Chain saw safety

JDgreen227 · Apr 9, 2014

I have spent the past two days hauling back and cutting up about 25 cubic yards of tree debris from the ice storm of December, using a lightweight 2.8 cubic inch 16" bar saw for the cutting. After using chain saws for over 30 years, I am still scared of the tools so I use the utmost care at all times. My GF is really worried about the potential for an accident but I reassure her that the vast majority of chain saw accidents happen to three types of users:

1. The novices who have no experience.

2. The experienced users who have let familiarity with the saws make them careless.

3. Those who are simply incompetent.

I don't fit any of these profiles so I am not too concerned about an accident....should I be?

KennyG · Apr 9, 2014

A reasonable amount of concern will keep you in the right spot between 1 and 2. Last year I bought chainsaw chaps after thinking about the cost benefit ratio.

PeterK · Apr 9, 2014

Yes, safety starts with safety gear. Get the right protection because accidents do happen. +1 on the chaps.

joemd11 · Apr 9, 2014

Man recovering after getting chainsaw lodged in neck | www.wpxi.com

Don't let this happen to you.

rd_macgregor · Apr 9, 2014

I think this statement of yours is key: "After using chain saws for over 30 years, I am still scared of the tools so I use the utmost care at all times." Fear is nature's way of telling you to pay attention and be careful. The novice often doesn't know enough to avoid the hazards, whereas some long-time users get complacent with what they've gotten away with before. Of course, sometimes bad things happen despite experience, care and preparation...proper protective gear can often eliminate or at least mitigate the consequences when something does go awry.

dougtrr2 · Apr 9, 2014

Having respect/fear of the chainsaw is a good start. My only input is that you stated you are cutting tree debris from an ice storm. If it is all piled up it changes the equation on cutting. There are a lot of tensions in a wood pile that aren't readily apparent. All **** can break loose was you release that tension. If you go slow and watch what is happening you can minimize the risk.

Doug in SW IA

JDgreen227 · Apr 9, 2014

dougtrr2 said:
Having respect/fear of the chainsaw is a good start. My only input is that you stated you are cutting tree debris from an ice storm. If it is all piled up it changes the equation on cutting. There are a lot of tensions in a wood pile that aren't readily apparent. All **** can break loose was you release that tension. If you go slow and watch what is happening you can minimize the risk.

You make an excellent point, and I am not cutting anything that is under tension....I have dragged all the big stuff about 800 feet back to my burn pile area, and realize the dangers of cutting tree limbs that are piled up, so am separating the large stuff and cutting it one at a time. Thanks for the heads up because that is good advice for all of us. :thumbsup:

JRobyn · Apr 9, 2014

+2 on the chaps, although I admit to not donning them if I am just planning to do one or two cuts. I should ALWAYS use them. I've become a big fan of a forestry hardhat too, mostly because of the flip-down eye screen.

Also totally agree that a healthy fear/respect for the potential danger is your best ally.

- Jay

CobyRupert · Apr 9, 2014

JDgreen227 said:
After using chain saws for over 30 years, I am still scared of the tools so I use the utmost care at all times. ?

Good outlook. Mother Nature is always more creative in coming up with new ways to kill or maim you than your creativity in anticipating it.

Case in point: Once, cutting a stand of 12" dia, 60'+ tall red pines, I'd drop a few next to each other before skidding them out. Doing things safe, but what I didn't realize (at the time!) was that if you drop one tree down over another, the log on the ground can act as a fulcrum for the falling tree and spring/see-saw the butt of the tree you just cut about 8' in the air above your head, and kick it to one side or another. (9 out 10 times it probably won't, but it's that 1 time!).
Luckily, I'd lazily stepped back far enough from the stump that it was only a close call (inch is a good as a mile!) Nothing like seeing a 60' log flying through the air next to you! Not lazy any more, even if it seems routine.

Coyote machine · Apr 9, 2014

A healthy respect for the dangers present with any saw; careful assessment of the work area, weather conditions, level of fatigue of operator. Always have a cell phone or walkie talkie within reach, someone who is aware you're operating the saw and where. A vehicle, tractor/atv for rapid escape, if needed, and full gear: boots, chaps, helmet/face shield, hearing protection, chainsaw gloves with Kevlar.
And a well maintained saw and a spare to cut away a stuck saw.
A chainsaw is like the ocean, as soon as one thinks they have it mastered is as soon as it will prove otherwise.
Supplement existing knowledge with available resources like owner's manuals, logging/tree web sites, videos on Youtube, etc.
Know when to hire a pro to do work that is too high in risk factors.
Never rush and take frequent breaks to rest/re-access the situation.

