Wearing the proper safety equipment can prevent serious injury.
Chainsaw Safety
Each year, approximately 36,000 people are treated in hospital emergency departments for injuries from using chain saws (1). The potential risk of injury increases after hurricanes and other natural disasters, when chain saws are widely used to remove fallen or partially fallen trees and tree branches.
About Chainsaws
Selecting and Maintaining a Chain Saw by Stelzer, H. (2011). University of Missouri Extension. Retrieved from http://extension.missouri.edu/explorepdf/agguides/agengin/g01954.pdf
General Safety
Chainsaw Safety for Homeowners: a 2-page introduction to chainsaw safety from the New York State Department of Health, online at: https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/3233.pdf
Safe Timber Harvesting: a publication intended for loggers, however pages 1-44 cover personal protective equipment, maintaining and sharpened your chainsaw, general chainsaw safety, felling trees, and limbing and bucking. Produced by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, in cooperation with UNH Timber Harvesting Council, UNH Timberland Owners Association, and the UNH Thompson School of Applied Sciences, online at: https://extension.unh.edu/resources/representation/Resource001062_Rep1293.pdf
Work Safely with a Chainsaw: The Indiana Woodlot Series includes this 6-page PDF that covers choosing a chain saw (including considerations of horsepower, bar length, chain type, and safety features); personal protective gear; other mainenance equipment you'll need; how to carry yoru chainsaw; sizing up the work site before cutting; safe operation (including the saw's 'kickback danger zone'); and tips for working in the forest. Published by the Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources with other partners, online at: http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/files/02_Work_Safely.pdf
Techniques
Best Management Practices on the Cornell Cooperative Extension Forestry website include a series of articles (in PDF form) written by Tim Ard, a Game of Logging instructor. They describe chainsaw techniques that can improve your efficiency and safety. Online at:
http://www2.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/bmp/contents/diy/diy_chainsaw.htm
Last updated January 17, 2023
Videos
Protective Equipment
Sharpening A Chainsaw
Safety Classes
Game of Logging is a hands-on timber harvesting training program. Levels 1 & 2 are appropriate for homeowners and small woodlot owners who are interested in training on chainsaw safety and techniques. To find the training organization nearest you, visit Game of Logging online at: http://www.gameoflogging.com/
Course sponsors throughout NY State are encouraged to post dates and registration details under 'events' on the Cornell Forest Connect website.
There are no upcoming events