Starting up your chainsaw can be dangerous enough. Actually running it, though, brings with it a whole slew of other dangers and that is why manufacturers recommend using protective gear. From the tip of your head down to the soles of your feet, you are going to need protection. The brand and size of the saw don’t matter; it’s always important to stay safe.
There are many ways to get hurt while cutting wood with a chainsaw. Branches can spring suddenly loose and whip toward you with a lot of speed and force. They can break bone, but your face is also at risk. The engine of the saw is very loud and can cause damage to your inner ear. Wear a black helmet with hearing defenses.
When you are on the ground and someone else is up in the tree, the value of the helmet increases. Branches, tools or other equipment can suddenly drop out of the tree, causing serious injury or maybe death. With the proper helmet on, though, the impact is spread out, leaving you with only a headache rather than permanent brain damage.
If you are using an Echo chainsaw, you might want to limit yourself to protective gear made by that particular manufacturer. That is fine, but remember that, while not all gear is created equal, it is all interchangeable. A vest from Stihl will work just as well as one from Echo.
After protecting your ears and head, take a look at your eyes. You have two choices. You can either use a full-face visor or just rely on goggles. Some woodcutters use both. The visor will protect your face and eyes from flying debris. Because a properly sharpened chainsaw will only create wood chips, not sawdust, the rather large lattice on the visor works just fine and still allows the operator to see clearly.
Now we are getting down to the ground. You still need some pants and some boots. The pants can be full-legged for professional use or just chaps for the home user. Buy a good pair of leather boots with steel toes and your ready to cut some wood!
I doesn’t make a difference what type of saw you prefer. You can use a McCulloch chainsaw with protective gear from Stihl. They will work just fine together and provide you with the same level of safety. Many areas actually require you to use the proper safety gear. Check with the authorities in your area and always obey the law!
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