CHAIN SAW SAFETY

With over 165,000 reported injuries or deaths in a year, the Kickback occurs due to the fact of: chain saw is often referred to as the “most dangerous hand • the physics of the spinning chain tool” on the market. Of these only 5% were accidents that around the tip of the bar; were NOT operator error. It is important to be cautious and • putting the upper ¼ of the bar tip alert when using a . in a bind or pinched condition (boring with the bar tip or hitting TERMINOLOGY another object such as a limb, is the act of cutting (or dropping) a . sapling or tree); • the violent release of pressure is when you take off the limbs after a tree has from the object being cut (limb under pressure or spring- fallen. Bucking is when you cut the tree into manageable pole) pieces after it has fallen. • unintentionally hitting the ground with the tip of the chain When limbing or bucking, place the tree at waist level so In any of these instances the saw is thrown back towards back injuries do not occur. Make sure the log is secure and the user. A saw cutting at full throttle can kick back in one- will not roll. Once secure, proper cutting techniques vary on tenth of a second faster than a person can react. Proper how the tree is supported: stance can help lessen the effects of kickback. Trunk is supported along its entire length—make cuts from the top (called overbuck) one-third the diameter of the log HAVE A PLAN OF ATTACK deep, the entire length of the trunk. When this is completed, Be aware of your environment; notice other , various roll it over and make the final cuts. terrain changes, buildings, vehicles, power lines, animals, Log is supported on one end—make the first cut and even the weather. If you are felling a tree, “size-up” the (underbuck) one-third the diameter, then complete from location and look for objects that might keep the tree from topside by overbucking the upper two-thirds to meet the falling properly or objects in the path of the tree once is has underbuck. been cut down. Log is supported from both ends—cut one-third the diame- Determine several different routes of escape from the fal- ter from the top (overbuck), then complete the cut by cut- ling tree and clear the path from debris. Never run in the ting upward from the underside (underbuck) to meet the complete opposite direction of the fall line of a tree. Escape first cut. routes should be 135 degrees away from the fall line. Do not take your eyes off of a falling tree, once the tree has Binding is caused when the material being cut clamps fallen wait at least 30 seconds for all remaining debris to fall down and stalls the cutting chain inside of the cut. to the ground.

THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT SAW BIND Never use a chain saw when you are alone. It is imperative Gravity will cause any unsupported portion of a tree to fall. If the that another person be in your vicinity in case of an emer- bar and chain is in the wrong place at the wrong time, their will gency. Make sure you are aware of their location to make get pinched between the falling material and the stationary mate- sure that they are safe from any falling debris. rial. Pressure, in this context, is the opposite of gravity. When pres- sure is released, by cutting it, a severe reaction can occur. This reaction must be anticipated or severe injury or death can occur. Genetics (the way the fiber grows) can also cause a bind or pinching effect especially when the chain is dull or you are LOGO

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IMA Safety Matters is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or legal advice. Make sure you have the proper Personal Protection Equip- choke all the way, ensure the bar’s tip and the chain are ment (PPE). This includes: completely off of the ground and not touching anything. • Hard hat Place one foot inside the pistol grip, wrap one hand around the top of the handle bar, with the thumb wrapped com- • Eye protection, with side pletely around it. Pull the starter rope with the other hand. guards • Ear protection Groin Starting: The chain break is engaged, turn the igni- tion on, close the choke all the way, the pistol grip is in- • Gloves serted between and about the mid-point of the thighs and • Protective leg chaps clamped tightly. The handle bar is gripped tightly with one • Leather boots that go above hand, with the thumb wrapped completely around it. The the ankle starter rope is pulled with the other. Do not try this with a high compression chain saw. • No loose fitting clothing Professional Starting: Most professional operators use FUELING A CHAINSAW this method. It is also called the "sling start". Engage the chain brake, turn the ignition switch on, close the choke all • Use approved containers for transporting fuel to the saw of the way, rest the bar on a log or anything non-abrasive • Use a funnel or flexible hose when pouring the fuel in (not on rocks or the tail gate of your pickup), one hand on • Dispense fuel at least 10 feet away from any sources of the pistol grip pushing the power head down quickly and ignition pulling the starter rope with the other, at the same time. The first time the engine tries to start, open the choke all of • Do not smoking during fueling the way open. Keep pulling on the starting rope until the • Never attempt to fuel a running or HOT saw. engine starts. For a well tuned saw, 3 pulls of the starting • When finished using the saw, remember to drain the rope should be enough. Some high compression chain gas/oil mixture before storing. If you fail to do this the saws still have a compression release built into them. It is mixture will turn into varnish and plug up the carburetor. there for a reason and should be used when starting the saw. Turn it off after the saw has started. BEGINNING TO USE A CHAINSAW Unacceptable: "Air Drop" Starting: This method has in- Once you have surveyed the area and put on your PPE, jured many operators over the years and is against the law you are ready to begin. Inspect the chainsaw for any prob- to use. Holding the handle bar with one hand with the igni- lems, loose parts, bad electrical wiring, or dull blades. tion turned on, the choke open and the bar/chain unsup- (Note: Using a chainsaw with a dull blade WILL result in ported, the chain saw is moved in a downward motion while injury). Make sure the tank is full with the correct gas/oil the starter rope is pulled. As the bar is completely unsup- combination and that the chainsaw is properly lubricated. ported it can go anywhere. Continually check the tension of the chain and make adjust- DO NOT USE THIS METHOD!!! ments when necessary There are three acceptable ways to start the chain saw and one that is not acceptable. Ground Starting: This method works all right if you have a small saw and small feet. Lay the saw flat on the ground, lock the chain brake, LOGO turn the ignition switch on, close the

