Seasonal Changes - Sap's Running!
With the onset of spring weather, increased sap flow in trees generally points to one thing 'slippery logs' and especially in mechanised operations where more bark is removed!
Increasing incidents go hand-in-hand with the sap-runâ making it important to apply extra precautions especially when loading logs, working around them or walking on them.
Slippery Logs extra precautions!
- When crowning the log packet, load one log at a time.
- Slew and drive slowly avoid rapid movements and sudden braking!
- Ensure the truck loading area is level and balance the load.
- Tune into the species and log condition e.g. eucalyptus and de-barked logs.
- Truck drivers: check load security more often and make use of a belly chain.
- If a log is lost from the load report immediately to ensure it does not happen again.
- Follow all of the rules in the ACoP especially those to do with safe zones!
- Avoid walking on logs if you must then wear spiked boots.
- Watch for stem/log movement on the bearers especially during crosscutting.
View this article in Health and Safety Bulletin 95