24 Dec Chainsaw Safety and Injury Prevention

Chainsaw Safety and Injury Prevention

Chainsaws are powerful cutting tools capable of causing severe lacerations, amputations, crushing injuries, and fatalities. Hazards include kickback, loss of control, contact with the moving chain, falling limbs or trees, flying debris, noise, vibration, fire, and unstable footing.

Safe chainsaw operation requires proper training, equipment inspection, worksite preparation, correct cutting techniques, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Kickback Hazards

Kickback is one of the most serious chainsaw hazards. It can occur when the upper portion of the guide-bar tip contacts an object or when the wood closes and pinches the chain. The resulting force can rapidly drive the guide bar toward the operator.

To reduce the risk of kickback:

• Inspect the cutting area and remove or identify objects that could contact the guide-bar tip.
• Know where the guide-bar tip is at all times.
• Avoid cutting with the kickback zone at the upper tip of the guide bar.
• Use proper cutting techniques to prevent the guide bar from becoming pinched.
• Use a chainsaw equipped with appropriate safety features, including a functioning chain brake and low-kickback chain when specified by the manufacturer.
• Never disable, remove, or modify chainsaw safety devices.
• Maintain the chain at the manufacturer’s recommended sharpness, depth-gauge setting, lubrication, and tension.

Never depend on strength or reaction time to control a kickback.

Before Starting the Chainsaw

Inspect the chainsaw before each use. Check:

• Chain condition, sharpness, lubrication, and tension;
• Guide bar and sprocket;
• Chain brake;
• Throttle trigger and throttle interlock;
• Handles and vibration-control components;
• Chain catcher;
• Muffler and spark-arresting components, when equipped;
• Fuel and oil caps; and
• General condition of the saw.

Do not operate a damaged or improperly adjusted chainsaw. Remove defective equipment from service until repaired.

Starting the Chainsaw

Never drop-start a chainsaw.

Use a manufacturer-approved starting method. Typically, the saw should be started on the ground or otherwise firmly supported with the chain brake engaged.

When starting:

• Move away from the fueling area and spilled fuel.
• Ensure the chain is not contacting the ground, wood, or another object.
• Maintain positive control of the saw.
• Keep other employees clear.
• Follow the manufacturer’s starting procedure.

Safe Cutting Practices

Maintain control of the chainsaw throughout the entire cutting operation.

• Hold the saw firmly with both hands whenever it is running.
• Completely encircle the handles with your thumbs and fingers.
• Maintain stable footing and good balance.
• Keep your body out of the anticipated path of the chain.
• Do not overreach.
• Do not cut above shoulder height.
• Never operate a chainsaw from a ladder.
• Do not cut when your footing is unstable or when you cannot maintain positive control of the saw.
• Be alert for limbs, logs, or other material under tension that could spring, roll, or shift when cut.
• Shut the saw off or engage the chain brake as appropriate before repositioning or moving between cutting locations.
• Never carry a running chainsaw with the chain moving.

Employees should maintain adequate separation from other workers so no one can unexpectedly enter the cutting area.

Worksite Preparation

Evaluate the area before cutting begins.

Look for:

• Overhead electrical lines;
• Dead, broken, or hanging limbs;
• Leaning or damaged trees;
• Wind conditions;
• Unstable or uneven terrain;
• Nearby structures, vehicles, or equipment;
• Employees and members of the public;
• Vines or interconnected branches;
• Objects that could cause kickback; and
• Potential escape routes when felling trees.

Remove brush, debris, and other trip hazards from the immediate work area when practical.

Tree felling requires additional training and planning. The operator must understand tree lean, wind, surrounding hazards, escape routes, proper notching and back-cutting techniques, and other hazards associated with the specific tree and location.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE provides an important additional layer of protection but does not replace safe chainsaw operating techniques.

Depending on the task and conditions, chainsaw operators should wear:

• Hard hat where overhead or falling-object hazards exist;
• Safety glasses or goggles;
• Face protection where flying chips and debris present a hazard;
• Hearing protection;
• Work gloves that provide a secure grip;
• Leg protection designed for chainsaw operations; and
• Protective footwear appropriate for chainsaw work and the terrain.

Clothing should fit properly. Secure long hair and remove jewelry or loose clothing that could become caught in the equipment.

Fueling and Fire Prevention

Gasoline-powered chainsaws introduce additional fire hazards.

• Shut off the engine before refueling.
• Allow hot components to cool when necessary.
• Refuel in a well-ventilated area away from ignition sources.
• Do not smoke while fueling or operating the saw.
• Use approved fuel containers.
• Clean up spilled fuel promptly.
• Ensure fuel caps are properly secured.
• Move the chainsaw away from the fueling location before starting it.

Maintenance and Adjustments

Proper maintenance helps prevent chain failure, kickback, and loss of control.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for:

• Chain sharpening;
• Depth-gauge adjustment;
• Chain tension;
• Chain lubrication;
• Guide-bar maintenance;
• Air-filter cleaning;
• Spark-plug servicing; and
• Replacement of damaged or worn components.

Shut the chainsaw off before making adjustments, cleaning the saw, or performing maintenance. Ensure the chain has stopped completely before touching or working near it.

Training

Only employees who have received appropriate instruction and demonstrated that they can safely perform the assigned work should operate chainsaws.

Training should address:

• Chainsaw inspection and maintenance;
• Starting and stopping procedures;
• Kickback and other reactive forces;
• Proper cutting techniques;
• PPE requirements;
• Worksite hazard assessment;
• Safe fueling;
• Falling and overhead hazards;
• Emergency procedures; and
• Tree-felling techniques when employees perform tree-felling operations.

Operators should understand the specific chainsaw they are using and follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions.

Remember

A chainsaw can cause a devastating injury in a fraction of a second. Maintain firm control, keep both hands on the saw, stay out of the cutting path, avoid the kickback zone, maintain stable footing, and never depend on your reflexes to prevent an injury.