Safety

• A chainsaw is a high-speed wood-cutting tool with very sharp cutters, therefore, some special safety precautions must be observed.
• If used incorrectly, chainsaws can be a source of potential danger to the user, onlookers, animals or nearby objects – potentially lethal in unskilled hands.
• Non-compliance with safety factors could result in serious injury or death.

• Electric saws may be attractive for use by amateur Woodturners:-  Starts instantly. No exhaust fumes. No hot exhaust. No fuel. Relatively light weight. However, they are limited in guide bar size – up to 14” / 16”.

• Electric saws can be used in uncluttered workshops where petrol fumes would be a health hazard.
• Portability is restricted to length of cable.
• Good weather is needed for outdoor use.
• Petrol saws are powerful and very versatile and can be used almost anywhere except in enclosed places. They are available in a wide range of engines and guide bar sizes.
• The longer the bar – the heavier the saw - the more tiring it is to use.
• Fatigue is often the route to an accident.
• A 14” electric bar is light, less tiring, and more manageable for trimming corners – suitable for the occasional user.
• Advisable to purchase from a specialist dealer to match your needs and pocket.
• Avoid the temptation of a cheap second-hand unit as it may be cheaper to buy a new saw by the time servicing and replacements are fitted.
• Chainsaws can be expensive – but the satisfaction of preparing your own blank can be well worth the expense.

• Noise levels – proximity to neighbours could be a problem. Most saws create noise levels over 100 dB, however, electric saws tend to be less noisier than petrol saws.
• Ensure compliance with relevant European CE regulations
• Look for convenient chain tensioning system.
• Automatic clutch – the saw should stop immediately when the throttle is released.
• Additional braking system to give quick stop to the chain in the event of kickback.
• Low weight for minimise fatigue. A balanced chainsaw reduces fatigue and strain.
• Automatic lubrication system. This extends the service life of the bar and chain by reducing friction and wear.
• A low profile bar and chain on light chainsaws – giving a low kickback feature.
• The bar must guide the chain accurately with minimum friction loss and to withstand the toughest conditions without warping.
• Design feature to protect nose at the end of the bar – guiding the chain over the nose with minimal friction.
• Saw should be double insulated.
• Grip – non-slip material reduces the chance of losing control of the saw.
• Chain brake – also serves as a hand guard for the upper chain, and is designed to stop the chain in the event of a kickback.

• Personal protective equipment helps to reduce the risk of injury and gives you peace of mind, so you can concentrate on the job at hand. But remember that there is no such thing as perfect protection against injury, nor can it replace safe working techniques.

• Clothing must be sturdy and snug fitting, but allow complete freedom of movement.
• Safety boots / shoes with non slip feature.
• Cut resistant leg protection trousers or chaps.
• Cut resistant jacket.
• Cut resistant gloves.
• Ear protection.
• Face protection visor.
• Hard hat.

• Losing saw control through loss of footing. 
• Losing balance.
• Shifting saw weight while cutting at or above waist level.
• Chainsaw kickback – do not try to cut wood with a diameter greater than the length of the chainsaw guide bar – special techniques are required here.
• Never cut logs from a log pile – perfect recipe for kickback.
• Shifting position.
• Particles in eyes.
• Contact with hot chainsaw parts.
• Tripping on electrical cord.
• Chainsaw striking the ground – never let the tip of the saw hit the ground, as this causes kickback and dulls the chain.
• Working on uneven ground and slopes.
• Freshly debarked logs.
• Be aware of the fatigue factor – chainsaw work can be hard work and demanding – take adequate personal breaks.
• Never stand directly behind the saw blade – your body should be entirely to the left of the chain cutting line.
• Be sure to keep the chain sharp.

• General training in chainsaw operation will give you a good understanding of how to use and respect your saw. Eg. Safety Video or experienced operator.
• For details of chainsaw training - contact www.coillte.ie

• Avoid working in the rain or in wet or damp conditions.
• Before starting to cut ensure that the saw is running at full speed – then begin cutting at the base of the guide bar with the bumper spikes in contact with the timber.
• Hold the front handlebar with your left hand with a firm grip, and keep your arm straight for best control.

• Protect power cord from damage, sharp edges, heat, oil, etc.
• Operate chainsaw with power cord behind you.
• Keep within calling distance of others in case help is needed.
• If level of dust is high – wear a suitable respirator.
• Don’t smoke when operating a chainsaw – reduce the risk of fire.
• If working on a slope – stand on the uphill side of the log.
• Never operate the saw with one hand.
• Never operate the saw on any insecure support.
• If using an extension cord – cable must not be looped.
• Wood chips from the saw may contain small amounts of chain oil – so keep away from pets and ponds.
• Do brush cooling slots on motor at regular intervals.
• Prolonged use may result in vibration-induced circulation problems – white fingers.
• It is good practice and a good reminder to keep a ‘First Aid Box’ close to the work area.
• Don’t work with a dull or damaged chain – this will increase physical effort, cause higher vibrations, produces unsatisfactory results, and a higher rate of wear.
• To avoid timber tear - first make undercut, then proceed to cut from top to meet the undercut.
• When cutting large log – cut from the top, then turn log over and cut remaining section by inserting the running blade in the cut and finish with an upward cut.
• Allow the saw to do the work with the minimum of pressure – walk the saw through the cut.

