Longs Peak Council Chain Saw Operations Guide

Transcription

1 Longs Peak Council Chain Saw Operations Guide Revised 17 April 2012 Longs Peak Council (LPC) properties rely on chain saws to help clear trails, remove deadfalls, clear diseased trees, thin forests, and stockpile wood for campfires and heating buildings. Proper maintenance, personal protective equipment, and correct technique are critical components of safe chain saw operation. This guide provides the council with the means to safely run chain saw operations on council property. Primary contributors to safe chain saw operations are Training and Communications. To this end, and in recognition of the unique challenges present on our properties (hazard trees, beetle and mistletoe infestations, and wildfire fuels thinning), the LPC is requiring additional safety procedures above BSA national standards. Training National camp standards require that Sawyers (chain saw operators) be at least 18 years old and meet one of the following requirements: Be a professional forester. Be a certified arborist. Have received training in chain saw techniques from a Ranger section of National Camping School. Have written documentation of having other training in these techniques that is recognized by the state or federal government. Have successfully completed BSA Chain Saw Safety Training course, No In addition, the Longs Peak Council requires that all Sawyers shall have basic First Aid training. Also, the LPC defines a Saw Boss as someone who: Meets the above requirements as a Sawyer. Is at least 21 years old. Is recognized as an experienced person and has demonstrated ability to supervise safe saw operations. Is approved by the Council's Conservation Committee (and/or Risk Management through the Council camping committee) to serve as a Saw Boss. The Council's Conservation Committee (in concert with Risk Management) will maintain a list of recognized and authorized Saw Bosses. A Swamper (puller or assistant) is a competent person approved by the Saw Boss to work as part of the crew. No other training is required other than that provided by the daily safety Job Briefing. Note that youth working as Swampers is acceptable and allows for youth conservation support; however, they must attend and understand the job safety briefing. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Everyone on the crew must wear appropriate PPE, which includes: Hardhat: full brim or cap style Eye protection: safety glasses, goggles, or shield Hearing protection: earplugs or muffs Approved chain saw chaps: proper size and length (not needed for spotters or traffic control) Gloves: proper size, slip resistant, and weather-appropriate Long-sleeved shirt (weather-appropriate): no loose sleeves Work shoes or boots with non-slip sole (leather preferred): no loose laces Revised 17 April 2012 LPC Chain Saw Operations Guide 1

2 Chain Saw Operations Chain saw crews operating on LPC property shall consist of at minimum one Saw Boss and one other adult (swamper or sawyer). No one may work alone with a chain saw. Each saw crew must consist of at least two adults (18 years old) and one must be an LPC-approved Saw Boss. Sawyers who do not have Saw Boss designation are not allowed to cut on council property unless a Saw Boss is present and overseeing their work. If the crew includes multiple persons who are all approved as Saw Bosses, only one of them shall be designated as the Saw Boss for that particular job; the others will work as Sawyers. The Saw Boss has responsibility for directing all cutting operations on the job. He shall organize the crews and plan the work such that everyone can safely work together. As it is critical that everyone work under the Saw Boss's supervision, the Saw Boss has final say on who may or may not join the crew. For larger jobs with larger crews, it is suggested that the Saw Boss designate one or more spotters, or set up a rotation of sawyers to act in this role. Spotters should not be cutting or swamping, but be devoted to watching for hazardous conditions. The spotter's main duty is to communicate the presence of hazards and assist in mitigation of hazardous conditions. A spotter should usually be designated when multiple sawyers are working closely in the same general cut area. With large crews, it is also a good idea if the Saw Boss also not be cutting, but concentrate on overall supervision and safety. Job Briefing Every job shall begin with a safety Job Briefing, generally given by the Saw Boss. The entire crew must be present and attentive for this talk. The briefing shall include but is not limited to: Communicate the overall objective and specific work assignments Review applicable hazards (terrain, hazard trees, power lines, buildings, roads, trails, etc) Review hazard mitigation measures including LCES (Lookouts, Communications, Escape routes, Safety zones; as applicable to non-fire situations). Review the standards used, if any, for marking trees (colors, paint, flagging, etc) Review expected and required work standards (flush-cutting, limbing, bucking, slashing, etc) Ensure the proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is used by all crew members Identify the safe zone(s) for rest breaks and saw fueling and maintenance Explain the lines of communication and review signaling and communication procedures Review the plan that would be executed in the event of a serious illness or injury requiring medical evacuation Additional Job Briefings must be held if significant changes occur during the course of work that might affect the safety of crew members. After your Job Briefing, verify that crew members understand what they are responsible for and how they will eliminate or avoid hazards while doing their assigned work. Do not risk an incident because someone did not understand what to do or how to do it. The Job Briefing will help enable the work to be done safely and efficiently. During the briefing, crew members are responsible for developing and discussing field emergency evacuation procedures and alternatives in the event a person(s) becomes seriously ill or injured at the worksite. There must be a First Aid Kit available and its location known to all crew members. Identify any EMS/EMT qualified personnel on site, and know how to contact them. Revised 17 April 2012 LPC Chain Saw Operations Guide 2

