats are designed to absorb energy. ui q E • Hard hats should be of a high visibility color. e v cti • Head protection must be ANSI approved; e t o look for the ANSI Z89.1 stamp. r P nal o s r e P g n i g g o L 4 Hearing Protection Noise Facts 1 • Time Weighted Average (TWA) represents the average noise level you are L o exposed to in an 8hour workday including all levels of noise experienced. g g i • Workplace exposure limits are expressed in units of dBA. Decibels are measured n g using an Aweighted scale for noise level, which adjusts noise measurements P e r using a builtin Aweighted filter that largely ignores low frequency sound s o energy just as the human ears do. nal • OSHA requires that all employers administer a hearing conservation program P r o whenever worker noise exposures equal or exceed 8hour TWA of 85 dBA. t e • Long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. cti v e • Some hearing loss occurs naturally as you age. E q • Workrelated hearing loss and noiseinduced hearing loss from recreational ui p activities may be irreversible. m e nt • Hearing loss may impact your enjoyment of life. ( P • Ears are not designed to deal with harmful loud noises, such as that produced P E by a chainsaw (110 dBAs). ) • Hearing loss may be gradual, so it is not always obvious. • Noise may increase your blood pressure. 5 1 Hearing Protection: Typical Noise Levels & Time Weighted Averages – Loader: 85 TWA (dBA) ) E P – Skidder: 88 TWA (dBA) P ( nt – Dozer: 97 TWA (dBA) e m – Timber Cutter: 104 TWA (dBA) p ui q • Remember the timber cutter’s 104 dBA level takes into account that the saw E e only runs about half of the time! v cti e t • The dozer and timber cutter operators’ noise exposures exceed 90 TWA (dBA); o r they need hearing protection! P nal • PROTECT YOUR EARS! ALL LOGGING WORKERS SHOULD USE HEARING o s r PROTECTION. e P g n i g g o L 6 Hearing Protection 1 • Whenever workers’ noise exposures equal or exceed an 8 hour TWA of 85dBA, L o hearing protection is required. g g i n g • Employers must make hearing protection available for all workers at no cost P e to the workers. r s o • Employees must wear hearing protection, such as ear muffs or ear plugs. nal Cotton balls are not acceptable protection. P r o t e • The hearing protection: cti v – Must be capable of limiting exposure to less than 90 Decibels (dBA) e E for 8 hours (use NRR rating*). q ui – Must be used and cared for according to the manufacturer. p m e – Must be kept clean so as to avoid infecting the ear. nt ( *NRR is the Noise Reduction Rating listed on each hearing protection container. P P E ) 7 1 Eye and Face Protection • Eye and face protection must be worn ) E P for all logging operations. P ( nt • Loggertype mesh screens are e m considered adequate eye and face p ui protection for chain saw users. q E e • Equipment must comply with ANSI v cti standards; look for the ANSI stamp. e t o r • Do NOT wear regular glasses or P sunglasses. nal o s r e P g n i g g o L 8 Leg Protection 1 Each worker who operates a chain saw must L o wear leg protection, commonly in the form g g i of saw chaps. n g P e • Chaps are made of cutresistant material r s o such as Kevlar or ballistic nylon. nal • Chaps must extend from upper thigh down P r o to boot top. t e cti • Chaps must be Underwriters Laboratories v e (UL) approved; check the tag located on E q the outside of the chaps. ui p m e • The average cost of chaps is $75.00. nt The average medical cost for a leg injury ( P P from a chain saw is $7,500. E ) Trousers should be kept at proper length to prevent tripping hazards. NO CUFFS! 9 1 Foot and Hand Protection • Employers must ensure that workers wear foot protection. ) E P – Boots should be heavy duty and waterrepellent. P ( nt – Boots should cover and support the ankle. e m – Cutresistant boots are required by OSHA for chain saw operators. p ui They must be UL approved. q E e • Employers must require and provide hand protection for all workers who v cti are exposed to hand hazards. e t o – Gloves are required for all workers who handle wire rope. r P – Gloves for wire rope handling should be cotton or equivalent. nal o s r e P g n i g g o L 10 Torso/Upper Body Protection 1 What PPE does this tree worker need? • Clothing should be properly fitted. L o g – No dangling shirt tails. g i n – No cuffs. g P e – No loose or fraying materials. r s o – No bare skin; cover up even nal in hot weather. P r o t e cti v e E q ui p m e nt ( P P E ) s Boot ant t is res Cut and y Dut y Heav , Chaps ’ ers g og L , es ov Gl y afet S d, hiel S ace F h es M ers g og L ion, ect Prot e y E ion, ect Prot Hearing 11 2 SECTION TWO Chain Saw Safety y t e Saf • The chain saw is one of the most efficient, productive and dangerous portable Saw power tools in any industry! n Chai • Proper operation and maintenance will increase both safety and productivity! • Chain saws must be in good condition and inspected before each shift. • Chain saws must be secured when transporting in vehicle or equipment cab. Unsecured tools can be a hazard to the operator, especially if a rollover occurs. Review the operator’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s instructions! 12 Chain Saw Injury Locations (U.S.) 2 Note: most injuries occur on the lower left leg and thigh, the left arm and the back Chai of the left hand. Be sure to protect your body. n Saw Saf e t y 13 2 Know the Safety Features of a Chain Saw • Side cover plates: intact y t e • Throttle trigger Saf • Muffler Saw n • Hand guard Chai • Chain catcher • Antivibration handle system • Throttle trigger lockout • Chain brake (gasoline only) Make sure that all safety features that are on the saw are functional. Always check before each use! 14 Before Starting Your Chain Saw Always 2 • Check for properly sharpened chain. Chai • Check controls, chain tension, bolts, and handles. n Saw • Adjust according to manufacturer’s instructions. Saf • Fuel at least 10 ft. from ignition sources. e t y • Start at least 10 ft. away from fuel. • Start with chain brake on, while standing on level ground or firmly supported. • Use approved metal or plastic fuel containers. Metal safety cans are the best choice. 15 2 While Running Your Chain Saw Always • Keep hands on handles. y t e • Maintain secure footing. Saf • Eliminate cutting overhead. Saw n • Keep your cutting area and your retreat path free of obstacles.