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Chainsaws and the importance of training, first aid kits and personal protective equipment.

Ystranc

Ystranc

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First of all, no-one is infallible, no matter how good your safety procedures or training. While I have never had a serious injury while using a chainsaw in the last 30+ years I've managed to pick up one or two dirty cuts from burred metal or freshly sharpened teeth on chainsaw chains while maintaining them.
There are four main elements to the protective clothing, steel toe cap boots with Kevlar protecting for the front of your foot and shin. Kevlar leg protection in the form of trousers or chaps, gloves with Kevlar in the back of the left hand and finally a hard hat with ear defenders and fine wire mesh visor.
The training for using a chainsaw is usually broken down into two parts, maintaining a chainsaw so that is fit for purpose and then safe use of the chainsaw. (This does not include tree felling, that is an additional course)
While it isn't a legal requirement to have this training before buying a chainsaw it is wise to do so. It will save you money on maintenance as you go on.
If used properly for short periods a chainsaw can help massively, if used wrong or badly maintained a chainsaw can cause life changing injuries.
Lastly, if you are using a chainsaw your work area should be clear of obstructions, have no other people or animals near enough to distract you or be injured (two tree lengths if you are felling) but there should be someone near enough to give first aid if neccessary.

I only mention this after watching one of my neighbours using chainsaw with no PPE and no idea what risks he was taking. :eek:
 
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I’ve used a chainsaw twice for a very limited time without PPE, that’s a few years back right enough, I should be able to use the young and dumb excuse 😁 I do however consider myself to be very lucky on both occasions and now consider PPE to be an advantage rather than a hindrance 😁
 
Madriverrob said:
Thanks for sharing , I have a chainsaw and treat it with a healthy respect .....so much so I’ve never used it 😳
Click to expand...

I've looked at them but big picture, I don't really need one and I'm too scared to just get one to dick around with. If I do manage to get a small wood or a wee 'place in the country' I'll defo be doing the courses and buying the PPE. Just need to work on the missus to move to the sticks (although I think she's coming round to the wee wood idea :) ).
 
When I bought my first chainsaw I was able to get a set of Stihl protective gear including the trousers, spats, gloves and helmet with faceguard and ear muffs all in a Stihl bag. Must admit I don't always use them and am guilty of not using them at camp. They are dangerous tools and can inflict serious injury.
 
I always wear PPE when using my chainsaws and I'm careful.........with the odd result that I've cut myself with a Laplander far more often. This means the Laplander is statistically speaking infinitely more dangerous than a 24" chainsaw......(The statistics police are on their way to my house as I type this)
 
I've never even picked one ,let alone used one. At the South of England Show one year the Forestry Commission had a safety display for greenwood workers. There was a pair of bib and brace Denim overalls on display that some unfortunate had been wearing when he fell/tripped while using a Chain Saw. The overalls had been washed before display,obviously, but the best description is probably....Shredded !
One of the points being made, I seem to recall, was clear the ground in the working area first before using the Chain Saw, apparently he had tripped over Brambles and fallen backwards with the Chain Saw on top of him.

Must have sunk in with me because I remember those Denims vividly, and it must be at least 4 years ago that I was at the show.
 
My ex sergeant major is now a tree surgeon; he advised me that

“every time you pick a chainsaw up is a day closer to the day it tries to bite you. It’s definitely going to try and bite, you can influence if it catches you with it’s teeth or lips!“

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I only got to see 5 seconds of it...which looked exciting. Then Mr Google demanded I sign up or remove my blocks that would allow him to intrude on my privacy ...It's amusing, if I type in You Tube, or even click a link, as in this case, Google instantly demands I agree to it's tracking and " Tailoring to give me the best experience"....:rofl:...:rofl:
 
Some good advice Ystranc. You've given me much to think about.

I've never done training but am on the chainsaw regularly. Just two weeks ago I dropped 14 big trees over a couple of mornings.

Im probably a little lax on the PPE but always wear boots and gloves. The point on which Im a crashing fail is having animals in the vacinity. The boy likes to chum me on my chores, but he knows the process and I send him away before the tree tips.

My wife insists I carry a UHF and check in at regular intervals (each tree) while Im away working. Shes probably right.

One point i dont agree on. Ear muffs. For me its essential to hear the groaning and creaking of the tree just before the trunk tears. Gives about thirty seconds warning before the tree tips. Wearing muffs I might not hear it. Just a personal preference.

Alan
 
Gulfalan67 said:
Some good advice Ystranc. You've given me much to think about.

I've never done training but am on the chainsaw regularly. Just two weeks ago I dropped 14 big trees over a couple of mornings.

Im probably a little lax on the PPE but always wear boots and gloves. The point on which Im a crashing fail is having animals in the vacinity. The boy likes to chum me on my chores, but he knows the process and I send him away before the tree tips.

My wife insists I carry a UHF and check in at regular intervals (each tree) while Im away working. Shes probably right.

One point i dont agree on. Ear muffs. For me its essential to hear the groaning and creaking of the tree just before the trunk tears. Gives about thirty seconds warning before the tree tips. Wearing muffs I might not hear it. Just a personal preference.

Alan
Click to expand...
With hearing damage it is gradual and progressive, you don't notice it until the permanent damage is done.
I understand exactly what you mean when you describe making the back cut and listening for the tree to give that warning cracking sound...perhaps just lifting one ear defender at that point in the job and then putting it back in place when the tree has dropped would be a good compromise
 
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To prove the point, my father was an electrician in the time period of when wearing hearing protection was seen as ridiculous, many years of drilling through walls his hearing in a certain range, it can’t be mended and needs a specialist and therefore not cheap. hearing aid to vaguely fill the gap.

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growing up in the Canadian North i started using a chain saw about the time i started thinking i'd like to ride a bike. PPE was unheard of, and the resulting horrific injuries were not uncommon. a neighbour down the way once climbed a tree to lop off a few limbs, ended up nearly lopping off one of his own. but he did have a lovely scar from ankle to above the knee to show for it, not to mention a pronounced limp that i'm sure has served him well through life.

these days i occassionally find myself thinking that a wee little electric would be just the thing but TBH i'd be scared shitless to go near it without taking the safely classes and kitting up with the PPE. i've had too many close calls with various dangerous hobbies over the years to think that being a little cautious, even a little overly cautious, is a bad idea.
 
I have nothing against electric chainsaws, their chain speed is usually much slower and that makes them correspondingly less dangerous but PPE is still a good idea. At least the ear defenders aren't an issue for them.
 
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