Southern Baptist Pennsylvania/New Jersey Chain Saw Manual Revised August 2012 North American Mission Board, SBC
Chain Saw Orientation Chain Saw Attitude Be a servant. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him... Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men Colossians 3:17, 23 (NIV) Continue to develop your skills Practice sessions: tools and power equipment Witness Training Online information: www.stihlusa.com www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/forst2/mf2103.pdf www.husqvarna.com www.oregonchain.com www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/ageng/safety/ae1025w.htm www.namb.net/dr www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/crslist.asp (for IS-100, 200, and 700 courses) Chain Saw Safety Clothing & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) The chain saw is one of the most efficient, productive, and dangerous portable power tools used in any industry. If you learn to operate it properly and maintain the saw in good working condition, you will avoid injury as well as be more productive. Safety gear must be worn when you are operating a chain saw. On each cleanup/recovery unit there must be safety gear for each person operating a chain saw. The Following Safety Gear is standard for Chain Saw work: Heavy-duty gloves Heavy duty boots Safety hard hat Ear protection Chaps Eye protection: safety glasses or goggles, face screen Face or dust mask if working in dusty areas Hair covering to contain long hair. 1
Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. They could become tangled in brush and limbs as well as the saw. Anything that could become entangled must be secured before operating a saw. Proper footwear is also important. High top steel-toed/tech toed boots with lug soles offer superior traction. NO ONE will operate a chain saw on our team without wearing this gear: Chaps are a key part of the safety gear. Chaps are constructed of material that resists cuts from the saw teeth. The internal material will also choke the saw to a stop when entangled. Chain saw gloves are constructed of a material which resists saw cuts to the hands in the event of a kick back. Good work gloves also provide a better grip while reducing fatigue resulting from extended operation. They protect against cuts, burns, pinches, poison, bites, and blisters. Head and face protection. The chain saw helmet provides protection to the head. It includes a pull-down face shield and ear covers to reduce noise. Face shields & visors are considered secondary protection - always wear safety glasses behind screen. Ear protection. Noise induced hearing loss is the #1 occupational injury. Those not operating a chain saw should wear... long pants that are comfortable to work in heavy duty work gloves. ear protection if you are working near a saw. thick-soled, steel/tech-toed work boots. a hard-hat if there is any chance of debris falling on you. eye protection A Typical Chain Saw Job Includes... Cutting mostly with chain saws; sometimes with bow saw, loppers, axe, trimmer. Each chain saw operator should have a spotter. Felling is the cutting down of a standing tree. Felling techniques may also be used when removing large limbs. Limbing is the removal of branches from trunks and large limbs. When possible, limb the opposite side of the tree, keeping the trunk between you and the saw. Cut as close to the trunk as possible. Bucking is the cutting of the trunk and limbs into movable lengths. Do not make more cuts than necessary. Clearing Pulling debris away as it is being cut in order to remove the obstructions for the operator. This is a good job for the spotter. Dragging Taking debris that has been cleared to the designated area so that it can be disposed of later. It must be piled neatly. Yard Clean Up as time and manpower permit. 2
Parts of a Chain Saw Air Filter Cover Throttle Interlock Front Handle Chain Front Hand Guard (Chain Brake) Bar Kickback Zone Throttle Trigger Chain Catcher Chain Tensioner Bumper Spike Chain Saw Operation Safety Rules 1. Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height. 2. Do not operate a chain saw with one hand. Grip chain saw firmly with both hands. 3. Engage the chain brake when walking with the saw. 2-Step Rule: If you are repositioning, adjusting your stance, looking or turning around, etc... ENGAGE the CHAIN BRAKE!!! If you are taking more than two steps to get from point A to point B ENGAGE the CHAIN BRAKE & SHUT OFF the MOTOR!!! 4. Do not operate a chain saw while under the influence of alcohol, medication or drugs. 5. Do not operate a chain saw within 10 feet of highly flammable liquids or gases. 6. Do not operate a chain saw while in a hurry. 7. Do not operate a chain saw while in a tree or on a ladder unless trained to do so. 8. Do not operate the saw when you are tired. 9. Use the chain saw for cutting wood only. Do not use it for purposes not intended. Do not use it for cutting plastic, masonry, etc. 3
10. Only well-instructed adults should operate a chain saw. Minors may NOT operate a chain saw. 11. Never use hand guard (chain brake) as handle. 12. Keep finger off trigger until ready to make cut. 13. Before cutting always provide the following: o Clear work area o Plan and clear retreat path (45-degree angle to the rear) o Carefully inspect tree before making cut. Make sure there are no dead limbs or branches that may break away during shift and fall on you. o Secure footing. 14. Before starting the chain saw, fill the gas/oil mixture and bar & chain oil reservoirs. Always check both reservoirs when it is time to refuel. Safe Starting Procedures 10 feet or more from fuel can Visually inspect saw/ check chain tension Chain Brake ON Starting Stance Firm grip with thumbs & fingers encircling saw handles Make sure chain is not touching anything. On the ground, foot on the handle - pull the start cord. NO Drop Starts!! TWO HANDS!!! Check Operation of Chain Brake/ check chain tension again 15. Stay alert. During chain saw operations do not allow anyone within 6 feet of the chain saw operator. Keep children, animals and bystanders away from chain saw. Only chain saw user should be in work area. Remember the saw blade is traveling in excess of 80 feet per second. Just a touch can result in serious injury in as little as a split second. 