DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS  
DIRECTOR'S OFFICE  
GENERAL INDUSTRY SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD  
(By authority conferred on the director of the department of licensing and regulatory  
affairs by sections 16 and 21 of the Michigan occupational safety and health act, 1974 PA  
154, MCL 408.1016 and 408.1021, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1996-2,  
2003-1, 2008-4, and 2011-4, MCL 445.2001, 445.2011, 445.2025, and 445.2030)  
PART 53. TREE TRIMMING AND REMOVAL  
R 408.15301 Scope.  
Rule 5301. This part covers safety requirements for tools and equipment, their  
maintenance and repair, and the work practices used in spraying, trimming, pruning,  
repair and removal of trees by an employer and their use by an employee in, around  
and about a place of employment, except those operations considered to be logging  
or the harvesting of logs.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15303 Definitions; B to I.  
Rule 5303. (1) "Bucking" means to cut a felled tree into lengths.  
(2) "Cabling" means to secure a limb into a position by means of a cable from the  
limb to another limb.  
(3) "Chipper" means a mechanical device that reduces limbs and branches to small  
chips.  
(4) "Direct contact" means to touch a conductor with a part of the body.  
(5) "Felling" means to cut a tree from its stump.  
(6) "Flammable liquid" means a liquid having a flash point below 100 degrees  
Fahrenheit.  
(7) "Indirect contact" means to touch a conductor with a branch, limb, tool or  
equipment in contact with a body part.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15304 Definitions; L to T.  
Rule 5304. (1) "Limbing" means to cut limbs from a felled tree.  
(2) "Qualified line clearance tree trimmer" means an employee trained to work in  
the proximity of energized conductors such as, but not limited to, an employee for an  
electric power or communications company.  
Page 1  
(3) "Saddle belt or rope saddle" means a personal protective device used to support  
an employee when connected to a climbing rope or safety strap.  
The saddle belt or rope saddle encloses the waist and legs or hips of the wearer.  
(4) "Safety strap" means a restraining line secured at both ends to a safety belt or  
saddle to hold an employee to a fixed object.  
(5) "Scare line" means a rope used to attach tools or equipment to a safety belt  
or saddle.  
(6) "System operator/owner" means the person or organization that operates or  
controls the electrical conductors involved.  
(7) "Tree worker" means an employee who does tree pruning, trimming,  
repairing or removal and works with the equipment used in such operations.  
(8) "Topping" means to cut off the uppermost parts of a tree.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15311 Employer responsibility.  
Rule 5311. An employer shall:  
(a) Provide training to each new employee regarding the requirements of this  
standard, the job hazards and safeguards before starting his assigned job. A job briefing  
shall be conducted before any tree job involving unusual hazards is begun.  
(b) Not allow a tool or equipment to be used which is not guarded according  
to state standards, has a defective guard or is otherwise unsafe.  
(c) Develop rescue procedures such as, but not limited to, removal of injured,  
stricken or electrically shocked employees from work positions aloft.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15312 Employee responsibility.  
Rule 5312. An employee shall:  
(a) Report to his leader or supervisor any tool, equipment or safeguard which is  
defective.  
(b) Use personal protective equipment prescribed by the state safety standards.  
(c) Not remove a guard except for authorized operational or  
maintenance  
purposes. The guard shall be replaced or equivalent guarding provided before the  
equipment is returned for normal use.  
(d) Not operate any equipment unless trained in the operating procedures,  
hazards and safeguards and authorized to do so.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15313 Personal protective equipment.  
Rule 5313. (1) Eye protection shall be provided and used, as prescribed in general  
industry safety standard, Part 33. Personal  
Protective Equipment, being R  
Page 2  
408.13301 to R 408.13369 of the Michigan Administrative Code, by an employee  
working on any operation covered by this part.  
(2) Head protection shall be provided and used, as prescribed in general industry  
safety standard, Part 33. Personal Protective Equipment, being R 408.13301 et seq. of  
the Michigan Administrative Code, by an employee working on any operation  
covered by this part.  
(3) A safety belt, safety strap, tree trimming saddle belt, or rope saddle shall be  
provided to and used by an employee when working aloft in a tree, as prescribed in  
general industry safety standard, Part 33.  
Personal Protective Equipment, being R 408.13301 et seq. of the Michigan  
Administrative Code. A safety strap shall be worn and attached when aloft in the bucket  
of an aerial device. A saddle or safety belt made unsafe by damage, defect, or  
alteration shall not be used.  
