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Chainsaw kickback is a sudden upward-and-backward movement of the bar that can cause severe or fatal injury. It most often happens when the moving chain near the upper tip of the bar strikes or catches on an object. Keep the bar tip clear, use a firm two-handed grip and stable footing, maintain the saw, and use compatible kickback-reducing features—but do not rely on equipment or protective clothing to make unsafe cutting safe.
What chainsaw kickback is—and how it starts
Kickback is a rapid reaction in which the guide bar can be thrown up and back toward the operator. A common trigger is contact between an object and the moving chain in the upper quadrant of the bar nose. The chain may also be pinched or caught.
Kickback can happen while limbing, during an improperly started plunge or boring cut, or when the bar nose catches in a cut as the saw is reinserted. The exact reaction and the operator’s ability to control the saw depend on factors including chain speed, contact speed and angle, chain condition, and other circumstances. It can cause severe or fatal injury.
How to reduce kickback risk while cutting
- Keep the bar tip in view and away from objects. Avoid cutting with the nose of the bar; use the lower part of the bar for cutting where the task and saw instructions allow.
- Keep both hands on the handles. Maintain a secure grip and stable footing. NIOSH advises holding the saw firmly with both hands and keeping the left arm as straight and stable as possible; no posture guarantees control in every situation.
- Choose a stable position and appropriate cutting height. NIOSH advises not cutting above mid-chest height. Do not reach or work from an unstable stance to make a cut.
- Maintain the saw and its safety devices. Inspect the saw, keep the chain in suitable condition, and confirm the chain brake works. NIOSH notes that a dull chain or excessive depth-gauge height can make kickback easier.
- Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions. Use the saw, chain and bar as specified, and do not disable a kickback safety device.
What equipment helps, and what each item does
Kickback-reducing features and personal protective equipment address different risks. A chain brake, low-kickback chain or reduced-kickback bar can reduce kickback risk; protective gear can reduce exposure or injury severity. Neither makes kickback impossible, and neither replaces safe operation.
#1 Best Overall
- MAXIMUM SAFETY THAT MEETS PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS - Forester Chainsaw Chaps meet OSHA 1910.266 standards for chainsaw operators, ASTM F1897 specifications for leg protection, and CAN/BNQ 1923-450 M91 39JY CLASS B safety standards - giving you the same level of protection trusted by professional loggers and arborists.
- LIGHTWEIGHT 4-PLY OXFORD POLYESTER - Engineered to reduce the severity of injury upon contact with a rotating saw, these chain saw chaps act as a first line of defense. Our 4-Ply layer oxford outer provides superior cut resistance while staying lightweight, so you can work longer without fatigue.
- CUSTOM FIT FOR ALL-DAY COMFORT - An adjustable waist (30”- 48”) and leg straps provide a fully customizable fit. Available in 35”, 37”, and 40” lengths, with a flip belt that lets you shorten the length by up to 2 inches providing secure protection from waist to ankle.
- APRON STYLE FOR QUICK ON/OFF CONVENIENCE - The open-back apron style is easy to slip on and off - perfect for tree cutting, forestry, logging, construction, and lawn care.
- WATER & OIL REPELLENT WITH UTILITY STORAGE - Durable outer shell resists water and oil, keeping you clean and dry during tough jobs. Designed with a deep utility pocket for tool storage in the field.
| Option | What it addresses | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Chain brake | A built-in safety device intended to help stop the chain in a kickback event. | Inspect and maintain it; follow the saw manual for operation and starting. |
| Low-kickback chain | Reduces kickback risk as a cutting component. | Use only a chain specified as compatible with the exact saw and bar. |
| Reduced-kickback guide bar | Reduces kickback risk through bar design. | Check compatibility with the saw and chain in the manufacturer’s guidance. |
| Protective equipment | Helps protect parts of the body from cutting, impact, flying debris or noise, depending on the item. | Select gear suited to the saw and task; it does not prevent kickback. |
STIHL’s Chainsaw Safety Manual recommends reduced-kickback bars and low-kickback chains. Any replacement bar or chain must match the specific saw; do not assume that a component fits based on appearance or a general size description.
Personal protective equipment for chainsaw work
CDC-hosted chainsaw safety guidance lists leg protection such as chaps or cut-resistant pants, a hard hat, gloves with enhanced grip and cut resistance, eye protection with side shields, hearing protection, and steel-toed, non-skid footwear. OSHA’s chain saw safety publication calls for hand, foot, leg, eye, face, hearing and head protection. Choose gear appropriate to the work and applicable requirements, and wear it alongside—not instead of—safe technique.
