Working alone.

[penokee]

We all hear and know you shouldn't be working in the woods, etc. alone. Just curious how many of you have to work alone at times? I work alone 90% of the time, but it's do that or rot in a rocking chair watching tv or spending too much time at the local pub. I know that accidents can happen and have investigated numerous ones, and nearly 100% of the time it's a personal mistake and not equipment failure that causes the accident. I believe if your safety conscious, practice safety as a regular part of your dailey life and think things through before acting, working alone is no problem.

Life's journey is not intended to get you to the grave safely in a well preserved body but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out, shouting, "Holy cow ... what a ride!"

penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[txdon]

I work alone. I take no chances and work very cautiously. I have a cell phone with me. I hope I can dial it if I get injured. We come from a tough family. Last year my Uncle got his hand stuck in a combine but freed it and two hours later was at the hospital...only lost two fingers.

 

[dos_perros]

I work alone routinely, but find myself thinking of safety concerns almost daily. My "battle gear" consists of a Stihl Forester hard hat, kevlar chaps, steel toed boots, gloves, etc. Photos of me working in this outfit are a sight to behold. I have, also, forced myself to never run my tractor without the ROPS firmly bolted upright. Working alone has made me a very careful tractor operator. If I start feeling uncomfortable with a project, I just stop doing whatever it is and think about it for a moment. Never try to "push it." The alternative of waiting on other is just not acceptable. I'll continue to work alone, but I will, also, make every effort to be safe.

 

[KiotiJohn]

I'd have to say I work alone about 99% of the time. I also try to outfit with all the protective gear as well, and also stop and take notice if something seems wrong. Even with all those precautions, it's apparent to me that I can still get hurt with no one to go make a call or pull me out of something. But life has always pretty much been that way and I like it. So far, no serious injuries ever. I don't let that let me become complacent though. That's when something BAD will happen. John

 

[Egon]

When out at " The Farm " I'm usually working alone.

Several years ago I hung up a tree. Approximetly 10 minutes after the blue air cleared I looked around and found the neighbour sitting on his ATV watching me. Seems he'd heard the tree fall, then some non printable language and was checking to see if I was okay. He lives about a 1/4 of a mile away.

Egon

 

[btolle]

Like some others, it is either work alone or stay in the house so I work alone 95% of the time.

One thing I really appreciate is all the safety tips on this forum. They have made me stop and think before I do some things and they have changed some of my work habits.

For instance, I work in the woods a lot and as a result of some posts to this forum I now wear a hardhat any time I am on the tractor. A dead limb about 2" in diameter and 14" long bounced off the hard Sunday. When it hit I was grateful I had the hard hat.

Thanks to all who have posted safety tips and those who have posted their stories of injuries or near-injuries. Because of you folks I don't have nasty cut on my head today!

Bill Tolle

 

[JimR]

Bill, I just pulled 3 branches out of the roof on the old farm we are restoring. They pierced the roof and blew holes right thru the plywood. The diameters of the 3 branches were 1", 1.5" and 2". You are lucky you had a hat on. I too work alone almost 100% of the time as I have no choice in the matter. I've been doing that since we built our house in 1976. I do get help if it is absolutely necessary. I am well aware of what can happen and never drop my guard down. One screwup is all it takes and your toast.

 

[PhilNH5]

We often do yard chores alone. Especially tractor work. The one rule we have is no chain saw work alone. I have a healthy fear of the chainsaw. Having another person present is just a comfort level thing for me.

Phil

 

[Henro]

I work alone nearly all the time like many others here...

Haven't found a way to get others to want to join in...don't think I ever said no to help that appeared in the past, rare as that might be. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Last time was a month ago. I was outside doing something and I heard someone call my name. It was Logan, who lives up the road a bit and just started first grade this fall. He asked me if we could work together on something! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I mentioned that it was winter now and there was not too much to do. Have any ideas?

"We could pick up sticks!"

So we did for about 15 minutes 'till...

"Well, I have to go home and eat lunch now..." /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Working together is not just maybe safer, but FUN too!

Wish I had more opportunities to do so.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Working together is not just maybe safer, but FUN too! )</font>

Yep, I always enjoyed the work more when working with someone else, but like most folks, the majority of my work was working alone.