Chain Saw Safety Training
"Carl Smith described the chain saw as "the most dangerous hand tool that can be purchased on the open market." Every year over 165,000 people are injured while using chain saws in the U.S. Chain saws are relatively common and may seem simple to use, but using a chain saw, clearing brush, and felling trees are operations that require training and proper safety precautions. Logging is among the most dangerous professions, and if it is dangerous for professionals, amateurs should consider carefully their need for training before buying and using a chain saw.
In fact, "purchasing a chain saw" should imply purchasing a saw with modern safety features and appropriate personal protective equipment. At a minimum, this equipment should include: eye protection, head protection, hearing protection, correct gloves, and chaps. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 80% of injuries due directly to chain saws affect the hands and legs. One-handed use, overly aggressive cutting, lack of knowledge and experience, and fatigue cause many injuries."
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE186
The importance of Chain Saw safety can not be underestimated, and before using a Chain Saw one needs to understand how to use one safely to avoid unnecessary accidents. Carl Smith's training program and book can help aid in acquiring this information and skills to avoid incidents such as those listed below.
- Fires/Burns
- Death - Burned inside of arm while using chain saw cutting fence posts at farm-Anoxic encephalopathy, septic shock,
infected burn, cellulitis, renal failure
- Scars - A chainsaw made a “poof” sound during use-27 yr old man suffered severe burns to his left hand, chest and left leg when the unit emitted gasoline and then ignited
- Death - Burned inside of arm while using chain saw cutting fence posts at farm-Anoxic encephalopathy, septic shock,
infected burn, cellulitis, renal failure
- Eyes
- Down Time-27 yr old man incurred an allergic reaction from an oak wood chip that got into his left eye while he was trimming a tree-He had removed his safety goggles because they kept fogging up
- Down Time-27 yr old man incurred an allergic reaction from an oak wood chip that got into his left eye while he was trimming a tree-He had removed his safety goggles because they kept fogging up
- Falls
- Death - Deceased fell backward while operating a chain saw and the handle struck him in the chest-Torn Liver, blunt trauma to chest and abdomen
- Death - 71 yr old man apparently slipped on a steep slope and fell which caused the chain saw to sever his leg midway between the ankle and knee-Victim was found dead several hrs later by family members
- Death - Deceased fell backward while operating a chain saw and the handle struck him in the chest-Torn Liver, blunt trauma to chest and abdomen
- One Handed Usage
- Scars - 33 yr old man sustained a laceration under his chin after the chain saw he was using jumped back when he released one hand holding it to prevent his puppy from hurting itself
- Death - 46 yr old man died after he wounded himself in the arm and knee with a chain saw - He was at work clearing land when his hat fell off, he reached for it and was cut by the chain saw
- Scars - 33 yr old man sustained a laceration under his chin after the chain saw he was using jumped back when he released one hand holding it to prevent his puppy from hurting itself
- Ladders
- Death - 42 yr old woman died following a fall from a stepladder after a large tree limb was cut with a chain saw and fell against the ladder dislodging the victim
- Death - 48 yr old man died of traumatic asphyxia sustained in an accident cutting down a tree using a ladder and a chain saw when the tree fell over knocking him down and pinning him - He was also using a screwdriver and a hammer to dislodge his chain saw which was stuck in the tree
- Death - 42 yr old woman died following a fall from a stepladder after a large tree limb was cut with a chain saw and fell against the ladder dislodging the victim
- Electrocution
- Death - Attempted to remove tree branch from high tension wire with chain saw - Electrocution
- Death - 55 yr old man died of electrocution and respiratory arrest - He was trimming a tree with an electric chain saw
when he slipped 0fl a concrete tile and fell into a pond with the chain saw in his hand
- Death - Attempted to remove tree branch from high tension wire with chain saw - Electrocution
- Lacerations
- Scars - Victim was cutting wood with a chain saw when he cut his left foot through his tennis shoe
- Scars - I6 yr old boy was hospitalized for face injuries received using a chain saw in a high school class when it kicked back and cut him
- Scars - Victim was cutting wood with a chain saw when he cut his left foot through his tennis shoe
- Tree Related
- Death - Cutting storm damaged tree with chain saw - Tree
sprang back and up striking operator in the head-Severe
head trauma
- Broken Bones - While cutting down a Pine tree it came down
and struck victim across the chest - Fractured ribs
- Death - Cutting storm damaged tree with chain saw - Tree
sprang back and up striking operator in the head-Severe
head trauma
- Helpers
- Scars - 19 yr old man by-stander received a laceration to his left lower leg when another man was cutting a small waste tree-The bar became pinched and when it was freed from the cut in the tree it kicked back into the victim’s leg
- Scars - 12 yr old boy suffered a laceration to his right arm when a chain saw bounced off a board his father was cutting and struck him
- Scars - 19 yr old man by-stander received a laceration to his left lower leg when another man was cutting a small waste tree-The bar became pinched and when it was freed from the cut in the tree it kicked back into the victim’s leg
- "Kickback"
- Death - Cut neck while trimming tree - Lacerated left common carotid artery and left jugular vein
- Scars - Man severed his left arm at the shoulder while trimming tree limbs with a chain saw in his backyard
- Death - Cut neck while trimming tree - Lacerated left common carotid artery and left jugular vein
Quality Chain Saws and Related Links
Stihl USA - Oregon - Carlton - Baileys - Madsens - Sherrilltree - K & H Distributing