ICFR – Chainsaw Safety and Operating Handbook
2
Section 1 Provides the statutory requirements, in
accordance with the Occupational Health
and Safety Act, which all employers and
employees must comply with.
Section 2 Describes the main external components
of chainsaws and their functions. This
is essential in providing the users of the
Handbook with the necessary knowledge
on which the rest of the Handbook is
based. Safety devices and features on
chainsaws are also included. The cutting
attachment (consisting of the saw chain,
guide bar and chain drive sprocket) is not
discussed in detail in this section but in
section 14.
Section 3 Provides information on potential health
hazards (e.g. hearing loss, etc.) and ways
to avoid these hazards.
Section 4 Provides the requirements for personal
protective equipment and other essential
equipment and tools required.
Section 5 Provides general safety requirements
which are generic to all chainsaw
functions, namely felling, debranching
and cross-cutting.
Section 6 Provides information regarding the
transportation of chainsaws.
Section 7 Provides information on starting the
chainsaw.
Section 8 Describes reactive forces (kickback, pull-
in and pushback) and ways to avoid or
minimise them.
Section 9 Describes the way in which the chainsaw
must be held and the proper stance during
cutting. The different cutting actions
(down cut, upcut and bore cut) are also
addressed.
Section 10 Provides information on felling.The
following is included: factors influencing
productivity, felling direction, entering
felling zones, safety requirements, felling
aids, felling and timber losses, felling
quality, preparing for felling, felling
position, felling techniques (standard,
specialised and with wedges), hang-ups,
machine assisted felling and cut-up trees.
Section 11 Provides information on debranching. The
following is included: factors influencing
productivity, safety requirements,
working position, debranching quality
and debranching techniques.
Section 12 Provides information on cross-cutting.
The following is included: factors
influencing productivity, safety
requirements, cross-cutting quality and
cross-cutting techniques.
Section 13 Describes the procedures for salvaging
storm-damaged trees.
Section 14 Provides an in-depth appreciation of the
cutting attachment.
Section 15 Describes chainsaw maintenance
performed by the chainsaw operator,
namely pre-operational checks, ongoing
maintenance and daily maintenance.