【AS澳大利亚标准】AS NZS 3576-1998 Clearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers-Guide to safe working practices.doc

accessed by university of south australia on 07 aug 2007as/nzs 3576:1998australian/new zealand standardclearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmersguide to safe working practicesthe standard is downloaded from standard sharingas/nzs 3576:1998this joint australian/new zealand standard was prepared by joint technical committee sf/33, chainsaw safety. it was approved on behalf of the council of standards australia on 1 december 1997 and on behalf of the council of standards new zealand on 10 february 1998. it was published on 5 april 1998.the following interests are represented on committee sf/33:australian national university australian timber trainers association department of labour, new zealand department of primary industries forestry, qldgermanaustralian chamber of industry and commercemetal trades industry association of australiaoutdoor power equipment associationplastics and chemicals industry associationprimary industries forestry, s.a.queensland forestry research institutestate forests of new south walesswedish chamber of commercetasmanian forest industries training boardvictorian association of forest industriesworkcover n.s.w.workplace standards authority (tasmania)accessed by university of south australia on 07 aug 2007review of standards. to keep abreast of progress in industry, joint australian/ new zealand standards are subject to periodic review and are kept up to date by the issue of amendments or new editions as necessary. it is important therefore that standards users ensure that they are in possession of the latest edition, and any amendments thereto.full details of all joint standards and related publications will be found in the standards australia and standards new zealand catalogue of publications; this information is supplemented each month by the magazines the australian standard and standards new zealand, which subscribing members receive, and which give details of new publications, new editions and amendments, and of withdrawn standards.suggestions for improvements to joint standards, addressed to the head office of either standards australia or standards new zealand, are welcomed. notification of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in a joint australian/new zealand standard should be made without delay in order that the matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.this standard was issued in draft form for comment as dr 97029.accessed by university of south australia on 07 aug 2007as/nzs 3576:1998australian/new zealand standardclearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmersguide to safe working practicesoriginated in australia as as 3576 1988.jointly revised and designated as/nzs 3576:1998.published jointly by: standards australia1 the crescent,homebush nsw 2140 australiastandards new zealandlevel 10, radio new zealand house,155 the terrace,wellington 6001 new zealandisbn 0 7337 1729 23as/nzs 3576:1998the standard is downloaded from standard sharingprefacethis standard was prepared by the standards australia/standards new zealand committee sf/33, chainsaw safety, to supersede as 3576 1988, brushcutters guide to safe working practices.it provides guidelines and recommendations for the safe use of clearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers, identifies hazards, describes methods for particular operations, and outlines basic principles for the instruction and training of brushcutter operators.the standard also includes fire prevention measures, and a maintenance program for brushcutters.this edition has been rearranged to help the user understand fully the precautions which should be observed when using a clearing saw, brushcutter or grass trimmer, and some information has been revised. the terms, clearing saw, brushcutter and grass trimmer have been introduced into this edition to identify the type of units covered. copyrightstandards australia / standards new zealandusers of standards are reminded that copyright subsists in all standards australia and standards new zealand publications and software. except where the copyright act allows and except where provided for below no publications or software produced by standards australia or standards new zealand may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from standards australia or standards new zealand. permission may be conditional on an appropriate royalty payment. australian requests for permission and information on commercial software royalties should be directed to the head office of standards australia. new zealand requests should be directed to standards new zealand.up to 10 percent of the technical content pages of a standard may be copied for use exclusively in-house by purchasers of thestandard without payment of a royalty or advice to standards australia or standards new zealand.inclusion of copyright material in computer software programs is also permitted without royalty payment provided such programs are used exclusively in-house by the creators of the programs.care should be taken to ensure that material used is from the current edition of the standard and that it is updated whenever the standard is amended or revised. the number and date of the standard should therefore be clearly identified.accessed by university of south australia on 07 aug 2007the use of material in print form or in computer software programs to be used commercially, with or without payment, or in commercial contracts is subject to the payment of a royalty. this policy may be varied by standards australia or standards new zealand at any time.contentspageaccessed by university of south australia on 07 aug 2007section 1 scope and general1.1scope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.2objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.3referenced documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.4definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.5manufacturers instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7section 2hazards and protection2.1general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82.2hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82.3transport of clearing saws, brushcutters andgrass trimmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82.4vibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82.5noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92.6thrown objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92.7guarding of cutting devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92.8personal protective equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92.9first aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102.10fire prevention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10section 3 instruction and training of operators3.1general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123.2instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123.3training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124.1general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144.2condition of the equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144.3harness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144.4work preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154.5safe operation of a clearing saw, brushcutter orgrass trimmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164.6safe distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164.7cutting devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164.8clearing succulent growth under 25 mm diameter . . . . . . . 