In brief
Most accidents in tree felling with a chainsaw come from three sources: kickback when the tip of the guide bar touches an object, a tree that falls in the wrong direction or gets hung up, and branches under tension. Testing the chain brake before each use, a planned felling direction and escape routes, cut-resistant clothing suited to the chain speed and a rule against working alone are the basic measures. If pruning is done at height, a platform should be used instead of a ladder.
Chainsaw safety: who does it concern?
The chainsaw is one of the fastest and least forgiving hand tools. The chain rotates at very high speed and opens deep, heavily bleeding cuts wherever it makes contact. In tree felling, a significant part of the danger comes not from the saw itself but from the falling tree and breaking branches.
Chainsaw safety does not concern only forestry workers. Municipal park and garden teams, site and facility maintenance teams, workers pruning in orchards and teams clearing trees brought down by storms work with the same risks. Considering the forests, parks and gardens in Bursa and neighbouring provinces, this work is on the agenda of far more businesses than one might think.
| Hazard | When does it happen? | Key measure |
|---|---|---|
| Kickback | When the upper part of the bar tip touches a branch or log | Chain brake, two-handed grip, not cutting with the tip |
| Contact with the chain | Slips, falls, one-handed cutting | Cut-resistant clothing, firm footing |
| Falling tree | When the felling direction is not planned | Directional notch, hinge, escape route, danger zone |
| Branches and trunks under tension | In storm-felled trees | Cutting by reading the tension, experienced person |
| Noise and vibration | Prolonged use | Hearing protection, anti-vibration mounts, time limits |
| Fuel and exhaust | During refuelling, running indoors | Refuelling with a cold engine, open area |
| Lone working | Remote and isolated areas | At least two people, communication, first aid |
Art. 17 of Law No. 6331 on Occupational Health and Safety requires workers to be trained before they start work. The Regulation on Health and Safety Requirements for the Use of Work Equipment also requires equipment to be selected to suit the work to be done (Art. 5) and users to be trained on its risks before using it (Art. 11). Saws placed on the market from 20 January 2027 are subject to the new Machinery Safety Regulation; check the CE marking and the user manual when buying.
Chainsaw kickback: in the blink of an eye
Kickback is when the upper part of the bar tip touches an object, the chain catches and the saw is thrown up and back towards the operator. This movement is too fast to leave time to react. The measures are therefore aimed at preventing it and, if it happens, stopping the chain:
- Chain brake: Engages when the front hand guard is pushed, or by inertia in a sudden movement. It is tested before each use.
- Correct grip: The saw is always held with both hands; the thumb wraps around the handle.
- Not cutting with the tip: Cutting with the tip of the bar is done only by trained people who know this technique. Check whether there is another branch or log behind the branch being cut.
- Shoulder height: No cutting with the saw above shoulder height.
- Chain maintenance: A blunt or incorrectly sharpened chain increases the tendency to kick back.
- No ladders: A chainsaw is not used on a ladder; loss of balance during kickback turns into a fall.
The pre-use checklist is short but should not be skipped: chain brake, throttle trigger lockout, chain catcher, rear hand guard, stop switch, silencer, chain tension and lubrication, and anti-vibration elements.
Tree felling: felling direction and escape route
Tree felling is made safe by the assessment carried out before cutting. The lean of the tree, the distribution of crown weight, wind, rot in the trunk, dead and hung-up branches above, and nearby roads, buildings and power lines are checked.
- Define the danger zone. In practice, no one other than the person felling is within a radius of at least twice the height of the tree to be felled.
- Clear escape routes. Two escape routes are cleared in advance, backwards at an angle of about 45 degrees, opposite the felling direction. When the tree starts to fall, the person felling moves away using one of these routes.
- Cut the directional notch. On the side facing the felling direction, a wedge-shaped directional notch is cut into the trunk.
- Leave the hinge. An uncut strip is left between the felling cut made from the back and the directional notch. This hinge guides the tree in the planned direction; if it is cut through completely, the tree falls uncontrolled.
- Warn and watch. Before the felling cut, the surroundings are warned aloud; one member of the team watches the danger zone.
Trees near power lines are not felled without coordination with the line operator. Felling and pruning are postponed in strong wind; for criteria, see our article on working at height in strong wind.
