Chain Saw Protection Gear
In many cases, chain saw operators who work on wildfires or prescribed fires are required to wear PPE. Chain saw protection gear includes eight items of personal protection equipment (PPE): chaps, a hardhat, eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, fire resistant shirts and pants, a fire shelter, and firefighting boots.
Chain saw chaps are designed to clog a running chain saw upon contact to prevent the operator from sustaining large jagged lacerations. They are typically made of several layers of Kevlar sandwiched between outer layers of a Cordura nylon cover. The Kevlar is designed to clog a running chain saw to make it stop. The Cordura is designed to resist water, mildew, oil, and abrasions. Chaps are fastened about the waist and legs with adjustable straps.
The chaps should be long enough to overlap a persons boots by at least 2 inches. Chaps are available in standard coverage that protects 180 degrees of the legs or extended coverage that protects 220 degrees of the circumference of the legs.
Encyclopedia ID: p319
