Chainsaw courses with various levels of training are available. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

With Storm Éowyn passing through the country, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has been urging the immediate clean-up operation be left with the emergency services and professional operators who have the necessary competence to undertake the work safely

Chainsaw risks

The HSA strongly prefers only trained and competent operators equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to handle chainsaws, the primary equipment required to remove fallen trees and branches. Some of the key recommendations for using chainsaws include:

• Only experienced personnel who have the necessary training should be allowed to handle a chainsaw.
• Conducting a risk assessment is necessary prior to starting any chainsaw work.
• Wearing the necessary protective gear such as helmets, eye protection, specialist chainsaw gloves and leg protection, and steel-toe boots are mandatory while taking part in clean-up operations.
• Chainsaws need to be appropriately maintained and include functioning chain brakes and sharp blades.
• Operations must be carried out in groups rather than individually.

Kickback is one of the more common causes of serious chainsaw injury. The kickback zone is at the top tip of the chainsaw bar and may occur when the moving chain at the nose or tip of the bar touches an object such as a branch or a log. If this happens, it can cause a rapid upward motion of the bar back towards the operator who may suffer a very serious or fatal injury.

Recommendations for safe use

For the safe use of chainsaw, appropriate training is necessary. Chainsaw courses with various levels of training are available. For example, a basic chainsaw course covering the felling of small trees will be five days in duration. Shorter courses (two days) which only cover chainsaw maintenance and cross cutting of felled timber are also available. However, these do not effectively demonstrate the techniques required for felling trees safely. Therfore, prior to undertaking any trainings, particular training requirements need to be discussed with an accredited chainsaw training provider. 

Persons undergoing chainsaw training must be adequately supervised. They should also be closely supervised post training until such time as they are experienced and fully competent. They should always complete a pre-task risk assessment. Similarly, farmers who wish to use a chainsaw for such tasks as clearing fallen branches and pruning trees to maintain clearance for machines on their land should complete full certified chainsaw training. Before attempting even small tasks, farmers must complete a risk assessment to ensure appropriate control measures are put in place.

In case of fallen or storm-damaged trees, the HSA advises personnel to follow certain a code of conduct. These include:

• Approaching fallen trees with caution, particularly those that are entangled with power lines. 
• In case of doubt, assume all cables are lve and report to ESB Networks.

If required to work from roofs or elevated structures, HSA urges workers to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Working during extreme weather conditions should be strictly avoided for safety reasons.
• Using proper fall protection equipment, including harnesses and lanyards.
• Ensuring ladders and equipment are secure and placed on stable surfaces.
• Avoiding overreaching or overloading ladders, and having a spotter present whenever possible.
• Engaging qualified professionals for tasks involving complex or hazardous heights. 

“If you don’t have the proper training or equipment to safely use a chainsaw, don’t take the risk and instead engage with emergency and professional services," said chief Inspector with the HSA, Mark Cullen. "Farmers in particular may be tempted to deal with fallen trees on their land or on adjoining roads. Personal safety must be the main priority and I strongly urge only those with the necessary skills to undertake work with chainsaws”. 

Ryan Mitchell, Farnek’s head of QHSEW. (Image source: Farnek)

Farnek, a prominent smart and green facilities management (FM) company based in the UAE, was recently awarded at the "Better Together Awards," where it was given the headline prize for its outstanding health and safety initiatives.

The Expo City Dubai-organised awards honour exceptional individual and group accomplishments in worker welfare (WW) and health and safety (H&S), honouring its employees and contractors who help create a safer and healthier work environment at Expo City Dubai.

Farnek received the flagship honour, the "Better Together Award," which is granted to an organisation that has the finest initiative to promote cooperation and engagement with Expo City Dubai in 2024, demonstrating real-world implementation and measurable outcomes.

“This award recognises Farnek’s longstanding commitment, dedication and consistency, advancing the company’s H&S and WW strategy, which aligns closely with Expo City Dubai’s core values of care, integrity and excellence,” said Ryan Mitchell, Farnek’s head of quality, health, safety, excellence and wellbeing (QHSEW).

