Fallers’ & Buckers’ Handbook - Courses

1 Fallers & Buckers HandbookPractical methods for fallingand bucking timber the WCBP reventing on-the-job injury and disease is the first priority of the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of British Columbia. WCB officers inspectworksites in to make sure they comply with the Occupational Healthand Safety Regulation, which sets out minimum workplace standards forhealth and safety. The WCB also investigates serious workplace accidentsand consults with employers, supervisors, and workers to promote healthand safety in the the requirements of the Workers Compensation Act, a worker mustreport an injury or a disabling occupational disease as soon as possible tothe employer.

2 The employer must report work-related injuries, occupationaldiseases, and work-related deaths to the WCB within three days. A workermay not make an agreement with the employer to give up WCB a worker suffers a work-related injury or illness, the WCB provides faircompensation that may include medical costs, loss of earnings, physicalrehabilitation, and pensions. The WCB also works with employers to helpinjured workers return to work. If a worker is killed on the job, counsellingand financial help are made available to the victim s family. For moreinformation on requirements or eligibility for WCB coverage, contact theWCB office nearest Prevention Information LineThe WCB Prevention Information Line can answer your questions aboutworkplace health and safety, worker and employer responsibilities, andreporting a workplace accident or incident.

3 The Prevention InformationLine accepts anonymous 604 276-3100 in the Lower Mainland, or call 1 888 621-7233(621-SAFE) toll-free in British report after-hours and weekend accidents and emergencies, call604 273-7711 in the Lower Mainland, or call 1 866 922-4357 (WCB-HELP)toll-free in British & Buckers HandbookPractical methods for fallingand bucking timber safelyWCB publicationsTo obtain additional copies of this booklet orother WCB publications, contact:Publications and Videos SectionWorkers Compensation Board of Box 5350 Stn TerminalVancouver, BC V6B 5L5 Phone:604 276-3068 in the Lower Mainland1 800 661-2112, local 3068, toll-free in :604 web site: < > for online publications 1993, 2001 Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia.

4 Allrights reserved. The Workers Compensation Board of encouragesthe copying, reproduction, and distribution of this document to promotehealth and safety in the workplace, provided that the Workers Compensation Board of is acknowledged. However, no part of thispublication may be copied, reproduced, or distributed for profit or othercommercial enterprise, nor may any part be incorporated into any otherpublication, without written permission of the Workers CompensationBoard of editionNational Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication DataMain entry under title:Fallers and buckers published as a based on 10th ed.

5 (1990).ISSN 1499-1306 = Fallers and buckers handbook1. Tree felling - British Columbia - Safety Logging - British Columbia - Safety Workers Compensation Board of British '8'0289C98-960018-1 Fallers & Buckers HandbookIIITABLE OF CONTENTSFOREWORD1 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHINGAND EQUIPMENT3 Safety Headwear .. 3 High Visibility Clothing .. 3 Hearing Protection .. 4 Eye Protection .. 4 Leg Protection .. 4 Safety Footwear .. 4 Suspenders .. 5 Hand Protection .. 5 First Aid .. 5 Communications .. 5 TOOLS7 The Power Chainsaw ..7 Noise .. 7 Vibration .. 7 Cuts .. 8 Guidelines for Safe Chainsaw Use.

6 8 Guidelines for Chainsaw Maintenance .. 10 Other Tools ..14 Axe .. 14 Wedge .. 14 Belt and Pouch .. 14 File .. 15 Special Tools ..16 Hydraulic Jack .. 16 Temporary Platform .. 16 Long Chain Bar .. 16 Transporting Workers and Tools ..18 IVFallers & Buckers HandbookGENERAL WORK PROCEDURES19 Minimum and Maximum Distances .. 19 Falling and Bucking Difficulties .. 20 Checking System .. 20 Guidelines for Placing Workers .. 21A Review of Work Procedures .. 22 TRAINING FALLERS AND BUCKERS23 Pre-employment Screening .. 23On-the-Job Screening .. 23 Proper Training .. 23 Proper Trainer .. 24 Supervision.

7 24 Continuous Review .. 24 FALLING27 Planning ..27 Assessing Tree and Falling Area .. 27 The Falling Cuts ..28 The Undercut .. 28 The Backcut .. 30 Dutchman ..31 Unintentional Dutchman .. 32 Intentional Dutchman .. 32 Barberchair ..32 Danger Trees ..34 Guidelines for Falling Danger Trees .. 34 Planning .. 35 Making the Cuts .. 35 Common Problems in Falling Danger Trees .. 36 Use of Explosives .. 38A Deadly Example .. 39 Pole Cutting ..42 Guidelines for Poling Operations .. 42 Fallers & Buckers HandbookVCommon Falling Difficulties ..44 Tree Sits Back .. 44 Upslope Falling .. 52 Leaners .. 52 Leaning Trees Near Creeks and Swamps.

8 56 Falling Against the Lean .. 56 Trees Tied Together .. 58 Hang-ups .. 58 Kickbacks .. 60 Ground Debris .. 62 Windfall Roots .. 64 Burned Timber .. 65 Right-of-way Falling on Switchbacks .. 65 Falling on Lower Side of Road .. 65 Steep Ground .. 66 Uphill Falling .. 66 Stacking of Fallers .. 66 Entry into a Falling and Bucking Area ..66 Persons Entering an Active Falling Area .. 67 Traffic Entering the Falling Area .. 68 Logging Equipment Entering the Falling Area .. 69 Blasting in the Falling Area ..69 Weather Conditions ..70 Poor Falling Practices ..72 BUCKING75 Planning ..75 Guidelines for Bucking.

9 75 Bind ..77 Top Bind .. 78 Bottom Bind .. 78 Pivot Points ..82A Deadly Example .. 82 Bucking Large Logs ..83 VIFallers & Buckers HandbookBoring ..84 Points to Remember .. 84 End Pressure ..85 Landing Bucking ..86 Guidelines .. 86 Common Bucking Difficulties ..87 Bucking on Sidehills .. 87 Trees and Limbs Bent Under Logs .. 87 Incomplete Bucking .. 87 Log Dropping While Bucking .. 88 Kickbacks .. 89 DANGEROUS WORK PRACTICES93 Working Too Close ..93 Bypassed Danger Trees ..94 Pushing Danger Trees ..94 Cut-Up Trees ..98 Hang-Ups ..100 Domino Falling ..102No Undercut ..105 Poor Falling Practices ..106 ROLE OF THE WCB107 GLOSSARY109 ESSENTIALS OF OCCUPATIONAL FIRST AID115 WCB OFFICES117 Fallers & Buckers Handbook Foreword1 FOREWORDThis book is written for professional fallers and buckers.

10 It describes safefalling and bucking techniques used in the coastal and interior forests ofBritish Columbia. All practices described are based on actual book is not a substitute for an experienced trainer or good companysafety procedures. It s meant to be used in conjunction with in the woods begins with you. Learn safe falling and buckingtechniques. Follow your company s written safe work procedures andWCB & Buckers Handbook Personal Protective Equipment3 Head Protection Whistle PressureDressing(in a shirtpocket) ProperGlovesLegProtectionVest Appropriate Footwear Raingear Face GuardHearing ProtectionPERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING ANDEQUIPMENTS afety HeadwearHard hats must be worn to protect against head injuries from falling,flying or thrown objects.