Safety alert – Use of non standard accessoroes on BRUSH CUTTERS
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has become aware of a dangerous practice involving the fitting of non-standard accessories, not approved by the manufacturers, to brush cutting machines.
This alert is relevant to any such metal brush cutter accessory manufactured or assembled from more than one component; it arises from a fatal incident. Initial investigations indicate that a link from a chain flail attached to a brush cutter, struck a nearby worker in the head.
Brush cutters typically lack the robust guarding arrangements required to control the risk from fragments of chain being ejected with high energy. The guarding supplied with brush-cutters is predominantly aimed at protecting the operator from inadvertent contact with the cutting accessory.
The use of non-standard cutting attachments, not approved by the manufacturer may induce excessive stresses which could result in premature failure and possible break-up of the brush cutter, thereby increasing the risk of injury from any ejected component.
Manufacturers’ original cutting equipment such as nylon cords, metal cutting blades and saw blades are designed to be used in combination with specifically designed safeguarding systems.
Any brush cutters fitted with chain flail or similar non-standard attachments should be taken out of service immediately and the attachments removed and replaced with the manufacturer’s approved accessory.
Source: HSE
