Lawn mowers, weed eaters, and leaf blowers are common land care equipment for most property owners. However, any “do-it-yourselfer” also has a chainsaw. Firewood, small trees, shrubs, and the occasional fallen limb don’t always warrant the need for a tree care professional. For anyone planning to use a chainsaw on their property there are a few safety topics to be aware of to avoid personal injury:
- Inspect the saw!
- Make sure that all the safety features of the saw are in place and functioning properly; the chain brake, the chain catch, the throttle interlock, the spark arrestor, the antivibration mounts, and the on/off switch.
- Wear chaps!
- No one ever plans to be cut by a chainsaw, however the legs are the most common place where a saw operator is cut. Wearing chainsaw protective chaps will often prevent, or at least lessen, the severity of the injury if the saw contacts the operator’s legs.
- Don’t drop start!
- Drop starting is when the operator holds the forward handle of the saw with one hand and the starter cord with the other hand and then “drops” the saw, using the weight and momentum of the saw to assist with pulling the starter cord. The operator does not have full control of the saw which can lead to injury. Also, if done frequently, this can lead to musculoskeletal injuries; it can also cause damage to the starter cord leading to more maintenance expenses. The chainsaw should be started by placing the saw on the ground, placing one foot in the rear handle and one hand on the forward handle, then pulling the starter cord.
- Use the chain brake!
- Make sure the chain brake is engaged before starting the chainsaw. Whenever taking more than two steps always engage the chain brake. Whenever setting the saw on the ground always engage the chain brake or turn the engine off.
- Beware of kickback!
- Kickback occurs when the tip of the chainsaw comes in contact with an object; a rock, a fence, another log/limb. Never initiate a cut with the tip of the chainsaw; the saw can react violently, kicking out of the cut and causing loss of control of the chainsaw. Ensure that the chain brake is operating correctly in case this occurs on accident to lessen the risk of getting cut by the chain.
- Never cut above your shoulders!
- Chainsaws should be operated below shoulder height and with the engine close to the body to maintain good control. Many injuries have occurred from operators using the saw above their shoulders. This causes operator fatigue which also contributes to a lack of control on the saw.
- Keep two hands on the saw!
- It is tempting to operate the chainsaw with one hand at times, however doing so causes less control over the saw which can lead to injury. The left hand should be on the forward handle and the right hand should be operating the throttle.
Chainsaws are a great tool to have but they also come with many risks. While these guidelines will help you to use your saw safer, this is not a complete list; operators should read the safety manual that comes with their chainsaw. Don’t operate your chainsaw outside of your realm of expertise. When limbs in the canopy need cutting, when there are targets (houses, fences, powerlines, etc.) nearby, or if the tree is too large for you to manage…hire a tree care professional.