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Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health
Ministry of Labour Ordinance No. 32 of September 30, 1972

Latest Amendments:
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Ordinance No. 47 of March 30, 2007
In Japanese

Update : 2008.03.28

Part II Safety Standards

Chapter VIII Prevention of Dangers in Tree Felling Work, etc.

Section 1 Tree Felling, Logging, etc.

Article 477 (Prevention of Dangers in Tree Felling Work)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out the work of tree felling, have the worker intended to engage in the felling of standing trees carry out the following matters for each tree. However, the provisions set forth in item (i) and (iii) shall not apply to cases where hydraulic felling machines are used:
- (i) To determine in advance the place of evacuation for when felling;
- (ii) To remove shrubs, branches, vines, loose stones and other objects, which is liable to cause dangers during work.
- (iii) When chest-high diameter of trees to be felled is 40 cm or more, to make a receiving groove of a depth of one-fourth or more of the root diameter of the said trees.
(2) The worker intends to felling of standing tree shall carry out the matters listed in each item of the preceding paragraph.

Article 478 (Head Guard of Hydraulic Felling Machine)

(1) The employer shall, as regards a hydraulic felling machine, not use the one without a sound head guard.

Article 479 (Signals of Felling)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out the work of tree felling, set fixed signals for fellingand make them known to the workers concerned with the said work.
(2) The employer shall, when carrying out the work of tree felling when it is liable to cause dangers to workers other than those engaged in the said work felling of standing trees (hereinafter referred to as “other workers” in this Article) due to felling, have in advance workers engaged in the felling work of standing trees give the signals set forth in the preceding paragraph, and shall not have the workers commence felling unless otherwise having conformed that other workers have evacuated.
(3) The worker engaging in the felling work set forth in the preceding paragraph shall, when it is liable to cause dangers set forth in the same paragraph, give signals in advance and not have the workers commence felling procedure unless otherwise having confirmed that other workers have been evacuated.

Article 480 (Prevention of Dangers in Logging Work)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out the work of logging, have workers engaged in the said work provide stakes, stoppers, etc., or take other measures to prevent the dangers due to falling or sliding of felled trees, processed lumber, dead or damaged trees, etc.
(2) The worker engaging in the work set forth in the preceding paragraph shall take the measures set forth in the same paragraph.

Article 481 (Prohibition of Entry)

(1) The employer shall not allow a worker to enter a place downward of place where carrying out the work of afforestation, tree felling, logging, tree collecting, or yarding by chute, or log conveying (hereinafter referred to as “work of afforestation, etc.” in this Section) where it is liable to cause dangers due to falling or sliding felled trees processed lumber, dead or damaged trees, etc.

Article 482 (Prevention of Dangers in Yarding by Chute or Log Conveying)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out of the work yarding by chute or log conveying, take the following measures:
- (i) Not to allow workers to enter the slideway while logs are being slid.
- (ii) When having workers handle logs that are stopped at stopping aprons, turning devices or other parts of the slideway, to have the said worker give a signal to those who are sliding logs at upper locations instructing that tree sliding be stopped, and have the said workers handle the said logs only after they have confirmed that sliding of trees has been stopped.

Article 483 (Prohibition of Work in Bad Weather)

(1) The employer shall, when dangers regarding the implementation of the work of afforestation, etc., are forecast due to bad weather conditions such as strong wind, heavy rain, heavy snow, not have a worker engage in the said work.

Article 484 (Wearing of a Safety Helmet)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out the work of afforestation, etc., have the worker engaging in the said work wear a safety helmet in order to prevent workers from dangers due to flying or falling objects.
(2) The worker engaging in the work set forth in the preceding paragraph shall wear the safety helmet set forth in the same paragraph.