Looking4new · Apr 9, 2014

You guys with chain saws need to get yourselves some chainsaw boots, too. They are sold up here in the north country and are mandatory IF you work in the bush.

s219 · Apr 9, 2014

Just have a few beers to relax yourself before running the saw. Don't want to be too stressed out.

CobyRupert · Apr 9, 2014

s219 said:
Just have a few beers to relax yourself before running the saw. Don't want to be too stressed out.

:drink: :thumbsup:

roposetoast:

Dr_Zinj · Apr 9, 2014

s219 said:
Just have a few beers to relax yourself before running the saw. Don't want to be too stressed out.

A beer before bowling improves my scores, it relaxes me and smooths my follow through. Any more and the scores go down. Point is, the accidental death rate from bowling under the influence is about zero. What I don't want is to be relaxed while cutting with the chainsaw. Save the beers for when the saw is put away for the day.

big bubba · Apr 9, 2014

"I don't fit any of these profiles so I am not too concerned about an accident....should I be?" jdgreen227

well...accidents don't really care what kind of track record or safety knowledge you have. you're wise, though, in your approach. are you wearing the mylar? type chaps? someone around while you're cutting to assist if something happens? keep being safe with your prudent approach...

JDgreen227 · Apr 9, 2014

Put the saw and the tractor away for the day and NOW I can relax and enjoy my adult alcoholic beverages. No, I don't have someone near by unless 800 feet away counts, and I do have my phone with me as the tractor (and it's a hydro so I don't need a foot clutch) :laughing: and I have first aid equipment back there and wear steel toe boots....and my GF knows where I am and she can drive the tractor if needed...but yes....I really should get a pair of chaps.

CobyRupert · Apr 9, 2014

Got a pair of chaps last year, after 17+ years of running a chain saw without issue. Within 4 uses..., yep, they now have nice little slash on them. So...did I get more relaxed wearing them? (And no; no alcoholic beverages were involved. I hope everybody knows the comments above are a joke right?!) Or, my theory is they are much thicker over winter pants, that the chain would of never nicked them if I didn't have them on. Yep, that's my story and I'm sticking with it! But seriously, it's doesn't "hurt" to wear them. For me, that time when the chain "made contact" and another (when chain wasn't spinning), showed me one of my worst habits is when I pull the saw out to walk elsewhere and I swing the bar vertical and close to my knee, but saw revs might still be spinning down. Fixing your bad habits is easy, learning what they are is not.

JDgreen227 · Apr 9, 2014

CobyRupert makes an excellent point about letting the saw return to idle and the chain not moving before you move to another cut....I frequently carry my saw horizontally with the chain still decelerating, although the bar is horizontal....one of the bad habits I need to discontinue. THANKS for the heads up.

JoeL4330 · Apr 9, 2014

I've used many chainsaws over the years ...almost exclusively Stihls ...but when I bought a new one, recently, I discovered what, to me, is a safety glitch ...Stihl bills it as a "feature" ... it's the soft start feature ...pulling the cord doesn't directly start the saw, it "accumulates" energy, which is then released to start the saw. The "feature" is you can pull the cord like a lazy man and the saw will then start energetically ! But, there is a (variable) lag between when the cord is pulled (and returns) and the saw "decides" to start.

If find this disconcerting, if not dangerous ...but, then, I'm from the old (equally dangerous) "drop start" school. ( yeah! I hear you)

Cat_Driver · Apr 9, 2014

Did you see that show AX Men last week. For those that think it's "all fake" one kid cut off a couple of toes and was bleeding like a stuck pig through his boots in a chain saw accident. They never did come back and say how bad it was, but this kid was a " pro" and it happened to him. When you get too comfortable stuff happens. I was just carrying my chain saw, it was off I was wearing cut off pants, it rubbed against my calf and took off a good chunk of meat from my leg. Been scared of it ever since.