Beginner's Guide to Chainsaw Safety

Close-up of man cutting a tronk with a Stihl® chainsaw.

Beginner's Guide to Chainsaw Safety

Nothing else cuts like a chainsaw, and these powerful tools are essential for anyone in the business of cutting down trees or clearing brush. But with great power comes great responsibility! Before you fire up a chainsaw for the first time, check out the following safety tips from Smith Farm & Garden.

Read the Operating Manual

Sure, you might be able to safely ignore the operating manual that comes with your toaster, but not so much with a chainsaw. These machines must be handled with care, and the operating manual will teach you how to do just that! Make sure to read it from cover to cover when you first bring home a new chainsaw and follow the safety guidelines to the letter.

Dress for Success

When operating a chainsaw, you will want to dress for success - and by that, we mean dressing for safety. Wear thick, long pants made from a durable material like denim, and avoid loose or baggy clothing that could easily get caught in the saw. In addition, always wear gloves, closed-toe shoes, and eye and ear protection.

Take Advantage of Built-In Safety Features

Most chainsaws come with built-in safety features designed to protect the operator. These can include a chain brake, which will stop the chain from spinning if it comes into contact with your body, and a hand guard, which will prevent your hands from coming into contact with the chain. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the safety features of your chainsaw before using it!

Avoid Kickback

Kickback is the number one cause of chainsaw accidents, and it can happen in a split second if you're not careful. Kickback occurs when the tip of the chainsaw encounters an obstacle, such as a knot in the wood, causing the chainsaw to "kick back" toward the operator. There are several ways to avoid this:

  • Keep your chainsaw blade sharp.
  • Never cut through materials that are too dense.
  • Stop cutting if you encounter resistance.
  • Maintain a firm grip on the chainsaw with both hands.

That concludes our quick primer on chainsaw safety! We hope you found it helpful. If you need more advice, feel free to consult the team here at Smith Farm & Garden. We welcome our neighbors from Norman and Broken Arrow, OK.