The task of lopping a small tree or cutting up a fallen one seems like a pretty innocuous one for many people on the land.
With little or no experience in such tasks, farmers are often putting their lives at risk, according to Rocky Walshaw, chainsaw trainer for the State Emergency Services NSW.
Rocky has been with the SES for more than 24 years and has been called out to a number of chainsaw related accidents.
“I always say ‘you must crawl before you walk, and walk before you run,” Rocky said.
“Anyone without experience using a chainsaw needs to start small and learn before tackling the bigger jobs.
“Like all skills, it takes time to develop these skills to a competent level.
“This is especially important for people on the land as they can be in very remote locations.
“Too often someone doing some chainsawing in a remote location will not return and we will get a call out.
“When we find the missing person it has been because they were stuck under a fallen branch or trunk.
“I always suggest chainsawing with a spotter in case something unexpected happens.
“The spotter can either directly help or contact the appropriate people to come and assist.
“I suggest the spotter uses a long stick to attract the attention of the person using the chainsaw.
“This will stop the chainsaw user from accidentally turning with the saw in front of them and injuring the spotter.
“I worked for 50 years in the army teaching people to shoot down the line.
“I still had someone inadvertently point their gun at me so you can not be too careful,” he said.
Rocky believes having a spotter also allows the chainsaw user to focus entirely on what they are cutting.
“Chainsaws are the most dangerous pieces of equipment the SES use and we take them very seriously,” Rocky said.
“A lapse of concentration can prove very costly and any inattention can have very dire consequences.
“They can kick back in a fraction of a second if you are not careful.”
Rocky also believes that proper care of the equipment can help lower the chance of accidents occurring.
“Maintaining your equipment is very important so that it works safely and efficiently,” Rocky said.
“Too often injuries occur because someone didn’t take five minutes to sharpen the chain causing the user to press too hard against the wood and increase the chance of kickback.”
