Chainsaw Safety Lesson...

[doric_prince]

Seen similar a couple of times…. classically a right handed user ‘stabilising’ a log on the ground with his left foot whilst cutting rounds? Resultant kickback or log movement = …

A close second to cutting through toe box of left boot!

A lucky escape, hopefully a speedy recovery & a good anecdotal story for the pub & the Grandkids

This is how I could see a person cutting into their calf. It’s all so easy, “it’s just a few logs so no need for the trousers and boots”, saves 5 mins for a “only” a 5 mins job. Been there all to often choosing the wellies and the boiler over the protective gear for a small job. This example reinforces why there are needed!

 

[baguio]

This makes sobering reading .....https://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/resources/casestudies.htm

Crikey. Very tragic. All so avoidable with a bit of training and common sense.

 

[User00056]

In all honesty, I often don't wear safety gear when I'm using my saws. In mitigation though, I reiterate my earlier statement that I'm slightly frightened of them. This ensures I don't take chances with them. Common sense and a healthy respect for the tool goes a long way to keeping you safe, while complacency is a quick route to injury!

 

[Cyres]

Yes until something unexpected happens
or you get tired.
Takes 5 mins to.put on boots bib and braces and gloves.
D

 

[fixedwheel]

A neighbour of mine decided he wanted to take down a couple of sycamore saplings that were getting out of hand.

Bear in mind I wouldn't trust him with a screwdriver, due to a total lack of competence.

I knew that if I stayed in, I'd end up taking over just due to the fear of him doing something stupid, but I didn't want to play with even a small electric chainsaw without good PPE, and having said muppet telling me how to do it.

I did the sensible thing, and went out.

Came back to find that fortunately he wasn't dead or injured, but the saplings had gone 90 degree to intended direction, and through a fence. Prob cost more to fix the fence than it would have cost to get someone in.

 

[nick.308]

ive got a Stihl MS 881 and im worried it might kill me one day. Its like holding a motorbike with a chainsaw on the backwheel.

 

[Jamouk]

 

[kenbro]

I bought a chainsaw many years ago, I took it back the next day and told then it was rubbish at cutting trees……salesman took me out back of shop were they had logs for testing on…..when he started the engine, I said, what’s that noise.
Got me coat on, Kb.
Ps. I’m Stihl crap at jokes.

 

[nic531]

Many years ago in the army I was trained on using chain saws... we had our boots checked ensuring they were highly polished and that our lightweights (trousers) were pressed, we had ear defenders (that they say now were not good enough quality). that was all of the safety equipment covered..... always surprised that there were not more accidents....

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hmmm.
Nigh on thirty years ago I happened to be trimming our 10ft tall conifer hedge with my hedge clippers and was finding it hard going for two reasons - the hedge was very thick and as I was out of hospital only one week after a heart attack, I was even thicker - but I was bored and Lady FB had gone back to work that very morning….
Neighbour’s young lad saw my struggles and offered his late grandad’s elderly 12 inch electric B&D chainsaw which really did the job but seemed to have a minor connection or brushes problem as it did on occasion stutter. Anyhow it was a lot easier than my electric clippers - great, super, brilliant…
Then on one of my trips up and down the tall step ladder and using my by-now perfected technique of resting the bastarding thing on the top step it decided to switch itself on just as my chest came level with it. Inertia caused the saw to pivot and swing towards me, prompting a reflex action from me which was basically to push it out of the way as it pivoted towards me - fortunately in that micro-second before my left hand made contact those few neurons I had still working persuaded my brain that this was not my finest idea so I didn’t make contact with it. However, said saw made contact with me by taking seven stitch-like plucks out of my old fishing jumper in a perfect nipple level line - straight across my chest before missing my right arm (which was frozen to the stepladder) before falling off the step and cutting out.
You may be surprised to learn that was the end of my very brief affair with this WMD - I even refused to let the bloody thing go back to the neighbour (she was a widow - surprisingly not caused by the chainsaw) - it still hangs in my garage as a reminder to never, like never go near such a thing again!
This near miss and the ensuing shock were as nothing compared to the bollocking stern talking-to from her highness….

 

[GlennUK]

We have two chainsaws and has used them for felling some largish willows. Furotantely we have not had any accdents of the kind where said tree goes in the wrong direction. Thats not to say they always go in exactly the right direction but given we have largish garden it usually doesnt matter where they go.

When we got the first saw we bought appropriate ppe (trousers, hat with face guard, ear defenders, boots and gloves) and always wear them.

I was taught basic principles whilst a firefighter many years ago, but i have learned so much since using them over the past 6 years or so, mainly my limitations, lack of knowledge and experience.

