Personal Safety Equipment

Chainsaw users should wear protective clothing which complies with New Zealand Standards or their overseas equivalents.

It makes sense to invest in the same equipment the professionals use. When you buy your safety equipment, make sure that it bears the NZ Standards “S” mark. This is a guarantee it's been manufactured to stringent standards to offer maximum protection.

What You Need

Footwear. Boots should have steel toe caps and give firm ankle support. Lace-up types must be securely fastened so that you don't trip on the laces.

Leg protection. Wear good-quality chainsaw operator's safety trousers or chaps. These should be to NZS 5840:1988.

Safety helmet. Wear a helmet .

Earmuffs. Wear muffs rated Grade 4.

Other equipment should include:

Eye protection. If you are working in very dusty conditions, wear goggles. If there's a danger of flying debris, use a helmet visor.

General clothing. This should fit fairly closely but be comfortable and allow free movement.

This is the safety equipment the Department of Labour recommends. For professional chainsaw users, all this equipment is compulsory.

First aid kit. Have a small kit with at least two large sterile wound dressings.

Remember to keep your safety equipment in good condition. Clean it, keep it dry and replace any broken or damaged components.

Wedges

Wedges are an indispensable aid for directional tree felling or to hold open cuts that may bind or pinch. The best choice is a high-density plastic wedge as used by many professional fellers. These are light-weight and inexpensive.

You'll need a mallet or suitable tool to drive in the wedges.

Wedges are useful for directional tree felling or to hold open a cut that may bind or pinch.

Work Area Safety

It's important to check the work area for hazards before you start felling or cutting.

Don’t do anything that will harm another person in any place where you are using your chainsaw (this includes harm to yourself).

• Check that there are no other persons or animals in the work area.
• Do not work in adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow or high winds.
• Always ensure you have a clear work area where you have a stable footing and do not have to reach or work off balance.
• Make your way carefully on uneven or sloping ground.
• Shut the saw off before carrying it. Carry it by the front handle with the bar to the rear - not on your shoulders.
• If you are felling trees:
• Make sure other people are at least two tree lengths away;
• Always have an escape route planned and cleared to the side and rear.
• Check for hazards in the area - such as electricity or telecom-munication cables. If in doubt, seek advice from the controlling authority.
• Always check for any material such as branches or tops which may dislodge and fall into the work area as the tree falls.

Have an escape route planned and cleared to the side and rear.

Transportation

Make sure your saw has a bar cover for transportation to and from the work area.

Secure all loose tools, saw and fuel containers in your vehicle so that they are not damaged in transit or become missiles in the event of an accident. Don't carry equipment in the passenger compartment.

Secure saw safely for transportation.

Checking Your Saw

Here are the checks you should carry out on your saw before you start work. Make these checks - which only take a minute or two - part of your routine whenever you get your saw out.

• Check that your chainbrake is in working order or you have a rigid-type hand guard fitted or a mitt securely laced to the front handle.
• Check that the lubrication system is working - rev the engine and operate for a few seconds before switching off. Check the chain to ensure it is properly lubricated.
• Alternatively, activate the oiler while pointing the bar towards a light object such as a stump and wait for the oil to show up.
• Check that the throttle control lockout, throttle control trigger and the on/off switch are operating correctly.
• Check that the chain is sharpened and tensioned to the manufacturer's instructions. When the cutters are sharp, with correct angle and depth gauge settings, the chain will do the work. When the chain is incorrectly sharpened and maintained, you work harder by having to force the saw into the cut.
• Check that the chain stops moving when the throttle control trigger is released.
• Check that all external fittings are secure - check nuts, bolts, etc.
• Check that the high-tension lead does not show signs of wear, especially where it passes through the body of the saw.

Pay particular attention to the above checks if you've lent your saw to anyone -they may not have taken the same care that you do!

Check that chain is properly lubricated.

Some Do's and Don'ts

• Never operate a chainsaw that is damaged, not properly adjusted to the manufacturer's recommendations, incorrectly assembled or with parts missing, especially safety devices.
• Except for fine-tuning the carburettor, never adjust saw parts while the motor is running.
• Always turn your saw off when handling the chain, guide bar or sprocket.

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