The use of machines and vehicles during logging operations can present hazards to the operators and other employees in or on the machines or vehicles or in the vicinity of the operations. The safe operation of machines and vehicles to prevent employee injury is based on having effective safety guards installed and used, and operating them in a manner that will protect all employees.

Highlights of General Requirements for Machines and Vehicles

What are the general safety requirements?

• All machines and vehicles must be maintained in a serviceable condition as determined by inspection at the beginning of each work shift. Those with defects or damage affecting their safe operation must not be used. [29 CFR 1910.266(f)(1)(i) and (ii) and 29 CFR 1910.266(g)(1) and (g)(2)]
• Operating and maintenance instructions must be placed in all machines and vehicles and followed by the operator and mechanics. [29 CFR 1910.266(f)(1)(iii) and (g)(3)]
• All vehicle operators must have a valid license for the class of vehicle they operate. Machines must be started and operated only by designated employees. [29 CFR 1910.266(g)(4) and (f)(2)(1)]
• Seats, securely fastened to the vehicle, and seat belts must be used by persons operating and riding in or on machines and vehicles. [29 CFR 1910.266(g)(6) and 29 CFR 1910.0266(f)(2)(viii)]
• Tools being transported in a vehicle must be secured or arranged so  they do not present a hazard to the operator or passengers. [29 CFR 1910.266(e)(1)(vii)]
• Vehicles used to transport employees off public roads or to perform logging operations must meet applicable requirements for machines. [29 CFR 1910.266(g)(7)]

• Operators of stationary machines equipped with ROPS and FOPS or overhead guards must wear seatbelts. [29 CFR 1910.266(d)(3)(iii)]

What are the operational requirements?

• Machines must be operated so no hazards are created to employees or equipment. [29 CFR 1910.266(f)(2)(vii)] 

• Before leaving a machine, the operator must secure it by applying the parking brake or brake lock, placing the transmission in park position, placing each moving element to the ground position, and discharging the pressure or stored energy in the moving elements. [29 CFR 1910.266(f)(2)(x)(A), (B), and (C) and 29 CFR 1910.266(f)(2)(xi)]

What are the requirements for brake systems?

• Each machine must have serviceable primary and secondary brakes sufficient to stop and hold the machine under all conditions of use, and parking brakes. [29 CFR 1910.266(f)(7)(i) and (ii)]

What are the requirements for operator access?

• Each machine cab must have a second means of exiting, with walking and working surfaces having slip resistant surfaces which are kept free of material that may result in fire, slipping or falling. [29 CFR 1910.266(f)(5)(i) thru (iv)]

What are the requirements for exhaust systems?

• The engine exhaust pipes must be effectively muffled and be located to direct the exhaust away from the operator, guarded or mounted to protect employees from contact, and equipped with spark arresters. [29 CFR 1910.266(f)(6)(i) thru (iii)]

What are the requirements for guarding the machine's parts and debris?

• Guards must be in place at all times the machine is in operation to protect employees from exposed moving parts of the machine and flying debris from the operation of the machine. [29 CFR 1910.266(f)(8)(i) thru (iii)]

What are the requirements for protective structures for operators?

• Requirements for protective structures can be found at [29 CFR 1910.266(f)(3)(i) thru (xv)].

 Additional Information:

• Machines:
  • 29 CFR 1910 Subpart R, Special industries. OSHA Standard.

    • 29 CFR 1910.266, Logging operations

  • Logging Operations. OSHA Federal Register Final Rules 60:47022-47037 (September 8, 1995). Amends the logging operations standard. [See Other Corrections and Clarifications - Paragraph (c) -- Definitions - Machine.]
  • Logging Operations, Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance Including Twelve Previously Stayed Provisions. OSHA Directive CPL 02-01-022 [CPL 2-1.22], (September 27, 1996). [See Definitions and clarifications -- 8. Paragraph (f) Machines.]
  • Logging Operations, Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance. OSHA Directive CPL 02-01-019 [CPL 2-1.19], (March 17, 1995). [See General Inspection Procedures -- 13. Overhead Guards and 14. Machine Safety Features.]

• Vehicles:
  • Logging. OSHA Preamble to Final Rules, (1994).
  • Logging Operations, Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance Including Twelve Previously Stayed Provisions. OSHA Directive CPL 02-01-022 [CPL 2-1.22], (September 27, 1996). [See Definitions and clarifications -- 10. Paragraph (g) Vehicles.]

  • Logging Operations, Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance. OSHA Directive CPL 02-01-019 [CPL 2-1.19], (March 17, 1995). [See General Inspection Procedures -- 17. Vehicles.]

 Additional Related Information:

• Employee-Owned Vehicles:

  • Logging Operations. OSHA Federal Register Final Rules 60:47022-47037 (September 8, 1995). Amends the logging operations standard. [See Stayed Provisions - Paragraph (g)(1) and (2) -- Maintenance and Inspection of Employee-Owned Vehicles.]

• Machine Brakes:

  • Logging Operations. OSHA Federal Register Final Rules 60:47022-47037 (September 8, 1995). Amends the logging operations standard. [See Stayed Provisions - Paragraph (f)(7)(ii) -- Machine Brakes.]

• Machine Cab Enclosures:
  • Logging Operations. OSHA Federal Register Final Rules 60:47022-47037 (September 8, 1995). Amends the logging operations standard. [See Stayed Provisions - Paragraph (f)(3)(vii) and (viii) -- Machine Cab Enclosures.]

  • Logging Operations, Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance Including Twelve Previously Stayed Provisions. OSHA Directive CPL 02-01-022 [CPL 2-1.22], (September 27, 1996). [See Definitions and clarifications -- 8. Paragraph (f) Machines - e. Paragraph (f)(3)(vii) and (viii) Machine cab enclosures.]

• Machine Operator Manuals:

  • Logging. OSHA Preamble to Final Rules, (1994).

• Machine Shutdown:

  • Logging Operations. OSHA Federal Register Final Rules 60:47022-47037 (September 8, 1995). Amends the logging operations standard. [See Stayed Provisions - Paragraph (f)(2)(xi) -- Machine Shutdown Procedures.]

• Mechanical Protective Structures:

  • Logging Operations. OSHA Federal Register Final Rules 60:47022-47037 (September 8, 1995). Amends the logging operations standard. [See Other Corrections and Clarifications - Paragraph (f)(3)(i) -- Protective Structures for Logging Machines.]

• Riders on Machines:

  • Logging. OSHA Preamble to Final Rules, (1994).

• ROPS/FOPS:
  • Logging. OSHA Preamble to Final Rules, (1994).
  • Logging Operations. OSHA Federal Register Final Rules 60:47022-47037 (September 8, 1995). Amends the logging operations standard. [See Stayed Provisions - Paragraph (f)(3)(ii) -- ROPS Specifications.]

  • Logging Operations, Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance Including Twelve Previously Stayed Provisions. OSHA Directive CPL 02-01-022 [CPL 2-1.22], (September 27, 1996). [See Definitions and clarifications -- 8. Paragraph (f) Machines - c. Paragraph (f)(3)(i) - Protective structures for logging machines and d. Paragraph (f)(3)(ii) - ROPS specifications.]

• Seatbelts:
  • Logging. OSHA Preamble to Final Rules, (1994).
  • Logging Operations, Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance. OSHA Directive CPL 02-01-019 [CPL 2-1.19], (March 17, 1995). [See General Inspection Procedures -- 3. Seat Belts.]

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