| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect the work area | Hidden obstacles, unstable footing, traffic, overhead hazards | Clear debris, establish stable footing, set cones if near a road, remove trip hazards, verify no overhead limbs can fall |
| Inspect the chainsaw | Mechanical failure, dull chain, loose components | Check chain tension, sharpness, safety features, bar oil level, and fuel; remove from service if damaged |
| Fuel and lubricate the saw | Fire, burns, spills, inhalation of vapors | Refuel on level ground, away from ignition sources; use approved containers; wipe spills; allow engine to cool before refueling |
| Don required PPE | Cuts, hearing loss, eye injury | Wear full PPE before starting any work |
| Start the chainsaw | Kickback, loss of control | Start the saw on the ground using the chain brake; never drop start |
| Establish cutting stance and plan cuts | Loss of balance, falling limbs, kickback | Maintain stable footing, identify escape route, stand to the side of the bar, always engage the chain brake when repositioning |
| Make preliminary cuts | Kickback, flying debris | Keep both hands on saw, avoid cutting above shoulder height, maintain safe distance from others, control chain speed |
| Limbing and bucking wood | Rolling logs, tensioned wood releasing unexpectedly, bar pinch | Stand uphill, assess compression and tension points, cut in small controlled sections, place wedges as needed |
| Felling trees (if applicable) | Tree falling unpredictably, struck by branches, bystanders in danger zone | Create felling plan, establish two escape paths, ensure no one is within two tree lengths, use proper notch and back cut technique |
| Shut down saw and carry it to the next location | Contact with hot parts or moving chain | Engage chain brake, shut saw off before carrying, keep bar pointed behind you |
| Clean up and store equipment | Cuts from chain, fuel spills | Wear gloves, cover the bar, store fuel and saw separately, secure equipment for transport |
Safety glasses or face shield
Chainsaw chaps
Hard hat
Hearing protection
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
High visibility vest when working near roads or traffic
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Chainsaw, Forestry, and Vegetation Management
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.
| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect the work area | Hidden obstacles, unstable footing, traffic, overhead hazards | Clear debris, establish stable footing, set cones if near a road, remove trip hazards, verify no overhead limbs can fall |
| Inspect the chainsaw | Mechanical failure, dull chain, loose components | Check chain tension, sharpness, safety features, bar oil level, and fuel; remove from service if damaged |
| Fuel and lubricate the saw | Fire, burns, spills, inhalation of vapors | Refuel on level ground, away from ignition sources; use approved containers; wipe spills; allow engine to cool before refueling |
| Don required PPE | Cuts, hearing loss, eye injury | Wear full PPE before starting any work |
| Start the chainsaw | Kickback, loss of control | Start the saw on the ground using the chain brake; never drop start |
| Establish cutting stance and plan cuts | Loss of balance, falling limbs, kickback | Maintain stable footing, identify escape route, stand to the side of the bar, always engage the chain brake when repositioning |
| Make preliminary cuts | Kickback, flying debris | Keep both hands on saw, avoid cutting above shoulder height, maintain safe distance from others, control chain speed |
| Limbing and bucking wood | Rolling logs, tensioned wood releasing unexpectedly, bar pinch | Stand uphill, assess compression and tension points, cut in small controlled sections, place wedges as needed |
| Felling trees (if applicable) | Tree falling unpredictably, struck by branches, bystanders in danger zone | Create felling plan, establish two escape paths, ensure no one is within two tree lengths, use proper notch and back cut technique |
| Shut down saw and carry it to the next location | Contact with hot parts or moving chain | Engage chain brake, shut saw off before carrying, keep bar pointed behind you |
| Clean up and store equipment | Cuts from chain, fuel spills | Wear gloves, cover the bar, store fuel and saw separately, secure equipment for transport |
Safety glasses or face shield
Chainsaw chaps
Hard hat
Hearing protection
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
High visibility vest when working near roads or traffic