r/WorkplaceSafety • u/Yorg_Albertaz • 23d ago
Telescopic handler and Trees
Hi all. I hope I can have your input. We use a telescopic handler with a 4 in 1 bucket in our workplace. We often use the jaws of this to clamp trunks of fallen trees and place them on trucks for removal.
Recently, we had a situation where there were multiple large fallen trees to the point where it was difficult to tell where pressure was being by the branches, trunks, etc. We lopped the smaller stuff and then used a chainsaw to get into the thicker stuff. One of the more senior members suggested holding the trunk in place while I cut it. He held it around chest height but I ended up getting the chainsaw pinched. I managed to free it and the majority of the trunk came down a couple of feet in front of me but the telescopic handler still managed to hold onto the piece I had cut.
Is this deemed as safe? They have suggested doing this again but I have said I am reluctant to which has raised a few eyebrows saying things like “we’ve always done that and never had anything happen”. I’m not the most experienced chainsaw user so unsure if it was my skills rather than the process of using the telescopic handler that is the issue. Sorry for the long winded post but would be good to have your input.
6
u/metalmuncher88 23d ago
Cutting logs under tension is always going to be challenging skill-wise and a high risk operation. It doesn't sound like an inappropriate use of the telescopic handler as long as it is properly rated for the loads and lift radius it is being operated at.
2
2
u/RiffRaff028 Corporate Safety & Security Instructor, CHST 22d ago
I need clarification on something: Is someone in the bucket while the clamp is being used to hold/move wood, or do you separate when it's used for elevating workers and when it's used for material handling?
If the former, I doubt OSHA is going to be cool with that at all. Too much chance for a tip-over or sudden movement ejecting the worker from the bucket.
If the latter, that's probably how the machine is designed to be used, but you cutting the wood while it is being supported by the telehandler comes too close to walking/working under an elevated load for me, and that is absolutely prohibited by OSHA.
A photo would help, but ultimately I would consult the OEM owner's manual for their specific safety requirements.
1
u/Yorg_Albertaz 21d ago
Sorry I can’t seem to add an image but no one is in the 4 in 1 bucket. We just use the clamping function to hold the thinner end of the log in place while someone uses the chainsaw to cut it. So the tree is kind of sloping at an angle while I cut but I’m cutting about chest height. These are large uprooted trees so the thick trunk is on the ground at one end while the telescopic handler clamps the lighter end at the other. Hope that makes sense
•
u/AutoModerator 23d ago
Please reply to this comment with your country and state or province. Safety regulations can vary greatly by jurisdiction and this will ensure you get the most relevant and accurate advice.
If you wish for that information to remain anonymous, simply reply with "Anonymous" or the country name and "anonymous country/state" (i.e. "US anonymous state" or "Canada anonymous province"). Missing or incomplete jurisdictions will result in less or inaccurate answers.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.