Two recent HSE prosecutions

[Climbingmagnus]

I spotted these in the HSE eBulletins this week. Stay safe out there!

 

Contractor fined for worker?s 60ft tree fall | Media centre - HSE

 

Firm sentenced after worker’s leg injured by chainsaw | Media centre - HSE

[Joe Newton]

I must be a right cowboy. I never wear my chainmail leggings.

[s.varty]

It wasn't long ago 70s /80s when we didn't wear any ppe including the basics ear muffs,gloves,helmet, and I honestly cant remember one accident.

[renewablejohn]

What is this legal requirement that you have to be trained to use a chain saw. I thought the problem was any tom dick or harry can legally use a chain saw without training.

[Climbingmagnus]

That would be down to not having the internet. I would bet a lot of money that there were more chainsaw accidents in the 80s than now. It's just a lot easier to find out about them now so it seems like there were less then.

[JosephD]

It wasn't long ago 70s /80s when we didn't wear any ppe including the basics ear muffs,gloves,helmet, and I honestly cant remember one accident.

 

so i'm guessing that the HSWA 1974 didn't have much impact on the arb industry back then?

[Spruce Pirate]

What is this legal requirement that you have to be trained to use a chain saw. I thought the problem was any tom dick or harry can legally use a chain saw without training.

 

PUWER 1998 I think. Requirement for all employees and self-employed to be trained in the equipment they are using.

 

Only applies at work obviously. Tom, Dick and Harry are free to do as they please on their own time, as are you and I and everybody else here.

[Dan Curtis]

I must be a right cowboy. I never wear my chainmail leggings.

 

Pah, I even wear spurs with my full set of armour

[Ian C]

My 2guys are issued with class 1 chainsaw flip flops so im covered!

[s.varty]

so i'm guessing that the HSWA 1974 didn't have much impact on the arb industry back then?

 

I can only go back to the late 70s, in my experience and I worked for one of the biggest tree firms in Bedfordshire , ear muffs were only worn around the mid 80s, no leggings/helmet etc. Most lads came from a farming background and had been using saws from their teens. It wasn't until the late nineties that I had to go on numerous courses for strimmers/chainsaws/mowers , first aid because without the tickets I couldn't quote for work for british waterways. On one course for working at heights, the guy said we musnt use ladders when cutting hedges, it must always be with a cherry picker, when I said you cant get a picker through a 3ft gate, then what? he said I don't know the answer. ?????