Los Alamos Fire Department Fuel Mitigation Team Training

Required Training Who is required to be trained? Training must be given to all employees prior to assignment, and when assigned new work tasks, tools, equipment or vehicles.

What must be included in the training? Specific work procedures, practices, and requirements of the work site, including the recognition, prevention, and control of general safety and health hazards associated with the task. How to safely perform assigned work tasks. How to safely use, operate, and maintain tools machines and vehicles.

How must the training be conducted? All training must be conducted by a knowledgeable, designated person. All training must be presented in a manner that it can be easily understood.

Is on the job training and refresher training also required? Employees required training must work under the close supervision of a designated supervisor until they demonstrate the ability to safely perform their duties. Each employee must attend a safety and health meeting at least monthly to remind them of the associated hazards and safety considerations.

Personal Protective Equipment PPE for the head,ears, eyes, face, hands, and legs are designed to prevent of lessen the severity of injuries to employees

Leg Protection Each employee who operates a chain saw must wear leg protection constructed with cut resistant material. The leg protection must extend from the upper thigh down to the boot top.

Foot Protection Employers must assure that each employee wear footwear constructed with cut resistant material that will protect against contact with a running chain saw and are water resistant.

Head Protection Hard hats must be worn when overhead hazards are present. Sawyers hard hats will include hearing protection and a mesh shield.

Hearing Protection Required when working in an area where noise is at or above 85 decibels. Sawyers.

Eye and Face Protection Eye or Face protection must be worn when there is potential for injury to the eyes or the face.

Hand Protection Must be worn anytime there is potential to injure the hands.

1994 Reported Injuries

Chain Saws The chain saw is one of the most efficient, productive, and dangerous power tools used. Proper operation and maintenance will aid in avoiding injury as well as production.

Parts of the Chain Saw 1 Chain catcher 2 Flywheel 3 Clutch 4 Decompression valve 5/7 Anti vibration system 6 Hand Guard 8 Muffler Chain Brake 10/11 Throttle/ Throttle interlock

Chain Saw Checklist Chain Brake Throttle interlock Chain catcher Chain Tension Muffler Chain saw kickback Chain sharpness, cutter shape, depth gauge setting, and lubrication Handles and guards on tight No chain movement when chain is idling

Safe operation of a Chain Saw Check controls, chain tension, and all bolts and handles to to ensure they are functioning and adjusted according to the manufacturers instructions.

Safe operation of a Chain Saw Fuel the saw at least 10 feet from sources of ignition. Start the saw at least 10 feet from fueling area, with chain brake engaged, and with the saw on the ground or otherwise firmly supported.

Safe operation of a Chain Saw Check the fuel container for the following requirements: Must be metal or plastic Must not exceed a 5 gallon capacity Must be UL, FM or DOT approved

While Running the Saw Keep hands on the handles with thumb firmly holding the handles and maintain secure footing while operating the saw. Clear the area of obstacles that might interfere with cutting the tree or using a retreat path. Do not cut directly overhead. Shut off or throttle released prior to retreating. Shot off or the chain brake engaged whenever the saw is carried more than 50 feet, or on hazardous terrain.

Tree Felling More people are killed while felling trees than while engaged in any logging activity. These accidents can be avoided.

Potential Hazards The safe felling of any tree includes evaluating the surrounding area to identify potential hazards. These hazards should be avoided or eliminated before attempting to fell a tree.

Throwback As the tree falls through other trees or lands on objects, those objects or branches may get thrown back toward the feller. If possible, avoid felling into other trees or onto objects. Don’t turn your back to the tree as it falls, and look up as you escape along the escape path.

Terrain If the tree falls onto stumps, rocks, or uneven ground, a hazard may be created. If possible, move the obstacle or change the felling direction. Potential for slip and fall injuries. Potential for tree skidding on steep slopes.

Lodged Tree A tree that has not fallen completely to the ground. Do not work in the presence of lodged trees. Flag the area and use a mechanical device if possible.

Lodged Tree A tree that has not completely fallen to the ground Do not work underneath or around lodged trees. Flag the area and remove by mechanical means

Widowmaker Broken off limbs that are hanging freely in the tree to be felled or in the trees close by. Flag the area. Do not work around or underneath them. Use a mechanical device to pull them down if possible.

Snag Standing dead tree, standing broken tree, ore standing rotted tree. Flag or fell. To be avoided by at least two tree lengths.

