Section 296-54-573 - Logging machines-General(1) All logging machinery must have speed limiting devices, safety stops, or emergency shut down devices or shut off valves, with the controls located so that in the event of an emergency, the prime mover may be shut down from a safe place.(2) The floor and lower portion of cabs must be completely enclosed with solid material, except at entrances, to prevent the operator from being injured by obstacles which otherwise could enter the cab compartment.(3) Machine operators must be experienced in operating the equipment they use. EXCEPTION: | Inexperienced employees may operate equipment to gain experience while in training but may do so only while working under the immediate supervision of an experienced authorized person. |
(4) All machine controls must be marked as to their purpose in the operation of the machine.(5) The rated capacity of any vehicle transporting a machine must not be exceeded.(6) Machines must be loaded, secured, and unloaded in a manner that will not create a hazard for any employee. Note: | This requirement includes the loading, securing and unloading of a machine on and off a transport vehicle. |
(7) You must not make any modifications or additions that affect the capacity or safe operation of the equipment without written approval of the manufacturer or a qualified engineer. If modifications or changes are made, the capacity, operation and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals, must be changed accordingly. The original safety factor of the equipment must never be reduced.(8) Equipment must be classed and used according to the manufacturer's rating. Where low gear ratios or other devices are installed to increase the line pull in accordance with subsection (7) of this section, the size of the rigging must be increased accordingly so that it will safely withstand the increased strains.(9) Each machine, including any machine provided by an employee, must be maintained in serviceable condition and the following:(a) Each machine must be inspected before initial use during each workshift. Defects or damage must be repaired or the unserviceable machine is replaced before beginning work.(b) Operating and maintenance instructions must be available on the machine or in the area where the machine is being operated. Each machine operator and maintenance employee must comply with the operating and maintenance instructions.(c) Each machine must be operated only from the operator's station or as otherwise recommended by the manufacturer.(d) Employees must not be allowed to ride on any load.(10) Horns and travel alarms, which are part of the machine's original equipment, must be maintained in serviceable condition.(11) The yarding machine or vehicle, including its load, must be operated with safe clearance from all obstructions.(12) While manual/mechanized falling is in progress, all logging machines must be operated at least two tree lengths away from trees being fell. EXCEPTION: | This provision does not apply to logging machines performing tree pulling operations or logging machines called upon by the cutter to ground hazard trees. All cutters must be notified of the logging machine entrance into the area and all falling within two tree lengths of the logging machine must stop. |
(13) If a hydraulic or pneumatic storage device can move the moving elements such as, but not limited to, blades, buckets, saws and shears, after the machine is shut down, the pressure or stored energy from the element must be discharged as specified by the manufacturer.(14) Loads must not exceed the rated capacity of the pallet, trailer, or other carrier.(15) Boom-type logging machines must have a boom stop to prevent over-topping of the boom.(16) Boom points of timber booms must be equipped with metal straps, plates, or other devices as needed to properly secure eyebolts and fittings used to support lines, blocks, or other rigging.(17) Logging machine sleds or bases must be strong enough to withstand any stresses imposed upon them.(18) Stationary logging machines must be securely anchored or otherwise stabilized to prevent unintended movement while yarding or skidding.(19) Logging machines and their components must be securely anchored to their bases.(20) Logging machines must be kept free of flammable waste materials and any materials that might contribute to slipping, tripping or falling.(21) A safe and adequate means of access and egress to all parts of logging machinery where persons must go must be provided and maintained in a safe and uncluttered condition. Machine access systems, meeting the specifications of the Society of Automotive Engineers, SAE J185, June 1988, "Recommended Practice for Access Systems for Off-Road Machines," must be provided for each machine where the operator or any other employee must climb onto the machine to enter the cab or to perform maintenance. Walking and working surfaces of each machine and machine work station must have a slip-resistant surface to assure safe footing.(22) Enclosed-type cabs installed on mobile logging machines must have two means of exit. One may be an emergency exit and be available for use at all times regardless of the position of the side arms or other movable parts of the machine. An easily removable window is acceptable as the emergency exit if it is large enough for an employee to readily exit. EXCEPTION: | Cable yarders manufactured before July 1, 1980 are not required to have two means of exit. |
