Chainsaw

Chainsaw operatives are at the greatest risk of accident and injury in forestry, for this reason the Accord sees chainsaw work as the key priority for improving forestry safety.  This Working Group will question the status quo, review and aim to offer improvements to the work of the chainsaw operative. 

OBJECTIVE:

  • Review the current chainsaw training system; look at how competency can be better developed and recorded; pilot and offer improvements to this system for the forestry industry to adopt
  • Working in conjunction with Safe Forestry to pilot a skills development system
  • Develop and promote key safety messages around known causal factors of tree felling fatalities and major injuries.
  • Feed into the FWM/Landowner sectors (Landowner Working Group) to improve planning for chainsaw work: inclusion at pre-commencement of competent chainsaw operators; checking that chainsaw work is only undertaken by suitably competent chainsaw operators, appropriate for the work to be done
  • Review advanced felling techniques, establishing level of competence to undertake advanced work and publishing guidance
  • Promote and demonstrate good welfare provision for chainsaw operatives
  • Publish ‘guide rates’ to ensure that chainsaw operatives are resourced to enable them to pay for the safety critical parts of their work (maintenance/PPE/skills development etc..)

 CHAIR - Andy Sloss - FLS

OTHER MEMBERS:

Donald Maclean – FCA
Neil Gibson  - FE
Des Campbell - NIFS
Sam Canfield - NRW
Kay Maguire - Coillte
Phil Mostyn - NRW
Calum Duffy - Safe Forestry
Owen König - Independent  
Simon Bowes – Independent
Frank Tomlinson - DSH Wood
Rik Metcalfe - Woodland Trust
Stevie Hailes - H&W Forestry
Neil McKay (support) – FISA

GROUP TARGET:

  • Promote both established and improved working practices that will help significantly reduce – and ideally eliminate – major chainsaw-related injuries and fatalities.
  • Raising awareness of risks posed to professional chainsaw operators through practical guidance and ensuring every individual’s safety is placed at the core of operational planning. Work with key forestry organisations, agencies, and HSE to improve access to quality training and consistent opportunities to learn, improve, innovate, and use advanced tree felling skills.
  • Raise the profile of Professional Chainsaw Operators as highly competent workers, acknowledging their exposure to significant occupational risk.
  • Increase awareness and promote of non-technical skills, working with Academic institutions and contributing to research.

RESOURCES &/ FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:

 

KEY ACTIONS:

  • Promote the use and value of the Chainsaw Competency System
  • Support the development rollout of a UK chainsaw operator census
  • Promote the use and value of chainsaw logbook recording
  • Develop practical Ash Dieback felling guidance, including a collection of short videos outlining the key points
  • Publication of guidance detailing methods of advanced felling
  • Publication of industry ‘guide rates’
  • Supporting safety bulletins and press releases to the industry