Petrol Chainsaw Safety
When using the petrol chainsaw there can be small risk of injury especially if the chainsaw is in the wrong hands. But by applying a couple of safety issues and using commonsense the petrol chainsaw wll become a safe gardening tool to use.
Firstly one must always wear the correct protective clothing when using a petrol chainsaw. Gloves are essential for grip and protection. There are specially designed gloves for use with chainsaws They have extra protective strength on the back of them.
Ear defenders are required to block out the noise of the whining engine of the chainsaw when used at close quarters and a helmet must be worn to protect the skull from any falling objects such as branches.
Working goggles are also essential to protect your eyes from any flying debris and then for your body the are specially designed trousers and jackets that can deflect the chainsaw chain for a valuable couple of seconds.
Last but not least, always have a well equipped first aid kit close to hand when using the petrol chainsaw. You may never require it, but it’s better to have one than to be reliant upon a neighbour or waiting for the emergency services to arrive.
Draper 69933 safety helmet with ear defenders and visor of Draper
Here we have a perfectly adequate helmet with ear muffs and visor. The main helmet is fully adjustable and the shell of the helmet is made of high density polyethylene. There is a visor to protect the face which also allows clear vision thanks to the clear polycarbonate. When you buy the product it comes with installation and commissioning instructions and is cardboard packed. The helmet meets EN 397 specifications. The hearing protection meets pr EN 352-3 specifications and the visor conforms to EN 166-3B/EN 1731 F specifications. It is an excellent priced protection helmet and comes up to safety on all fronts. Ideal for use with chainsaws
Draper Expert 54553 Heavy industrial gloves Draper
Here are a quality heavy pair of gloves. They have a chrome split palm and there is a thumb and knuckle guard, too. The back of the glove is cotton backed with an elastic wrist cuff and is rubberized.
They are well-made gloves and comfortable to wear. When and if they get wet they will not stain your hands like less expensive examples of work gloves do. The colour scheme of these gloves is a great safety feature especially if you're not working alone and working with a colleague. It is important that your hands are always visible for yourself or with a fellow worker when working with a petrol chainsaw. And those gloves assist with that. These gloves from Draper can be recommended for their value, comfort and quality. Ideal for use with a chainsaw or gardening power tool.
Draper 18050 Safety glasses by Draper
These goggles are both compact and lightweight. The frame is lightweight PVC and the lens is made from a very protective durable polycarbonate. For comfort reasons there is a built-in ventilation that keeps air circulating while you work. These glasses are ideal for all potentially hazardous jobs such as grinding, milling or filing. They are great to use even when working with a petrol chainsaw. These goggles are consistent with EN166.1.8.3.3.9 specifications. They are a big piece of eye protection wear that does not fog up when you get sweaty and can be worn over glasses, too.
Silverline 633816 30 Decibel Folding Earmuffs from SilverLine
A nice pair of compact folding ear protection. They are a very capable pair and give you a high level of hearing protection. They are consistent with the health and safety regulations EN352. Such is the confidence that the Silver Line have in their own products, there is a 3 year warranty on these ear covers. They are lightweight and very comfortable to wear but a little thing we have is a small reservation as to their ability with the low frequency noises such as footsteps.
So if you have the proper protection gear whilst using a petrol chainsaw then you are virtually eliminating any risk of injury. The thing now is to ensure that you use the chainsaw correctly and keep your eyes open for any potential risk.
When using a petrol chainsaw, at some point in use you will experience "kick back" from the saw. This is where the top of the chain bar will follow an arc where the centre is around the left hand if you use the saw in a right handed manner. So what you need to do is to not place your body in the path of this arc. If you hold the saw so that you cut down, and it is in line with the centre of the body, the tip of the blade will move towards your face if there is a kick back. This is a definite no no. When you use the chainsaw always make sure you put the work item between you and the blade. If it is not possible to do this then make sure you are positioned to the left of the arch.
Another precaution you must follow and pay special attention to is to think about where the wood you cut will fall. The logical thing to do is make sure you do not put your body in the place where the cut branch or tree is likely to fall. One tip you may want to take with you is to try to position yourself above where the wood will fall. All of us underestimate how fast a heavy log can roll when it is cut, especially if it rolls downhill.
When cutting down a whole tree the tree does not always fall where it's expected to. If you cut out a necessary hinge this helps, but does not always guarantee where the tree will fall. As you become more experienced with a chainsaw, you will begin to master the fall of the tree, but the tree should always be drawn in the direction you want it to fall. So you really should use ropes and blocks to help you with this. As you can see a little common sense and the right protective clothing should ensure your safety and well being when using a petrol chainsaw.
Petrol Chainsaw
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Examples Of Protective Safety Wear For Petrol Chainsaws
Using A Petrol Chainsaw Safely
Chainsaw Safety Basic Information
Protecting The Head And Hands
Never ever use a chainsaw without a helmet and eye and ear protection. A strong pair of gloves are also essential for your hands.
Footwear
You need to wear suitable foot protection. Specially designed boot for chainsaw use is recommended. These will have a protective toecap, saw protection qualities and a heavy tread for stability.
Eyewear
One must have some sort of protective eyewear when working with a petrol chainsaw. In use the chainsaw creates a lot of dust and debris in the air.
Trousers and Jackets
Protective trousers need to have saw protection as a feature. If they don’t they are not worth wearing on a safety front. A jacket too must have chainsaw protection and be of a colour that is highly visible. You want the jacket to be ventilated as well or else you will suffer from excessive sweating.
Calling For Help
Always have a decent first aid kit available in the vicinity where you work with a chainsaw. If an accident does occur it could be a life saver. You also want a mobile phone with you to make a call to the emergency services if required. And it’s also a good idea to have a whistle in your pocket. This can be blown to attract people’s attention.
The Chainsaw
Be patient and get to know your chainsaw. Before you embark on large jobs get to know the characteristics and feel of your chainsaw. This will give you confidence and a lot more surety.
Chain Catcher
Always make sure your chain catcher is perfect on the chainsaw. This is an essential safety feature on any chainsaw as it will catch the chain if it breaks or derails.
Throttle
On the chainsaw you should have a throttle control. Always use the throttle lock to prevent and accidental throttle advance.
Stop Control
An excellent safety feature of the chainsaw is the stop control. With it you can stop the chainsaw quickly if required.
Hand Guard
If the chain breaks or derails, without a hand guard your right hand would become the target of the broken chain.
Kickback
The chainsaw needs to have a chain brake to protect against kickback. This chain brake can be operated by the user or inertial forces that arise in the occurrence of kickback.