I usually only wear chaps when I am limbing. Having said that, it is not a bad idea to wear them all the time. But I am super careful about where my bar is, and have been sawing off and on for about 25 years now. Always wear eye protection - chips, saw dust, branches, falling branches, flying branches, etc etc. Always wear eye protection. I wear gloves not only for protection from the saw but also from the elements, splinters, etc. I tend to grab stuff in my way as I am sawing and throw it aside to keep my work space clear. With gloves on, I don't get surprises or splinters doing so.
Hearing is one of the most important. Even the quietest chainsaw will ruin your hearing after hours and hours of work. And that hearing does not come back once it's gone. Your ears are like many other organs you have: Drink enough, hard enough, and your kidneys, pancreas, and liver aren't going to be happy. You won't have hep or cirrhosis overnight, it will be gradual, and inevitable if you expose yourself to enough of it. The same with your hearing loss. Here's the OSHA guideline I see quoted often:
1910.95(b)(2)
If the variations in noise level involve maxima at intervals of 1 second or less, it is to be considered continuous.
TABLE G-16 - PERMISSIBLE NOISE EXPOSURES (1)
______________________________________________________________
Duration per day, hours | Sound level dBA slow response
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|
8...........................| 90
6...........................| 92
4...........................| 95
3...........................| 97
2...........................| 100
1 1/2 ......................| 102
1...........................| 105
1/2 ........................| 110
1/4 or less................| 115
In other words, a standard chainsaw without a muffler mod can potentially damage your hearing after an hour, or less, of working with it. How many hours do you put in with your saws? I put in 5 last Saturday, and will do the same tomorrow.
What?