Chainsaw mitts, aka man mitts, are an additional piece of PPE that must be used by commercial chainsaw users in New Zealand.
I recently bought a 500i, and although I’m not using it commercially, I grabbed one of these leather STIHL-branded mitts. These man-mitts make social media go wild, so it had to be done!
These leather mitts are NOT gloves. It’s a mitt that is tied to the front handle of the chainsaw and your hand can easily slip in and out of it. It helps prevent your hand from slipping off the handle, enhances your grip, and can protect against debris.
I shared the next two pics on Facebook where they got quite the reaction…
I posted:
Here in New Zealand, these leather mitts are mandatory for commercial chainsaw operators.
Key Functions of chainsaw mitts:
👉 Preventing Hand Slippage: The mitt helps prevent injuries that can occur if the operator’s hand slips off the chainsaw bar
👉 Enhancing Grip: By providing additional grip on the chainsaw handle, the mitt reduces the likelihood of losing control, especially in challenging conditions
👉 Protecting Against Debris: The mitt offers protection from flying debris, which is common when cutting through woodAre they used in any other countries?
Most thought it was a glove and didn’t see that it was tied to the saw handle.
Typical comments:
- William said, “Those must be for when you go to the Renaissance Fair with your saw!! 😆”
- Al said, “Just extra crap to get in the way 😂 never had a problem running a saw.”
- Artur said, “Just don’t perform a Haka during operating the saw and you will be safe without this gadget.”
- Bruce said, “Might as well just use a tampon.”
- Lonnie said, “That looks as well-designed as our new safety gas cans brought to us by the US government. 🙄”
- James said, “Full glove would be more protective. If you dont cover all your fingers then what’s the point?”
But there are 1000+ more comments on the post which you can read here.
Here are a couple of screenshots from Worksafe NZ documents which mention safety mitts.
The WorkSafe ‘Forestry Assessment Tool’ states that a chainsaw is required to have “a safety mitt.”
And in the WorkSafe ‘Safe practice for forestry and harvesting operations’ manual, it also references safety mitts.
On another page, they define a safety mitt as:
Made of leather and securely attached to the front handle of the chainsaw but free to rotate on it.
It provides protection for your hand and keeps your left hand on the handle in the event of kickback.
And further down that same page, it states:
3.1.2 Chainsaw safety
…
Operators should be a minimum of 1.5 metres away from each other and shall use a safety mitt when on the ground. Note that climbing saws do not require the use of a safety mitt while being used aloft. Using a tear-away chainsaw lanyard/tool strop attachment is recommended practice when aloft.
…
Leather chainsaw mitts are designed to meet specific safety standards. For instance, some mitts are classified under protection class 0 (up to 16 m/s chain speed), while others offer class 1 protection (up to 20 m/s chain speed), ensuring adequate protection against chain derailment and kickback incidents.
Here’s another pic of how they tie onto the handle with what is basically a shoe lace.
This mitt costs $50.50 in New Zealand from the STIHL Shop:
STIHL Chainsaw Mitt
- Fits a range of hand sizes
- Meets forestry standards
The STIHL leather Chainsaw Mitt is very durable and comfortable and is designed to fit a range of hand sizes. This Chainsaw Mitt meets the New Zealand forestry requirements for commercial Chainsaw operators.
Many other suppliers in New Zealand also offer leather chainsaw mitts:
- Jaedon Manufacturing: Offers a durable high-quality leather mitt designed to fit a wide range of saws. It provides comfort and allows easy finger movement, priced at NZD 10.00 + GST.
- NZ Safety Blackwoods: Provides a heavy-duty hide leather mitt with a polybraid cord to tie the mitt to the chainsaw, available for NZD 48.19.
- Gatmans Mowers & More: Husqvarna leather chainsaw mitt that fits any saw, mounts to the handle for added safety, priced at NZD 36.50.
Here’s a summary of chainsaw mitts by ChatGPT:
Leather mitts are mandatory for chainsaw operators in New Zealand forestry operations.
This requirement is specified in the Approved Code of Practice for Safety and Health in Forest Operations (ACOP), which provides practical guidance to employers, contractors, and workers on how to meet their obligations under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and its associated Regulations.
The ACOP outlines that chainsaws must be equipped with all safety features in working order, including a safety mitt. This is part of a comprehensive set of safety features designed to minimize the risk of injury during chainsaw operation.
Additionally, the ACOP emphasizes the importance of using compliant chainsaws and adhering to safety standards to prevent injuries. For instance, it specifies that top-handle chainsaws without safety mitts should not be used.
Therefore, in New Zealand forestry, leather mitts are not just recommended; they are a legal requirement to ensure the safety of chainsaw operators.
And as someone said in the comments of our viral FB post, as goes New Zealand, so goes the world. So look forward to compulsory Man Mitts in the future!
