Chainsaw Safety Chainsaws
Agricultural Safety Leaflet
No. 20
CONTENTS
This leaflet gives basic practical advice on the safe use of portable, hand
held, internal combustion-engined chainsaws. It is not intended as a substitute
for proper instruction and training, nor as an exact interpretation of the law.
However, following this guidance will help you meet your legal obligations under
relevant health and safety legislation.
What the law says
Anyone who uses a chainsaw for work should:
- have received adequate training in safe use (Provision and Use of Work
Equipment Regulations 1992);
- wear suitable protective clothing (Personal Protective Equipment at Work
Regulations 1992);
- ensure that they have taken all reasonably practical steps so that no-one
is put at risk by their work (Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974).
Training
Chainsaws are potentially very dangerous machines which are likely to cause
major injury in untrained hands. Anyone using a chainsaw at work should have
received adequate training in safe use. Further guidance on training and
standards of competence is found in HSE Guidance Note GS 48. A range of
recognised training courses are available which deal with different types of
chainsaw work. Make sure that your own training covers all the types of work you
are likely to carry out. Useful contacts are listed at the back of this leaflet.
Maintenance
Proper maintenance is essential for safe use. Make sure the saw is regularly
and thoroughly examined by someone who is competent to do the job.
You should check the following items on a daily basis for damage or excessive
wear:
- chain catcher;
- silencer;
- guide bar, drive sprocket and chain links;
- side plate, front and rear hand guards;
- anti-vibration mounts.
Pre-use checks
Before you use a chainsaw make sure that the chain is properly tensioned and
sharpened to the manufacturer's specifications. Incorrect filing of the cutters
or depth gauges can make it difficult to control the saw safely. Also check
that:
- the stop switch works;
- all nuts, screws etc are tight;
- the chain brake functions correctly;
- it isn't possible to squeeze the throttle trigger unless the throttle
trigger lock out is pressed.
Fuelling and lubrication
Make sure that petrol containers are in good condition, clearly labelled and
have securely fitting caps. Plastic containers must be designed and approved for
use with petrol.
Avoid getting dirt in the fuel system since this may cause the chainsaw to be
unreliable.
Replace all fuel caps securely immediately after fuelling and wipe away any
spilt petrol. Keep fuel containers well away from fires and other sources of
ignition - including the saw itself - during starting and use. Four metres is
the minimum distance recommended.
Don't use discarded engine oil as a chain lubricant - it is a very poor
lubricant and can cause cancer if it is in regular contact with the skin.
Protective clothing
 Suitable protective
clothing should be worn - no matter how small the job.
safety helmet
conforming to BS 5240 (replace in
accordance with manufacturer's instructions - normally every 2-3 years).
hearing protection
eye protection
clothing
to be close fitting (protection
incorporating loosely woven long nylon fibres or similar protective
material is recommended for the shoulders, neck, arms and upper chest
area).
gloves
with protective pad on the back of the left
hand.
leg protection*
incorporating loosely
woven long nylon fibres or similar protective material (all round
protection is recommended for tree surgeons and occasional users).
chainsaw boots *
incorporating protection for the
toes, top of foot and front of lower leg (alternatively protective gaiters
worn in combination with steel toe capped safety boots are acceptable for
occasional users working on even ground where there is little risk of
tripping or snagging on undergrowth or brash).
* European standards for chainsaw leg protection are expected to be
published as parts of British Standards BS EN 381 in 1995. Protective
clothing complying with this standard should provide a consistent level of
resistance to chainsaw cut through.
Sizing up the job
Before you start work check out the site thoroughly to identify any areas of
difficulty. Make sure you are competent to do the job. If a tree is likely to
become hung up on another during felling, you need to have the knowledge and
equipment to bring it down safely. Dealing with leaning or wind blown trees
requires special skills.
If you are felling a tree it is particularly important to know if the tree is
affected by rot. You also need to assess factors which could affect the
direction of fall, such as wind conditions and whether the tree is leaning, has
uneven growth or branches which foul other trees. Be especially careful to check
for broken crowns and for branches which might fall during the operation. Check
both the tree to be felled and those nearby.
You may need to use aid tools such as a soft nosed wedge, breaking bar, cant
hook, winch, high lift wedges and hammer. Work out what you need before you
begin.
If there are overhead power lines within two tree lengths of any tree to be
felled you will need to contact the owners (usually an electricity company) well
beforehand to discuss whether the lines need to be diverted or made dead. Don't
start work until agreement has been reached on the precautions to be taken.
Check also whether there are underground services such as power cables or gas
pipes which could be damaged when the tree strikes the ground.
If there are roads or public rights of way within two tree lengths of the
tree to be felled then you will need to ensure that road users and members of
the public do not enter the danger zone. You may need to arrange warning
notices, diversions or traffic control.
