When cutting wood, always make sure you have a firm, solid footing and keep your back straight, using your legs and knees to adjust your height. Always operate the chainsaw with the bar and chain positioned to the right of your body, never in line with your body. This will greatly decrease the chances of serious or fatal injury in the event your chainsaw experiences a reactive force event of kickback.
If you're moving between cuts, always engage the chain brake prior to movement and don't release the chain brake until you're ready to begin your next cut. This will also decrease the chances of serious injury if the saw were to become entangled in the limbs or shrubbery or if you were to accidentally drop or lose control of the saw.
If you need to clear away brush or limbs as you're working always engage the chain brake first. If you have a significant amount of brush or limbs to move or heavy objects, it is recommended that you engage the chain brake and shut the saw off before clearing these objects.
If you're starting the chainsaw in the immediate work area, regardless of the method you use ground start or standing start, make sure you have a clear, unobstructed area to do so. Never try and start the saw in a confined area or in an area with projecting limbs or brush that could come into contact with the bar and chain.
If you become fatigued or out of breath, engage the chain brake, turn off the chainsaw and take a break. Always drink lots of fluid.
Do not operate your chainsaw without proper protection apparel and clothing. If you have a partner with you, always make sure they keep a safe distance from the area that you are working in and never allow them to hold or brace any wood you are cutting.
Never allow two ore more chainsaws to be used at the same time in the same work area. Two people cutting on or near the same piece of wood can change the balance of the wood or release limbs that could cause 1 or both operators to become injured without warning.
Never operate your chainsaw above shoulder height and never use a ladder or any other object to stand on to increase your reach. Doing so will increase your susceptibility to dangerous reactive forces and situations as well as the chances that you could lose your footing and fall, possibly landing on a running chainsaw with the chain turning, a very serious or fatal situation.