Silviculture

• Pages: 51-59

51

13. Silviculture

Site preparation

277. Where site preparation activities include the felling and conversion of

trees, the provisions in Chapter 14 apply accordingly.

Manual clearing

Organization

278. Hazards arising from dead trees or slash should be assessed prior to

silvicultural operations. If necessary to avoid risks, dead trees should be made

safe. If for any reason dangerous trees have to be retained, their location should be

made known to all workers operating in the vicinity. A risk zone should be marked

clearly and unmistakably.

279. If slash is going to be left on the site in heaps or piles, its position

should be planned in advance to avoid hindrance to further activities.

280. The appropriate time of the year should be chosen for burning slash.

Burning should only be und ertaken when it can be controlled. Very dry or windy

conditions should be avoided. The provisions for fire-fighting and fire

management in Chapter 15 apply accordingly.

Equipment

281. Workload and work progress in manual clearing activities depend

largely on the type of vegetation to be removed and density of vegetation and

debris. Workload should be minimized by choosing appropriate tools for the

specific type of vegetation:

(a) for herbaceous vegetation, scythes or sickles should be used;

(b) for removal of small woody growth, shears or saws should be considered as

alternatives to brush hooks or machetes.

282. Tools used for site preparation operations should be designed,

manufactured and maintained in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 6.

283. If site conditions vary significantly, workers should be supplied with a

choice of different tools to allow the use of those most appropriate.

284. When the uprooting of stumps is necessary, all roots must be cut or

broken to prevent them from falling back and causing injury. Pulling stumps out

manually should be avoided as far as practicable; it is safer to use machine-

mounted winches. When manual uprooting of stumps is unavoidable, poles or

stakes of sufficient strength should be used as levers, to reduce physical effort.

285. Workers should be provided with and wear personal protective

equipment in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 7.