Posted By Susan MacDonald
I work for a hire company myself as their Health and Safety Manager. Has the employee received any chainsaw training? I would advise that information and instruction alone would not make the employee competent to use a chainsaw. It is easy enough to read an instruction leafet on the use of a chainsaw, but would the employee know how to handle the chainsaw in certain situations.

Posted By Francis E S Hone
I would use an operative that has received training in the safe use of abrasive wheels don't forget to provide him with info on HAV's (hand arm vibration) lots to think about here, inc where the work will be carried out public area etc etc.
Frank

Posted By Anthony Edwards
Keith,

That's correct IMO. Also I was recently at a branch meeting of IOSH and the subject was HSE scheme of works. The speaker, a HSE inspector, stated that no dry cutting should be attempted. All cutting should be wet, either by integral feed of machine of with another person pouring water onto block being cut. This is due to 300 people a year developing silica related breathing difficulties.

Regards

Tony

Posted By GeoffB4
Not sure why you would need abrasive wheel training first if the operative is not being allowed to change them?

Posted By Ron Hunter
I read this as a "first time use" by an employee of a Stihl Saw. The employee must be trained. The Hire company aren't likely to provide that training. The employee must be effectivly supervised - this sounds like someone being left to their own devices.
HSE best practice guidance recommends water-suppression kit AND a RPE. The individual should therefore be face-fit tested for the RPE.
Sorry Keith - I think you're on shaky ground here.

Posted By keith k
Thanks to everyone who responded, however, although I have a clearer picture of what I think we must do (and I may be wrong)there is still many conficting ideas on what is the correct way forward. Not only for Stihl saw use but all other work equipment. It appears to me that training must be defined more clearly and by that I mean is instruction and information considered training to an extent "probably not" but then if you add a video, a powerpoint presentation and do a recorded practicle test, does that then make suitable and sufficient training? to me that is similar to passing on information and instruction remember they are only using the equipment and not maintaining it in any way.

Posted By Glyn Atkinson
Is the saw blade brand new for the hire, and what happens if it is blunted in any way during the cutting operation?

Do you stop work and call in the hire firm rep to change the blade and then carry on working?

How long is the hire period and how much cutting will be done?

3 to answer as part of your risk assessment for the work task for this first time user.

Posted By justgossip
KK

An excellent point refering to training,

Hope this helps a little to clear.

My Foreman conduct toolboxs talks. This is classed as communication thats results in improved safety.

I conduct Training.

To do this I must first have an in depth knowledge on the subject I am going teach and have good practical skills in the subject if required.

I must then know how to present this information in a manner that would enable students to learn the information and skills.

I must then confirm that the knowledge and skills have been learnt so that I can say they are trained and comp to do it.


So my foreman is communicating and I am training.


there are a few other factors but that is the main thrust.

garry