Section 408.15336. Felling.

Rule 5336. (1) Before a cut is started, a feller shall check for other employees and dead limbs, angle of tree, wind condition, location of other trees and other hazards, and plan his path of retreat.

(2)   Each assisting employee on the ground shall  be   instructed   exactly what he is to do. Other employees shall be cleared to a distance of twice the height of the tree being cut.

(3)   An undercut shall be large enough, about 1/3 the diameter, to safely guide the tree and reduce the possibility of the  tree   splitting.  (See figure 1.)

(4)   A back cut shall leave sufficient hinge wood (the distance between notch and back cut) to guide the tree's fall in the desired direction and to hold the tree to the stump during most of its fall. A back cut shall be about 2 inches (50.8 mm) above the undercut and as level as possible. (See figure 1.)

(5)    Before starting a back cut, a feller shall clear the  area     of    other persons or equipment.

(6)   The saw shall be shut off before the feller starts his retreat.

(7)   Where a tree is likely to slide or roll, a feller shall cut from the uphill side.

(8)   Just before the tree is ready to fall, an audible warning  shall  be given.

(9)   If there is danger of a tree falling the wrong way,     such     means      as wedges, block and tackle or rope shall be used to control the fall.

Figure for 408.15336

A.  Conventional undercut. Can be made with  parallel  saw   cut    and   axe diagonal cut or both cuts with the saw. Generally used on trees  of  small diameter.

B.   Both cuts made with the saw. Leaves  square-end  log.   Same    as    "A," except that waste is put on the stump.

C.  Two parallel cuts with the saw. The  material  between   the   cuts    is chipped out with an axe-adze (pulaski) combination. Used on trees over 30" in diameter.

D.   Three parallel cuts with the saw, leaving a step. Same   in   principle as above. Used on trees of very large diameters.

History: 1979 AC.