Women get behind chainsaw campaign

Current ACC statistics show that New Zealanders are experiencing 185 chainsaw accidents a month, equating to nearly 50 incidents every week; and since the 2011 reporting period to the latest in 2013, there has been an increase of nearly 350 chainsaw accidents.

To help raise awareness about the importance of chainsaw safety and help lower chainsaw injuries in New Zealand, from 28 April – 4 May, STIHL is promoting Chainsaw Safety Awareness Week across the country.

An additional initiative this year will see STIHL Dealers host groups of women from the Dairy Women's Network for Chainsaw Training Sessions in five locations nationwide.

CEO of the Dairy Women's Network, Zelda de Villiers, says, "It's fantastic that STIHL is committed to raising awareness about such an important issue affecting both men and women, in such a practical and engaging way.

"Chainsaw safety is hugely relevant to dairy women throughout New Zealand as chainsaws are used daily on farms and chainsaw accidents not uncommon. By attending a training session, women will be able to step in and gain safety tips first-hand to make sure that chainsaws are used safely at home and on the farm," de Villiers says.

The Dairy Women's Network Chainsaw Training Sessions will be run by professional educators qualified to train chainsaw users, based on a pre-approved programme and will teach women how to operate a chainsaw safely, plus they'll take home some tips and tricks they can share with others.

ACC's statistics show that individual claims for chainsaw injuries have increased year on year from 2011 to 2013, but that the total spent on chainsaw claims is decreasing, meaning there are fewer serious accidents taking place but that chainsaw accidents in general are happening more frequently.

Richard Stringfellow, programme area leader for forest operations at Waiariki Institute of Technology says, "ACC's results show that it's the simple measures that people are choosing to ignore, such as a lack of personal protective equipment, poor chainsaw maintenance and misuse of the chainsaw itself.

"A quick refresher on chainsaw safety and maintenance would be incredibly beneficial for any user," says Stringfellow.
STIHL training co-ordinator, Wayne Jones says, "Chainsaws can be very dangerous, especially when users are not educated on the safe ways to operate them. Chainsaw Safety Awareness is an important message for us and our Dealers to get out to chainsaw users right across the country."