In order to increase the calibre and effectiveness of HSE reporting, Mitchell oversaw the Expo City HSE teams and used SAFETEK, a digital safety management technology. In order to create a safer atmosphere for renters and guests, he was able to reduce safety incidents by 21% and increase reporting observations by 38%.

At the awards ceremony, Farnek's Worker Welfare Officer, Mary Grace Besabella, was also acknowledged. She was given the Worker Welfare Impact Award for raising employment, housing, and transportation standards at Expo City Dubai in order to improve worker welfare.

Besabella supported a safe, friendly, and healthy workplace by attending to the needs and expectations of every employee. In order to initiate the reform of the operational structure, she also organised events and promoted health programmes.

OOMCO's leadership team travelled to key partners during HSEQ Week. (Image source: OOMCO)

The Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO) launched its annual Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) Week from 8-12 December.

Through important initiatives, awareness workshops, and strategic partnerships, OOMCO engaged employees, stakeholders, and the broader community in a five-day event that showcased the company's commitment to fostering a culture of health and safety.

Brigadier General Engineer Ali bin Saif Al Maqbali, Chief of the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA), presided over a distinguished Kick-Off Ceremony to start the week.

Notable stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Oman Energy Association (OPAL), and Civil Defence, attended the HSEQ Contractor Forum. This event promoted cooperation in health and safety management, promoted the exchange of ideas, and highlighted best practices.

OOMCO's leadership team travelled to key partners during HSEQ Week in order to coordinate health and safety goals, gather critical input, and strengthen collaborations.

Employees at OOMCO took part in a variety of events aimed at raising awareness and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. These included medical examinations, blood drives, educational campaigns on important subjects including diabetes prevention and breast cancer, and a daily safety quiz. The session "No to Amputation for Diabetic Foot Patients," which focused on the value of early intervention and preventative care for diabetic patients, was one of the most noteworthy efforts.

To increase the influence of its health and safety initiatives outside of the workplace, OOMCO partnered with institutions like the Cancer Association, Oman International Hospital, and the Blood Bank.

Tarik Mohammed Al Junaidi, CEO of OOMCO, said, “Our Annual Health and Safety Week exemplifies our unwavering dedication to safeguarding the health and welfare of our employees, partners, and the community. We strive to exemplify health and safety as essential elements of our operations through such programmes, while cultivating a culture that emphasizes the well-being of all those we serve.”

The inauguration was held on 27 November 2024. (Image source: Canva)

Parsons Corporation has announced the official launch of the Riyadh Metro, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of the Saudi capital's urban transport network.

The inauguration, held on 27 November 2024, celebrates the culmination of years of collaborative effort under the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC).

By August 2024, the Riyadh Metro Transit Consultants (RMTC) achieved over 7 million work hours without a lost-time injury, reflecting the rigorous health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards maintained throughout the project. This milestone was supported by more than 450,000 HSE inductions and over 13,000 targeted HSE campaigns, underscoring the project's strong commitment to workplace safety and operational excellence.

Parsons played a pivotal role as the lead partner in the Riyadh Metro Transit Consultants (RMTC), a joint venture with Egis and SYSTRA. The consortium was tasked with project and construction management for two major contracts within the metro's development. With the successful delivery of these projects, Parsons has reaffirmed its reputation as a leader in managing complex infrastructure initiatives.

“From its inception, the Riyadh Metro was conceived as a transformative project to reshape urban mobility and dramatically improve the lives of residents and visitors alike. On behalf of Parsons, a long-term partner of the RCRC, and the lead consultant for the delivery of this world-class system, I would like to congratulate His Majesty King Salman and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman on its first day of operations,” said Pierre Santoni, president, infrastructure EMEA at Parsons. “We look forward to supporting the city of Riyadh and the Kingdom in the successful completion of subsequent stages of the metro and the wider Saudi Vision 2030, by using global experience and deep local expertise to deliver excellence on every project.”