EN381-5 standard: protective clothing for legs against portable chainsaws
EN381-5, the European standard for chain saws
The EN 381 standard includes all the specificities that workwear must have. protection against chainsaws, as indicated by the relevant pictogram. This protection concerns all parts of the body likely to be touched by the saw chain: hands, torso, legs and feet. When the pictogram displays a chainsaw with the mention EN 381-5, it is protective trousers against the cut of a portable chainsaw.
In the EN 381-5 standard, there are all the requirements for the protection of the legs against the cut of a portable chainsaw. They are defined in three types (A, B and C).
PPE EN 381-5 type A
In protective clothing we have for example the protective trousers type A which protects against being cut by a portable chainsaw. True Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which is designed for people performing forestry work. It is intended exclusively for experienced chainsaw users such as professional loggers who have received training and experience in working with devices intended for woodworking in the forest. But type B protective trousers can also be suitable for forestry work requiring the use of a portable chainsaw, for ordinary forestry work.
In the case of type A PPE, in accordance with standard EN 381-5, the protection concerns the front part of the leg with coverage over an angle of 180°, with a 5 cm surplus of protective material on each inside of the legs, whether left or right.
The manufacturer must also ensure that the protection covers a part between at least 5 cm from the bottom of the leg and 20 cm above the crotch on the front.
PPE EN 381-5 type B
Type B portable chainsaw protection pants look like Type A except for one thing. The protective material is extended by 5 cm towards the inside of the left leg.
Type B is ideal for professionals who use their chainsaw with their right hand.
PPE EN 381-5 type C
Type C protective trousers are PPE only designed for people who do not have the necessary qualifications and experience in the use of a portable chainsaw. In other words, it is more for someone who wants to use this tool for small jobs on wood.
Type C garments are intended for use either by people who do not usually work with chainsaws, or in exceptional situations.
According to the EN 381-5 standard, all type C protective trousers must have 360° leg coverage. The protective material is placed from 5 cm starting at the bottom of the leg, then stops at 20 cm above the crotch on the front part and 50 cm below on the back part.
Type C protective clothing even more than types A and B, protects users more in extreme conditions, in fact not being a professional the risks are greater, protecting them against irreversible injuries or deadly risks.
Protective materials for chainsaw pants and other equipment
There are three classes on pants that comply with the EN 381-5 standard, which determine the level of protection that the pants can provide. They are defined in meters per second, i.e. the resistance of the material to tearing by the saw chain. The higher the class, the greater the protection, this class is defined after numerous tests and according to the speed of the cut:
- Class 0: 16 m/s
- Class 1: 20 m/s
- Class 2: 24 m/s
- Class 3: 28 m/s
- Class 4: 32 m/s
To ensure optimal protection, it is strongly recommended to wear safety shoes, work gloves and a chainsaw jacket in addition to trousers, to avoid any possible risk. Oxwork accompanies you on a daily basis by offering you many personal protective clothing adapted to your needs and your profession. A question ? Need help ? Do not hesitate to contact our customer service. Are you still hesitating to make your choice? Head over to the verified review area and find additional feedback from our satisfied customers.