July 2013 - Danger Trees | BC Forest Safety Council

Safety Alert Type:

Booming and Towing

Location:

Date of Incident / Close Call:

2013-07-18

Company Name:

BC Forest Safety Council

Details of Incident / Close Call:

Recently there has been a high frequency of faller injuries caused by small diameter snags or danger trees. Here’s some advice for managing these hazards.

Learnings and Suggestions:

Don’t overlook these small but dangerous trees. They are easy to miss, so take the time to do a thorough 360 inspection of your worksite.
Elimination of the hazard is the most effective. Fall or remove the danger trees, with a machine if possible.
These trees are hazardous for many forestry operations, not just falling. Silviculture or trucking operations that take place near standing timber are good examples.
It may effective to establish a no work zone around the danger tree. This no work zone should be well marked and communicated to all workers in the area.
Blasting danger trees is often an effective way to remove the hazard. Check out the following video on danger tree blasting training. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=870RNYwyULI

For more information on this submitted alert:

The following information will help you manage danger trees in your operation.

Training is available! Danger Tree Assessor training is offered through the University of Northern BC. Here’s a link to some additional information: http://www.unbc.ca/continuing-studies/wildlife-danger-tree

The BC Forest Safety Council offers a 5 day Falling Supervisor training course. This is a necessary step on your way to becoming a Certified Falling Supervisor. Click on the link for more information:
http://www.bcforestsafe.org/content-program-fallers/program-fallers-9-bu...
Know your Occupational Health and Safety Regulations :
Danger Trees – Section 26.11
Falling Supervisors – Section 26.22.1
Falling Dangerous Trees – Section 26.26
Summoning Assistance – Section 26.28
Here’s a link to WorkSafeBC’s site that explains these regulations:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/publications/ohsregulation/part26.asp

REMEMBER – Being hit by a small diameter snag has the same result as being hit by a larger tree – Serious injury or worse!

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BC Forest Safety Council

July 2013 - Danger Trees

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