ChainsawOperationSOP

CAMPUS ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY & HEALTH

Issued By: Office of Finance and Administration
Effective Date: February 2001

POLICY:

CHAIN SAW OPERATION

Qualification:

Only employees having completed USM chain saw training and/or CLP certification are to operate chain saws on USM campuses. Our training is provided once a year to accommodate new employees and provides refresher training for those employees having taken it previously.

Qualification Documentation:

Verification of completed training is kept in the Office of Campus Environmental Safety & Health and
posted on respective campuses.

Supervisors are to restrict any employee from using a chain saw unless they have been qualified.

Operation:

1. Pre-start Up Procedures

     A. Guarding check

     B. Bar inspection

     C. Chain

           (1) condition

           (2) sharpening

           (3) adjustment

     D. Lubrication

     E. Cleaning, general cleaning

     F. Oil level check

B. Personal Protection Equipment - OSHA Required

     1. Hearing protection

     2. Eye/face protection

     3. Foot protection

     4. Leg protection (chaps)

     5. Hand protection (gloves)

     6. Head protection (hard hat)

C. Usage/Operation

     1. Approved start up position

     2. Only approved cutting procedures are to be used

     3. Maintain safe footing and/or body position

     4. Comply with USM's Fall Protection Policy

     5. Provide watches where necessary and/or tape or barrier zoning

Maintenance: (Check Items)

Air filter
Screws and bolts
Starter cord
Saw chain
Bar
Flywheel and pawls
Sprocket
Clutch, drum, and drive sprocket
Chain catcher
Throttle lock
Chain brake

PPE Requirements:

Hearing - USM provided muffs are to be used.
Note: Average saw db levels - idling - 96.4; cutting - 105.0

Eye/Face - Minimum face shield and/or spectacles and shield provided by USM

Foot - USM provided steel toe and instep protection

Leg - USM provided wrap around chaps which correlate with saw rpms

Hand - USM provided Kevlar gloves

Head - USM provided CPL quality

Note: All information above is provided during the qualification training.

Supervisor Approval: - Dick Smith

Safety Violations:

The following is a list of safety requirements.

1. Chain saw operator must be wearing all personal protective equipment outlined earlier.

2. Chain brake must be activated when starting saw.

3. Chain brake must be activated when taking more than two steps.

4. Chain brake must be activated when holding the saw with one hand, especially when clearing
brush or reaching over or around the saw.

5. The kickback corner of the bar should never be used to start a boring cut.

6. When the tree starts to fall, the chain saw operator must begin retreat within 3 seconds.

7. Never bore more than half way through a tree from the bad side. If the operation should
inadvertently cut too much fiber off on the bad side, the tree can set down on the saw and
pinch it.

8. No by pass greater than 3/8" when making notch cuts.

1.	Chain saw operator must be wearing all personal protective equipment outlined earlier.
2.	Chain brake must be activated when starting saw.
3.	Chain brake must be activated when taking more than two steps.
4.	Chain brake must be activated when holding the saw with one hand, especially when clearing brush or reaching over or around the saw.
5.	The kickback corner of the bar should never be used to start a boring cut.
6.	When the tree starts to fall, the chain saw operator must begin retreat within 3 seconds.
7.	Never bore more than half way through a tree from the bad side. If the operation should inadvertently cut too much fiber off on the bad side, the tree can set down on the saw and pinch it.
8.	No by pass greater than 3/8" when making notch cuts.