The safety system, esp. for a chain saw driven by combustion engine or by electric motor, has a switch on the front handgrip and a switch on the rear handgrip. At least the front switch has two conductors. At least one of the two conductors (7,8) moves so that the drive is switched off when the saw is carried by the front handgrip (2).The moving conductor bands touch the second conductor and makes elec. contact with it. The conductors may be flexible bands separated by insulating spacers (6a6b) and extending the length of the handgrip
