Operating a chainsaw demands a high level of responsibility and adherence to safety protocols to prevent accidents. This comprehensive guide addresses essential safety practices, injury statistics in Australia, common chainsaw injuries, the phenomenon of kickback, and recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE), with a focus on Husqvarna products. Chainsaw accidents range from minor inconveniences to fatal mishaps. It’s easy to look at a chainsaw and imagine the type of damage it can do. Even a small slip-up can turn serious if you don’t know how to do the job safely.
Keep reading to learn how to use a chainsaw safely.
How can you be safe with a chainsaw?
There are steps that you can take to ensure you are being safe with a chainsaw. Operating a chainsaw safely requires careful preparation and proper techniques. Begin with a pre-operational check, ensuring the chain is sharp, tensioned, and lubricated, and confirm that the chain brake and throttle lock function properly. Training, through formal courses or experienced operators, is essential for learning safe techniques.
Maintain environmental awareness by inspecting the area for hazards like unstable ground or overhead obstacles. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and maintain a two-handed grip on the saw. Always cut to the side of your body to minimise injury risk from kickback. Familiarise yourself with the controls, practice quick shutdowns, and start the saw safely with your foot securing the rear handle
Chainsaw Safety Practices
Pre-Operational Checks:
Before starting the chainsaw, ensure all components are in proper working order. Verify that the chain is sharp, correctly tensioned, and adequately lubricated. Inspect safety features such as the chain brake and throttle lock for functionality.
Proper maintenance can help prevent lots of accidents. Keep the chainsaw in optimal condition through regular maintenance. This includes sharpening the chain, cleaning air filters, and checking for fuel leaks. A well-maintained chainsaw operates more safely and efficiently.
Many preventable accidents happen because of poor maintenance. So make sure you get your chainsaw serviced regularly.
Appropriate Training:
Proper training is crucial for safe chainsaw operation. Beginners should consider formal courses or seek guidance from experienced operators to learn correct techniques and safety measures.
Environmental Awareness:
Assess the work area for potential hazards, including uneven terrain, overhead obstacles, and bystanders. Ensure the workspace is well-lit and free from distractions.
Proper Handling Techniques:
Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the chainsaw handles. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart for stability, and always position yourself to the side of the cutting path to avoid potential injuries from kickback. How do I learn to use a chainsaw?
Get to know the tool you’re working with before you start tackling a project.
Begin by getting a feel for the controls. Find out where they are before you start the chainsaw. Prepare to turn off the chainsaw quickly off needed.
When you work with a new chainsaw, you’ll start by adding the gas and oil. Then before starting it, move away from the place you filled it, and make sure you’re not close to anything that could catch on fire.
Start your chainsaw while it’s on the ground, with your right foot in the loop of the back handle and your left hand gripping the front handle. Stiffen up your left arm to keep the chainsaw firmly in place as you start it.
Once it’s running, work with the throttle a bit to see how it changes the feel of your chainsaw. Make sure to have the right stance before you start cutting. Keep your feet below your shoulders, and stand in a stable, comfortable position.
It’s also a good idea to test the controls before you start. Make sure everything works, and that if there’s an emergency you’re ready to turn off your chainsaw immediately.
Where do you stand when using a chainsaw?
When using a chainsaw, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart to maintain balance and stability. Keep a firm grip with both hands and position your body slightly to the side of the cutting line to avoid the path of kickback. Your knees should be slightly bent, and your weight should be evenly distributed for better control. Always face the cutting area directly and ensure your footing is secure, especially on uneven or slippery ground. Avoid overreaching or stretching while cutting to prevent loss of balance.
How many people get injured by chainsaws a year in Australia?
Chainsaw-related injuries are a significant concern in Australia. Data from the Victorian Injury Surveillance System (VISS) indicates that there were 138 chainsaw injuries, predominantly from the Latrobe Valley, recorded in their database. The majority of these injuries were lacerations to the fingers, hands, and legs, followed by foreign bodies in the eyes. Notably, only one-third of the victims were wearing any form of safety gear at the time of injury.
