WAC 296-54-59320   Log unloading, booms, and rafting ground -- Boom and rafting grounds.  (1) Breaking of log jams by peavy method is prohibited, except in river drive or when a jam occurs away from a mechanical means or the dump.

     (2) Wooden pike poles must be made of continuous, straight-grained No. 1 material.

     (a) Defective poles, blunt or dull pikes must not be used.

     (b) Conductive pike poles must not be used where there is a possibility of coming in contact with energized electrical conductors.

     (3) Stiff booms must be made of at least two boom sticks and must be at least thirty-six inches wide measured outside to outside of the logs. The boom sticks must be fastened with at least 4" x 6" cross ties, or cable lashings notched into the boom sticks may be used when stiff booms are exposed to heavy swells. Stiff booms must be kept free of loose bark and maintained in good repair.

     (4) A walkway thirty-six inches wide with standard hand railing must be provided from the shore end of stiff boom to shore.

     (5) All sorting gaps must have a substantial stiff boom on each side of gaps. Such stiff booms or walkways must be planked over.

     (6) Boom sticks must be reasonably straight with no protruding knots or loose bark. They must be able to support above the water line at either end the weight of one employee and equipment or two hundred fifty pounds.

     (7) Foot logs must be reasonably straight with no protruding knots or loose bark and large enough to support above the water line at either end the weight of two employees and equipment or five hundred pounds.

     (8) Unsafe boom sticks must be marked by three chopped crosses ten feet from the butt end, and those sticks must not be used as boom sticks.

     (9) Gaps between boom sticks must not exceed twenty-four inches. All wire must be removed from boom sticks and boom chains before they are reused or hung in rafting stalls.

     (10) When permanent cable swifters are used, they must be arranged so that they are within easy reach of the rafter without rolling the boom sticks on which they are fastened. When cables become hazardous to use because of jaggers, they must be discarded.

     (11) When a floating donkey or other power-driven machinery is used on a boom, it must be placed on a raft or float with enough buoyancy to keep the deck of the raft or float well above water. Wherever employees walk, the deck of the raft or float must be planked over with at least two inch planking, and kept in good repair.

     (12) When doglines used in rafting, brailing, or stowing logs become hazardous to use because of jaggers, they must be discarded.

     (13) Sufficient walkways and floats must be installed and securely anchored to provide safe passage for employees.

     (14) Walkways alongside sorting gaps must be at least four feet wide. Other walkways must be at least twenty-two inches wide.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and[49.17].050 . 99-17-117, § 296-54-59320, filed 8/18/99, effective 12/1/99.]