ICFR Chainsaw Safety And Operating Manual

Summary of Chainsaw

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    S outh a frican c hainsaw s afety & o perating h andbook january 2000

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 2 first edition 2000 reprinted 2007 © institute for commercial forestry research (icfr) p o box 100281 scottsville, 3209 pietermaritzburg south africa telephone: +27 33 386 2314 fax: +27 33 386 8905 www.Icfrnet.Unp.Ac.Za no part of this document may be r...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook i acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................................1 purpose of the handbook .................................................................................

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook ii 10. Felling .................................................................................................................................17 10.1 introduction ............................................................................................

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook iii 10.13 machine assisted tree felling ...................................................................................................30 10.13.1 introduction ..............................................................................................

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook iv 14. Cutting attachment ...........................................................................................................................40 14.1 saw chain ..........................................................................................

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 1 acknowledgements the “south african chainsaw safety and operating handbook” is the result of a project initiated by forest engineering southern africa’s (fesa’s) chainsaw working group. The project was made possible by the active involvement of various...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 2 section 1 provides the statutory requirements, in accordance with the occupational health and safety act, which all employers and employees must comply with. Section 2 describes the main external components of chainsaws and their functions. This is ess...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 3 1. Statutory requirements 1.1 g eneral duties of employers according to the occupational health and safety act (act 85 of 1993) section 8, the general duties of employers to their employees are as follows: 1) every employer shall provide and maintain, ...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 4 figure 1: external components of a chainsaw 2. External components in this section the main externally visible chainsaw componentsareidentifiedandtheirfunctionsbriefly described. Some of the main components might be special options on certain chainsaw ...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 5 14. Silencer/muffler the silencer reduces engine noise, directs exhaust emissions away from the operator and is normally fitted with a spark arrestor to reduce the risk of starting a fire. 15. Guide bar the guide bar supports and guides the saw chain. ...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 6 24. Chain and guide bar cover the chain and guide bar cover protects the saw chain and guide bar when the chainsaw is not in use and during transportation. It also prevents possible injury to persons whom may come into contact with an unprotected saw c...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 7 levels to which a person can be exposed to per day without the likelihood of hearing damage. Table 1: maximum daily exposure (occupational safety and health service, 1995 & fesa, 1998.) operators and other people in the proximity of the working chainsa...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 8 3.5 c hainsaw inflicted injuries chainsaw inflicted injury statistics from various regions of the world, with similar conditions to those of south africa, show the following injury trends in professional applications. Table 2: chainsaw inflicted injuri...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 9 4. Personal protective equipment and other equipment & tools 4.1 p ersonal protective equipment warning: personal protective equipment may not always prevent all injuries but will minimise the effect thereof on the operator. Personal protective equipme...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 10 4.1.6 f ootwear use safety boots with adequate toe protection to provide protection against the running saw chain and rolling logs. Wear sturdy boots with non-slip soles thatprovidefirmanklesupport.Lace-uptypesmust be securely fastened to prevent trip...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 11 6. Transportation 6.1 t ransporting a chainsaw by vehicle ensurethatachainandguidebarcoverisfitted.Secure all loose tools, chainsaws and fuel containers in the vehicle so that they are not damaged in transit or cause discomfort or injury to people. Tr...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 12 7. Starting the chainsaw the chainsaw operator must wear all personal protective equipment before starting the chainsaw. 7.1 o n the ground the chainsaw can be started on the ground, either in a standing or kneeling position, using the following proce...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 13 8. Reactive forces chainsaw operators must understand the major reactive forces that exist when cutting with a chainsaw as they can be the cause of accidents. The three reactive forces are kickback, pull-in and pushback 8.1 k ickback kickback occurs w...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 14 8.2 p ull - in the reactive force when cutting with the bottom of the saw chain, tends to pull the chainsaw forward. This reactive force is increased when the saw chain on the bottom of the guide bar is suddenly stopped when it is pinched, caught or e...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 15 9. Cutting with the chainsaw 9.1 h olding the chainsaw and proper stance the following general principles must be adhered to when making cuts: • place the left hand on the front handle and ensure the handle is gripped between the thumb and fingers,wit...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 16 9.2.3 b ore / plunge cut warning: making a bore cut can be dangerous if performed incorrectly because of the possibility of kickback. Only trained operators should attempt this cut. Start the bore cut by using the bottom portion of the nose of the gui...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 17 10. Felling 10.1 i ntroduction efficientfellinginvolvesbringingdownatreeinasafe, controlled manner, in the desired direction according to the operational plan and complementing the extraction method to be utilised. Tree felling with chainsaws is the m...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 18 • complete the directional notch and felling cut, ensuring that the tree is on the ground before commencing to fell the next tree. Only single tree felling is permitted (no domino felling). Hang-ups and cut-up trees must be dealt with as described in ...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 19 10.7 f elling and timber losses timber losses during harvesting can occur as a result of poor felling techniques. 10.7.1 s tump heights all trees must be felled as close to the ground as practicable without damaging the guide bar and saw chain. This i...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 20 therefore the operator must: • determine the general felling direction, taking into consideration the felling layout, extraction routes and landings according to the harvesting plan. • ensure that there are no other persons or equipment within two tre...