Chainsaw safety

[1930]

I know there is an ongoing 11 page thread.

Can someone cut to the chase and recommend the BEST safety gear that I should be wearing while using the chainsaw. Cost isnt so much an issue as long as we arent talking Nasa kinda stuff.

I had a chain break yesterday, caught my left testacle, dropped me to my knees.

Im done playing around.

I cant wear steel toed boots and Id prefer something that isnt gonna stink after a while cause I typically sweat like a pig.

Thanks

Im gonna go read the 11 pages now

 

[groundcover]

Tree stuff.com is a good resource. Helmet,chaps ,gloves. I got the Husqvarna boots from them but thank goodness I don’t have to wear them in Florida!

 

[ericm979]

Get the steel toe boots. Not only can you drop a log or a round on your foot but you can cut it too. Spend money for good ones, they last a long time if you take care of them. I like Redwing logger boots because they come in widths.
Some companies make chainsaw boots that are even more protective.

Many companies make good chaps. Full wrap chaps protect the backs of your calves but block more air flow. Make sure you get chaps that are long enough. Good chaps come in lengths. If they end half way down your calves like the ones the Stihl dealer sold me they're leaving parts unprotected.

 

[1930]

Im on page 8 of this https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/safety/381207-time-chainsaw-chaps-8.html thread and so far just outdated or non specific links/discussion.

Im not gonna pick up the saw again without the proper gear, if someone could give me a link to whats proper that would be great.

 

[atsah]

These and a pair of gloves..

TreeStuff - Chaps & Attire

 

[1930]

These and a pair of gloves..

TreeStuff - Chaps & Attire

I know zero about chaps, can you be more specific, lots of choices in that link

 

[atsah]

Arborwear RAC Chaps Apron Style.. Apron chaps is what most people buy. You can them at a Stihl, Husqvarna dealer and others I'm sure..

 

[Citydude]

I use the apron style chaps. The full wrap around are too uncomfortable for me to wear in the summer.

 

[atsah]

Here's the whole setup for the homeowner for $100..

Husqvarna Protective clothing PPE Homeowner Kit

 

[oosik]

I've always found that MY biggest safety issue is FATIGUE. Knowing when to stop and rest or stop for the day. I wear steel toed boots, safety glasses, chain saw pants, long sleeve shirt and gloves.

Its been over twenty years since I've fallen one of my truly large ( 38" to 42" on the butt ) Ponderosa pines. Now I just thin & chip my pine stands ( 1" to 6" on the butt ). Around 900 every spring.

Still, fatigue, has put a nice gash in the toe of my boot and obliterated a leg on my chain saw pants.

 

[ericm979]

Here's the whole setup for the homeowner for $100..

Husqvarna Protective clothing PPE Homeowner Kit

That's a good deal. I have that helmet. It's good other than needing a cloth head band instead of the plastic one.
I used https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RMGQPY

 

[cmyoung2]

I use the Labonville wrap around chaps, have used the Husky's from Lowes and Stil wrap arounds. Just wore them out and tried different stuff. I like the wrap arounds, just more protection and they stay in place better for me. The big thing is to wear some sort of chaps, everytime. Hard toed boots can save some pain, I've cut my boots, not my foot-yet. Eye and ear protection, if combined with a helmet even better. If just cutting firewood, not in the woods, I just use ear muffs and glasses. Use glasses under the helmet face guard.
About 50% of chainsaw injuries are above the waist, may consider the protective shirts. I haven't gone there yet.
Make sure your chain catcher is still in place, it really helps stop the loose chain, but they do disappear.
Usually burn 6-10 full cords a year, cut a little bit of timber. So far have not had a reportable injury, 60+ years old. But i have nicked chaps and boots that could have been bad if not for the extra layer. Been working with farm safety stuff for 40+ years, have seen way too much nasty stuff that could have been prevented.

 

[s219]

Labonville are the best chaps in my experience, and they will last longer too. The stuff from box stores tends to be cheap and the fit is a gamble. Safety toe boots are a must. Make sure you have ear/eye protection too. Helmet for felling.

 

[ericm979]

Helmets are a good idea when you're working in the woods. Lots of stuff falls from trees.

 

[lakeside]

I experienced an accident a few years ago that would have been life changing if it had not been for me wearing chaps. I laid a still running chain against my left thigh but all that happened was I ruined an almost new pair of chaps.

Since then, no matter how little I'm cutting I wear my old, cut chaps over my new pair. I figure I'd rather cut an old pair of chaps instead of a new set. If the chain somehow hits the very same spot, I still have the new pair underneath. I wear Kevlar gloves, a Kevlar vest and a logging helmet with a face shield. I also wear safety glasses and steel tied boots with a steel insoles. Sure, somebody may/will call it overkill, but I don't care. I'm the guy with the chain saw.

 

[oosik]

I thinned my stands of small pines for many years with a larger Stihl. I had two close calls - toe of my boot and upper leg of my pants. I was "saved" because I wear steel toed boots & multi layered pants. I then realized that FATIGUE was the problem and went to a much smaller Stihl.

My motorcycle riding buddy was not so fortunate. He was reinforcing his deck for the install of a hot tub. Somehow, while under the deck, the worm drive circular saw made contact with the top of his thigh. Blood spirting, blood everywhere.

His luck was - he was a paramedic in Vietnam. Knew exactly how to control the situation until I got him to the emergency room. The "situation" was repaired and he came out no worse for wear.

It scared the living daylights out of me though.

 

[Ortimber]

The best safety gear is your brain. Before cutting, take a second to assess the situation and cut accordingly.

Control the tip of the bar. IMHO, that is the most dangerous part of a chainsaw. Like a gun, keep it pointed in a safe direction at all times.

As far as gear, I always wear a helmet, gloves, good boots, hearing protection.

Eye protection and chaps come in depending on the task at hand. Cutting above shoulder height or limbing on the ground gets me in all the safety gear.

Keep your chain sharp. Dull chains wear you out fast.

 

[radios1]

the Chain catcher should have prevented the chain from lashing back at you!. Chainsaw safety features - Wikipedia

 

[nyone]

One more thing is to never be inline with the bar.
If the chain breaks it cant hit whats not there. I have never broke a chain but threw one off the bar. All of my chain catches are in place but have been hit by the chain.

 

[1930]

I appreciate all the responses. I am gonna change how I use the saw next time I pick it up.