CSA Z62.1-15 (R2020)

This is the sixth edition of CSA Z62.1, Chain saws. It supersedes the previous editions, published in 2011, 2003, 1995, 1985, and 1977.

Revisions to this Standard have been made to enhance the safety of chain saws, including the following:

a) new IEC, ISO, and USDA Standards are referenced, and the text of this Standard has been harmonized with International Standards where appropriate;

b) chain saw sound pressure level limits (Clause 6.9) were clarified;

c) the test method for longitudinal balance, Clause 7.4.1, was modified for Class 1B and 2B saws, and harmonized with ISO 8334;

d) the test method for determining the vibration level for Type 2 saws was clarified in Clause 7.5;

e) two additional chain saw marking requirements were added; and

f) various other editorial changes were made to enhance clarity of meaning throughout the Standard.

The effective implementation date of this Standard is expected to be two (2) years from the date of publication; this would apply to all products built after that date. Manufacturers may also bring their products into compliance with this Standard any time after the publication date.

Scope:

1.1

This Standard applies to portable, handheld, fuel- and electrically powered chain saws intended for forestry and other wood-cutting applications. It describes safety and environmental requirements for the design of chain saws and includes recommendations pertaining to their safe operation.

1.2

In addition to the applicable requirements of this Standard, the requirements of CSA Z62.3 apply to all chain saws, as well as to replacement chains. The requirements specified in CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 147 apply to electrically powered (Type 2) chain saws.

1.3

Electrically powered chain saws intended for general use by homeowners, cottagers, campers, etc., and for general applications such as clearing, pruning, and cutting firewood (“consumer saws” formerly identified as Class 2C saws) are no longer addressed in this Standard. Refer to CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60745-2-13 for these chain saw products.

1.4

In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.

1.5

The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.