Chainsaw garments refer to protective clothing designed to safeguard workers from chainsaw-related injuries. The primary purpose of these garments is to protect the wearer against the cutting effect of a hand-held chainsaw. Clogging is the primary principle which leads to prevention of injury to a user from a hand-held chainsaw primarily constructed for cutting wood. The material used is especially designed to clog the sprocket when someone accidentally touches their clothing with a chainsaw. By clogging the sprocket, the chain is stopped, thus blocking the chainsaw movement.

In the early 1980s Kjell Eng, founder of Engtex (the company which is known for creating the first-ever chainsaw protective fabric), recognized the need for protective textiles after working as a logger and witnessing chainsaw dangers. In the mid-1980s, Engtex introduced a second-generation fabric and earned its first patent in 1989. In 1992, the third generation, Avertic, was developed with improved materials, settings, and finishing, offering better protection and wash ability. Avertic is still used in chainsaw protective gear worldwide.

The key to the effectiveness of chainsaw garments lies in the materials used to make them durable in high-impact collisions with chainsaw chains. These garments are often made from multiple layers of durable, high-tensile fabric like UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) or high tenacity polyester. When a chainsaw comes into contact with these materials, the fibers have a unique property—they can “catch” the moving chain and entangle it, effectively stopping the chain from continuing its cutting motion. The protective fibers create a barrier that impedes the saw’s chain from making a deep cut, reducing the severity of injuries. In many cases, the garments are designed with additional padding and reinforcements for body parts most at risk, such as knees and lower legs.

Many chainsaw garments incorporate reflective strips or bright colours like orange or yellow to increase visibility, especially in low-light conditions or dense foliage. Chainsaw garments often feature waterproof or water-resistant coatings, making them suitable for use in wet or rainy conditions. Chainsaw garments are constructed with reinforced seams to ensure they don’t tear or wear down easily.

Chainsaw protective garments are certified and used under European standard EN ISO 11393. This standard specifies the performance requirements for chainsaw protective fabrics that are used in the manufacture of chainsaw protective clothing (like trousers, jackets, and chaps). Chainsaw garments are classified into four distinct categories based on their level of protection and the severity of chainsaw injuries they are designed to prevent. These classes are defined under EN ISO 11393, and they include:

Class-0: The lowest protection class offers sufficient protection at a chainsaw speed of up to 16 metres per second (m/s).

Class-1: Chainsaw protection class 1 protects the wearer from chainsaw speeds of up to 20 m/s. Of all the protection levels, class 1 offers the best compromise between protection and freedom of movement. This is the standard class, generally used in forestry work and it is also recommended for home use.

Class-2 & Class-3: Chainsaw protection classes 2 and 3 offer protection at chainsaw speeds of up to 24 and 28 m/s respectively. Higher classes are more practical for trained users in the professional sector.

Apart from the EN ISO 11393 standard, which primarily applies to chainsaw protective products sold in the European Union markets, there are several other norms for chainsaw protective garments intended to be sold in different geographies around the world-

• ASTM F1897 is the North American standard that specifies the minimum performance requirements and test methods for leg protection devices designed to reduce the risk of injury from contact with a running chainsaw. It also includes two classes of chain speed testing: Class A at 20 m/s and Class B at 28 m/s.
• CAN/BNQ 1923-450-M91 is the Canadian standard outlining protective clothing performance, with an emphasis on chainsaw cut resistance for forestry workers, ensuring adequate safety in demanding conditions.
• GOST 12.4.277-2014 – Russian standard that establishes general safety requirements for protective clothing for chainsaw operators. It also includes three classes of chain speed testing: Class 1 at 20 m/s, Class 2 at 24 m/s and Class 3 at 28 m/s.
• JIS T 8125-2:2022 – Japanese standard detailing safety requirements and testing procedures for chainsaw protective clothing, focusing on cut resistance and workplace safety compliance.
• AS/NZS 4453.3:1997 is the Australian/New Zealand standard which only has one level of chain speed testing, i.e., 20 m/s.