Chainsaws were invented because loggers realized how difficult sawing with a manual saw was.
The chainsaw brought about great change in the logging industry, making it much easier and immensely quicker to saw wood.
Chainsaws are powerful pieces of machinery and need to be handled with care and precaution as with all machinery.
In this article we will discuss the dos and don'ts when using and handling chainsaws.
So long as you have maintained your chainsaw well, you will find that it will usually present no problem when you go to use it.
Once in use however, there are still potential hazards faced by the user.
Petrol chainsaws are of course extremely dangerous to the user and any other bystanders.
There are therefore, several things to bear in mind if you're cutting down trees or simply tidying up an area of your garden.
Before beginning, you should always check the area you are working in to make sure that it's clear to begin.
Identify where you want the cut timber to land and always ensure you have stable ground underfoot before commencing work.
Always start the chainsaw on the ground, never drop start.
If the chain blade starts spinning, you will still have control over the chainsaw and your body parts are then kept well away from the blades.
You should never saw through the wood with just the tip of the chainsaw.
Doing this can cause kick back which may end up with you getting a close up of the chainsaw's blades.
If the chainsaw has a kick back guard, ensure this is always in place.
Be aware of any tree branches under high tension which, if they spring out, might present a danger to you or any bystanders.
Do not allow the chainsaw's blade to become bound into the tree's trunk as this may damage the chainsaw and result in injury when trying to free it.
Always maintain a two handed grip when operating the chainsaw and do not wear loose clothing.
If available, you should wear protective clothing, including steel toed boots and eye and ear protection.
At the end of the day, when operating petrol chainsaws, it's simply a case of using a bit of common sense and following the safety guidelines.
Remember this tool is there to make your life easier but is very powerful and can be potentially dangerous if not handled with care.