HSE warned employers to be careful after storm

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning to all employers to take care following the storms and windy weather.

Landowners and employers have been warned that only trained and competent people should be used to deal with the handling of fallen trees on their land in the wake of the bad weather conditions.

The HSE said that extra care should be taken when working in severe weather as removing trees in these circumstances could be even more hazardous.

Mike Walters, HSE acting principal inspector, said: "We don't want to have a fatality following the current stormy weather. Chainsaws are dangerous machines and should only be used by those who are trained and competent in using them."

He added that businesses should assure themselves of their contractor's health and safety training competence before having their services engaged.

According to figures from the HSE, the odds of someone working in forestry or agriculture sustaining a major or fatal injury are now thought to be worse than one in 120.

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