Home
Standards
Glossary
User Guide
Logging Advisor
Text from the OSHA Logging Compliance Directive, CPL 2-1.22 Text from the OSHA Logging Compliance Directive, CPL 2-1.22

J.  Definitions and clarifications

*   *   *

4. Paragraph (d)(5) - Environmental Conditions

a. The final rule requires that work terminate and employees move to a place of safety when environmental conditions create a hazard for an employee. OSHA has revised the final rule to indicate that hazardous environmental conditions include strong winds which may adversely affect the fall of a tree.

b. Fire is also identified as a hazardous environmental condition. However, the standard, read in its entirety, does not require employees to leave the area any time a fire starts. Other requirements of the standard contemplate that an employee may be called upon to put out a fire. However, if a fire were to start in an area where there is no fire extinguisher or other equipment or supplies which allow the employee to safely suppress it, the employer would be responsible for assuring that employees are moved out of the danger area. Likewise, where a fire, because of its size, intensity or the conditions of the area, creates a hazard for an employee who remains in the area, either to work or to attempt to suppress the fire, the employer must also assure that employees are removed from the area of danger instead of trying to extinguish the fire. The standards on fire protection in Subpart L of Part 1910 and not the Logging Operations standard govern the fighting and suppression of fires at logging worksites.

*   *   *


Back Back

tracking image