(23) Before leaving the operator's station of a machine, the operator must ensure the machine is secured as follows: (a) The parking brake or brake locks must be applied;(b) The transmission must be placed in the manufacturer's specified park position; and(c) Each moving element such as, but not limited to, blades, buckets, saws and shears, must be lowered to the ground or otherwise secured.(24) Storing employee property, tools, or other miscellaneous materials on or within three feet of any logging machine is prohibited if retrieving the items would expose an employee to the hazardous pinch point area between the rotating superstructure and the nonrotating undercarriage.(25) Employees must approach the hazardous pinch point area only after informing the operator of that intent and receiving acknowledgment from the operator that the operator understands the employee's intention. All logging machines must be stopped while any employee is in the hazardous pinch point area.(26) After adjustments or repairs are made, logging machines must not be operated until all guards are reinstalled, safety devices reactivated, and maintenance equipment removed.(27) Fairleads must be properly aligned at all times and designed to prevent line damage.(28) Employee(s) must not ride on any mobile logging machine unless provided with seating, seat belts, and other protection equivalent to that provided for the operator. EXEMPTION: | Mechanics in the course of their job and trainees, operating under circumstances that minimize their exposure to dangerous situations, are exempt from this requirement. |
(29) Riding on arches, reaches or turn of logs is prohibited.(30) Tractors, skidders, arches, or logs being yarded by them must not run over or rub against anchored lines, tailhold stumps, or other rigging.(31) Ends of lines attached to drums on logging machines must be secured by end attachments that develop the ultimate strength of the line unless three wraps of line are maintained on the drum at all times. EXCEPTION: | This does not apply to tractors or skidders. |
(32) Wire rope must be wound on drum spools in a manner to prevent excessive wear, kinking, chafing or fouling.(33) Guylines required in rigging spars or towers must be evenly spooled to prevent fouling.(34) A guide pulley, tool, stick, iron bar or other mechanical or manual means must be used when guiding lines onto drums. Guiding lines onto drums with any part of the body in direct contact with the line is prohibited.(35) A limit switch must be installed on electric-powered log loaders to prevent the lift arms from traveling too far in the event the control switch is not released in time.(36) All forklift type log handling machines must be equipped with a grapple system and the arms must be closed whenever logs are being carried.(37) When forklift machines are used to load, unload, or handle trailers, a positive means of holding the lifting attachment on the fork must be installed and used.(38) Loads on forklift type log handling machines must be transported as low as safely operable without obstructing visibility.(39) Guyline drum controls and outrigger controls must be separated and clearly identified in a manner that will prevent the engaging of the wrong control.(40) Each machine must be equipped with guarding to protect employees from exposed moving elements, such as, but not limited to, shafts, belts, pulleys on chains, sprockets and gears in accordance with the requirements of this standard and chapter 296-806 WAC, Machine safety. Guards must be in place at all times when machines are in use. Note: | This does not apply to lifting or yarding components such as, but not limited to, cable nip points, sheaves and blocks. |
(41) Each machine used for debarking, limbing, and chipping must be guarded to protect employees from flying wood chunks, logs, chips, bark, limbs, and other material in accordance with the requirements of this standard and chapter 296-806 WAC, Machine safety.(42) Grab rails must be provided and maintained in good repair on all walkways of stationary units elevated more than four feet.(43) Towed equipment such as, but not limited to, skid pans, pallets, arches, and trailers, must be attached to each machine or vehicle to allow a full ninety degree turn; to prevent overrunning of the towing machine or vehicles; and to ensure that the operator is always in control of the towed equipment.(44) Timbers used for masts or booms must be straight-grained, solid, and capable of withstanding the working load.Wash. Admin. Code § 296-54-573
Amended by WSR 17-17-131, Filed 8/22/2017, effective 10/22/2017Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 06-07-142, § 296-54-573, filed 3/21/06, effective 5/1/06; 04-14-028, § 296-54-573, filed 6/29/04, effective 1/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and[49.17].050 . 99-17-117, § 296-54-573, filed 8/18/99, effective 12/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.150 and 49.17.240. 79-10-081 (Order 79-14), § 296-54-573, filed 9/21/79.