Rank #2
- Husqvarna Classic Personal Protective Power Safety Kit includes: one pair of Husqvarna classic chaps (homeowner) (36 to 38 inches, 32-inch inseam), one Husqvarna functional forest helmet, and one pair of Husqvarna classic work gloves (large)
- Ensure Proper Protection: These chainsaw accessories help ensure that new chainsaw owners are properly covered with the appropriate personal protective equipment & safety gear
- Reduce Risk of Injury: 5-layer chainsaw chaps are designed to reduce risk of chainsaw injuries for legs; chainsaw helmet with HDPE shell, face shield, ear muffs and sun peak; lightweight chainsaw gloves with synthetic leather palm for general use
- Hi-Vis orange makes this chainsaw holder easy to identify on busy job sites and in tree-trimming settings. Looking for good Fathers Day gifts for Dad? Look no further than this kit
- Certified Forestry Tools: Chainsaw chaps and forestry helmet that meet ASTM F1897, ANSI Z133.1 and OSHA Regulation 1910-26, and hearing protectors have a 24dB(A) NRR rating. This kit is a good safety gift for men that often work with chainsaws
U.S. OSHA requirements for covered logging work
OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.266(e)(2) applies to covered logging operations. It requires chain saws placed into initial service after the rule’s effective date to have a chain brake and otherwise meet the referenced ANSI requirement. On older saws, a kickback device must not be removed or disabled. The regulation also requires operation and adjustment according to the manufacturer’s instructions and starting with the chain brake engaged. These are occupational requirements within the regulation’s scope; rules may differ for other work and jurisdictions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Chainsaw injury figures in context
A 2018 CDC-hosted Chainsaw Safety fact sheet from the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education reported approximately 36,000 chainsaw injuries and about $350 million in medical costs annually. Those are figures reported in that 2018 fact sheet, not a verified current-year estimate; the material does not provide a detailed method for the figures.
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Best Value
- 8-Layer Protection: The technical 8-layer protective material (6-layer in other designs) effectively safeguards chainsaw operators’ legs during logging operations. It delivers exceptional cut resistance to slow and stop a running chain.
- Certifications: These chainsaw chaps are UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified, complying with ASTM F3325-20, ASTM F1897-20 (U.S. standards), OSHA Regulation 1910.266, and ANSI Z133.1.
- Premium Material: The outer fabric of the chainsaw chaps is crafted from 1000-denier Oxford polyester, offering exceptional durability and hard-wearing performance. These robust, long-lasting protective chaps are perfectly suited for forestry work.
- Apron Style: These protective chainsaw chaps feature waist-to-ankle coverage, with an apron-style design that shields the front of the legs during logging work.
- Three Sizes & Adjustability: The adjustable waist fits up to 49", and the full length of the chaps is 38" (measured from waist to instep, not inseam). The length can be shortened by 2 inches by folding down the waistband and securing the aligned buttons.
Rank #4
- 8-Layer Protection: The technical 8-layer protective material (6-layer in other designs) effectively safeguards chainsaw operators’ legs during logging operations. It delivers exceptional cut resistance to slow and stop a running chain.
- Certifications: These chainsaw chaps are UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified, complying with ASTM F3325-20, ASTM F1897-20 (U.S. standards), OSHA Regulation 1910.266, and ANSI Z133.1.
- Premium Material: The outer fabric of the chainsaw chaps is crafted from 1000-denier Oxford polyester, offering exceptional durability and hard-wearing performance. These robust, long-lasting protective chaps are perfectly suited for forestry work.
- Apron Style: These protective chainsaw chaps feature waist-to-ankle coverage, with an apron-style design that shields the front of the legs during logging work.
- Three Sizes & Adjustability: The adjustable waist fits up to 46", and the full length of the chaps is 35" (measured from waist to instep, not inseam). The length can be shortened by 2 inches by folding down the waistband and securing the aligned buttons.
Rank #3
- 8-Layer Protection: The technical 8-layer protective material (6-layer in other designs) effectively safeguards chainsaw operators’ legs during logging operations. It delivers exceptional cut resistance to slow and stop a running chain.
- Certifications: These chainsaw chaps are UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified, complying with ASTM F3325-20, ASTM F1897-20 (U.S. standards), OSHA Regulation 1910.266, and ANSI Z133.1.
- Premium Material: The outer fabric of the chainsaw chaps is crafted from 1000-denier Oxford polyester, offering exceptional durability and hard-wearing performance. These robust, long-lasting protective chaps are perfectly suited for forestry work.
- Apron Style: These protective chainsaw chaps feature waist-to-ankle coverage, with an apron-style design that shields the front of the legs during logging work.
- Three Sizes & Adjustability: The adjustable waist fits up to 49", and the full length of the chaps is 38" (measured from waist to instep, not inseam). The length can be shortened by 2 inches by folding down the waistband and securing the aligned buttons.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
