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CHAINSAW SAFETY RULES
BENEFITS
Chainsaws can be very dangerous when not used properly. So it’s important that you set safe work procedures for the use of chainsaws and make sure that workers understand the hazards posed by chainsaws and how to safely use them.
HOW TO USE THE TOOL
Tailor this handout to comply with your company’s power tool program and give it to all workers who use chainsaws in their jobs.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Spot the Safety Violation: Chainsaw Safety Tips
Protecting Workers from Power Tool Hazards
CHAINSAW SAFETY RULES
What’s at Stake
Operating a chainsaw seems deceptively simple. You turn it on, depress the trigger and get to work. But that type of thinking has put thousands of people in serious danger. And although the victims of chainsaw mishaps are usually the operators, sometimes co-workers or bystanders get hurt, too.
What’s the Danger
Chainsaws make short work of many jobs, but their power can maim you for life or kill you instantly. When someone makes a mistake with a chainsaw, this tool—with its sharp chain spinning around at 45 miles or 70 kilometers an hour—can be incredibly unforgiving.
Example
A chainsaw operator was killed when the saw he was using struck him in the neck. He was cutting the limbs from a dead tree when the tip of the saw caught on an obstruction. It kicked back, striking him in the neck and severing an artery. He bled to death. The chainsaw he was using was described as an old model in excellent condition.
How to Protect Yourself
After you have received proper training in operating a chainsaw, keep these safety tips in mind:
· Keep the chainsaw sharpened, adjusted and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
· Wear appropriate PPE, including safety footwear, protective gloves, a hardhat, safety glasses, hearing protection and leg protectors.
· Never work alone.
· Before starting a chainsaw, make sure others are well out of range.
· Start your saw on a surface that’s as clear of debris, firm and level as possible.
· Keep a firm grip on the saw with both hands when the engine is running.
· Do not over-reach or cut above shoulder height.
· Cut one piece of wood at a time.
· Never carry a chainsaw with the engine running. The saw should be off and carried with the cutting bar to the rear.
How to Handle Kickback
Kickback occurs when the teeth or the chain of a chainsaw get caught in a hard substance, such as a knot or bind in the cut. When this happens, the saw can kick back towards the operator violently.
To reduce the chance of kickback:
· Avoid cutting with the tip or upper quarter of the bar.
· Use a chainsaw equipped with a tip guard that covers the end of the bar.
· Use a model that has a chain brake, which stops the chain if a saw does kick back. Keep the chain brake in good working order, and never modify or remove it.
· Always hold the saw firmly with both hands.
· Stand at an angle to the cutting path so that you’ll be less likely to be struck if the chainsaw kicks back.
Final Word
Safe operation of a chainsaw requires proper equipment, training and respect for the power of the tool. If you haven’t been properly trained, don’t attempt it. You’re risking your life and possibly the lives of others.
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