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Maryland Department of Emergency Management

USE CHAIN SAWS WITH RESPECT AND CAUTION

REISTERSTOWN, Md. (August 26, 2011) —  With Hurricane Irene promising to bring high winds and more rain to already saturated ground throughout Maryland, trees are certain to come down — and homeowners may think about using chain saws to break up the debris.

Think again and think carefully.

Chain saws can quickly cause severe injury or even death if not used properly. If you are not familiar with chain-saw techniques, saw maintenance and operation, be sure to – at minimum – read the owners manual completely and carefully and consult an expert for a demonstration. Other tips to follow to ensure safe use of chain saws:

  • Consult with a dealer to get the right size saw for the woodcutting you will be doing. Then get him or her to demonstrate the saw.
  • Use the fuel mix recommended by the manufacturer. Never fuel the saw near debris or when the saw is hot.
  • Sharpen the saw regularly and maintain proper chain saw tension. A loose chain can come off the guide bar and hit the operator.
  • Wear proper protective clothing, including safety goggles, hardhat, trim-fitting clothes (not loose or ragged), long-sleeve shirt and pants, gloves, and safety shoes.
  • Never operate a chain saw when you are tired or using alcohol or drugs. Take frequent breaks.

Once you’ve surveyed the job and planned the task:

·         Work with both hands on the chain saw handles.

·         Keep your eyes on both the blade and what you are cutting.

·         Cut only on the right side of your body.

·         Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height.

·         Cut only with the lower edge of the blade—cutting with the tip is inviting injury.

·         Beware of cutting limbs and branches that are bent. They may snap back and hit you.

·         Never force a dull chain to cut.

·         Remember: Chain saws are made to cut wood—only wood.

More chain saw safety information can be found on the web site for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at:http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/psa/chainsaw.asp.