Milling safety and snapped chains?

[edrrt]

I'm wondering if there are any special safety considerations unique to milling?

Specifically what happens if a chain snaps on a 5' bar? Should you never have a person at the front of the mill helping guide it?

I'm wondering if the chain could fly out and reach a person?

 

[BobL]

I'm wondering if there are any special safety considerations unique to milling?

I've written a brief order of priority risk analysis post here
https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/cs-milling-101-hints-tips-and-tricks.93458/page-3#post-1890582Note: This risk analysis is for my - you may have other risks, and have them in a different priority order

Specifically what happens if a chain snaps on a 5' bar? Should you never have a person at the front of the mill helping guide it?
I'm wondering if the chain could fly out and reach a person?

See risk #7 in link above. The greatest possibility of danger from a chain breaking is when starting a cut .. However, Once the bar is buried in the wood not much happens - it falls of the bar and just sits there. If you use conventional bar clamps then they also act as additional chain catchers. I my risk analysis post I rate the risk of chin problems at #7 out of 13 but I think its probably more like #10 or 12.

 

[edrrt]

So the chain doesn't ever whip out past the bar nose if it snaps?

I often start cuts with someone helping holding the jig rails well in front of the guarded nose but was wondering if that was a risk for them.

 

[BobL]

So the chain doesn't ever whip out past the bar nose if it snaps?

I've never seen that happen, The friction inside the kerf is quite high so teh broken chain ends to just lay down in the kerf.

I often start cuts with someone helping holding the jig rails well in front of the guarded nose but was wondering if that was a risk for them.

Yes its a (small) risk but only at the start.
That's why I use log rails and a sloped log for most cuts.
Once the mill is lifted onto the rails it can be started and guided into the cut without much effort and without the need for second person..

The log slope provides enough forward pressure so that the single operator can stand up right on the power head side.
Note, relaxed, not spread, position of my arms
If I push at all it's with my upper thigh and hip..