Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for aerial tree work

When climbing trees, chainsaw users should wear the following:

A safety helmet (AFAG recommends a mountaineering style helmet complying with BS EN 12492).
Eye protection (complying with either BS EN 1731 or BS EN 166).
Hearing protection (complying with BS EN 352).
Suitable gloves appropriate to the task and subject to the operator's risk assessment.
Leg protection* and groin protection (complying with BS EN 381-5). AFAG strongly recommends Type C leg protection for aerial work, because of the high all-round chainsaw cut protection. However, where wearing Type C is impractical (eg because of the higher risk of heat stress associated with it), it may be appropriate to use Type A, where justified by risk assessment.
Protective boots* with good grip and protective guarding at front vamp and instep (complying with BS EN ISO 20345).
Non-snag outer clothing. The use of high-visibility clothing may also be appropriate.

Further advice

Detailed guidance is available:

Using personal protective equipment (PPE) to control risks at workhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ppe/index.htm
Top-handled chainsaws AFAG 308https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/afag308.pdf
AFAG 308 - Top-handled chainsawshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/afag308.pdf
INDG 317 - Chainsaws at workhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg317.pdf
Working with chainsawshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/safety-topics/chainsaw-operator.htm
Working at heighthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/safety-topics/height.htm
Working near power lines and cableshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/safety-topics/power-lines.htm
Report an incidenthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/index.htm
Agriculture safetyhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/index.htm
Migrant workers micrositehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/migrantworkers/index.htm
Safety bulletinhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/index.htm
Tell us about a health and safety issuehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm