Use Chain Saws With Respect And Caution
Release Date: October 3, 2003
Release Number: 1493-14
» More Information on District of Columbia Hurricane Isabel
Washington, DC -- The D.C. Emergency Management Agency (DC EMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warn District residents to adhere to all safety precautions when using chain saws to cut or remove trees and debris from personal property while cleaning up damages cause by Hurricane Isabel.
Chain saws are wonderful laborsaving tools for cleaning up fallen trees and other debris following a disaster. They also are dangerous if not used properly. Chain saws can quickly cause severe injury or even death. A man in Richmond, Va. was killed Friday after he lost control of his chainsaw while cutting Hurricane Isabel-damaged trees in his yard, according to the Associated Press.
If you are not familiar with chain-saw techniques, saw maintenance and operation, read the owner's manual, consult an expert or more detailed publication, or ask a dealer for more information
"Hurricane Isabel left many downed trees after the storm passed through the District almost two weeks ago," said Scott Wells, federal coordinating officer for FEMA. "People have begun their recovery process and some of those efforts consist of using chain saws to cut up and remove trees. FEMA warns residents to observe all safety precautions while engaging in this dangerous activity."
- Consult with a dealer to get the right size saw for the woodcutting you will be doing, then get him or her to demonstrate proper operation of the saw.
- Use the fuel mix recommended by the manufacturer and 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.
- One of the best safeguards against injury is to wear proper protective clothing. Wear safety goggles, hardhat, trim-fitting clothes (not loose or ragged), long-sleeve shirt and pants, gloves, and safety shoes.
- Many injuries occur because the operator tires after long periods of saw vibration. Never operate a chain saw when 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.
- Chain saws are made to cut wood-only wood.
"Residents with fallen trees on their property that are entangled in or are near power lines should contact PEPCO at (202) 872-3432 to be sure the power lines are not active before attempting to remove the trees," said DC EMA Director Peter LaPorte.
"In addition to injuries from misuse of chain saws, many injuries and deaths occur when people are electrocuted while using chain saws around live power lines and cables," he said.
Comprehensive chain saw safety information can be found on the web site for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (ref: saws): www.cdc.gov/
Scroll down to search box and enter "chain saw" as the search criterion.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 03-Oct-2003 12:20:54