OAR 437-007-0810
Manual Falling

(1)

Falling cuts must not be made in a standing tree while anybody is in the area where the tree could fall.

(2)

Trees must not be felled if the wind is strong enough to prevent the tree from falling in the desired direction.

(3)

Domino falling is prohibited.
EXCEPTION: A lodged tree can be dislodged by falling another tree into it.

(4)

A worker must not:

(a)

Work under a lodged tree.

(b)

Cut a tree that another tree is lodged in.

(5)

When any lodged or standing tree with undercuts or back cuts is left unattended, the hazardous area must be distinctly marked by hazard identification ribbon as specified in OAR 437-007-0205 (Hazard Identification).

(6)

Only qualified workers may fall danger trees.

(7)

When falling danger trees:

(a)

Use extra caution.

(b)

Remove loose bark within reach from the ground before starting to fall the tree.

(c)

Use a deep undercut with a wide face opening, and fall the danger tree in the direction of lean whenever possible to avoid vibration caused by wedging.

(8)

One worker must not fall a tree or danger tree when the assistance of another worker is necessary to minimize the risk of injury caused by overhead hazards, loose bark, loose or interlocked limbs, conditions of the tree, terrain or cutting conditions.

(9)

An escape route must be determined and arranged before a tree is fallen so the worker(s) falling the tree can move at least 25 feet away from and to the side of the base of the tree.

(10)

The escape route must be clear of brush, snow, tools and other material that would impede a quick escape.

(11)

Workers must not remain at the stump as the tree falls unless it is necessary to complete the backcut. Once the backcut is completed, the worker must immediately release the throttle and move a safe distance away from the tree.

(12)

Trees must be felled into the open whenever practical.

(13)

When manual falling or tree jacking, trees must not be felled directly uphill when the probability of the tree sliding back past the stump is likely.

(14)

When manual falling or tree jacking, trees felled uphill must be quartered to the slope, to minimize exposure to sliding or rolling trees.

(15)

When trees or snags are over 6 inches DBH:

(a)

Undercuts must not be less than 1⁄4 the diameter of the tree.

(b)

Face openings must not be less than 1⁄5 the diameter of the tree.
EXAMPLE: Acceptable undercuts:
A. Conventional undercut. Can be made with parallel saw cut and axe diagonal cut or both cuts with the saw. Generally used on trees of small diameter.
Figure 7-35 — Falling — Conventional Face
B. Humbolt cut. Both cuts made with the saw. Same as “A” except that waste is put on the stump.
Figure 7-36 — Falling — Humbolt Face
C. Open face cut. Both cuts made with the saw. The top and bottom face cuts generally form a 90 degree angle when completed. Works best on small diameter trees.
Figure 7-37 — Falling — Open Face [Figures not included. See ED. NOTE.]

(16)

Undercuts must be completely removed and cleaned out unless it is necessary to use a Dutchman on either side of the cut.

(17)

Undercuts and back cuts must be made at a sufficient height above the highest ground level to enable the person falling the tree to:

(a)

Safely make the cut.

(b)

Control the tree.

(c)

Have freedom of movement for a quick escape.

(18)

Back cuts must be made above and on a horizontal plane with the face cut.

(19)

Holding wood must not be completely cut through.
NOTE: When completing a swing cut, sufficient holding wood must be maintained to guide the tree during most of its fall.
[ED. NOTE: Figures referenced are available from the agency.]

Source: Rule 437-007-0810 — Manual Falling, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=437-007-0810.

