Tree felling is a hazardous and complicated job that requires extensive knowledge and training. It can have major consequences if not done properly, including damage to the property and serious injury or even death of a person working in its vicinity. This is why all forestry workers must use proper equipment, wear protective gear, and remain fully alert at all times during tree felling.
Before starting work, a worker should thoroughly examine both the area where he intends to cut the tree and the tree itself. This includes checking whether the tree is in a location that could cause it to fall on people, vehicles, or structures. In addition, he should make sure that there are no overhead power lines near the area where he is going to cut the tree. If any of these conditions are present, the tree should be removed by a professional.
Moreover, the area around the tree should be free of other obstacles that may interfere with your operation or the fall path. Make sure to clear all tripping hazards, and keep the area at least twice as far away from the tree as its height, in order to prevent injury in case it falls in a direction you were not expecting. In addition, the area should be marked by signal coloured warning signs to help inform other workers and passers-by of the potential danger.
Next, the worker should assess how far the tree will fall once he cuts it. To do this, he must take the tree’s lean into account as well as its crown asymmetry and snow-load. A simple method to estimate the length of a fallen tree is to hold an ax handle at arm’s length with one eye closed and then back away from or move toward the tree until the top of the axe is level with the treetop. This is an approximate measurement, however, and should be adjusted if there are other objects the tree might fall on nearby.
Once the worker has determined how long the tree will be and where it should fall, he should make a notch at the base of the trunk. The notch should be at least 25 inches wide and extend to the apex of the felling cut. He should also score a line that connects the apex of the notch on both sides to mark where the back cut should be made.
Finally, he should ensure that no one is in the fall path and then clear two escape routes on the non-fall side of the tree. In this way, he can get away quickly and safely in case the tree falls in a direction that was not planned.
It is also a good idea to have an assistant watching the top of the tree and alerting you when it is ready to fall. An assistant can also warn you of any sudden changes in wind direction or movement that might indicate the tree is about to fall, thereby giving the logger time to react accordingly.
source https://caboolturetreeremoval.wordpress.com/2023/07/20/how-to-safely-perform-tree-felling/
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