Many industries require the use of chainsaws in day-to-day activities. Most commonly used for the likes of forestry, tree felling, garden care, construction and roadside maintenance, it’s vital that anyone working for your business has had the correct training for chainsaw use and you have implemented a strict risk management strategy to keep people safe.
How to use a chainsaw safely
There are several important safety checks and steps that need to be taken before conducting proper use of a chainsaw. It’s imperative that you and anyone else working for your business or contractors working on your project or site know how to use a chainsaw and have had the right training.
Some of the top safety tips for risk management when using a chainsaw correctly are as follows:
The correct grip: Make sure you keep a steady grip on both of the handles of the saw at all times. The ‘thumb grip’ means that your thumbs and fingers must be completely wrapped around the handles of the chainsaw, with the thumb of your left hand underneath the front handle. This will help reduce the force of any potential kickback when in use.
Balance: To ensure the best possible balance when using a chainsaw, stand with your feet apart and put your left foot slightly in front of your right foot.
Close to the body: Make sure that you hold the chainsaw close to your body. This will improve your balance and will mean you can take some of the weight of the saw so it does not feel as heavy when in use.
Keep a safe distance: Ensure that anyone else in your team is at a safe distance when you are using the chainsaw. It’s advisable that no one comes within 3 to 5 metres of you when the chainsaw is in use. Depending on your activity – tree felling for example – it’s vital that a greater level of distance is implemented to avoid any possible injuries or accidents.
Transport of your chainsaw: If you are moving around with cordless electric chainsaws, make sure that you activate the break or turn off the engine. This means that, even if you are moving a few steps, there’s no chance that you could injure yourself or anyone else should you have an accidental trip or fall. If you are moving to another location, you should ensure that you fit the guide bar.
Insurance cover
It’s vital that you are covered for any potential incidents that could occur when you or anyone in your business are using chainsaws. There are several different types of insurance that are relevant to chainsaw use, so make sure you know which one is the right fit for you and your business.
General liability insurance
Property insurance
Workers’ compensation insurance
Specialised equipment insurance
Having the right insurance policy in place means that you are protected from any potential liabilities. These can include potential injuries to workers or third parties, possible damage to property and environmental pollution to name a few.
It’s vital that you review any existing insurance policies you may have at your business to see if the coverage extends to chainsaw-related activities. If not, you need to acquire additional insurance to make sure that you are covered and able to mitigate any financial losses should one of the above scenarios arise.