Chapter 2—Safety Requirements

Instructor's Notes

• Use the "Safety Requirements" section of the video-enhanced PowerPoint presentation.
  
  
• Provide a scenario and discuss with the students how a medical emergency and evacuation could be handled and what is the role of each person.
  
  
• Refer to the "Health and Safety Code Handbook" chapter 20 for information on handling a medical emergency.

Objectives

• Students will be able to identify the elements in a job hazard analysis (JHA):
  
  
  • The task and procedures to be accomplished
    
    
  • The hazards associated with the task or procedure
    
    
  • Abatement actions to eliminate or reduce the hazards
    
    
  • First aid and emergency evacuation procedures
    
    
• Students will learn why personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) is used, how it is used, and how it is maintained.
  
  
• Students will learn about Federal and State regulations, rules, and laws they must obey while operating a UTV.

Job Hazard Analysis

A JHA (figure 11) must be prepared (preferably with the assistance of the employees involved) before beginning any work project or activity: The JHA must:

• Identify the tasks or procedures to be accomplished.
  
  
• Identify the hazards associated with the tasks or procedures. These hazards may include physical, biological, environmental, chemical, or other hazards. Examples of hazards include:
  
  
  • Physical hazards—Rocky terrain and slippery slopes
    
    
  • Biological hazards—Insect bites and hantavirus
    
    
  • Environmental hazards—Weather-related hazards, such as hypothermia, wind, and lightning
    
    
  • Chemical hazards—Hazardous materials, such as gasoline for UTVs
    
    
  • Other hazards—Personal security issues, public traffic, and hunting seasons
    
    
• Identify abatement actions that can eliminate or reduce hazards. Abatement actions (in order of preference) include:
  
  
  • Engineering controls—The most desirable method of abatement (such as ergonomic tools and equipment)
    
    
  • Substitutions—Such as switching to nontoxic solvents
    
    
  • Administrative controls—Such as limiting exposure by reducing work schedules or establishing appropriate work practices and procedures
    
    
  • PPE—The last method of abatement to be considered (such as using a helmet when operating a UTV)
    
    
• Identify first aid supplies and emergency evacuation procedures. The onsite first aid kit must have supplies that meet the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) specifications and requirements.

Figure 11—Job hazard analysis form.

An emergency evacuation plan is essential for any field project. All employees need to be proficient in using a radio. They need to know emergency contacts and the proper radio frequencies. The latitude and longitude and/or the legal location for an emergency medical helispot shall be determined and included in the JHA before starting any work. The entire crew shall know where the helispot is located. The emergency evacuation plan needs to be updated when the work location changes. Be prepared to provide the following information for an emergency evacuation:

• Nature of accident or injury (avoid using the victim's name)
• Type of assistance needed (ground, air, or water evacuation)
• Location of the accident and best access to the site (road name or number)
• Radio frequencies
• Contact person
• Local hazards to ground vehicles or aviation
• Weather conditions (wind speed and direction, visibility, temperature)
• Topography
• Number of individuals to be transported
• Estimated weight of individuals for air or water evacuation
• Nature of accident or injury (avoid using the victim's name)
• Type of assistance needed (ground, air, or water evacuation)
• Location of the accident and best access to the site (road name or number)
• Radio frequencies
• Contact person
• Local hazards to ground vehicles or aviation
• Weather conditions (wind speed and direction, visibility, temperature)
• Topography
• Number of individuals to be transported
• Estimated weight of individuals for air or water evacuation

The JHA shall be signed by employees, signifying that they have read and understood the contents, have received the required training, are qualified to perform the task or procedure, and will comply with all safety procedures.

A copy of the JHA, including the emergency evacuation plan must be kept onsite during the project. The JHA can be reviewed and updated during tailgate safety sessions. These sessions take place before a new project or activity is begun, when changes are made, or whenever employees believe a session is needed. Topics often focus on the hazards associated with the job and methods to eliminate or abate them.

Selection and Use of Personal Protective Equipment

PPE is used with engineering controls, substitutions, administrative controls, or a combination of approaches. Relying on PPE alone is not adequate. Employees need to know how to select and use PPE properly.

Selection Requirements—

• Select PPE based on hazards identified in the JHA.
  
  
  • PPE must fit properly.
    
    
  • Defective, damaged, or unsanitary PPE shall not be used.
    
    
• Head protection: Employees shall wear appropriate head protection when working where there is a potential for head injuries. Ensure that helmet protection meets standards specified in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z89.1-2009 or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1977 and are made of material having a melting point of 350 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Inspect shells daily for signs of dents, cracks, penetration, or any other damage that might compromise protection. Suspension systems, headbands, sweatbands, and any accessories also should be inspected daily (29 CFR 1910.132 and 29 CFR 1910.135).
  
  
• Hand protection: Base the type of protection on the specific hazards identified. Gloves often are relied on to prevent cuts, abrasions, burns, and skin contact with chemicals that can cause local or systemic problems (29 CFR 1910.138).
  
  
• Foot protection: Employees shall wear footwear designed to prevent injury from falling or rolling objects, objects that could pierce the soles, and electrical hazards.
  
  
• Eye and face protection: Appropriate protection (including side protection) is needed when employees are exposed to eye or face hazards such as flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation (29 CFR 1910.133).

