Chainsaws are specialized power tools that allow us to customize and care for our lawn spaces. However, they’re also heavy-duty and can lead to many problems if used incorrectly. To stay safe on the job and ensure your well-being while completing yard tasks, familiarize yourself with the following safety features and best practices to keep in mind every time you power on your chainsaw.
Learn Safe Cutting Techniques
There are three types of techniques for taking down trees with a chainsaw, and each one requires its own set of recommended safety guidelines.
- Felling is when you cut a tree down, meaning you must be mindful of where the tree will land after you’re done cutting, including the angle at which it falls. You should also make sure the path your tree will fall into is clear and that no one is nearby, as trees may kick back after landing on the ground. Additionally, position yourself away from the tree’s expected falling path.
- Limbing is the process of removing tree limbs from trees. This can be very time-intensive, especially if you’re removing many limbs. It’s important to keep your feet steady and positioned at a 45-degree angle to the trunk. Always hold the saw by both handles and avoid lifting the saw away from the trunk. Instead, rest the body of the tool either against the trunk or your leg. A shorter guide bar is also recommended. When you’re ready to grab branches and toss them to the ground with your hand, first activate the chainsaw brake to be safe.
- Bucking is when you break down trunks and branches into smaller, more manageable parts. This happens after felling, so you won’t have to worry about where pieces will fall and land. Regardless, still think about where parts will roll to after cutting them and stand on the uphill side while trimming trees down. Ensure that your chainsaw doesn’t touch the ground, as this can damage components.
Staying Safe While Using Your Chainsaw
Whether you plan on felling, bucking or limbing, follow the necessary safety procedures before and during the cutting process. For example, before even using your chainsaw, you should clear out hazards from your work area and continue doing so throughout cutting, ensuring you won’t trip or fall on any debris.
When starting up your saw, bring your throttle up to full speed to give yourself the power needed to cut through large materials. You should also maintain good balance during use. Avoid standing on ladders, trees, scaffolds or other unstable surfaces to reach higher branches, and never attempt to cut anything down that’s taller than your shoulder level.
Chainsaw safety also comes from the way you hold your saw while cutting. Hold onto setups with both hands (never just one) and wrap your thumbs and fingers tightly around both the top and back handles. This ensures you have ample control over your saw. Cut with the body of the chainsaw and not the tip, as this reduces the chances your tool will kick back. Additionally, don’t hit your chainsaw bar onto any objects while using it, as this can also result in kickback.
When using your chainsaw, keep your arms and legs away from your chainsaw’s engine muffler, as these components become hot during use. You should also avoid adding heavy pressure to cut through wood. Instead, let the saw do the work for you, and only worry about maintaining a consistent pressure versus a heavy one.
And while you’re working, check in often with how your body feels. If you start to feel fatigued or dehydrated, stop and rest before continuing.
Other Considerations for Safe Chainsaw Use
A chainsaw only works as well as it’s maintained, so regularly inspect your tool for signs of unsafe damage and avoid use if you notice anything unusual. You should also complete regular maintenance tasks, including lubricating the chain and bar with proper chainsaw oil, sharpening and cleaning chains, as well as properly tensioning the chains. You should use caution when handling chainsaw fuels, and never refill when the saw is hot. Wait for it to cool down before adding oils and lubricants.
After adding fuels, wipe down handles to remove any leftover oils, as this can impact your grip on the saw during use. Additionally, start your chainsaw away from where you added fuel, working to prevent accidental fires. Always ensure your chain and bar oil are full before taking on your project, as this gives you enough lubrication to make it through tasks without disruptions.
When carrying chainsaws, you should only do so if the brake is on and the engine is turned off, and the bar should point behind you while holding it. If you have a corded chainsaw, use a compatible extension cord, one made for heavy-duty outdoor use. Traditional extension cords may not work for the outdoors and may not provide enough power. It can help to look at your manufacturer’s instructions for more information about the types of power cords it is safe to use with your chainsaw.
Other general safety advice includes:
- Do not use gas-powered chainsaws in enclosed areas, keeping you safe from potentially breathing carbon monoxide in.
- Avoid using electric chainsaws in rainy conditions or damp spaces.
- Shut off the engine and turn on the chain brake before putting your chainsaw down when you’re done.
