Home About edenarb Contracting Contact Details - Tree Basics Leaves Branches & Trunk Root Systems Health CODIT Leaves Trunk & Branches Root System Structural Care Tools Hand Power Safety Pruning Formative Small Branch Large Branch Advanced Selection Planting Identification Native UK Trees Environment Legislation Photo Gallery EDENARB Trees Miscellaneous Credits Links   Power Tools   Chainsaws   I’ll get this one out of the way first! Under HSE guidelines and PUWER regulations in the UK, if you operate a chainsaw as part of your employment you must be fully trained and certified to do so.   There are no ways about it; a chainsaw is a potentially lethal tool capable of causing horrendous injuries (or death) to people and destruction to property. The health and safety regulations have been brought in to protect operators, the general public and property; I have no problems with this at all. However what I do not understand is, how can a member of the public walk into a chainsaw dealer/hire shop and walk out with a chainsaw to operate this as he pleases provided there is no financial gain. Who is going to have the accident - the trained professional or Mr. D.I.Y? To that end I will not offer any advice on the use of chainsaws other than when it is essential that a chainsaw be used, employ a certified professional who will be able to show you proof of training and competence. If you require any more information on training and certification go to the HSE web site and search for the leaflet AFAG 805 – Training and Certification. This can be either viewed or downloaded in Acrobat reader.     Chipper/Shredder   The popularity of these machines has increased dramatically over recent years. They provide an excellent means of recycling material that would once have been burned on site or taken to a refuse tip. Whilst there are many of these machines aimed at the D.I.Y market you do get what you pay for! I would suggest that if you have any quantity of material to be chipped or shredded you consider hiring a heavy duty machine. You should be able to find a machine to hire that will meet you needs (i.e. access) and process your branches etc efficiently. HSE advice is that operators be trained but certification is not required, so whoever you are hiring the machine from should provide you with training enabling you to operate the machine efficiently and safely.   Note: Don’t recycle diseased material, burn if possible to avoid contamination.