Clearing and Grubbing
Clearing and grubbing of the project site will involve the use of standard mechanical equipment, specifically chain saws, clippers, machetes, hand saws and other typical hand tools used to remove vegetation. This equipment is generally powered using gas driven equipment, if mechanical in nature.
Additional hazards to be encountered include the use of diesel driven chippers and throw chutes. During all chipping operations, personnel must be highly aware of the proximity of the grinders. Hands are to be kept a minimum 12 from the grinding mechanism. Any failure of the grinder to adequately intake the fed vegetation will require that the grinding mechanism is shut down. Once the blockage is cleared, grinding/shipping can be re-instituted.
Employees using any cutting equipment will be outfitted with chaps, brush guards, Kevlar gloves, eye protection, steel toe boots and hard hats. Depending on other etological/biological hazards, additional PPE may be required as outlined below.
Key elements to be employed during the grubbing and clearing involve the following:
Buddy system will be in effect for any clearing and grubbing operations. A minimum two man crew will be required for any clearing tasks
No scaling of trees is to be undertaken without appropriate lifelines and harnesses.
Spotters must be in evidence during the dropping of any trees. A clear path for the felling of trees is to be identified to all members of the crew
Communication between the ground crew and field supervision is to be maintained either through direct line-of-sight or via handheld walkie talkies