How do chainsaw chaps work

It is no longer compliant to the standard and must not be worn. There is a lot of confusion about chainsaw protection. Do 8 layers outperform a 6 layers? Here are some answers. The performance of the chainsaw protection depends on the material used. A six layer fabric with a high percentage of cut resistant fibers like Arrestex HP would likely outperform an 8 layer fabric made from standard fibers.

As to European vs North American chainspeed ratings, you can not directly convert metres per second to feet per minute to compare products certified to the standards due to the different test methods used. So, if you are using a big saw and want the highest possible protection then select a garment with the highest chainspeed rating within the applicable standard. Protective fabrics made using cut-resistant fibers, although more expensive will normally provide better protection.

Remember that the attachment system is also important. With Chaps, the number and placement of the number of straps is very important. There is no point having high performance chainsaw fabric if the chainsaw is able to drag the protective fabric out of the way.

Our experience over many years has proved that having 5 straps makes the attachment system more effective especially with Apron chaps. Type A and C refers to the designs of chainsaw leg protection pants defined under EN standard covering protection against handheld chainsaws. Type A has front only leg protection while Type C has full leg protection. New Zealand. Australia, and the United States only have the Type A pants equivalent defined under their respective standards though calf protection is available.

See this post for a full breakdown of global chainsaw protection standards and test methods. Choosing to wear chainsaw chaps or chainsaw trousers depends on your unique circumstances and needs, there are no right answers. Be aware of the environment you are working in, the policies of the employer and the industry regulations in place governing that work. The types of hazard you will encounter and the freedom of movement you expect might point you in one direction or another, but at the end it is up to you.

Unfortunately you missed one extremely important aspect: all your trousers offer only Type A protection. I injured my calf a few weeks ago experienced user because Type A does not protect calf area by design. Your article does not mention Type A and Type C differences at all. SIP Sherpa Plus? I would very much like to support a local manufacturer, but because of no choice and no models offering partial or full protection designs I will be buying my next trousers overseas.

Type A and Type C are part of the European standard. We do not sell our product in Europe at this stage so do not offer products made for and certified to the European standard. Thanks for your feedback. Your email address will not be published. There are advantages and disadvantages for both: Chainsaw Pants advantages: No snagging hazard during chipping or climbing operations. Garment is put on at the start of the day and any jobs can be performed during the day. Garments are purchased individually so they fit correctly Compliance is controlled as the employee comes to work safely dressed for the job Garments remain functional as they are regularly washed and maintained Uniform, professional look for a crew when all dressed the same Less layering of clothing meaning it is cooler and gives better movement.

Chainsaw Pants disadvantages: Require workers to clean and maintain their clothing which they may not be inclined to do. Purchase cost is higher per person and each employee will need more than one pair Cannot be taken off in hot weather if not performing chainsaw jobs Chainsaw Chaps advantages: Compliance can be easily checked in a drive-by inspection Purchase cost is lower per person Not being a personal garment, they can be used by different persons Can be removed in hot weather if not performing chainsaw work Open at the back which gives very good ventilation — this advantage is limited with calf wrap chaps Chainsaw Chaps disadvantages: Cannot perform certain jobs e.

Dirty garments contribute to poor overall look for company Hotter in warm weather and less freedom of movement due to layering of clothing. This does depend on brand of chaps To sum up, the choice of whether to wear chaps or pants comes down to the employer or even the employee themselves. Are cut-resistant pants meant for climbers only?

Due to that, when working with a chainsaw you need protection. Chainsaw protective clothing PPE like trousers, pants or chaps is the solution. Unfortunately, yes, it is very dangerous. Because of this, as a chainsaw worker, you need two things at least: knowledge and protective clothing. You can see how chainsaw protectives work in the animated GIF below. Between the visible outer layer and the lining, this clothing has several layers of a special fabric consisting of millions of tiny, yet strong, threads.

Their purpose is to clog up the saw chain and rim sprocket as fast as possible, causing the chain and motor to stop immediately. Luckily there are many layers, so your leg shouldn't get touched. Unfortunately, you won't be able to use chaps that have been cut. Instead, you will need to get rid of them and get a new pair. There's just no way anyway could stitch all those fibers back together. Quality chaps can be pretty pricey, so throwing them away can be frustrating.

But it's much cheaper than the hospital bill after cutting your leg. The good news is you can still use your chainsaw after it's cut through chaps.

You'll need to remove all the fibers, but this isn't too hard. To clean your saw, you will need to take it apart.

First, focus on the sprocket, making sure you remove every last thread. Then you can check over the bar and the rest of the saw. Take your time with this; you don't want to miss any threads. In general, if you can, it is best to spend more on safety equipment, and chaps are no exception. Higher quality brands use better material, and they use more of it.

As a result, more expensive pants are much thicker on average. As I said earlier, the more layers you have, the better. A saw will cut through multiple layers, so the more layers you have, the less likely you will get cut. Lower-quality pants won't have the same amount of protection. They will still stop the saw, though. But you could end up with a scratch or a small cut.

So low-quality chaps are still much better than nothing at all. If you use saws at all, consider investing in a quality pair of chaps. It doesn't take long for a saw to kick back into your leg, only milliseconds. I was lucky when I cut myself. I managed to get away with a small cut on the top of my thigh, requiring five stitches.

The femoral artery is in your thigh, and if that gets cut, it will be disastrous. If you're looking for the best types of chaps, check out this article: What Are the Best Chainsaw Trousers? Hear From an Arborist. For me, chap trousers vs the clip-on chaps come down to convenience. But, if you want a more detailed look at the difference between trouser and chaps, check out this article: Are Chainsaw Chaps or Pants Better?

Being an Arborist, I am cutting all throughout the day, so I find chaps in trousers work best. Trousers are still bulky and heavier than regular pants, but they're convenient. I don't need to put them on and take them off every time I use a saw. Most professionals opt for trousers over chaps. Having to wear them all day is the main reason for this. Chap trousers are more expensive than clip-on. But, if you are using them for hours a day, you'll get your money's worth. One thing to note with chap trousers is their longevity.

Chap trousers last approximately one year before you need to get a new pair. This is because the Kevlar material slides down the trouser leg.