Section 296-54-53940. Falling and bucking—Springboards and tree jacking.

(1) Springboards must be:

(a) Made of clear, straight grained sound stock;

(b) Long enough, wide enough, and strong enough; and

(c) Replaced when they will no longer safely support the expected load at the extreme end.

(2) Springboard irons must be well lipped and firmly attached with bolts or other equally strong attachment.

(3) Saw chains must be stopped while shifting springboards.

(4) Jack plates must be used with hydraulic tree jacks and the base plate must be seated on solid wood inside the bark ring as close to level as possible.

(5) When necessary, two workers must be present at the tree during hydraulic tree jacking to lend assistance.

(6) Wedges must be used as a follow-up method while using tree jacks, and continuously moved in as the tree is jacked.

(7) All hydraulic tree jacks must be equipped with a check valve and the pump must be equipped with an operable pressure gauge.

(8) Jacking a tree straight uphill is prohibited when the tree may slide back past the stump.

(9) On slopes over 50% grade, tree(s) must at least be quartered to a degree that prevents employees from being exposed to the possibility of sliding or rolling trees or logs.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. WSR 99-17-117, § 296-54-53940, filed 8/18/99, effective 12/1/99.]

RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. WSR 99-17-117, § 296-54-53940, filed 8/18/99, effective 12/1/99.