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Ebony

17-06-2004, 06:53 PM

PLANNING FOR A SAFE WORKPLACE
Understand Your Responsibilities
All Workers competent and fit for work
Training and information Provided
System for site and job assessment every time
Suitable Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment provided
Emergency Preparations made.

:read_this Put Into Practice

PROCEDURES
Access Suitability of methods and equipment<img border="0" src="http://www.indmowing.com.au/1safety.jpg" align="right" width="404" height="386">
Identify hazardous activities, assess and control risks
Restrict entry to exclusion zones
Follow safe working procedures
Maintain communication
Continually Check For Hazards

:read_this Support With

PERSONAL PROTECTION
Harness and climbing ropes
Hearing & Eye protection
Safety Helmets
Gloves
Boots
Cut resistant trousers
High visibility vests

Check all Personal Protective Equipment

:read_this Respond With

PREPAREDNESS

Amenities
First Aid
Emergency Procedures - rehearsed rescue drill
Incident management
Reporting and recording

Review incidents, near misses and safety Issues with workers

Ebony

17-06-2004, 06:55 PM

WRITING A WORK PROCEDURE

A safe work procedure should provide clear directions on who should do what when.

You can develop a procedure from the information provided by taking a statement in the following posts and rewriting it by asking who, what and when.

Using the example of maintaining climbing equipment and other personal equipment

Maintenance of climbing equipment

Who? Workers who use climbing gear

What? Ropes, karabiners, pole belts and harnesses must be stored securely and checked for integrity

When? Before the equipment is used EVERY time

:read_this Sample Procedure (key Points)
Climbers employed by Company ABC are responsible for storing their climbing equipment and their personal protective equipment securely
Each worker will be provided with a heavy duty duffel bag for storage of personal gear. No equipment is to be used by any worker other than the person to whom it has been issued
All gear must be checked on site prior to use to ensure it is in safe and serviceable condition
Faults must be reported immediately. Gear showing signs of damage or wear must not be used.

Involved crew members in developing your procedures. Consultation with workers and health and safety representatives is the best way to guarantee that your requirements will be understood and followed.

Procedures can be broken down into more specific work instructions if necessary.

If the procedure is to be part of an auditable system, these additional questions should be asked:
has teh procedure been communicated to all workers?
is the procedure current? When is it due for review?
who is responsible for making sure the procedure is complied with?
what do we need to see to satisfy ourselves that teh procedure is being complied with
What action should be taken if teh procedure is not being complied with? Ref: Working safely with trees, WorkSafe, Victorian Workcover Authority

Ebony

17-06-2004, 06:57 PM

:help: Understand Your Responsibilities

Employers have the responsibility to provide a safe and healthy workplace. Employees have a responsibility to follow procedures and to cooperate with their employer in making the workplace safe.

The Employer For example a company that employs a number of crews performing different jobs under the direction of supervisors or a self-employed person who has engaged a crew for a single job.

<div align="left"> <left> <table border="2" bordercolor="#C0C0C0" width="98%" id="AutoNumber1" height="40" cellpadding="2"> <tr> <td width="50%" height="19" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1" align="center"> Typical Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Responsibilities</td> <td width="50%" height="19" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1" align="left"> Examples of action that will result</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="16" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> Ensure that workers can operate safely in the work area, and that others are excluded from the work zone.</td> <td width="50%" height="16" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> Exclusion zones are determined; signs barriers and traffic control are in place before work commences.</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="16" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> Provide Information, instruction, training and supervision</td> <td width="50%" height="16" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> Workers are instructed in hazards and risk controls; new workers are inducted; supervision arrangements are clear</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="16" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> Provide safe plant and safe systems of work; encourage workers to report, tag and remove faulty plant or equipment</td> <td width="50%" height="16" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> Plant and equipment are maintained according to schedule; safe working procedures have been developed and are communicated</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="16" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> Manage specific hazard</td> <td width="50%" height="16" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> All work-related hazard are known; risks are assessed and action is taken to safeguard workers</td> </tr> </table>

The Employee For example a ground worker using a chainsaw, feeding the chipper and clearing up around the drop area.