437‑007‑0001
Authority of Rules 437‑007‑0002
Purpose of Rules 437‑007‑0003
Scope of Rules 437‑007‑0004
Applicability of Rules 437‑007‑0010
Worker Protection Standard 437‑007‑0025
Definitions 437‑007‑0100
Safety and Health Program 437‑007‑0105
Management Commitment 437‑007‑0110
Supervisory Responsibilities 437‑007‑0125
Accident Investigation 437‑007‑0130
Employee Involvement 437‑007‑0135
Hazard Identification and Control 437‑007‑0140
Training 437‑007‑0145
Annual Program Evaluation 437‑007‑0200
Site Planning and Implementation 437‑007‑0205
Hazard Identification 437‑007‑0210
Checking System 437‑007‑0215
Working Alone 437‑007‑0220
Medical Services and First Aid 437‑007‑0225
Working Near Unstable Objects and Danger Trees 437‑007‑0230
Power Line Safeguards 437‑007‑0235
Working Conditions 437‑007‑0240
Night Logging 437‑007‑0245
Field Sanitation For Reforestation Activities 437‑007‑0300
General Requirements 437‑007‑0305
Head Protection 437‑007‑0310
High-Visibility Color 437‑007‑0315
Eye and Face Protection 437‑007‑0320
Hand Protection 437‑007‑0325
Leg Protection 437‑007‑0330
Foot Protection 437‑007‑0335
Hearing Protection 437‑007‑0340
Personal Floatation Devices 437‑007‑0345
Respiratory Protection 437‑007‑0350
Respiratory Protection When Machines Are Operated 437‑007‑0400
Hand and Portable Power-Driven Tools 437‑007‑0405
Chain Saws 437‑007‑0410
Fire Extinguishers 437‑007‑0415
Explosives and Blasting Agents 437‑007‑0500
Roads 437‑007‑0505
Bridges 437‑007‑0510
Flagging 437‑007‑0515
Signs 437‑007‑0520
Vehicle General Requirements 437‑007‑0525
Vehicle Warning Devices 437‑007‑0530
Vehicle Windshields, Windows and Mirrors 437‑007‑0535
Vehicle Passenger Compartments 437‑007‑0540
Vehicle Brakes 437‑007‑0545
Vehicle Exhaust Systems 437‑007‑0550
Vehicle Guards and Controls 437‑007‑0555
Vehicle Safety Chains 437‑007‑0560
Vehicle Seat Belts 437‑007‑0565
Vehicle Inspection, Maintenance and Repair 437‑007‑0570
Vehicle Operation 437‑007‑0575
Transportation of Personnel 437‑007‑0580
Flammable and Combustible Liquids 437‑007‑0600
Inspection and General Requirements for Rigging 437‑007‑0605
Out-of-Service Requirements for Wire Rope 437‑007‑0610
Line Cutting and Splicing 437‑007‑0615
Pressed Eyes and End Fittings 437‑007‑0620
Cable Clamps 437‑007‑0625
Mollies 437‑007‑0630
Connectors 437‑007‑0635
Shackles 437‑007‑0640
Metal Spar Guyline Safety Straps 437‑007‑0645
Chokers and Straps 437‑007‑0650
Guylines — General Requirements 437‑007‑0655
Guylines — Tail Tree Guying 437‑007‑0660
Intermediate Support Trees 437‑007‑0665
Anchoring 437‑007‑0670
Spiking and Releasing Spiked Guylines or Skylines 437‑007‑0675
Selecting, Preparing and Rigging Trees 437‑007‑0680
Blocks and Hanging Blocks. 437‑007‑0690
Metal Towers 437‑007‑0700
General Work Practices 437‑007‑0705
General Machine Operator Requirements 437‑007‑0710
General Machine Requirements 437‑007‑0715
Attaching and Spooling Line (Wire or Synthetic Rope) 437‑007‑0720
Fairleads 437‑007‑0725
Securing Machines. 437‑007‑0730
Loading Machines 437‑007‑0735
Chippers 437‑007‑0740
Machine Exhaust Systems 437‑007‑0745
Windows and Windshields on Machines 437‑007‑0750
Drum Brakes 437‑007‑0755
Machine Travel Brakes 437‑007‑0760
Outriggers 437‑007‑0765
Hauling or Moving Machines 437‑007‑0770
