can be exceptionally dangerous if not used properly. Here are a few safety tips for using chainsaws.Chainsaw Safety Tips
1.) Make sure you are in good physical shape when using a chainsaw. Operating a piece of powered equipment while suffering from a physical ailment such as a sprained wrist, etc .can be extremely dangerous.
2.) Always avoid wearing loose fitting clothing that may be caught up in the moving blade of your chainsaw and use a good pair of boots to protect your feet.
3.) Always wear a good pair of gloves and safety goggles that will allow you to maintain a firm grip and keep positive control of your chainsaw and help you avoid flying debris that may cause an eye injury.
4.) Never start your chainsaw with the fuel can sitting next to the chainsaw. Sparks from your chainsaw could possibly ignite fuel vapors causing a dangerous situation.
5.) Clean your chainsaw each and every time you use it. A clean chainsaw is easier to grip and will last longer without additional repairs.
6.) Insure there is adequate space around the wood or trees you are cutting to avoid damage to surrounding objects (yourself included).
7.) Always make sure the blade on your chainsaw is not touching any objects when starting.
8.) Never cut at heights above your shoulders as this creates a state of weakened control over your chainsaw.
9.) Always stop your chainsaw when moving across rough or uneven areas. If you slip or fall a serious injury may be the result.
10.) Never leave your chainsaw where children have easy access to it. The cutting edges on a chainsaw blade are very sharp, even when the motor isn’t running.
This list will hopefully encourage you to practice the safe use of your cainsaw and thereby avoid a needless accident that could quite possibly endanger your health and well-being. The safe use of your chainsaw will enable you to survive the coming winter!
Remember, safety is no accident!
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
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10 comments:
Very timely post as I just picked up a new saw on Wednesday.
To: gott_cha
Looks like I was just in time!
You might have thought I "saw" that coming! Ha!Ha!
RW
Seems as if we think on the same plain
To: gott_cha
Great minds....
RW
If you have to cut above your head get a pole saw. Most cutting above your head will be taking out limbs so the shorter bar isn't that big of a deal.
One thing to watch out for with a pole saw is which way the limb is going to fall. I had one unexpectedly twist off and come down the pole at me. Fortunately it hit the forward grip instead of my hand.
Another rule, especially for new users, is to be aware of how tired you are getting. You may think at first that using a chain saw is no work at all but the weight of the saw and the vibration will wear you out. Take stock of yourself and if you feel your arms are tired then take a break.
Try to always have someone with you in case of a problem.
Protective clothing is a good thing. At least wear heavy leather gloves and eye and ear protection. We use electronic muffs so we can still communicate. Eye protection should be obvious but it doesn't have to be fancy - just keep the wood out of your eyes.
My dad, my cousin, and I were cutting some limbs at the farm to clear lanes for hunting. My dad's saw kicked up out of his left hand (right hand still on the control) and came back down on the back of his left hand. Fortunately, he was wearing gloves. It still tore up his hand but no permanent damage. Also fortunately, my cousin and I were there to help. He would have been in a bad situation by himself.
Another thing to look out for is to check the tree for bees and wasps before you cut. My dad was cutting some low limbs out of a tree so we could park under it and one of the limbs had a big wasp nest in it. Another time he cut down a tree and didn't realize there was a wild honey bee nest in it. He started taking limbs off the bottom of it to prepare for cutting it up into splitting length pieces when his buddy came up with an armload of wood and asked him to please get the stinger out of his nose. Good thing for them that this was in the day before African honey bees.
"You might have thought I "saw" that coming!" Stop it, yer killin' me! Nyuck nyuck nyuck.....
You left out that nitromethane is not a suitable fuel for chainsaws. Don't laugh, I know someone who tried it......
To: bitmap
Got one of those pole saws also. Got to be careful no matter what you are using. Great tip about the bees! Thanks.
RW
To: mayberry
If you adjust the "high speed" idle....
RW
mmm, chainsaws
Maybe it's not a safety tip, but I recommend keeping the chain sharp. I've known some guys that let their chain get dull and it takes them forever to cut through a log.
To: mockum
That's a great tip! Keep it sharp is always a good practice with any kind of blade.
Thanks
RW
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