‘Weekend Warriors’ Go into Battle Unarmed

MEDIA RELEASE
11 May 2012

‘Weekend Warriors’ Go into Battle Unarmed

ACC and STIHL claim small victory but the war on safety hasn’t been won
STIHL Chainsaw Safety Awareness Week: 14 – 20 May, 2012

STIHL’s Chainsaw Safety Awareness Week returns next week for the fifth year. Although the message is slowly getting through to some ‘Weekend Warriors’ there is still an alarming number of preventable chainsaw injuries in New Zealand.

STIHL Chainsaw Safety Awareness Week, with support from ACC, continues to educate chainsaw users to value their personal safety and understand that a chainsaw can be a dangerous tool when you don’t follow basic safety rules.
Most people invest in a decent chainsaw because they plan on having it for years. ACC and STIHL are urging consumers to spend just a little more and invest in their own safety with the additional purchase of chainsaw chaps, protective glasses and ear muffs.

Chris Polaczuk, Programme Manager for ACC Injury Prevention, says although claim numbers are down there’s still a lot of work to be done.

“The number of claims, according to ACC, has reduced by 25% since STIHL’s first Chainsaw Safety Awareness Week was held in 2008 but we’re not celebrating yet. Last year there were still 167 reported preventable injuries and we’re determined to bring that number down further. These aren't all workplace injuries, but ones that happen to everyday people who are doing things like trimming trees or clearing out their section.

“These same people wear a seatbelt and have car insurance so why would they not wear safety gear when using a powerful chainsaw? It can go so wrong so quickly and behind every statistic is a human story,” says Mr Polaczuk.

Nine-time STIHL TIMBERSPORTS champion Jason Wynyard, the national ambassador for STIHL Chainsaw Safety Awareness Week, says that for him donning his safety gear is a no-brainer.

”I wouldn’t dream of using a chainsaw without safety gear and I’m an expert. Those blokes who pick up their chainsaw a few times a year are at far greater risk than I am but so many of them choose not to protect themselves. It just doesn’t make sense.

“For the cost of a couple of tanks of petrol you can pick up safety gear for your chainsaw and in the same length of time it would take to fill up at the gas station you could have the gear on so there’s no excuse,” says Jason.

“If you’re going to do it yourself then you need the right safety gear - chaps to cover your legs, gloves to protect your hands, a helmet, steel-capped boots and eye and ear protection. Your chances of a serious injury will be minimized,” adds Mr Polaczuk.

STIHL Marketing Manager, Sophie Wardrop, says the prevention of serious injury is a mission that STIHL is behind 100%.

"We are committed to working with ACC to bring down the number of preventable chainsaw injuries. Many injury victims thought it wouldn’t happen to them. Our role is to help get the message through to all ‘Weekend Warriors’ that it could happen to them.

To support the simple yet essential steps for safe chainsaw operation, STIHL is offering safety packs containing chainsaw chaps, safety glasses and earmuffs for the special price of $150 during May or while stocks last.

STIHL safety products are exclusively available throughout New Zealand at STIHL SHOP™ Retailers and STIHL Stockists. To find your local store simply call 0800 4 STIHL or visit www.stihl.co.nz.

ENDS

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