Regulations (Preambles to Final Rules) - Table of Contents Regulations (Preambles to Final Rules) - Table of Contents
• Record Type: Logging Operations
• Section: 1
• Title: Section 1 - I. Introduction

I. Introduction

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is issuing a final standard detailing safety requirements for logging operations, regardless of the end use of the forest products (saw logs, veneer bolts, pulpwood, chips, etc.). Logging consists of felling trees (usually by chain saws), removing the limbs and branches (limbing), and cutting or splitting the trees into manageable logs (bucking). Trees and logs are then moved (yarding) to central locations (landings) by one of several methods (e.g., skidding or forwarding). In relatively flat terrain, logs are hooked to a tractor and dragged to the landing. When terrain is very steep or rough, logs may be transported by steel cables attached to a winching apparatus (cable yarder) via a system of cables, blocks, pulleys, and carriages (cable yarding). Then logs are partially suspended and dragged over the ground (high-lead yarding) or hoisted into the air and conveyed on overhead cables (sky-line yarding) to the landing. At the landing, logs are mechanically loaded onto trucks, railroad cars or barges for transport to sawmills. In some cases logs are formed into log rafts for transport by water to sawmills. Logging operations require employees to work in all types of weather, on all types of terrain and in isolated, remote locations. (Logging operations and regional characteristics are discussed in greater detail in the profile of the logging industry in the Regulatory Impact Analysis.)

[59 FR 51672, Oct. 12, 1994]
Regulations (Preambles to Final Rules) - Table of Contents Regulations (Preambles to Final Rules) - Table of Contents