194.9clearing woody growth and succulent growth25 mm diameter and larger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19section 4 safe operation of clearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers5.1manufacturers instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225.2daily inspection and cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225.3periodic inspection, cleaning and maintenance . . . . . . . . . . 225.4service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23section 5 recommended maintenance schedule for clearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers17as/nzs 3576:1998the standard is downloaded from standard sharingstandards australia/standards new zealandaustralian/new zealand standardclearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers guide to safe working practicess e c t i o n1s c o p ea n dg e n e r a l1.1scopethis standard sets out recommendations and guidance on the safe use and care of clearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers. it includes recommendations for the training and supervision of operators and the use of adequate and protective clothing, and identifies some of the more common hazards and dangers experienced.1.2objectivethe objective of this standard is to provide operators with guidance on the safe use of clearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers for the benefit of employers, and to define desirable practices applicable to conditions prevailing in areas where the equipment is used.1.3referenced documentsthe following documents are referred to in thisstandard:as1269acoustics hearing conservation1270acoustics hearing protectors*2161industrial safety gloves and mittens (excluding electrical and medical gloves)2906fuel containers portable plastics and metal3575clearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers safety requirementsas/nzs1801occupational protective helmets2210occupational protective footwearaccessed by university of south australia on 07 aug 20072210.2part 2: specificationnzs5806specification for industrial safety helmets (medium protection)5812industrial protective gloves1.4definitionsfor the purpose of this standard, the definitions below apply.1.4.1brushcutter a mechanical hand-held device with a rotating blade made of metal or plastic intended to cut weed, brush, shrubs and similar vegetation (see figures 1.1 and 1.2).1.4.2clearing saw a mechanical hand-held device with a rotating metal saw blade intended to cut brush, shrubs, small trees and similar vegetation (see figures 1.1 and 1.2).1.4.3grass trimmer a mechanical hand-held device with a rotating cutting head using monofilament line(s) or pivot-mounted plastic blades intended to cut grass (see figures 1.1 and 1.2).* harmonized as a new zealand standard (nzs 5806).copyrightaccessed by university of south australia on 07 aug 2007figure 1.1clearing saw, brushcutter and grass trimmersthe standard is downloaded from standard sharingaccessed by university of south australia on 07 aug 2007figure 1.2 (in part)typical cutting devicesaccessed by university of south australia on 07 aug 2007figure 1.2 (in part)typical cutting devices1.5manufacturersinstructionsitisnotintendedthatthe recommendations given in this standard should override the manufacturers instructions. reference should be made to the equipment manufacturers instructions regarding the safe use of a particular unit.the standard is downloaded from standard sharings e c t i o n2h a z a r d sa n dp r o t e c t i o n2.1generaloperators of clearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers should be instructed in the precautions to be taken to prevent accidents, and should be made aware of the hazards associated with the use of the equipment. equipment complying with as 3575 should be used and the safety precautions described in the instruction manual accompanying the equipment should be followed.2.2hazardsthe following are typical hazards which may be encountered during the use of a clearing saw, brushcutter or grass trimmer:(a)loss of footing.(b)use of incorrect cutting device and guard.(c)use of incorrectly mounted cutting device. (d)fire.(e)injury from objects thrown by the cutting device. (f)injury to operator or bystanders during starting.(g)injury from cutting device during transportation and maintenance. (h)kickback.(i)use of equipment with an incorrectly fitted harness. (j)noise and vibration.2.3transportofclearingsaws,brushcuttersandgrass trimmerscutting devices of clearing saws and brushcutters should be covered with an appropriate protector (see figure 2.1) or removed during transport. when carried in a vehicle, clearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers and back-up tools should be properly guarded and secured in the vehicle. the fitting of a wire mesh screen between the tool compartment and the passenger/driver cab is an acceptable safety measure.accessed by university of south australia on 07 aug 2007figure 2.1transport guard2.4vibrationprolonged use of clearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers can contribute to the occurrence of raynauds disease (white fingers). to lessen the effect of vibration the hands should be kept dry and warm.accessed by university of south australia on 07 aug 20072.5noisehearing loss may occur when an operator is exposed to high sound levels emitted by clearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers. the maximum sound pressure levels encountered should be ascertained using a properly calibrated sound level meter. hearing protection equipment should be worn to ensure that the 8-hour equivalent continuous a-weighted sound pressure level (laeq,8h) is not greater than 85 db(a) with a peak noise level of 140 db(a). hearing protection equipment should comply with the recommendations given in as 1269 and be maintained in good condition. suitable hearing protection equipment is specified in as 1270.2.6thrown objectsclearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers are capable of throwing rocks, stones, and other materials some distance and at high velocities. other persons working in the same area, bystanders, and equipment likely be damaged should be kept clear of the work area.2.7guarding of cutting devicesbrushcutters should be equipped with the correct guard for the cutting device fitted to protect the operator against the hazards of flying objects (see figure 2.2 and as 3575).2.8personal protective equipment(see figure 2.3)2.8.1safety helmeta safety helmet complying with as 1801/nzs 5806 should be worn by an operator of a clearing saw, brushcutter or grass trimmer when required by local regulations.figure 2.2typical guard2.8.2earmuffs and earplugshearing protection is necessary in areas where clearing saws, brushcutters and grass trimmers are being operated, in order to minimize the risk of permanent hearing damage.2.8.3eye protectioneye protection should be worn to prevent eye injury from debris. this may be achieved by a full-face device, safety glasses/goggles, or both.2.8.4leg protectionleg protectors such as those used by chainsaw operators can be worn to assist in protection from thrown objects and minor impacts from the cutting device.2.8.5safety footwearsafety footwear with grade 1 toecaps in accordance with as/nzs 2210.2 should be worn. the footwear should incorporate a non-slip deep tread sole or be fitted with metal sprigs or spikes. cut-resistant footwear is available and may provide protection against thrown objects and cutting device impact.the standard is downloaded from standard sharingfigure 2.3personal protective equipment2.8.6safety glovesindustrial safety gloves or mittens should be worn to protect the hands during cutting operations and the sharpening or replacement of blad