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IMA Safety Matters is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or legal advice. USE THIS CHART TO IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS TO COMMON CHAINSAW PROBLEMS

Difficult or poor cutting Engine won't start

Problem Correction Problem Correction Chain dull Sharpen chain Switch off Turn switch on Improperly sharpened Check chain Improper starting pro- Follow correct procedure chain cedure Chain installed back- Turn chain around Fuel tank empty Fill fuel tank ward Engine flooded Clean spark plug Improper chain tension Correct chain tension Carburetor adjustment Adjust carburetor Bar and chain aren't be- Fill oil tank, adjust oiler incorrect ing lubricated Spark plug fouled Clean or replace plug Damaged guide bar Inspect guide bar Exhaust ports dirty Clean muffler and exhaust ports Engine dies or accelerates poorly Fuel filter dirty Clean filter Problem Correction Improperly adjusted car- Adjust carburetor Fuel tank empty Fill fuel tank buretor Air cleaner dirty Clean air cleaner

Oiler not working Spark plug fouled Clean or replace plug Problem Correction Carburetor adjustment Adjust carburetor incorrect Out of oil Fill oil tank Plugged vent of fuel Clean vent on fuel tank cap Oil hole plugged Clean oil supply hole tank cap Oil strainer dirty Clean oil strainer

Oiler adjusted incor- Adjust oiler rectly Plugged vent on oil Clean vent tank cap LOGO

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IMA Safety Matters is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or legal advice. QUIZ: CHAIN SAW SAFETY

1. Which of these is not a way to lessen the effect of a 6. You should move how many feet away from the fueling kickback? area before trying to start the chainsaw? A. Release the saw A. 10 feet B. Proper stance B. 15 feet C. Turning your head C. 20 feet 2. Which is not a factor in causing saw bind? 7. What will result in injury? A. Daylight A. Starting a chainsaw using the Ground Starting B. Pressure method. C. Gravity B. Keeping the proper stance. C. Using a chainsaw with a dull blade. 3. You should "size-up"? A. Before cutting the tree 8. Which of these starting techniques is NOT acceptable B. During the cutting A. Ground starting C. After cutting the tree B. Air drop starting C. Groin starting 4. Hitting the ground with the tip of the chainsaw will not cause extensive damage. 9. Another name for professional starting is? A. True A. Sling starting B. False B. Step starting C. Stand-over starting 5. Which combination of Personal Protection Equipment is necessary when using a chainsaw? 10. You should always operate a chainsaw alone to avoid A. Hard hat; Ear Protection; Loose fitting shirt; Gloves; injuring someone else. Leg Chaps; Eye Protection; Leather Boots A. True B. Leather Boots; Gloves; Leg Chaps; Eye Protection; B. False Hard Hat; Ear Protection C. Gloves and Leather Boots D. No Personal Protection Equipment is needed.

When you have completed this quiz, turn it in to your supervisor LOGO Name: ______Date: ______

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IMA Safety Matters is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or legal advice. MEETING TOPIC: DATE:______CHAIN SAW SAFETY