Michigan Administrative Code
Department - Labor and Economic Opportunity
MIOSHA
General Industry and Construction Safety and Occupational Health Standards
General Industry Safety Standards
Part 51 - LOGGING
FELLING, LIMBING, BUCKING, AND SKIDDING
Section R. 408.15156 - Notch or undercut; back cut; hinge wood

(1) A notch or undercut shall be large enough, about 1/3 of the diameter, to safely guide the tree and reduce the possibility of the tree splitting. Side cuts shall also be used where appropriate.

(2) A back cut shall be made in each tree being felled. A back cut shall leave sufficient hinge wood to guide the tree's fall in the desired direction and to hold the tree to the stump during most of its fall. A back cut shall be about 2 inches above the undercut and as level as possible; however the back cut may be at or below the horizontal cut in tree-pulling operations.

(3) Before starting a back cut, a faller shall determine that the impact area is clear of other employees.

(4) The saw chain shall be stopped before the feller starts to retreat.

(5) Where a tree is likely to slide or roll, a feller shall cut from the uphill side and keep uphill from previously felled trees.