CTSP Chainsaw Use and PPE 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of saw chain requires the sharpest filing angle and delivers the fastest cutting but is most prone to kickback?
- Semi-chisel chain
- Full-chisel chain (Correct answer)
- Low-kickback chain
- Micro-chisel chain
Correct answer: Full-chisel chain
Full-chisel chains have square-cornered cutters that cut aggressively and quickly but are more susceptible to kickback compared to semi-chisel designs.
Question 2: Chainsaw chaps are rated by classes. Class 1 chaps protect against chain speeds up to:
- 1,650 ft/min (Correct answer)
- 2,750 ft/min
- 3,300 ft/min
- 4,000 ft/min
Correct answer: 1,650 ft/min
ASTM Class 1 chainsaw chaps are designed to protect against chain speeds up to 1,650 feet per minute, suitable for lower-speed saws.
Question 3: What is the purpose of the chainsaw's throttle interlock?
- Prevents accidental acceleration unless the rear handle is fully gripped (Correct answer)
- Stops the chain when the operator releases the front handle
- Activates the chain brake during kickback
- Limits maximum chain speed
Correct answer: Prevents accidental acceleration unless the rear handle is fully gripped
The throttle interlock requires the rear handle to be gripped before the throttle can be depressed, preventing accidental engagement if the saw is bumped.
Question 4: During aerial chainsaw work, ANSI Z133 requires a saw to be secured with a:
- Standard carabiner clipped to the D-ring
- Lanyard or holder while climbing and positioning (Correct answer)
- Rope throw bag tied to the guide bar
- Second climber holding the saw from below
Correct answer: Lanyard or holder while climbing and positioning
ANSI Z133 requires chainsaws to be secured with a lanyard or tool holder when climbing or positioning in the tree to prevent dropped-tool hazards.
Question 5: The anti-vibration system on a chainsaw primarily reduces the risk of which occupational health condition?
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) (Correct answer)
- Rotator cuff injury
- Lateral epicondylitis
Correct answer: Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
Prolonged chainsaw use without anti-vibration damping causes hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), a permanent vascular and neurological condition affecting the hands and arms.
Question 6: When a chainsaw stalls while the bar is pinched in a cut, the operator should FIRST:
- Restart the saw and power through the cut
- Shut off the saw before attempting to free the bar (Correct answer)
- Rev the engine to maximum throttle
- Pull the bar free by hand while the chain is moving
Correct answer: Shut off the saw before attempting to free the bar
The saw must be shut off before any attempt to free a pinched bar to prevent chain movement and injury during the extraction effort.
Question 7: Which PPE item protects against chainsaw cuts to the face and is specifically required under ANSI Z133 for chainsaw operation?
- Safety glasses only
- Full-face shield or face protection (Correct answer)
- Dust mask
- Balaclava
Correct answer: Full-face shield or face protection
ANSI Z133 requires face protection (a full-face shield or equivalent) during chainsaw operations to guard against flying debris and chain contact.
CTSP Chainsaw Use and PPE 3
Which type of saw chain requires the sharpest filing angle and delivers the fastest cutting but is most prone to kickback?