<div align="left"> <left> <table border="2" bordercolor="#C0C0C0" width="98%" id="AutoNumber1" height="37" cellpadding="2"> <tr> <td width="50%" height="19" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1" align="center"> Typical Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Responsibilities</td> <td width="50%" height="19" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1" align="center"> Examples of action that will result</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="13" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> Do not wilfully place yourself or others at risk</td> <td width="50%" height="13" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> Employer's safe working procedures are followed in all appropriate circumstance</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="16" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> Use plant and equipment as trained and instructed</td> <td width="50%" height="16" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> Personal protective equipment provided by employer is used at all appropriate times</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="16" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> Notify relevant personnel if you become aware of any unsafe workplace situation, incident or near miss during work operations</td> <td width="50%" height="16" bordercolor="#F5F5F5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 4; padding-right: 4; padding-top: 1; padding-bottom: 1"> Faulty plant or equipment is reported, tagged and removed from use until repaired or replaced.</td> </tr> </table></center>
Ref: Working safely with trees, WorkSafe, Victorian Workcover Authority

Ebony

17-06-2004, 08:18 PM

;dealers; Communication

Communication is vital for safety. In particular, a climber working in a tree must be able to communicate with others in the tree and those on the ground.

Ground workers in turn must be able to easily alert a person working at height to any problem that arises during work operations.

Your planning must include identification of possible hazards and assessment of the potential risks to workers and the public.

<div align="left"> <left> <table border="1" width="98%" id="AutoNumber2" bordercolor="#C0C0C0" cellspacing="1"> <tr> <td width="33%" bgcolor="#E8E8E8"> Operations where communication is critical</td> <td width="33%" bgcolor="#E8E8E8"> Factors which can make communication difficult</td> <td width="33%" bgcolor="#E8E8E8"> Possible solutions (risk controls) </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" valign="top" bgcolor="#FDFDFD"> Communication between two workers in the same tree</td> <td width="33%" valign="top" bgcolor="#FDFDFD"> Noise from machinery (chainsaws, chippers etc.)</td> <td width="33%" valign="top" bgcolor="#FDFDFD"> If noise prevents oral communication, pre-arrange clear hand signals for different operations</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" valign="top" bgcolor="#FDFDFD"> Two-way communication between climber and ground crew (e.g.  when a branch is about to be lowered)</td> <td width="33%" valign="top" bgcolor="#FDFDFD"> Obscured visibility (e.g. view of climber is obscured by canopy or fog)</td> <td width="33%" valign="top" bgcolor="#FDFDFD"> Use whistles to signal 'Clear' or 'Stop'</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" valign="top" bgcolor="#FDFDFD"> Communication between ground crew members doing different jobs (e.g. feeding chipper, clearing branches, managing traffic)</td> <td width="33%" valign="top" bgcolor="#FDFDFD"> Noise from machinery and/or distance between ground crew members</td> <td width="33%" valign="top" bgcolor="#FDFDFD"> Stop noisy machinery while critical operations are taking place (e.g. stop chipper while felling the top out of tree) Use two-way radios (e.g. where vehicle traffic must be halted and spotters cannot see each other)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" valign="top" bgcolor="#FDFDFD"> Communication with members of the public to ensure work area (exclusive zone) remains clear</td> <td width="33%" valign="top" bgcolor="#FDFDFD"> Members of public (e.g. drivers, householders) are unaware of risks which are out of sight</td> <td width="33%" valign="top" bgcolor="#FDFDFD"> Ground crew member (not otherwise active) may be assigned to undertake 'public liaison' role until work is completed.</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="99%" valign="top" colspan="3" bgcolor="#FDFDFD"> The Dangers of Working Alone There are a number of significant risks associated with working alone.  For all amenity tree operations other than initial assessment of a job, tasks should be organised in a way to ensure workers are never required to work alone.</td> </tr> </table> </center></div>
Ref: Working safely with trees, WorkSafe, Victorian Workcover Authority

Ebony

17-06-2004, 08:34 PM

:cool: The Right Equipment & Facilities

Safe work relies on workers having the right plant & equipment. Your initial planning must match the job with the right plant, hand tools and personal protective equipment.

