Safety Steve

Had to look it up - http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/RIN271.pdf/$FILE/RIN271.pdf old but I guess still useful. I'd be asking for the Material Hazard Data Sheet for what (MHDS) they they are using. A few words on here make me hold my breath....

FLB - You don't give much info on how much cutting you do or saw type etc. I suspect it is a combination of both vibration and possibly a personal health characteristic - such as a predisposition or onset of a muscular skeletal condition. For example it might be a form of arthritis or one of the tendon/ ligament issues above. It might also be completely unrelated to working but manifests itself as a result of aggravation at work. Sorry to say it might also be related to diet, computer use or ..... well you get the point. I'd be asking the GP for some help to diagnose and then treat. Personally I wouldn't want the prescription policy - anti inflams for life - no thanks, so its worth trying to narrow things down properly. HSE do loads of free stuff on VWF but general web searching and self diagnoses is usually just delaying the start of a proper look at what is causing it. In terms of handle grip ty a few things - I use foam grip widener on my bike - works fine and stopped the end of journey tingles.

Steve, I think it is semantics and word play. A 'secure' grip does not necessarily mean a 'tight' grip. Like you I hold the saw without wringing its neck. But I suggest the looseness of grip in this context does not lessen our control of it - and of course when operating grip changes to cope with circumstance and the cut progress. I suspect the grip increases as the cut is nearing completion. A comparison is the 10 - 2 - 2 steering wheel grip; secure, flexible and 'safe', but not always practical. In answer to your title question, yes grip can affect the onset of VWF over time, but it is only part of the equation. Temperature, handle diameter, heating and coating, and maintenance all play a part. In saying all this, sometimes it is good to take ourselves back to the classroom occasionally....

Eddie - nothing beats personal recommendations but have you tried OSHCR? It isn't the only way of finding someone who is qualified and insured but it is a starting point. I would also suggest that you need to work as a team - finding an ex arbist safety professional will be a rare thing. We do come form all walks of life in the safety world and invariably know a bit about everything. But the best combination is to find someone with the knowhow to use your knowledge (as the 'expert') to achieve what you want - good docs with the minimum of fuss and a happy client. This means finding someone who you can work with - not someone you can delegate to IMHO. PM me for a call number if you want to know more about safety people and our qualifications and the register. Steve

I suggest you find work first and then determine which area you are likely to serve in terms of contracting as commuting unnecessarily around towns hereabouts can be very time consuming. Bordon is selling up in a short while - I think there will be many many properties in this area as a result of the closing down sale of the whole town..... Could be worth investigating the property market and waiting to see what happens there.

An alternative view; My use is for domestic consumption only - having said that I have 3 wood burners so get through quite lot of the stuff. I use an electric vertical splitter rated at 7.5T. I wouldn't go less. The return stroke is ploddish -but there are ways of reducing the time it takes as indicated in replies above - generally by splitting similar logs on one setting. I prefer vertical bed because (if I can lift it) I can split it. This machine looks as though it would struggle to balance anything over 10'' whereas I can nibble +24'' rings no problem. I have never had to ditch any knotted stuff - it just takes a bit of knowhow to use the machine best, usually by busting the ring. Spongy sycamore to knotty oak. I know electric isn't suitable for site work but I can stand next to mine all day long and listen to radio 4 (if I had the inclination). Much less to go wrong and much easier to maintain. I use a caravan extension lead (about 25m) which puts it where I need it. I had to exchange a capacitor last year because I put too many cable lengths down - £12, over the last10 years can't be bad. My theory is that if I was desperate I'd use the portable genny in the woods - but this is too far away from the kettle for safety. I have thought about pto options but for Lille'ol domestic me the choice is elecy.

TTS - Colour is optional unless you are working trackside on the railway (orange). On a highway it is the reflective strips that are important for low visibility at night. BS dictates the size and patterns of these. I did a test once and found orange to be more recognisable in the distance and in variable cover situations and in several locations -yellow can blend in easily on a bright day believe it or not. Why not try this to get your crew buy in in the decision making process. If they do they will have mentally signed up to wearing it. Personally there are a couple of factors I'd consider; Ease of wearing and flexibility for outdoors (I think an over vest gives more comfort options underneath and is a heck of a lot cheaper to replace (which as an employer you will be required to do 'as is necessary') Ease of purchase - probably yellow is more generally available -but depends where you are and anyway next day will do. There is no law to say you can't use a mixture. Washing will reduce brightness and colouration - outlay and repurchase will need to be budgeted If you use a different colour (there are more options)you can easily see your guys in a crowd! You can also do some brand advertising print on the back -saves getting them nicked as well! Like any ppe it only has to be worn when it is part of the risk reduction strategy on your risk assessment It is not absolutely necessary to wear all the time. Sounds corny but it might actually emphasise its importance if a day briefing determined if it was necessary due to work pattern and where people were. You may, of course be required to wear it by a contract obligation (construction sites etc) Safety Steve

