Chainsaws are not only used by professionals. For many people, they are a familiar tool at the summer cottage or in the garden – for cutting firewood, felling trees or tidying branches. Even occasional use involves the same risks as professional work: the saw chain moves at high speed, and hazardous situations can arise in an instant. This is why suitable protective clothing and footwear are not just for professionals, but an essential part of safe use at home and during leisure time as well.
The protection provided by clothing designed to protect against chainsaw cuts is based on the garment’s structure: the material fibers catch in the saw chain and slow or stop its movement before the chain can penetrate the protective material. In addition to protection, the clothing must also be comfortable to wear, structurally durable and dimensionally stable after washing. The standard also defines the protective areas, i.e. the parts of the garment where the risk of cuts is greatest and where protective material must therefore be present.
Who defines the requirements?
Clothing that protects against chainsaw cuts falls within the scope of the EU Personal Protective Equipment Regulation (EU) 2016/425. This means that placing these products on the market requires type examination by a notified body, as well as CE marking. The requirements for clothing are defined in the EN ISO 11393 series of standards. The requirements and test methods for chainsaw protective footwear are described in EN ISO 17249. The purpose of the test methods and requirements set out in the standards is to ensure that the protection performs as intended.
Forestry footwear is designed to perform in demanding environments. It is intended to protect against the saw chain, provide grip on slippery and sloping surfaces, and support the foot on uneven terrain.
Chainsaw protective clothing and footwear are classified according to the chain speed at which they have been tested to provide protection. An important practical point is that the highest level of protection is not automatically the best choice. Heavier protection may reduce comfort and make work more physically demanding. The appropriate protection should therefore always be selected according to the intended use, working environment and the needs of the user.
Occasional use is not risk-free compared with professional use
It is often assumed that protective equipment is not needed when use is limited or familiar. However, the risk does not disappear with experience or infrequent use. Kickback, a slipping foot or the unexpected movement of a branch can create a hazardous situation even in your own garden or in woodland near a summer cottage.
- CE marking
- Instructions for use in Finnish and Swedish
- Declaration of Conformity
- Product name and unique identifying information, such as model number or serial number
- Name and address of the manufacturer or importer
Safety depends on the whole set-up
It is important to remember that protective clothing and footwear are an important part of safety, but they do not make chainsaw use risk-free on their own. Safe working also requires the correct technique, a well-maintained saw, a carefully considered working position and awareness of the surroundings. When the equipment, tools and working methods are in order, garden work and sawing tasks in woodland near a summer cottage can be carried out much more safely.
About SGS
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