“
I’ve been in the organisation 35 years and using a chain- saw was my full time job. I’ve got all the training but I’m seeing young lads get- ting thrown in at the deep end. We used to do a lot of clearing work in the summer, but now they won’t let us touch a chainsaw
Neil Grieve,Unite’s safety rep, Forestry Scotland
” Chainsaw gang? Unite maintains that experienced chainsaw users are still needed
the past, and the minimum to stay qualified is 100 hours a year, but that is only two hours a week, and you might do a week, and then none for three months.”
He adds, “It’s important that these jobs don’t disappear. It does seem Forestry England have realised this, and I’ve been working with them on the steering group, and they are actually working with the unions to improve it. It is having union reps that made it possible.
“Where you have these storms, dangerous trees get blown over, trees get hung up, and whether you are there a year or 40 years like myself, if you haven’t done it regularly you really have to think about it, and that’s when you can have accidents.”
References
www.hse.gov.uk/treework/resources /
casestudies.htm HSE tree work case studies
www.hse.gov.uk/treework/index.htm HSE tree work homepage
https://content.govdelivery.com/acc ounts/UKHSE/bulletins/
HSE Bulletin re emergency tree work following storms 2021
“Normally it’s been a battle trying to get them to let me know these accidents are happening. They are duty bound to tell the union health and safety reps, that’s been an issue for years – but it looks like a corner may have been turned.
“Over the past year union reps have been working closely with Forestry England’s SLT and H&S team in a nationwide project. I am pleased to see
33 uniteLANDWORKER Summer 2022
a change in priorities, and recognition of health and safety at all levels with firm commitment to positive changes.
“For example, a nationwide presentation has collated staff responses to the H&S challenges in all departments. I am glad H&S is being fully resourced and backed by the SLT, and I look forward to seeing the positive changes this project brings.
“Changes have only been possible due to members such as myself stepping up to become accredited Union reps. H&S reps are needed to fill vacancies across the country. I am retiring in 12
months and have been lucky to have Marcus Reeves step up in my place so South District would be covered, but we need representation in other districts.”
Find out more
If you would like to join the Unite safety rep team in England, contact George or Marcus. George Whitcher on 07771 810277 or email
george.whitcher@forestryengland.uk
Marcus Reeves on 07979 774180 or
marcus.reeves@
forestryengland.uk
See pages 22 and 23
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