Idaho Administrative Code
Title IDAPA 24 - Occupational and Professional Licenses, Division of
Rule 24.39.80 - IDAHO MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS AND PRACTICES FOR LOGGING
Subchapter L - LOG DUMPS, LANDING, LOG HANDLING EQUIPMENT, LOADING AND UNLOADING BOOMS, AND TRAILER LOADING HOISTS
Section 24.39.80.551 - SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

a. Only authorized persons shall operate log handling equipment. Machine operators shall be capable and experienced personnel. No persons other than the operator may be in the operator's compartment while machinery is operating, except for purposes of operating instructions. Unnecessary talking to the operator of log handling equipment while the machine is in operation is prohibited.

b. Machine operators shall make necessary inspection of machines each day before starting work. All repairs or adjustments shall be made before any strain or load is placed upon the equipment.

c. Substantial barriers or bulkheads protecting the operator shall be provided for all log handling machines where the design, location, or use of such machines exposes the operator to material or loads being handled. Such barriers or bulkheads shall be of adequate area and capable of withstanding impact of materials handled.

d. A safe and adequate means of access to, and egress from, the operator's station shall be provided. Necessary ladders, steps, step plates, foot plates, running boards, walkways, grab irons, handrails, etc., shall be provided and maintained.

e. All moving parts shall be guarded in an approved manner to afford complete protection to the operator and other workers.

f. Throttles and all power controls shall be maintained in good operating condition.

g. Landings shall be prepared and arranged to provide maximum safety for all employees and shall provide ample space for the safe movement of equipment and storage and handling of logs.

h. Adequate means shall be used to prevent logs from rolling into the road or against trucks. Workers shall be sure that logs are securely landed before approaching them. While unhooking chokers, workers shall choose the safest approach. This is usually from the upper side of the log.

i. Logs shall not be landed at loading areas until all workers, tractors, trucks, or equipment are in the clear. All persons shall stay in the clear of running lines, moving rigging, and loads until rigging or loads have stopped.

j. The loading machine shall be set so that the operator shall have an unobstructed view of the loading area, or a signalman shall be properly placed and his signal shall be followed. Signaling the operator shall be done by standard hand signals, whistles, or other positive means of communication.

k. Machines, sleds, or bases shall be of sufficient strength to safely withstand moving, and machines shall be securely anchored to their bases.

l. Mufflers shall be installed on all internal combustion engines of log handling equipment and located or guarded in such a manner as to prevent accidental contact with the muffler or exhaust pipes and afford protection from fumes.

m. Brakes shall be installed on all machine drums and maintained in effective working condition.

n. Brake levers shall be provided with a ratchet or other equally effective means for securely holding the drum.

o. Brake bands shall have a safety factor of five (5) times the stress to be imposed and they shall be of a design which will render them impervious to exposure. Operators shall test brakes before lifting any load at the start of each shift.

p. In no case shall stresses in excess of the manufacturer's recommendation be permitted. Equipment not carrying a manufacturer's recommendation shall not exceed stresses of more than one half of the yield strength of the material used. Conversion of cranes, shovels, etc., into yarders shall be in conformity with these rules. Necessary guylines or outriggers shall be provided and used to effectively prevent mast, A-frames, etc., from tipping or overturning.

q. The manufacturer's recommendations for line sizes, if in compliance with these rules, shall be followed and such line sizes shall not exceed the rated capacity of the machine using it.

r. Fork lifts or arms, tongs, clams or grapples shall be lowered to their lowest position and all equipment brakes set before the operator leaves the machine.

s. Log unloaders shall not be moved about the premises for distances greater than absolutely necessary with the lift extended or with the loads higher than necessary for clear vision.

t. All log handling machines which have lift arms that create a shear point with the driver's cab or position shall be provided sheer guards that will eliminate the operator's exposure to such hazard. Grapple arms or other positive means of keeping logs on the forks shall be required on fork lift-type loading machines.

