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Contact: Robert Schultheis, natural resource engineering specialist

Headquartered in Webster County

Tel: (417) 859-2044

E-mail: schultheisr@missouri.edu

Take Care Using Chain Saws During Storm Recovery Work

Homeowners or disaster and storm recovery volunteers who use chain saws to cut or trim trees around their homes should use extreme caution to prevent injuries.

"In the hands of a careless, inexperienced or tired operator, a chain saw can be very hazardous. Injuries from a chain saw are usually quite serious,” said Bob Schultheis, natural resource engineering specialist, University of Missouri Extension.

More than 40,000 people require hospital treatment each year for chain-saw-related accidents, according to the U.S. Product Safety Commission.

To reduce risk of injury, select a saw that fits your needs, is balanced and has safety features. Read the operating manual. Many manufacturers also provide video instruction.

“One of biggest dangers in operating a chain saw is kickback. Kickback occurs when the nose of the guide bar strikes another object. It can result in severe upper body, neck or facial injuries or death. This contact may cause a lightning-fast reverse action of the guide bar back toward the operator," Schultheis said.

While the smaller consumer chain saws must come equipped with a low-kickback (or safety) chain when purchased, this is no guarantee that kickbacks will not occur according to Schultheis.

Be sure to match the length of the saw's guide bar to the type of job you expect to do most often. Do not attempt to cut material that is larger than the guide bar you choose.

A guide bar 8 to 14 inches long is good for trimming limbs, cutting small logs and felling small trees. Mid-weight saws with 14- to 20-inch guide bars are used to cut logs and for felling small-to-medium-diameter trees. Heavyweight saws with guide bars longer than 20 inches are for professional use and are not recommended for consumers.

Occasional saw operators as well as professionals should wear protective clothing.

Protective chaps or leggings can prevent the running saw from coming in contact with your legs.

Use safety glasses always. Earplugs or shooter's muffs provide protection from 90-plus decibel noise. Hard hats protect you from falling limbs and debris.

High-top shoes and gloves with slip-resistant palms are recommended.

Do not operate the saw above shoulder level.

Never drop-start a saw. Rather, place the saw on level ground with the bar and chain up out of the dirt. Be sure the saw is held firmly on the ground when pulling the starting rope.

"Remember, a chain saw can run at 5,000 feet per minute, or 55 miles per hour," Cutter said.

For more information on chain saw safety and use, contact the University of Missouri Extension center nearest you and ask for guide sheet G1959, "Basic Chain Saw Safety and Use." The complete guide sheet is available on line at http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore.

University of Missouri Extension improves people's lives with education and research from the four campuses of the University of Missouri System and Lincoln University that focuses on high-priority needs of people throughout the state. Each county extension center, with oversight by locally elected and appointed citizens, is your local link to these unbiased resources.
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	David L. Burton, BurtonD@missouri.edu Civic Communication Specialist, University of Missouri Extension Last Modified: 05/07/03