Last Updated on January 6, 2023 by Sarker C. Weber
Everyone has a hidden handyman in them. But when these individuals get tools, such as chainsaws, the handyman could easily come alive.
When it comes to cutting down trees, pruning, or milling , knowing How to Use a Chainsaw Safely is what you should read up first.
It’s a good thing to know how to cater to your environment or household with a chainsaw.
But if you don’t have the right info on using your chainsaw, refrain from using it, at least for now.
How to Start a Chainsaw
Before learning how to use a chainsaw safely, we need to learn first how to start a chainsaw.
Follow these steps as a newbie to prep your chainsaw for use;
Place on solid ground
Placing the chainsaw on the solid ground keeps you balanced before starting up the engine. It also limits the occurrence of any mishaps.
Place a foot on the top handle to keep the machine steady
Placing your foot on top of the machine ensures more support for your hand when you’re putting the chain saw on.
Startup the engine after holding on to the side/rear handle
Hold on to the second handle of your machine and start up the engine. After this, the hard part is over.
Place directly on the object you intend cut
This could be tricky for newbies. It’s advised you begin with horizontal/vertical cuts to master the machine saw.
10 Steps on How to Use a Chainsaw Safely
1. Read the user manual
Knowing all the major instructions in the saw’s user manual keeps you safe and free from injuries.
There are several recommendations, do’s/don’ts that come with your new chainsaw. Follow the info religiously.
2. Use the Right Chainsaw
There are different tools in almost any endeavor, but there are different saws for various cutting jobs.
The universal recommendation is that your chainsaw should extend a few inches over the object you intend to cut.
3. Create Space for a Quick Exit
When you’re starting off as a beginner, the chances of getting hurt are more real than ever. So always ensure you give a few yards of space for a quick dash if things go south.
If you intend to cut down a tree, calculate the point you think the tree will fall to and your escape route if it falls the other way.
However, never fell a tree if there are utility lines, vehicles, buildings, and people within at least two lengths of the tree.
4. Perfect Your Cutting Stance
How you stand during cutting plays a role in how safe you are. Your cutting position should be balanced and, you shouldn’t lean on the saw.
Applying pressure on the saw with your weight could get the saw cutting faster and lead to an accident.
5. Use the Right Blade on Your Saw
Choose the ideal blade depending on what you want to cut. There are lots of chain links that can be used for cutting some serious stuff.
There are also blades meant for wood and other objects easy to cut through. Using the wrong blade could cause the saw to bounce back, leading to an injury.
6. Ensure the Power Type of Your Chainsaw is catered to
Power determines a lot in engineering tools, and this can be truer in chainsaws.
This is because chainsaws are built with varying powers. These powers make it easier to cut through hard objects effortlessly.
So if you’re intent on using your chainsaw for the hard stuff, be sure the machine can deliver.
7. Check for Any Issues
Check for any issues that may affect the chainsaw’s operation. For example, check the oil gauge, fuel (gas saws), battery (cordless saws), distance (electronic saws), among others.
Also, check that the unit performs at its best. If there are mechanical issues, get the help of a technician to straighten things out.
8. Don’t Switch Your Cutting Position Too Steeply
Switching your cutting position to give a precise cut could be deadly for a newbie. If your position changes all of a sudden, you may get the bar broken or worse.
Based on the speed with which the blade moves, objects could come flying back at you if the chain links aren’t solid.
9. Allow Your Machine to Cool After Use
Letting your machine cool off after use is vital. It keeps your engine fresh for the next use and maintains its balance.
10. Don’t Allow the Tree to Lean on The Bar
When you’re cutting through a tree or any other object, for that matter, ensure it doesn’t rest on the blade.
Again, this is a dangerous situation that you just can’t deal with right now.
The chain links could fly off in any direction with the object clamping the chainsaw. You could get seriously injured or worse.
Chainsaw Safety Tips to Keep You in One Piece When Using a Chainsaw
Anti-Cut Gloves
Using anti-cut gloves, keep your hands totally secure against any finger loss.
