safety meh...
wedges go in wedge pouch, axe in axe scabard thing, chuck the saw over my shoulder and go, sometimes toss the gypo jugs over the other shoulder and carry my water jug, but I don't hike more then a 1/4-1/2 mile most times.
If I had to hike farther, a pack board that could hold 2 gallons of fuel, and a gallon of bar oil, along with wedges, axe, fud, water (lots of water) would be a necessity, for short hikes the wedge belt is enough.
My wedge belt is made from army surplus stuff, and the spenders have some heavy duty webbing that help pad the saw a bit, though I honestly couldn't care if it was there or not, except the whole holding up the wedges bit. Only been poked in the back by the dogs once, and it wasn't very deep, since my back gets in the way... Sometimes nick my neck with a chain but its never more than a scratch. cut my fingers more then anything really, in fact my thumb has a nice stripe on it now from doing this... (gloves, we don't need no stinking gloves)
I have gotten a little bit warm from the exhaust from time to time... but never been burned... much, at least not on the back (there is an unknown white blistery thing on my left middle finger that could possibly be from the exhaust... but I can't feel it so I don't remember when or how it happened). I've heard of guys tossing their saw on their shoulder sans shirt or anything after running for a bit and getting burned by the bar? Never seen a bar get that hot in normal use so? (Dull chain and stupid operators yes... normal use no)
Also when you plan on packing in more then a convenient walk back to the truck/crummy, bring an extra chain or two, and a bar if you have room, along with any necessary tools, and maybe a spare spark plug. The extra bar is a pain but its easier than carrying an entire saw, that way when, not if, you get pinched just swap bars and cut yerself free.
Not running a P pad as they are sometimes called will also play Hel on your shirts, I don't have many that don't have the right shoulder chewed up.