Chain saw safety is common sense

Any chain saw can be as savage as a shark to those who mishandle it. If you want to get the best from your chain saw without being bitten, always treat it with great respect. If you are a beginner or an occasional user, do not try to act like a full-time professional who can safely do things with a chain saw that would land the novice in a hospital. Felling, limbing, bucking, and trimming trees can all be hazardous tasks if not done with due care. Always be aware of what you're working on and what's around you.

Safety Preparation

Safety begins before actual work begins. Protect eyes, head, ears, feet, and hands with:

• Hard hat or bump cap
• Safety glasses or goggles
• Trim fitting trousers, shirts, and jackets (to reduce chance of clothes tangling in saw)
• Avoid scarves, long skirts, and tie back long hair
• Light, non-slip gloves to protect hands from abrasions and wood cuts
• Nylon protective leg chaps
• Footwear with good grip to prevent falls-boots will protect lower legs; steel toe safety boots will protect toes
• Protective devices against the 100-decibel or higher saw noise level. Good earmuffs or comfortable molded earplugs will allow a full work day without ear damage and fatigue
• A chain saw sized to fit the task

Backup Equipment

Other backup equipment is essential. A first aid kit should be on hand.

Shovels and fire extinguishers are required by law in some forests. A three-gallon, pressure-type garden sprayer with a special medium spray pattern tip makes a good extinguisher for forest conditions. Dry chemical AB class extinguishers are also good.

Backup tools should also include axe, sledge, and wedges. A saw case or protective chain scabbard reduces damage to the sharp chain during transport. Fuel and chain oil containers should be sturdy and spillproof.

Approach

• Keep work area free of obstacles to prevent stumbling
• When carrying a chain saw, the blade is pointed to the rear and muffler away from the body
• When starting and during operation, the body should be positioned to the left of the chain
• Start the chain saw on the ground
• Do not allow the tip of the bar to contact any solid object
• Never cut above shoulder height with a chain saw
• Never approach a chain saw operator unless he/she has acknowledged your presence

Maintenance

• When fueling the chain saw, do not smoke, don't refuel on turf areas, use a funnel, and keep fuel in an approved container.
• Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance

Sources: Chain Saw Safety, EB0727, WSU Cooperative Extension, 1980 and The Defensible Space and Healthy Forest Handbook, Placer RCD, 1997.