Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form

1. Hazard Management Details – General

Plant/Equipment Item: Chainsaw (Electric) Make/Model No.: Serial No.:

School / Work Location: Region:

Name of Person(s) Conducting Activity: Date Conducted:

Description of Use: Summary of Key Risks:

(refer to appropriate subsections)
An electric chainsaw is a cutting tool
used to cut wooden materials such as  Entanglement
logs or branches. A small engine
 Impact and cutting
drives a circular chain at speed
around a fixed arm. The chain has  Electrical
cutting devices located at fixed  Ergonomics
intervals along its length.  Noise
 Vibration
 Slips/trips/falls
 Temperature
 Other (dust)

Last Updated: 21 August 2018

 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form

2. Documentation
Relevant Legislation/Standards Y/N Comments
Is plant required to be registered? Y N
Is a user license required? Y N
Key Reference material AS 2726.1 Chainsaws - Safety requirements - Chainsaws for general use
AS 2726.2 Chainsaws - Safety requirements - Chainsaws for tree service
AS 2727 Chainsaws- Guide to safe working practices
AS 4024.1 Safety of machinery
AS/NZS 3760 In service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment
AS/NZS 60745.1 Hand-held motor-operated electric tools - Safety - General requirements
Plant Documentation Y/N Comments
Are operator’s manuals accessible? Y N
Is this a restricted use item? Y N
Does this item require safe use Y N
documents/test?

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form

3. Hazard Identification
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
Cons Like Risk
Level
ENTANGLEMENT Major Possible Medium Long hair, items of Ensure that clothing, gloves, or
Can anyone’s hair, clothing, gloves, cleaning clothing or other other such items are kept clear
brushes, tools, rags or other materials materials could become of the moving parts when in
become entangled with moving parts of the entangled with the use.
plant or materials? moving chain.  Overalls can be used to
restrict loose clothing.
Y N
 Ensure gloves are well
fitted.
Plan your work, ensure that
work area is obstacle-free and,
in case of felling, and identify an
escape path from falling trees.

Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures

Cons Like Risk
Level
IMPACT AND CUTTING INJURIES The chain saw blade may Ensure operator’s hands and
Can anyone be crushed/cut/struck etc. due become stuck creating body parts are kept clear of
to: significant torque with the moving parts during operation
 Material falling off the plant? Y N potential for unexpected and maintenance.
movement of the chain
 Uncontrolled/unexpected movement of Major Possible High saw. Ensure that operator has been
Y N
plant/load? trained in safe work practices
 Lack of capacity to slow, stop or Branches and tree trunks and has appropriate PPE. For
Y N
immobilise plant? may not fall to the ground example:
 The plant tipping or rolling over? Y N in the direction intended.  Helmet with face visor or
safety glasses
 Parts of the plant disintegrating or
Y N  Ear protection
collapsing?

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
 Contact with moving parts during testing, Major Possible High Chips and dust may fly  Protective overalls
inspection, operation, maintenance, Y N into the face and eyes of  Closed footwear with good
cleaning or repair? the operator. grip.
 Being thrown off or under the plant? Y N
Poorly fitted, maintained Ensure the equipment is
 Contact with sharp or flying objects? Moderate Possible High or damaged saw blades appropriately maintained and
Y N
(e.g. work pieces being ejected) increases the risk to the serviced regularly in accordance
 The mobility of the plant? Y N operator. with manufacturer’s instructions.
 Inappropriate parts and accessories Ensure the chain saw is
Y N The chain saw presents
being used? provided with a front hand
risks to the operator if the
 Other guard. In a kickback situation
plant is not isolated
during testing, inspection, (where the saw jumps or jerks
Y N maintenance or cleaning. up or backwards) this guard
helps protect the operator’s left
hand or other parts of his/her
body.

Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures

Cons Like Risk
Level
SHEARING
Can anyone’s body parts be sheared
between two parts of plant, or between a Y N
part of the plant and a work piece or
structure?
PRESSURISED CONTENT
Can anyone come into contact with fluids or
Y N
gases under high pressure, due to plant
failure or misuse of the plant?
ELECTRICITY Damaged or frayed Operator to check for damaged
Can anyone be injured or burnt due to: electrical cords pose an electrical cords prior to use.
 Live electrical conductors? (e.g. exposed electrical hazard.
Y N
wires) Operator to exercise vigilance in

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
 Working in close proximity to electrical Operator may location and positioning of
Y N
conductors? inadvertently cut through electric lead.
 Access to electricity? Major Possible High electric lead.
Y N Avoid using chain saw in wet
 Damaged or poorly maintained electrical Major Possible High Operation of the weather.
Y N equipment in a wet
leads, cables or switches?
 Water near electrical equipment? Major Possible High environment may pose an Ensure equipment is serviced
Y N electrical hazard. on a regular basis, tested and
 Lack of isolation procedures? tagged and appropriate isolation
Y N procedures (e.g. lock out tags)
are in place.
 Other
Y N

Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures

Cons Like Risk
Level
ERGONOMICS The use of the chain saw Conduct a risk assessment in
Can anyone be injured due to: may involve repetitive relation to awkward postures
 Poorly designed workstation? body movements, and manual handling risk prior
Y N awkward positions and the to undertaking task.
 Repetitive body movement? Minor Unlikely Low need for excessive effort.
Y N Ensure the operator uses good
 Constrained body posture or the need Moderate Possible Medium manual handling techniques
Y N whilst operating the chainsaw.
for excessive effort?
 Design deficiency causing psychological
Y N DO NOT cut above shoulder
stress?
height.
 Inadequate or poorly placed lighting?
Y N
Hold the chain saw firmly with
 Does the plant impact on the
both hands and maintain a
surrounding workplace and create
secure grip to avoid kickbacks.
potential hazards? (Consider potential Y N
impact on the design and layout of the
workplace)

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
 Is the location of the plant inappropriate?
(Consider potential effects due to Y N
environmental conditions and terrain)
 Other
Y N

Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures

Cons Like Risk
Level
RADIATION
Can anyone using the plant, or in the vicinity
of the plant suffer injury or illness due to
exposure to radiation in the form of any of
the following: Y N
 infra-red radiation
 ultra violet light
 microwaves
NOISE Moderate Possible Medium Operation of the plant Ensure appropriate hearing
Can anyone using the plant, or in the vicinity equipment can result in protection is worn whilst
Y N
of the plant, suffer injury due to exposure to high noise levels. operating the chain saw.
noise?

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
VIBRATION Moderate Possible Medium The vibration from Use a chainsaw with anti-
Can anyone be injured or suffer ill-health chainsaws can cause vibration mountings and
from exposure to vibration? damage to the hands if ergonomically-angled handles.
they are used for long
periods at a time. Take regular breaks from
continuous operation.
Y N
Wear appropriate PPE (e.g.
gloves) especially in cold
weather.

Sharpen the chainsaw regularly

to ensure smoother cutting and
less vibration.
FRICTION
Can anyone be burnt due to contact with
Y N
moving parts, materials or surfaces of the
plant?
SUFFOCATION
Can anyone be suffocated due to lack of Y N
oxygen, or atmospheric contamination?
CONDITION
Is a hazard likely due to the age and
condition of the plant? (Consider how hard Y N
the machine has been worked, and whether
it is used constantly or rarely).
 Can anyone be injured as a result of the
plant not serviced appropriately and/or
maintained in line with manufacturer’s Y N
recommendations?

