Winching trees out of rivers or other water bodies

FISA have recently received several queries seeking advice on the issue of how to approach retrieving trees or timber out of rivers or other water bodies.

Some pointers on how to approach the task are below.

• Is it essential it needs done?
• If so, does the benefit/necessity outweigh the risk involved?
• Can it be done mechanically? The use of long reach timber grabs for example.
• Can a tethered boat or platform be used when chokering trees?

• If it does need to be done manually:
  • minimise time in and next to river where possible,
  • working in pairs should be a minimum requirement,
  • use controls to prevent fall into, and being carried away by, the water,
  • thereafter controls to restrain someone if they do
  • The use of floatation devices by anyone in, on or near the water and a robust emergency plan is prepared and rehearsed should anything go wrong.

Whatever method is chosen a thorough site-specific risk assessment must be carried out.

Should using a winch be the decided option then this must be up to the task and anchored to ensure the equipment doesn’t pull itself into the water. The winch rope and chokers must be matched. Of course, the operators must be trained and competent.

Aspects of FISA 502 Extraction by skidder are relevant and the section on communication from FISA 504 Extraction by cable crane are helpful in planning the work.