514 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 30-37

Sections

31-8. General Requirements.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidelines

Individuals must wear a hardhat and eye protection during all tree maintenance and removal tasks.
When using a chainsaw, additional PPE like protective leg chaps, safety boots, and hearing protection are required.
Assistants of the chainsaw operator must also wear the same level of PPE as the operator during stump cutting operations.

Working Near Electrical Equipment and Systems

Qualified Tree Workers must inspect for electrical hazards before starting tree maintenance or removal, treating all nearby electrical equipment as energized.
Qualified Line-Clearance Tree Trimmers or Trainees, under a Qualified Person, Electrical’s direct supervision, are the only ones permitted to work close to electrical hazards when de-energization is not possible.
A second Qualified Line-Clearance Tree Trimmer/Trainee must be nearby and in voice communication range during specific high-risk operations involving electricity.

Tool Handling and Transportation

Always use tool handles when raising or lowering tools.
Tools for specific tasks like cabling or cavity work must be carried in a bag, belt, or sheath, not in clothing pockets or the top of a boot.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

31-5. During tree maintenance and disposal activities, who is permitted to work close to electrical hazards when de-energization is not possible?

Qualified Tree Trimmers

Tree Trimmer Competent Person (CP)

Tree Trimmer Qualified Person (QP)

Qualified Line-Clearance Tree Trimmers

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 31-8 (a.–c.).

31-8. General Requirements. (a.–c.).

a.  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  PPE, as outlined in this chapter, is required when there is a reasonable probability of injury or illness that can be prevented by such protection.  (31-8.a)

(1)  Wear a hardhat and eye protection during all tree maintenance and removal operations.

(2)  Additional PPE for chainsaw use includes protective leg chaps made of cut- resistant material, safety boots, and hearing protection.

(3)  When flush cutting stumps with a chainsaw, everyone assisting the chainsaw operator must wear the same level of PPE that is required of the chainsaw operator.

(4)  Refer to chapter 5 for additional PPE requirements.

b. Working Near Electrical Equipment and Systems.  Before tree maintenance or removal activities begin, a Qualified Tree worker must make visual inspection to determine whether any electrical hazards exist.  (31-8.b)

(1)  Employees must consider all electrical equipment or conductors in the proximity of the work to be energized.  If electrical lines or equipment cannot be safely avoided, make arrangements with the power company to mitigate the electrical hazard. Mitigation options should include the power company de-energizing, testing, isolating, and grounding the electrical conductors as well as following all OSHA-compliant and practical work methods.  The Qualified  Tree Worker and designated power company representative must confirm that protective ground(s) have been installed as close to the work to be performed to prevent hazardous differences in electric potential.

(2)  When electrical equipment and conductors cannot be de-energized, only a Qualified Line-Clearance Tree Trimmer or Line-Clearance Trainee under the direct supervision of a Qualified Person, Electrical may be assigned to work in close proximity to electrical hazards. See chapter 11 and 29 CFR 1910.269 for additional electrical safety requirements.

(3)  A second Qualified Line-Clearance Tree Trimmer/Trainee must be aloft and within normal voice communication range during the clearing operations whenever the following conditions exist:

(a)  When the Qualified Line-Clearance Tree Trimmer/Trainee must approach any closer than 10 feet (3 m) to any conductor or electrical apparatus energized in excess of 750 volts.

(b)  When branches or limbs being removed cannot first be cut (with a pole pruner or pole saw) sufficiently clear of the equipment or conductors so as to avoid contact.

(4)  Qualified Line-Clearance Tree Trimmers/Trainees must maintain the distances from energized conductors according to table 11-3.  All other tree workers must
    maintain a minimum separation distance of 10 feet (3 m) or greater according to table 11-4.

(5)  Aerial devices that are electrically rated above the electrical voltages of adjacent power lines are exempt from the 10 feet (3 m) rule and can follow table 11-3 if operators, in addition to being Qualified Line-Clearance Tree Trimmers/Trainees, have been electrically qualified (see chapter 11).  Inform operators that insulated aerial devices do not protect them from other potentially fatal electric paths to the ground, such as paths through trees, guy wires, or from phase-to- phase contact.

c.  Tools. (31-8.c)

(1)  Use tool handles when raising and lowering tools.

(2)  Carry tools used for cabling, bark tracing, cavity work, etc. in a bag, belt, or sheath designed to hold tools.  Do not put tools in clothing pockets or stick in the top of a boot.