3.3- Chain Saw Safety Warnings:
1- Keep all parts of the body away from the saw chain when the chainsaw is operating.
Before you start the chainsaw, make sure the saw chain is not contacting anything. A moment of
inattention while operating chainsaws may cause entanglement of your clothing or body with the saw
chain.
2- Always hold the chainsaw with your right hand on the rear handle and your left hand on the front
handle. Holding the chainsaw with a reversed hand configuration increases the risk of personal injury
and should never be done.
3- Wear safety glasses and hearing protection. Further protective equipment for head, hand, legs and
feet is also recommended. Adequate protective clothing will reduce personal injury by flying debris
or accidental contact with saw chain.
4- Do not operate the chainsaw in a tree. Operation of a chainsaw while up in a tree may result in
personal injury.
5- Always keep proper footing and balance and operate the chainsaw only when standing on a fixed,
secure and level surface. Slippery or unstable surfaces such as ladders may cause a loss of balance or
control of the chainsaw.
6- When cutting a limb that is under tension be alert for spring back. When the tension in the wood
fibres is released the spring loaded limb may strike the operator and/or throw the chainsaw out of
control.
7- Use extreme caution when cutting brush and saplings. The slender material may catch the saw
chain and be whipped towards you or pull you off balance.
8- Carry the chainsaw by the front handle with the chainsaw switched off and away from your body
and the guide bar pointing to the rear. When transporting or storing the chainsaw, always fit the guide
bar cover. Proper handling of the chainsaw will reduce the likelihood of accidental contact with the
moving saw chain.
9- Follow the instructions for lubricating, chain tensioning and changing accessories. Improperly
tensioned or lubricated chain may either break or increase the chance for kickback.
10- Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and grease. Greasy, oily handles are slippery causing
loss of control.
11- Cut wood only. Don’t use chainsaw for purposes not intended. For example: Don’t use chainsaw
for cutting plastic, masonry or non-wood building materials. Use of the chainsaw for operations
different than intended could result in a hazardous situation.
3.4- Causes and Operator Prevention of Kickback:
- Kickback may occur when the nose or tip of the guide bar touches an object, or when the wood
closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut.
- Tip contact in some cases may cause a sudden reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back
towards the operator.
- Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly back towards
the operator.
- Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the saw which could result in serious
personal injury. Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into your saw. As a chainsaw
user, you should take several steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
- Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or conditions and can be
avoided by taking proper precautions as given below:
- Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles,
with both hands on the saw and position your body and arm to allow you to resist
kickback forces. Kickback forces can be controlled by the operator, if proper
precautions are taken. Do not let go of the chain saw.