Ok - not gonna answer all the points raised otherwise its a tennis match rather than a serious conversation. My replies above are solely aimed at those people who have replied on this forum to demonstrate they don't take safety seriously and who seem to think my job is to prevent yours; wrong. Take the comment above. Detritus presumes that it is my vanity (an insult in itself) that causes him unnecessary thought and to reply courteously and constructively to a clients request. He then correctly assumes it is because I am worried about my client or company being sued. Unfortunately he doesn't think why I am being sued - ergo one of you guys being seriously injured, killed or inflicting pain or loss on someone else to whom I owe a duty of care. I don't want volumes, I don't want photo copies of useless information, I don't want to put you out more than any other contractor or subcontractor I use. Your work is no different to other high risk professionals I might use - stop thinking you are a special case. What I do want is a professional approach. Some seem to get this and post accordingly - you get my vote. Unfortunately some don't get it at all - you get my kiss off. And then there are the some's that say they get it but reveal themselves (through their posts and attitudes on here) that underneath its all a joke and if they can beat the system they will. These are the ones that get my wrath. These are the ones that give highly skilled professionals a bad name. These are the ones that give me the most concern as these are the ones that I have to clear up after. If I think you fall in this camp, then you get 3rd degree. If you show me respect and listen to what I want rather than fight it, we can work together. And finally (because I am being chased by SWMBO to do the garden) in response to 'what do I know'; I have very little personal experience of tree work. I don't need it because you have it. But I know a lot about my job and the attitude demonstrated by some on here is that you don't think I add value to your work. Your right, but then I don't work for you do I? What you have to understand is that before you came along I probably had a meeting with the CEO, an FM Director or other such person to discuss the work. My questions are related to making sure you are fit for the job I need doing, sure I'll take references and look at Chas - but be sure you'll get an interview and quizzing as well. Work with me and I'll even help you answer my questions. Read the posts above in this light and perhaps you might see that I am actually on your side. .... have I heard of competency cards.... I don't know your industry..... I read a h&s story in the Mail so it must be true...have a mate who once.... Like I said above - surely anyone can climb and chop trees? Give me some credit perleease!

Just on my way there now Kevin.... after I kick the dog and stamp on the flowers. Been in this industry for 25 years - seen a few things and never knew H&S wasn't liked I have also been to a few places where they don't have 'the Nanny State' or Nazi OSH people. If some of the posters on here had been with me I expect they would think how lucky they were to have the standards and respect for human life that we have in this country. I'll tell people why I adopt such a high and mighty position - because I care about my job. I go to work to make sure others go home. When people start belittling this I make it my business to put them right. Now, having at least made a few people stop and think (hopefully differently) I deserve a pint.....

so; you think its about compromise and reason - so long as its your reason that counts as anyone else (who clearly has no idea of reality) isn't qualified to judge you? and because these checks are made then accidents can occur? and.. there should be proactive assessments - but you advise the OP not to bother as this is minutiae I am

... but I also want to see that at 9am I have the right people you said you would send, their valid tickets if I haven't seen them before and a current (ie dynamic) assessment of the situation today - not yesterday or last year. My link to this industry..... is this relevant? Am I not merely climbing the other side of the tree to the critics on the forum of the work I do?

I need to have a word with this guy - seems he is letting the OSH side down.....

1. No - I get that bit 2. Still not helping with the old communications strategy are you.... 3. Ah yes, but do remember that it is my sandpit and my football. You can play when I say so and not before. Those are the rules.

Then the main contractor better learn my language because I am not about to learn theirs..... (ps please give us some credit for our ability to speak and our ability to listen and understand)

in a word - no. Chas is a pre contract process designed to make my life easier. It was established by local authorities to reduce the burden of duplicate document checking by the public sector, thus wasting taxpayer £'s. It does not replace the need to check specific work safety arrangements and or dynamic assessments for a particular job. It is not a 'one stop shop', it is not a 'safe to work' license, it is not an assurance of safety performance...... I could go on, but you get my drift? Chas also, (note the word also) can help contractors get their house in order regarding health and safety - but don't for one moment think it is all you have to do.