Chainsaw safety measures

It’s storm season, and as soon as a hurricane strikes, clean-up begins. Here is some guidance on how to prepare for, use and maintain a chainsaw during intense storm cleanup efforts. These necessary tips — if followed — ensure that your work is safe and effective. They are:

• Safety first. Take some time to train before getting started. Be sure to read through the owner’s manual for the chainsaw you’ll be using.

• Be prepared. This is a catch-all of tips regarding regular chainsaw maintenance and the possession of personal protective equipment.

• Map it out. Assess the full scope of damage, and create a plan for how to tackle it. The plan can include coordinating with other people, divvying up the work and prioritizing tasks that are most important.

• Know your limitations. Don’t do a job you’re unprepared for.

There will be plenty of work to go around, so only tackle tasks that you are comfortable handling.

• Buddy up. No one should trim trees by themselves, given the risk of error or injury. Pair up with another person, but stay a safe distance apart when operating saws.

• A good start. A chain-saw is best started on the ground, with the chain brake engaged. Don’t “cut” corners during intense, fast-paced clean-up efforts.

• The right cut. To achieve the right cut, use careful pruning practices to relieve tension from a branch or tree limb.

• Pamper your equipment. On-going maintenance during storm clean-up is critical, since you’ll be pushing your chainsaw hard. Pause often to clean filters and tighten chains.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.