Further, the National Coronial Information Service reported at least 99 deaths in Australia between 2000 and 2016 resulting from chainsaw use and tree-felling activities.
How do you stay safe when using a chainsaw?
To stay safe when using a chainsaw, one of the most important things to do is to always arm yourself with the right protective gear. Wear this gear even for a small job. You never know when the chainsaw could kickback or some other accident could happen.
Buy high-quality protective equipment that’s comfortable and will last a long time. Although nothing will completely protect you, the right gear makes injuries less common and less serious.
Don’t forget that the noise of the chainsaw can damage your hearing, too. Make noise-cancelling earmuffs a part of your protective gear.
To keep yourself physically safe, start by putting on safety glasses and a helmet to protect your eyes, face, and head, as well as your earmuffs. Next, add a pair of chainsaw gloves. These aren’t just any gloves: they have a pad to protect the back of your left hand.
Next, add leg protection to keep this vulnerable area safe from the blades, as well as chainsaw trousers. This and the rest of your clothes should fit snugly, so it won’t get caught on the chainsaw blades and pull you into harm’s way. Look for snag-resistant items.
Your boots should have plenty of traction, as well as steel toes. With all of this equipment, you’re much less likely to get seriously injured. However, you’ll still need to use your chainsaw with safety in mind.
Lastly but no less important, never work alone when operating a chainsaw. Having someone nearby can be critical in case of an accident, ensuring that help is available immediately if needed. However, if you must work alone, always take extra precautions. Let someone know your location, expected return time, and the nature of the work you are performing. Carry a fully charged mobile phone or two-way radio for communication and ensure that your first aid kit is easily accessible. By preparing for the unexpected, you significantly reduce the risk of being stranded without assistance in the event of an emergency.
What protection do you need when using a chainsaw?
Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is vital when operating a chainsaw. Essential safety gear includes:
- Protective Glasses or Goggles: Protective eyewear shields your eyes from flying debris and wood particles.
- Cut-Resistant Gloves: Offers hand protection against cuts and improves grip on the chainsaw handles.
- Helmet with Face Shield and Hearing Protection: Protects against head injuries, facial impacts from debris, and provides hearing protection from prolonged exposure to noise.
- Chainsaw Chaps or Protective Trousers: Chainsaw chaps are designed to resist chainsaw cuts, protecting the legs from potential contact with the moving chain.
- Steel-Toe Boots with Non-Slip Soles: A quality pair of workboots safeguards your feet from falling objects and provides stability on various terrains.
Chainsaw PPE Recommendations
Husqvarna offers a range of high-quality Chainsaw PPE designed to protect you while cutting:
- Husqvarna Technical Forest Helmet: This chainsaw helmet features a sturdy build with an adjustable fit, integrated hearing protection, and a mesh visor to shield the face from debris.
- Husqvarna Functional Saw Protection Gloves: Chainsaw gloves are crafted with cut-resistant material on the left hand and provide excellent grip and comfort.
- Husqvarna Functional Chainsaw Chaps: Made with multiple layers of cut-resistant fabric, these chainsaw chaps cover the front of the legs and are adjustable for a secure fit.
Selecting the Best Chainsaw Chaps
When choosing chainsaw chaps, consider the following factors:
- Protection Level: Ensure the chaps meet or exceed safety standards for chainsaw operation, providing sufficient layers of cut-resistant material.
- Fit and Comfort: Adjustable straps and a comfortable fit encourage consistent use and do not hinder movement.
- Durability: High-quality materials and construction enhance the lifespan of the chaps, providing long-term protection.
Husqvarna’s Functional Chainsaw Chaps are a commendable choice, offering a balance of safety, comfort, and durability for both professional and occasional users.
What should you not do with a chainsaw?