(4) The hardware for such a belt shall be forged steel or metal of equivalent  
strength. The snap shall be of the self-closing type and the support ring so designed as  
to prevent accidental disengagement.  
(5) A climbing rope shall be not less than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm), 3 or 4 strand first  
grade manila with a nominal breaking strength of 2650 pounds (1202 kg, approx.) or  
its equivalent in strength and durability. A climbing rope shall not be used to lower  
tree parts or handle equipment. A climbing rope shall be inspected for defects before  
each day's use.  
(6) When an employee is exposed to vehicular traffic, an orange colored jacket or  
vest shall be provided by the employer to an employee, at no expense to the  
employee, and used by the employee. At nighttime the vest or jacket shall be  
reflectorized.  
(7) Protective clothing and an approved respiratory device shall be provided by  
the employer to an employee, at no expense to the employee, and used by the  
employee during tree spraying where necessary to prevent absorption and inhalation  
of toxic substances which exceed the maximum allowable limits set by the  
department of public health.  
History: 1979 AC; 1983 AACS.  
R 408.15314 Fire prevention.  
Rule 5314. (1) Flammable liquids shall be stored in an approved safety container  
equipped with an automatic closing cap and flame arrester.  
(2) Equipment shall be stopped while being refueled, serviced or maintained.  
Restarting of portable equipment such as a chain saw shall be accomplished not less  
than 10 feet (3.05 M) from the refueling point.  
(3) Smoking shall be prohibited while refueling.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15315 Traffic control.  
Page 3  
Rule 5315. Where the fall of a limb or tree would create a hazard for an employee,  
pedestrian or vehicular traffic, a means such as, but not limited to, a barrier or  
traffic control director shall be used to prevent injury.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15321 Electrical hazards.  
Rule 5321. (1) An electric conductor or communication line shall be considered  
energized unless the systems utility or owner indicates otherwise and they have  
visibly grounded the conductor or line.  
(2) The location of underground utilities shall be determined before any digging or  
ditching operations are started.  
(3) A tree worker or qualified line clearance tree trimmer shall not make a direct  
contact with an energized conductor.  
(4) A tree worker shall maintain his body and tools not less than the distance  
prescribed in table 1 from an energized conductor. If these clearances cannot be  
maintained, the systems operator or owner shall be contacted to deenergize the  
conductor or provide protective measures or devices before the work is started.  
(5) A qualified line clearance tree trimmer shall maintain his body and tools not  
less than the distance prescribed in table 2 from an energized conductor, except the  
trimmer may remove branches hanging on a conductor using approved insulated tools  
and equipment when the voltage is below 10 kv.  
(6) A branch hanging on a conductor energized at more than 10 kv shall be  
removed after the line is deenergized or removed by an authorized and trained  
systems operator employee or owner employee using approved protective tools and  
equipment.  
TABLE 1  
Minimum Working Distances for Tree Workers  
Voltage  
Minimum Distance  
1 foot (.305 M)  
0 to 300 volts  
301 to 750 volts 2 feet (.610 M)  
751 to 50 kv 10 feet (3.05 M)  
50 kv or more .4 inch per 100 volts  
TABLE 2  
Minimum Working Distances for  
Qualified Line Clearance Tree Trimmers  
Voltage Range  
(phase to phase)  
Minimum Working  
Distance  
Page 4  
O to 750 v  
1 ft.  
( .305 M)  
751 to 35 kv  
2 ft. 4 in. ( .711 M)  
2 ft. 6 in. ( .762 M)  
3 ft. 0 in. ( .914 M)  
3 ft. 4 in. (1.016 M)  
35.1 kv to 46.0 kv  
46.1 kv to 72.5 kv  
72.6 kv to 121.0 kv  
138.0 kv to 145.0 kv 3 ft. 6 in. (1.067 M)  
161.0 kv to 169.0 kv 3 ft. 8 in. (1.118 M)  
230.0 kv to 242.0 kv 5 ft. 0 in. (1.524 M)  
345.0 kv to 362.0 kv 7 ft. 0 in. (2.134 M)  
500.0 kv to 552.0 kv  
700.0 kv to 765.0 kv  
11 ft. 0 in. (3.453 M)  
15 ft. 0 in. (4.572 M)  
History: 1979 AC.  
