6709.11_20
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
NORTHERN REGION (REGION 1)
MISSOULA, MT
FSH 6709.11 – HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – WORK PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES
Supplement No.: 6709.11-2008-2
Effective Date: May 19, 2008
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: /s/ Kathleen A. McAllister for:
THOMAS L. TIDWELL
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 05/13/2008
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to
this handbook was 6709.11-2008-1 to chapter 20.
New Document
6709.11_20
2 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
6709.11_20 (6709.11-2008-1)
Effective date 01/10/2008
2 Pages
Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of direction
incorporated in this supplement.
22.48g – Felling, Bucking, and Limbing Techniques. Updates R1 policy exemptions of no more
than one person at the base of the tree.
R1 SUPPLEMENT: 6709.11-2008-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/19/2008
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6709.11_20
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FSH 6709.11 – HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – WORK PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES
22 – RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
22.4 – Forest Management
22.48g – Felling, Bucking, and Limbing Techniques
1. Observers and Spotters
b. Region 1 establishes policy of which no employee shall approach a faller
closer than 2-1/2 tree lengths of trees being felled, until the faller has
acknowledged that it is safe to do so.
i. Instructing and Mentoring
No more than one person will be permitted at the base of the tree, during
any tree felling operation using a chain saw. The only exceptions to this
requirement, will be during a formal training/sawyer certification session
conducted by a “C” faller/certifier or mentoring, and as allowed by
Supplement 6709.11-2007-1, effective date 12/05/2007. No one may
enter the 2 ½ tree lengths of the tree being felled, unless directly involved
in the falling operation and approved by the faller. Two are allowed at the
base of the tree during the face cut. Prior to starting the chain saw for the
backcut, all individuals, except the sawyer must leave the base of the tree
being felled and be a minimum of 2 ½ tree lengths away. This will also
require that an approved job hazard analysis (JHA) must be in place,
which mitigates the dangers associated of having more than one person at
the stump. This JHA shall be reviewed, prior to conducting this
training/certification session. The faller is directly responsible for the
safety of his or her falling operation.
7. Other Workers
a. Region 1 establishes policy of not allowing any workers to get closer than 21/2 tree lengths of the trees being felled.
9. Bucking, Brushing, and Limbing
i. Walking on top of downed logs during limbing purposes, in order to prevent a
log from rolling into the chain saw operator, will only be permitted if the
chain saw operator is wearing the proper footwear, for example, caulked
boots. However on wildland fire assignments, the use of caulked boots will
not be permitted, therefore walking on downed logs in this situation will also
not be permitted.