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WORKING TECHNIQUES
26 – English
6 If you have to cut branches or the like that are above
shoulder height, a working platform or scaffold tower
is recommended.
7 Take great care when you cut with the top edge of the
bar, i.e. when cutting from the underside of the object.
This is known as cutting with a pushing chain. The
chain tries to push the chain saw back towards the
user. If the saw chain is jamming, the saw may be
pushed back at you.
8 Unless the user resists this pushing force there is a
risk that the chain saw will move so far backwards that
only the kickback zone of the bar is in contact with the
tree, which can lead to a kickback.
Cutting with the bottom edge of the bar, i.e. from the
top of the object downwards, is known as cutting with
a pulling chain. In this case the chain saw pulls itself
towards the tree and the front edge of the chain saw
body rests naturally on the trunk when cutting. Cutting
with a pulling chain gives the operator better control
over the chain saw and the position of the kickback
zone.
9 Follow the instructions on sharpening and maintaining
your bar and chain. When you replace the bar and
chain use only combinations that are recommended
by us. See instructions under the headings Cutting
equipment and Technical data.
Working with tree service chain-saws
from a rope and harness
This chapter sets out working practices to reduce the risk
of injury from tree service chainsaws when working at
height from a rope and harness. While it may form the
basis of guidance and training literature, it should not be
regarded as a substitute for formal training.
General requirements working at height
Operators of tree service chainsaws working at height
from a rope and harness should never work alone. A
competent ground worker trained in appropriate
emergency procedures should assist them.
Operators of tree service chainsaws for this work should
be trained in general safe climbing and work positioning
techniques and shall properly equipped with harnesses,
ropes, strops, karabiners and other equipment for
maintaining secure and safe working positions for both
themselves and the saw.
Preparing to use the saw in the tree
The chain saw should be checked, fuelled, started and
warmed up by the ground worker and the chain brake
should be engaged before it is sent up to the operator in
the tree. The chainsaw should be fitted with a suitable
strop for attaching to the operator’s harness:
a) attach the rope around the rope eyelet on the rear of the
saw.
b) provide suitable karabiners to allow indirect (i.e. via the
strop) and direct attachment (i.e. at the attachment point
on the saw) of saw to the operators harness.
CAUTION! The belt eyelet is not dimensioned for use with
a so-called safety rope. Use the rope eyelet for this
purpose.
c) ensure the saw is securely attached when it is being
sent up to the operator.
d) ensure the saw is secured to the harness before it is
disconnected from the means of ascent.
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
attaching the saw to centre rear mid-point will keep it clear