Chainsaws - Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing

Use proper safety clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) that are appropriate for the tasks being performed to reduce the risk of injury. Identify hazards and assess the risk for each task to determine the appropriate control measures that need to be in place, including PPE. Clothing should be well-fitting to prevent any entanglement with the chainsaw. The following personal protective equipment and clothing are recommended when operating a chainsaw.

The standards that are referenced below are the most recent editions. You should consult legislation or the local occupational health and safety agency in your jurisdiction to confirm which version is used or is referenced in legislation that applies to your workplaces.

Eye Protection PPE

Safety glasses with side shields, safety goggles, and face shields approved by standards like CAN/CSA Standard Z94.3-20: Eye and Face Protectors.

• A face shield attached to the hard hat without safety glasses does not provide adequate eye protection.

Gloves and Mitts

Leather gloves with ballistic nylon reinforcement on the back.

• They offer a good grip on the saw and absorb some vibration that provides some protection for the hands.
• Leather gloves can also prevent cuts when sharpening the saw.

Foot Protection

Heavy, well-fitted, safety work boots approved by standards like CAN/CSA Standard Z195-14 (R2023): Protective Footwear.

• In addition to the regular requirements for safety boots, chainsaw operators should wear boots made from cut-resistant materials that offer protection from contact with running chainsaws.
• Boots made of ballistic nylon offer the best cut protection.
• Use rubber soles for wet weather and snow; and hobnail boots, grip soles or cork soles for rough terrain.

Head Protection

Hard hat, highly visible in colour, approved by standards like CSA Standard Z94.1-15 (R2024): Industrial Protective Headwear - Performance, Selection, Care and Use.

Hearing Protection

Hearing protection devices, approved by standards like CSA Standard Z94.2-14 (R2024): Hearing Protection Devices - Performance, Selection, Care and Use. (Chain saws create high noise levels of up to 95 to 115 dBA.)

Leg Protection Clothing

• Trousers or chaps with sewn-in ballistic nylon pads. Trousers (pants) that protect the belt line offer more protection than those that stop at the upper thigh.
• Close fitting clothing without cuffs, made of close-woven fabrics.

Fall Protection

Know when to use fall protection equipment, including fall-arrest systems or body belts, harnesses and lanyards.

High-Visibility Clothing

Workers should wear high-visibility clothing (e.g., vests) when appropriate.