Are you a … chainsaw operator?

What you need to know

Chainsaws are potentially dangerous machines which can cause major injury if used by untrained people. Anyone who uses a chainsaw at work should have received adequate training and be competent in using a chainsaw for that type of work.

In forestry and arboriculture (between 2004/05 to 2010/11) chainsaws caused 5 deaths.

Many more injuries were caused by sawing and cutting tools: 

• 131 suffered major injuries and
• 355 suffered injuries that kept them off work for more than three days.

HSE's investigations show that most fatal and major injuries involve chainsaw operators taking shortcuts and not following good practice guidance. Usually the reason is to save time!

These case studies show what happens when chainsaw operators do not follow good practice guidance.

What you need to do

The free leaflet Chainsaws at work contains advice for employers and workers on working safely with a chainsaw, including:

• Fitness to operate
• Training and competence
• Selecting a chainsaw
• Maintaining a chainsaw
• Lone working
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• First aid
• Working with chainsaws
• Tree felling with chainsaws
• Working with a chainsaw off the ground

Find out more

• Chainsaws at work INDG 317
• Top-handled chainsaws AFAG 308