1910.261(c): Handling and storage of pulpwood and pulp chips

(c) Handling and storage of pulpwood and pulp chips — 2 citations

(1) Handling pulpwood with forklift trucks. Where large forklift trucks, or lift trucks with clam-jaws, are used in the yard, the operator's enclosed cab shall be provided with an escape hatch, whenever the hydraulic arm blocks escape through the side doors.

(2) Handling pulpwood with cranes or stackers.

(i) Where locomotive cranes are used for loading or unloading pulpwood, the pulpwood shall be piled so as to allow a clearance of not less than 24 inches between the pile and the end of the cab of any locomotive crane in use, when the cab is turned in any working position.

(ii) The minimum distance of the pulpwood pile from the centerline of a standard-gage track shall be maintained at not less than 81⁄2 feet.

(iii) Logs shall be piled in an orderly and stable manner, with no projection into walkways or roadways.

(iv) Railroad cars shall not be spotted on tracks adjacent to the locomotive cranes unless a 24-inch clearance is maintained, as required in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section.

(v) The handling and storage of other materials shall conform to paragraphs (c)(2) (i) and (ii) of this section with respect to clearance.

(vi) No person shall be permitted to walk beneath a suspended load, bucket, or hook.

(3) Handling pulpwood from ships.

(i) [Reserved]

(ii) The hatch tender shall be required to signal the hoisting engineer to move the load only after the men working in the hold are in the clear.

(iii) The air in the ship's hold, tanks, or closed vessels shall be tested for oxygen deficiency and for both toxic and explosive gases and vapors.

(4) Handling pulpwood from flatcars and all other railway cars.

(i) Railroad flatcars for the conveyance of pulpwood loaded parallel to the length of the car shall be equipped with safety-stake pockets.

(ii) Where pulpwood is loaded crosswise on a flatcar sufficient stakes of sizes not smaller than 4 by 4 inches shall be used to prevent the load from shifting.

(iii) When it is necessary to cut stakes, those on the unloading side should be partially cut through first, and then the binder wires cut on the opposite side. Wire cutters equipped with long extension handles shall be used. No person shall be permitted along the dumping side of the car after the stakes have been cut.

(iv) When steel straps without stakes are used, the steel straps shall be cut from a safe area to prevent employees from being struck by the falling logs.

(v) Flatcars and all other cars shall be chocked during unloading. Where equipment is not provided with hand brakes, rail clamping chocks shall be used.

(vi) A derail shall be used to prevent movement of other rail equipment into cars where persons are working.

(5) Handling pulpwood from trucks.

(i) Cutting of stakes and binder wires shall be done in accordance with paragraph (c)4(iii) of this section.

(ii) Where binder chain and steel stakes are used, the binder chains shall be released and the stakes tripped from the opposite side of the load spillage.

(iii) Where binder chains and crane slings are used, the crane slings shall be attached and taut before the binder chains are released. The hooker shall see that the helper is clear before signaling for the movement of the load.

(6) Handling pulp chips from railway cars. All cars shall be securely fastened in place and all employees in the clear before dumping is started.

(7) Handling pulp chips from trucks and trailers. All trucks and trailers shall be securely fastened in place and all employees in the clear before dumping is started.

(8) Cranes.

(i) [Reserved]

(ii) A safety device such as a heavy chain or cable at least equal in strength to the lifting cables shall be fastened to the boom and to the frame of the boom crane (if it is other than locomotive) at the base. Alternatively, a telescoping safety device shall be fastened to the boom and to the cab frame, so as to prevent the boom from snapping back over the cab in the event of lifting cable breakage.

(iii) A crane shall not be operated where any part thereof may come within 10 feet of overhead powerlines (or other overhead obstructions) unless the powerlines have been deenergized. The boom shall be painted bright yellow from and including the head sheave to a point 6 feet down the boom towards the cab.

(iv) Standard signals for the operation of cranes shall be established for all movements of the crane, in accordance with American National Standards B30.2—1943 (reaffirmed 1968) and B30.2.0—1967.

(v) Only one member of the crew shall be authorized to give signals to the crane operator.

(vi) All cranes shall be equipped with a suitable warning device such as a horn or whistle.

(vii) A sheave guard shall be provided beneath the head sheave of the boom.

(9) Traffic warning signs or signals.

(i) A flagman shall direct the movement of cranes or locomotives being moved across railroad tracks or roads, and at any points where the vision of the operator is restricted. The flagman must always remain in sight of the operator when the crane or locomotive is in motion. The blue flag policy shall be used to mark stationary cars day and night. This policy shall include marking the track in advance of the spotted cars (flag for daytime, light for darkness).

(ii) After cars are spotted for loading or unloading, warning flags or signs shall be placed in the center of the track at least 50 feet away from the cars and a derail set to protect workmen in the car.

(10) Illumination. Artificial illumination shall be provided when loading or unloading is performed after dark, in accordance with American National Standard A11.1—1965 (R—1970).

(11) [Reserved]

(12) Barking devices. When barking drums are employed in the yard, the requirements of paragraph (e)(12) of this section shall apply.

(13) Hand tools. Handles of wood hooks shall be locked to the shank to prevent them from rotating.

(14) Removal of pulpwood.

(i) The ends of a woodpile shall be properly sloped and cross-tiered into the pile. Upright poles shall not be used at the ends of woodpiles. To knock down wood from the woodpile, mechanical equipment shall be used to permit employees to keep in the clear of loosened wood.

(ii) If dynamite is used to loosen the pile, only authorized personnel shall be permitted to handle and discharge the explosive. An electric detonator is preferable for firing; if a fuse is used, it shall be an approved safety fuse with a burning rate of not less than 120 seconds per yard and a minimum length of 3 feet, in accordance with Safety in the Handling and Use of Explosives, IME Pamphlet No. 17, July 1960.

(15) Belt conveyors. 2 citations

(i) The sides of the conveyor shall be constructed so that the wood will not fall off.

(ii) Where conveyors cross passageways or roadways, a horizontal platform shall be provided under the conveyor, extended out from the sides of the conveyor a distance equal to 11⁄2 times the length of the wood handled. The platform shall extend the width of the road plus 2 feet (61 cm) on each side, and shall be kept free of wood and rubbish. The edges of the platform shall be provided with toeboards or other protection that meet the requirements of subpart D of this part, to prevent wood from falling.

(iii) All conveyors for pulpwood shall have the inrunning nips between chain and sprockets guarded; also, turning drums shall be guarded. 2 citations

(iv) Every belt conveyor shall have an emergency stop cable extending the length of the conveyor so that it may be stopped from any location along the line, or conveniently located stop buttons within 10 feet of each work station, in accordance with American National Standard B20.1—1957.

(16) Signs. When conveyors cross walkways or roadways in the yards, the employer must erect signs reading “Danger—Overhead Conveyor” or an equivalent warning, in accordance with ANSI Z35.1-1968 or ANSI Z535.2-2011, incorporated by reference in § 1910.6.