CODE OF PRACTICE FOR WOOD PROCESSING FACILITIES (SAWMILLS & LUMBERYARDS) Version 2 January 2012 Guyana Forestry Commission Table of Contents FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 8 1.1 Wood Processing................................................................................................................................. 8 1.2 Development of the Code ................................................................................................................... 9 1.3 Scope of the Code ............................................................................................................................... 9 1.4 Objectives of the Code ...................................................................................................................... 10 1.5 Implementation of the Code ............................................................................................................. 10 2.0 PRE-SAWMILLING RECOMMENDATIONS. ............................................................................................. 11 2.1 Market Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 11 2.1.1 General ........................................................................................................................................... 11 2.1.2 Product Type .................................................................................................................................. 11 2.1.3 Product Mix Selection. ................................................................................................................... 12 2.2 Logs - Raw Material input ................................................................................................................. 13 2.2.1 Cutting/Forest Management ......................................................................................................... 13 2.2.2 Transportation of logs. ................................................................................................................... 14 3.0 SAWMILLING REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................. 15 3.1 Legal requirements ........................................................................................................................... 15 3.2 GFC Requirements: ........................................................................................................................... 15 3.3 Design of Sawmill .............................................................................................................................. 15 3.3.1 Sawmill Design, Type and Layout. .................................................................................................. 15 3.3.2 Sawmill System .............................................................................................................................. 16 3.3.3 Headrig / Breakdown Saw Requirements ...................................................................................... 17 3.3.4 Gang Rip Saws ................................................................................................................................ 18 3.3.5 Board Edger .................................................................................................................................... 19 3.3.6 Trim or Cross-cut Station ............................................................................................................... 19 3.3.7 Accessories to Enhance Productivity and Reduce Costs ................................................................ 20 3.4 Log Yard Operations .......................................................................................................................... 21 3.4.1 Storage of Logs ............................................................................................................................... 21 3.4.2 Preparation of Logs ........................................................................................................................ 21 3.4.3 Grading/Identify Open Face ........................................................................................................... 22 2 3.4.4 Log Loading and Orientation .......................................................................................................... 24 3.5 Sawmilling Operations ...................................................................................................................... 25 3.5.1 General ........................................................................................................................................... 25 3.5.2 Primary Log Breakdown/Headrig/Resaw ....................................................................................... 25 3.6 Sawing Patterns ................................................................................................................................ 26 3.6.1 Live-Sawing .................................................................................................................................... 26 3.6.2 Cant Sawing ............................................................................................................................. 27 3.6.3 Quarter Sawing ....................................................................................................................... 28 3.6.4 Grade Sawing .......................................................................................................................... 29 3.6.5 Back Sawing ............................................................................................................................. 33 3.7 Edger Operation ................................................................................................................................ 34 3.8 Trim Saw/Cross-cut Saw Operation .................................................................................................. 35 3.9 Rough Planing ................................................................................................................................... 35 3.10 Production Tolerances - Specifications for Rough Sawn Lumber ................................................... 35 3.11 Chainsaw Milling ............................................................................................................................. 37 4.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE ACTIVITIES ......................................................................................................... 38 4.1 Documentation/Record Keeping ...................................................................................................... 38 4.2 Training and Competency of Personnel ............................................................................................ 38 4.3 Maintenance of Equipment. ............................................................................................................. 39 4.3.1 Saw-doctoring (filing) ..................................................................................................................... 39 4.4 Calibration of Measuring Instruments and Equipment .................................................................... 41 5.0 OTHER NON-SAWMILLING ACTIVITIES THAT MUST BE ADHERED TO IN A PROCESSING OPERATION: 42 5.1 General. ............................................................................................................................................. 42 5.2 Stacking/Racking ............................................................................................................................... 43 5.3 Methods for Drying Lumber .............................................................................................................. 44 5.3.1 Air-dry Lumber ............................................................................................................................... 44 5.3.2 Kiln-dry Lumber .............................................................................................................................. 45 5.3.3 Solar Drying .................................................................................................................................... 45 5.4 Grading of Lumber ............................................................................................................................ 46 5.5 Treating and Preserving Lumber - Preventative Treatment ............................................................. 46 5.6 Dressing Lumber/Finishing Planer - Specifications for Dressed Lumber .......................................... 46 3 6.0 SOCIAL REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................................... 48 6.1 National Insurance Scheme .............................................................................................................. 48 6.2 Labour Acts ....................................................................................................................................... 48 7.0 HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................. 49 7.1 General .............................................................................................................................................