Current through September 2, 2024
Loggers are often required to climb considerable heights to top trees or hang rigging on lift trees. All workers who may be exposed to fall hazards shall be specifically trained and equipped with fall protection.
01.
Rescue Plan. Before rigging any tree, the employer must develop rescue procedures, which includes identifying appropriate equipment, personnel, and training to perform a rescue in case a climber is injured or incapacitated in the tree. A second set of climbing gear and a person with climbing experience shall be readily available. Equipment and procedures that will support an injured climber's chest and pelvis in an upright position during a rescue shall be used. When an injured climber is wearing only a climbing belt, provisions must be made to prevent the climber from slipping through it; this may include using a rope to create an upper-body support system. Consideration should be made to replacing climbing belts with a climbing harness.
02.
Before Leaving the Ground. Employers shall check climbing equipment and immediately remove defective equipment from service. Personnel shall ensure that hardware and safety equipment is securely fastened before placing weight on the lanyard or life-support rope. All climbing knots shall be tied, dressed, and set prior to ascending. All personnel shall follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of the cordage with respect to the use of splices.
03.
Climbing Equipment.
a. A climbing harness provides both pelvic and upper-body support, and may be a one (1)-piece, full-body harness, or any two (2)-piece design that meets industry standards.
b. Climbing and life-support lines shall be conspicuous and easily identifiable.
c. All lines and webbing used for life support shall have a minimum breaking strength of five thousand four hundred (5,400) pounds and may only be used for climbing.
d. When a cutting tool is used in a tree, the climbing rope (lanyard) shall be a high-quality steel safety chain of three-sixteenths (3/16) inch size or larger, or a wire-core rope.
e. A life-support rope evidencing excessive wear or damage or that has been subjected to a shock load shall be removed from climbing service.
04.
Climbing Operations.
a. Ensure climbers are appropriately well-trained in climbing and in the use of all equipment to carry out assigned tasks.
b. While climbing operations are underway, co-workers and others on the ground shall stay clear of potential falling objects. If co-workers must work directly below a climber, the climber shall stop any activity in which objects could be dropped or dislodged until the area below is cleared. Climbers shall provide warning whenever any material may be likely to fall or is dropped deliberately. Unsecured equipment, rigging, or material shall not be left in the tree.
c. Yarding activity must cease within reach of a tree or guylines of a tree where a climber is working. Machinery may operate in reach of the climber to hoist rigging into the tree. In such circumstance the following shall apply:
i. A spotter shall be utilized and yarding operations shall be performed with extra caution;
ii. The machine operator and the spotter shall give the task their undivided attention;
iii. Equipment that is nearby and which may be noisy, such as power saws, tractors, or logging machines shall be shut down if the noise interferes with signal communications with the climber; and
iv. Lines attached to a tree in which a climber is working shall not be moved except on a signal from the climber.
d. Tree climbers shall use a three (3)-point climbing system whereby three (3) points of contact must be firmly in place on a secure surface before moving to another point. Along with hands and feet, other points on the body, such as a hooked knee, can be considered a point of contact if it can support the full body weight. Additionally, the places of support must be secure, and climbers should use care to void unsound branches or stubs as a contact point. A lanyard around the tree secured to the safety harness or climbing belt on both ends constitute two (2) points of contact.
e. Climbing without being secured to the tree is prohibited, except in conifers, when in the judgment of a qualified climber, the density of branches growing from the stem make attaching the lanyard more hazardous than simply climbing the tree. In such instances, the climber shall evaluate the tree farther up, and use attachments when it is safe to do so.
05.
Topping Trees. Only an experienced climber with experience felling trees shall top a tree. Cutters shall not cut when wind or other conditions make doing so hazardous. Standard safe felling procedures shall apply, with the additional following requirements:
a. A chainsaw with a bar short enough to make both the face-cut and backcut easily from one side shall be used.
b. Cutters shall determine the felling direction and ensure there are no obstructions. Consideration shall be given to the fact that an impact could cause violent movement in the tree being topped where the climber is perched.
c. A safety chain shall be wrapped around the tree just below the cut to prevent the tree from splitting or slabbing down inside the climbing rope.
d. The cutter shall ensure he is comfortable, and avoid any awkward cutting position.
e. Exact cuts should be made. There is no escape route for the climber to get away from the stem to avoid kickback or a splintered hinge. When making horizontal side cuts, extra care shall be used to stay on the line of the backcut to avoid wood breaking away with the saw as the top falls.
Effective March 31, 2022
