Chain Saw Safety
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.
Worker’s 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.
Statistics, cont.
The two most
common places
for injuries are
the front left
thigh and the
back of the left
hand.
Statistics from U.S Consumer
Product Safety Commission, 1999
Just the Facts…
• A muffler on a
• When a chain saw chain saw can
reach as much as
is at full speed,
900 degrees F.
more than 600
teeth pass a given• A chain saw chain
point per second. can move up to 68
• One in 5 chain saw miles per hour.
injuries are from
kickback.
Four Steps to Prevention
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
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.
It’s a
deal!
You take care of
me – I’ll take
care of you!
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
Parts
of a
Chain
Saw
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
Owner’s
Manual
Read Carefully
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
As this hand
goes up,
the bar and
chain tips
down and in
toward the
leg area.
The hand gripping the
bar is near the center
of the saw acting as a
fulcrum.
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.
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.
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.
Kickback
The nose of the saw
strikes an object
causing it to kick back.
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
Felling 101: Types of Cuts
Make a Correct Cut
• A Felling Notch does
not exceed 20
percent of the tree’s
diameter at breast
height. This cut is
made first.
• The Hinge is the 10
percent that is left
uncut for the
operator’s safety.
• The Felling Cut is
made last. It occurs
on the opposite side
of the tree from the
felling notch, but it
does not go all the
way through the
tree. The notch and
the cut are
staggered, so they
don’t meet.
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.
Types of Injuries
•
•
•
•
•
Kickback
Vibration Syndrome
Widowmaker
Entanglement
Stump Jump
•
•
•
•
•
Setback
Crown Shatter
Barber Chair
Moving Tree
Springpole
Quick Fact: Kickback is the single greatest
cause of injury to chain saw users.
What is Kickback?
• Kickback is caused
by a spinning chain
coming in contact
with resistance.
• It causes the chain
saw to “kick back”
toward your face.
• It is very common
and can cause
serious injury.
How can Kickback be
Prevented?
• NEVER cut with the tip of the chain saw!
• Lock your front elbow.
• Be careful not to cut through nails or
knots in the wood.
• Stand to the side.
• Use a low kickback chain.
• Use a chain brake.
Vibration Syndrome
• Vibration syndrome causes frequent
users of chain saws to get white
knuckles and a loss of feeling in their
fingers from the vibrations of the chain
saw.
• It is not very common presently, due to
better working conditions and safer
chain saws.
Widowmaker
• Widowmaker is
caused by loose
branches falling
from the tree due
to vibrations from
the chain saw.
You can prevent a
widowmaker injury
• ALWAYS WEAR A HARDHAT!!!!
• Remember that a branch falling on
you from less than 2 inches away
can have enough force to kill you.
Entanglement
• Trees that are being
cut down may
sometimes drag or
snap other trees.
• Free the branches of
the tree you are
cutting before
starting to cut to
prevent this from
occurring.
Stump Jump
• This is caused by the
hinge being cut or
breaking when the
tree is falling.
• The tree can jump or
roll, or hit other
trees in any
direction.
What Is
Setback?
• Sometimes a tree
may tilt backward
and clamp onto the
bar of the saw.
• You can use wedges
to make sure the
tree will fall over in
the right direction.
• If the hinge breaks,
then the tree can fall
backward.
• You can tie a cable
or rope in the top of
the tree and apply
steady pressure.
Crown Shatter
• This occurs when the crown
of the tree that has been
felled or a nearby tree
snaps or shatters.
• This causes hurling
branches and can cause
serious injury or death.
• Notice three ways to be
struck.
Barber Chair
• When the backcut
has been made, if
the tree leans too
far, the butt of the
tree can kick
backward.
• This happens much
faster than a normal
reaction time.
• Never stand in back
of the tree as you
are cutting.
• Seek professional
help.
Springpole
• A tree can become
arched as it is felled
or if another tree
falls on it. When
cut, it can violently
strike out at
anything in its path.
• Always stay inside
the “bow” of a
springpole.
Escaping From Danger
• Always plan an escape route that is a
path at a 45-degree angle away from
the line of the tree’s fall.
How Can You Eliminate Some
Hazards in the Area?
• Clear loose debris
from the area.
• Remove combustible
materials.
• Look for broken or
dead limbs in the tree
to be felled.
• Assure that there are
no power lines nearby.
• Make sure you have
an escape route.
• Be aware of where
others are in relation
to what you are
cutting. This includes
people, houses,
automobiles, etc.
Parts
of a
Chain
Saw:
Review
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.