Chainsaw Safety

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Chainsaws are used in many industries and for many activities, particularly in forestry operations. While a chainsaw is relatively easy to operate, it can be lethal. As with all high-speed cutting tools, it demands full attention from a trained and experienced operator. Generally, injuries result from two types of scenarios:

  1. The operator makes unintentional contact with the revolving chain
  2. The operator is struck by the object being cut, usually a tree or heavy limb

Employer duties

Chainsaws are equipment that are defined in PEI’s OHS General Regulations as “a saw powered by a gasoline or electric motor or by other means and which has its cutting elements on an endless chain.” [OHS General Regs., S. 41.1(c)]

Employers must:

  • Take every reasonable precaution to protect the health and safety of persons at or near the workplace. [OHS Act, S. 12(1)(a)]
  • Make sure that any item, device, material, equipment, or machinery provided to workers at a workplace is properly maintained and is properly equipped with the safety features or devices, as recommended by the manufacturer or required by the regulations. [OHS Act, S. 12(1)(b)]
  • Make sure workers are familiar with the proper use of all safety features or devices, equipment, and clothing required for their protection. [OHS Act, S. 12(1)(e)]
  • Make sure that a worker who is operating a chainsaw wears protective clothing and equipment including: [OHS General Regs., S. 41.8]
    • Approved hearing protection,
    • Safety eyewear,
    • Safety pants,
    • A hard hat, and
    • Safety boots.
  • Make sure that a chainsaw is in safe working order before any worker operates it. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.9(1)]
  • Make sure that no worker operates a chainsaw unless it is approved and is equipped with: [OHS General Regs., S. 41.9(2)]
    • A safety chain,
    • Chain brake,
    • Anti-vibration mounts,
    • Throttle-control lockout,
    • Chain catcher, and
    • Rear hand guard.
  • Make sure that a worker stores and distributes fuel for a chainsaw from an approved safety container. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.11]

Worker duties

Workers must:

  • Follow good practices when using a chainsaw:
    • Follow the instructions, education, and training provided by the employer about the proper use of chainsaws.
    • Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including a hard hat with shield, gloves, chainsaw pants, neck guard, and chainsaw boots.
    • Make sure the chainsaw is clean and in good condition before using.
    • Test the chainsaw before using, and always cut at waist level or below.
    • Be aware of ‘chainsaw kickback’ and how to maintain control when it happens.
    • Make sure they and other workers nearby are protected from flying debris.
    • Bystanders or other workers should be about 9 metres (30 feet) away from anyone using a chainsaw.
    • Scan the cutting area for possible hazards such as nails or cables outside or inside the wood.
    • Report any hazards.
    • Avoid contact with power lines or cutting them until they are disconnected from a power source.
    • If an injury occurs, apply direct pressure on the wound.
  • Not operate a chainsaw unless it is in safe working condition. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.9(1)]
  • Not operate a chainsaw unless it is approved and is equipped with: [OHS General Regs., S. 41.9(2)]
    • A safety chain,
    • Chain brake,
    • Anti-vibration mounts,
    • Throttle-control lockout,
    • Chain catcher, and
    • Rear hand guard.
  • Stop the chainsaw motor before refuelling it or performing maintenance work on it. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.10]
  • Store and distribute fuel for a chainsaw from an approved safety container. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.11]
  • Be at least 3 m (10 ft.) from the fuel container before starting a chainsaw. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.12]
  • Have a fire extinguisher easily available and in proper working condition when operating a chainsaw during the fire season. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.13]
  • Carry an approved pressure dressing and bandage when operating a chainsaw. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.14]
  • Maintain a chainsaw so that the chain will not move when the chainsaw motor is idling. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.15]
  • Make sure the chainsaw motor is stopped when carrying it a distance longer than usual between trees to be felled. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.16]
  • Hold a chain saw firmly in both hands when operating it. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.17]
  • Never start a chainsaw if it is resting against any part of the worker’s body. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.18]
  • Wear safety gloves or mitts while sharpening a chainsaw. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.21]
  • Follow proper felling procedures: [OHS General Regs., S. 41.25]
    • Cut and clean away any obstructions and make sure that the travel of the saw is clear before felling or cutting a tree into lengths;
    • Make sure that any chicots in the area of the tree have been felled or pushed safely to the ground before felling a tree;
    • Make sure that they are able to stand clear of the tree during its fall before felling a tree;
    • Make sure there is an unobstructed escape route; and
    • Make sure that any tree cut or partially cut, standing on the stump, or hung up in adjacent trees is pushed or lowered safely to the ground before the next tree is felled.

Kickback

'Kickback' is the sudden upward or sideways movement of a kickback chain or clearing saw. (The Forest Professional: Guidelines for the Stewards of tomorrow’s forests, 5th edition, p. 67)

Fire Season

Note: Information on fire season dates is available from the Prince Edward Island Fire Marshals Office. (The Forest Professional: Guidelines for the Stewards of tomorrow’s forests, 5th edition, p. 67)

Felling

(f) "felling" means a logging operation which consists of cutting a tree from its stump. [OHS General Regs., S. 41.1(f)]

Chicots

Chicot refers to a dead tree, or a dead limb of a tree that may endanger a worker

General Regulations
EC180/87

Part 41 FOREST OPERATIONS

Section 41.1 Definitions

41.1 In this Part

(a) "Act" means the Occupational Health and Safety Act;

(b) "bucking" Repealed. [EC2021-126, s. 35]

(c) "chain saw" means a saw powered by a gasoline or electric motor or by other means and which has its cutting elements on an endless chain;

(d) "chicot" Repealed. [EC2021-126, s. 35]

(e) "darkness" means the period of time beginning one-half hour after sunset and ending one-half hour before sunrise;

