| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess roadside conditions | Approaching traffic, soft shoulders, blind curves, limited sight distance | Conduct full site assessment; choose safest loading area; set up cones and advance warning signs according to MUTCD; assign lookout |
| Inspect log loader truck and equipment | Hydraulic leaks, malfunctioning grapple, damaged outriggers, worn tires | Perform full pre trip equipment inspection; verify grapple and boom operation; check outrigger pads; confirm backup alarm and beacons |
| Don required PPE | Low visibility, struck by hazards, flying debris | Wear high visibility vest or jacket, hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, and boots before entering the roadside work zone |
| Position truck safely | Vehicle tipping, traffic collisions, overhead hazards | Park fully off roadway when possible; angle truck to create a protective barrier; activate beacons; use spotter when backing; avoid power lines |
| Deploy and use outriggers | Outriggers sinking into soft ground, truck instability, pinch points | Inspect shoulder stability; use outrigger pads; deploy outriggers fully and evenly; keep crew clear of moving arms; verify level truck before loading |
| Establish exclusion zone | Crew or bystanders entering swing radius or drop zone | Mark boundary using cones or barricades; assign lookout to monitor both traffic and log movement; keep pedestrians out of work area |
| Manage traffic during loading | Drivers drifting toward crew, speeding vehicles, distracted motorists | Use flaggers if needed; maintain clear taper and buffer zone; place Road Work Ahead or Be Prepared to Stop signs far enough upstream |
| Handle and load logs | Rolling logs, pinching hazards, grapple malfunction, logs dropping into roadway | Keep crew out of swing radius; load from stable ground; maintain slow controlled boom movements; secure logs gently on truck |
| Use chainsaw if trimming is required | Chain kickback, limb release, flying debris | Maintain secure footing; use full PPE including chaps; cut small limbs first; keep crew clear of cutting zone |
| Stack and secure load | Log shift, strap recoil, falling logs | Stack logs evenly; avoid overloading; use proper binders and straps; stand clear of tensioned chains; verify securement before transport |
| Maintain communication | Miscommunication leading to unsafe movements | Use radios or hand signals; stop loading anytime line of sight or communication is lost |
| Prepare for transport | Debris in roadway, unsecured load, loose bark creating hazards | Sweep roadway; check all straps; ensure logs are stable; verify lights and beacons are functioning |
| Remove traffic control | Workers exposed to fast moving traffic during takedown | Remove devices in reverse order; keep lookout posted; maintain PPE until roadway is cleared and safe |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended)
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Hearing protection
Chainsaw chaps if using a chainsaw
Long pants and long sleeves
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Heavy Equipment Operations
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess roadside conditions | Approaching traffic, soft shoulders, blind curves, limited sight distance | Conduct full site assessment; choose safest loading area; set up cones and advance warning signs according to MUTCD; assign lookout |
| Inspect log loader truck and equipment | Hydraulic leaks, malfunctioning grapple, damaged outriggers, worn tires | Perform full pre trip equipment inspection; verify grapple and boom operation; check outrigger pads; confirm backup alarm and beacons |
| Don required PPE | Low visibility, struck by hazards, flying debris | Wear high visibility vest or jacket, hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, and boots before entering the roadside work zone |
| Position truck safely | Vehicle tipping, traffic collisions, overhead hazards | Park fully off roadway when possible; angle truck to create a protective barrier; activate beacons; use spotter when backing; avoid power lines |
| Deploy and use outriggers | Outriggers sinking into soft ground, truck instability, pinch points | Inspect shoulder stability; use outrigger pads; deploy outriggers fully and evenly; keep crew clear of moving arms; verify level truck before loading |
| Establish exclusion zone | Crew or bystanders entering swing radius or drop zone | Mark boundary using cones or barricades; assign lookout to monitor both traffic and log movement; keep pedestrians out of work area |
| Manage traffic during loading | Drivers drifting toward crew, speeding vehicles, distracted motorists | Use flaggers if needed; maintain clear taper and buffer zone; place Road Work Ahead or Be Prepared to Stop signs far enough upstream |
| Handle and load logs | Rolling logs, pinching hazards, grapple malfunction, logs dropping into roadway | Keep crew out of swing radius; load from stable ground; maintain slow controlled boom movements; secure logs gently on truck |
| Use chainsaw if trimming is required | Chain kickback, limb release, flying debris | Maintain secure footing; use full PPE including chaps; cut small limbs first; keep crew clear of cutting zone |
| Stack and secure load | Log shift, strap recoil, falling logs | Stack logs evenly; avoid overloading; use proper binders and straps; stand clear of tensioned chains; verify securement before transport |
| Maintain communication | Miscommunication leading to unsafe movements | Use radios or hand signals; stop loading anytime line of sight or communication is lost |
| Prepare for transport | Debris in roadway, unsecured load, loose bark creating hazards | Sweep roadway; check all straps; ensure logs are stable; verify lights and beacons are functioning |
| Remove traffic control | Workers exposed to fast moving traffic during takedown | Remove devices in reverse order; keep lookout posted; maintain PPE until roadway is cleared and safe |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended)
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Hearing protection
Chainsaw chaps if using a chainsaw
Long pants and long sleeves