IKRA PCS 2525 Manuel D'utilisation page 87

properly equipped with harnesses, ropes, strops, cara-
biners 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 then switched off
before it is sent up to the operator in the tree.
Example of attachment of tree service
chain-saw to operator's harness
The chain-saw should be fitted with a suitable strop for
attachment to the operator's harness:
a) secure the strop around the attachment point on the
rear of the saw;
b) provide suitable carabiners to allow indirect (i.e. via
the strop) and direct attachment (i.e. at the attach-
ment point on the saw) of the saw to the operator's
harness;
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 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, at-
tach 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.
GB | Operating Instructions
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 at-
tachment point.
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
- loss of control owing to an insecure work position and
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
11
Example of attachment of tree service chain-saw
to centre rear mid-point on harness
to come into contact with climbing lines and the op-
erator's body (particularly the left hand and arm), and
resulting in contact with the saw (unexpected move-
ment during operation of the saw).