Starting the chainsaw
From cold: place the saw on level ground. Put your foot on
the rear handle base plate and your hand on the front handle. Pull the starter
cord firmly.
From hot: use the same method as above. Alternatively, grip
the rear handle between your knees and the front handle with your left hand.
Pull the starter with your right hand.
Every time you start the saw check that the chain stops when you release the
throttle.
Kickback
Kickback is a sudden uncontrolled upward movement of the guide bar which
happens when the guide bar nose hits an object. It is responsible for a
significant proportion of chainsaw accidents. Many of these are to the face and
parts of the upper body where it is difficult to provide protection. A properly
maintained chain brake reduces the effect, but it won't prevent it - so it is
essential that you use the saw in a way which avoids kickback injury:
- Don't allow the guide bar nose to touch any obstruction,
e.g. branches,
logs, stumps;
- Don't over-reach;
- Keep the saw below chest height;
- Keep the thumb of your left hand around the back of the front handle;
- Always cut at full power.
Using the chainsaw
You need good judgement and quick reactions to use a chainsaw. That means
being alert, with your senses not dulled by fatigue, alcohol or drugs.
Chainsaws are designed to be used right-handed and it is potentially very
dangerous to use them left-handed. Always hold the saw firmly with your left
hand on the front handle and right on the rear. Make sure you have a good
footing and if you are going to walk with the engine running, always apply the
chain brake first.
Felling
Before felling a tree decide on its direction of fall and select a suitable
escape route as shown below (remember that the area directly behind the tree is
a danger zone because the tree may bounce or slide back when it hits the
ground). Keep your escape route clear.
Think about what equipment you need to prevent the tree sitting back on the
saw or to help it fall in the required direction. Make sure that the equipment
is there when you need it. It will be too late to fetch it once you've got a
problem.
Always check to make sure no other person is within a distance equal to twice
the height of the tree being felled. Start by making a sink on the same side of
the tree as the felling direction. Make the main felling cut on the opposite
side of the tree stem. This needs to be positioned at, or slightly above, the
lower sink cut to give a strong hinge for directional control. When the tree
begins to fall, step back and to one side into your escape route.
Branch removal (snedding)
Keep the saw close to your body with its weight suspended on the tree or your
right thigh. Watch out for movement when cutting branches under tension or
compression. Before moving any cut branches put the saw in a safe position with
the chain brake on or engine stopped. Never stand close to the lower side of the
tree unless it is secured to prevent it rolling or sliding downhill.
Cross cutting
Make sure no-one comes closer than five metres or within twice the length of
the longest piece of produce.
Chainsaw work in trees
Ladders
Make sure the ladder is secured in position and you are independently secured
to the tree so that both your hands are free to control the chainsaw.
Ropes and harnesses
Using a chainsaw from a rope and harness requires specialised skills. Do not
attempt this type of work unless you have received specific instruction in safe
techniques.
Top handle chainsaws
These saws have the rear handle positioned over the top of the engine. They
are intended only for use by trained tree surgeons working up in trees. Only use
top handled chainsaws if you have received instruction in their safe use and
always use them two-handed if conditions permit.
Hearing protection
Chainsaws produce very high levels of noise which is likely to cause
permanent damage to your hearing unless you wear ear muffs or some other form of
hearing protection. Ask your chainsaw suppliers for advice. They should ensure
you are provided with information which will help you choose hearing protection
that is efficient against chainsaw noise.
First aid
Anyone working with chainsaws needs to understand how to control major
bleeding and how to deal with crush injuries. In remote sites people who have
been injured may also be at risk of hypothermia. Always carry a personal first
aid kit with you and make sure you have reasonable access to a more
comprehensive kit.
Further advice
If you need further advice on any health and safety matter your local
agricultural inspector of the Health and Safety Executive will be able to help
you. The nearest office will be in the telephone directory.
Information on where to obtain chainsaw training is also available from the
following organisations:
- ATB Landbase, 7 Raven Main, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1BW (tel: 01584 877047)
- Forestry and Arboriculture Safety and Training Council (FASTCo), 231
Corstophine Road, Edinburgh EH12 7AT (tel: 0131 334 8083).
Further reading
AS 11 Circular saws AS 15 Farm forestry operations AS 30
COSHH in forestry IND(G)73L Working alone in safety IND(G)145L
Watch your back - avoiding back strain in timber handling and chainsaw
work
GS 48 Training and standards of competence for users of chainsaws in
agriculture, arboriculture and forestry ISBN 011 885575 1, is also
available priced from HSE Books.
A comprehensive range of free safety guides dealing with chainsaw work are
also available from FASTCo.
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This leaflet contains notes on
good practice which are not compulsory but which you may find helpful in
considering what you need to do.
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Printed and Published by the Health and
Safety Executive AS 20 (Rev) Reprinted 5/95
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