Husqvarna T536 Using the chainsaw in the tree, Securing the work position for two-handed use

WORKING TECHNIQUES

a)attach the rope around the rope eyelet on the rear of the saw.

b)provide suitable karabiners to allow indirect (i.e. via the strop) and direct attachment (i.e. at the attachment point on the saw) of saw to the operators harness.

CAUTION! The belt eyelet is not dimensioned for use with a so-called safety rope. Use the rope eyelet for this purpose.

c)ensure the saw is securely attached when it is being sent up to the operator.

d)ensure the saw is secured to the harness before it is disconnected from the means of ascent.

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.

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 attachment 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 witch allows them to hold both handles of the saw. This results in an increased risk of injury 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 (particularly the left hand and arm)

•loosing control from insecure work position resulting in contact with the saw (unexpected movement during 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 position 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 position, then a good footing may be all that is needed to maintain a secure work position. However as operators 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 anchor point.

Gaining a good footing at the working position can be assisted by use of a temporary foot stirrup created from an endless sling.

Starting the saw in the tree

The chain brake should always be engaged when lowering a machine onto its strop. The operator should always check that the battery is fully charged before undertaking critical cuts.

One-hand use of the chainsaw

Operators should never use a chain saw onehanded.

Operators should never:

•cut with the kickback zone at the tip of the chainsaw guide bar

•‘hold and cut’ sections.

•attempt to catch falling sections.

•Cut in the tree when he/she is only secured with one rope, always use 2 secured lines.

•check condition of harness, belt and ropes at regular frequent intervals.

Freeing a trapped saw

If the saw should become trapped during cutting, operators should:

•switch off the saw and attach it securely to the tree inboard (i.e. towards the truck 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 outboard (toward the tips of the branch), in order to prevent the saw being taken with the section and further complicating the situation.

28 – English