To operate a chainsaw safely, avoid cutting above shoulder height. Keeping cuts below your shoulders reduces the risk of serious injury by keeping the saw away from your face and upper body, and it also offers protection from falling branches or wood.
Another important thing to avoid is walking around while the chainsaw chain is spinning. It is fine to have the motor running while you walk, but do not press the throttle unless you are preparing for a cut. Engaging the chain while walking significantly increases the risk of accidental contact and injury.
Avoid cutting with the chainsaw tip, as this area is prone to kickback. Always cut with the mid-section or lower portion of the bar for better control. Additionally, never operate the chainsaw with one hand, as it reduces your ability to control the tool and increases the chance of severe injury.
Lastly, never use a chainsaw without proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including a helmet, eye and ear protection, gloves, and chainsaw chaps. Proper gear significantly reduces the severity of injuries in case of an accident.
What is the most common injury in chainsaws?
The most prevalent injuries associated with chainsaw use include:
- Lacerations: Deep cuts primarily affecting hands, fingers, and legs due to direct contact with the moving chain.
- Eye Injuries: Caused by wood chips, sawdust, or debris striking the eyes during operation.
- Puncture Wounds: Resulting from slips or loss of control, leading to the chainsaw contacting the operator’s body.
- Amputations: Severe cases where body parts, often fingers, are severed due to improper handling or accidents.
Kickbacks are one of the most common causes of chainsaw injuries. In a kickback, the saw flies up at you, sometimes seemingly out of nowhere. It can cause serious damage when it hits your face or another body part, and you won’t have time to avoid it. However, you can avoid kickbacks most of the time by using the right techniques. It occurs when the upper quadrant of the bar tip contacts an object or when the chain is pinched during cutting. Kickback can happen in a fraction of a second, making it a leading cause of chainsaw-related injuries.
How likely is a chainsaw kickback?
The likelihood of experiencing kickback depends on several factors, including the operator’s technique, chainsaw maintenance, and environmental conditions. While exact probabilities are not specified, improper use and lack of awareness significantly increase the risk.
The speed of a chainsaw kickback is extremely rapid, often occurring faster than human reflexes can respond. This underscores the importance of preventive measures and safety features designed to mitigate kickback effects.
How fast is a chainsaw kickback?
Kickback is nearly instantaneous, occurring within milliseconds—too fast for human reflexes. Using chainsaws with chain brakes can help mitigate severe injuries.
What is the chainsaw kickback zone?
The chainsaw kickback zone refers to the upper quadrant of the bar tip, which is the area most likely to cause kickback during operation. But what causes saw kickback? When the tip of the bar contacts wood or another solid object, the saw can suddenly and forcefully rebound upward and backward toward the operator. This zone is highly dangerous due to the rapid, unexpected motion it produces, often faster than human reflexes can respond. Avoiding contact with the kickback zone and using low-kickback chains are essential safety practices to reduce the risk of severe injury.
Preventing Chainsaw Kickback
Why does a chainsaw kick back? A chainsaw kicks back when the tip of the blade hits something hard or gets stuck, making the saw jerk back suddenly toward the user. It can also happen if the chain gets pinched while cutting, causing the saw to bounce back quickly.
To stop saw kickback, always cut with either the bottom or the top of the saw, never the end of it. Most of the time, you’ll cut with the bottom of the saw, moving downward as you make the cut. Sometimes, you might need to cut upward with the top of the blade. Although you’ll feel a push of the saw in your direction, this method is also safe as long as you’re properly braced.
However, the tip of the saw, especially the upper part of the tip, is the kickback zone which you should always avoid. Although your saw should have a chain brake that will halt the chain during a kickback, kickbacks can still hurt you, so take care to avoid them.
You should also apply full throttle before cutting into the wood.
To minimise the risk of kickback:
- Avoid Contact with the Kickback Zone: The upper quadrant of the bar tip is the most susceptible area for kickback. Refrain from making contact with this part during operation.
