PPE or A&E: new campaign flags rising chainsaw injuries

Lantra is launching a new campaign around chainsaw safety, with the tag line ‘respect the chainsaw’, having sourced new data which shows a concerning uptick in related injuries.

The awarding body used a freedom of information request to show that 3,144 people attended hospital in Britain for a chainsaw-related injury over the last 10 years, with annual numbers rising since 2020.

Aimed at professionals and amateurs alike, the campaigns aims to remind users that chainsaws are not just another garden tool but require proper training and personal protective equipment (PPE).

A new 10-minute film has been released in support of the campaign, summarising the dangers of a chainsaw, how to use one properly, and the benefits of protective clothing.

Lantra has also produced a useful chainsaw safety checklist, which can be printed and used before picking up a chainsaw to ensure all bases are covered.

Clegg Bamber MBE, Head of Communications at Lantra, said:

“We know that chainsaws can cause life-changing injuries within a split second. Sadly, sometimes these injuries become fatal. Our message to all people who operate a chainsaw today, or in the future, is chainsaws are dangerous machines, training on how to use them is essential, and PPE is non-negotiable.”

Meanwhile, the Health and Safety Executive has also published information and resources around using chainsaws safely at work.