Which surfaces on a chainsaw are considered hot and should not be touched during operation?

• A. The engine housing and muffler/exhaust area.
• B. The bar and chain.
• C. The fuel cap only.
• D. The handle grip only.

Answer: (A)

Hot surfaces on a running chainsaw come from the engine and its exhaust. The engine housing contains the hot combustion area, and the muffler/exhaust area handles the hot gases that leave the engine. These parts heat up quickly and stay hot for a while after the saw is shut down, so touching them can cause serious burns. The bar and chain can get hot from friction during cutting, but they’re not the primary hot surfaces to avoid during operation. The fuel cap and handle grip aren’t typically as hot, though you should still avoid touching any part that’s clearly too hot. So, the surfaces to avoid during operation are the engine housing and muffler/exhaust area.