3 Saw Fueling Handling of fuels shall conform to the Guide to Safe Scouting. In addition: Shut off the saw, and allow it to cool for a few minutes before fueling. Refuel out doors and at least 20 feet from open flame or other ignition source. Fill the tank on bare ground or other noncombustible surface. Slowly loosen the cap, allowing any built-up pressure to escape. Use an approved safety fuel container with a funnel or spout to help avoid spillage. Immediately clean up spilled fuel. Start the saw at least 10 feet from the fueling area. Non-Volunteer Crews Hired professional or non-lpc volunteer crews (USFS, fire dept, etc) with established safety records may work on LPC properties using their own established safety protocols. However, when such crews are working along side of LPC volunteers, it is favorable to coordinate the work standards, and it will be the responsibility of the LPC Saw Boss to dovetail the work conditions. Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) This example JHA is generic to chain saw activities and does not adequately address additional hazards associated with all operations or conditions. TASKS / PRO- CEDURES Training requirements Personal protective equipment (PPE) Equipment Transporting chain saws Walking with chain saw HAZARDS personal injury cuts, eye injuries, hearing loss, burns injury, damage to equipment or adjacent resources fire, damage to equipment, and personal injury cuts, falls, sprains and strains ABATEMENT ACTIONS Meets LPC training requirements. Do not exceed your level of training or experience. Proper PPE must be worn always. Ensure chain saw is in proper working order with fully functional chain brake. Ensure chain is properly sharpened and adjusted. Ensure falling axe of appropriate size and weight. Ensure proper size and number of wedges. Saw should be transported either purged of all fuel, or completely full. Bars should be covered during transportation. Saws should be secured in compartments away from people in a manner that will minimize shifting to prevent damage to saw and apparatus. Do not carry saws or fuel containers in passenger compartment of vehicle. Engage chain brake or shut off chain saw if walking more than 50 feet. While carrying chain saw on shoulder, ensure that chain and dogs are covered. Revised 17 April 2012 LPC Chain Saw Operations Guide 3

