Section R. 408.15180 - Firewood and log-splitting operationsRule 5180.
(1) An employee who operates a log splitter shall also load the logs into the splitter.(2) The bed of a hydraulic or mechanical ram splitter shall be constructed so that the log or firewood is in a stable position without being held by the operator or any other employee at the beginning of the splitting operations.(3) Wood shall be split only in the direction of the grain.(4) When loading the splitter, an employee shall hold logs or firewood on the sides and not on the ends.(5) An employee shall keep his or her hands away from the ram, wedge, and partly split logs and firewood.(6) A splitter shall not be left unattended while running.(7) A splitter engine shall not be refueled while running.(8) A splitter shall be set up so that the operator is not standing on a slope or a slippery surface.(9) With the ram fully extended, a clearance of at least 1 inch, but not more than 2 inches, shall be maintained between the pressure plate and the wedge.(10) An auger log splitter shall include a permanently attached means to prevent log rotation.(11) The operating control on a splitter shall be of the deadman type, which automatically returns to the off or neutral position if the operator removes his or her hands from the control.(12) The splitting control for ram-type splitters shall move in the same direction as the splitting action.(13) The operating controls of a log splitter shall be located so the operator can operate the log splitter without being exposed to unexpected contact with a log or moving machinery.Mich. Admin. Code R. 408.15180