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 21 • identify any hazards such as stumps, logs or ground undulations that could cause the fallen tree to kick backwards or sideways on contact with the ground. 10.10 f elling position the position of the feller will depend on the size of the tree to be f...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 22 photo 12: felling position for bottom cut of directional notch (smaller trees) with larger trees it might be necessary to stand to the side of the tree when making the bottom cut. Photo 13: felling position for bottom cut of directional notch (larger ...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 23 directional notch the directional notch is important as it: • controls the felling direction. • allows the tree to fall freely in the desired direction. • minimises splitting. Thetopcutismadefirstatapproximatelya45°angle and for between 1/3 and 1/4 of...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 24 the felling cut is made parallel to the bottom cut of the directional notch at either the same level or slightly above it (never below). If there is doubt as to the lean of a tree, insert a wedge in the cut as soon as practicable and drive it home as ...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 25 lever. Ensure both felling cuts are slightly overlapped but still slightly above the joined directional notch. Figure 16: lean opposite to the felling direction 10.11.2.4 t rees that lean at a sharp angle towards the felling direction if trees are fel...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 26 figure 19: technique to reduce butt wastage 10.11.2.7 t rees that split under normal circumstances splitting can be minimised using the following technique: • firstly, make the directional notch as for the standard technique. Then cut "ears" at each s...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 27 figure 22: large trees with no or slight lean • step 6: drive the wedge home when the cut has been completed. 10.11.3.2 f elling in variation of natural lean to fell trees with side lean opposite to the desired felling direction, the following method ...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 28 the split level felling cut method can also be used. This method is particularly effective on smaller trees as it allows the wedge to set when there is still a large amount of holding wood present. Use the following procedure: • step 1: make the direc...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 29 hang-up must be clearly marked and all personnel must be kept out from the risk zone until the tree has been brought down safely. • never move forward within two tree lengths of the intended direction of fall of a hang-up. • the following is prohibite...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 30 figure 30: pulling the hang-up with a skidder 10.13 m achine assisted tree felling 10.13.1 i ntroduction machine assisted tree felling can be used: • tofelldifficulttreesintothedesireddirection. • to avoid damage to buildings, telephone lines, power l...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 31 • pullslowlyatfirst,thenincreasespeeduntilthe felling cuts take control. 10.13.3.2 i ndirect pull if two tree lengths clearance to the winch is not possible, there are two safe methods which can be usedinmoreconfinedspaces. The first method relies on ...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 32 the second method allows for the felling of trees in confinedspaceswithoutstumpsbeingpresent. • drive the machine out at an angle of approximately 80° from the intended felling direction. • tension the rope to hold the tree in the position of fall. Fi...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 33 11. Debranching 11.1 i ntroduction debranching is the practice of removing branches and branch stubs from the stem. Starting from the butt end thebranchesaretakenoffflushwiththestemupto the crown or end of utilisable timber. These branches are either ...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 34 11.5 d ebranching quality theproductwillinfluencethequalityrequired.The following are applicable: • remove branches up to the point of utilisable timber. • debranch according to prescribed log specifications. • comply with slash management prescriptio...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 35 step 5 – branch 5 – topside across and away from the operator rest the chainsaw against the stem. Use the thumb on the throttle. Cut the branches on the top side using the top of the guide bar. Beware of kickback. Step 6 – branch 6 – farside – downwar...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 36 • ensureafirmfooting. • run the saw chain at full throttle before cutting starts and maintain a high chain speed throughout the cut. • use a wedge to keep the cut open if it seems likely that the guide bar will become pinched. • be aware of logs under...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 37 • step 2: complete the cut from the top side with the two cuts meeting. Figure 40: tension on upper side 12.5.2 t ension on the lower side the top of the log is under compression and the bottom under tension. The stem springs downwards. Use the follow...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 38 12.5.5 h ints to reduce pinching where there is danger of the saw being pinched by a falling log end, the following hints can be used: (this example illustrates the procedure as for the situation in 12.5.2). • hint 1: the cut is somewhat angled. Log f...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 39 13. Salvaging storm-damaged trees 13.1 i ntroduction in storm-damaged areas, normal hazards are multiplied by the presence of broken or shattered trees and varying degrees of tension due to the trees being interlocked, bent or partially fallen. Approa...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 40 the centre row of the saw chain is made up entirely of identical drive links. Engine power is transmitted via the chain drive sprocket to the drive link tangs causing the chain to rotate around the guide bar. The drive link tangs run in the guide bar ...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 41 14.1.2 c hain dimensions chain dimensions include the following: • the chain pitch assigns the chain to certain models. It is calculated by measuring the distance between 3 rivets and dividing by 2. The chain drive sprocket must have the same pitch as...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 42 14.1.3.2 c utter profiles saw chain is described according to the shape of the cutters. • chipper chain has rounded cutters. It is not normally used in professional forestry applications. • semi-chisel chain has slim, slightly rounded cutters. It is s...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 43 a new chain drive sprocket should be installed with each new chain. However, as a chain drive sprocket normally has a wear life equivalent to two chains, it is advisable to use two chains in rotation with one sprocket. In this way the sprocket and cha...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 44 ensure that the chain lubricant never runs out before thefuel.Alwaysrefillthelubricanttanktothetop. The chain lubrication system can only function if: • thelubricanttankisfilled. • the pump is in working order. • the channels, inlet hole and the bar g...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 45 all cutters must be the same length after sharpening. Owing to the rearward slope of the top plate, the cutter heights will be uneven if the cutter lengths are different. If the cutters are not the same height the chain will cut roughly and may break....

