Lake Tahoe Basin, Ecosystems Conservation Department – Job Hazard Analysis 2011
FS-6700-7 (11/99)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
General Field Work
Forest Service
JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Instructions on reverse
7. TASKS & PROCEDURES
1. WORK PROJECT OR ACTIVITY
2. LOCATION
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
3. UNIT
Ecosystems Conservation
4. NAME OF ANALYST
Holly Eddinger
8. HAZARDS
General field work
Personal injury
Clothing
Cuts, scraps, bites
Walking surfaces
Injuries resulting from
loose, slippery, or poor
surfaces
5. JOB TITLE
6. DATE PREPARED
Forest Biologist
10/05, updated 1/11
9. ABATEMENT ACTIONS
Engineering Controls*Substitution*Administrative Controls*Personal Protective Equipment
For personal protective equipment, also see job hazard analyses for backpacking / camping, black bear,
insect stings and bites, mountain lion, poisonous plants, radio / field communication, small mammals,
and vehicle operation.
Personal protective equipment for field work includes a long sleeve shirt, long pants, hiking boots, and a
two way radio. Prevent sunburn on the back of your neck by wearing wide-brim hats when you don’t
need a hard hat, such as when working in open terrain with no overhead hazards. Long pants must be
worn, except when field work requires long hikes on maintained trails to access sites. Consult your
supervisor regarding acceptable attire for these circumstances. Clothing should be clean in appearance.
Ragged clothing, cutoff shorts and other leisure clothing are not permitted at any time. Long sleeve,
lightweight, light-colored shirts are recommended to minimize abrasions when working in dense forest
conditions. Short-sleeved shirts may be permitted if work can safely be conducted. Short-sleeved shirts
must have sleeves that extend at least half-way from the shoulder to the elbow. Halter tops, tank tops
and v-neck t-shirts are not permitted.
Avoid or use caution while stepping on logs, log decks, and jack-straw logs. Avoid animal holes, eroding
stream banks, rocks and debris. When hiking, use appropriate footwear that is designed to support the
foot under a load and provides ankle support. Consider using a walking stick to help you keep your
balance when walking on uneven surfaces. Plan ahead. Select safe routes and watch your footing. Use
caution on steep slopes. If you feel yourself slipping, pick a landing spot. Try to land in the least
obstructed spot. Protect your head and back. Roll with the fall. Do not stick your arms out to break a fall.
If you need to push branches out of your way, push branches down rather than away from you. Be aware
of people behind you when moving branches, to avoid branches from swinging and hitting them. When
contouring steep slopes, do not lean into the hill. This tends to loosen footing. Erect posture or slightly
leaning out gives more secure footing. Keep at least 10 feet from other people when walking and working
in mountainous terrain. Do not walk below people or hazards that parallel your path. Avoid rolling rocks or
falling bodies. When moving uphill or in sandy soils, lean slightly forward, turn feet outward, shorten
stride, and use the inside of your foot. On slippery or loose ground, or going downhill, keep most of your
weight on your heels. Shorten your stride, keep knees bent, and lean slightly backward. Slow down and
exaggerate steps in area of exposed roots or downed wood to keep from catching your toes. Never run
blindly if a rolling rock or tree is heard. Try to determine the direction of fall, and then move out of its path.
Hardhats are to be worn if aerial hazards are present, and crews should have the region 5 hazard tree
awareness training.
Water crossings
Choose stream crossing routes by scouting the area first. Avoid crossing when water levels are above
your knees. Avoid crossing on logs whenever possible. To secure footing, use a stick or pole, placing it
on the upstream side at a slight angle. Work the pole ahead to test for deep holes, and then wade up to
the pole. Stay out of areas with swift current, especially after heavy snowfall, rain, or spring melt. Use
appropriate protective footwear with non-slip soles while waking in streams. Do not wear Tevas or sandals
in streams. While working in water, avoid wearing jeans because once wet and heavy they may impede
body movements. Avoid hypothermia by wearing waders or by wearing clothing that will dry quickly.
Caution must be taken as to not allow water to enter waders. Quick drying pants are preferred over jeans.
