Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Power Saws.
(1) Power saws shall be operated and
maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
(2) A power saw shall be started on the
ground or where it is otherwise firmly held or supported to prevent unintended
movement of the saw. Chain saws shall not be drop started. Power saws shall not
be started from an elevated position unless the area below is clear of
personnel.
(3) Power saws weighing
more than fifteen pounds (service weight) that are used in trees shall be
supported by a separate line or tool lanyard, except when working from an
aerial-lift device or during topping or removing operations where no supporting
limb is available.
(4) All power
saws shall be equipped with a constant pressure control that will return the
saw to idling speed when released.
(5) A power saw engine shall not be started
and operated unless all employees other than the operator are clear of the
saw.
(6) A power saw shall not be
running when the saw is being carried up into a tree by an employee.
(7) Power saws shall be equipped with a
clutch and be so adjusted that the chain drive will not engage at idling
speed.
(8) Power saw engines shall
be stopped when carried for a distance greater than 100 feet, or in hazardous
conditions such as slippery surfaces or heavy underbrush. Chain brakes shall be
engaged or the saw engine stopped when the saw is carried a distance greater
than 10 feet.
(9) The saw shall be
stopped for all cleaning, refueling, adjustments, and repairs to the saw or
engine where practicable, except where manufacturers' instructions require
otherwise.
(10) Tree workers shall
use a second point of attachment such as a work-positioning lanyard or
double-crotched rope when operating a chain saw in a tree, unless the employer
demonstrates that a greater hazard is posed by using a second point of
attachment while operating chain saws in that particular situation.
(11) While a powered pole saw or brush saw is
running, no one shall be permitted within 10 feet of the cutting head, except
the operator.
(12) Powered saws
shall be equipped with a quick shutoff switch readily accessible to the
operator.
1.
Amendment of subsection (a) filed 8-8-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter
(Register 85, No. 32).
2. Amendment filed 9-25-2012; operative
10-25-2012 (Register 2012, No. 39).
3. Repealer and new subsection
(a)(2), new subsections (a)(4)-(6), subsection renumbering and amendment of
newly designated subsection (a)(7) filed 2-27-2018; operative 4-1-2018
(Register 2018, No. 9).
4. Amendment of subsection (a)(2), new
subsection (a)(3), repealer of subsection (a)(6) and subsection renumbering
filed 7-30-2020; operative 10-1-2020 (Register 2020, No.
31).
Note: Authority cited: Section
142.3, Labor
Code. Reference: Section
142.3, Labor
Code.