Use Requirements—

• Each employee shall be trained to wear the PPE required by the JHA. Training shall include:
  
  
  • Why PPE is necessary, what PPE is required, and when and where the PPE should be worn
    
    
  • How to properly don, adjust, wear, and remove PPE
    
    
  • Proper care, maintenance, useful life, limitations, and disposal of PPE
    
    
• Before performing any work project or activity requiring PPE, employees need to demonstrate an understanding of its purpose and use. Employees are accountable for accidents and injuries that result from failing to use required PPE or from misusing it.
  
  
• Additional training may be necessary. Circumstances in which supervisors should provide additional training include:
  
  
  • Workplace changes that make earlier training obsolete
    
    
  • Changes in the PPE being used
    
    
  • Evidence that an employee's knowledge or use of PPE is not adequate

Required PPE for UTV use—

Refer to the current edition of the "Health and Safety Code Handbook" (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service) chapter 10 for UTV Operator PPE and chapter 30 for fire extinguisher training.

• First aid kit—In addition to the required standard first aid kit (figure 12), the following items are recommended: rubber gloves, eye protection, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) clear-mouth barrier. It is also recommended to enclose the first aid kit in a zipseal bag or other dustproof container.
  
  
• Personal communication device—A two-way radio (figure 13), cellular phone, or satellite phone. Select the device based on the area, terrain, and reception reliability.
  
  
• Helmet—UTV operators and passengers shall wear a helmet that meets the requirements of the Department of Transportation, ANSI Z90.1, or Snell Memorial Foundation. The helmet must be a full- or three-quarter face motorcycle helmet (figures 14 and 15) and worn with chinstrap properly secured. Helmets must be replaced as recommended by their manufacturer or sooner if a helmet is involved in an impact-related accident or shows significant wear or damage.

Figure 12—First aid kit.

Figure 13—Hand-held radios.

Figure 14—Full-face motorcycle helmet.

Figure 15—Three-quarter motorcycle helmet.

• Gloves—Determined by the JHA based on the work environment (figure 16).
  
  
• Long pants.
  
  
• Long-sleeved shirt, jersey, or jacket.
  
  
• Footwear—Must comply with agency field footwear requirements (dependent on where the employee will be working).
  
  
• Eye protection—Helmet face shield, safety glasses, goggles, or sunglasses that meet the ANSI 87.1 standard. The specific type of eye protection is determined by the JHA, based on the work environment. Eye protection is not required for UTVs with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) windshields that protect the face from branches, flying debris, and so forth—unless they are required by an associated industrial use activity.
  
  
• Fire extinguisher—Employees shall be familiar with different types of fire extinguishers (figure 17) and trained to use them based on the emergency evacuation plan.
  
  
• Owner's manual and manufacturer's toolkit (figure 18)—Include a tire pressure gauge for the appropriate pressure range.
  
  
• Additional PPE—Identified in the JHA.

Figure 16—An employee dons gloves before operating a UTV. She also
is wearing long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, appropriate footwear, and eye
protection.

Figure 17—Fire extinguisher.

Figure 18—Manufacturer's toolkit.

Recommended equipment for UTV use—

• Hearing protection—Employees shall wear hearing protection when noise exposure is more than 85 dB averaged over 8 hours. For more information on hearing conservation programs, consult your unit's safety and health officer or manager.
  
  
• GPS receiver (figure 19).
  
  
• Multipurpose tool.

Figure 19—A GPS receiver and multipurpose tool.

Back-country travel (figure 20) is defined as a 2 hour or longer walk or hike from transportation, the vehicle, or loading site. Follow these requirements and consider the recommendations for back-country PPE.

Figure 20—Two employees use a UTV to spray weeds in a rangeland
area. Courtesy of Dave Goodin.

Required PPE for Back-country UTV use—

• Map and compass
• Matches or fire starter in a weatherproof container
• Water for 1 to 3 days or a 1-micron water filter with disinfection
• Food for 1 to 3 days
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Eye protection and sunscreen
• Lightweight shelter and appropriate clothing for the climatic conditions
• Whistle and signal mirror
• Survival gear and other equipment identified in the JHA

Recommended PPE for Back-country UTV use—

• GPS receiver
• Multipurpose tool

Federal and State Regulations, Rules, and Laws

Check for the following State regulations, rules, and laws before operating a UTV:

• Training
• Public road, street, or highway use
• Speed
• Operating a UTV under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• Age requirements or parental supervision
• Noise restrictions
• Passenger requirements
• Spark arresters
• Dust abatement

Employees should refer to the travel management plans and published motor vehicle use maps on their unit for designated roads, trails, and areas open to motor vehicle use (figures 21 and 22). The Forest Service requires that a UTV operator be familiar with and follow the Forest Service "Driver-Operator Guide" and the "Driver-Orientation Self-Study Course" and the "Health and Safety Code Handbook" chapter 10. Some of the most important Forest Service regulations include:

• Operating a UTV alone in isolated areas is prohibited unless authorized by a supervisor and addressed in the JHA. The JHA must include emergency evacuation procedures and a communication plan.
  
  
• Operators and all passengers must have and wear a seatbelt and keep their arms, legs, and head inside when the vehicle is in motion.
  
  
• All passengers must be in a seat in the UTV.
  
  
• No passengers may ride in the cargo bed.
  
  
• Passengers must be tall enough to reach and hang onto handholds, even when they are wearing their seatbelts.

Figures 21 and 22—Motorized vehicle sign trail symbols.