H&S Issues Re Making Chainsaw Chains

[Kev Stephenson]

blame culture. Oregan (for example) will have proven by testing their joining links are not a weak point and will have insurance covering them for sub standard loops failing.

 

If joe bloggs at 'the council' makes up a loop has it been proven he is good enough and the bit he adds isn't a weak point undermining what the manufacturer has done. If the chain fails and injures someone is it the chain failing or joe bloggs that did a poor job - who can the HSE blame????

[Mozza]

Good point Kev

[Bolt]

I have recently been questioned on the H&S implications of making up chains from a reel

We have done this for a long time and never had any issues

It was suggested that we ought to but ready made chains.

Has anyone else had this as a concern

or any thought,s

 

Question is, Bob,

 

Who has been asking you such impertinent questions?

[bob]

blame culture. Oregan (for example) will have proven by testing their joining links are not a weak point and will have insurance covering them for sub standard loops failing.

 

If joe bloggs at 'the council' makes up a loop has it been proven he is good enough and the bit he adds isn't a weak point undermining what the manufacturer has done. If the chain fails and injures someone is it the chain failing or joe bloggs that did a poor job - who can the HSE blame????

 

But we dont have an employee called Joe Bloggs

we used to have a lad called Joe maybe we should blame him:confused1:

 

 

Good points lads and I agree and am still making chains though may do a tool box talk to pacify

but why should I

[Gareth Dalzell]

blame culture. Oregan (for example) will have proven by testing their joining links are not a weak point and will have insurance covering them for sub standard loops failing.

 

If joe bloggs at 'the council' makes up a loop has it been proven he is good enough and the bit he adds isn't a weak point undermining what the manufacturer has done. If the chain fails and injures someone is it the chain failing or joe bloggs that did a poor job - who can the HSE blame????

 

The HSE will if necessary check where the failure is - whether mechanical or mechanic. They will normally find what has caused the failure pretty quickly if they need to

[Gareth Dalzell]

But we dont have an employee called Joe Bloggs

we used to have a lad called Joe maybe we should blame him:confused1:

 

 

Good points lads and I agree and am still making chains though may do a tool box talk to pacify

but why should I

 

Because you're probably that guy (called KATE) that wants to do the right thing and keep your team up to speed and focused. Just don't stand on the tool box when giving the talk 'cause that'll involve working at heights

[Bolt]

Its a slim chance a chain will snap, and if it does,

its an even slimmer chance it will be on your join, and if it is,

its an even slimmer chance it will injure someone, and if it does,

its an even slimmer chance they will be seriously injured, and if they are,

what are the odds of HSE getting involved.

[Mesterh]

Thing is though, and this is just a guess, unless the chain failed very quickly ie before it had a first sharpen, who is to say operator error wasnt the cause of the failure.

 

So what if it failed at the made up link, could be because of lack of chain oil, chain tension or mechanical damage.

[Bolt]

If you want to really cover your back, pick up afew ready made loops here and there. How could anyone ever prove that a loop that failed was one you joined?

[Bolt]

Good points lads and I agree and am still making chains though may do a tool box talk to pacify

but why should I

 

We've probably spent more time on this than a tool box talk would have taken:lol: