Tree cutting accident

[MH8675309]

Sad news, hope your neighbor recovers fully.

With 100's of dead ash here, from 20 to 100' tall, it's been a rough few years with felling dead trees and barberchairs (fixed with plunge cuts). The rest I will rope down as the branches come off in unknown directions.
A few trees that fell went sideways to the lean, bug killed trees are unsafe.

I have 20-30 foot long branches falling, and need the tractor to pull them out they go in so deep.

Our ash has gone the way of our Elm trees - hardly any of them now. The elms stood for a long time after dying and were much safer to cut down. These ash on the other hand rot at the base and tend to fall down sooner and rot quicker. It pays to be careful and be a bit of a sissy when working on these trees especially when limbs are under tension. Things can go south in an instant

 

[WinterDeere]

I never would have guess so many people are injured with a saw each year.

I wonder how many are "first time" users or never had any training/experience?

I don't have hard data on this, but according to a few of the ER nurses I spoke with after driving my father in-law to the ER with an amputated finger, a disproportionately high number of these accidents are happening with retirees. They even went so far as to say that a lot of them were retired professionals of the tool that bit them, but no longer have the eyesight, muscle strength, speed or balance that had previously kept them safe in their profession.

Like everything, I'd guess there's a bathtub curve to the likelihood or frequency of injury, with any tool like a chainsaw. Highest among younger or less experienced, dropping through many years of practiced use, and then rising again with age. Also, note that the post you quoted implied "chainsaw-related" injuries, not only injuries from the saw itself. That might even include having a branch fall on you due to high winds, on any day you're out in the woods cutting.

 

[2manyrocks]

My Dad reached mandatory retirement age back in the 1970s when companies could still mandate retirement age. He loved his job and would have kept working, but that was not an option. He cleared out a fence row behind the house and stacked up the wood neatly in the yard. Never burned a stick of it. I think part of the whole thing was frustration and wanting to be productive at something. I don't think think he ever ran a chainsaw before or after that.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I recently had a 3 ft. oak dropped by tree cutters. I just wanted it on the ground. As soon as back cut opened the guy ducked behind a couple large Poplar trees. A huge limb from oak fell right where guy was standing. To me it was worth $400. I've been cutting it up for firewood.

 

[Torvy]

it is not just age that adds to the curve. Complacency also sets in. I know of a lot of experienced individuals who get lazy with safety because of their experience. Age just makes it worse.

I think part of the age problem is that our brains are calibrated to our younger selves ability. We make judgements that our bodies can no longer execute. I find myself deliberately slowing down and being more methodical to compensate.

 

[ArlyA]

I'd guess the most dangerous tools sold at hw stores is chainsaws. And to anyone who shows up with $200 gets one.

 

[NoTrespassing]

it is not just age that adds to the curve. Complacency also sets in. I know of a lot of experienced individuals who get lazy with safety because of their experience. Age just makes it worse.

I think part of the age problem is that our brains are calibrated to our younger selves ability. We make judgements that our bodies can no longer execute. I find myself deliberately slowing down and being more methodical to compensate.

Yep, I used to be able to jump off a tractor, now I make sure and step down. The last time I tried to bowl my knee buckled and I ended up on the ground. Like my neighbor says, "I don't have my cat like reflexes anymore"

 

[Torvy]

Yep, I used to be able to jump off a tractor, now I make sure and step down. The last time I tried to bowl my knee buckled and I ended up on the ground. Like my neighbor says, "I don't have my cat like reflexes anymore"

Dad was a competitive amateur bowler. Knees did him in, too. It really changed him, as bowling was both social and active time. He golfed longer, but golf season up north is maybe 6 months some years. Golf's social aspect is limited to maybe e buddies. Dad is a social creature (I didn't get his charm).

 

[Rockbadchild]

I'd guess the most dangerous tools sold at hw stores is chainsaws. And to anyone who shows up with $200 gets one.

