Rule 1420: Logging

RULE 1420
LOGGING

1421: General Provisions:

(1) Every employer in the logging industry shall organize a safety committee in accordance with Rule 1040.

(2) Medical and dental services shall be provided in every workplace where logging operation is in progress in accordance with Rule 1960.

(3) All persons in charge of a work group or gang shall be trained first aiders.

(4) At every worksite there shall be provided adequate communication system and transportation in order to bring an injured person to a clinic or hospital for proper medical care.

1422: Handtools:

(1) Handtools shall be well maintained, restricted to the use for which they are intended and shall be issued to and used only by workers required and trained to use such tools.

(2) Impact tools which have mushroomed more than 0.6 cm. from the body of the tool shall be repaired or replaced.

(3) Only spikes or needles of the right quality, size and condition shall be used for splicing.

(4) Blasting or the use of powder actuated tools shall only be done by duly trained and authorized workers.

1423: General Logging Operations:

(1) No work shall be started or continued in timbered areas during periods of high winds, extremely heavy fogs and other hazardous weather conditions, or when vision is impaired by darkness unless adequate lighting facilities are provided.

(2) Safety shoes, hard hats and other protective equipment shall be provided by the employer when warranted by the type of work and by the hazards in which the workers are exposed.

(3) Non-slip materials shall be installed on all decks of machinery or equipment used by the workers in the performance of their duties.

(4) Imbedded metals or spikes shall be removed from logs before they are sent to the mills.

(5) After each shift or work period, a system to account for all workers returning from the woods shall be established and a daily report of these submitted to the immediate supervisor.

(6) All snags dangerous to any operation or activity shall be felled.

(7) Blocks, straps, clevises, lugs, lines, riggings, boilers, prime movers and other similar equipment shall be thoroughly inspected and the necessary repairs or replacement made before they are put to use. Only clevises or shackles of a screw pin or lock nut type shall be used for connections. Moving blocks shall be well greased.

(8) Cross cut or drag saws shall have the teeth shielded while being transported.

(9) Riding on rigging equipment is prohibited.

(10) All lines, block, loading and yarding equipment shall be of sufficient strength to safely withstand all imposed strains.

(11) Servicing of fuel tanks of gasoline fed equipment shall be done in an approved manner and no gasoline shall be handled in open containers. There shall be no open light or fire within 30 m (100 ft.) from the equipment during refueling or loading of gasoline or other flammable substances.

(12) Logging cars or trains carrying passengers shall not carry gasoline over 19 liters (5 gal.) outside of the regular fuel supply tank The allowable quantity shall be carried in especially made container with tight screw covers. Smoking or open lights shall not be allowed in cars carrying gasoline or other flammable substances.

(13) Logging trains carrying passengers shall not be coupled immediately behind or in front of logging trains carrying gasoline over 19 liters (5 gal.).

(14) Fellers shall be so located that they will not endanger other workers. In steep logging sites, one set of fellers shall not be located immediately on the slope from other fellers. Fellers shall not be allowed to work alone. The head feller shall at all times know the location of other workers and passing persons.

(15) When felling trees near a railroad trail or motor road, traffic shall be controlled to prevent accidents.

(16) Spring boards or chopping platforms shall be so designed to safely carry all workers and equipment and all wood materials used therein shall be sound and straight grained lumber.

(17) Before felling a tree, a way of escape shall be determined and this way shall be arranged and kept clear of any obstruction to permit a quick get-away of all workers.

(18) Undercuts shall be about 113 of the diameter of the tree. Two horizontal undercuts shall not be allowed unless the tree is sniped.

(19) After a back-cut is started, a tree shall not be left standing under any circumstances.

(20) The head feller shall warn all workers in the vicinity of a tree to be felled, indicating the direction of the fall and taking notice that all persons in the vicinity are out of reach of the falling tree or other trees which may be struck by the falling tree.

(21) All logs liable to roll while bucking shall be propped and the props shall be removed only after the logs are moved away.

(22) If there is danger in cutting through a log while bucking, a safe margin shall be left and the log distinctly marked to warn the rigging man.

1424: Use and Maintenance of Power Saws:

(1) Power saws shall be stopped when moved from tree to tree, adjusted or when the tree starts to fall

(2) The idler end of the bar of chain saws shall be adequately guarded.

(3) Every power saw shall be provided with a deadman grip.

(4) Every power saw shall be provided with a clutch which shall be maintained in good operating condition.

(5) Every electric power saw shall be grounded aid provided with a shut off switch.

(6) All electric cables of power equipment shall be disconnected during transfer from one place to another.

1425: Logging Engine:

(1) Only skilled and experienced workers shall be employed as logging engine operators.

(2) All logging engines shall be provided with sound signaling devices audible to all persons in the vicinity of the logging operations.

(3) Brake bands, drum and bearings shall be adequate for the type of service in which they are used.

(4) Ends of lines attached to drums shall be securely fastened. Ends of line aver 2.5 cm. (1 in.) shall be babbitted.

(5) Sleds of logging engine shall be designed and constructed to withstand moving. They shall be provided with sheds designed and constructed to withstand the whipping action of breaking lines.

(6) Head blocks and fair-leads shall be fastened with maximum number of four (4) bolts designed with a factor of safety of six (6).

1426: Logging Engine Operation:

(1) Sufficient rigging shall be set to avoid jerking of the logging engine. Insecure stumps used to hold the logging engine shall be tied back. Insecure trees used for holds shall be guyed.

(2) When holds are being changed, the logging engine shall be secured with a separate line if there is danger of it sliding.

(3) Sufficient rigging shall be used when snubbing logging engines down step grades and during this operation the mainline shall be used for snubbing and the haul back for pulling.

(4) Only the hook tender and the engine operator shall ride the logging engine when it is moved. A clear way of escape shall be provided for these workers riding in the engine.

(5) The high climber shall always be within sight or calling distance of another worker. He shall be well equipped with a safety belt, steel spurs, and steel cored climbing rope with an extra set of these equipment reserved in case of emergency.

(6) Running lines shall not be moved while the high climber is working in the trees except as he directs.

All signals shall come from the high climber which shall be received and transmitted by an experienced worker assigned to the job. While the high climber is working in the tree, all other workers shall stay at a safe distance.

(7) Spar trees shall be provided with pass lines of from I to 1.5 cm. in diameter, in good condition without short or eye-to-eye splices or knots, and long enough for the purpose.

(8) Pass line equipment shall be properly maintained and inspected before placing in the trees. The bearing pin shall be of the type which will positively secure the nuts and pins. The chains shall be of at least 0.6 cm. (114 in.) of the best material without cold shuts or wire strands and attached to the end of the pass line with a clevis or ring.

(9) Spar trees shall be sound and of sufficient diameter to carry out the loads imposed on them. Spar trees used for loading or yarding shall be short enough to be rigid and the top guy wires shall not be more than 30 cm (12 in.) or less than 15 cm. (6 in.) from the top of the spar trees. Spar trees, except those belonging to the first, second or third group of timber shall be barked.

(10) Guy wires shall not be less than 2.5 cm. (1 in.) in diameter of plow steel or better material in good condition, and shall develop a factor of safety of three (3) under a load that will stall the engine.

(11) The minimum number of guy lines for logging operations shall be as follows:
OPERATION TOP GUY BUCKLE GUY
Logging and Yarding
Logging and Swinging
Loading only (head tree)
Loading only (tail tree)
Yarding only
Yarding with sky line
Head tree
Tail tree
6
6
5
5
5
6
3
4
4
–
–
3
4
–

(12) Guy line shall be fastened to spar trees by means of shackles, hooks and slides, or other devices of similar construction equal in strength to the guy lines. The use of loops or wild eyes to attach guy lines is prohibited.

(13) Shackle pins shall be inserted head up and securely fastened with molles or cotter keys. The “U” part of the shackle shall be around the guy lines and the pins through the eyes. Only sleeve shackles shall be used to hang tree jack.

(14) Guy lines shall be passed alternately around the spar trees in opposite directions and shall be properly attached to the spar trees to prevent their falling when they are tightened.

(15) Extensions to the guy lines or sky lines shall only be by regular long splices equal in strength to the
lines to which they are spliced or by shackles connecting two spliced eyes tucked at least three (3) times.

The shackles used for connections shall have a strength of at least 1 1/2 times the strength of the lines which they connect. Shackles shall not be placed where the lines pass through blocks or travelers.

(16) Guy lines shall be hung in a tree by jacks and securely anchored to a stump or dead tree. The end of the sky lines shall not be anchored to spar trees.

(17) Stumps shall be carefully chosen as to position and strength and, if necessary, they shall be tied back. These stumps shall be inspected from time to time during the progress of operation. Standing trees shall not be used as stumps except for holding tail trees in yarding operations.

(18) The anchor ends of guy or sky lines shall be firmly secured by passing the end lines at ‘.east two and one half (2 1 /2) turns around the stumps adequately notched to contain the end lines. Where spikes are used to secure the lines, each turn shall be firmly spiked. Where wire rope clips are used, they shall be at least three (3) “U” bolts secured on the dead end of the rope and spaced at approximately six (6) times the diameter of the rope.

(19) Tightening of guy and sky lines shall be by mechanical power. In removing lines from stumps, the last wrap shall be removed by blasting, otherwise a reverse safety wrap shall be put on and the safety holdbacks shall be used.

(20) All tree straps shall be of the best material, properly seated and at least larger than the pulling lines.

(21) All running lines, load blocks, and tree jacks shall be properly hanged to the spar trees. The strength of shackles used to hang blocks and tree jacks shall be not less than two (2) times that of the pulling lines. The shackle pins shall be secured by a nut with a cotter key or wire strand run twice through the pin with the loose ends rolled in.

(22) Straps of at least double the strength of the running lines shall be used to hang blocks and tree jacks hanged in only one eye. Threaded straps for running lines or swivel type blocks shall not be used.

