DEFINITION OF TERMS

CROWN CLEANING - The removal of dead, dying, diseased, crowded, weakly attached branches from the tree’s crown.

CROWN REDUCTION - The reduction of the top, sides, or individual limbs by the means of removal of the leader or longest portion of a limb.

CROWN THINNING - The selective removal of branches to increase light penetration and air movement, and to reduce weight.

CUT - The exposed wood area resulting from the removal of a branch or a portion of it.

CUTTING SHOE - The lower front of the guide bar cover used as a work stop and/or pivot point when sawing the blade into the wood.

DECAY - Degradation of woody tissue caused by biological organisms.

FACE MASK - A mask to shield the face from flying objects. Face masks alone do not provide adequate protection for your eyes. Eye protection goggles or glasses meeting ANSI Standard Z87.1 must be worn underneath the face mask. See GOGGLES/GLASSES (below).

FACE SHIELD - A device worn in front of the eyes and a portion of, or all of, the face to supplement eye protection. A face shield alone does not provide adequate protection for your eyes. Eye protection goggles or glasses meeting ANSI Standard Z87.1 or CE Standard must be worn underneath the face mask. See GOGGLES/GLASSES (below).

FACILITY - Equipment or structure used to deliver or provide protection for the delivery of an essential service such as electricity.

FOLLOW THROUGH - After the saw completes a cut and is no longer supported by the wood, the bar and chain can continue on its path and strike the legs, feet or body of the operator or helper.

GOGGLES/GLASSES - A device covering the eyes and sockets, having impact-resistant lenses. Such goggles/ glasses must meet the ANSI Z87.1 or CE Standard. “Z87” or “CE” is stamped on approved goggles/glasses.

GUIDE BAR - The railed structure that supports and guides the saw chain.

HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES - These are ear-muff or plug-type devices worn to reduce exposure to harmful noises while permitting an operator to hear certain sounds.

HOT STICK – Is a non conductive insulated pole used by electric utilities in moving live downed power lines. Cleaning material designed with “hot stick” is certified for cleaning dielectric tools.

JAMMING - The restriction of the motion of the saw chain or blade while the engine is running due to an excessive cutting load or pinching as the cut closes against the guide bar and saw chain. This can occur when attempting to cut branches or stems with an excessive feed rate to the blades.

KICKBACK – This describes two highly dangerous reactions that can occur. When used alone in this manual, the term “kickback” refers to rotational kickback. Kickback can occur if the unshielded guide bar nose touches an object or the ground.

•ROTATIONAL KICKBACK - The violent reaction that can occur when the saw chain at the upper section of the nose is suddenly stopped or impeded, thereby dangerously driving the guide bar nose in an upward arc toward the operator.

•LINEAR KICKBACK - A push reaction, which can occur under certain conditions when the guide bar is buried in a cut and the cut closes, pinching the saw chain along the top rails of the guide bar and propelling the saw straight back toward the operator.

LEADER - A dominant upright stem, usually the main trunk. There can be several leaders in one tree.

LIMB - Same as branch, but larger and more prominent.

OBSTRUCTING - To hinder, block, close off, or be in the way of; to hinder or retard a desired effect or shape.

PARENT BRANCH OR STEM - The tree trunk; or a large limb from which lateral branches grow.

PINCH - Specifically the closing-in of the wood which pinches and stops the saw chain along the top rails of the guide bar during a cut. This can result in the saw being propelled straight back toward the operator (called a Linear Kickback). Pinch can also occur on the lower rails of the guide bar, resulting in the saw being pulled away from the operator.

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