Chain Saw Safety

1
Chain Saw Safety
2
Chain Saw Injuries
There were over 28,500 chain saw injuries in
1999 according to the U.S. Consumer Products
Safety Commission. The average injury required
110 stitches. 36 of injuries were to the legs
and knees. The estimated cost per injury in 2000
was over 12,000. Workers compensation costs are
estimated at over 350 million annually.
These statistics are based on professional
cutters not the average consumer or
construction worker doing some site clearing. If
those injuries were included, the numbers would
increase dramatically.
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Injury Prevention
How many of these injuries are preventable?

• All of them

• Example
• Chaps prevent injuries to the legs
• The average cost for a pair of chaps is 75.
• The annual cost of equipping approximately 69,000
  professional loggers with chaps is five million
  dollars.
• You do the math

4
Know Your Saw

• The more you know about your saw, the better.
  Knowing how the saw operates will give you a
  better understanding of how to use it safely.

Its a deal!
You take care of me Ill take care of you!
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Saw Selection

• First, consider the type and size of saw you
  need. There are three ranges of saws, small,
  medium and large. Select your saw based on the
  job.

Saws Bar size Type work
Small 8-12 inch small branches and 6-10 inch diameter trees.
Medium 14-20 inch Frequent log cutting and felling of small trees 12-18 inches in diameter
Large More than 20 inch Professional use not the average consumer
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Is your saw ready to cut?

• First and foremost read the instructions from
  the manufacturer. They will give you advice on
  work safe practices and preventive maintenance
  for keeping your saw in tip-top working order.
• A properly maintained saw is in itself a safety
  measure. A dull chain will cause you to overwork
  the saw. Improper chain tension can cause the
  chain to break and lack of bar oil will cause the
  bar to wear more quickly and can cause the chain
  to derail causing serious injury.
• Additionally, the saw should be adjusted so that
  the chain does not move when the saw is idling.

Chainsaw Owners Manual Read Carefully
7
Is your saw ready to cut?

• Make sure the engine is in good running order. A
  clean air filter, good spark plug and muffler
  will allow the engine to run better making your
  work easier.
• Always wear gloves or use a heavy rag when
  handling the chain. A sharp chain cuts wood
  better, but it can also inflict serious injury.

8
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Frequency
Clean/adjust chain tension Every use
Check/service the chain oiling system Every use
Tighten all hardware Every use
Inspect fuel system Every use
Inspect the Chain Brake Mechanism Every use
Inspect the Kickback (nose) Guard Every use
Clean or replace air filter Every 10 hours of use
Lubricate the sprocket tip Every 10 hours of use
Turn the guide bar Every 10 hours of use
Inspect and clean/replace the spark plug Every 10 hours of use
Inspect and clean/replace the spark arrester screen Every 10 hours of use
Replace the Fuel Filter Every 20 hours of use
Additional maintenance procedures As needed

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Transporting the Saw

• Keep the saw in a carrying case when not in use
  or at least put the chain guard on the bar.
• Never carry a chain saw in the passenger area of
  a vehicle. You do not want it flying around if
  you have an accident.
• When carrying the saw in a vehicle, secure the
  saw from movement and keep the saw with fuel cap
  up to prevent the fuel from leaking.
• Always carry the saw at your side with the
  cutting bar and chain to the rear and to the
  outside.

10
Storing the Saw

• Drain any fuel left in the tank in a well
  ventilated area into an approved container.
• Run the engine until the fuel in the fuel lines
  and carburetor causes the saw to stop.
• Remove the chain and store it in a container of
  oil to prevent rust.

Note These tips are for when the saw is not
going to be used for an extended period of time.
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Fueling

• Store your fuel in an approved container. An
  approved container will be stamped with a
  Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual
  (FM).
• Allow saw to cool before fueling.
• Use a funnel or pouring spout to prevent spills.
• Fuel the saw on bare ground.
• Always tighten the fuel container cap when not in
  use.
• Clean up any spills and move fuel container at
  least 10 from saw before starting.

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Dress Appropriately

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a must
  when using a chain saw.
• The intended purpose of PPE is not to allow you
  to work dangerously, it is to mitigate the
  seriousness of an injury if you are involved in
  an incident.
• The link below will take you to a module
  dedicated to PPE.

Link to chain saw PPE module
13
Starting and Operating

• Always use a safe starting method when starting
  saw. A lot of the injuries occur during starting
  because the worker does not have control of the
  saw.
• The preferred method is to place the saw on the
  ground or a large stump as shown below.

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Starting and Operating
Do not use this method of starting. Trying to
start a saw like this can result in serious
injury. When you are holding the saw with only
one hand on the handle like in the picture, the
saw has a propensity to tip toward the leg. The
only force applied on the handle is a pinch-grip
which does not give you very much control of the
saw.
the bar and chain tips down and in toward the leg
area.
As this hand goes up,
The hand gripping the bar is near the center of
the saw acting as a fulcrum.
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Starting and Operating

• The position of the thumbs is very important for
  control of the saw. Notice in the picture how
  the thumbs are closing the loop and not just
  resting on the grips. This allows for positive
  control of the saw.

16
Avoiding Kickback

• The most common cause of chainsaw cuts is from
  kickback.

Kickback occurs when the saw rotates back, or
"kicks back" at the operator, due to the nose of
the saw contacting an object or obstruction. To
prevent kickback

• Use a saw equipped with chain brake or kickback
  guard.
• Hold the saw firmly with both hands. Grip the top
  handle by putting the thumb around it.
• Watch for twigs that can snag the chain.
• Don't pinch the chain while cutting the log.
• Saw with the lower part of the bar close to the
  bumper, not on the top near the nose.
• Maintain high saw speed when entering or leaving
  a cut.
• Keep the chain sharp.
• Do not reach above your shoulder to cut. The
  chain is too close to your face in this position.

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Kickback Danger Zone
The top of the tip of the chainsaw guide bar is
known as the KICKBACK DANGER ZONE. When contact
is made with an object such as a branch or a log,
there is a danger of a sudden bar nose kickback
reaction.
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Kickback
The nose of the saw strikes an object causing it
to kick back.
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Bucking and Limbing Safety Tips

• Avoid making cuts with the saw between your legs
• Do not stand on a log and saw between your feet
• Stand to one side of the limb you are cutting
• Be mindful of where the chain would go if it
  should break do not cut with others in line
  with the chain
• Keep the chain out of the dirt and rocks
• Do not put yourself in a position where you are
  off balance or in danger of tripping over
  debris

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More Bucking Limbing Safety Tips

• Be sure the fallen tree is stable
• Stand on the uphill side when removing limbs
• Always keep both hands on the saw when cutting
• Be cautious of limbs that may be under tension
  they may spring back when the tension is released
• Use a wedge to keep the log from binding the saw
• Always stand to the side of the saw not
  directly behind it.

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Summary

• Chainsaws, when not used properly, are dangerous
  tools.
• Proper maintenance and care can help reduce the
  risks when using your chainsaw.
• Knowing your saw and using it properly can
  prevent serious chainsaw injuries.