Protective Structure for Operators, General Requirements 437‑007‑0775
Protective Structure For Operators, Machines Manufactured On Or After July 1, 2004 437‑007‑0780
Protective Structures for Operators, Machines Used On Or After July 1, 2014 437‑007‑0800
General Requirements 437‑007‑0805
Mechanical Falling 437‑007‑0810
Manual Falling 437‑007‑0815
Wedges 437‑007‑0820
Bucking Trees/Logs 437‑007‑0825
Tree Jacking 437‑007‑0830
Tree Pulling 437‑007‑0900
General Landing Work Practices 437‑007‑0905
Landings 437‑007‑0910
Landing Logs 437‑007‑0915
Log Decks 437‑007‑0920
General Cable Yarding and Ground Skidding Work Practice 437‑007‑0925
Cable Yarding Work Practices 437‑007‑0927
Working Near Standing Tree Anchors, and Tail/Intermediate Support Trees 437‑007‑0930
Grapple Yarding 437‑007‑0935
Operation of Ground Skidding Machines and Vehicles 437‑007‑0940
Signaling and Communications 437‑007‑0945
Electrical Signal Systems 437‑007‑0950
Voice Communication on Combined Signal/Voice Transmitters 437‑007‑1000
General Requirements 437‑007‑1005
Loading 437‑007‑1010
Securing Loads for Transport 437‑007‑1015
Binders and Wrappers 437‑007‑1020
Log Truck General Requirements 437‑007‑1025
Log Truck Safety Chains or Cables 437‑007‑1030
Log Truck and Trailer Hitches (Couplings) 437‑007‑1035
Log Truck and Trailer Brakes 437‑007‑1040
Log Truck Trailer Reaches and Drawbars 437‑007‑1045
Log Truck Trailers 437‑007‑1050
Log Truck and Trailer Bunks and Stakes 437‑007‑1055
Log Truck and Trailer Bunk Chains and Cables 437‑007‑1060
Additional Requirements for Log Trucks Equipped With Self-Loaders 437‑007‑1100
General Work Practices 437‑007‑1105
General Requirements for Log and Wood Fiber Unloading, Handling and Storage Areas 437‑007‑1110
Wrappers Removal General 437‑007‑1115
Barriers For Securing Log Loads 437‑007‑1120
Removing Wrappers From Barrier Secured Loads 437‑007‑1125
Removing Wrappers From Machine Secured Loads 437‑007‑1130
Removing Center Wrappers From Unsecured Loads 437‑007‑1135
Unloading Logs 437‑007‑1140
Split Loads 437‑007‑1145
Loading or Unloading Trailers 437‑007‑1150
Trailer Hoists 437‑007‑1155
Dry Land Log and Fiber Handling and Processing 437‑007‑1160
Water Dumps, Log Ponds and Booms 437‑007‑1165
Boats 437‑007‑1200
Helicopter Operation 437‑007‑1205
Aircraft Refueling/Maintenance Area 437‑007‑1300
Scope of Rules 437‑007‑1303
Application of Rules 437‑007‑1305
General Requirements 437‑007‑1310
Personnel Assignments 437‑007‑1315
Single Personnel Assignments 437‑007‑1320
Personal Protective Equipment 437‑007‑1325
Training 437‑007‑1330
Equipment, Vehicles and Machines, General Requirements 437‑007‑1335
Vehicle Operation 437‑007‑1340
Machine Operation 437‑007‑1345
Helicopter Operations 437‑007‑1400
Jerk Wire Whistle System 437‑007‑1405
Radio Signal Systems 437‑007‑1500
Tree Climbing General Requirements 437‑007‑1505
Climbing Equipment General Requirements 437‑007‑1510
Climbing Procedures General Requirements 437‑007‑1515
Rigging Trees for Cable Logging Systems 437‑007‑1520
Four Inch Tie-In Systems 437‑007‑1525
Belayed (Snubbing) Climbing System 437‑007‑1530
Three Point Climbing System 437‑007‑1535
Storage and Transportation of Climbing Equipment General Requirements
Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 437-007-0810’s source at or​.us