OAR 437-002-0310: Work Procedures

(1) Climbing. (a) A tree worker shall be tied in with an approved type of climbing rope and safety saddle when working 4 feet above the ground. A safety strap or rope with snaps may be used for additional protection. (A) When working from a ladder more than 10 feet above the adjacent ground line, the worker must be tied in with an approved type of climbing rope and safety saddle. (B) When working from a scaffold more than 10 feet above the adjacent ground line, and an exposure to a fall hazard exists, the employee shall be tied in with the climbing rope and safety saddle. (b) Limbs shall be inspected, while climbing, before applying weight. The climber shall not trust the capability of a dead branch to support his/her weight. Dead branches shall be broken off on the way up, if possible. Hands and feet shall be placed on separate limbs, if possible. (c) The climbing rope shall be passed around the trunk of the tree as high as possible using branches with a wide crotch to prevent any binding of the safety rope. The crotch selected for tying in shall be over the work area as much as possible, but located in such a way that a slip or fall would swing the worker away from any electrical conductor. The rope shall also be passed around the main leader or an upright branch, using the limb as a stop. Feet, hands, and ropes shall be kept out of tight V-shaped crotches. (d) The location of all electrical conductors shall be noted in relation to work procedures. The worker shall climb on the side of the tree that is away from electrical conductors, if possible. (e) A figure-eight knot shall be tied in the end of the rope, particularly in the case of high trees. This will prevent pulling the rope accidentally through the taut line-hitch and possible serious injury from a fall. (f) The climbing line shall be crotched as soon as practical after the worker is aloft, and a taut line-hitch tied and checked. (g) The worker shall be completely secured with the climbing line before starting operations. (h) The worker shall remain tied in until the work is completed and the worker has returned to the ground. If it is necessary to recrotch the rope in the tree, the worker shall retie the rope or use the safety strap before releasing the previous tie. (2) Pruning and Trimming. (a) Pole pruners and pole saws shall be hung securely in a vertical position to prevent dislodging. Pole pruners or pole saws shall not be hung on utility wires or cables, or left in the tree overnight. Pole saws shall be hung so that the sharp edge is away from the worker. (b) A scabbard or sheath shall be hooked to the belt or safety saddle to carry the handsaw when not in use. (c) Warnings, when necessary, shall be given by the worker in the tree before a limb is dropped. (d) A separate line shall be attached to limbs which cannot be dropped or are too heavy to be controlled by hand. The line shall be held by workers on the ground end of the rope. Use of the same crotch for both safety rope and work rope shall be avoided. (e) Cut branches shall not be left in trees overnight. (f) A climbing rope shall never be left in a tree overnight. A service line shall be put up for overnight or longer. (g) The climber shall inspect the rope for cuts or abrasions before starting work. If any cuts or serious abrasions are found, the rope shall be discarded, used for some other purpose, or the defective section cut off. (h) During all tree working operations aloft, there shall be a second worker in the vicinity. This shall not apply to utility workers engaged in tree trimming incidental to their normal occupation, or to one-man service crews. (3) Cabling. (a) In cabling operations, branches which are to be cabled shall be brought together to the proper distanced by means of a block and tackle, a hand winch, a rope, or a rope with a come-along. (b) Not more than two persons shall be in the tree working at opposite ends during cabling installation. (c) When releasing the block and tackle, workers in trees shall be off to one side in case the lag hooks pull out under strain. (d) Ground workers shall not stand under the tree when cable is being installed. (e) Tools used for cabling, bark tracing, cavity work, etc., shall be carried in a bag or belt designed to hold tools, not put in the pocket or stuck in the top of a boot. (4) Topping. (a) Workers doing topping shall make sure the trees are able to stand the strain of a topping procedure. If not, some other means of lowering the branches shall be provided, such as a tree crane. (b) If large limbs are lowered in sections, the worker in the tree shall be above the limb being lowered. (c) Guidelines, handlines, or tag lines shall be used when conditions warrant their use. (5) Felling. (a) Before beginning any felling operation, a safety plan shall be developed which shall consider: (A) The tree and the surrounding area for anything