JOB

: CHAINSAW OPERATOR

TASK

: TREE FELLING

Chainsaw: A portable mechanical saw which cuts with a set of teeth attached to a rotating chain that runs along a guide bar.

BASIC STEPS
1) Chain oiling

POTENTIAL HAZARDS
Oil spillage

RELATED RISKS

Slipping
Falling
Fire
Soil contamination

PROTECTIVE MEASURES
Machine has to be
fuelled and oiled strictly
on anti-slippery ground
or floor

2) Fully open the throttle

Carbon monoxide
discharge

3) Undercut (Notch) the

Violent tree fall

tree on the side in the

direction of fall

4) Stand beside the tree

with feet well braced

Overpower by machine on
uneven terrain

Nausea
Fatigue
Lung infection
Wood chips thrown into

Logger mesh face shield

eyes during cutting

Branches whipping into

when felling
Safety glasses with side

face/ eyes
Debris falling into eyes
Loosing balance
Falling

shields and top shields

Clear escape path
Use of leather gloves for

and comfortably

grip
Leather anti vibration
gloves

spread for good

balance
5) Put in the back cut

Use of gas mask

Violent tree fall

Falling object head impact

Hard hat

opposite the notch

6) Place the bumper
spikes near the engine

Chain jerking
Broken chain

Saw blade cuts

Mesh face shield

Flying wood chips

Chain kickback
Chain jerk

Eye injury
Ear injury
Saw blade cuts

Mesh face shield

Flip up ear muffs
Pivot the saw about the

firmly against the

trunk
7) Start cutting
8) Feed the chain into the

wood

bumper spikes and into

the trunk, using a fanlike
motion and moderate

9) Draw the saw out of

the cut slowly and with

Flying debris
Chain kickback

Eye injury

the chain running

pressure
Mesh face shield
Flip up ear muffs
Safety glasses with side
shields and top shields

CHAINSAW SAFE WORK PROCEDURE:

This procedure is to ensure control of potential hazards associated with the process of chainsaw operation, specifically the tree felling
task.
1) OPERATOR / USER

2) SAFETY CHECKS

 Right handed operator

Right handle should be the throttle / Left hand holds the
handle
Air filter should be kept clean all times / Chain should be

sharp
When starting hold saw firmly in position at ground level
Start cord pull with right hand
Not for use above shoulder height
Not for use when standing on a ladder
Operator should always be alert
Not for use when tired
Maintain safe distance from other persons
Fuel containers should be clearly labeled
Safe distance from ignition sources when fuelling the

On/Off switch
Breaks (incorporating a front guard)
Safety dead handle throttle
Chain catcher / Rear hand guard / Anti- Vibration mounts
Exhaust system to direct fumes away from the operator
Cover for transportation
Adequate tool kit for preventative and corrective
maintenance

chainsaw

3) PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING OR

EQUIPMENT

4) RISK ASSESSMENT

 Safety helmet or hard hat

Chainsaw gloves with protective pad on the back of the left

hand
Leg protection incorporating logging material
Safety boots with steel toe cap
Non- shag close fitting outer clothing
Chainsaw trousers
First Aid kit (Including large wound dressing)

Always carry out Risk Assessment before commencing

work with a chain saw eg potential hang ups, overhead
power cables, children, animals etc.
Evaluate risk and implement safety control measures
before work commences eg Isolation of specific risk.
Emergency procedures should also be in place eg mobile
phone with preloaded numbers, first aid kit and
functional radio transmission device.

5) TASK EXECUTION: FELLING TIMBER

6) STEPS

Have necessary competence to complete the task

safely
Have good judgment and quick reaction to use a
chainsaw safely
Consider factors such as the wind, natural lean of the
tree, location of large limbs, whether trunk is sound,

hallow or partially rooted

Watch for the presence of dead limbs overheard
Presence of overheard power lines in the vicinity
Plan work to minimize manual handling
Decide on direction of fall, select suitable escape route

to the rear and diagonal to the line of fall of a tree

Area directly behind the tree is also a danger zone
because tree may bounce back or slide when it hits the
ground
Escape route should always be kept clear of
obstructions
Felling is one worker in operation with chainsaw
By standers are at a safe distance and persons in the

Chain oiling
Fully open the throttle
Undercut (Notch) the tree on the side in the direction of fall
Stand beside the tree with feet well braced and comfortably

spread for good balance

Put in the back cut opposite the notch
Place the bumper spikes near the engine firmly against the
trunk
Start cutting
Feed the chain into the wood
Draw the saw out of the cut slowly and with the chain running

vicinity should be at least two three heights away from

the person operating the chainsaw
Clear any undergrowth likely to interfere with the
operator and the chainsaw
Remove dead material that might catch fire
Make sure foothold is secure and free from any
obstruction
Hold the saw firmly with both hands
Necessary equipment should be close eg breaker bar,
alloy, plastic wedges and sledgehammer