STEP 1 First-Day Logging Safety Overview and Job Function Training

Suggested safety training materials: (All are available through www.loggingsafety.com )

  1. FRA’s Timber Harvesting Safety Manual (THSM) # 01-A-9
  2. LCO # 7: “Training – Logging Safety Practices and First Aid”
  3. LCO # 18: “Personal Protective Equipment” (PPE)
  4. LCO # 22: “New Logging Employee Orientation and Training”
  5. LCO # 33: “Mounting and Dismounting Mobile Logging Equipment”
  6. TR # 03-R-39 “Logging Injuries on Mechanized Operations”
  7. LCO # 14: “Manual Timber Felling Hazard Recognition”
  8. LCO # 15: “Woods Equipment Fire Prevention”
  9. LCO # 28: “Zero Energy State”
  10. LCO # 4: “Bloodborne Pathogen Standard Overview”

Discuss, observe, and demonstrate (where appropriate) the following topics:

1. Discuss and demonstrate proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), [see THSM Section II and LCO # 18 ] including:

  1. Hard hat – should not be worn backwards!
  2. Eye protection – should not impair peripheral vision
  3. Hearing protection – proper fit is important.
  4. Footwear – steel-toe boots are preferred
  5. Gloves – choose proper glove for the hazard involved.
  6. Chainsaw chaps – must fit properly
  7. Proper clothing – no jewelry or baggy pants!

2. General Rules of Logging Safety [see THSM Section I; LCO # 7; LCO # 22; LCO # 4], including:

  1. The employer has a responsibility to provide a safe workplace
  2. The employer has a responsibility to enforce safe working practices
  3. The employee has a responsibility to adhere to all the employer’s safety policies and practices as a condition of employment.
  4. Mandatory safety training is required by law and will be provided.
  5. Know the location and proper use of all safety, emergency care, and fire suppression equipment located at the jobsite
  6. Report any injury immediately to supervisor
  7. Keep equipment clean and properly maintained, with safety guards in place and functioning.
  8. Promptly report any hazardous work practices or unsafe conditions to supervisor.
  9. Report to work in good physical and mental shape to do your job safely.
  10. Be aware of overhead hazards (power lines, “hung-up” limbs, dead tops, “danger trees”, large birds, etc.)
  11. Work outside the “Strike Zone” (two tree-length rule)
  12. Constantly be aware of activities and safety around the landing area.
  13. Use seat belts in all mobile equipment.
  14. Only a trained operator may operate logging equipment – never carry “riders”.
  15. Use the proper tools and jacks when working on equipment.
  16. Be aware of the dangers of “blood borne pathogens”.

3. Discuss logging accidents and injuries [see TR 03-R-39]:

  1. First-year employees incur nearly one-half of all logging injuries
  2. Most logging injuries result from being “struck by” a tree, log or limb.
  3. Injuries during machine maintenance or repair are common
  4. Operating a chainsaw continues to be the most dangerous job
  5. Injuries occur about equally in the woods and on the log deck
  6. Equipment operators are often injured when mounting or dismounting their machine.

4. Discuss, observe, and demonstrate Safety Guidelines for Chainsaw Operations [see THSM Section IV and LCO # 14] including:

  1. Starting the chainsaw
  2. Carrying the chainsaw
  3. Chain brake/kickback
  4. Refueling/sharpening the chainsaw
  5. Felling a tree
  6. Lodged “danger” tree
  7. Delimbing a tree
  8. Bucking a tree
  9. Properly holding a chainsaw with thumb locked around handle to minimize chance of kickback

5. Discuss, observe and demonstrate general safety guidelines for woods equipment operations [see THSM Section V–Part A; LCO # 15; and LCO # 28], including:

  1. Use appropriate PPE when exposure to injury exists, such as when the operator leaves the machine for any activity on the ground.
  2. Only a trained operator on the machine -- NO RIDERS!
  3. Maintain all protective guarding, screens, shields, danger warnings, fire suppression systems, etc.
  4. Read and refer to Operator’s Manual
  5. Use seat belts at all times
  6. Keep a fully-stocked first aid kit on each machine
  7. Keep fully-charged fire extinguisher on each machine and understand how to properly use it.
  8. Regularly perform preventative maintenance on each machine, according to manufacturer’s guidelines.
  9. Keep each machine clean and free of oil, grease, mud and trash.
  10. Inspect key components (hydraulic hoses; fuel; engine oil; tires; brakes; etc.) on each machine before beginning operations.
  11. Before starting a machine, check to see that other workers are a safe distance away.
  12. When shutting down a machine, make sure all attachments (blade; boom; grapple; felling head, etc.) are left in “zero energy state”.
  13. Fuel the machine in a safe location, away from any source of possible ignition, with the engine turned off.

6. Demonstrate proper mounting and dismounting of on-site logging equipment and trucks [see LCO # 33] including:

  1. Use appropriate steps and handrails
  2. Use the “3-point” method
  3. Keep steps and handrails clean

7. Provide hands-on, on-the-job training in the new employee’s specific job function [may be provided by a supervisor or experienced crew member]:

  1. Deckhand / Sawhand [reference THSM Section IV; “Tree Felling” section of OSHA Logging Advisor]
  2. Skidder / Forwarder Operator [reference THSM Section V–Part B; FRA Safety Brochure 95-A-10 “Skidder Safety”; and the Skidder/Forwarder Operator’s Manual]
  3. Felling Machine Operator [reference THSM Section V–Part C; FRA Safety Brochure 95-A-8 “Feller-Buncher Safe Operation”; and Felling Machine Operator’s Manual]
  4. Loader Operator [reference THSM Section V–Part E; FRA Safety Brochure 94-A-6 “Hydraulic Knuckleboom Loader Safe Operation”; and Loader Operator’s Manual]
  5. Truck Driver [reference THSM Section VII; FRA Safety Pamphlet “Quick-Check Off the Deck”; appropriate state and federal DOT regulations; and Log Truck Operator’s Manual]

8. Assign an experienced co-worker to monitor closely the activities of the new employee for a period of time until he or she can clearly and consistently demonstrate the ability to perform his or her job safely.

9. Document the “first day” safety training by having the new employee sign and date a statement confirming that the training was provided. Attach a copy of the training program describing the specific topics covered, and retain it in the employee’s personnel file.