2
English / USA
Chainsaw Safety Manual
A.
A Summary of Warnings on
kickback and other Selected
Risks – Taken Primarily from
ANSI B 175.1 (See also “Safety
Precautions“ section of this
Owner’s Manual)
!Warning!
Kickback may occur when the nose or
tip of the guide bar touches an object, or
when the wood closes in and pinches
the saw chain in the cut. Tip contact in
some cases may cause a lightning fast
reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar
up and back towards the operator.
Pinching the saw chain along the top of
the guide bar may push the guide bar
rapidly back towards the operator. Either
of these reactions may cause you to lose
control of the saw which could result in
serious personal injury.
Section 5.11 of ANSI B 175.1-2000 sets
certain performance and design criteria
related to chainsaw kickback. STIHL has
developed a color code system using
green and yellow to help you select a
powerhead, bar and chain combination
that complies with the kickback
requirements of the ANSI Standard.
See the sections entitled "Safety
Precautions" and "Specifications" of this
manual.
Do not rely exclusively upon the safety
devices built into your saw. As a
chainsaw user, you should take several
steps to keep your cutting jobs free from
accident or injury.
1. With a basic understanding of
kickback, you can reduce or
eliminate the element of surprise.
Sudden surprise contributes to
accidents.
2. Keep a good firm grip on the saw
with both hands, the right hand on
the rear handle, and the left hand on
the front handle, when the engine is
running. Use a firm grip with thumbs
and fingers encircling the chainsaw
handles. A firm grip will help you
reduce kickback and maintain
control of the saw. Don't let go.
3. Make sure the area in which you are
cutting is free from obstructions. Do
not let the nose of the guide bar
contact a log, branch, or any other
obstruction that could be hit while
you are operating the saw.
4. Cut at high engine speeds.
5. Do not overreach or cut above
shoulder height.
6. Follow manufacturer's sharpening
and maintenance instructions for
the saw chain.
7. Only use replacement bars and
chains specified by the
manufacturer or the equivalent.
8. Reduced kickback bars and low
kickback chains are designed to
reduce the risk of kickback injury.
Ask your STIHL dealer about these
devices.
B.
Other Safety Precautions
!Warning!
1. Do not operate a chainsaw with one
hand! Serious injury to the operator,
helpers, bystanders, or any
combination of these persons may
result from one-handed operation. A
chainsaw is intended to be used
with two hands.
2. Do not operate a chainsaw when
you are fatigued.
3. Use safety footwear; snug-fitting
clothing; protective gloves; and eye,
hearing, and head protection
devices.
Some Important Safety Precautions for Chain Saw Users
