Revision of AFAG 804 - Electricity at Work: Forestry & Arboriculture
The Arboriculture & Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG) have recently agreed a revision to leaflet AFAG 804 ‘Electricity at work: Forestry and arboriculture’. The change relates to the guidance given in paragraph 20 of the leaflet which gives advice on timber extraction operations near overhead power lines. The wording in the AFAG leaflet will be changed as soon as possible but the revision should now be considered as current AFAG guidance. Details of the revision can be found below.
AFAG members have approved the following amendment:
AFAG 804 paragraph 20 currently states:
- Timber extraction operations
- Do not operate a skidder unit or forwarder if any part of the machine or its load can come within one tree length + the vicinity zone (down to a minimum distance of 15 m) of energised overhead power lines (see Figure 2).
Revised paragraph 20:
- Timber extraction operations
- Do not operate a skidder unit or forwarder if any part of the machine or its load can come within 9 metres horizontal distance of energised overhead power lines supported on wooden poles and 15 metres for those supported on metal towers and structures. Again, clearly mark the limit of work in relation to the energised overhead power lines (See figure 2). Use high-visibility tape or other marking method. Where skidders are operated under overhead power lines goalposts must be in place and the tree butt must be secured directly against the butt plate.
Please note the new guidance should be considered AFAG approved good practice with immediate effect.