Utilize Your Chainsaw’s Safety Features
It’s also important to know that every chainsaw model is a little bit different. Before turning yours on, take some time to get to know your chainsaw, including its limitations and special features. Start by reading through your owner’s manual, making sure to take note of all instructions, warnings and labels. This is also where you’ll find information about your chainsaw’s safety features. While safety features vary from one model to the next, most chainsaws do come equipped with safeguards to help protect against the most common hazards.
The most common issues you may run into while using your saw are kickback or pushback, which can happen if your chainsaw binds. This can either cause the chainsaw to jerk back toward you or to pull in, which forces the tool to move forward if the bottom bar chain suddenly stops. Many basic-model chainsaws come with safety features to prevent these issues from occurring and protect you from harm if something goes wrong. These features can include:
- Chain brake: This automatically stops chains from moving if you experience kickback.
- Stop switch: This lets you turn your saw off without having to release it, allowing for easier and quicker stopping.
- Low-kickback bar and chain: This is intended to help prevent bars from kicking back, featuring specially designed chains and a small tip radius.
- Anti-vibration: This takes stress off your joints by keeping the tool from vibrating and jolting, allowing for more comfortable and safer use.
- Chain oiler: This automatically lubricates the bar and chain with oil, avoiding situations where chainsaws bind and overheat.
- Brushless motor: This comes without brushes in the motor to allow for quicker cooling of machines and decreased noise.
- Tool-free chain tensioning: This automates chain tensioning, so you don’t have to, keeping saws ready for use and engines in good working order.
- Self-sharpening: This mechanism sharpens chains for you as they spin around the bar, meaning you can skip this maintenance step.
- Chain catcher: This acts similarly to a hand guard in that it catches chains if they become damaged or loose.
- Throttle lockout trigger: This keeps you from activating the throttle control by accident, and lets motors idle out without having to engage the chain.
- Spark arrestor: This keeps sparks from emanating from exhausts, decreasing the chances that your saw becomes a fire hazard.
- Handguard: This sits in front of handles to protect hands from chains if they become derailed or broken.
- Bumper spikes: These are found at the base of your chainsaw bar, often designed with teeth or points to uphold saw positioning against materials.
Keep in mind that some of these features can only be found on gas-powered chainsaws, while others are available for all chainsaw types, including gas, cordless and corded options.
Wear the Right Protection Gear
The right safety gear is essential for not only protecting you from issues with your chainsaw, such as kickback but also from flying debris and other hazards. Before even picking your machine up, you should be wearing the following safety accessories:
- Safety goggles: These protect your eyes from debris. Look for options with side shields to achieve all-around eye safety.
- Face shield: This is designed as a mask to cover your entire face, keeping debris and flying parts, such as wood chips, from harming your eyes or other facial features.
- Chainsaw gloves: These are heavy-duty gloves specifically for use with chainsaws, made with thicker, denser materials to prevent cuts, and a gripping surface for reliable chainsaw holding.
- Helmet: This type of head protection offers a hard surface to keep you safe from falling debris.
- Steel toe work boots: These boots are made with steel components in the toe, providing a protective barrier for feet in case you drop something onto them. Find options with nonskid soles to ensure you don’t slip while using your chainsaw.
- Chaps: These are a type of leg protection that is similar to pants, but they are designed without the seat to give you freer movements, holding up via a belt around your waist.
- Leg guards: These are another kind of leg protection that wraps around your leg to keep you safe from slips and injuries.
- Ear protection: This includes anything that covers ears and prevents hearing damage from loud chainsaw sounds, such as earmuffs and earplugs.
Additionally, the clothes you wear must fit well, as loose, hanging shirts and other clothing items can potentially become caught in chainsaw setups, or won’t protect your skin from flying debris. Because of this, you should consider wearing a snug long-sleeved shirt.
If you’re doing your project in hot weather, remember that working in the exceptionally warm afternoon sun – while wearing heavy protective equipment – can be dangerous, potentially leading to heat stroke or fatigue. Plan around the hot weather, doing work in the morning or late afternoon, as temperatures are cooler during this time, and give yourself breaks if needed.
Stay Safe on the Job with Safety Gear from Tractor Supply
When you need durable, reliable safety gear for whatever job comes your way, we offer the tools and accessories you require to complete them safely and properly. From safety harnesses to head protection to work gloves, you can prepare for any project or task. To learn more about our selection of safety gear, visit your local Tractor Supply store today or browse online.