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
Cons Like Risk
Level
SLIPS/TRIPS/FALLS Due to the uncontrolled Operator to inspect work
Can anyone using the plant, or in the vicinity outdoor environment and environment for hazards prior to
of the plant, slip, trip or fall due to: diverse range of commencing work.
 Uneven, slippery or steep work Major Possible High circumstances that the
Y N
surfaces? chain saw may be Ensure the chain saw comes to
 Poor housekeeping, e.g. spillage in the Major Possible High operated in, there is a a complete stop before moving
Y N slip, trip and fall risk to or placing the chainsaw down.
vicinity?
 Obstacles being placed in the vicinity of Major Possible High the operator.
Y N Ensure appropriate working at
the plant?
 Inappropriate or poorly maintained floor Major Possible High heights risk controls are in place
or walking surfaces (i.e. lack of a slip- when working from a ladder or
Y N work platform.
resistant surface, unprotected holes,
penetrations or gaps?)
If operating or maintaining plant at height Wear appropriate footwear.
can anyone slip, trip or fall due to:
 Use of work platforms, stairs or ladders? Major Possible High
Y N
 Lack of guardrails or other suitable edge
Y N
protection?
 Other
Y N

Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures

Cons Like Risk
Level
FIRE AND EXPLOSION
Y N
Can anyone be injured by fire?
 Can anyone be injured by explosion of
gases, vapours, liquids, dusts, or other Y N
substances?

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
TEMPERATURE/MOISTURE The chain can get hot Ensure appropriate PPE is used
Can anyone come into contact with objects Y N during repeated operation. (e.g. gloves and overalls).
at high or low temperatures?
 Can anyone suffer ill-health due to Minor Possible Medium
Y N
exposure to high or low temperatures?
 Can anyone be injured or suffer ill-health
Y N
due to exposure to moisture?
OTHER The operation of the chain Ensure the chain saw is only
Can anyone be injured or suffer ill-health saw may produce dust. used where there is adequate
from exposure to: ventilation.
 Chemicals? Y N
 Toxic gases or vapours? Y N
 Fumes/Dusts? Y N Minor Possible Medium
 Other? (please specify) Y N
4. Risk Assessment Signoff
Authorised By: Signature: Date:

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form

1. Consequence - Evaluate the consequences of a risk occurring according 2. Likelihood - Evaluate the likelihood of an incident occurring according to the
to the ratings in the top row ratings in the left hand column

Descriptor Level Definition

Descriptor Level Definition

Rare 1 May occur somewhere, sometime (“once in a life time /

Insignificant 1 No injury once in a hundred years”)

Minor 2 Injury/ ill health requiring first aid Unlikely 2 May occur somewhere within the Department over an
extended period of time
Moderate 3 Injury/ill health requiring medical
attention Possible 3 May occur several times across the Department or a
region over a period of time
Major 4 Injury/ill health requiring hospital
admission Likely 4 May be anticipated multiple times over a period of time
May occur once every few repetitions of the activity or
Severe 5 Fatality event

Almost 5 Prone to occur regularly

3. Risk level - Calculate the level of risk by finding the intersection between the
Certain It is anticipated for each repetition of the activity of event
likelihood and the consequences

Likelihood Consequence 4. Risk Level/Rating and Actions

Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Severe Descriptor Definition
Almost Medium High Extreme Extreme Extreme
Certain
Likely Medium Medium High Extreme Extreme Extreme: Notify Workplace Manager and/or Management OHS
Possible Low Medium Medium High Extreme Nominee immediately. Corrective actions should be taken
Unlikely Low Low Medium Medium High immediately. Cease associated activity.
Rare Low Low Low Medium Medium High: Notify Workplace Manager and/or Management OHS
Nominee immediately. Corrective actions should be taken
within 48 hours of notification.
Medium: Notify Nominated employee, HSR / OHS Committee.
Nominated employee, OHS Representative / OHS Committee
is to follow up that corrective action is taken within 7 days.
Low Notify Nominated employee, HSR / OHS Committee.
Nominated employee, HSR / OHS Committee is to follow up
that corrective action is taken within a reasonable time.

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