ppe Powered Pruner PPE UK

[Roots88]

 

Hey guys I'm hoping you can clear something up for me info wise that I am struggling to find anything on. 

I work in a Zoo / i'm in charge of browse collection for large mammals. Due to general bureaucratic issues with management who have little to no Arb knowledge, I am restricted to using a powered pole saw or in layman's terms a chainsaw on a stick (hah) and have to do any pruning from the ground. Recently i've butted heads with the site health and safety officer over PPE requirements in order to use the equipment in a public space following a complaint from a visitor that I wasn't wearing chainsaw pants... Now after 3years studying Arboriculture and a good 6 years in the Arb industry I have never come across any requirement under the UK HSE that chainsaw pants are needed in order to use a pole saw. I have contacted HSE for clarification as there isn't an available AFAG leaflet I can find on the equipment and HSE merely deflected my query to OSCHR who ... well ...there isn't a consultant in my postcode and their website forms and contact email addresses don't work. I'm at a dead end. 

 

Is there anyone who can clarify for me please the minimum PPE requirements for using a powered pole pruner and if possible if you have any link to ANYWHERE I can use as evidence to provide to my H&S officer it would be a massive help. I'm more under the assumption that the H&S officer can't find this info herself either so she's being difficult and using the situation as an excuse to make me do her job for her but for the sake of nutritional demand for the hoofstock, I really need to clear this situation up ASAP.  Massive thanks in advance to anyone who is able to assist me please. Thank you.                           

[Steve Bullman]

@AA Teccie (Paul)

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi Roots,

 

I guess "the norm" is use of the powered-polesaw will be preceded, or succeeded, by use of the / a chainsaw and hence PPE / trousers will be required...incidentally. However, if you only ever use the pp then your risk assessment is unlikely to result in chainsaw trousers being required.

 

I will consult my colleague in HSE and get back to you.

 

Regards,

Paul 

[chrism3513]

Is there no such thing as common sense anymore? It would surely be impossible to cut your own leg with a power pruner. I wouldn't cope working in an environment with people like your management!

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Just checking the City & Guilds / NPTC assessment schedule which, in relation to PPE, states:

2. Demonstrate knowledge of the safety clothing to wear when using the powered pole pruner

PPE is subject to legislative/ HSE requirements and risk assessment but will normally include:

- Safety boots

- Gloves

- Head, ear and eye protection

- Non-snag outer clothing

- Personal first aid kit

- Appropriate support shoulder harness for machine

 

No mention of chainsaw trousers.

The full document is attached.

CS48.pdf

[Steve Bullman]

Well done paul 

[Roots88]

10 minutes ago, AA Teccie (Paul) said:

Just checking the City & Guilds / NPTC assessment schedule which, in relation to PPE, states:

2. Demonstrate knowledge of the safety clothing to wear when using the powered pole pruner

PPE is subject to legislative/ HSE requirements and risk assessment but will normally include:

- Safety boots

- Gloves

- Head, ear and eye protection

- Non-snag outer clothing

- Personal first aid kit

- Appropriate support shoulder harness for machine

 

No mention of chainsaw trousers.

The full document is attached.

CS48.pdf

Thank you so much Paul, that is exactly the evidence I needed to clear this issue up. You are my official legend of the day! 

[Roots88]

1 hour ago, chrism3513 said:

Is there no such thing as common sense anymore? It would surely be impossible to cut your own leg with a power pruner. I wouldn't cope working in an environment with people like your management!

Funny thing here as well, the issue goes a lot further down the rabbit hole as the Parks Operational Manager for the local government authority is partly involved in this issue as it all stems from a complaint a local resident made to the council about the equipment use (part being that chainsaw pants weren't being used). So the person who is the line manager for the tree services team of the local government authority isn't even aware themselves of the minimum PPE requirements for a piece of equipment their Hort and Arb staff across an entire town use on a regular basis. 

[nepia]

A supervisor not knowing his job?  Nah...?

[woody paul]

Maybe your supervisor has always seen tree surgeons using them with ppe on but that's the norm as use other saws as well.