WORKING TECHNIQUES

24 – English

Using the chainsaw in the tree

An analysis of accidents with these saws during tree 
service operations shows the primary cause as being 
inappropriate one-handed use of the saw. In the vast 
majority of accidents, operators fail to adopt a secure 
work position witch allows them to hold both handles of 
the saw. This results in an increased risk of injury due to:

•

not having a firm grip on the saw if it kicks back.

•

a lack of control of the saw such that it is more liable 
to contact climbing lines and operators body 
(particularly the left hand and arm)

•

losing control from insecure work position resulting in 
contact with the saw (unexpected movement during 
operation of the saw)

Securing the work position for two-handed use

To allow the operator to hold the saw with both hands, 
they should as general rule, aim for secure work position 
where they are operating the saw at:

•

hip level when cutting horizontal sections.

•

solar plexus level when cutting vertical sections.

Where the operator is working close into vertical stems 
with a low lateral forces on their work position, then a good 
footing may be all that is needed to maintain a secure 
work position. However as operators move away from the 
stem, they will need to take steps to remove or counteract 
the increasing lateral forces by, for example, a re-direct of 
the main line via a supplementary anchor point or using 
an adjustable strop direct from the harness to a 
supplementary anchor point.

Gaining a good footing at the working position can be 
assisted by use of a temporary foot stirrup created from 
an endless sling.

Starting the saw in the tree

When starting the saw in the tree, the operator should:

a) apply the chain brake before starting.

b) hold saw on either the left or right of the body when 
starting:

1

on the left side hold the saw with the left hand on the 
front handle and thrust the saw away from the body 
while holding the pull starter cord in the other hand.

2

on the right side, hold the saw with the right hand on 
either handle and thrust the saw away from the body 
while holding the pull starter cord in the left hand.

The chain brake should always be engaged before 
lowering a running saw onto its strop. Operators should 
always check the saw has sufficient fuel before 
undertaking critical cuts.

One-hand use of the chainsaw

Operators should never use a chain saw onehanded.

Operators should never:

•

cut with the kickback zone at the tip of the chainsaw 
guide bar

•

‘hold and cut’ sections.

•

attempt to catch falling sections.

•

Cut in the tree when he/she is only secured with one 
rope, always use 2 secured lines.

•

check condition of harness, belt and ropes at regular 
frequent intervals.

Freeing a trapped saw

If the saw should become trapped during cutting, 
operators should:

•

switch off the saw and attach it securely to the tree 
inboard (i.e. towards the truck side) of the cut or to a 
separate tool line.

•

pull the saw from the kerf whilst lifting the branch as 
necessary.

•

if necessary, use a handsaw or second chain saw to 
release the trapped saw by cutting a minimum of 30 
cm away from the trapped saw.

Whether a handsaw or a chainsaw is used to free a stuck 
saw, the release cuts should always be outboard (toward 
the tips of the branch), in order to prevent the saw being 
taken with the section and further complicating the 
situation.

Basic cutting technique

General

•

Always use full throttle when cutting!

•

Reduce the speed to idle after every cut (running the 
engine for too long at full throttle without any load, i.e. 
without any resistance from the chain during cutting, 
can lead to serious engine damage).

•

Cutting from above = Cutting on the pull stroke.

•

Cutting from below = Cutting on the push stroke.

Cutting on the push stroke increases the risk of kickback. 
See instructions under the heading How to avoid 
kickback.

Terms

Cutting = General term for cutting through wood.

Limbing = Cutting branches off a felled tree.

Splitting = When the object you are cutting breaks off 
before the cut is complete.

!

WARNING! Never use a chain saw by 
holding it with one hand. A chain saw is 
not safely controlled with one hand; you 
can cut yourself. Always have a secure, 
firm grip around the handles with both 
hands.