pellenc Selion C21 HD User Manual page 10

SAFETY MEASURES
The ability to directly attach the saw to the harness reduces the risk of damage to equipment when moving
around the tree. Always switch the saw off when it is directly attached to the harness.
The saw should only be attached to the recommended
attachment points on the harness. These may be at mid-point
(front or rear) or at the sides. Where possible, attach the saw
to the centre rear mid-point to keep it clear of climbing lines
and to support its weight centrally down the operator's spine.
See Figure E2.
When moving the saw from any one attachment point to
another, operators should ensure it is secured in the new
position before releasing it from the previous attachment point.
E2
Using the chain-saw in the tree
An analysis of accidents with these saws during tree service operations shows the primary cause as being
inappropriate one-handed use of the saw. In the vast majority of accidents, operators fail to adopt a secure
work position that allows them to hold both handles of the saw. This results in an increased risk of injury
due to
not having a firm grip on the saw if it kicks back,
a lack of control of the saw, such that it is more likely to come into contact with climbing lines and the
operator's body (particularly the left hand and arm), and
loss of control owing to an insecure work position and resulting in contact with the saw (unexpected
movement during operation of the saw).
Securing the work position for two-handed use
In order to allow the saw to be held with both hands, as a general rule operators should aim for a secure
work position in which they operate the saw at
• hip level, when cutting horizontal sections, and
• solar plexus level, when cutting vertical sections.
Where the operator is working close into vertical stems with
low lateral forces on the work position, then a good footing
could be all that is needed to maintain a secure work position.
However, as operators move away from the stem, they will
need to take steps to remove or counteract the increasing
lateral forces by, for example, a redirect of the main line via
a supplementary anchor point or use of an adjustable strop
direct from the harness to a supplementary anchor point (see
Figure E3).
E3
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