‘Kick-back’ most frequent cause of saw injuries

Press, 16 May 1985, Page 28

‘Kick-back’ most frequent cause of saw injuries

Many aspects of chain saw work present different kinds of dangers to the health and safety of the user.

The chain saw itself is a potentially lethal tool, which can cut people as well as wood.

Being alert to the possible dangers and taking every precaution to ensure maximum safety is vitally important. Kickback is the most common cause of wounds, making up 30 per cent of all chain saw injuries. Kickback occurs when the chain, as it goes around the upper part of the bar, comes into contact with something solid. When the chain is at the upper third of the nose, it cannot cut efficiently. Since it cannot cut, the power of the chain’s movement forces the bar backwards and upwards, in the direction of the operator.

The risk of kickback is highest whenever the nose of the bar is used. If the nose of the bar must be used start, the cut with the lower part of the nose and be sure that the saw is running at high speed when the chain touches the wood.

Inexperienced operators should definitely avoid boring or using the nose of the bar.

There are various antikickback devices which can be fitted on to a chainsaw, but the best way to avoid kickback is to be aware of its causes. The interference with the moving chain may come from the chain striking another object at the tip of the bar, the chain binding in the cut; the chain hitting an unusually hard portion of wood.

Always cut with your left elbow locked, or with your arm as straight as possible. Cut only one log of wood at a time and take every precaution to make sure the nose of the bar does not touch anything. Always cut as close to the engine end of the bar as possible, and use the saw’s bumper spikes to grip the wood and provide pivot and balance for the saw.

When the nose strikes any solid object

These are situations known to cause kick-back nf the saw towards the user;