If you have a job that requires pruning, felling, limbing, or bucking trees… a chainsaw will soon be your best friend.

Chainsaws can also be used to cut up large stumps of wood that are too difficult to chop with an axe or a log splitter.

Contractors Supply LLC sells and rents high quality Stihl chainsaws for contractors, tree workers, homeowners, anyone else in need.

But before using a chainsaw, always follow the proper precautions. Below is a list of all the safety tips you need to know regarding chainsaw operation.

Chainsaws are fantastic pieces of equipment.

Unfortunately, chainsaw accidents are far too common, and they result in over 36,000 injuries every year.

The most common areas of injuries include the hands and legs.

Almost all accidents whether your fault or not are preventable.

Contractors Supply LLC is here to help.

Here’s a checklist of procedures to follow so you can stay safe when operating a chainsaw.

Before starting up a chainsaw, you should always be wearing the proper gear

Another great piece of equipment is known as a forestry helmet. It’s essentially a combination of a hard hat, safety goggles, and earmuffs all in one. If you regularly use a chainsaw at your job or around the home, it’s probably a good idea to invest into one of these. They run for around $50+ but will definitely give you that extra protection.

For obvious reasons, you should always keep your distance when working around anyone who’s operating a chainsaw.

Even if you’re not in range of the blade, chainsaws can send sticks, stones, and other small pieces of debris flying in all sorts of directions, resulting in eye injuries or lacerations.

It’s also a good idea to not have children playing or running around the area of work when the chainsaw is in use.

If you’ve just purchased a brand new chainsaw, it’s a good idea to read the owners manual to get familiar with operation, gas, oil, the chain, maintenance, and other factors.

Knowing about your chainsaw will not only keep you safe but it will also help increase the lifespan of your saw.

Secondly, before using your chainsaw, it’s a good idea give it a proper inspection such as checking the chain as well as fuel reserves. Going through a checklist will help you out with the process.

A great chainsaw checklist can be found here.

Rushing is a great way to make mistakes.

And making mistakes with a chainsaw can lead to serious injury or even death.

Take your time and follow a slow pace.

If you feel like your rushing or stressed, turn the chainsaw off and take a mental break. 

It’s always good to keep your focus up and your stress levels low.

Using a chainsaw while climbing is extremely dangerous and should be left to licensed professionals.

If you need to cut branches or tree limbs that are out of reach look into renting or purchasing a pole saw or calling a professional company.

Don’t risk your own safety and work within your own limits.

The same rule also applies to using a chainsaw on a ladder

A kickback is a sudden recoil of the chainsaw that can be caused by two reasons.

Kickback is extremely dangerous because the recoil often leads to head/face injuries.

Even chainsaws that are “anti-kickback” can still have recoil, so it’s best to follow the proper handling procedures.

A proper chainsaw cut first starts with your legs.

Having a firm base planted into the ground keeps you balanced.

If your legs are too close together the higher your chances of being thrown off balance.

Remember, chainsaws are powerful machines. You need to engage your whole body in order to use it.

Never try to cut a piece of wood at just medium throttle or speed.

Not doing so can result in getting the chainsaw stuck and lots of friction, causing the blade to overheat.

Power up to full throttle and then begin cutting.