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Working with machinery (other than chainsaws) and hand tools

This page covers machinery used in forestry or arboriculture (that isn't either a chainsaw[1] or a vehicle[2]) and handtools.

It includes:

  • Woodchippers
  • Brushcutters
  • Stumpgrinders
  • Flails and mulchers

While this equipment does not cause as many serious accidents as chainsaws, there are still accidents and risks that you need to assess and control.

What you need to do

Ensure that no-one uses this equipment unless they are trained and competent to do so.

Find out more

Mobile stump grinders AFAG 606 (PDF) [3]

Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG)[4] leaflets have been withdrawn from HSE's website but the content is now available on the Forestry Industry Safety Accord (FISA) website[5].

Link URLs in this page

  1. chainsawhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/safety-topics/chainppe.htm
  2. vehiclehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/safety-topics/vehicles.htm
  3. Mobile stump grinders AFAG 606https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/afag606.pdf
  4. Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG)https://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/resources/afag.htm
  5. Forestry Industry Safety Accord (FISA) websitehttp://www.ukfisa.com/
  6. Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG)https://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/resources/afag.htm

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2025-02-12