Timber Felling Risk Assessment

RISK ASSESSMENT; FELLING

This is a generic risk assessment for the felling, presentation, cross cutting and stacking of timber.A site specific risk assessment should be completed for each contract/work site.

Chainsaw operators should be qualified and competent to undertake the work required. It is essential that the chainsaw operator does not undertake any work for which they are not qualified or for which they do not feel competent or confident. Chainsaw operators are responsible for their own health and safety and that of those around them.

Refer primarily to the relevant AFAG Guides; eg. 302 Basic Felling, 303 Snedding, 304 Cross Cutting and Stacking and particularly 801 Noise and Hearing Conservation, 802 Emergency Planning and First Aid and 804 Electricity at Work.

Cutters are also asked to refer to the paper entitled “Working systems, legality and insurance”

Chainsaws and other equipment should be in good order, well maintained and regularly checked. All equipment should be suitable for the task in hand. Servicing, repair and adjustment to be undertaken when required.

A proper level of PPE is to be worn at all times. No amount of PPE is a substitute for safe working practice and systems.

A suitable level of valid Public Liability Insurance is required. Employers' Liability insurance is also required in all circumstances.

Employers' Liability Insurance is only not required when a contractor only ever works alone and never with others (not recommmended) or when other contractors are only ever 'bona fide subcontractors' (for example tree surgeons not working to directions of the principal contractor) or when all subcontractors and/or employees are direct members of the main contractor's family.

Public Liability and Employers's Liability Insurance: Dates valid................................................

Company.......................................Cert. No.....................................................

Liability covered and level of cover..................................................................................................

Lone working is to be avoided when possible. If unavoidable, regular checks should be established to verify the safety of the chainsaw operator. Please note below if contractor is lone working and, if so, what checks have been established

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

NPTC/LANTRA No...................................................

Scope of chain saw quaifications (CS30/31/32 etc).................................................................

Checked by: Name.....................................Signature.............................................Date…….

A site specific risk assessment must also be completed for any work