Check 3 of 5
Chippers, saws, noise and lifting
Safe Work Australia’s national guidance says a business must make sure the people running its machinery and equipment have the skills, knowledge and experience to use it safely. For the noise that machines make, WorkSafe Victoria’s guidance says employers should make sure workers are not exposed to noise above the exposure standard.
General information, not safety advice for a particular machine or job. Safe Work Australia’s and WorkSafe Victoria’s guides are listed at the foot of this page.
Chippers, stump grinders and saws
Three machines get specific guidance in Safe Work Australia’s guide to managing the risks of tree work (March 2023). The guide uses “must” for a legal requirement under the model WHS laws and “should” for a recommendation, and the table keeps that difference.
| Machine | What the guide says | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Woodchipper | The guide says access to the in-feed rollers can be prevented by guarding: a minimum reach distance from the leading edge of the feed hopper to the rollers (it recommends 1500 mm), and side panels on the in-feed chute high enough that no one can reach the rollers, or a fixed or interlocked guard against access from the side or top. An emergency stop that cuts power to the machine should also be fitted. | Should |
| Stump grinder | Where the public can get to the site, a protective screen or barrier should separate people from the grinding, stop flying debris, and warn that grinding is under way. | Should |
| Chainsaw | Potentially dangerous plant that can cause fatal or major injuries, especially when used by untrained workers. It should not be run above shoulder height, because of the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, vibration and the saw’s reaction forces. | Should |
WorkSafe Victoria’s checklist for tree and gardening services adds a checklist item on fuel: tools and refuelling get clean, smoke-free areas, clear of flammable vegetation.
What the crew wears
Under Safe Work Australia’s guide, the business must make sure protective equipment is:
- suitable for the nature of the work and any hazard that comes with it
- of a suitable size and fit
- reasonably comfortable for the worker wearing it.
It says a suitable helmet should always be worn when working on a tree, and that further equipment that may be appropriate includes:
- gloves, against cold or injury and for grip
- eye protection where debris is being cleared or material removed, or where chainsaws, woodchippers, stump grinders or other machines that could damage eyes are running
- respiratory protection where harmful chemicals or dust could be breathed in
- hearing protection where noise could damage hearing
- boots with toe protection where there is a risk of crush or cut injury
- high visibility clothing wherever someone could be struck
- buoyancy or life jackets when working over water
- sun protection.
Clothing should generally be close fitting and high-visibility, and anyone using a chainsaw should wear cut-resistant pants. WorkSafe Victoria’s checklist lists much the same gear and adds that it should suit specialised tasks such as running machines or climbing.
Noise and the crew’s hearing
Safe Work Australia’s model Code of Practice on managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work is written to protect workers from the effects of noise. Its page says:
“If you have a noisy workplace, this document guides you on:
- how noise affects hearing
- how to identify and assess exposure to noise
- how to control health and safety risks from hazardous noise.”
Safe Work Australia asks readers to check with their regulator whether the code has legal effect where they are.
WorkSafe Victoria’s guidance on noise is a practical list for employers. In summary, it says to:
- arrange a noise assessment where workers are exposed to excessive noise and it is uncertain whether the exposure standard has been exceeded; its example of excessive is workers having to raise their voices to talk at one metre
- get rid of or reduce the noise at its source, for example with quieter or insulated equipment, enclosures, barriers and screens, silencers, and buying the quietest tools available
- put up warning signs where noise is excessive and continual
- warn other workers nearby before noisy work, so they can move away or wear hearing protection
- provide hearing protection, make sure it is worn at all times, offer a choice of types suited to the noise level, and provide audiometric (hearing) testing.
The examples in the second item are a selection; WorkSafe Victoria’s page, listed at the foot of this page, has them all.
Lifting, carrying and the crew’s backs
Safe Work Australia’s model Code of Practice on hazardous manual tasks says most jobs involve manual tasks such as lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying, that they can be hazardous, and that the risks must be assessed and managed. In its own words:
“This model Code of Practice provides guidance on:
- identifying hazardous manual tasks
- assessing the risks that may contribute to a musculoskeletal disorder
- eliminating or minimising those risks.”
It is written for people who conduct a business or undertaking, and for people who design, make, import or supply workplace equipment or tools, or design workplaces where manual tasks are done. As with the noise code, Safe Work Australia says to check with your regulator whether it has legal effect in your jurisdiction.