WORK PRACTICES  
R 408.15331 Climbing.  
Rule 5331. (1) An approved safety belt, tree trimming saddle belt or rope saddle  
shall be used by an employee when aloft.  
(2) A climbing rope shall be crotched as soon as possible after the employee is  
aloft and located in a crotch, when possible, at a height over the work area as to swing  
the employee away from any conductor or line in case of a fall.  
(3) The climbing employee shall remain tied in until the work is completed  
and he has returned to the ground.  
(4) If it becomes necessary to recrotch, the employee aloft shall retie in or use a  
safety strap before releasing the previous tie.  
(5) An employee shall not climb a tree during a storm or high wind or when  
covered with ice or snow, except when performing emergency service.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15332 Pruning and trimming.  
Rule 5332. (1) If another employee is present, a verbal warning shall be given by  
the employee aloft before dropping a limb.  
(2) A separate work rope, controlled by an employee on the ground, shall be used to  
lower limbs which cannot be dropped. The work rope shall not use the same crotch  
over which the climbing rope is run.  
(3) A cut branch or limb shall not be left aloft overnight or for an extended  
period unless the limb is secured to the tree or the area under the tree is roped off or  
barricaded.  
(4) Whenever an employee is aloft in excess of 15 feet (4.572 M), a second  
employee or supervisor shall be within vocal hearing distance of the treed employee.  
History: 1979 AC.  
Page 5  
R 408.15333 Limbing.  
Rule 5333. (1) When possible, an employee cutting a limb shall work from the  
side opposite and uphill of the cut.  
(2) Branches bent under tension shall be considered hazardous and the situation  
corrected.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15334 Topping.  
Rule 5334. (1) When topping, equipment such as a crane shall be used to lower  
branches and limbs if the tree cannot stand the strain.  
(2) When lowering large limb sections, the employee aloft shall position himself,  
whenever possible, above the limb being lowered.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15335 Cabling.  
Rule 5335. When cabling:  
(a) The limbs or branches to be connected shall be brought to position by a block  
and tackle, hand winch or come-along.  
(b) Not more than 2 employees shall be aloft working at opposite ends.  
(c) An employee on the ground shall not be directly under the work area.  
(d) An employee shall be off to 1 side when releasing a block and tackle, hand  
winch or come-along in case the fasteners let loose.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15336 Felling.  
Rule 5336. (1) Before a cut is started, a feller shall check for other employees and  
dead limbs, angle of tree, wind condition, location of other trees and other hazards, and  
plan his path of retreat.  
(2) Each assisting employee on the ground shall be instructed exactly what he is  
to do. Other employees shall be cleared to a distance of twice the height of the tree  
being cut.  
(3) An undercut shall be large enough, about 1/3 the diameter, to safely guide the  
tree and reduce the possibility of the tree splitting. (See figure 1.)  
(4) A back cut shall leave sufficient hinge wood (the distance between notch and  
back cut) to guide the tree's fall in the desired direction and to hold the tree to the stump  
during most of its fall. A back cut shall be about 2 inches (50.8 mm) above the undercut  
and as level as possible. (See figure 1.)  
(5) Before starting a back cut, a feller shall clear the area of other persons or  
equipment.  
Page 6  
(6) The saw shall be shut off before the feller starts his retreat.  
(7) Where a tree is likely to slide or roll, a feller shall cut from the uphill side.  
(8) Just before the tree is ready to fall, an audible warning shall be given.  
(9) If there is danger of a tree falling the wrong way, such means as wedges,  
block and tackle or rope shall be used to control the fall.  
Figure for 408.15336  
A. Conventional undercut. Can be made with parallel saw cut and axe diagonal  
cut or both cuts with the saw. Generally used on trees of small diameter.  
B. Both cuts made with the saw. Leaves square-end log. Same as "A," except  
that waste is put on the stump.  
C. Two parallel cuts with the saw. The material between the cuts is chipped out  
with an axe-adze (pulaski) combination. Used on trees over 30" in diameter.  
D. Three parallel cuts with the saw, leaving a step. Same in principle as above.  
Used on trees of very large diameters.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15337 Bucking.  
Rule 5337. When bucking:  
(a) An employee shall work from the uphill side.  
(b) The log or limb shall be blocked to prevent rolling.  
(c) Wedges shall be used on trunks and limbs of large trees to prevent binding the  
saw guide bar or chain.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15338 Brush removal and chipping.  
Page 7  
Rule 5338. (1) Cut brush and logs shall not be allowed to create a hazard in the  
work area.  
(2) A chipper shall be fed from the side of the center line of the opening and  
the employee feeding the chipper shall immediately turn away when brush is taken  
into the rotor chamber. Where applicable, the chipper shall be fed from the curb side.  
(3) An employee shall not place any part of the body on the chipper table nor  
shall the discharge chute be raised while the rotor is turning.  
(4) Foreign material, such as stones, bottles, nails or sweepings, shall not be fed  
into the chipper.  
(5) An employee feeding a chipper shall not wear attire such as clothing with loose  
sleeves, gauntlet gloves, watches or rings. Rings covered by gloves or tape will be  
considered to be in compliance.  
History: 1979 AC.  
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT  
R 408.15341 Mobile equipment; general.  
Rule 5341. (1) The muffler and exhaust pipe of mobile equipment used in tree  
trimming and removal operations shall be guarded or so located as to prevent contact  
by an employee during normal use.  
(2) Defects or malfunctions of mobile equipment which affect its safe operation  
shall be corrected before being placed into use. During maintenance, the  
equipment shall be shut off and at rest, except when necessary to make adjustments  
with the equipment running.  
(3) An employee shall not attempt to locate an unseen hydraulic leak by use of  
hands or fingers unless the equipment is shut off and depressurized.  
(4) Before backing up any mobile equipment including a truck, the operator  
shall check the rear area. Where the area may be congested with people or the view  
obscured because of the load or type of equipment, the mobile equipment shall be  
equipped with an automatic back up alarm or an employee shall assist the operator.  
(5) Tools, material and equipment shall be stored or otherwise secured on a vehicle  
during transit.  
(6) An employee shall ride only in a designated seat of mobile equipment which is  
secured to the equipment, except as prescribed in R 408.15344(1).  
(7) Mobile equipment shall not be operated at more than its rated capacity.  
(8) Work platforms and steps on mobile equipment shall have a slip-  
resistant surface.  
(9) A pad shall be set under an outrigger foot when it is put on a soft surface.  
Traction for outrigger feet shall be assured where ice and snow are present.  
(10) When outriggers are provided on mobile equipment which is being used to  
lift or dig, the outriggers shall be extended. An audible warning such as a horn, bell or  
voice, shall be used when lowering outriggers.  
History: 1979 AC.  
Page 8  
R 408.15342 Aerial lifts.  
Rule 5342. (1) An aerial lift used for tree trimming, pruning or removal of a tree  
shall be used and maintained as prescribed in the occupational safety standards  
commission standard, Part 58. Vehicle Mounted and Rotating Work Platforms,  
being R 408.15801 to R 408.15832 of the Michigan Administrative Code.  
(2) A bucket of an aerial lift shall not be depended on to be electrically  
insulated.  
(3) An aerial lift shall not be used to lift or lower materials unless specifically  
designed to perform such operations.  
(4) An employee shall not ride a bucket when the vehicle is moving.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15343 Brush chippers.  
Rule 5343. (1) A brush chipper shall be equipped with a locking device on the  
ignition system which shall be kept locked with the key removed when the chipper is  
unattended.  
(2) Access panels for maintenance and adjustment shall be closed and secured  
before the equipment is operated.  
(3) The infeed hopper or table of a chipper shall be of such design as to prevent an  
employee reaching the rotor blades or knives during normal operation.  
(4) A trailer type chipper, when detached from a vehicle shall be chocked or  
otherwise secured.  
(5) Flap type guards, designed to prevent kickback of chips, shall be installed at  
the feed opening of a chipper.  
(6) A chipper rotor shall be blocked from turning when performing  
maintenance on the rotor.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15344 Sprayers and related equipment.  
Rule 5344. (1) An employee required to operate spray equipment from a moving  
vehicle shall wear a seat belt or be protected in accordance with General Industry Safety  
and Health Standard Part 2. “Walking-Working Surfaces,” being R 408.10201 to  
R 408.10241 of the Michigan Administrative Code, if operating from a standing position.  
(2) An employee wearing clothing wetted by a flammable or combustible liquid  
shall avoid sparks and open flame. The clothing must be removed as soon as possible.  
History: 1979 AC; 2019 AACS.  
R 408.15345 Stump cutters.  
