Alert of the Month
Many different forestry activities create or have to manage stored energy. Stored energy is power that has not been used or dissipated and is ready to be released. Failing to identify and properly control the stored energy can lead to serious incidents. Always determine where stored energy will go when or if it is released.
Examples of Stored Energy
- Elevated loads
- Cables under tension
- High pressure cylinders or reservoirs
- Live electrical systems
- Hot or chemically reactive materials
- Compressed springs.
How a release of energy can cause an incident
- Heavy lids or doors can unexpectedly close causing crush injuries
- Loaded trees can suddenly move or barberchair while being cut
- Upslope operations can cause logs or rocks to run away downhill
- Heavy equipment parked on hills can move or shift
- Machinery that is not locked out can activate and move unexpectedly
- Yarding lines that are side bound or siwashed can release suddenly
- Suspended loads in the woods or shop can fall or shift and hit workers
- High pressure hydraulic leaks can cause serious injection injuries.
Recommended Practices for Controlling Stored Energy
- During maintenance, always follow Lock Out Procedures
- Be aware of stored energy when raising or lowering equipment and materials
- Establish safe zones when working around mobile equipment
- Don’t approach moving equipment until it comes to a full stop and grounds all attachments.
Resources
- Lock Out Resource Package – Procedures and tools for locking out log trucks and other heavy equipment /files/res_Lockout.pdf
- Hydraulic Injection Injury Alert /node/2734
- Wood Products Manufacturing Stored Energy Alert /node/1292