Cut-resistant clothing and forestry worker PPE
The long fibres inside chainsaw trousers wrap around the chain and stop it. A torn, patched trouser or one with its fibre padding coming out therefore provides no protection and is replaced. Cut-resistant clothing is classified according to the TS EN ISO 11393 series; the class shows the chain speed the garment can withstand and is selected according to your saw's chain speed.
| Class | Test chain speed |
|---|---|
| Class 1 | 20 m/s |
| Class 2 | 24 m/s |
| Class 3 | 28 m/s |
A forestry worker PPE set consists of the following:
- Helmet and mesh face shield: Against falling branches and flying chips; for helmet selection see our article on helmet selection and service life.
- Hearing protection: Helmet-mounted ear defenders are a practical solution. Under the noise regulation, their use is mandatory when the upper exposure action value of 85 dB(A) is exceeded; for selection see our article on choosing hearing protection.
- Chainsaw trousers: There are types that protect the front of the leg or all around it; they are selected according to the risk assessment.
- Cut-resistant boots: With steel toecaps, non-slip soles and protection against chainsaw cuts.
- Gloves: Gloves that provide grip and, if possible, reduce vibration.
- High-visibility top: So that other team members can see the person cutting.
Under the Regulation on the Use of PPE, this equipment is provided free of charge by the employer and its use is supervised. For the selection method, see our article on choosing PPE.
Pruning and using a saw at height
In pruning, the saw is often used above the ground and the risk doubles: both the saw and a fall. For high branches a mobile elevating work platform with a basket is preferred to a ladder; the person working in the platform basket is attached to the basket with a harness. Pruning by climbing the tree is work for people who know rope techniques and are trained for this job. Small top-handled saws that can be used one-handed should only be used by people who have received this training.
For every pruning job done in a harness, how a suspended person will be brought down is planned in advance; see suspension trauma and rescue plan. Our article on scissor lifts and boom platforms guides platform use. The area where cut branches will fall is cordoned off and pedestrian access is stopped.
Lone working, fuel, vibration and first aid
- Do not work alone. Tree felling with a chainsaw should be done by at least two people. The team works at a distance where they can see each other but do not enter each other's danger zone; in remote areas, location sharing and regular communication by radio or phone are defined.
- Refuel with a cold engine. Refuelling is done away from cigarettes and sparks; spilled fuel is wiped up and the saw is started a few metres away from the refuelling point.
- Do not run it indoors. In enclosed spaces such as barns, stores or tents, exhaust gas leads to a build-up of carbon monoxide.
- Limit vibration. Prolonged use can cause vascular and nerve damage due to hand-arm vibration. Keep anti-vibration mounts maintained and plan usage time; for the legal framework, see our article on the vibration regulation.
- Be prepared for severe bleeding. Chainsaw cuts can cause severe bleeding. The team should include a trained first aider and supplies capable of dealing with major bleeding; the response steps are in our article on first aid for amputations and crush injuries.
In businesses with park, garden and facility maintenance teams in Bursa and neighbouring provinces, Bursa Sistemer OSGB treats chainsaw work as a separate activity in the risk assessment and plans team training and PPE selection as part of its OHS specialist service. You can track training dates with our OHS calendar tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a certificate needed to use a chainsaw?
Law No. 6331 and the Regulation on Work Equipment require the user to receive training specific to this equipment. Check whether your work is among the jobs requiring vocational training against the list in our article on jobs requiring vocational training.
What class should chainsaw trousers be?
The class is selected according to your saw's chain speed: class 1 is tested at a chain speed of 20 m/s, class 2 at 24 m/s and class 3 at 28 m/s. Compare the chain speed in the saw's technical data with the class of the garment.
How far away should you stand while a tree is falling?
In practice, no one other than the person felling is within a radius of at least twice the height of the tree to be felled. The person felling moves away using the diagonal escape route cleared in advance, opposite the felling direction.
How often should the chain brake be checked?
Before each use. With the engine running, the front hand guard is pushed to confirm that the chain stops immediately. If the brake does not work, the saw is not used and is sent for maintenance.
A certified specialist matched to your hazard class: site inspections, approved logbook, training plan, annual plan and report follow-up.
Bursa SİSTEMER OSGB Technical Team — written from the field experience of our OHS specialists and workplace physicians. Legal information is valid as of the publication/update date; contact us for an assessment specific to your business.