Information on Loughborough

Council checks hired chainsaws’ safety

Posted on 28/12/2011

Leicestershire Councty Council Chief Executive's

28 December 2011

Council checks hired chainsaws’ safety

Safety checks on chainsaws and their associated protective equipment, which were hired from Leicestershire retailers, have been carried out,

following a Which?” magazine report  and other market research.

Officers from both Leicestershire County Council’s Trading Standards and Forestry services, who posed as consumers, visited 15 hire shops around the county.

The officers attempted to hire chainsaws for examination, to ensure they complied with minimum safety standards required by the law.

Chainsaws were hired from four shops - the other 11 shops refused, stating that either they don’t hire chainsaws or they would need to see a certificate of competence before a hire would be accepted.

The four chainsaws that were hired were examined, and pleasingly they were all found to be in a safe condition, with a few minor issues noted due to wear and tear, such as a loose chain, a worn chain bar and a blocked air filter.

The protective equipment supplied with chainsaws was visually checked and the problems that were found included ear defender insulating material not offering adequate protection and concerns with the quality of gloves supplied with two of the hires.

The shops concerned have been advised, and follow up checks are planned.

David Bull, Head of Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards said:

It is pleasing that those businesses which hire chainsaws to consumers are complying with the law. However, they do need to continue to ensure their chainsaws and protective equipment are safe.

As a chainsaw has the capacity to cause serious injury or even death, it was also encouraging that most businesses would not hire chainsaws to consumers, unless they held a certificate of competence in chainsaw usage.”

For those wishing to use chainsaws or other similar machinery some specialist colleges may provide chainsaw training and certification.  

Anyone with concerns about hiring equipment can report them to Trading  Standards via Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06

For more information on consumer issues visit: www.leics.gov.uk/tradingstandards

Media Contacts

Graham Coe, Senior Trading Standards Officer on 0116 305 6547 or Keith Regan 0116 305 6533

Background:

•     The safety of hire chainsaws is covered by:

•     General Product Safety Regulations 2005

•     Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008

•     Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999

•     Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002