Work Safely With a Chainsaw - Manage Your Backyard Forest

You need the basic personal protective gear!

You must protect your head, hearing, eyes, face, hands, legs, and feet. Many chain saw users have regretted not doing so and suffer with lifelong injuries.

• Protect your head and eyes: a specialized hardhat outfitted with earmuffs and a screen type full-face shield (in one piece of equipment) is the best protection for your head, hearing, eyes, and face. Not only does it protect you from saw injuries and hearing loss, but also from getting particles in your eyes.

• Protect your hands: You need to wear gloves or mittens when operating a chain saw. You may want to consider additional protection by wearing gloves or mittens constructed with chain saw protection for the left hand if you’re right handed or for the right hand if you’re left handed.

• Protect your legs: Leg injuries account for nearly 40 percent of all chain saw injuries and is absolutely necessary. Chaps, leggings, or protective pants are the available options. Chaps should be the wrap-around style and a length that will protect the ankle. Pants provide greater comfort and avoid the problem of twigs catching behind the chaps. If possible, purchase chaps and pants made with washable ballistic nylon fibers. This fabric is easier to keep clean and will stall a rotating chain.

• Protect your feet: Chain saw protective boots or at least an above-the-ankle leather work boot is a must to protect your feet.