Chainsaws are found readily and can be used by anybody. However, this doesn’t lessen or undermine how dangerous it could be. Chainsaws cut massive logs of wood into smaller pieces that can be lifted and processed for different uses. Most homeowners have one in their storage for removing unwanted trees in their compounds or cutting up trees brought down by windstorms. Yet before you purchase a chainsaw, you must take several measures to ensure the safety of the user and the people around. Thus, here are some safety tips for homeowners:
Wear Personal Protective Gear. The use of chainsaws comes with several risks and hazards. Therefore, you must protect yourself and reduce the risk of possible injury. This isn’t an optional but a compulsory safety tip. Don’t just feel like the log of wood you want to cut down is only in your courtyard, so you don’t need any extra protective wear. Ensure to put on a full-face helmet for protection. Use tree climbing gear when appropriate.
Other safety gears include a hard hat, abrasion-resistant gloves, quality work boots, hearing protection, safety glasses, protective leg chaps, and others. Using any of these doesn’t mean you are immune from accidents, but they reduce the risks and impact of an injury. You should also avoid putting on flowing or loose clothing or accessories that can become entangled in the chainsaw.
Study The Owner’s Manual. This is as true for a chainsaw as for every other home appliance. The owner’s manual is the first guide on using the chainsaw safely. Different manufacturers have varying operating procedures and updates you must know. The manual tells you the specific instructions you need to maneuver the use of the chainsaw, necessary adjustments, required maintenance, and safety guidelines.
Irrespective of how much you know or how vast your experience is with the help of a chainsaw, studying the owner’s manual carefully is your responsibility. Some manufacturers also have digital copies of their manual on their websites if you don’t have the document included in the equipment. Remember, you cannot know more than the manual. You have to do the needful.
Understand Your Limits. Every adult can indeed buy a chainsaw. There is usually no license issued to those eligible to use it. However, this liberty does not give you the pass to go beyond your limit. There are trained professionals who are experts in using the chainsaw, and sometimes a project may be a little too big for non-professionals.
In cases like this, it is advisable to call an expert when you require a chainsaw to do something rather than handle it yourself. This is necessary for your safety and those around you. You could learn by observing the expert and know how to manage the difficulty in subsequent similar cases.
Work Under Supervision. This is especially important if you are a first-time user of a chainsaw. You shouldn’t work alone and make decisions without the guidance and supervision of an expert or someone with a lot of experience. It is like driving a car on a highway for the first time, which needs supervision. This is not to say you are incapable, but it’s best to ensure that you have someone to help you when you need it and teach you better ways to manage difficulties. Don’t man a chainsaw all by yourself, especially for the first time. Besides, the people around you should stay at least 30 feet away for safety.
Assess The Chainsaw Before Use. Machines could go wrong at any time, even while not in use. Whether you only used it yesterday or it has been lying in storage for over a year, you need to assess the equipment properly. Check if the chain is intact and if nothing seems broken or impaired. Check all parts and conditions before you use it. Remember that ensuring your safety requires patience and comfortability with using the machine before going on.
Start The Chainsaw Safely. The chainsaw is not a piece of casual equipment to be used in any way you prefer. Ensure you start the saw as safely as possible, preferably at least 10 feet away from the fueling site. Likewise, prevent falls by ensuring stability on your feet with an evenly distributed weight. Moreover, use the chainsaw between your hip level and the ground, and never above your hip level.
Conclusion
The operation of a chainsaw is delicate and should not be a trivial matter. Trying to reach the top of a tree by climbing a ladder to use a chainsaw is risky and should be best avoided. Keep the equipment off when not in use. Furthermore, ensure that it is stored safely outside of children’s reach. Homeowners should follow these and other safety tips to prevent accidents.
