01 Aug Chainsaw Safety

Chainsaw Safety

Chainsaws are powerful tools capable of causing severe lacerations, amputations, and fatal injuries. Safe operation requires proper training, equipment inspection, personal protective equipment (PPE), and strict attention to cutting techniques and surrounding hazards.

Before Operating a Chainsaw

Only trained and authorized employees should operate chainsaws. Before use:

• Read and understand the manufacturer’s operating instructions and safety precautions.
• Select a chainsaw appropriate for the work being performed.
• Inspect the saw before each use, including the chain, guide bar, handles, controls, chain brake, throttle interlock, chain catcher, and other safety devices.
• Ensure the chain is sharp, properly lubricated, and adjusted to the manufacturer’s recommended tension.
• Do not operate a chainsaw with damaged, missing, or improperly functioning safety components.
• Inspect the work area for overhead electrical lines, unstable trees or limbs, uneven terrain, vehicles, structures, employees, and other hazards.
• Remove brush, debris, and trip hazards from the immediate work area when practical.

Personal Protective Equipment

Chainsaw operators shall wear PPE appropriate for the hazards of the work, including:

• Hard hat when exposed to falling or overhead objects;
• Safety glasses or goggles and, where needed, a face shield;
• Hearing protection;
• Work gloves that provide a secure grip;
• Chainsaw-resistant leg protection;
• Protective footwear appropriate for chainsaw operations and terrain; and
• Close-fitting clothing that will not become caught in the equipment.

Long hair shall be secured, and loose clothing and jewelry shall not be worn.

Starting the Chainsaw

Start the chainsaw using the method specified by the manufacturer.

• Never drop-start a chainsaw.
• Place the saw on firm, level ground or use another manufacturer-approved starting method.
• Engage the chain brake before starting when required by the manufacturer.
• Make sure the chain is clear of the ground and other objects.
• Maintain positive control of the saw during startup.
• Keep other employees and bystanders clear.

Safe Cutting Practices

Maintain control of the chainsaw at all times.

• Keep both hands firmly on the handles whenever the saw is operating.
• Wrap the thumbs and fingers completely around the handles.
• Maintain stable footing and good balance.
• Position your body so it is not directly in the anticipated path of the chain.
• Never cut while standing on a ladder or other unstable surface.
• Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height.
• Allow the chainsaw to cut at its designed speed; do not force the saw through the material.
• Be alert for limbs, logs, or other material under tension that could spring, roll, or shift when cut.
• Stand on the uphill side when cutting logs or material that could roll or slide.
• Plan each cut and know where the saw will travel when the cut is completed.
• Take appropriate rest breaks and do not operate a chainsaw when fatigued or distracted.

Tree-felling operations require additional training and planning. Employees shall evaluate tree lean, overhead hazards, wind, surrounding structures, escape routes, and other site-specific conditions before felling begins.

Kickback Prevention

Kickback can occur when the upper portion of the guide-bar tip contacts an object or when the chain becomes pinched. The resulting reactive force can rapidly propel the guide bar toward the operator.

To reduce kickback hazards:

• Know the location of the guide-bar tip at all times.
• Keep the upper portion of the bar tip from contacting wood, branches, or other objects.
• Avoid cuts that could cause the wood to close on and pinch the chain.
• Maintain a firm two-handed grip.
• Maintain the chain according to manufacturer specifications.
• Use the chain brake and other manufacturer-provided anti-kickback features.
• Never remove, bypass, or disable safety devices.

A chain brake may reduce the severity of an injury, but it does not eliminate the possibility of kickback.

Carrying and Transporting

Before carrying a chainsaw any significant distance, shut off the engine or motor and ensure the chain has stopped.

When carrying the saw:

• Hold it by the appropriate handle;
• Keep the guide bar pointed away from the body;
• Use the guide-bar cover or scabbard when appropriate; and
• Maintain secure footing and watch for obstacles.

Secure chainsaws during vehicle transportation to prevent movement, fuel leakage, or damage.

Fueling Gasoline-Powered Chainsaws

Gasoline presents significant fire and explosion hazards.

• Shut the engine off before refueling.
• Allow hot equipment to cool before adding fuel.
• Refuel outdoors or in another adequately ventilated location.
• Keep cigarettes, flames, sparks, and other ignition sources away from the fueling area.
• Use approved fuel containers.
• Do not overfill the fuel tank.
• Clean up spilled fuel immediately.
• Secure the fuel cap before starting.
• Move the saw away from the fueling location before restarting it.

Electric and Battery-Powered Chainsaws

Electric chainsaws present electrical hazards in addition to cutting hazards.

For cord-connected equipment:

• Inspect cords and plugs before use.
• Use extension cords rated for the equipment and environmental conditions.
• Protect cords from the cutting area and from damage.
• Do not use cord-connected chainsaws in wet or damp conditions unless the equipment is specifically approved for those conditions.
• Use required GFCI protection.

For battery-powered chainsaws, remove or isolate the battery before servicing, clearing obstructions, adjusting the chain, or performing other work where unexpected startup could cause injury, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Working Around Others

Establish and maintain a safe work area around chainsaw operations. Bystanders and other employees shall remain far enough away that they cannot be struck by the saw, flying debris, falling limbs, trees, or moving material.

Avoid working alone in remote locations when emergency assistance could be delayed. Establish a reliable means of communication and emergency response appropriate to the worksite.

Maintenance

Proper maintenance is essential for safe chainsaw operation.

• Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.
• Keep the chain properly sharpened, lubricated, and tensioned.
• Inspect and maintain the guide bar and sprocket.
• Keep handles clean and free of oil or excessive debris.
• Replace damaged or excessively worn components.
• Shut down the saw and ensure the chain has stopped before making adjustments.
• Disconnect the spark plug, electrical supply, or battery when required to prevent unexpected startup during servicing.

Remember

Chainsaw injuries can occur in a fraction of a second. Maintain a firm two-handed grip, keep stable footing, stay out of the cutting path, control the guide-bar tip, and never rely on your reaction time to protect you from a moving chain.