Chainsaw use requires proper training
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned companies that it is crucial to provide their staff with adequate training following an incident in Lincolnshire.
A landscape gardener was spotted working on a tree without any fall arrest equipment while handling a chainsaw improperly, and reported to the HSE by a neighbour.
HSE inspector Neil Ward described chainsaws as potentially "dangerous pieces of machinery" if used by improperly-trained people, adding that they can cause serious injury or even death in these circumstances.
"Working at height carries significant risks and all necessary precautions should be taken to prevent a fall," he argued.
The organisation issued a similar warning recently following the death of a teenager in Northampton, pointing out that working on roofs or other structures above the ground requires a great deal of planning.
This is especially important for agricultural workers, who should avoid working at height whenever possible, the HSE explained.
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