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A muffler is a safety feature as it reduces engine sound.
It also acts as a spark arrestor that stops engine flame
from exiting the engine, as this could be a fire hazard.

All Husqvarna chainsaws are fitted with a chain brake
system. It immediately stops the chain from moving,
when engaged.

MACHINERY SAFETY

In the previous issue of Landscape SA, we looked at health and safety in the landscaping
industry from the point of view of working at heights. This article discusses the safety
aspects of machinery and equipment, with responses to our questions supplied by
Husqvarna (H) and Andreas Stihl (AS).

Which pieces of equipment from water pumps, sprayers, misters, push reduces engine sound and also acts
your company are ideally suited lawnmowers, generators and ride- as a spark arrestor that stops engine
Q: to the landscaping industry? on lawnmowers. Within our handheld flame from exiting the engine, possibly
product range, we also have two-stroke causing a fire hazard;
H: We have a range of products within petrol as well as battery models. All our • stop switch – these are easily accessible
every equipment category used by 5-series products are ideally suited for the to ensure quick shut-off of the machine
professional landscapers. They include, landscaping industry. in an emergency;
but are not limited to, the following: • blade guard – blade or cutting
chainsaws, pole pruners, brush cutters, AS: Stihl has a range of petrol, electric and equipment guards are fitted to protect
blowers, hedge trimmers, clearing saws, battery-powered products developed the operator from blades and moving
specifically for professional landscaping parts;
applications. This includes, amongst • chain brake – all chain saws are
others, chainsaws, brush cutters and fitted with a chain brake system to
hedge trimmers. immediately stop the chain from
moving when engaged;
Q: What features are incorporated into • chain catcher – all chainsaws are fitted
the equipment to make them safe for with a chain catcher to stop the chain in
use? This would be done at the beginning case it breaks;
of the design phase. • ROPS – all Husqvarna commercial ride-
on products are fitted with a roll over
H: All our products go through a stringent protection system (ROPS) to protect the
research and development phase, operator in case of a roll over.
followed by extensive testing before they
are approved and made available on the AS: All Stihl products are designed and
market. Safety is at the forefront of research developed according to stringent quality
and development for every product and all and safety guidelines and are thoroughly
safety aspects undergo stringent testing. tested before being released. Some of the
The most important safety aspects which safety features that stand out are:
are common throughout our product • chainsaws – the Stihl Quickstop ® chain
range are the following: brake, designed to stop the rotation of
• AVR (anti-vibration system) – this the chain if activated by the operator’s
All Husqvarna commercial ride-on isolates the vibrations created by the hand or by inertia if the saw kicks back
machines are fitted with a roll over engine from the operator’s contact with sufficient force. The standard fitted
protection system, which protects the points with the machine; manual chain brake and throttle palm
operator in case of a roll over • muffler – this is a safety item as it lock are additional safety features;

Landscape SA • Issue 94 2020 23