Section 2 Log Conveying Work by Wooden Sleigh and Snow Sledge

Article 485 (Path of Wooden Sleigh)

(1) The employer shall conform the paths of wooden sleighs used in log conveying work (hereinafter referred to as “paths of wooden sleighs”) to the following provisions. However, this shall not apply to the paths of incline type wooden sleighs:
- (i) To ensure the longitudinal gradient of the wooden sleigh path one half or less (one third or less for the section of landing pier), and one tenth or less for the section of 10 m immediately before the curved section with a radius of less than 5 m (excluding the second curved section and after in the case that there are a series of curved sections at the intervals of less than 10 m) excluding monoraoil paths or sleigh paths for wooden sleigh with effective braking devices and paths equipped with braking wire ropes.
- (ii) To ensure the transversal gradient of the curved section one fourth or less.
- (iii) To ensure the width of the wooden sleigh path 30 cm or more larger than the width of the wooden sleigh platform, and t for the section where the radius of the curvature is less than 5 m, the value of the width of sleigh platform plus 30 cm and one fifth of the length of the wooden sleigh or greater,
- (iv) To maintain treads of the wooden sleigh path in a condition that will not cause dangers due to stumbling, stepping on a sliver, etc., to the workers.
- (v) For the part where it is liable to cause dangers due to obstacles such as rocks and stumps lying along the outer curvature of the treads, to remove the said obstacles and level the ground.
- (vi) To set up warning signs readily visible to the workers at the point of 10 m immediate before the sections where the longitudinal gradients are one eighth or more, the visibility of less than 30 m, the cross sections and any other points 10 m before the sections where it is liable to cause dangers in travelling the wooden sleighs.
- (vii) To ensure the landing piers of sound structure and take measures to prevent dangers due to stepping out such as providing joined planks and supplementary joined boards.
- (viii) To provide wooden guardrails of 5 cm or more in height at the outer curvature of the path with the radius of less than 5 m and the landing pier excluding monorail paths for wooden sleighs.

Article 486

(1) The employer shall, when sections of paths of wooden sleighs (excluding paths of monorail wooden sleighs, incline-type wooden sleighs and other wooden sleighs equipped with effective braking device) extend 10 m or more of which the longitudinal gradient is one-eighth or more, provide with braking wire ropes, and have workers use the said wire ropes.
(2) The worker engaging in the log conveying work at the paths of wooden sleigh set forth in the preceding paragraph shall use the braking wire rope set forth in the same paragraph.

Article 487

(1) The braking wire ropes set forth in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article shall be free of marked wear, corrosion, cuts or other defects, and shall have a diameter of 6 mm or more when the longitudinal gradient of paths of wooden sleighs is one-third or less, and 9 mm or more when the said gradient exceeds one-third.
(2) The employer shall fasten the wire ropes set forth in the preceding paragraph securely to sound stationary objects such as standing trees, stake, a stump, etc.

Article 488 (Loading onto Wooden Sleighs)

(1) The employer shall, when loading onto a wooden sleigh, fix the load securely with such tools as clamps and ropes, and make the height of the load equivalent to four times the width at the center of the said wooden sleigh or less, excluding wooden sleighs of the incline system.

Article 489 (Wooden Sleigh Work)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out the work pulling a loaded wooden sleigh, have the worker engaging in the said work carry out the following matters. However, as regards item (i), this shall not apply to level sections of paths of wooden sleighs:
(i) To keep a distance of 30 m or more between wooden sleighs excluding monorail wooden sleighs and wooden sleighs of the incline system.
(ii) To make the length of a shoulder rope long enough not to be caught in wooden sleighs while pulling a wooden sleigh, and also at sections where the longitudinal gradient of paths of wooden sleighs is one-eighth or more, not to use diagonally, excluding when the said rope is easily removed from the wooden sleighs.
(iii) To exchange the braking wire ropes set forth in paragraph (1) of Article 486 only after a wooden sleigh has been stopped completely.

(2) The worker engaging in the work set forth in the preceding paragraph shall carry out the matters listed in each item of the same paragraph.

Article 490 (Checkup)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out the log conveying work by a wooden sleigh, check the following matters before commencing the work for the day:
- (i) Condition of the paths of wooden sleighs.
- (ii) When using paths of wooden sleighs equipped with the braking wire ropes set forth in paragraph (1) of Article 486, the conditions of the said braking wire ropes.
- (iii) When using a wooden sleigh equipped with a braking device, the function of the said braking device.
(2) The employer shall, when carrying out a log conveying work by wooden sleigh using paths of wooden sleighs having landing piers that have not been used for one month or more, examine in advance corrosions on the bents, girders, beams, stays and bracings of such piers, the condition of the fastening portions, connecting portions and mounting portions of such bents, etc., and the condition of loosening of such bents.
(3) The employer shall, when having found any abnormalities at the checkup set forth in the preceding two paragraphs , immediately repair them.

