Top handled chainsaws
Despite never being acknowledged for it, Paolo Bavaresco was the main contributing author (90%) of the HSE contract research report on the safe use of top handled chainsaws, 2001. During the year of 2000, he climbed and worked to practically research various chainsaw techniques, before compiling and structuring the vast bulk of text for the document. In addition he was site safety supervisor to the very capable photographer, and personally aided in the production of the line drawings, to help clarify important points.

However, it is still our observation that few people are aware of this great resource. In addition, Paolo was contracted under Lantra Awards, to author the bulk of their workbook covering safe use of top handled chainsaws.

Together with his experience and teaching ability, this places Paolo as the authority on this matter.

Prusiks and friction hitches
In 2002, Paolo Bavaresco was the author of the Forestry Commission research report into knots and friction hitches used for tree climbing operations. This report has yet to be released.

However, Paolo has worked on the results of the 60 destruction tests undertaken, and is in the best position to comment on the implications of the vast amount of data produced.

If you would like to know more about the effectiveness of friction hitches, we are the people to contact.

Ergonomics
In recent years, it has become increasingly obvious that tree work is extremely debilitating to the human muscular-skeletal system. This is highlighted by the HSE contract research report on Muscular-skeletal disorders of chainsaw operators: Contract research report crr187/1998. This places chainsaw operators at the highest risk of muscular-skeletal injury - higher than any other occupation.

Although a collation of the number of injuries has yet to be undertaken, Tree climbing and rigging are known to be just as debilitating, highlighted to Paolo Bavaresco by his own suffering and rehabilitation.

Equipment & Techniques
With the help of remedial fitness expert, Davina Owen, we have devised ergonomically efficient systems of work, hand picking the appropriate equipment and techniques. We now have solutions to working as ergonomically as possible in day to day tree work.

We are currently working on a prototype harness designed to support the arborist more effectively.

If you take this issue seriously, please contact us for information on how we can help provide you or your company with solutions.

Rigging
In 1999, Paolo Bavaresco wrote an article entitled 'Rules of Thumb for UK Riggers'.

Since then, Tree Consult of Germany have released a cutting edge rigging programme for planning worst case rigging scenarios. Paolo found that when he put his rules of thumb into the complex programme, they were perfectly verified! Testament to his time served experience and integrity in this field.

In addition, Paolo has taken his rigging expertise one step closer, by developing rigging equipment kits born of in depth risk analysis of typical scenarios.

If you want to operate safely and efficiently within the regulations, we can help you set up and run simple and complex rigging systems that best serve your needs.