Select the right plant & Equipment for teh type of work. Consider:
species, size and condition of tree (s)
the operation required i.e. felling, trimming
whether available plant and equipment is suitable and in satisfactory working order
the possible need to upgrade the plant or to hire different equipment appropriate to teh job
proximity of power lines, building or other trees
potential difficulties related to entering or climbing the tree
possible access problems for elevating work platforms
Check the Personal Protective Equipment and ensure that:
it is suitable to control risks
all types of protective gear are up to date and meet required standards
all Personal Protective equipment (helmets, hearing protection etc.) has been checked and is free from damage e.g. excessive wear
all climbing equipment and hardware is compatible
all climbing equipment and hardware has been tested (In addition to daily site checks you should have a maintenance schedule for thorough testing and servicing as per the manufacturer's instructions e.g. every two years)
new protective equipment is discussed with workers and suitably fitted
Decide which amenities should be provided, such as:
drinking water
washing facilities (particularly if chemicals are used)
shelter and protection for temperature extremes
Check emergency preparedness include:
first aid
tree rescue procedure
emergency communication and contacts
work location address (known to all crew members)
Hold Regular Crew Meetings. Consider:
the need for additional or different equipment/ersonal protective gear
working conditions
unsafe conditions or practices
Ref: Working safely with trees, WorkSafe, Victorian Workcover Authority

Ebony

17-06-2004, 09:38 PM

:abcfra: Inspecting the tree for unsafe Conditions

Employees should be trained to identify the hazards which individual trees may present. The checklist below provides examples of what an inspection may reveal. (Note: this should not be used in place of appropriate training)

Inspect Tree Species and Age - Different species have different characteristics. Some species are more likely to sustain branch failure when under load (e.g. willows, poplars)

Inspect Health of the Tree Is the tree alive or dead? Is the tree stable in the ground? Diseased branches may give way under load and dead branches may break and fall during climbing or while branches are being trimmed.

Inspect Condition of the crown Is the crown leaning heavily in one direction? This may create risk when felling or trimming. Are there loose or hung-up branches, vines or creepers, fungal or fruiting growths, nests or insect colonies present in the crown? Trimming may dislodge hung-up branches or foreign bodies, or disturb possums' nests or insect colonies, placing the climber and the crew below at risk. Vines or creepers can also mask structural defects, rot or nests in the crown. These factors may also create problems in locating suitable tie-in points if climbing is required.

Decay at the base of the tree, in the trunk or in branch forks The tree may split or collapse when climbed or when weight is placed on it's limbs.

Objects embedded in the tree Wire, nails or spikes may be embedded in the trunk or branches. These are hazardous if a chainsaw makes contact during trimming or section felling operations and could result in 'kickback'

Proximity of other trees Branches from adjacent trees which intrude into the crown or body of the tree may cause trimmed branches to become lodged or 'hung up'. Trying to free such branches may create risk. Ref: Working safely with trees, WorkSafe, Victorian Workcover Authority

Ebony

17-06-2004, 11:17 PM

:talk2hand Managing Traffic

Traffic includes more than just motor vehicles. In order to maintain your exclusion zone and to keep members of the public at a safe distance, you may, at various times, also need to manage the movement of pedestrians, bicycles, skateboards, scooters and wheelchairs.

Working in the vicinity of children also presents traffic management problems that must be carefully considered. Work at or near child care centres, kindergartens or schools may need to be scheduled for times when the facilities are not attended.

It is not enough merely to erect signs and to assume that they will be observed by others.

If any tree operation requires a change of traffic direction or vehicle speed limits, full traffic control is required. This can only be performed by a trained person. Training courses are available for traffic controllers and work site traffic management.
If 'Stop' or 'Slow' signs are required, traffic controllers must be trained in traffic management and must be able to communicate with one another without difficulty. Two-way radios are necessary if workers cannot see each other.
Crews must be provided with appropriate signs and barriers that meet the requirements of Australian Standard AS 1742.3 Field guides are available from Standards Australia for traffic control in different work situations on roads.
Traffic must be given sufficient warning. The principal purpose of signs is to alert members of the public to the hazard ahead. Signs help to protect workers and members of the public.
Barriers should be used to direct traffic (vehicle and pedestrian) around or past a work site.
Responsible crew members must monitor the position of signs and barriers throughout the day to ensure that they remain appropriate, particularly if the location or nature of the work changes.
Ground workers must remain watchful for entry into exclusion zone by pedestrians, children or animals.
Ref: Working safely with trees, WorkSafe, Victorian Workcover Authority

Ebony

18-06-2004, 01:00 PM

:eek: Hazardous Substances

Herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals such as fuels may be classified as hazardous substances and/or dangerous goods. Where there is a requirement to use a chemical at work, you must be aware of it's hazards. Take steps to prevent risk of adverse health effects arising from exposure to chemicals and other risks such as fires or explosions.

