Idaho Admin. Code r. 24.39.80.703 - OPERATION AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

01. General. Cable-assisted logging systems shall be operated, inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and specifications. Inspections shall be documented in writing. (3-31-22)

02. Planning. All cable-assisted logging operations shall be planned by the operator and a competent person who has the knowledge, training or experience to identify existing and predictable hazards in the work site surroundings or working conditions, which could be hazardous to employees, and has been authorized by the employer or employer representative to eliminate the hazard or take corrective action therefrom. Items to consider during site-specific planning must include, but are not limited to, the following: (3-31-22)

a. Experience of the operator; (3-31-22)

b. Limitations of the equipment; (3-31-22)

c. Soil and terrain conditions; (3-31-22)

d. Environmental conditions; (3-31-22)

e. Poor visibility and lighting conditions; (3-31-22)

f. Weather conditions; (3-31-22)

g. Direction of travel; (3-31-22)

h. Requirements for turning the machine on slopes; (3-31-22)

i. Load sizes; (3-31-22)

j. Method and adequacy of anchorage; and (3-31-22)

k. Any other condition that may adversely affect operations. (3-31-22)

03. Operator Qualifications. Cable-assisted logging operators shall have documented training or adequate experience to safely operate the equipment on slopes. (3-31-22)

04. Operating Plans. A cable-assisted logging system operator shall have a written operating plan on site detailing the following: (3-31-22)

a. Tether line replacement criteria; (3-31-22)

b. Cable size, type and breaking strength, and method of assurance that tensions do not exceed one- third (1/3) of breaking strength to maintain a 3:1 safety factor or greater; (3-31-22)

c. Inspection and maintenance to be performed on tether lines, end connectors, machines and winches; (3-31-22)

d. How the operator will use tension limiting controls to maintain desired tension; (3-31-22)

e. How the winch cable tension and machine travel are synchronized; (3-31-22)

f. How the operator will monitor machine slope, anchor movement, winch tension, amount of line on and off drum, and winch function; (3-31-22)

g. How the tether line attachment points to the harvesting machine are engineered to withstand potential loads; (3-31-22)

h. All harvesting machine modifications that allow it to operate on steep slopes, including operator harness or restraint system; (3-31-22)

i. How pre-operations planning and daily assessments will identify hazards for soil and terrain conditions; (3-31-22)

j. How the operator will determine if soil and terrain conditions are unsafe during operations; (3-31-22)

k. How operators will report new hazards identified during operations; (3-31-22)

l. Operating guidance given to the operator; and (3-31-22)

m. How emergencies are handled by the system, including line failure, machine failure, winch failure, anchor failure, winch machine movement or anchor movement, and whether there is an emergency stop for the operator or at the anchor. (3-31-22)

05. Unsafe Conditions. The employer shall establish and use procedures for operators to report unsafe conditions to a supervisor or qualified person. Such conditions must be corrected prior to resuming cable-assisted logging operations. Procedures shall also include steps to take in the event of equipment breakdown and for upset conditions. (3-31-22)

06. Warning Signs. Effective signage shall be affixed to all remotely operated equipment warning employees and others that lines and machines may start, stop, or move without warning. All employees working in close proximity of cable-assisted logging operations must receive training that enables them to recognize the potential hazards involved and to maintain safe distances. (3-31-22)

Notes

Idaho Admin. Code r. 24.39.80.703