Chain Saw Safety Measures
Filed Under Stihl and Husqvarna Chain Saws |
Article brought to you by Stihl and Husqvarna Chain Saws
Be Prepared
Before you use a chain saw always read the operators manual and, if possible, find someone experienced in operating a chain saw to give you some training. Familiarise yourself with the recommended procedures for operating the saw safely before you start. Do not rely on learning as you go along as operating a chain saw without knowing the safe way to do it will lead to accidents and injury.
Chain saws are dangerous machines so make sure you are in good physical and mental condition. Never operate a chain saw when under the influence of alcohol or medications that can affect you mentally. If you are not well rested and alert you are much more likely to have an accident.
Clothing
Wear adequate protective clothing including safety goggles, hearing protectors, a hard hat, gloves, steel toed shoes and close fitting clothes. To protect the left side of the leg where injuries occur most often from chain saws you could wear specially manufactured chaps.
Choose the Most Suitable Chain Saw
For light work a saw with a bar between eight and twelve inches would be adequate. These would cope with cutting small branches and felling trees with diameter between six and ten inches. For log cutting and felling trees with twelve to eighteen inch diameter use a medium chain saw with a fourteen to twenty inch bar.For professional use a heavy weight saw with a bar above twenty inches would be the one to choose.
Maintain The Saw
Sharpen the teeth with a file or grind while wearing gloves or covering the chain with a heavy cloth. Check your manual for specific instructions for sharpening. Chain sharpeners are also available. Gasoline engines must be checked regularly to ensure the air filter is clean, the spark plugs are good and the muffler working adequately. Check the chain tension and oil the chain saw regularly. Always use the recommended bar oil. The chain tension is very important as a loose chain could come of the bar and cause injury. A too tight chain will bind in the wood and wear out sooner. Chains stretch during use so need readjusting often.
Operating the Chainsaw
With one hand holding the saw by the top handle use the other to pull the starting rope. Always start the chainsaw on the ground in a stable position not in the air. Control the saw using both hands, using only one hand to hold the saw is dangerous. Do not force the saw through the wood. A properly sharpened saw will cut without any extra pressure, however keep in mind the hardness of the wood as this will effect the speed which the saw will cut through.
Preventing Kickback
A major cause of injury when operating a chainsaw is kickback. This occurs when the teeth catch as they rotate. This causes the blade to kic back towards the operator violently. This can happen when the front of the blade hits an object, the cut is started improperly or the front of the blade catches the saw cut on reinsertion. Using a tip guard is the best way to avoid kickback. It can however cause limitations. Maintaining a firm hold on the saw and using a kickback guard or chain-brake can limit the occurrence of kickback.
Be careful to avoid any situation where the blade can be pinched. When reinserting or removing the blade use a high speed and cut branches with the base of the blade not the tip. Dull teeth can lead to kickback so keep the teeth sharpened. Never operate the saw above shoulder height as it wil be difficult to control.
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[…] Protective clothing is vitally important when using a chain saw. Ensure you do ALL of the following and read our Chain Saw Safety Measures […]