Thread: Chainsaw accident

Bob,
Just curious, since I have a small Echo that I use only once or twice a year to tidy up around the place, what is the common cause/mistake?

Ian

Originally Posted by Ian Smith

Bob,
Just curious, since I have a small Echo that I use only once or twice a year to tidy up around the place, what is the common cause/mistake?

Ian

Typically it's a problem of one handed use.
The branch or small log being cut is flexing or moving so there is a natural tendency for users of small chain saws to reach out and hold/steady the branch with their left hand because they believe they can control the CS well enough with their right hand. They then tweak the throttle and the CS dances across the log onto their hand before they can pull it away.
Rule number one with all saws is keep both hands on the saw.

The next most common injury is the left foot - similar thing.
Operator tries to steady the branch/log with their left and standing on one foot they are unbalance and the saw dances cross the log onto their foot.
The other left problem is that it is usual the forward food, often hidden under the branch/log, Operator rotates CS in the cut and takes off his left toes.
Mate of mine did that in a cold climate and as his feet were so cold he hardly felt the cut.
Steel caps are a two edged problem. Chain lands towards front of cap and will roll off the boot - OK. Chain lands towards rear of cap and will roll back taking off half the foot - nasty.

Next comes legs, Chaps take care of most of these but they cannot do much about the two above.
There are Special chain saw boot and socks filled with the same stuff as chaps. I have a pair of the socks but I rarely wear them as they really require the use of a size larger boot than normal and they are very hot.

Greg Norman was probably holding the chainsaw one handed and it bounced along to his other hand. Thought he would be wealthy enough to employ a gardener.

Bob,
Thank you
I always use the CS two-handed, hopefully that eliminates a lot of the risk, but I'm not an experienced user, so I'm always wary of the thing.

Ian

Originally Posted by Ian Smith

Bob,
Thank you
I always use the CS two-handed, hopefully that eliminates a lot of the risk, but I'm not an experienced user, so I'm always wary of the thing.

Ian

The other problem is using them when tired. That leads to problems with many powered tools.

Originally Posted by Ian Smith

Bob,
Just curious, since I have a small Echo that I use only once or twice a year to tidy up around the place, what is the common cause/mistake?

Ian

Operator error! - failure to heed warnings given in the manual; failure to wear recommended safety gear; failure to seek instruction in the safe operation of a chainsaw; failure to observe recommended safe operating procedures; failure to maintain the saw in a safe operating condition; over confidence, no need to go on - operator error.

I support BobL's comments about CS injuries. In the research I found one comment that stuck with me was - "Annually, over three million new chainsaws are sold in the US, there are 32,000 chainsaw injuries, and the average injury requires 110 stitches. Few are fatal."

Note also in the 2nd photo in BobL's link - Greg Norman's casual attitude, no personal protective safety equipment & that in the upper LHS there are butts of limbs that have been cut well above head height - maybe Greg was lucky it was only his left hand and not a kick back into his face.

[QUOTE=Kidbee;1806323 Thought he would be wealthy enough to employ a gardener.[/QUOTE]

That's exactly what we said at work.

Yep, got caught myself once Dooh! I've been using chainsaws for over 20 years and when Using the wife's baby saw (they are so easy to use I started using it one handed) and oops there you go, nasty but not devastating. Yep left hand copped it. But the best reminder that it's ALWAYS, 2 hands on the saw no matter what.
Chainsaw 12-05-12.jpg

I like the video clip of the bloke trying for a split personality, starting the chainsaw with the bar between his legs!!!!!!!!
Kryn

Originally Posted by BobL

Typically it's a problem of one handed use.
.

I don't understand how anyone would feel confident enough to use it one handed to begin with.

in my opinion, like all power tools, safety becomes second nature as soon as you ask yourself what happens in the event it doesn't cut in a controlled way.

ie. where will the blade go if it suddenly cuts through ? ….(Is my foot in line with the cut)
and what will happen as the piece your cutting looses its integrity. You do that initially anyway to work out how to avoid binding the bar.

Wheres the timber going after the cut? where's it going to fall ?

Same sort of basic logic can be used in other tools like the table saw. Really when you look at it, there is only a few possibilities. And you just develop habits yourself. You shouldn't really need to follow a guideline to begin with. Better to think about it yourself, and understand why.

Just an opinion. Not an expert on safety. 2 cents worth.

Your problem is that you are approaching this too logically AT.

Originally Posted by BobL

Your problem is that you are approaching this too logically AT.

cheers big ears.

Just an opinion. not an expert on ear size. 2 cents worth

ps. I apologise for implying that you have big ears. I don't really know if you have big ears or not. Its just that ears,' ryhms' …ryms …rims (automatic spell checkers not working) with 'cheers' . Sorry to those out there who are ear sensitive. When you think about all ears just efen ugly anyway. How many ear models are there anyway. Shorely wouldn't be many.

Originally Posted by apricotripper

cheers big ears.

Just an opinion. not an expert on ear size. 2 cents worth

I dunno about big but they are definitely corooked.

BTW I heard that iogical people tend to have pointy ears.

Originally Posted by BobL

I dunno about big but they are definitely corooked.

BTW I heard that iogical people tend to have pointy ears.

star trek fan eh.

just an opinion. not an expert star trek fan.