Settle a bet

Not sure why you would, unless you just so love touching the bar/chain that you can't wait until the saw is turned off...

But seriously, it's probably a bad habit, since I know that on some saws, especially the biggest ones, the chain can move a little bit even with the brake applied. Happens with my 3120 when using a shorter bar.

Although, even with the above in mind, you wouldn't touch the bar/chain with your left hand while your right was revving the engine, unless you were TRYING to hurt yourself.

So, I wouldn't mind it if my employee did it - but I might ask that they make sure the chain brake is engaged.

There are very few places where you would need to do this, unless you are being lazy. Really, how hard is it to re-start the saw after you've got done touching the bar and chain? And what can you do - check the tension? That's about it - you can't adjust it...
 
I've done it many times. mainly after putting a new chain on. start it up let the chain cycle at a semi high idle then hit the chain brake check tension and go from there.Probably not the greatest of ideas, but at the same time how many of us make a cut hit the brake and hang the saw while it's still running next to our legs. Doesn't seem worth it to save a few seconds by not having to restart the saw again.
 
In 30+ years doing tree work I've been cut a grand total of ONE time by a running chain saw; one finger when the chain skated across a limb I was holding and cutting. I've probably been cut a dozen or more times with my handsaw, even though the chainsaw is used 95% of the time. Conclusion; handsaws are a hundreds of times more dangerous than chainsaws.
 
I'm with ya, Mista....

This isn't a one hand talk thread, but I have, on that thread, offered that perhaps one should keep two hands on their hand saw as well as their power saw, if they are really safety conscious.....
 
Roger...right...different thread.

I can NOT believe what I'm reading?!

There is NO time when an operator is allowed to touch the bar/chain with the saw running. Even with the brake set!!!

From Husqvarna:

'Keep all parts of your body away from the saw chain when the engine is running,'

This isn't CYA either.

Why would anyone ever put themselves at such risk when it's so easy to stop the saw, make the move and restart?!

Is this a generational issue? Am I becoming 'old' because I have vivid memories of saws without safety features? Has there been a confidence in technology creeping into our work practices?

Many years ago Bailey Hudson wrote an article for TCI magazine about his observations of 'new' treeworkers getting sloppy in their work practices because of having all sorts of 'safety' features incorporated into their routine. Except for safety glasses I operate like I'm working without any safety protection. All of my PPE is there as secondary or even tertiary protection. Proper work practices are primary.

A friend of mine who is a safety trainer has a good line about PPE. We don't drive with one hand on the seatbelt buckle so that just before an accident we can buckle up. We where PPE and follow accepted safety procedures so that when the lemons line up on the slot machine we don't loose.

If I have the authority anyone who ever grabbed a bar/chain of a running saw would be back in remedial saw use. They'd go through the training again and not be allowed to touch a saw until they'd proved that this bad...no, dangerous...habit was broken. Not just the habit...the attitude.

Sheesh!
 
I see a lot more dangerous things done with chainsaws than touching an idling saw chain with the chain brake on.
 
Sorry, that was stupid; I just need to get my post count up a bit, so sometimes I wander into the "lesser threads" and make outlandish claims.
 
Whats the issue if the chain brake is on? I could see one hand holding the saw steady in the cut, and the other checks the tension. Maybe turn the thing off if your gonna hit the rakers.

Tom, I usually don't drive with a seatbelt on. Just by habit I throw it on when getting on the freeway, it's more for the cops really. They also pull you over if your on your cell phone, and give out big txting tickets. You can't please everyone right?

What's really scary is watching someone try to un-jam their chainsaw chain while it's still running. Usually I'll stick it in a log and roll the chain out, but I've seen these guys do it with their hands. Crazy.

A good rule of thumb would be to never touch the chain while saw is running... it just takes out all the variables.
 
Tom it sounds to me like an attitude issue, maybe the way arbos have been "raised" in this industry. I know at times I will catch myself starting to do something thinking "I got away with it before." And thats where people get hurt. Also I know I did things much different almost 15 years ago when I started. Mainly because the environment I was learning in. But I cant blame it just on the co I was working for, I have to take my part of the responsibility for learning right from wrong. NOW I DO. Not everyone can have that awsome place to work that invests in its employees, so they need to do it themselves. Or wind up doing stupid stuff (cause they dont know any better).

PS. Why on earth would a good saw operator need to touch a chain to "check tention" while cutting. You should be able to see if its loose at an idle and after its first couple spins around the bar you should be able to hear if its too tight.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Its in the ANZI, so whats the debate?

[/ QUOTE ]

ANSI

And...in user manuals too. I found the same basic quote in an Efco manual too.

In the end...WHY? Just kill the saw!
 
it's all about good practices. can i go touch a running chainsaw? yes. do i want a youngster who is watching seeing that and thinking its ok? no. why is it not ok for them to do it? the same reason it's not ok for me to do it... it's not smart.
 
I don't for one simple reason, anything mechanical can and will fail, at the worst possible time, including chain brakes.

The one time I trusted a chain brake I was cutting a stump. I was almost through the cut when I noticed I aclump of dirt on the flare just in front of my kerf.

Set the brake, leaned forward to pry the moss/dirt away from the flare the engine revved, brake failed and my thumb took several cutters from the chain. Blood everywhere and eventually a very infected wound.

Granted we found several things had failed; first antivibe mounts had failed which allowed the handle assembly a greater range of motion which in turn activated the throttle plate in teh carb thus allowing the engine to rev, second the brake band had not been as assiduously inspected as it should have and a broken spring on the clutch had been missed.

That all notwithstanding, operating as mentioned by others as if there were no safety devices would have prevented the injury.

It is no different than what we teach in shooting sports...treat every shooting device as if it were loaded regardless whether it is or isn't.

So I take no more chances or make assumptions here.

If the hand needs to go near where the chain is then either the saw is moved or shut down.

Don't need a regulation for me to remember that one any more!
 
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