When operating your chainsaw with these gloves, ensure they’re properly worn to keep your hands safe.
Use Protective Shin Guards
As a novice to chainsaws, you may look a Native Indian in your attire, but you can’t be too safe. Shin guards protect you from limb loss if the chainsaw spirals out of control.
Maintain a Stance You Can Change Easily
When you’re making use of a chainsaw, it’s a fact that your chest is left unprotected.
But that doesn’t mean there’s no protective measure you can employ.
The best thing to do is maintain a position that moves away from the chainsaw should there be a bounce off.
The chances of your chainsaw rebounding are incredibly low, so you don’t have to be scared of this.
Use Cut-Proof Boots
Many construction site workers make use of a chainsaw only after putting on cut-proof boots.
These boots protect your toes should the saw swing in the wrong direction.
Use Protective Shin Guards
As a novice to chainsaws, you may look a Native Indian in your attire, but you can’t be too safe. Shin guards protect you from limb loss if the chainsaw spirals out of control.
Maintain a Stance You Can Change Easily
When you’re making use of a chainsaw, it’s a fact that your chest is left unprotected.
But that doesn’t mean there’s no protective measure you can employ.
The best thing to do is maintain a position that moves away from the chainsaw should there be a bounce off.
The chances of your chainsaw rebounding are incredibly low, so you don’t have to be scared of this.
Use Cut-Proof Boots
Many construction site workers make use of a chainsaw only after putting on cut-proof boots.
These boots protect your toes should the saw swing in the wrong direction.
Don’t Use the Chainsaw without an Eye Guard
Eye guards protect your eyes from flying debris and other particles. With an eye guard properly worn, all you need to focus on is the chainsaw as your eyes are adequately catered for.
Don’t Downplay the Use of a Hard Hat
A hard hat could be the difference between you and an open head. These helmets protect your head from hard impact. They’re also quite slippery and resistant to chainsaw cuts
How to Deal With Kickback
Kickback is one of the main causes of injury to the face or torso of an operator. It’s mainly caused by inexperience or a lack of focus.
Kickbacks mostly occur when the tip of the chainsaw meets up with a very sturdy object.
Contact with such an object could cause the saw to bounce right back onto the face/torso of the operator. Serious injuries, if not fatal ones, could occur.
Dealing with the kickback problem has been widely debated, and many safety tips abound to keep operators safe.
But what are the main steps to prevent kickback when using a chainsaw? Here they are;
1. Use a numb kickback chain
A numb kickback chain or anti-kickback chain works by reducing the force the saw could kickback.
If you’re very careful and alert, this chain could save you from serious injury.
2. Avoid using the danger zone
An experienced cutter will tell you that the most dangerous part of a chainsaw is the tip end of the bar.
To eliminate the chances of kickback, ensure your cuts are placed at the middle to the head end of the bar. This erases the chances of your saw flying back at you.
3. Use a chainsaw with a chain brake system
The chain brake helps the operator to prevent kickback. When the chainsaw moves rather awkwardly, the chain brake system will automatically reduce the speed of the bar to prevent a serious cut injury to the operator.
Frequently Asked Question
Is it Necessary to Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as a Chainsaw Pro?
The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) reveals that chainsaw accidents currently occur in the tens of thousands per year.
Most of these accidents happen to pros as well as chainsaw novices. So, yes it’s essential you use PPE even as a seasoned pro.
In What Situations Should I Not Use a Chainsaw?
When you’re off balance, like on a scaffold in a high-rise building, it isn’t advisable to use a chainsaw.
Based on the kick of the saw, you could easily lose balance. Such falls could lead to serious injuries at the least.
Ensure you use your chainsaw on very solid ground to keep your balance and focus maintained.
Final Word
Having proper knowledge of how to use chainsaws keeps you protected. As you progress with your chainsaw, ensure you keep the tips in this read close to heart.
They could be life-saving. Also, ensure you make use of standard equipment to prevent any accidents from using the wrong tools.
Your protective equipment, accessories, and overall gear should be spot-on to prevent any adverse events.
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