Portable, hand-held, combustion engine driven brush cutters are commonly used for cutting weeds, brush and similar vegetation, and are frequently utilised in ground-clearance operations connected with construction work, using a variety of standard cutting attachments.

HSE has become aware of a dangerous practice involving the fitting of non-standard accessories, not approved by the manufacturers, to brush cutting machines. In particular, HSE are aware of the UK supply of chain flail attachments comprising of a cutting head incorporating lengths of metal chain. This alert is relevant to any such metal brush cutter accessory manufactured or assembled from more than one component.

View Safety Alert – ‘Use of chain flail/non standard accessories on brush cutters’