The most dangerous occupation in United States is logging. Workers face many hazards from the use of different types of equipment such as grapple trucks which, if not properly used, could cause the loaded lumber to roll, fall or slide out of the vehicle. It is also a dangerous occupation because of the injury rate and fatality rate in comparison to other industries. Strict safety compliance is imperative in every logging operation, specifically when transporting logs for processing. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created safety standards related to this industry to keep all workers safe during the entire operation.

Since safety is so important, operators must learn and understand general log yard safety tips and how to properly operate a grapple truck. Such measures should be completely understood to avoid unsafe work practices, which are a large contributor to fatal accidents.

General Safety Measures

It is important to adhere to the following safety guidelines to avoid unnecessary injuries:

• Training - All employees should undergo training regarding hazard identification and control.

• Standards - All workers should be familiar with OSHA’s logging standards.

• Loading - Know the risks involved in these activities and always handle the harvested trees with assistance.

• Truck Condition - Check the general condition of the vehicle to ensure that everything is functional.

• Wear PPE - All employees should wear personal protective equipment (reflective vests and hard hats).

• Proper Parking - Park the grapple truck on stable and compact ground to support the gross vehicular weight (gvw). All brake systems should be engaged and wheel chocks should be used as necessary.

• Working Area - Always determine and pay attention to overhead electrical lines.

• Proper Clearance - Maintain good clearance in all directions when unloading the wood.

• Reflective Strips - Trucks or trailers must have reflective strips on 50 percent of both sides and 100 percent on the rear.

• Proper Load Handling - Always check binders and chains while in transit.

Unloading Safety Methods

There are two identifiable hazards that usually occur while unloading felled trees in the yard: improper log release and equipment failure. Both are caused by unsafe work practices. Following are some safety methods to follow while removing wood at the processing facility:

• Binders and Posts - All release binders should be on one side of the grapple truck and that same side should be protected with up-right posts to prevent logs from rolling over on the worker.

• Proper Release Support - Avoid releasing the binders from the wood without the support of an unloading machine.

• Safe Release Position - After the binders are released, workers should quickly move to a safer place so that the grapple truck can move to transfer logs to the storage yard.

• Proper Brake Handling - All equipment for unloading the cut trees should be equipped with brake systems that can support the load in midair.

• Hydraulic Cylinders - All hydraulic cylinders must be checked prior to hauling a load.

• Proper Safety Devices - All log haulers must be equipped with overhead protection, horns, and other hazard devices.

The danger that accompanies logging activities can be reduced if workers are trained to identify and control the hazards that exist in the working environment. Serious injuries may also occur if the operator is not careful and lacks awareness of the general safety measures in cut timber handling and yard storage. Before anything tragic happens, operators of grapple trucks should be mindful of these log yard safety tips and take precautionary measures to maintain protection from harm in the field!