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Just like every other piece of equipment, the chainsaws to are potentially injurious. The situation is worsened in case they are handled recklessly. That is why you have to uphold some utmost safety while handling them.
How else can you possibly do so without knowing about these Chainsaw safety tips? We have compiled five of the top tips for your consideration. All you have to do is skim, comprehend and implement them faithfully.
5 Chainsaw Safety Tips That Everyone Should Know
1. Stand properly while engaging the chainsaw
How you stand can make a big difference indeed. That is because it determines the manner in which your body weight is distributed and your subsequent overall performance. The boxer stance is by far the best posture for cutting logs.
If you are right-handed, you will have to put your left foot slightly in front of your and at an angle of around 45°. Your right foot should be slightly in your back. The distance between your two feet should be around a shoulder wide apart and your knees have to be bent.
2. Pay keen attention to the cutting process
It is not uncommon for you to listen to music or engage in a conversation as you cut the logs. You are strongly advised against these two though. On the contrary, you are supposed to pay keen attention to the cutting process.
The logic behind this is pretty simple. You are more likely to sustain injuries or cause accidents as you pursue other matters in the course of engaging the chainsaw. Keep both of your hands on the saw and always focus your eyes on the bar as you cut your logs.
3. Plan your cuts accordingly
You also have to plan your cuts accordingly. You should know where exactly the bar of the saw will get out of the log. It is not really where you start cutting that count; it is where you complete the exercise. Try not to pass the blades right through the log or into your foot or legs.
4. Prepare yourself psychologically
The frame of your mind also matters during the cutting exercise. You should hence anticipate the manner in which the saw is likely to behave under different circumstances. As a general rule, you will be pulled towards the log if you happen to cut on the bottom of the bar. On the other hand, you will experience an away push of your cut on top of the bar.
5. Be mindful of the chainsaw’s kickback zone
Lastly, you have to be mindful of the kickback zone of the chainsaw. This is the sudden and unexpected upward motion of a chainsaw’s guide bar. It mainly arises whenever the moving chain which is at the guide bar’s nose or tip gets in touch with an object.
Other than that, it may also be caused by the closing in of the wood closes and the pinching of the saw chain in the cuts. It is by far the most common cause of serious injuries and accidents of the chainsaws. To be on the safe side, refrain from digging the chainsaw bar into that zone.
(FAQs) Chainsaw Safety Tips
Q1. Is it safe to use a chainsaw on a ladder?
A. NOT REALLY! The ladders are prone to falls and fidgeting. As such, you are more likely to sustain an injury if you opt to use the chainsaw on atop them. If you must use them on ladders, be sure to fasten and tie them tightly to prevent the aforementioned eventualities.
Q2. How do you stop a chainsaw kickback?
A. By far the most reliable way of avoiding a kickback is to desist from placing the tip of the bar of the chainsaw against the wood. You should also see to it that the cutting components are in perfect working conditions.
Q3. How many chainsaw accidents happen in a typical year?
A. According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 36,000 people sustain injuries from the use of chainsaws every year. On the same note, the average chainsaw injury calls for around 110 stitches to remedy while entire treatment costs an average of $5,600.
Q4. Can anyone use a chainsaw?
A. NOT REALLY! As has been stated, this equipment is potentially hazardous more so if handled recklessly. Only those who are experienced are eligible to use them. Moreover, some jurisdictions require the would-be users of this equipment to take some classes and receive the necessary license before utilizing them.
Q5. Are chainsaw kickbacks really dangerous?
A. YES, they are! And very dangerous for that matter. They are responsible for cuts, lacerations, and blisters among a host of other injuries.
CONCLUSION
Your safety is a sacred consideration which you cannot afford to gamble or play around with. Any errors or oversights may often bring about undesirable consequences. That is why you want to take some great care indeed. We wish you all the best in your next use of these chainsaws!