Chainsaw PPE for a smaller guy

[d000hg]

I'm looking to get kitted out with chaps and the rest, I've seen some good kits from trusted brands but all "one size fits all". At 5' 6" with a 32" waist and small hands, I worry these will be overly large.

Do gloves have to be special chainsaw ones, like the trousers, or just generic tough ones for general protection... I already have some of these and I have some ear protection though no head protection.

I wonder if chaps can be shortened or if their special padding would ruin a sewing machine the same as a chainsaw bar?!

 

[scbk]

Just get trousers, available in the normal range of sizes
You should really get some chainsaw boots too, to protect your feet.

Gloves aren't really necessary.

Easiest form of head/face protection is a basic forestry helmet with ear defenders and mesh visor

 

[d000hg]

Are the trouser ones over-trousers? I worry about overheating wearing thick trousers over my jeans in the summer!

 

[scbk]

No, the chainsaw trousers are worn on their own

 

[bernardgreen]

HSE does not seem to mention protection for the upper body

http://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/safety-topics/chainppe.htm

This surprises me having been aware on the past 7 years of two incidents of chest injuries from chain saws. Severe lacerations so not life threatening.

 

[d000hg]

Probably because it's only 2... Rare enough to make it unusual?

 

[bernardgreen]

Probably because it's only 2... Rare enough to make it unusual?

Two that I have heard of in casual conversations. No doubt if I went looking ther could be a few mire

 

[d000hg]

What do you do to get the blade on your chest? Smacking you in the head is apparently common... Maybe getting pulled into the saw when it pinches?

 

[StephenOak]

What do you do to get the blade on your chest? Smacking you in the head is apparently common

This has fortunately never happened to me but, AFAIUI, if the chain gets caught the whole machine can kick back at you. I would expect it to pivot around the front hand so the tip can come up to your head.

I can sort of see that if the chainsaw (or you) moves sideways during this then it could hit your chest (or more likely shoulder) but I would not expect that to be common.

Probably because it's only 2... Rare enough to make it unusual?

I found this
http://www.bchw.org/Tech tips/SawCertification/chain_body.gif
which claims to be based on official US numbers and supports your suggestion.

 

[StephenOak]

Are the trouser ones over-trousers? I worry about overheating wearing thick trousers over my jeans in the summer!

No, the chainsaw trousers are worn on their own

There are two types A & C. Type A are worn as over-trousers and Type C are worn as trousers.
https://www.clarkforest.com/ask-clark/type-a-or-type-c-chainsaw-trousers

 

[scbk]

There are two types A & C. Type A are worn as over-trousers and Type C are worn as trousers.
https://www.clarkforest.com/ask-clark/type-a-or-type-c-chainsaw-trousers

Trousers are trousers - chaps are different and are worn over jeans etc

Type A or C refers to how far round the protection runs. For normal use on the ground Type A trousers are used as the saw won't (shouldn't) be near the back of your leg.

 

[scbk]

Oh just to muddy the water even more, you get different chain speed ratings. Most for sale are class 1
" Class 1 products are tested with a chainsaw speed of 20m/s. Class 2 products at 24m/s and Class 3 at 28m/s."