(f) "felling" means a logging operation which consists of cutting a tree from its stump;

(g) "forwarding" means a logging operation which consists of transporting logs from a felling area to a landing site with the logs completely raised from the ground;

(h) "haul road" means a road used in the transportation of any forest products, excluding those roads under the jurisdiction of the Highway Traffic Act R.S.P.E.I. 1974, Cap. H-6;

(i) "life jacket" Repealed. [EC2021-126, s. 35]

(j) "log" includes a trunk of a felled tree, piece of pulpwood, pit prop, pole, post, tie or any similar forest product;

(k) "lodged tree" means a tree that has not fallen to the ground after being

(i) partly or wholly separated from its stump, or

(ii) displaced from its natural position;

(l) "logging area" means a worksite used for a logging operation;

(m) "logging" or "logging operation" means the act of cutting or harvesting trees including the transportation of logs and site preparation for tree planting and seeding;

(n) "mobile equipment" means self-propelled equipment used in a logging operation, including, but not limited to, an industrial tractor, skidder, dozer, loader, motor grader or prime mover;

(o) "obstruction" means any material or object that may interfere with the safe movement of a log;

(p) "safety eyewear" Repealed. [EC2021-126, s. 35]

(q) "safety footwear" Repealed. [EC2021-126, s. 35]

(r) "safety hat" Repealed. [EC2021-126, s. 35]

(s) "skidding" means a logging operation which consists of transporting logs from the felling area to a landing site whereby at least one end of the log remains on the ground;

(t) "stakes" means metal or wood posts used to support logs and prevent the lateral movement of the logs;

(u) "vehicle" means a device in, upon or by which a person or thing is, or may be, transported or drawn upon a highway including a truck, semi-trailer and mobile equipment.

[EC2021-126, s. 35]

Section 41.8 Chain saw operation

41.8 When operating a chain saw, the employer shall ensure that the worker wears and the worker shall wear approved hearing protection, safety eyewear, safety pants, a hard hat and safety boots.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 41.9 Chain saw operation

41.9 (1) The employer shall ensure that no worker operates a chain saw unless it is in safe working order.

(2) No worker shall operate a chain saw unless it is approved and is equipped with a safety chain, chain brake, anti-vibration mounts, throttle-control lock out, chain catcher and rear hand guard.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 41.10 Maintenance

41.10 Where a chain saw is to be refuelled or maintenance work is to be performed on a chain saw, a worker shall stop the chain saw motor prior to refuelling it or performing maintenance work on it.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 41.11 Fuel storage

41.11 The employer shall ensure that a worker shall store and distribute fuel for a chain saw from an approved safety container.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 41.12 Starting saw

41.12 No worker shall start a chain saw unless it is at least 3 m (10 ft.) from the fuel container required under section 41.11.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 41.13 Fire extinguisher

41.13 When operating a chain saw during the fire season, a worker shall have a fire extinguisher readily available and in proper working condition.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 41.14 Pressure dressing

41.14 Each chain saw operator shall carry an approved pressure dressing and bandage when operating a chain saw.

Section 41.15 Chain saw maintenance

41.15 A worker shall maintain a chain saw in a manner so that the chain will not move when the chain saw motor is idling.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 41.16 Stopping saw when carrying

41.16 A worker shall stop a chain saw motor where the chain saw is to be carried a distance longer than usual between trees to be felled.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 41.17 Holding saw

41.17 When operating a chain saw, a worker shall hold the chain saw firmly in both hands.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 41.18 Starting saw

41.18 No worker shall start a chain saw while it is resting against any part of his body.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 41.21 Safety gloves

41.21 A worker shall wear safety gloves or mitts while sharpening a chain saw.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 41.25 Felling procedure

41.25 A worker shall

(a) before felling or bucking a tree, cut and clean away any obstructions and ensure that the travel of the saw is clear;

(b) before felling a tree ensure that, where practicable, any chicots in the vicinity of the tree have been felled or pushed safely to the ground;

(c) before felling a tree, ensure that he is able to stand clear of the tree during its fall;

(d) ensure there is an unobstructed escape route; and

(e) ensure that any tree cut or partially cut, standing on the stump, or hung up in adjacent trees is pushed or lowered safely to the ground, before the next tree is felled.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT
R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. O-1.01

Section 12 Duties of employers

12. (1) An employer shall ensure

(a) that every reasonable precaution is taken to protect the occupational health and safety of persons at or near the workplace;

(b) that any item, device, material, equipment or machinery provided for the use of workers at a workplace is properly maintained, and is properly equipped with the safety features or devices, as recommended by the manufacturer or required by the regulations;

(c) that such information, instruction, training, supervision and facilities are provided as are necessary to ensure the occupational health and safety of the workers;

(d) that workers and supervisors are familiar with occupational health or safety hazards at the workplace;

(e) that workers are made familiar with the proper use of all safety features or devices, equipment and clothing required for their protection; and

(f) that the employer's undertaking is conducted so that workers are not exposed to occupational health or safety hazards as a result of the undertaking.

(2) An employer shall

(a) consult and cooperate with the joint occupational health and safety committee or the representative, as applicable;

(b) cooperate with any person performing a duty or exercising a power conferred by this Act or the regulations;

(c) provide such additional training of committee members as may be prescribed by the regulations;

(d) comply with this Act and the regulations and ensure that workers at the workplace comply with this Act and the regulations; and

(e) where an occupational health and safety policy or occupational health and safety program is required under this Act, establish the policy or program.

(3) An employer shall establish and implement as a policy, in accordance with the regulations, measures to prevent and investigate occurrences of harassment in the workplace.

[S.P.E.I. 2018, c. 45, s. 3]