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Chain Saw Safety



Details

  • Personal Author:
    Vance NK
  • Description:
    Logging has consistently been one of the most hazardous industries in the United States (US). In 2010, the logging industry employed 95,000 workers, and accounted for 70 deaths resulting in a fatality rate of 73.7 per 100,000 workers. The fatality rate for logging was over 21 times higher than the overall fatality rate in the US in 2010 (3.4 deaths per 100,000). This excessive risk for fatal work injuries points to a need for prioritizing research and intervention programs to make this industry less hazardous. The chain saw is one of the most efficient and productive portable power tools used in the industry. It can also be one of the most dangerous. If you learn to operate it properly and maintain the saw in good working condition, you can avoid injury as well as be more productive. Before Starting the Saw: 1. Check controls, chain tension, and all bolts and handles to ensure they are functioning properly and adjusted according to the manufacturer's instructions. 2. Fuel the saw at least 10 feet from sources of ignition. 3. Check the fuel container for the following requirements: Must be metal or plastic.; Must not exceed a 5 gallon capacity.; Must be approved by the Underwriters Laboratory, Factory Mutual (FM), the Department of Transportation (DOT), or other Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. While Running the Saw: 1. Keep hands on the handles, and maintain secure footing while operating the chainsaw. 2. Clear the area of obstacles that might interfere with cutting the tree or using the retreat path. 3. Do not cut directly overhead. 4. Shut off or release throttle prior to retreating. 5. Shut off or engage the chain brake whenever the saw is carried more than 50 feet, or across hazardous terrain. 6. Be prepared for kickback; use saws that reduce kickback danger (chain brakes, low kickback chains, low-kickback bars, etc.). 7. Maintain chain brake. Always keep both hands on saw while operating. Personal Protective Equipment Requirements (PPE): Personal protective equipment (PPE), for the head, ears, eyes, face, hands, and legs are designed to prevent or lessen the severity of injuries to loggers and other workers using chain saws. 1. Inspect PPE prior to use on each work shift to ensure it is in serviceable condition. 2. The following PPE is required by OSHA when using chainsaws: Head Protection; Hearing Protection; Eye/Face Protection; Leg Protection; Foot Protection; Hand Protection Training: Employers involved in tree removal/logging are required to assure that their employees are able to safely perform their assigned tasks. When loggers are trained to work safely they should be able to anticipate and avoid injury from the job related hazards they may encounter. Training requirements include: Specific work procedures, practices and requirements of the work site, including the recognition, prevention, and control of general safety and health hazards.; Requirements of the OSHA Logging standard, Blood-borne Pathogens standard, First Aid, and CPR training.; How to safely perform assigned work tasks, including the specific hazards associated with each task and the measures and work practices which will be used to control those hazards.; How to safely use, operate, and maintain tools, machines and vehicles which the employee will be required to utilize in completing the assigned requirements. [Description provided by NIOSH]
  • Subjects:
  • Keywords:
  • Publisher:
    The Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education
  • Document Type:
    Text
  • Funding:
    Cooperative Agreement
  • Genre:
    Newsletter
  • Place as Subject:
  • CIO:
    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • Topic:
    Workplace Safety & Health
  • Location:
    North America
  • NIOSHTIC Number:
    nn:20053327
  • Citation:
    Monthly Safety Blast. Tyler, TX: The Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education, 2015 Sep; :website
  • Email:
    agcenter@uthct.edu
  • Federal Fiscal Year:
    2015
  • NORA Priority Area:
    Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
  • Performing Organization:
    University of Texas Health Center at Tyler
  • Peer Reviewed:
    False
  • Start Date:
    20010930
  • Source Full Name:
    Monthly Safety Blast
  • End Date:
    20270929
  • Collection(s):
  • Main Document Checksum:
    urn:sha-512:98574a0562fac06f549a59cd80a909a1feaae0a2aa9acbd5b5df37f90ee745f4d0a9a291a512ae3c1e10c3882d6642afc8fffe281dd0a993744d90708a2da257
  • Download URL:
  • File Type:
    Filetype[PDF - 193.49 KB ]
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