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AMERICAN STANDARD SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Safety precautions for chain saw
users
(ANSI B 175.1-2000 Annex C)
Kickback safety precautions
With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce or
eliminate the element of surprise. Sudden surprise
contributes to accidents.
Keep a good firm grip on the saw with both hands, the right
hand on the rear handle, and the left hand on the front handle,
when the engine is running. Use a firm grip with thumbs and
fingers encircling the chain saw handles. A firm grip will help
you reduce kickback and maintain control of the saw. Don’t let
go.
Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is free from
obstacles. Do not let the nose of the guide bar contact a log,
branch, or any other obstacle which could be hit while you are
operating the saw.
Cut at high engine speeds.
Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height.
Follow manufacturer’s sharpening and maintenance
instructions for the saw chain.
Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the
manufacturer or the equivalent.
Other safety precautions
Do not operate a chain saw when you are fatigued.
Use safety footwear; snug-fitting clothing, protective gloves,
and eye, hearing and head protection devices.
Use caution when handling fuel. Move the chain saw at least
10 feet (3 m) from the fueling point before starting the engine.
Do not allow other persons to be near the chain saw when
starting or cutting with the chain saw. Keep bystanders and
animals out of the work area.
Do not start cutting until you have a clear work area, secure
footing and a planned retreat path from the falling tree.
Keep all parts of your body away from the saw chain when the
engine is running.
Before you start the engine, make sure that the saw chain is
not contacting anything.
Carry the chain saw with the engine stopped, the guide bar
and saw chain to the rear, and the muffler away from your
body.
Do not operate a chain saw that is damaged, improperly
adjusted, or not completely and securely assembled. Be sure
that the saw chain stops moving when the throttle control
trigger is released.
Shut off the engine before setting the chain saw down.
Use extreme caution when cutting small size brush and
saplings because slender material may catch the saw chain
and be whipped toward you or pull you off balance.
When cutting a limb that is under tension be alert for
springback so that you will not be struck when the tension in
the wood fibers is released.
Keep handles dry, clean and free of oil or fuel mixture.
Operate the chain saw only in well-ventilated areas.
Do not operate a chain saw in a tree unless you have been
specifically trained to do so.
Do not operate a chain saw above shoulder height.
All chain saw service, other than the items listed in the
operator’s/owner’s safety and maintenance instructions,
should be performed by competent chain saw service
personnel. (For example, if improper tools are used to remove
the flywheel or if an improper tool is used to hold the flywheel
in order to remove the clutch, structural damage to the
flywheel could occur and subsequently cause the flywheel to
burst.)
When transporting your chain saw, use the appropriate guide
bar guard.
Note: This Annex is intended primarily for the consumer or
occasional user.
!
WARNING! Kickback may occur when the
nose or tip of the guide bar touches an
object, or when the wood closes in and
pinches the saw chain in the cut.
Tip contact in some cases may cause a
lightning fast reverse reaction, kicking the
guide bar up and back towards the operator.
Pinching the saw chain along the top of the
guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly
back towards the operator.
Either of these reactions may cause you to
lose control of the saw which could result in
serious personal injury.
Do not rely exclusively upon the safety
devices built into your saw. As a chain saw
user, you should take several steps to keep
your cutting jobs free from accident or
injury.
!
WARNING! Do not operate a chain saw with
one hand! Serious injury to the operator,
helpers, bystanders or any combination of
these persons may result from one-handed
operation. A chain saw is intended for two-
handed use.