Page 9  
Rule 5345. A stump cutter shall be equipped with enclosure guards to protect an  
employee from the rotating cutter and flying chips.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15346 Trucks.  
Rule 5346. (1) A truck used to haul brush, limbs and logs shall be equipped  
with a bulkhead that will contain any load ship stress to protect the occupants of the  
truck cab from load movement due to emergency stops.  
(2) Trucks used to pull chippers or to transport logs and limbs shall comply with  
R 408.15341(4).  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15347 Log loaders, cranes and related hoists.  
Rule 5347. (1) The operator of a log loader, crane and related hoists, when in use  
shall perform a daily visual inspection of ropes, wire ropes, gears, chain drives and  
other parts subject to wear or strain. When a part is found defective, it shall not be used  
until replaced or repaired.  
(2) The operator shall not leave the controls while a load is suspended.  
(3) Riding of a hoisted load shall be prohibited.  
(4) The equipment shall have a conspicuously placed sign containing  
the  
following or equivalent wording: "Warning--Keep Clear of this Equipment When in  
Operation."  
(5) A crane shall be operated and maintained as prescribed in the occupational  
safety standards commission standard, Part 19. Locomotive, Crawler and Truck  
Cranes, being R 408.11901 to R 408.11972 of the Michigan Administrative Code.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15348 Off highway equipment and tracked vehicles.  
Rule 5348. (1) An operator of off the highway equipment and tracked vehicles  
shall be protected by guarding from shifting trees and branches, including roll over  
protection and seat belts as prescribed in rules 1306 and 1317 of the construction safety  
standards commission standard, Part 13. Mobile Equipment, being R 408.41306 and  
R 408.41317 of the Michigan Administrative Code.  
(2) The equipment shall be operated in a manner to protect the operator and other  
employees. The equipment shall be kept in gear when descending grades.  
History: 1979 AC.  
HAND AND PORTABLE TOOLS  
R 408.15351 Portable electric powered tools.  
Page 10  
Rule 5351. (1) A portable electric powered tool shall not be used in a tree near an  
energized conductor where the tool or cord could possibly come in contact with the  
conductor.  
(2) Unless a tool is powered by a nonelectric power source or is double insulated  
and so labeled, it shall be grounded.  
(3) An extension cord shall have a connected ground wire, be free of defects and  
have no metal sockets.  
(4) A portable electric powered tool operator shall:  
(a) Use such a tool as prescribed in the occupational safety standards commission  
standard, Part 38. Hand and Portable Powered Tools, being R 408.13801 to R  
408.13882 of the Michigan Administrative Code.  
(b) Prevent the cords from being entangled, damaged or cut by blades and bits.  
(c) Not lay an extension cord in water, unless it is not spliced and is waterproof  
with waterproof connections.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15352 Power saws and pruners.  
Rule 5352. (1) A power saw weighing more than 15 pounds (6.803 kg) that is used  
in a tree shall be supported by a separate work rope, except when working from an  
aerial lift.  
(2) A scare line used to support a saw weighing less than 15 pounds (6.803 kg)  
shall be of such length to allow the saw to swing clear of the operator.  
(3) When starting a power saw, the operator shall have secure footing and the  
saw shall be firmly supported. The saw shall be started and operated when all other  
employees are in the clear.  
(4) A power saw shall be operated and maintained as prescribed in the  
occupational safety standards commission standard, Part 38. Hand and Portable  
Powered Tools.  
(5) A power saw shall not be raised to or lowered from a tree with the motor  
running.  
(6) A saw motor shall not be left running when the saw is not in use.  
(7) Pneumatic or hydraulic tools powered from a bucket of a vehicle mounted  
and rotating work platform shall:  
(a) Be inspected daily before use.  
(b) Be secured on or from the bucket when aloft and not in use.  
(c) Be disconnected from the power source for sharpening or adjustment.  
(d) Have hoses of nonconductive material.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15353 Back pack units.  
Rule 5353. (1) Other employees shall maintain a distance of not less than 10  
feet (3.05 M) from an operator of the cutting head of a back pack brush saw.  
Page 11  
(2) The operator shall observe the location of all employees while the unit is  
running.  
(3) The power unit shall be equipped with a shutoff switch readily accessible  
to the operator.  
(4) The unit shall be stopped for all cleaning, refueling and repairs.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15354 Hand tool safety; general.  