16. Be aware of local poisonous plants. Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are the most common poisonous plants in the United States. Don t cut them!! 17. Keep all parts of your body away from the chain when the chain saw is running. 18. Run the engine at full throttle. 19. Do not force the chain saw while cutting. Apply light pressure. It will do the job more safely and effectively if it is used at the rate for which it was designed. 20. Cut small brush and saplings with extreme care. Slender material may catch in the chain and be whipped toward, de-chain the saw, or even pull you off balance. 21. Keep the bar out of dirt and sand! Do not cut through all the way to the ground. If needed, clean the wood before making the cut. 22. When cutting a limb or trunk that is under tension, use extreme caution. Be alert for wood springing back. When wood tension is released, limb could spring back and strike operator causing severe injury or death. 4
23. Stand at the side of the saw, not behind it, and keep your feet well-braced and body balanced. 24. Have wedges and sledge hammer close by to unpinch a saw. 25. Should the saw become pinched, turn the saw off before trying to remove from tree. 26. Do not cut down a tree unless you are trained or have expert help. 27. When felling a tree, have an observer watch for danger. 28. If two or more persons perform felling operations at the same time, provide plenty of distance between operations. Provide distance of at least twice the height of tree being felled. Chain Saw Maintenance The performance of your saw can make the difference between a good day and a bad day in the field. There is nothing more frustrating, than a saw that does not operate properly once you are in the field and ready to go to work. Maintenance is very important. Maintenance should be performed at the unit or preferably in a shop where a vise and adequate space are available. The field is not the appropriate place to do maintenance unless absolutely necessary. If maintenance must be performed in the field, find a clear area and spread a tarp on the ground so smaller parts will not get lost. Maintenance Procedures Do a visual inspection of the complete saw. Clean the air filter. Inspect the sparkplug. Check the starter cord. Check the flywheel. Inspect the clutch drum and drive sprocket. Clean the chain and bar. Inspect the chain; sharpen and properly tighten as needed. Properly sharpened chain will... feed itself into the wood when only slight down pressure is applied cut in a straight line eliminate fatigue, excessive wear on bar and chain It s time to sharpen when... the saw does not cut in a straight line the chain chatters and jumps - the depth gauge needs adjustment instead of chips, you re throwing fine saw dust Rules of Thumb Check chain tension frequently Never force a dull chain to cut Never install a new chain without checking the sprocket Always wear gloves when handling Chain 5
Appendix One Chain Saw Equipment List Hope in Crisis tracts Equipment owners manual Fire extinguisher First aid kit Five-gallon gas can 2.5-gallon can two-cycle oil (one case) Bar oil (one gallon) Tool box with basic tools Wrecking bars (crow/pry) Bolt cutters (2) Axes Shovels (pointed and square) Hack saws (extra blades) (4) Chain saws - minimum 16 bar Spare bar and chain Sharpener Chain saw safety equipment (chaps, ear/eye protection, work gloves and safety helmet) (2) Wheelbarrows Hand trucks with large tires (2) Water coolers Rope Loping shears Hand saw (bow saw) Pole saw (manual or power) (4) 18-inch traffic safety cones Rakes Pitch fork Come-a-long (two-ton) Optional Air compression with hose Pressure washer with water hose (1500 psi) Generator (minimum 3500 watts) Floodlights with extension cords Extension ladder Wet/dry vacuum 6
Appendix Two Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Property Owners Release Form Date Priority: 1 2 3 (1=Highest) Property Owner s Name Address City State Zip Home Phone # Work or Cell Phone # Insurance Carrier Insurance Address Will owner be present? Yes No If no, should work be done? Yes No Job Description _ Special Instructions Basement: exterior entrance interior entrance finished unfinished Release I (We) hold the assigned volunteers of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, or their representatives, agents, and/or employees harmless for any damage or injury that may occur on my property, including personal property, during the clean-up operations. Furthermore, there is no warranty or guarantee given or implied for the work done by volunteers. Date Signature(s) Property Owner(s) Signature Date (Blue Hat sign when job is complete) All Volunteers sign off below after work site is completed: 7
Priority 1 Damage Assessment Form Downed Trees that prevent the reestablishment of power to home. Trees on house: tree on roof, no hole tree on roof, hole. Tree(s) or limbs blocking entrance to the house or driveway. Number of trees needing to be cut/moved, size. Trees can be moved by team. Need bucket truck/heavy equipment. Tarp or plastic needed? How Much?. Flood: mud/sand/debris needs to be removed. People with medical needs, physically handicapped, elderly, no assistance. Single moms with small children, no assistance Caregivers, doctors, nurses, policemen, firemen, pastors, etc. Priority 2 Trees and limbs that are near house, preventing necessary repairs after disaster Flood: Furniture/appliances needing to be moved outside Flood: Cutting sheetrock or wall panel 12-18 inches above flood line. Priority 3 Additional trees/debris in front yard needing to be cut/moved. Trees in back or side yards that do not affect power or access to home Flood: Pressure washing/disinfecting walls and floors of house. Not recommended Reason why: HAZARDS that prevent work from being done (i.e. live wires, gas/oil leaks, etc.) 8