Article 491 (Paths of Snow Sledges)

(1) The employer shall, as regards paths of snow sledges in the case of carrying out log conveying work using snow sledges (excluding snow sledges using cattle power and those of the incline system, the same shall apply hereinafter), (hereinafter referred to as “paths of snow sledges”), conform to the following provisions:
- (i) To conform the longitudinal gradient of paths of snow sledges to following provisions corresponding to the structure of the snow sledges:
  - (a) When using snow sledges having a structure in which part of the cargo touches the treads of snow sledge, one fourth or less (for sections where the length of straight section is less than 20 m, one third or less), and for a sections of 20 m immediately before a curved section of which radius of curvature is less than 10 m (excluding the second curved section and beyond when curved section exists continuously at interval(s) of less than 20 m), one-fifth.
  - (b) When using snow sledges having a structure in which the cargo does not touch the treads of snow sledges, one-fifth.
- (ii) As regards treads or outer circumferences of paths where are liable to cause dangers due to obstacles such as rocks and stumps, to remove the said obstacles, or to level them.
- (iii) To put up a warning sign in such manner that workers may easily become aware of them at locations 20 m immediately before sections of which the longitudinal gradient is one-tenth or more, sections where the visibility is less than 50 m in the paths of snow sledges, crossing with another path, bridges, and places where is liable to cause dangers due to the operation of snow sledges.
- (iv) To take measures for reducing the speed of snow sledges, such as spreading soil, straw, chaff, etc., at sections where is liable to cause danger due to over speed of snow sledges.

Article 492

(1) The employer shall not use a snow sledges for log conveying operations unless it is equipped with an effective braking device.

Article 493 (Loading into Snow Sledges)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out the log conveying operations, fix logs securely with such tools as clamps and ropes, and make the height of the load equivalent to two and half times the width at the center of the said snow sledge or less.

Article 494 (Running of Snow Sledges)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out the work travelling a snow sledge loaded with cargo on a paths of snow sledge, have the worker engaging in the said work carry out the following matters. However, as regards item (i), this shall not apply to the level sections of paths of snow sledges:
- (i) To keep a distance of 50 m or more between snow sledges.
- (ii) When in stopping a snow sledge, when it is liable to cause a rear-end collision by a following snow sledge, to give a signal promptly to workers who travel the following snow sledge instructing them to stop it.
(2) The worker engaging in the work set forth in the preceding paragraph shall carry out the matters listed in each item of the same paragraph.

Article 495 (Checkup)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out the log conveying work by a snow sledge, check the condition of paths and braking device of the snow sledge before commencing the work for the day, and immediately repair when having found any abnormalities.

Article 496 (Prohibition of Work in Bad Weather)

(1) The employer shall, when dangers in the implementation of log conveying work by a wooden sleigh or snow sledge are forecast due to bad weather conditions such as strong wind, heavy rain, heavy snow, not have a worker engage in the said work.

Article 497 (Wearing of a Safety Helmet)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out the log conveying work by wooden sleigh or snow sledge, have the worker engaging in the said work wear a safety helmet in order to prevent workers from dangers due to flying or falling objects.
(2) The worker engaging in the work set forth in the preceding paragraph shall wear the safety helmet set forth in the same paragraph.

Section 3 Skyline Logging Cable Cranes and Logging Cableways

Article 498 (Installation of Skyline Logging Cable Cranes, etc.)

(1) The employer shall, when intending to install a skyline logging cable crane or logging cableway, notify in advance an operations chief of forestry cableway of the following matters:
- (i) Places where supports and principal machines are installed.
- (ii) Type and diameter of wire ropes to be used.
- (iii) Central dangling ratio.
- (iv) Maximum working load and the maximum loading capacity of each carrier.
- (v) Maximum traction force of the yarder of the skyline logging cable crane.

Article 499 (Braking Device, etc.)

