Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Press Releases
HSE Press Release E036:02 - 22 February 2002
Determining safe working methods that minimise the risk of injury when using top-handled chainsaws up trees is the aim of a new research report published recently by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Adrian Hodkinson, HSE Inspector, said:
"Too often arborists working from a rope and harness take the short cut of using these saws one-handed instead of finding a secure work position which allows them to hold both handles on the machine. One-handed use leaves the operator at greater risk of injury as they have less control over the saw. In two recent accidents, operators narrowly escaped being killed when their top-handled chainsaws kicked-back into their necks. In both incidences the saw was being used one-handed."
To date HSE's policy has been to contribute to the safe design of top-handled chainsaws through the ISO/CEN standard 11681-2:1998; to restrict their use to competent, trained operators and to confine them to off-ground work in trees. This new report builds on the work of the Forestry & Arboriculture Safety & Training Council (FASTCo) which has been active in promoting specific training in the correct use of this type of chainsaw and has produced operational guidance in the form of FASTCo Safety Guide 308.
The report demonstrates techniques which allow the operator to hold the saw with both hands in a variety of trees and work situations. Detailed photographs and diagrams are included to illustrate these practices.
The report concludes that the answer to the safe use of top-handled chainsaws in all circumstances is to ensure that comprehensive and up-to date training is provided to operatives by qualified and experienced instructors. In this study the competencies the trainers need to assimilate and pass on to their trainees are amply demonstrated.
1. The selection and use of work equipment is covered by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998. HSE has produced an Approved Code Of Practice And Guidance: Safe use of work equipment, PUWER 1998, (L22), ISBN 0 7176 1626 6, price £8. Copies are available from HSE Books.
Copies of Safe working methods with top-handled chainsaws (CRR 402/2001), ISBN 0 7176 2249 5, price £15, are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, tel: 01787 881165 or fax: 01787 313995. Priced publications are also available from good booksellers.
HSE Contract Research Reports are available on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/research/noframes/crr/index.htm
Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 0845 345 0055
or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.