Working in isolated areas Use agreed alternative methods of communication. Interference with communication equipment Lack of coordination between machine operators and ground workers Mechanical tree felling While many of the risks and control measures are the same for mechanical and manual tree falling, there are some additional problems which mechanical tree fellers must consider. Terrain Nature of Risk How to Reduce the Risk Ability to operate safely on the terrain Mechanical harvesting equipment must be operated according to manufacturer’s instructions Ability to safely enter and exit cabins Operators should visually the ground before exiting the Suitability and capacity of equipment for the terrain cabin Noise making communication difficult Operators should use handrails and hand holds Use agreed alternative methods of communication Equipment Nature of Risk How to Reduce the Risk not maintaining equipment in good condition Regular maintenance and inspection of equipment using equipment beyond its capability Equipment should be fitted with protective guards and seat restraints failure to use safety devices Operators should be properly trained static electricity discharge during fuelling Operators should follow manufacturer’s instructions Other hazards Nature of Risk How to Reduce the Risk trips and falls Wear suitable footwear Poor visibility and noise Wear hearing protection and highly visible clothing Unrestrained objects in Ensure all objects in the cabin are securely stored and fastened Operator fitness and fatigue Rotate tasks Have rest breaks Do physical exercise (eg stretching and warm ups) Extraction Extraction includes forwarding, snigging, shovel logging, cable logging and skidding. Common risks involved in these activities include: instability and risk of roll-over; rolling logs after dropping at landing; instability of machines when loading; and contact with other machinery
Working in isolated areas Interference with communication equipment Lack of coordination between machine operators and ground workers Use agreed alternative methods of communication. Mechanical tree felling While many of the risks and control measures are the same for mechanical and manual tree falling, there are some additional problems which mechanical tree fellers must consider. Terrain Nature of Risk How to Reduce the Risk Ability to operate safely on the terrain Ability to safely enter and exit cabins Suitability and capacity of equipment for the terrain Noise making communication difficult Mechanical harvesting equipment must be operated according to manufacturer’s instructions Operators should visually the ground before exiting the cabin Operators should use handrails and hand holds Use agreed alternative methods of communication Equipment Nature of Risk How to Reduce the Risk not maintaining equipment in good condition using equipment beyond its capability failure to use safety devices static electricity discharge during fuelling Regular maintenance and inspection of equipment Equipment should be fitted with protective guards and seat restraints Operators should be properly trained Operators should follow manufacturer’s instructions Other hazards Nature of Risk How to Reduce the Risk trips and falls Poor visibility and noise Unrestrained objects in Operator fitness and fatigue Wear suitable footwear Wear hearing protection and highly visible clothing Ensure all objects in the cabin are securely stored and fastened Rotate tasks Have rest breaks Do physical exercise (eg stretching and warm ups) Extraction Extraction includes forwarding, snigging, shovel logging, cable logging and skidding. Common risks involved in these activities include: instability and risk of roll-over; rolling logs after dropping at landing; instability of machines when loading; and contact with other machinery
Victorian-Forestry-Contractors-Information-Booklet.docx