Important information about hazardous workplace substances can be found in material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and on container labels.

Employers also have a duty to ensure that members of teh public are not exposed to unacceptable chemical-related risks.

The best way to limit chemicals' potential to harm workers is to seek out chemicals which present least risk but still do the job. Compare information on MSDSs procided by potential suppliers and choose the safest available substance.

Workers must have ready access to MSDSs and must be made aware of relevant information contained in MSDSs. Use the points below to communicate information at your crew meetings.

Safe Woking with Hazardous Substances

be familiar with the MSDS and relevant first aid instructions for each chemical they use.
Recognise the importance of labelling containers, particularly if chemicals are decanted from large containers to small containers for use on the job.
Inform householders (and others in the vicinity) of any operation involving chemicals and prevent their exposure to such operations.
be familiar with the safest ways to handle and use chemicals e.g. ensure that wind will not cause chemical drift during spraying
Wash thoroughly before eating, drinking or smoking after handling chemicals
Be aware of, and use, teh required Personal Protective Equipment before handling, pouring or spraying chemicals
Be aware of disposal requirements and use appropriate disposal procedures to protect the community and the environment e.g. hazardous substances cannot be 'poured away' into gutters or drains, or where children or pets could come into contact with them

Ref: Working safely with trees, WorkSafe, Victorian Workcover Authority

Ebony

18-06-2004, 01:16 PM

Safe Use of Plant & Equipment

Machinery Most Commonly used in amenity tree work includes chainsaws, chippers and Elevating work platforms. Each can potentially cause death or serious injury.

Plant and equipment must be safe to use. All plant must be guarded as far as is practical. Operator competence is critical, as is the selection and maintenance of every item used.

When assessing safety risks associated with plant and equipment in use, always consider the worst case scenario. If there is a possibility of serious injury or worse, you must consider the plant as high risk equipment and take action to reduce the risks as a matter of priority.

'Kickback' occurs when the upper part of the bar tip of the guide bar contacts a log of another object. You will not have time to react is this happens. Use a good working position, a functioning inertia chain brake and a properly sharpened chain to reduce the risk of danger.
Maintain a secure position to prevent the chainsaw from moving unpredictably during cutting. If your body is stable and secure, you have far more control over the chainsaw
Chainsaws place considerable strain on arms and back - the further from your body, the greater the strain. There are a number of safe techniques which you should use according to the work situation. It is essential that employers provide appropriate operator training to ensure that employees know how to work safely.
You should always use two hands. You may be tempted to operate your chainsaw with one hand to cut a branch at arm's length, but this is not a safe practice.
Maintain safe working distances between operators e.g. when more than one worker is crosscutting. Assess the risks each time.
Chainsaw maintenance is important. Sharpen the saw and ensure that the chainsaw is correctly tensioned to reduce the likelihood of mishap.Ref: Working safely with trees, WorkSafe, Victorian Workcover Authority

Ebony

18-06-2004, 06:09 PM

:) Links that Might Be Of Interest:
Energy Australia - Tree Safety Management Plan (http://www.energy.com.au/ea/earetail.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/Tree+Management+Plan+31oct02/$FILE/Tree+Management+Plan.pdf) This is a great example of a Safety Management Plan.

Energy Australia is A government body that has come into competition to the business that currently provides gas and electricity. We had one of their rep knocking on our door a couple of weeks back :)

The is a pdf file link. If you do not have adobe Acrobat reader it can be downloaded HERE (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html) The above link contains over 50 pages, if it takes to long to load, right click on teh above link and choose "save target as" and save it to your hard drive, so that you can read it.

Easycareacres

18-06-2004, 06:37 PM

owe man lock me up.

Ebony

21-06-2004, 09:32 AM

I know there is a lot of Information there easycare, it is a guide, actually if you really go through it, it's a better guide then I personally origionally thought it was. Keeping it pretty simple really.

Remember, a chainsaw can be a deadly tool. I don't think we think about that enough, expecially when you have workers with families etc.

administrator

02-10-2008, 10:29 AM

Good to use the search button at top of page so forum members dont lay 12 threads pertaining to the same subject ..