Spring Pole A tree, segment of a tree, limb or sapling which is under stress or tension due to the pressure or weight of another tree or object. Use a machine to release tension or release the tension with a chain saw.

Extreme Weather Do not fell trees during strong winds. Consider leaving the hazard area. “Stop Work” during lightning storms. Proper hydration in extreme heat. Proper clothing in extreme cold Flood Danger Slip and Fall injuries in snowy and icy areas

Entanglement Vines or limbs of other trees intertwined with the limbs of the tree to be felled. Undo the entanglement if possible

Resources Other workers or vehicles in the immediate area. Request the workers or vehicles to be moved.

Vehicles Drive safely Always use a spotter Be familiar with its operation Do not exceed recommended load capacities

Identify the proper felling direction Clear fall path Clear landing Lean of tree Ease of removal Slope of ground

Clear a Fall Path Along with clear landing, this is the most important factor in deciding what direction to fell a tree. Visualize the fall path in all directions and identify those directions that are free of other trees. Finding a clear path will eliminate lodged trees and throwback

Felling Direction Clear Landing: Avoid felling a tree onto stumps, large rocks, or uneven ground Lean of Tree: It is generally easier and safer to fell a tree in the direction that it is already leaning. It also eliminates the need to use wedges.

Tree Felling Ease of Removal: When possible, fell the tree consistent with the felling pattern of other trees. This allows for efficient limbing and removal. Slope of Ground: Fell in a direction that will minimize the chance that the tree will roll or slide.

Retreat Path You must plan your escape route and clear the escape path before your begin cutting.

Retreat Path 45 degrees from the sides and back on either side. Never move away directly behind the tree. Your can be seriously hurt if the tree butt kicks back during the fall

How to Retreat Using a bore cut and a release cut will make it easier to retreat. Don’t turn your back on the falling tree. Walk quickly away to a safe distance. Position yourself behind a standing tree if possible.

Felling Hinge Length of the hinge should be 80% of the diameter of the tree. The width of the hinge should be 10% of the diameter of the tree The hinge on a tree with no side lean should be perpendicular to the fell direction. 80% 10%

Open Face Notch Upper Cut Bottom or Undercut Back Cut

The Top Cut 1.Starting Point 2.Angle of Attack : cut downward at an angle of 70 degrees 3.3. Ending Point: Stop when the cut reaches ¼ to 1/3 of the trunk’s diameter or when the cut reaches 80% of the trees diameter.

Incorrect Cut The top cut is not steep enough Resulting in a notch of less than 70 degrees

The Bottom or Undercut 1.Starting point create at least a 70 degree notch opening 2.Angle of attack: cut upward at a 20 degree angle 3.Ending point: Stop when the cut reaches the end point of the face cut.

Incorrect Cut Ending points do not meet resulting in a Dutchman notch. The Dutchman notch is prohibited!!!

Dutchman

Stalled Tree

The Back Cut 1.Starting Point: begin on the opposite side of the notch at the same level as the notched corner. 2.Angle of attack: cut flat along a horizontal plane. 3.Stop at the point that will leave a hinge width that is 1/10 the trees diameter

Incorrect Cut The starting point of the back cut is higher than the notched corner resulting in a poor hinge.

Conventional Notch 45 degree total angle Top cut angled 45 degrees downward Bottom cut horizontal Back cut horizontal at least 1inch above bottom cut Hinge breaks early

Humbolt Notch 45 degree total angle Top cut flat horizontal Bottom cut angled upward 45 degrees Back cut horizontal at least 1 inch above the top cut Hinge breaks early

Domino Felling Placing undercuts and backcuts in a series of trees then pushing them with other trees is prohibited.

Limbing and Bucking Evaluate potential hazards Overhead hazards Spring poles Butt movement forward Butt twist Butt off ground

Limbing and Bucking Must be done on the uphill side of each tree where sliding of logs may be expected. Move to a stable position

Spring Poles Shave a sufficient amount of wood from the underside to release the pressure.

Be aware of Surroundings Hazardous areas require heightened awareness Promote safety

Be aware of Wildlife Animals Snakes Insects

First Aid Kits On every vehicle Familiarize yourselves with their location and use.

Communications Radios for all crews Designate a Tac channel Mayday

Safety Briefing Done Daily PPE Hazards Work to be done Designate safe refuge area Additional Concerns

BE SAFE Safety Awareness Proper PPE Report Unsafe Acts Two man Rule We all want to go home!!!!!