Thanks to the ability to attach the chainsaw directly
to the harness, the risk of damage to the equipment
when moving around the tree is reduced. The supply
to the chainsaw must always be disconnected if it is
attached directly to the harness. The saw should only
be attached to the recommended attachment points
on the harness. These may be at mid-point (front or
rear) or at the sides.
Where possible attaching the saw to centre rear mid-
point will keep it clear of climbing lines and support
its weight centrally down the operator's spine (Fig.N).
When moving the saw from any attachment point to
another, operators should ensure it is secured in the
new position before releasing it from the previous at-
tachment point.
Using the chainsaw in the tree
An analysis of accidents with these saws during tree
service operations shows the primary cause as being
inappropriate one-handed use of the saw. In the vast
majority of accidents, operators fail to adopt a secure
work position which allows them to hold both handles
of the saw. This results in an increased risk of in-
jury due to:
• not having a firm grip on the saw if it kicks back;
• a lack of control of the saw such that it is more liable
to contact climbing lines and operators body (par-
ticularly the left hand and arm)
• losing control from insecure work position resulting
in contact with the saw (unexpected movement dur-
ing operation of the saw)
Securing the work position for two-handed use
To allow the operator to hold the saw with both hands,
they should as general rule, aim for secure work posi-
tion where they are operating the saw at:
• hip level when cutting horizontal sections;
• solar plexus level when cutting vertical sections.
Where the operator is working close into vertical
stems with a low lateral forces on their work posi-
tion, then a good footing may be all that is needed to
maintain a secure work position. However as opera-
tors move away from the stem, they will need to take
steps to remove or counteract the increasing lateral
forces by, for example, a re-direct of the main line via
a supplementary anchor point or using an adjustable
strop direct from the harness to a supplementary an-
chor point (Fig.O).
Gaining a good footing at the working position can be
assisted by use of a temporary foot stirrup created
from an endless sling (Fig.P).
Starting the saw in the tree
When starting the saw in the tree, the operator should:
a) apply the chain brake before starting;
b) hold saw on either the left or right of the body when
starting:
• on the left side hold the saw with either the left
hand on the front handle or the right hand on the
rear handle and thrust the saw away from the body
while holding the pull starter cord in the other hand;
• on the right side, hold the saw with the right hand
on either handle and thrust the saw away from the
body while holding the pull starter cord in the left
hand.
The chain brake should always be engaged before
lowering a running saw onto its strop.
Operators should always check the saw has suffi-
cient fuel before undertaking critical cuts.
One-hand use of the chainsaw
Operators should not use tree service chainsaws
onehanded in place of unstable work positioning or in
preference to a handsaw when cutting small diameter
wood at the branch tips.
Tree service chainsaws should only be used one-
handed where:
• the operator cannot gain a work position enabling
two-handed use; and
• they need to support their working position with
one hand; and
• the saw is being used at full stretch, at right angles
to and out of line with the operator's body (Fig.Q)
Operators should never:
• cut with the kickback zone at the tip of the chain-
saw guide bar
• 'hold and cut' sections
• attempt to catch falling sections.
Freeing a trapped saw
If the saw should become trapped during cutting, op-
erators should:
• switch off the saw and attach it securely to the tree
inboard (i.e. towards the trunk side) of the cut or to
a separate tool line;
• pull the saw from the kerf whilst lifting the branch
as necessary;
• if necessary, use a handsaw or second chain saw
to release the trapped saw by cutting a minimum of
30 cm away from the trapped saw.
Whether a handsaw or a chainsaw is used to free a
stuck saw, the release cuts should always be out-
board (toward the tips of the branch), in order to pre-
vent the saw being taken with the section and further
complicating the situation.
LIMBING
a) Always start from the larger diameter and move
towards the tip to cut off limbs and any secondary
branches.
b) Always find the safest and most stable position be-
fore accelerating the chainsaw. If necessary, keep
your balance by resting your knee on the trunk it-
self.
c) Keep the chainsaw on the trunk so as not to get too
tired, turning it onto the left- or right-hand side de-
pending on the position of the branch to cut (Fig. L).
GB
47 І 212