Chainsaw Use & Safety Guidelines
Chainsaws are used by firefighters for rescue and entry during facility structural fires, are operated to help control wildland fires, and are utilized in search and rescue operations. It is essential firefighters and emergency responders are educated on how to properly use a chainsaw and follow chainsaw operation safety guidelines.
What Are the Safety Precautions for Chainsaws?
A chainsaw can be a dangerous piece of equipment if not used properly. Without proper training, environmental awareness, and safety precautions, chainsaw operators and those around them can be seriously injured or even killed. The following list of chainsaw safety steps for firefighters will help to reduce injury and create an efficient work process for emergency situations.
Chainsaw Operation Safety Guidelines for Firefighters
- Wear complete and correct PPE including
- Hardhat or Helmet
- Eye Protection
- Chaps
- Boots
- Gloves
- Hearing Protection
- Long Sleeved Shirt
- Pants
- Monitor your environment
- Practice situational awareness and pay attention to bystanders and fellow firefighters
- Watch for widow makers or fool killers (detached or broken tree limbs)
- Look for snags
- Monitor fire conditions, weather, and vehicle traffic
- Follow orders from the safety officer
- Mitigate hazards
PPE Is Essential
Even if not fighting an active fire, wearing full PPE while operating a chainsaw is an essential, basic safety step to mitigate personal injury. Make sure to regularly inspect all your PPE gear to ensure it is not damaged, ripped, or torn, and check to make sure everything fits properly so it cannot get caught in the chainsaw chain. Safety should be your number one priority. You cannot be of any use to your team or those in need if you put yourself in danger.
The environment you’re working in can change quickly, especially on the scene of an active fire emergency. Firefighters need to actively pay attention to everything in their environment so they can carry out their responsibilities while prioritizing the safety of those around them. If using a chainsaw to cut down a tree, the firefighter needs to pay attention to the cutting angle and where the felled tree will land to make sure the area is clear. You are responsible for controlling your cutting area and properly communicating with those around you.
Adhere to All Chainsaw Safety Guidelines
Lastly, before operating a chainsaw in an emergency situation, you need to have experience and training, in addition to knowing how to use it. You should not operate a chainsaw if you do not feel comfortable doing so. Go to your safety officer and decline the assignment so you can be reassigned to a different job on scene.
Needless injuries and deaths are caused every year by those who do not take the proper safety precautions when operating a chainsaw. Adhering to all chainsaw safety guidelines is essential, especially for firefighters, so you can protect yourself, your fellow firefighters, and others who may be in danger.
In addition to his leadership role at Ward Fire Equipment,
John May has more than 30 years of experience in the Fire Service. John is a Level I & II Fire instructor in the State of NY.
