Basic Chainsaw Safety Directional Felling Techniques Chainsaw Accident
Basic Chainsaw Safety & Directional Felling Techniques
Chainsaw Accident – “Lucky & Blessed” • Press Release - April 2 nd 2014 “Chainsaw victim called ‘lucky’ and ‘blessed’…Machine gets impaled in neck of worker felling tree, just misses carotid artery” This X-ray taken of James Valentine, 21, shows the chainsaw and chain still embedded in his neck following an accident he had while trimming trees Monday at a residence on Perry Highway in Ross. The chainsaw lodged nearly 2 inches into his neck and just missed the carotid artery. 2
Bloomberg Report (April 13, 2015) Top 10 Dangerous Jobs (2006 -2013) 1. Fishers 2. Loggers (97. 05 deaths per/100 k) 3. Aircraft pilots 4. Misc. extraction workers 5. Iron & steel workers 6. Roofers 7. Garbage collectors 8. Farmers & Ranchers 9. Driver/sales workers & truck drivers 10. Power-line installers & repairs (22. 85 deaths per/100 k)
Chain Saw Injury Locations • More than 40, 000 people are injured by chain saws each year. • The two most common places for injuries are the front left thigh and the back of the left hand
Chainsaw Facts • The chain is moving at 55 -60 mph or a mile per minute. • When a chain is at full speed, more than 600 teeth pass a given section per second. • A chainsaw piston moves up and down in the cylinder 20, 000 times per minute. • A muffler on a saw can reach up to 900 degrees F. • The most common cause of chainsaw related injuries is from kickback.
Chainsaw Injury
Chainsaw Injury
Chainsaw Injuries
Discussion Topics • Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • Safety features of the chainsaw • Safely starting a chainsaw • Operation of a chainsaw • Avoiding kickback • Developing a felling plan
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Required PPE when operating a chainsaw: • Eye protection • Gloves • Hearing protection • Head protection • Foot protection • Personal first aid kit • Leg protection
Leg Chap Demonstration
Chainsaw Safety Features Chainsaw Overview 12
Chainsaw Safety Features – Chain Brake – Throttle Interlock – Right-Hand Guard – Chain Catch – Spark Arrestor – Anti-Vibration 13
Starting a Chainsaw Two approved methods: 1. Ground start 2. Leg lock
Operating a Chainsaw handling and use • Proper grip, wrapping the thumb • Always carry the saw at your side with the cutting bar and chain to the rear and to the outside. • Safe Operating Distance • At least 10 ft. from co-workers • Cut at high speed • Make sure working area is free of obstructions • Always be AWARE and ALERT! • Avoid unsafe and off-balanced working positions • Do not use saw above shoulder height 15
Unsafe Working Position
Unsafe Work Position
What is Kickback? • The most common cause of chainsaw related injuries is from kickback. • Kickback happens when the chain is forced to abruptly stop and all energy is forced back onto the saw and the operator behind it. • Two common practices that lead to kickback: 1. 2. Allowing the bar tip to touch an object. Cutting logs and branches from underneath with one cut.
How Kickback Occurs
Chainsaw Kickback • Kickback occurs 7. 5 times faster than you can react! • Respect the saw; use it carefully. 20
Kickback Injury
Kickback Injury
Avoiding Kickback Tips to help prevent kickback: • Proper maintenance • Proper chain tension • Chain is sharpened • Never stand directly behind a cut • Never use the tip of the bar/chain to cut • Hold saw firmly with two hands with your left arm straight with thumb locked under bar handle
Tree Felling Plan 5 Step Plan 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Height & Hazards Lean & Lay Notch & Hinge Back cut Escape Route 24
Types of Notches
Tree Felling Open-faced Notch & Hinge • • Safest notch Greater accuracy of felling into target area Hinge stays intact until tree hits ground Less danger of kickback and other out-of-control movement 26
Tree Felling Open-faced Notch – Total Angle • Ideally 90°; at least 70° – Top Cut • Angled Downward; 70° – Bottom Cut • Angled Upward; 20° – Back Cut • Horizontal; at the same height as the corner of the notch – Depth • 1/4 – 1/3 of tree diameter 27
Open face
Tree Felling Conventional Notch – Total Angle • 45° – Top Cut • Angled Downward; 45° – Bottom Cut • Level with the ground – Back Cut • 1 -2” above the apex of notch – Depth • 1/4 – 1/3 of tree diameter 29
Good Conventional Notch
Bad Conventional Notch
Good or Bad?
Proper Notch & Hinge Notice the holding wood across entire stump
Notch & Hinge
Clean
Bypass
Barber chair
Escape Route Plan your work and work your plan!
Result of a Failed Felling Plan
Questions?
- Slides: 40