that may create a hazard when the tree falls; (B) The shape of the tree; (C) The lean of the tree; (D) Wind force and direction; (E) Decayed or other weak spots; and (F) The location of other persons or structures. (b) The work area shall be cleared to permit safe working conditions, and an escape route shall be planned before any cutting is started. (c) Each tree worker shall be instructed as to exactly what is to be done during the felling operation. All workers not directly involved shall be at least two tree lengths away from the tree being felled. (d) A notch and backcut shall be used in felling trees over 5 inches diameter breast high. No tree shall be felled by “ripping” or “slicing” cuts. (e) The depth or penetration of the notch shall be approximately one-third the diameter of the tree. (f) The opening or height of the notch shall be approximately 2-1/2 inches for each foot in diameter of the tree. (g) The backcut shall be made higher than the point or apex of the notch to prevent kickback. (h) Just before the tree is ready to fall, an audible warning shall be given to those in the area. (i) If there is danger that the tree being felled may fall the wrong way or damage property; wedges, block and tackle, rope, or wire cable (except where an electrical hazard exists) shall be used. All limbs shall be removed from trees to a height and width sufficient to allow the tree to fall clear of any wires and other objects in the vicinity. (j) Special precautions in roping rotten or split trees shall be taken to prevent the tree from falling in an unexpected direction even though the cut is made on the proper side. (k) The faller shall retreat to a safe location when a tree is committed to fall. (6) Chipper equipment and operation. Equipment Design (a) Enclose chipper rotating components in a housing capable of retaining broken chipper knives or foreign material. (b) Chipper feed chutes and side members must be designed to prevent operator contact with rotating blades during normal operation. (c) Chippers without a mechanical infeed system must have: (A) An infeed hopper that measures at least 85 inches from the blades or knives to ground level at the centerline of the hopper. (B) A flexible antikickback device in the feed hopper. This device must protect the operator and other persons in the area from flying chips and debris. (C) A shut-off switch within convenient reach of the worker feeding the chipper. (d) Chippers with a mechanical infeed system must have a quick stop reversing device on the infeed. The quick stop reversing device control lever must be across the top and along each side of the hopper, as close to the feed end of the hopper as practicable within easy reach of the operator. Worker Apparel (e) Employees in the immediate area of an operating chipper must wear personal protective equipment as required by Subdivision I of this Division. (f) Workers feeding chippers must not wear loose clothing, gauntlet-type gloves, rings or watches. Work Practices (g) Prevent accidental restart of equipment shut down for adjustment or repair as required by Division 2/J, 1910.147, Lockout/Tagout. (h) Guard exposed adjacent blades when replacing chipper blades. (i) Close and secure all access panels before operating the chipper. (j) The chipper operator must have a coworker in the immediate vicinity when feeding chipper. (k) Do not feed foreign objects into chipper. (l) Feed chippers from the side of the centerline. The operator must immediately turn away from the feed table as brush is drawn into the rotor. Feed chippers from curbside whenever practical. (m) Feed and discharge chutes must be in place to prevent contact with rotating blades during chipper operation. (n) Chipper operators must be familiar with the manufacturer’s operating instructions, maintenance and safe work practices. (o) When trailer chippers are detached from trucks they must be chocked or otherwise secured. (p) Before towing chipper, cross safety chains under the tongue of the chipper and attach them to the towing vehicle. (7) Limbing and bucking. (a) The tree worker shall work on the side opposite the side on which the limb is being cut. (b) The tree worker shall stand on the uphill side of the work. (c) Branches bent under tension shall be considered hazardous. (d) The tree worker shall block the log to prevent rolling, when necessary. (e) When bucking up trunks of trees, wedges shall be used as necessary to prevent binding of the guide bar or chain. (8) Storm work and emergency conditions. (a) Since storm work and emergency conditions create special hazards, only authorized representatives of the electric utility system operator/owner may perform tree work in these situations where energized electrical power conductors are involved. (b) When an emergency condition develops due to tree operations, work shall be suspended and the system operator/owner shall be notified immediately.