(1) The employer shall conform a skyline logging cable crane or a logging cableway to the following provisions:
- (i) To provide an effective braking device for stopping carriers or lifted cargoes as necessary except when there is no need to brake such carriers or lifted cargoes.
- (ii) To wind up main cable, stay ropes and work ropes at least twice onto the sound stationary objects such as standing trees, stumps, etc., which are stationary and rigid, and fasten such ropes securely using clips, clamps or other fastening tools.
- (iii) To use two stays or more to stabilize the top of the supports, and make the angle formed by a stay and a support 30 degrees or more.
- (iv) To fasten saddle blocks, guide blocks, etc., securely using shackles, anchor ropes or other fittings that unlikely to be broken or coming off by the load applied to the fastened portions.
- (v) To use carriers, main cable supporting devices and other accessories that has sufficient strength.
- (vi) When fastening the end of the towing ropes or work ropes to a carrier or a loading block, to fasten securely with clips, eye splices or other methods.

Article 500 (Safety Coefficient of Wire Rope)

(1) The employer shall, as regards the ropes for skyline logging cable cranes or logging cableways listed in the left column of the following table, use wire ropes having a safety coefficient listed in the right column of the said table or more corresponding to the use of such cables:

Uses of wire rope	Safety coefficient
Main cable	2.7
Towing rope	4.0
Work rope (excluding hoisting rope)	4.0
Hoisting rope	6.0
Stay rope	4.0
Anchor rope	4.0
Cargo lifting rope	6.0

(2) The safety coefficient set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be the value of the breaking load of wire ropes divided by the value of maximum tension corresponding to the constructing condition of the said skyline logging cable cranes or logging cableways and the load applied to the said wire ropes.

Article 501 (Prohibition of the Use of an Inadequate Wire Rope)

(1) The employer shall, as regards a wire rope for a skyline logging cable crane or a logging cableway, not use a wire rope falling under any of the following item:
- (i) Those with one-tenth or more of the element wires are cut in one strand.
- (ii) Those with the reduction ratio of a diameter due to wear-out, of which are exceeding 7% of the nominal diameter.
- (iii) Those with kink.
- (iv) Those with marked deformation or corrosion.

Article 502 (Work Ropes)

(1) The employer shall, as regards the work ropes for skyline logging cable cranes (excluding endless cables), take the following measures:
- (i) The length of operations cables shall be one that may leave two or more windings around the drum of the yarder when the said cables are used at the maximum length.
- (ii) The end of operation cables shall be fastened securely to the drum of the yarder with clamps, clips or other fastening tools.

Article 503 (Prevention of Over-Winding)

(1) The employer shall, as regards skyline logging cable cranes, in order to prevent over-winding of hoisting ropes, take measures such as attaching a sign on the hoisting ropes, installing a signal device.

Article 504 (Yarder or Cableway)

(1) The employer shall, as regards the yarder of skyline logging cable crane or the cableway of logging cableway, take the following measures:
- (i) To install the said yarder or cableway so as not to float, slip out of place or swing.
- (ii) To provide ratchet or brakes fitted with studs.

Article 505 (Indication of Maximum Working Load, etc.)

(1) The employer shall, as regards skyline logging cable cranes, indicate the maximum working load at a readily visible location, and make them known to workers.
(2) The employer shall, as regards skyline logging cable cranes, not use the said cranes at a load exceeding the maximum working load set forth in the preceding paragraph.

Article 506

(1) The employer shall, as regards logging cableways, indicate the following matters at a readily visible location, and make them known to workers:
- (i) The maximum working load
- (ii) The distance between carriers
- (iii) The maximum loading capacity for each carrier
(2) The employer shall, as regards logging cableways, not use the said cableways at a load exceeding the maximum working load set forth in item (i) of the preceding paragraph and the maximum loading capacity for each carrier set forth in item (iii) of the same paragraph.

Article 507 (Signals, etc.)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out a forestry cableway work (meaning the work constructing, dismantling, altering or repairing a skyline logging cable crane or a logging cableway, or yarding or log conveying by the said devices; the same shall apply hereinafter), provide devices of a telephone, an electric bell, etc., designate persons who use each said device and have the said persons use them, or set fixed signals, designate a person who gives the signals and have the said person give the signals, in order to ensure the communications between the operator of the crane or cableway and the worker hitching cargoes.