• Choose a clear, un-congested area - free from tripping hazards.
• Secure the log on a sawhorse or V block.
• Ensure adequate lighting of work area.

• It is important to know where the timber comes from, and to know what foreign bodies to look out for.
• Trees may have hidden nails, washing line attachments, bird houses, tree houses, ladders, barbed wire, etc, which may not be easy to see – but look out for unusual scars or ripples – it could save you a lot of expense in repairs, or could be a potential hazard to the operator.
• Felling timber should be confined to the dormant season when the sap is not rising, and the leaves have dropped.
• Remove 1” from either side of the central pith.

• Check Hand Guard is free from dirt and moves freely.
• Check oil level.
• Check correctly mounted guide bar.
• Keep handles dry and clean to ensure safe control.
• Check chain tension by pulling on the top centre of the chain – sharks teeth should not be proud of runway. Chain should not be too tight or too loose.
• Check position of cable.
• Check motor housing is not damaged in any way.

• The most common reactive forces are:- Kickback, Pushback and Pull-in.

• Kickback occurs when the top quadrant of the bar nose strikes a solid object while the chain is in motion, or is pinched in the cut, causing a rapid uncontrolled upward movement of the saw towards the operator. It could result in severe or fatal injury.
• The quick-stop chain brake cannot prevent kickback – when activated it stops the chain within a fraction of a second.
• To reduce the risk of kickback and its consequences, make sure you are standing clear of the cutting action – that is standing to the left of the saw.
• Don’t force the saw through the log.
• Hold the chainsaw firmly with both hands.
• Be aware of the location of the guide bar at all times
• Do not cut with the bar nose.
• Never cut several limbs at once.
• Do not overreach.
• Never cut above shoulder height.
• Use extreme caution when re-entering a previous cut.
• Do not attempt plunge cuts if you are not experienced in this cutting technique.
• Be aware of position of log and forces that cause the cut to close and pinch the chain. Use a plastic wedge to prevent chain from binding.
• Use a low kickback chain and a narrow radius guide bar.
• Work cautiously and avoid situations which could cause kickback.

• Pushback occurs when the chain on the top of the bar is suddenly pinched, caught or encounters a foreign object in the wood. 
• The reaction of the chain drives the saw straight back towards the operator.
• To avoid pushback – be alert to situations that may cause the top of the guide bar to be pinched.
• Do not twist the guide bar in the cut.

• Never work without the spiked bumper firmly in the wood first – then start cutting
• Feed the cut by carefully raising the rear handle.
• Control the saw with the front handle.

• Use the pulling chain – ie the part on the bottom of the bar – where the chain is running back into the saw body, but pulling the saw away from the operator.
• If there is a need to adjust the position of the log or your stance – stop the saw – reposition - recommence.
• Never ignore recommended procedures – otherwise injury is inevitable.
• Always cut with a correctly sharpened and properly tensioned chain.
• As the chain warms it will expand and sag, and may need minor adjustment to tension, to avoid it jumping off the bar.
• Never put your foot on the log to prevent it from moving or allow anyone to hold the log for you.
• Engage the bumper spikes at the front of the saw body into the log – it acts as a pivot point for the saw to cut and helps to prevent the timber from moving.

• Ripping is cutting longitudinally with the grain – eg. Splitting a log in half to produce two bowl blanks.
• Stand the log on a deep V block and let the saw do the work – don’t force the cut.  Using this cutting technique it will not be necessary to engage the bumper spikes for this operation.
• Operate guide bar at shallowest possible angle.
• Watch for danger of pull-in / or kickback.

• Carefully withdraw the saw until the spiked bumper is clear of the log – with chain running. Then stop the saw.
• Re-engage the spiked bumper.
• Continue cutting by carefully applying light pressure on the front handle.
• When coming to the end of the cut be prepared to take the weight of the saw - it might otherwise go out of control.

• Never operate the saw without chain lubrication.

• Use an environmentally compatible chain lubricant – Do not use waste oil.
• Every new saw has to be run-in for 2 to 3 minutes.

• Unplug.
• Slacken off the chain tension, as the chain contracts as it cools down.
• Fit the chain guard.
• Carry by the front handle.
• Store in upright position to avoid oil spillage.
• Store in dry conditions – avoid damp storage areas.
• Spray chain and bar with corrosion inhibiting oil.

• Proper maintenance is essential to safe chainsaw operation.
• Keep saw teeth sharp. Properly sharpened – it will slice through wood effortlessly and requires little feed pressure. Dull teeth are more likely to cause kickback.
• Use proper lubrication and keep oil level topped up.
• Ensure chain tension is adequate at all times.
• Clean your chainsaw regularly.
• Apply grease to chain sprockets at drive and nose on a regular basis.
• Annual servicing by your Authorised Dealer is recommended for the hobby and occasional user.