Chain saw safety seminar

[Treemonkey1000]

A couple of shots working up volunteering on an Island in Canada.. Notice the chainsaw chaps helmet and glasses.. You cut yourself open on an island that is a two hour boat ride from an ambulance could be a bad day.

 

[creekbend]

A couple of shots working up volunteering on an Island in Canada.. Notice the chainsaw chaps helmet and glasses.. You cut yourself open on an island that is a two hour boat ride from an ambulance could be a bad day.

I respect you for your volunteering efforts. Safety should always be considered when using a chainsaw, but being located such a long distance from a medical facility, would surely be a viable concern. It would surely be beneficial for everyone to attend a seminar such as was described, if possible.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

I respect you for your volunteering efforts. Safety should always be considered when using a chainsaw, but being located such a long distance from a medical facility, would surely be a viable concern. It would surely be beneficial for everyone to attend a seminar such as was described, if possible.

Good point. I was in the Fire Department for a few years. And have plenty of experience in first aid. There were enough other people at this Bible camp that are first aid trained as well. Same thing with loggers working out in the woods you have First aid supplies available. And you work as safely as possible.

 

[Gary Fowler]

One of the best points of advice given was to lock the chain brake everytime when you finish cutting. I really never used it before. The instructor said some folks believe in the 3 step rule prior to locking the blade but he goes with the 0 step and locks if as soon as the cut is finished. For those worried about it wearing out, he said he has never seen a chain brake wear out even on professional logger equipment.
With regard to pole saw safety, my Brother in Law said he saw in the new where a man cut his wifes head off with a pole saw. He was standing on a ladder to get a rather tall branch and his wife was holding the ladder. Somehow he lost his balance (likely from the limb hitting him), fell and the saw was running full throttle and just cut her head off. One of the problems with a pole saw is that it doesnt have any kind of brake mechanism for safety. You may not get cut, but you can easily cut an onlooker, so best to keep watchers far away.
Another gruesome thing he mentioned was a guy cutting up a tree that had blown over and his grandkids were playing around the area. When he had cut off the last tree length, the root ball flopped back into the hole. Later they could find one of his grandkids and after calling out all the local emergency personnel for searching, a fire chief asked him when was the last time he saw the child and when he said it was while cutting the tree up, they called for a front loaded to come in and lift the root ball. The child was under the root ball and had suffocated to death (not crushed as I would have thought).
One more item of interest on the chaps. Seems that they are like safety belts, one use and they are finished. If you ever get the saw into them and they pull out the liner that stalls the saw, they should be discarded. The liner material is pulled up to the cut and make thin spot or voids in other areas so they are a one use item. Also they need to be kept clean, wash the grease and oil out of them so the fibers inside stay fluffy so they can do their job.

 

[creekbend]

This is an informative thread in regards to accidents. Most users of chainsaws become complacent when it comes to safety issues, but we veteran users can always learn something new. I just learn something new about taking care of chaps. Can you just imagine being the parent or grandparent of that child that died under the root ball? Safety--yes. We should all expect the unexpected and do our best to prevent the chances of accidents occurring. Hopefully more people will get the chance to attend a seminar like the one described, especially the people that use their chainsaws around the farm. It might get us to thinking more in advance in relation to our cutting techniques.:thumbsup:

 

[sandman2234]

Complacent, I have a nice little cut on the tip of my steel toed boots. Nice reminder to pay attention to what I am doing, and not get in a hurry...
David from jax

 

[Gary Fowler]

Everyone might want to check with their local conservation district or emergency services provider to see if they can organize a safety seminar. My brother in law and myself were the only land owners in this seminar, everyone else was from area fire departments and job corps students. The course was paid for by the state and was originally designated for areas that had ice damage and thus lots of chain saw accidents. It was such a hit, that they expanded it to all of Arkansas.

 

[creekbend]

Complacent, I have a nice little cut on the tip of my steel toed boots. Nice reminder to pay attention to what I am doing, and not get in a hurry...
David from jax

It was a good thing you had steel toes. Glad that everything ended well. Be safe.

 

[GE222]

I always wear chaps when using my chain saws. They are as important as my hard hat, face shield and ear muffs.

For anyone using an electric saw - pay very close attention when using one. While chaps will in most cases bring a gas saw to a stop, they typically will not stop an electric saw due to the high torque.

 

[D7E]

Many large felling and tree care companies i've worked for wont allow chaps and insist on pants . I prefer pants as they allow you to move more freely and dont get sticks up the leg tripping you when cutting through dense undergrowth . I have these "HEAVY" oregon pants that i wear in winter ( and am very glad of at -25) but have lighter nylon type pants with equal speed rating that i wear in summer . For me or any places i've cut Legal boots/helmet and pants are the req . usually husky helmet , any thing else is optional .