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Chainsaws have been one of the most popular tools for cutting trees since time immemorial. However, you must be careful while using chainsaws as they can cause severe injuries if you’re oblivious of the proper ways of handling it. The last thing you want is to jeopardize your safety during the process, as well as the welfare of the people around you.
To avoid any unfortunate incident, here are some of the common mistakes that you should avoid while using a chainsaw:
1. Not Having The Right Safety Gear And Clothing
If you’re using a chainsaw, you must have the proper safety tree climbing gear and clothing. You need protective clothing so that if something does go wrong, you won’t get injured. The same goes for eye and ear protection because these will help protect the said body parts from dust, flying debris, and other hazards associated with working with power tools.
You also need to wear chainsaw chaps (also known as chaps) when using a chainsaw because they’ll protect your legs against injuries caused by kickback or coming into contact with the chain while cutting wood, or even getting hit by an object during operation. Chaps can also protect your arms from cuts caused by flying debris.
2. Not Having Enough Power
One of the most common mistakes people make when climbing trees is not having enough power. If your saw has less than a 15-amp engine and your cutting chain is dull, you’ll have trouble cutting through the wood. You’ll have to stop and sharpen the chain more often. It also means that if you’re going through thick branches or trunks, it may take too long for you to cut through them.
In addition, if your saw doesn’t have enough power, it may stall when trying to cut through thicker limbs or trunks because there’ll be insufficient torque. If this happens while you’re high up in a tree, it could be dangerous because it could cause your chainsaw to fall out of your hand or even cause it to get stuck in a branch or trunk while cutting through it.
3. Using A Chainsaw That’s Too Heavy
You can’t use just any random chainsaw; you need to pick the right size.
Using a chainsaw that’s too big for you will lead to fatigue, stress, and poor balance. When choosing a chainsaw, it’s essential to consider your body size and strength. Meanwhile, if you’re tall or have large hands, you may be able to handle a larger model compared to someone who’s shorter or has smaller hands.
Even if you have the strength for a larger model, using it might still lead to fatigue and strain when cutting wood because it requires more effort than necessary when cutting through logs or branches.
You should also consider how much weight you can lift safely. If the saw’s weight exceeds your personal capacity, it’s most likely too heavy for you regardless of what else is said about its usability.
4. Not Securing The Extension Cord Properly
One of the biggest mistakes you can make while using a chainsaw is not securing your extension cord properly. This could result in severe injuries or, worse, even death.
Make sure there’s no chance of tripping over the extension cord. However, if there is, secure it with a pipe strap or something similar. Also, don’t run an extension cord under any obstacle that would prevent you from seeing what’s behind it. It could be anything from a rock, to a tree stump or even just a root in the ground that’s protruding from beneath the surface.
5. Climbing With A Chainsaw On Your Shoulder
Carrying your chainsaw on your shoulder is dangerous because you won’t be able to see what you’re doing with one of your hands. If you need to change hands or move around while cutting, you’ll have to remove the saw and put it down again. It increases the time it takes to complete a job, as well as increases the risk of injury.
Moreover, if something goes wrong and you lose control of the tool, there’d be less distance between your arm and the blade tip when the chainsaw is on your shoulder than when it’s hanging from your side or your hand, which means more severe damage if something goes wrong.
Takeaway
If you’re using a chainsaw, it’s crucial to ensure that you’re wearing proper protective gear to protect yourself from any debris you may come into contact with. It’s also a must to pick a size that complements your built and capacity as using one that’s beyond your capabilities might lead to accidents and injuries. Most importantly, never make the mistake of committing the abovementioned errors. Also, try gardening at home to make up for the job. As a result, your job will run more smoothly and you’ll be extra safer.
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