When possible, step on the streambed instead of the tops of boulders that may be slippery.
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Lake Tahoe Basin, Ecosystems Conservation Department – Job Hazard Analysis 2011
Illegal activities occurring
on public land
Personal hygiene & safety
Marijuana farms, or
methamphetamine labs
Be aware of the possibility of marijuana farms, methamphetamine labs, or other illegal drug production
occurring on Forest Service lands. If you encounter illegal activity, immediately leave the area and return
to your vehicle. Promptly drive away from the area. Once in a safe area, record a brief description of
what you observed, such as date, time, location, chemical dump, active water lines, or marijuana plants.
Immediately report this information to your supervisor. Your supervisor will contact appropriate Forest
Service authorities. Never investigate these illegal sites.
Hostility or threats
Leave the area immediately. Do not deal with threatening people. Report any threatening situations to
local authorities and to your supervisor.
Unattended campfires
Blisters and rashes
Call dispatch and report the incident to your supervisor.
Dry out if working in water for extended periods of time to prevent blisters. Air out your feet by wearing
open sandals or Tevas while in camp. Rubbing alcohol will also help dry wrinkled feet. Wear clean socks
daily. Prevent blisters before hiking by applying athletic tape or moleskin on your heels and between the
toes.
Sunburn
Prevent sunburn on the head and back of your neck by wearing a wide-brimed hat or hard hat. Use sun
block especially on your nose, cheeks, and lips. Consider wearing a long sleve shirt and pants.
Eye injury
Wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation. Polarized lenses are recommended
for working on water. Be careful walking through brush, or near trees with low branches.
Carry a personal first aid kit, and remember that there is one in the truck as well.
Trauma
Heat stress
Cold extremes
10. LINE OFFICER
SIGNATURE
/s/ Owen Martin
Previous edition is obsolete
11. TITLE
Deputy Forest Supervisor
Keep skin, pores, and hair clean. Dirty clogged skin and matted hair slow down heat dissipation. Take
frequent rest periods, and relax in cool and shady locations. Know the signs and symptoms of heat
exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate
response. Drink plenty of water, use sunscreen, and wear a wide brimmed hat to avoid direct sunlight.
Drink before you get thirsty and drink as often as you can, when field work is being conducted during hot
periods. See heat stress index below.
Dress in layers with clothing that wicks moisture away from your skin. Wool works well, especially in
combination with a waterproof shell. Take layers off as you heat up, and put the layers back on as you
cool down. The point is to avoid sweating, which dampens your clothing so that it doesn’t insulate as
well. See the wind chill chart below.
12. DATE
3/11/2011
(over)
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Lake Tahoe Basin, Ecosystems Conservation Department – Job Hazard Analysis 2011
HEAT STRESS INDEX
Actual Thermometer Reading (F°)
84
86
88
90
92
94
96
98
100
HUMIDITURE F° (Equivalent Temperature)
68
70
72
75
77
78
80
82
85
87
89
91
93
95
70
72
75
77
79
81
84
86
88
90
93
95
97
99
73
75
77
78
80
83
85
87
90
92
95
98
101 105
74
76
78
79
81
85
87
89
92
96
100
104 106
110
75
77
79
81
84
86
90
93
96
100
105
108
110 120
75
77
80
83
86
89
92
95
100 106
111
120 125 132
75
77
81
85
89
91
96
100 106
115
122
128
76
78
83
86
91
95
100
106
114 122
Below.80
80 - 90
90 - 105
105 - 130
Above 130
EXTREME
NONE
CAUTION
DANGER
EXTREME DANGER
CAUTION
Little or no danger under normal circumstances.
Fatigue possible, if exposure is prolonged and there is physical activity.
Heat cramps and heat exhaustion, if exposure is prolonged and there is physical activity.
Heat cramps or exhaustion likely; heat stroke possible, if prolonged and there is physical activity.
HEAT STROKE IMMINENT!
