Chainshot - Manage the risk

FISA Technical Note 004

Updated - September 2026

This Technical Note has been revised to redefine the chainshot risk/exclusion zone from a flat 70m minimum to the greater of 90m, the manufacturer's risk zone, or two tree lengths plus boom length, with slope now an explicit factor.

It also updates the referenced safety standards, changes to winch/harvester radio protocol from three-way to two-way communication, and adds a new Further Reading section.

See also the accompanying 'Summary Update Leaflet'. 

Chainshot has been the cause of several fatal accidents around the world and a near fatal accident in the UK 2019.

This FISA Technical Note will explain what Chainshot is and the control measures ALL persons can put in place to reduce risk.