4 Traffic control Working in a group using a chain saw injury to public, damage to vehicles. struck by tree and limbs, head injury, crushing injury, death Saw team operations cuts, struck by trees and limbs, head injury, crushing injury, death Starting procedure Size-up loss of control, cuts from contact with moving chain head injury, cuts, falling, and slipping Ensure road guards are in place along roads, trails, etc. when felling trees that are along these routes. High-visibility safety vests may be appropriate in heavily trafficked areas. Establish communications between road guards and sawyer when needed. At least two adults must be present when operating a chain saw. No sawing alone. Space workers so that activities of one will not create a hazard for another. Have workers and felling crews on the same contour rather than some working above and below others on steep slopes. Establish and maintain area control and communications. No one shall approach a faller closer than 2-1/2 tree lengths of trees being felled until the faller has acknowledged that it is safe to do so, unless it is demonstrated that a team of workers is necessary to manually fell a particular tree, or to observe in a training situation with an instructor. Do not allow swamper to reach in to grab brush. Engage chain brake. Ensure swamper is clear of hazards during limbing and bucking operations. Sawyer and swamper must communicate with each other when pulling brush and working close together. The methods to safely start and operate a saw can vary with the model and size. The following basic precautions generally apply regardless of the saw model: Maintain a secure grip on the saw. Start the saw on the ground or ensure saw is firmly supported. Do not "drop start" a chain saw. Chain brake must be engaged. Size up the tree considering the tree species, height, diameter, lean, soundness, current and previous fire damage, split or broken top, overhead hazards, widow makers, and other hazard tree indicators. Sound the trunk. Bore tree if necessary to determine soundness. Walk anticipated lay of tree and check for hazards. Clear work area of hazards and obstructions. Determine and clear primary and secondary escape routes. Ensure that area 2 1/2 times the height of the tree to be felled is clear of personnel. Be alert for environmental conditions that could increase risk (strong/gusty winds, steep slopes, lightning, etc.). Ensure adequate traffic control measures are taken on roads and trails. Take and maintain area control. If the identified tree cannot be safely removed and presents a hazard, the area will be flagged off at a safe distance and an alternate mitigation used. Revised 17 April 2012 LPC Chain Saw Operations Guide 4

5 Felling process Hang-Up Trees Limbing Bucking No one shall approach a faller closer than 2-1/2 tree lengths of head injury, eye injury, cuts, amputation, trees being felled until the faller has acknowledged that it is safe to do so, unless it is demonstrated that a team of employees is necessary to manually fell a particular tree, or to observe crushing injuries, and death in a training situation with an instructor. Follow proper felling procedure as outlined in training. Initiate undercut at a level that ensures adequate footing and balance throughout cutting sequence. Before starting the back cut, the area should be surveyed to ensure that nobody has entered the area. A warning should be sounded as to the intentions of your actions. At the first sign of the tree committing to the undercut, move to the safety zone. No felling operations will be conducted at night or during times the top of tree being felled is obscured. head injury, eye injury, cuts, amputation, crushing injuries, and death cuts, injury from limbs whipping back, crushing injuries cuts, injury from limbs whipping back, crushing injuries If a tree hangs up during felling operation, a new size-up is required, including Go/No-Go decision and establishing escape routes. Evaluate competency of fallers present to deal safely with complexity of situation. Establish no work zone if hang-up cannot be safety dislodged. Do not make a bad situation worse by initiating a sequence of step cuts that results in nearly vertical hang-up or hang-up suspended completely off ground. Consider using rope puller to pull base of hang-up tree away from support tree. Beware of other logs, branches, or rocks immediately behind the area where you are bucking, brushing, or limbing for possible kickback potential or rocking of the chain. Watch for limbs under tension and be aware of kick back and bar pinch. Be cautious when limbing on the downhill sides of trees. Limbs may be holding tree in place, be aware that the log may roll after a limb is cut. Know where the tip of your bar is at all times. Walk the tree and make plan for limb removal sequence. Maintain clear area for footing. Engage chain brake if operator removes a hand from saw. Must have escape route. Beware of other logs, branches, or rocks in work area. Avoid bucking on the downhill side. Ensure log is stable. Check area for overhead hazards. Must have escape route. Fueling chain saws burns, possible fire Allow chain saw to cool before refueling. Fill the tank on bare ground or other noncombustible surface. Immediately clean up spilled fuel / use a funnel. Refuel out doors and away from open flame or other ignition source. Start the saw away from the fueling area. Revised 17 April 2012 LPC Chain Saw Operations Guide 5

6 The Guide to Safe Scouting: References BSA Chain Saw Safety Training course, No Course handout Colorado Fire Camp - S-212 Wildland Fire Chain Saw - Course information The Job Briefing is taken mostly from the BSA training handout, and merged with items from the JHA found at Colorado Fire Camp's S-212 course. Much of the JHA above was taken from the JHA posted for the Fire Camp course. Revised 17 April 2012 LPC Chain Saw Operations Guide 6