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 46 a) round file cutter sharpening usethecorrectroundfileandfileholder/gauge.Standard roundfilesarenotsuitableforfilingsawchain. Sharpeningwitharoundfileisperformedinsuchaway thatthefileissetwithpartofitsdiameterprotruding above the top plate according t...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 47 (a) (b) 14.1.9.5 s harpening errors thespecifiedshapeofthecutterscanonlybeobtained ifthecorrecttoolsareused(fileandfileholder/gauge for manual sharpening, or specially shaped grinding wheels) and the correct adjustments made. Everydeviationaffectsatle...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 48 14.2 g uide bars 14.2.1 g uide bar design ensurethatthecorrectguidebarforthespecificmake and model of chainsaw is purchased and that it is compatible with the saw chain. The chain lubrication holes must also match. A continuous groove is machined into...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 49 barswithsprocketnosesproducesignificantlyless frictionthansolidnosebars.Forhighestefficiency, bars with sprocket noses are recommended. • sprocket nose guide bar the sprocket is replaceable. Friction and wear on the guide bar nose are substantially re...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 50 figure 78: removing burrs 14.2.4.2 o pening the groove a pinched groove can be opened by means of a groove toolthatmatchesthespecifiedgroovewidth.Thisis done by clamping the guide bar in a vice and inserting the tool in the groove at an angle of about...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 51 figure 82: forming the rivet heads the sprocket bearing must be thoroughly lubricated before the repaired guide bar is used for cutting (e.G. By immersing the guide bar nose in chain lubricant). 14.2.4.4 r eplacing the replaceable nose on guide bars w...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 52 14.3.2.2 r im sprocket the rim sprocket is made from sintered steel and is ring-shaped. The teeth are enclosed on both sides by a circular wall. The sprocket can move axially on the hub of the clutch drum and is positively located by means of splines....

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 53 15. Chainsaw maintenance maintenance is essential to prolong the life of the chainsaw, maximise productivity within the prescribed safety standards and to minimise downtime. To maintain is cost effective and to repair when broken is costly. Whilstspec...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 54 immediately be attended to and/or reported. During each refuelling stop it is recommended that the chainsaw operator do the following: • inspect the complete machine visually to ensure that it is in a serviceable condition. Inspect the chainsaw for lo...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 55 1. Department of labor and industries, 1994. Safety standards for logging operations. Divi- sion of consultation and compliance, state of washington, usa. 2. Department of labour, 1993. Occupational health and safety act (act 85 of 1993). Government p...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 56 n otes __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 57 n otes __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________...

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    Icfr – chainsaw safety and operating handbook 58.