A severe chainsaw hazard occurring when the upper quadrant of the guide bar's nose contacts a solid object or gets pinched in a cut. The cutting teeth catch on the wood instead of slicing through it, instantly transferring the engine's rotational energy into a reactionary force that throws the saw back toward the operator. It happens in a fraction of a second and is a leading cause of fatal logging accidents.
Heard on the job
He hit a hidden branch with the tip of the bar and the kickback nearly took his hardhat off.
Insider tip
Always maintain a firm grip with your left thumb wrapped under the front handle to control the saw if kickback occurs, and never cut with the upper tip of the bar.