Article 508 (Prohibition of Entry)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out the work of forestry cableway, not allow a worker to enter the following places:
- (i) Places under the main cable where it is liable to cause dangers to workers due to fallen or lowered cargoes.
- (ii) Place located within the interior angle of the work rope, which is liable to cause dangers to workers due to rebounding or loose ropes, guide blocks, etc.

Article 509 (Restriction of Riding)

(1) The employer shall not allow a worker to ride on the carrier, lifted cargo, weight, etc. of a skyline logging cable crane or a logging cableway that are hung. However, this shall not apply to the case where carrying out the temporary work of checking, repairing, etc., for equipment of a carrier, ropes, etc., and when taking measures, which is unlikely to cause danger due to falling.
(2) A worker shall not ride on the carriers, etc., that are hung set forth in the preceding paragraph, excluding the case set forth in the proviso of the same paragraph,.

Article 510 (Prohibition of Work in Bad Weather)

(1) The employer shall, when dangers regarding the implementation of a forestry cableway are forecast due to bad weather conditions such as strong wind, heavy rain, heavy snow, not have a worker engage in the said work.

Article 511 (Checkup)

(1) The employer shall, as regards a forestry cableway work, check the matters listed in the right column of the following table corresponding to the case listed in the left column of the same table, and immediately repair or replace it when having found any abnormalities.

Case requiring inspection	Matter to be checked
When constructing or altering work was carried outWhen test run was carried out	Condition of supports and anchors;
	Abnormality in yarders, cableways and brakes, and condition of installation of the said machines;
	Abnormality in main cable, towing ropes, work ropes, stay ropes and anchor ropes and condition of installation of the said ropes;
	Condition of the fastening portions between carriers or loading blocks and wire ropes;
	Abnormality in the device such as a telephone and an electric bell set forth in Article 507.
After bad weather conditions such as strong wind, heavy rain, heavy snow, and after an earthquake of medium shock or heavier	Condition of supports and anchors;
	Abnormality in yarders, cableways and brakes and condition of installation of the said machines;
	Condition of installation of main cable, towing ropes, work ropes, stay ropes and anchor ropes;
	Abnormality in the device such as a telephone and an electric bell set forth in Article 507.
Before commencing the work for the day	Function of braking device;
	Abnormality in cargo lifting ropes;
	Abnormality in the carriers of logging cableways and condition of the fastening portions between carriers and towing ropes;
	Function of the device such as a telephone and an electric bell set forth in Article 507.

Article 512 (Prohibition of Leaving Operating Station Unattended)

(1) The employer shall not allow the operator of skyline logging cable cranes or logging cableways to leave an operating station unattended during operation
(2) Operators set forth in the preceding paragraph shall not leave an operating station unattended during operation of skyline logging cable cranes or logging cableways.

Article 513 (Appointment of an Operations Chief of Forestry Cableways)

(1) The employer shall, as regards the work set forth in item (iii) of Article 6 of the Order, appoint an operations chief of forestry cableway from the persons who have obtained the license for operations chief of forestry cableway.

Article 514 (Duties of an Operations Chief of Forestry Cableways)

(1) The employer shall have an operations chief of forestry cableways carry out the following matters:
- (i) To decide a work method and arrangement of workers, and supervise the work directly.
- (ii) To check defects in material and function of an instrument and a tool, and remove defective ones.
- (iii) To monitor the use of a safety belt, etc., and a safety helmet during work.

Article 515 (Examination, etc., of Safety Coefficient of Main Cable)

(1) The employer shall, when having constructed a skyline logging cable crane or logging cableway or having made an alteration that causes changes in the tension of the main cable, examine the safety coefficient of the main cable, and perform the test run with the maximum working load.

Article 516 (Wearing of a Safety Helmet)

(1) The employer shall, when carrying out the forestry cableway work, have the worker engaging in the said work wear a safety helmet in order to prevent workers from dangers due to flying or falling objects.
(2) The worker engaging in the work set forth in the preceding paragraph shall wear the safety helmet set forth in the same paragraph.

Article 517 (Exemption)

(1) The provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 500 and Article 515 shall not apply to those logging cableways that the maximum working load is less than 200 kg and the total of sloped distances of effective spans is less than 350 m.

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Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health Ministry of Labour Ordinance No. 32 of September 30, 1972

Latest Amendments: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Ordinance No. 47 of March 30, 2007 In Japanese