mcd176
Gold Member
Rest In Peace Brother !
Local man killed by chainsaw
- Thread starter PhilNH5
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BeeferMan
Gold Member
I learned to use chaps the hard way, although it could have been a lot worse. 40+ years using saws, then one day I was cutting brush with saw too big for the job, swung it one handed into my knee as it was throttling down. It was barely above an idle, but it got under my knee and nicked an artery that bled like a stuck pig - even the ER doc had a hard time stopping it. He had worked for a tree service when he was younger and told me I was nuts for not using some personal safety devices. (I told him I was started out to be a tree surgeon but I fainted at the sight of sap 
) He gave me a prescription for pain killers and a pair of chaps. I only filled the one for the chaps, never have been sorry I did. Never too old to learn...
) He gave me a prescription for pain killers and a pair of chaps. I only filled the one for the chaps, never have been sorry I did. Never too old to learn...
D7E
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There are proper boots used when chainsawing. They offer more protection than just steel toes.
The old fellow up the tree is wearing a pair that are very common in his area. They are shown in the second picture.
I find that rubberboot type a bit awkward to work in for long hours and prefer this type....
Egon
Epic Contributor
In our area it can be pretty wet when most of the fellas are working in the woods. Probably why the rubber boot type is so popular. They may also be a little less expensive which may be a factor.
D7E
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I have a pair of tremme's and they're water proof as the tongue is sealed up the sides...And better in sticky mud as you don't leave your boot behind occasionally..??...I think they cost $170 years ago...
flusher
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Best chain saw safety strategy: let the pros do the job.
An old almond tree in my Japanese garden blew down in May07. Thought about doing the removal myself. Then I backed off and got a couple of estimates--cost $250 and the crew had the tree cut for firewood and shredded in less than 90 minutes.
A lot cheaper than a trip to the ER --- or worse.
brandoro
Platinum Member
Quite a few years ago I worked with a guy who's left hand was a mass of scars. One day we were chatting and I asked him how that happened. He was one handing a little baby chainsaw to cut up a few sticks so his kids could roast wieners, the saw jumped and landed on the back of his hand. Fortunately it looked worse than it was, it didn't cut any tendons or bone, everything still worked. Left a nasty looking mess of scars though.
I use a hard hat with the flip down screen face shield and ear muffs and wear steel toe boots but am thinking that a pair of chaps will be in my near future. I've had no close calls where chaps would have saved me but witnessed a friend having a close call. He was felling a tree and didn't realise there was another small tree just close enough to the tree he was cutting to catch the tip of the bar. It spun the saw around in his hand and just nicked the leg of his coveralls. Close enough. This subtle warning was not lost on him, the next time I saw him with a chainsaw in his hands he was wearing chaps.
I use a hard hat with the flip down screen face shield and ear muffs and wear steel toe boots but am thinking that a pair of chaps will be in my near future. I've had no close calls where chaps would have saved me but witnessed a friend having a close call. He was felling a tree and didn't realise there was another small tree just close enough to the tree he was cutting to catch the tip of the bar. It spun the saw around in his hand and just nicked the leg of his coveralls. Close enough. This subtle warning was not lost on him, the next time I saw him with a chainsaw in his hands he was wearing chaps.
flusher
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What you see in the photos. I just made sure that the guy who owned the business verified that he had insurance coverage on himself and his crew. Easy to do in CA once you have his business license #.
Dave5264
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Great Thread, Ive been getting better at Saw Safety. Ive been using one now for 20 years and it took me 19 yrs to Wear a helmet, Eye protection and Ear protection. I think Ill ask for Chaps for Christmas.
Now that we have a farm and more "Equipment" I seem to have become more sensitized to Safety. Im constantly educating the family on this.
Thanks Guys
Now that we have a farm and more "Equipment" I seem to have become more sensitized to Safety. Im constantly educating the family on this.
Thanks Guys
jimmer2880
Platinum Member
Maybe I missed it in this thread, but I haven't seen anyone say anything about a turnoket. Last year, I went through a Hostile Environment Medical training class. Excellent class. #1 thing they kept drilling into us (after getting to a safe place), was that turnokets save lives every day on the battle field.
That got me thinking about how easy it is to always have something on me that could double as one - a belt. I went out and purchased a strong, wide belt and wear it every day. At least, if I ever need to stop the bleeding on something - like from having a chain saw cut through my leg - I'm prepared.
The way I see it, if I use it incorrectly, and save my life, but loose the limb - I'll still be alive to complain about it. If I don't use it for fear of using it incorrectly, I may very well end up dead.
Just something else to think about & to prepare for.
NOTE **** I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS ****
That got me thinking about how easy it is to always have something on me that could double as one - a belt. I went out and purchased a strong, wide belt and wear it every day. At least, if I ever need to stop the bleeding on something - like from having a chain saw cut through my leg - I'm prepared.
The way I see it, if I use it incorrectly, and save my life, but loose the limb - I'll still be alive to complain about it. If I don't use it for fear of using it incorrectly, I may very well end up dead.
Just something else to think about & to prepare for.
NOTE **** I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS ****
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