I am sorry but I have to challenge this ... is there something wrong with that? same with table saw, circular saw, power nailers, wood chipper, lawn mower, snow blower and power drills... All dangerous, one of which send more people to the IR then the chainsaw ... you know which one ? power nailer is the answer... what are you suggesting mandatory training before purchase so a home owner can't execute any dangerous task without training ?? Let me point out you guys (USA) don't even do that with fire arms.

 

[Eagle1]

I am sorry but I have to challenge this ... is there something wrong with that? same with table saw, circular saw, power nailers, wood chipper, lawn mower, snow blower and power drills... All dangerous, one of which send more people to the IR then the chainsaw ... you know which one ? power nailer is the answer... what are you suggesting mandatory training before purchase so a home owner can't execute any dangerous task without training ?? Let me point out you guys (USA) don't even do that with fire arms.

My hardware store sells firearms and ammo, so does the liquor store.

 

[Rockbadchild]

My hardware store sells firearms and ammo, so does the liquor store.
View attachment 822324

That's what I call a one stop shop

 

[Eagle1]

That's what I call a one stop shop

We call them ATF stores.

 

[Torvy]

Churches out here raffle off handguns, too.

Not a joke.

 

[Eagle1]

Churches out here raffle off handguns, too.

Not a joke.

SO does the PTA here..

 

[WinterDeere]

I am sorry but I have to challenge this ... is there something wrong with that? same with table saw, circular saw, power nailers, wood chipper, lawn mower, snow blower and power drills... All dangerous, one of which send more people to the IR than the chainsaw ... you know which one ? power nailer is the answer... what are you suggesting mandatory training before purchase so a home owner can't execute any dangerous task without training ?? Let me point out you guys (USA) don't even do that with fire arms.

Whenever discussing mishaps, you must distinguish between frequency and severity. I’d believe that nailers have more frequent mishaps, but few power tool injuries compare in severity to those commonly received from a chainsaw.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Whenever discussing mishaps, you must distinguish between frequency and severity. I’d believe that nailers have more frequent mishaps, but few injuries compare in severity to those commonly received from a chainsaw.

I agree but the same cannot be said with the rest of this list ... although I agree chainsaws has both frequency and severity compare to the rest of the list, but lets not leave aside the irony with firearm that has also both... I don't want to make this about firearm just find it irony amusing.

I am totally against restricting what a home owner can and can't do or purchases with his money and land without a safety course from someone who likely has no field experience and only know how to operate it safely and barely know how to operate it ... Also about the severity of the incidents, are they cause from the chainsaw or from the result of cutting a tree ? one could make the argument that the latter would/could happen with a hand saw or a axe, so now we are down with laceration alone ... are they worse then other saws? perhaps more painful but in general not as serious than a circular saw or table saw ... (personal opignion)

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I have never worn a safety device in my life outside of safety glasses maybe 50% of the time.
Been at it for 40+ years without a significant injury.

Sounds like you have the right combination of luck and skill. Still not something I would brag about. The first time something does happen (if you have been at it 40+ years you must be getting to THAT age) you are going to feel pretty foolish about it.

I have a buddy like you, probably worse. He might wear gloves if I am lucky. Will run a circle mill with chips flying everywhere without safety glasses. Still doing the thing at 63. I have never given him a lecture about it, I know it wouldn't make a difference.

I prefer to err on the side of caution. Mitigate risk wherever possible. I mean I am not running around looking like an OSHA poster, but putting on some chaps, gloves or safety glasses is easier than coming back from a serious injury

 

[kenmbz]

I have had items hit my safety glasses and face shield and almost pierce them.
Drilling, grinding , welding and tree work can all get you.

 

[WinterDeere]

I have had items hit my safety glasses and face shield and almost pierce them.

I have the rare pleasure of having watched my middle-school shop teacher get nailed in the safety glasses by a knot ejected from a table saw running on the far side of the room, while he was explaining the importance of safety glasses to another student. I have honestly never seen a better-timed answer to any debate, ever.

 

[ArlyA]

Who here has had any sawyer safety education?