74
RELATIVE HUMIDITY
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
HUMIDITURE.F°
DANGER CATEGORY
NONE
CAUTION
EXTREME CAUTION
DANGER
EXTREME DANGER
76
78
80
82
102
104
97
101
108
117
125
98
104
110
120
132
WIND CHILL INDEX
Wind Speed
(mph)
Calm
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Actual Thermometer Reading (F°)
20
10
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
Equivalent Temperature (F°)
50
40
30
20
10
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
48
37
27
16
6
-5
-15
-26
-36
-47
-57
40
28
16
4
-9
-21
-33
-46
-58
-70
-83
36
22
9
-5
-18
-36
-45
-58
-72
-85
-99
32
18
4
-10
-25
-39
-53
-67
-82
-96
-110
30
16
0
-15
-29
-44
-59
-74
-88
-104 -118
28
13
-2
-18
-33
-48
-63
-79
-94
-109 -125
27
11
-4
-20
-35
-49
-67
-82
-98
-118 -129
26
10
-5
-21
-37
-53
-69
-85 -100 -116 -132
INCREASED
GREAT DANGER
LITTLE DANGER
DANGER
(properly clothed person)
DANGER OF FREEZING EXPOSED SKIN
50
40
30
-60
-60
-68
-95
-112
-124
-133
-140
-145
-148
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Lake Tahoe Basin, Ecosystems Conservation Department – Job Hazard Analysis 2011
Job Hazard Analysis Instructions (Reference Forest Service Handbook 6709.11 & .12)
The job hazard analysis shall identify the location of the work project, the name of
employees involved in the process, the dates of acknowledgment, and the name of
the line officer that approved the job hazard analysis. The line officer acknowledges
that employees have read and understand the contents, have received the required
training, and are qualified to perform the work project.
Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6: Self-explanatory.
Block 7: Identify all tasks and procedures associated with the work project that have
potential to cause injury or illness to personnel and damage to property or
material. Include emergency evacuation procedures.
Block 8: Identify all known or suspected hazards associated with each task and
procedure listed in block 7. For example:
a. Research past accidents or incidents.
b. Research the health and safety code, Forest Service Handbook 6709.11.
c. Discuss the work project with participants.
d. Observe the work project.
e. A combination of the above.
Block 9: Identify appropriate actions to reduce or eliminate the hazards identified in
block 8. Abatement measures listed below are listed in order of preference:
a. Engineering Controls. The most desirable method of abatement. For
example, ergonomically designed tools, equipment, and furniture.
b. Substitution. For example, switch to non-toxic solvents with a high flash
point.
c. Administrative Controls. For example, limit exposure by reducing the
work schedule.
d. Personal protective equipment. The least desirable method. Use
hearing protection when working with chain saws or water pumps.
e. A combination of the above.
Emergency Evacuation Instructions (Reference Forest Service Handbook 6709.11)
Work supervisors and crew members are responsible for developing and discussing
field emergency evacuation procedures and alternatives in the event that people
becomes seriously ill or injured at the worksite. Call Camino on the two way radio or
at (530) 543-2606; or dial 911; or call Barton Memorial Hospital at (530) 543-5623. 2170
South Ave, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. Be prepared to provide the following
information:
a. Nature of the accident or injury. Avoid using the victim's name.
b. Type of assistance needed, such as ground, air, or water evacuation.
c. Location of accident or injury, best access route into the worksite including
road name or number, and identifiable ground or air landmarks.
d. Radio frequencies.
e. Contact person.
f. Local hazards to ground vehicles or aviation.
g. Weather conditions, such as wind speed & direction, visibility, & temperature.
h. Topography.
i. Number of individuals to be transported.
j. Estimated weight of individuals for air or water evacuation.
JHA and Emergency Evacuation Procedures Acknowledgment
We, the undersigned work leader and crew members, acknowledge participation in the
development of this JHA and accompanying emergency evacuation procedures. We
have thoroughly discussed and understand the provisions of each of these documents:
SIGNATURE
DATE
SIGNATURE
DATE
Work Leader
Block 10: The JHA must be reviewed and approved by a line officer. Attach a copy
of the JHA to justify purchase orders for personal protective equipment.
Blocks 11 and 12: Self-explanatory.
page 4 of 4