(23) Safety straps of at least 2.5 cm. (1 in.) material shall be used on all blocks rigged below the guy lines. The end of the strap shall be securely fastened to the block and the other end to a shackle arranged to slide down on a guy line which will carry the blocks in the direction of least hazard to the workers. Where this arrangement is not possible, safety strap shall be 1.25 cm. (112 in.) larger than the pulling lines.

(24) Spar tree rigging shall be arranged so that the lines will not rub against each other. No block, except pass blocks, shall hang above the top guy lines.

(25) Blocks used for yarding or swining shall be hung in at least two (2) straps, and each strap shall be of a line equal in strength to the running line.

(26) Yarding with more than one (1) logging engine at one time in one spar tree is prohibited.

(27) The angle between the logging engine, the high line block and the yarding or swing line shall not be less than 90 o .

(28) Signals to the engine operator shall be received and transmitted only by a designated worker, except in case of danger, when any one may give the signal. Signals shall be clear and distinct.

(29) The workers receiving and transmitting signals shall be in a place out of moving lines, logs and other hazards and where he can clearly hear and be clearly heard by the rigging crew.

(30) Signal system shall be properly installed and maintained in good condition at all times. Signals on logging engines, tractors and other machinery used by yarders shall be audible to the rigging crew.

(31) Hand signals for yarding and swinging shall only be used in temporary emergencies and only when the worker giving the signal is in plain sight of the logging engine operator but shall never be used for distances more than 9 m. (30 ft.)

(32) Signals to the yarding operator shall be given only by one member of the yarding crew. When this worker is out of sight, another worker shall be assigned to receive and transmit all signals during swinging operation.

(33) No log chasing operation shall be made when the logs are swinging. Log chasers shall be sure that the logs are securely landed before unhooking the chokers.

(34) Logs shall not be loaded or moved while the chasers are working on other logs or until all the workers and equipment are on the clear.

1427: Tractor Yarding:

(1) Logs shall not be suspended in arches when tractor yarding is done on slopes of 60 o or over. Instead tractor or skid trails shall be constructed and the tractor shall be equipped with blades.

(2) Sufficient tractor brakes shall be used to hold the machine on any grade over which it is being operated. Holding devices shall be provided on brakes which shall be of a design that will not accidentally release.

(3) Tractor running boards shall be kept from getting slippery, otherwise they shall be covered with non-slip materials.

(4) Arches shall be equipped with line guards arranged to prevent a whipping action if the lines break. If a coupling is attached above the drum, it shall be secured by a strap.

(5) Riding on arches, logs or any part of the tractor, except on the driver’s seat, is prohibited.

(6) Workers shall not stand on the tracks of the logging tractor, except if required by the nature of the work they are doing and only when there is no danger of the tractor moving.

(7) Movements of tractors around workers shall be regulated by clearly visible and distinct signals which can be understood by the workers.

(8) Every tractor shall be equipped with a canopy guard designed, constructed and installed to protect the operator from falling trees, side winders, breaking lines and other such hazards, The design shall be such as to allow the driver all visibility possible.

1428: Line, Blocks, Rigging:

(1) Second hand or used cables and straps shall not be used until their condition has been established as sufficient to carry the imposed loads.

(2) Cables or straps which are badly worn, fatigued, kinked, chafed, or damaged beyond point of safety shall be taken out of service or repaired. Cables with 12 1/2% of the wires broken within a distance of one wrap shall not be used.

(3) The following shall be used in permanently splicing running lines:

ROPE DIAMETER UNRAVELED
0.638 cm (1/4 in.)
1027 cm. (1/2 in.)
1.905 cm. (3/4 in.)
2.54 cm. (1 in.)
3.175 cm. (1 – 3/4 in.)
3.81 (1 – 1/2 in.)
4.445 cm (1 – 3/4 in.)
5.02 cm. (2 in.)
1.52 m.
2.14 m.
2.74 m.
3.65 m.
4.57 m.
6.10 m.
7.65 m.
9.15 m.

(4) Eye splices shall be used in joining long lay ropes.

(5) Short splices, eye-to-eye splices, cat’s paws, knots or molles, or wild eyes shall not be used for permanently joining ropes, except for temporary purposes when rigging.

(6) Eye splices in all lines shall be tucked 3 times, and 4 times if subjected to heavy strains.

(7) Blocks and sheaves shall be in proportion to the size, stress and design of the cables used. Sheaves shall be of solid metal or better material. Bearings shall be well oiled.

(8) All blocks shall be fitted with line guards to prevent fouling. The bearings and pins shall be securely fastened.

(9) Tree jacks shall be repaired or replaced when the wood they contain becomes insufficient to prevent the lines from rubbing on the bolts.

(10) High load shackles, sky line shackles, skidders, tower shackles, or swivels subjected to heavy strains not be built up by welding. The strength of shackles used for joining line shall not be less than 1 1/2 times that of the lines they join.

(11) The spread of the jaws of the high load shackles shall fit the yoke or swivel. High load and rigging shackles, except those of manganese steel, shall be heat treated at intervals.