Chainsaw safety

[weedpharma]

I actually do... I won't even use the saw unless there is someone else around to call 911. If there's a tree needing movement, I move it with the tractor or a chain on the pickup.
...

I have found that being alone makes me think more about safety. My previous near miss was due to lack of familiarity with a new tool. Yes, this was a near major incident that I did not think about but to work alone is my choice as well as it not being practical as I visit my place alone most times.

Accidents are unforeseen incidents. I try to think about potential injuries whenever I am working. Ideally there would always be someone to watch over anything we do. Reading the safety forum shows that many injuries are received doing things that the person thought was perfectly safe.

It is simply my choice to work alone.

Weedpharma

 

[Charlesaf3]

lots of times you have to work alone to get the job done.

But when I don't have to (chainsawing falls into that category for me) I don't.

 

[amigauser]

Pretty sad, no real details.

Man Kills Wife With Chain Saw In Accident - Cincinnati breaking news, weather radar, traffic from 9News | Channel 9 WCPO.com

 

[irwin]

Pretty sad, no real details.

Man Kills Wife With Chain Saw In Accident - Cincinnati breaking news, weather radar, traffic from 9News | Channel 9 WCPO.com

That's one guy that wishes he was alone while working the chainsaw.

 

[Charlesaf3]

That's one guy that wishes he was alone while working the chainsaw.

Was just thinking that.

Also wondering what the heck happened. I won't let anybody anywhere near me when I'm felling trees. Never thought about the saw so much, but trees can drop funny.

 

[dmccarty]

I work alone. Very seldom is there someone around. I think its more good than bad. Less people to get hurt with the tractor or saw. I have worked with the saw around other people and I don't like it. I would have to watch ME, the saw, the tree AND someone else. I had to yell at them a few times to get back.

For the fatal saw accidents I have read about, having someone else present would have just been a witness. Not a thing they could have done to prevent the person from dying. The people could have been outside a trauma room and they would have bled out before they got inside.

Surely there is an injury where a witness could prevent death but it seems like most of the accidents are either immediately fatal or you have time to get to the ER. In any case I don't have much choice. If I had to have someone watch me work no work would get done.

My rules are to be aware, not tired, wear the safety equipment, tools have to be in working order, THINK, and go slow. Violate any of the above and stop work.

Later,
Dan

 

[jimmysisson]

I'm with Dan, mostly because I like it better alone. You're never sure what the other guy is going to do. We're lucky I guess.
Jim

 

[Charlesaf3]

I work alone. Very seldom is there someone around. I think its more good than bad. Less people to get hurt with the tractor or saw. I have worked with the saw around other people and I don't like it. I would have to watch ME, the saw, the tree AND someone else. I had to yell at them a few times to get back.

For the fatal saw accidents I have read about, having someone else present would have just been a witness. Not a thing they could have done to prevent the person from dying. The people could have been outside a trauma room and they would have bled out before they got inside.

Surely there is an injury where a witness could prevent death but it seems like most of the accidents are either immediately fatal or you have time to get to the ER. In any case I don't have much choice. If I had to have someone watch me work no work would get done.

My rules are to be aware, not tired, wear the safety equipment, tools have to be in working order, THINK, and go slow. Violate any of the above and stop work.

Later,
Dan

You gotta do what you gotta do to get the job done. I respect that. I just have the option of having someone around when I chainsaw, and I do think that makes things safer.

I will not let anyone within a hundred feet of me usually when I'm working though. Agree that's one more thing to worry about.

 

[funkydaddy59]

Came across this chain saw mishap involving a large tree. Moron Cuts Tree and Crushes His PorchVideo

 

[MikeD74T]

Electric start chainsaws were around for a few months in the 60's. I remember Homelite having one, possibly McCullough, local dealer sold both. They were outlawed by the NH legislature within a year as being too easy for kids or unqualified users to start. About as popular as leaving a loaded handgun on the coffee table would be today.
I know of 2 Stihl saws that caught fire from over use of the chain brake burning up the oil pump & tubing. One was a QS model that had auto chain brake that engaged when you released the throttle. They don't make those any more??? The other was a guy that always engaged the brake when he set the saw down. Dirty air cleaner, adjusted up the idle to finish the day, slipping chain brake = fire. MikeD74T