CTSP Chainsaw Use and PPE 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'bore cutting' (plunge cutting) require the operator to use to initiate the cut safely?
- The very tip of the bar nose in a plunging motion
- The lower portion of the bar, rocking into the cut (Correct answer)
- A dedicated plunge bit attachment
- A second arborist to stabilize the saw
Correct answer: The lower portion of the bar, rocking into the cut
Bore cutting should be initiated using the lower quadrant of the bar nose, rocking the saw forward carefully to avoid the upper kickback zone during entry.
Question 2: Which factor has the GREATEST effect on increasing kickback risk?
- Using a longer guide bar
- Operating with a sharp chain at low RPM
- Contact with the upper nose quadrant of the bar (Correct answer)
- Using bar-and-chain oil with low viscosity
Correct answer: Contact with the upper nose quadrant of the bar
Contact with the upper nose quadrant is the primary cause of kickback events because that zone causes the chain to catch and rapidly rotate the bar upward.
Question 3: Under hot working conditions, a tree care worker wearing chainsaw chaps and full PPE should be monitored for signs of:
- Noise-induced hearing loss
- Heat stress and heat stroke (Correct answer)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning only
- UV radiation damage
Correct answer: Heat stress and heat stroke
Full chainsaw PPE significantly reduces the body's ability to dissipate heat, greatly increasing the risk of heat stress and heat stroke in warm conditions.
Question 4: The 'dead man's throttle' feature on a chainsaw means:
- The chain continues spinning for 30 seconds after throttle release
- The throttle returns to idle when the trigger is released (Correct answer)
- The chain brake engages automatically at idle
- The fuel shutoff activates if the saw is dropped
Correct answer: The throttle returns to idle when the trigger is released
The dead man's throttle (trigger interlock) returns the chainsaw to idle speed as soon as the operator releases the throttle trigger, reducing chain speed immediately.
Question 5: When selecting chainsaw bar length for a climbing operation, the ANSI Z133 guidance recommends:
- The longest bar available for maximum reach
- The shortest bar appropriate for the task to limit kickback exposure (Correct answer)
- Bars of 20 inches or longer for stability
- Bar length matching the diameter of the trunk only
Correct answer: The shortest bar appropriate for the task to limit kickback exposure
ANSI Z133 recommends using the shortest bar appropriate for the task, as shorter bars reduce kickback severity and are easier to control in confined aerial positions.
Question 6: A chainsaw that has been submerged in water or dropped should be:
- Immediately restarted to clear water from the engine
- Inspected and serviced before returning to service (Correct answer)
- Dried for 10 minutes then operated normally
- Run at half throttle for one hour to burn off moisture
Correct answer: Inspected and serviced before returning to service
A submerged or dropped saw must be fully inspected and serviced — including checking the chain brake, bar, and all safety features — before being returned to operation.
Question 7: What color is the universal standard for marking first-aid kits and emergency equipment on tree care job sites?
- Yellow
- Orange
- Red (Correct answer)
- Green
Correct answer: Red
Red is the universally recognized color for first-aid kits and emergency/fire-safety equipment, enabling quick identification during an emergency on a job site.
CTSP Chainsaw Use and PPE 5
What does the term 'bore cutting' (plunge cutting) require the operator to use to initiate the cut safely?