u. All workers shall be in the clear and in view of the machine operator before a lift is made.

v. All mobile log handling machines shall be equipped with rearview mirrors, a horn or other audible warning device, and lights front and rear so as to illuminate the entire length of the load being lifted or carried. An automatic warning device that will activate when the vehicle is moved is preferable in areas where other workers are employed.

w. Logs or loads shall not be swung over occupied equipment or workers and no person shall ride the load or rigging.

x. While logs are being loaded, no person shall remain on the chain deck or behind the truck cab protector where they could be pinned between the end of a log and cab, tank, or cab protector. Cab protectors shall be cleaned of all loose gear before trucks are moved from the landing.

y. An unimpaired clearance of not less than three (3) feet shall be maintained from swinging or moving parts of machines, where such swinging or moving parts create a hazard to personnel. If this clearance cannot be maintained, suitable barricades or safeguards shall be installed to isolate the hazardous area.

z. A-frames, towers, masts, etc., shall be designed and constructed to provide adequate structural strength and height for positive control of materials or loads lifted. When in use, they shall be guyed or braced to provide stability and prevent tipping. Their bases shall be secured against possible displacement.

aa. All log handling equipment shall be equipped with brakes capable of holding and controlling the vehicle with capacity load.

bb. A limit stop which will prevent the lift arms from over-traveling shall be installed on all electric powered log unloaders.

cc. Gas powered vehicles shall not be refueled while motor is running nor in the vicinity of smoking or open flames.

dd. All log handling equipment shall be equipped with approved fire extinguisher of at least five (5) B.C. rating easily accessible to operator.

ee. Methods of unloading logs shall be properly arranged and used in a manner to provide protection to all employees.

ff. After cars or trucks are spotted at such dump or landing, no person will be permitted to pass between a brow log and a truck or rail car.

gg. Where there is danger of tongs or hooks pulling out of the logs, straps shall be used.

hh. All equipment should be so positioned, equipped, or protected so that no part shall be capable of coming within ten (10) feet of any power line.

ii. Bunk logs shall extend not less than twelve (12) inches beyond the bunks, with the exception of non-oscillating bunks.

jj. The method of loading shall be such that the logs in any tier or layer unsecured by stakes or cheese blocks shall have their centers inside of the centers of the outer logs of the next lower tier or layer so that the load is stable without the aid of binders. Logs shall be well saddled without crowding so that there will be no excessive strain on the binders, bunk chains, or stakes. No more than one half (1/2) of any log shall extend above the stakes unless properly and securely saddled.

kk. Binders shall be so placed that they will not be fouled by the unloading machine and that they may be released from the side on which the unloader operates. Proper protection shall be provided for workers while removing wrappers.

ll. Truck drivers shall be in the clear and in view of the log unloader operator before forks are moved into the load or against it, before a lift is made. All persons are prohibited from standing under, or near, the ends of logs being lifted or moved.

mm. Loads or logs shall not be moved or shifted while binders are being applied or adjusted.

NOTE: For logs in transit see Section 501 of these rules "Log Truck Transportation."

nn. All log dumps, trailer loading areas, and landings shall be kept reasonably free from bark and other debris.

oo. Logs in storage decks shall be so arranged as to prevent logs from rolling off the face of the deck.

pp. All log load wrappers shall be arranged so that they must be released in view of the unloader operator or signal person. When binders are released by remote control devices and when the person releasing the binders is in a safe location, and when in view of the unloading operators, or signal person, the binders may be released from either side. After the unloading machine is in position to hold the load, the binders shall be removed and the person removing them shall be in a safe location in view of the operator. The operator will be given a signal by the person releasing the binders before the machine or load is moved.

a. The hoist shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the National Electrical Code, so as to provide safe loading or unloading of the trailer.

b. The hoist shall be equipped with a limiting device to maintain safe take-up limits of line on the hoisting drum.

c. Regular service and inspection of the hoist and hoisting equipment shall be made to assure reliable serviceability of the facility.