Old thread - time for a reminder!!
ALWAYS wear gloves when working with a chain saw, even if the saw is not running (unless you use a chain cover).
A friend just laid the back of his hand open by brushing it over a tooth on a brand new chain, as we were preparing to work! 2" cut, ER, just barely nicked a tendon, stitches, no infection but prolonged swelling. Hand out of operation several weeks. Could easily have been much worse.
I never would have thought a stationary tooth could do such much damage! A REAL good lesson for me.
I think a running chain would not grab the glove, just rip through it. Proper chain saw gloves are probably worth it.
A colleague of mine always wore a bow tie: as a student he caught his long tie in a lathe and barely hit the SSTOP button before it strangled him
If you are experienced, you are at high risk for injury; if you are practiced, you have a lot more chances for exposure to injury (not even counting the danger of overconfidence).
So either way, good protective gear should be used unless conditions counterindicate it.
Charlie