When using a chainsaw, wear PPE, don't be like me

wavinwayne

wavinwayne

Joined
Jan 6, 2005
Messages
9,615
Location
North Alabama
Today I learned a lesson the hard way. I used my chainsaw without wearing chaps. I stepped into a hole that I didn't know was there, which caused my chainsaw to fall on the top of my left leg above the knee and cut my leg pretty good. Luckily the chainsaw was almost at idle when it hit me so the cut isn't terrible. But lesson learned, I will never again use my chainsaw without wearing chaps. Be safe out there kids!
 
Yikes! I know a guy from work who had a similar, gnarly injury.

Modern synthetic chaps tangle impressively with chains, shutting the whole show down.
 
wavinwayne said:
Today I learned a lesson the hard way. I used my chainsaw without wearing chaps. I stepped into a hole that I didn't know was there, which caused my chainsaw to fall on the top of my left leg above the knee and cut my leg pretty good. Luckily the chainsaw was almost at idle when it hit me so the cut isn't terrible. But lesson learned, I will never again use my chainsaw without wearing chaps. Be safe out there kids!
Click to expand...
Glad it wasn't worse @wavinwayne. Hoping for a speedy recovery.
 
Yep, been around chainsaws my whole life, I keep my chaps in the same case my saw is in so I use them every time. Just not worth the risk. Even being super careful you can't predict for the uneven ground, slippery logs, etc. Glad it wasn't worse! They also make chainsaw pants that are like chaps but the full pant, very comfortable.
 
Timely, I have some work to do, maybe tomorrow. Lately I haven't bothered with the chaps, it's only a few minutes, right?

30 year old chaps, no issues there, right?

Oddest sight I saw, was helping a friend out, a bunch of us cutting wood. Fellow was wearing all the PPE to cut wood on a pile--his wife was stacking the logs onto the pile so he could cut them, and she was wearing none.
 
Good that you were not seriously injured.
That will take a while to heal, though.
There is no tool more potentially dangerous than a chain saw, although table saws and fly cutters rank right up there too.
I also have a bit of a casual attitude in using these tools, but maybe we should all be more careful and always use proper PPE as well as taking all possible precautions?
 
supton said:
Timely, I have some work to do, maybe tomorrow. Lately I haven't bothered with the chaps, it's only a few minutes, right?

30 year old chaps, no issues there, right?

Oddest sight I saw, was helping a friend out, a bunch of us cutting wood. Fellow was wearing all the PPE to cut wood on a pile--his wife was stacking the logs onto the pile so he could cut them, and she was wearing none.
Click to expand...
Old chaps are still way way better than nothing/jeans! They are designed to stop a bigger saw WO, so for most cuts like Wayne got, any old chaps would stop that easily. My chainsaw pants have a little cut from basically the same incident, started walking before the chain spun down and forgot to set the brake...
I have the boots too, but those don't always come out for a "small job"... My buddy put a nice little groove in the top of his foot just behind the steel toe... Almost lost some tendons but got lucky and only has a scar.
 
Also want to add that I will not be doing any more chainsawing without a proper pair of work boots. GovX has good prices on Thorogoods. I was wearing sneakers today and twisted my ankle twice working on uneven ground. Ugh. I think I'll go to bed now.
 
Kira said:
When I sought chaps, it was as if the word had fallen from the English language.

Real, substantial chaps are to be found where?
Click to expand...
I have these.

1729301802797.webp


https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-58...3:31871&rnid=85457740011&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-1
 
Happened to me once but my pants only got nicked but I still got a wakeup call. I still don't wear chaps since they're uncomfortable but now I just wait the extra second to let it stop moving before lowering.
 
Kira said:
When I sought chaps, it was as if the word had fallen from the English language.

Real, substantial chaps are to be found where?
Click to expand...
Stihl or real Husqvarna dealers, they can make you look like a Scandinavian lumber jack! I have everything but the chainsaw shirt, and the gloves have worn out the palm...
The helmet with the metal mesh face shield is a good thing to wear too, as kick back to the face is a common injury...
The main thing is to use the brake when you walk , every time. Keep your thumb wrapped on the front handle too, so kick back's don't make your hand slip off, as even a stopped chain to the face isn't nice!
I did a weekend course with a couple nights before of classroom learning. Not that you are an expert after that, but you will know more than almost everyone who hasn't taken the course. And you will look at tree stumps with great interest to see if they knew what they were doing! :LOL:
 
supton said:
I've been wanting to get good boots but I have an wicked narrow foot. Some day I'll find a set.
Click to expand...
My local Stihl dealer had viking bushwhacker boots and then a bunch of good winter liners to put inside. I ended up with a size 13 boot with the liner inside fit my size 10 foot perfectly. I guess you could cut the toe off the liner to get as snug a fit as you need. Somehow they are flexible enough, and are hot above freezing, but your feet feel like they would be ok if stuck them in a roto-tiller...
 
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