Rule 5354. (1) An employee climbing aloft shall not carry a tool in his hand. A  
pole saw or pruner may be raised and hooked ahead of the climber.  
Other tools shall be raised and lowered by a hand line, carried on a tool belt or in a  
tool bag.  
(2) A hand tool shall not be dropped from aloft.  
(3) A hand tool shall be used and maintained as prescribed in the occupational  
safety standards commission standard, Part 38. Hand and Portable Powered Tools.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15355 Pruners and saws.  
Rule 5355. (1) A pole pruner, pole saw and other similar tool must be equipped with  
a nonmetallic handle. The actuating cord must be of nonmetallic material.  
(2) A pole pruner or pole saw must be hung securely in a vertical position to prevent  
dislodgement. A pole pruner or pole saw must not be hung on a utility line or left in a tree  
overnight. A pole saw must be hung so that the sharp edge is away from the employee.  
History: 1979 AC; 2019 AACS.  
R 408.15356 Herbicide injector tools.  
Rule 5356. (1) The bit of a herbicide injector tool shall be covered with a shield  
and laid flat on the ground when not in use.  
(2) The injector shall be carried by the loop handle on the downhill side with the  
bit shielded and facing the rear.  
(3) An employee using a tool shall have firm footing and shall have cleared  
away all interfering brush.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15357 Grub hoes, mattocks, and picks.  
Rule 5357. (1) The blade eye of a grub hoe, mattock, or pick shall be tight fitting  
and wedged so that it cannot slide down the handle.  
(2) When swinging a tool, the employee shall have a secure grip and firm footing.  
Page 12  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15358 Cant hooks, cant dogs, tongs, and carrying bars.  
Rule 5358. (1) The hooks of a cant hook, cant dog, tongs, or carrying bar shall  
be firmly set before applying pressure.  
(2) The point of a hook shall be not less than 2 inches (50.8 mm) long and  
maintained sharp.  
(3) Other employees shall be warned and in the clear before a log is moved.  
(4) When rolling a log, the employee shall stand to the rear and uphill.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15359 Tackle blocks and pulleys.  
Rule 5359. A tackle block and pulley shall be inspected before each use and, if  
found defective, shall not be used.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15360 Chopping tools.  
Rule 5360. A chopping tool shall:  
(a) Not be used while aloft.  
(b) Not be used as a wedge or to drive a wedge.  
(c) Be swung away from the feet, legs and body.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15361 Ropes.  
Rule 5361. (1) A rope shall be inspected before each day's use for the following  
conditions:  
(a) Externally for abrasions, cut or broken fibers, decay, burns, lack of strength,  
softness, variation in size or roundness of the strands.  
(b) Internally, by separating the strands at 3 foot (.914 M) intervals, for broken  
fibers, presence of grit, mildew or mold, color change of the fibers, or powdering, and  
short loose fibers.  
(c) Wear or damage of a work rope where the tautline hitch is used. That section  
showing wear or damage shall be cut off.  
(2) A rope showing any of the defects listed in subrule (1), which would constitute  
a hazard, shall be replaced.  
(3) A rope shall be stored in a dry location in coils or on a reel.  
(4) A wet rope shall be dried by placing it in the sunshine or a warm room by  
hanging loosely over a rounded peg or hook.  
(5) A rope shall not be:  
(a) Kinked or run over sharp corners.  
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(b) Used when frozen or left in freezing temperatures when wet.  
(6) A climbing rope shall not be spliced.  
(7) A climbing rope shall not be left aloft overnight.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.15362 Ladders.  
Rule 5362. (1) A ladder made of metal or other conductive material must not be  
used next to electrical conductors or wires within a distance equal to twice the extended  
length of the ladder. Such ladders must be marked:  
Restricted Use  
Do Not Use Near Electrical Conductors  
(2) A ladder must be used and maintained in compliance with General Industry  
Safety and Health Standard Part 2. “Walking-Working Surfaces,” being R 408.10201 to  
R 408.10241.  
History: 1979 AC; 2019 AACS.  
R 408.15363 Climbing spurs.  
Rule 5363. (1) Where climbing spurs are used, they shall be the tree climbing  
type with gaffs of the type and length suitable for the tree being climbed.  
(2) Climbing spurs shall be inspected prior to each day's use for sharpness,  
length of gaff and proper type for the job. The climbing spurs shall be maintained  
sharp.  
History: 1979 AC.  
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;