Your Crash Course in Chainsaw Safety
Chainsaws are invaluable tools for a wide variety of jobs, but they can also be dangerous when they are not operated properly. If you rent a chainsaw, there is a good chance that you don’t have a great deal of experience with them, so it’s important to take the time to learn how to operate this powerful tool safely. Fortunately, chainsaw safety is not difficult. As soon as you learn some basics rules, you will be able to use your tool confidently and safely.
Inspect Your Chainsaw Before Each Use
Operating a chainsaw with damaged equipment can lead to injuries. Before you use your chainsaw, inspect it carefully to look for signs of damage to the brakes, bolts, handles, safely shield, chain tension, and other components. The saw should be sharp, and there should be a full lubrication reservoir. Check the saw before each use, even if you only stopped briefly. You never know what kind of damage that wasn’t there before could happen while operating your chain saw.
Wear Protective Gear
Protective clothing and gear will reduce the risk of injury when operating a chainsaw. You should have a hard hat, hearing protection, goggles with side shields, and gloves with a gripping surface. Wear cut-resistant pants or chaps and steel-toed, non-skid boots. Some operators also wear a face shield to protect themselves from debris.
Practice Safe Operation Techniques
Start your chainsaw with at least 10 feet of clearance around you. There should be no pets or spectators in the area. Make sure you have a plan before you start cutting, and always take into account gravity, so you don’t get hit by any falling debris. Kickback can occur when you touch the saw’s tip to something you’re cutting, and pushback occurs when the chain becomes compressed and stops. These motions can cause you to lose your balance and control of the saw, so try to avoid triggering them. Keep both hands on the handle of the saw so you have more control.
A Tool Shed offers multiple sizes of chainsaws as well as large collection of other types of saws for rent. To make a reservation to rent tools in San Jose, please call us at (800) 286-6574.