Local man killed by chainsaw

[First one]

I work on a Island that only has just one boat we use to get on and off.
It only takes about 5-10 min. to get to the main land ,but it's a 2400 acre Island a few summer homes with trails all over it .Some of the trails are a mile long which we keep maintained through out the year.[Did I say that their is only the foreman and his wife that live there year round]I know of one man getting cut to the bone just above the knee, one guy lost his finger on the winch on the skidder ,before I started working. On a day I wasn't there , My son and another boy were using the woodspliter together ,my son lost hafe of his finger and cut another almost off It took almost an hour to get him off the Island ,and 20 min. or so to get him to the hospital.
After that we had a meeting, we all carry first aid kits in our cutting bags from now on. I know it won't stop accidents ,but at least we'll be more prepared.
I've been cutting wood for many years, never used any safety gear.I've started using chaps and cutting boots ,but the helmet I don't like, I like to hear what the tree is doing. Alot of the trees we cut are leaners ,alot of them are all dead in the middle . They don't come down the same ,alot of them break or split before you get 1/2 to 3/4 way through .I can see them start to move ,but wearing the helmet I can't hear them when they start to go .I know I should start trying to get use to it though. Be safe!!!

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Firstone I don't want to tell you what to do. I have cut tree's like that before and they are dangerous. One thing that I do is chain or strap a tree above the cut to help eliminate barber chairing and splitting. Also we do a plunge cut from the back side at times to minimize them splitting. That plunge cut also might indicate by what the sawdust comes out if there is rot in the middle of the tree..
Then of course plastic wedges to help force the tree over. You sound experienced enough that you probably know all of that stuff. I feel that with ear protection I can still hear good enough because I am on high alert when cutting. Typically I have a spotter watching for widow makers and cracking which helps. The hard hat is also important for the noggin.
I applaud your idea of the first aid kit. I carry one in all of my vehicles. I think they would be a great idea to have on the tractors for those guys working out in the field. Those with Bee allergies could keep benadryl in there as well. My ears are important to me so I try to take care of them as well as the rest of my ole body.

 

[Steve C]

Firstone I don't want to tell you what to do. I have cut tree's like that before and they are dangerous. One thing that I do is chain or strap a tree above the cut to help eliminate barber chairing and splitting. Also we do a plunge cut from the back side at times to minimize them splitting. That plunge cut also might indicate by what the sawdust comes out if there is rot in the middle of the tree..
Then of course plastic wedges to help force the tree over. You sound experienced enough that you probably know all of that stuff. I feel that with ear protection I can still hear good enough because I am on high alert when cutting. Typically I have a spotter watching for widow makers and cracking which helps. The hard hat is also important for the noggin.
I applaud your idea of the first aid kit. I carry one in all of my vehicles. I think they would be a great idea to have on the tractors for those guys working out in the field. Those with Bee allergies could keep benadryl in there as well. My ears are important to me so I try to take care of them as well as the rest of my ole body.

best thing,don't work alone.

 

[D7E]

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.

I had a stab at using my belt once when i was in a motorcycle accident as a rear passsenger. I was thrown over a hedge but the guy up front got his foot in the chain and was bleeding enormously.
Paramedics took 45mins to get there and said that the best thing i did was leave his foot in the chain and strap his leg with my belt as he had lost a lot of blood and passed out..!Amazingly he kept the foot although not quite the shape it used to be.

 

[D7E]

I was amazed a couple of weeks ago when the ditch clearing crew were going through with the Hydro-axe and the gang of cutters taking out the big stuff were wearing nothing more than cold weather gear..snow boots/tough duck and beanies no protective gear at all..cutting around rocks and fence lines with 2 ft saws.
When i worked on line clearance our kit was inspected once a week..we werent even allowed to use a helmet that was more than 3 years old and the only things that were not mandatory were gloves and upper body..

 

[Steve C]

I was amazed a couple of weeks ago when the ditch clearing crew were going through with the Hydro-axe and the gang of cutters taking out the big stuff were wearing nothing more than cold weather gear..snow boots/tough duck and beanies no protective gear at all..cutting around rocks and fence lines with 2 ft saws.
When i worked on line clearance our kit was inspected once a week..we werent even allowed to use a helmet that was more than 3 years old and the only things that were not mandatory were gloves and upper body..

The low bidder gets the job.

It is a shame in our country that we place so little value on the efforts of the working man. He may not know that he is in danger, he is just trying to earn a pay check to feed his family. We need to do better.

 

[jimmer2880]

I had a stab at using my belt once when i was in a motorcycle accident as a rear passsenger. I was thrown over a hedge but the guy up front got his foot in the chain and was bleeding enormously.
Paramedics took 45mins to get there and said that the best thing i did was leave his foot in the chain and strap his leg with my belt as he had lost a lot of blood and passed out..!Amazingly he kept the foot although not quite the shape it used to be.

Sorry to hear about your friend. Sounds like your belt saved his life.

One thing we learned in training, was that when improvising, anything is better than nothing. However, sometimes a standard belt can't get get tight enough to stop the bleeding. Then, it's better to wrap the belt around the leg, arm, etc, then find a stick & something that can be used as a rope (like wire, brake cable, etc). Put the rope around the belt, in the middle (so the belt is spreading the pressure), wrap the wire around the stick and turn the stick to tighten the wire until the bleeding stops.

NOTE **** I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS ****

 

[Steve C]

Sorry to hear about your friend. Sounds like your belt saved his life.

One thing we learned in training, was that when improvising, anything is better than nothing. However, sometimes a standard belt can't get get tight enough to stop the bleeding. Then, it's better to wrap the belt around the leg, arm, etc, then find a stick & something that can be used as a rope (like wire, brake cable, etc). Put the rope around the belt, in the middle (so the belt is spreading the pressure), wrap the wire around the stick and turn the stick to tighten the wire until the bleeding stops.

NOTE **** I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS ****

You might not be a medical professional, but if I am laying around with a limb half cut off and bleeding out.....I hope you happen to pass by!

great advice.

 

[patrick_g]

What can I wear to protect my chest?? Joel

Maybe a safety vest made for chainsaw protection?

Elvex® ProVest™

Pat