- Use Reduced-Kickback Chains and Bars: These are designed to lower the risk of kickback by incorporating safety features that limit the depth of cut during contact with the kickback zone.
- Maintain a Firm Grip and Proper Stance: Holding the chainsaw securely with both hands and positioning your body to the side of the cutting path can help control the saw if kickback occurs.
- Keep Chain Sharp and Properly Tensioned: A well-maintained chain reduces the chance of pinching or binding, common causes of kickback.
- Be Cautious with Plunge Cuts: Avoid making plunge cuts with the bar tip unless you have received proper training and understand the technique thoroughly.
Features of Low Kickback Chains
There are many different types of chainsaw chains and low kickback chains are engineered to reduce the risk of kickback through specific design elements:
- Guard Links: Additional metal links between cutting teeth that limit the depth of cut when the chain contacts the kickback zone.
- Ramped Depth Gauges: These deflect the cutting tooth slightly, reducing its ability to bite too deeply into the wood.
- Bumper Drive Links: Raised portions on drive links that help prevent the cutters from taking too large a bite, especially during contact with the bar tip.
These features collectively work to minimise the reactive forces that cause kickback, enhancing operator safety. Check out our range of chainsaw chains for sale here.
What items should be in a chainsaw first aid kit?
The right gear will make injuries less likely, but it won’t make them impossible. Make sure you have a first-aid kit that has everything you’ll need if you do get hurt.
This kit should have equipment for dressing large wounds, as well as caring for smaller mishaps. Make sure to check your kit regularly and restock things as needed.
A chainsaw first aid kit should include:
- Sterile dressings for large wounds
- Bandages and adhesive plasters
- Antiseptic wipes and saline solution
- Trauma shears for cutting clothing
- Compression bandages for severe bleeding
- Instant cold packs
- Burn dressings
- Emergency contact numbers
- Splinting materials
How dangerous is using a chainsaw?
Every year, chainsaw accidents put tens of thousands of people in the hospital. However, you can make sure this doesn’t happen in your business by learning basic chainsaw safety. Many accidents stem from improper use or lack of protective gear. Prioritising safety, wearing appropriate PPE, and using proper techniques can drastically reduce risks. Chainsaw safety requires proper techniques, routine maintenance, and high-quality PPE. Kickback prevention and a well-equipped first aid kit are critical for reducing injury risks. Husqvarna PPE offers exceptional protection, from helmets to chaps, making them the ideal choice for safe and efficient chainsaw operation
Luckily, chainsaw safety makes using these tools on the job safer and easier for anyone.
Improve Chainsaw Safety With the Right Equipment
These chainsaw safety tips will get you off to a good start. However, there are more ways to use a chainsaw safely, such as using the best chainsaws in Canberra that money can buy.
At CDBS Construction and Garden, we pride ourselves on offering the best equipment for all your construction and gardening needs in Canberra and we also deliver Australia wide. From powerful chainsaws designed for professionals and homeowners alike to premium safety gear that protects you on the job, we stock only top-quality brands, including trusted names like Husqvarna. Our extensive range includes chainsaw chaps, helmets, gloves, and more, ensuring you have everything required for safe and efficient operation. With expert advice and a commitment to customer satisfaction, CDBS Construction and Garden is your go-to source for reliable tools and protective gear, helping you tackle every task with confidence.
Looking for a source of safety equipment and much more? Check out our online store here!
Need someone to help you maintain your chainsaw?
Did you know that we also have onsite mechanics that can look over your chainsaw and ensure it is kept in good condition and is safe to use. Our chainsaw service Canberra offer means that you don’t have to wait while a retailer sends your saw away to be fixed. We are a Canberra based workshop with a huge range of spare parts onsite which means faster turn-arounds for you! Just give us a call on 02 6242 8996 or drop in at 4/48 Sandford St, Mitchell
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