Three Reasons to Use a Chainsaw Helmet

Chainsaws are amazing tools but can cause serious injuries if someone doesn’t take safety precautions. (Jimmy Chan/Pexels/)

Anyone who lives the outdoor lifestyle will likely at some point end up with a chainsaw in their hands. That may include regular chores around the home or being pressed into service with someone else’s saw when shorthanded at camp. Either way, safety is paramount, and the less experienced one is with a chainsaw, the higher the risk of injury from kickback, flying wood chips, and other hazards. Other than a pair of cut-proof chaps, the best protection you can own is a helmet with a full-face shield. To ensure your safety when felling trees or processing firewood, look for these features in chainsaw helmet.

Protect Your Ears

Any chainsaw operator should use a helmet that protect the head, ears, eyes, and face. (TR Industrial/)

Protecting vision and hearing at the same time is easy with a forestry helmet that includes integrated earmuffs. An interchangeable mesh visor will keep you cool on late summer days, and the more comfortable the helmet is the more likely you are to wear it.

Protect Your Eyes

If possible, wear a facemask that keeps out dust and other flying debris while you’re cutting with a chainsaw. (Honeywell/)

An anti-fog coating on the surface of a full-frame face shield will make the helmet as useful for indoor work as it is for chainsaw duty outdoors. Woodworking with power tools, using a metal grinder or lathe, and other construction tasks all come with the risk of eye injury. The lower the face shield, the better the protection for the entire face, chin, and throat.

Protect Your Head

A chainsaw helmet with an adjustable headband makes it easy to lend safety gear to someone else. (Sellstrom/)

Head gear suitable for chainsaw work should feature an adjustable band or ratchet system for a custom fit. The last thing you need when halfway through a cut is a helmet and face shield that won’t stay put.