Text from
the OSHA Logging Standard Amendment issued September 8, 1995 in the Federal RegisterParagraph
(f)(2)(xi) -- Machine Shutdown Procedures
The final rule specifies procedures which must be followed when a machine is shut down.
These include applying brakes and grounding or securing moving elements (paragraph
(f)(2)(x)), and discharging pressure and stored energy (paragraph (f)(2)(xi)). With regard
to the discharge requirements, this provision is intended to prevent moving elements, such
as blades, buckets, saws and shears from being unexpectedly or inadvertently activated or
engaged after the machine has been shut down. Such activation has resulted in severe
injury or death to logging operators, maintenance personnel or others in the vicinity of
the machine (Ex. 2-1, 4-61, 4-63, 4-64, 26A).
OSHA stayed the discharge provision (paragraph (f)(2)(xi)) in order to reconsider
whether the provision could be misinterpreted to require unnecessary discharging of
pressure and stored energy. For example, OSHA was concerned whether employers might
misinterpret the provision as requiring the discharge of pressure and stored energy not
related to moving elements of the machine, such as bleeding machine brakes, a result which
OSHA had not intended.
OSHA is therefore correcting this provision so it more accurately identifies and
addresses the hazards OSHA intended to control in the final rule. Revised paragraph
(f)(2)(xi) requires that the hydraulic and pneumatic storage devices which can move the
moving elements of a logging machine after machine shut down and expose employees to
serious hazards must be discharged as specified by the manufacturer.
OSHA is also correcting paragraph (f)(2)(x) to require that any time the operator
leaves the machine cab, the parking brakes must be applied, the moving elements must be
grounded or secured, and the transmission must be placed in park. A further review of the
record indicates that such a correction is necessary since the hazard of unexpected or
inadvertent activation of logging machines is present any time an operator leaves the
machine cab, whether to perform another logging operation or to stop work for the day. The
record includes several reports of machine operators and others who died or were severely
injured when they failed to engage the parking brakes and lower moving elements to the
ground before dismounting from the machine (Ex. 4-61, 4-64, 26A).
OSHA has addressed the hazard of inadvertent machine engagement in other rules as well
(e.g., 29 CFR 1910.147, 29 CFR 1910.178). OSHA believes the same hazard addressed by those
rules is present in logging operations. Therefore, OSHA is correcting the final rule and
compliance directive to indicate that braking, grounding and parking procedures must be
followed any time the operator leaves the machine cab.
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