IMHO there is no such thing as a simple, easy chainsaw job. One mistake and they can all turn nasty.

 

[cjm1066]

Seen a kickback injury, fortunately the chain brake worked and the chain had stopped when it hit his face.

Hard hat and or visor would have prevented a trip to hospital.

Check your chain brake works and as for those DIY saws without a chain breaks, dump them.

 

[Stalker62]

Back in the days of black and white...I started out as an apprentice, with what was British Rail Engineering.



Once saw a 'labourer' cutting up old sleepers with a chainsaw.




He had zero safety kit, and I suspect, less training.

The 'kickback' injury he received was impressive. Centre of his head, from the crown to the top of his nose.

He survived it, but whilst his modelling career was over, he went on to find some work as an actor in some Horror film...

 

[Heym SR20]

This makes sobering reading .....https://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/resources/casestudies.htm

Case studies - Fatalities - HSE

A selection of case studies relating to incidents and accidents in Tree Work.

www.hse.gov.uk

Yes does make very sobering reading. There are 30 case studies. All fatalities. Its not just the saw that is dangerous, you dealing with heavy trees, lots of tension and gravity involved. Think of the power of a long bow - about 1” in diameter. Multiply that up to a large tree in a wind blow.

Ash with ash die back in particular is causing lots of injuries- it just behaves unpredictably.

 

[GWP]

Years ago my brother in law worked at a tool supply company they used to make chains up from a roll he was the only one qualified to do this a guy walked in asking for a chain but as my bil was on holiday the brand new apprentice decided that it was an easy job one happy customer strolls out of the shop next day he comes back not as happy throws the chainsaw and his helmet on the counter which had a rather large groove cut into the front no injuries by the way apparently the rivet said boy had fitted was not fitted properly no helmet would have been no head

 

[countrryboy]

As has been said normal cutting pants probably wouldnt help in this case.
Thats why ur instructed to use chainsaws right handed as the basic chainsaw trousers are designed to protect for right handed use

Really while wearing proper Ppe shoild always be the 1st precaution.
( and i have to admit i dont always wear my cutting pants, always waer my helmet for hearing protection) But if im not wearing my cutting pants im extra careful to keep legs to the side, alrhou i do tend to climb with no cutting pants but ur never cutting near ur legs anyway.
But far more important to practise safe body position and work practices.
Never have ur body in the line of the saw
Never stand on branches and cut or use saw 1 handed while holding it.

Plenty of vids out there now but generally Ppe is only designed to stop a slowing chain,
A big cc saw might still rip right throu ur trousers.
As for chainsaw boots i dont think they offfer much protection at all.
So better to work safe and dont have ur body in the way in the 1st place.

If ur firewooding ur actually better logging it as its still attached to the tree.
If its branches build urself a saw horse or something far safer and quickier

 

[countrryboy]

Case studies - Fatalities - HSE

A selection of case studies relating to incidents and accidents in Tree Work.

www.hse.gov.uk

Yes does make very sobering reading. There are 30 case studies. All fatalities. Its not just the saw that is dangerous, you dealing with heavy trees, lots of tension and gravity involved. Think of the power of a long bow - about 1” in diameter. Multiply that up to a large tree in a wind blow.

Ash with ash die back in particular is causing lots of injuries- it just behaves unpredictably.

Aye most forestry accidents tend to involve the trees/branches or root balls getting them rather than the chain.

The problem with ash and ADB is a lot of folk getting hurt are tree monkeys and dont really know wot there doing felling on the ground.

Its really not that unpredicatble but u dont expect to try to swing them or put them any where there not already leaning.
Without a winch and even then dont expect it to hold against any serious side lean/wieght.
And always expect them to chair on u, if u routinely bore them they wont chair on u.
Keep it simple bore and dogs tooth cut and have enough to walk away if ur not confident

In the old days when still felling with cross cuts and axes they used to chain the butt of the tree to stop it chairing. Ratchet strap can work well

 

[Acerforestry]

I use saws in coppicing work daily so well aware of potential risks. Interesting the idea of preventing "barber chair" trunk spilt as it's known, as in post above. Never heard of that previoiusly though no reason that wouldn't work well

 

[Foxyboy43]

Dunno what the fuss is about….

 

[baguio]

I use saws in coppicing work daily so well aware of potential risks. Interesting the idea of preventing "barber chair" trunk spilt as it's known, as in post above. Never heard of that previoiusly though no reason that wouldn't work well

The bore or plunge cut is the standard to avoid the Barber Chair. Plenty of videos on YouTube.