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Story and photos by Bryan Irons
I was digging through my stuff in the shop, and started noticing all the safety labels on my tools; “wear protective clothing”, “do not strike”, “flammable”, “safety goggles required” and so on, when I passed my old chainsaw. Not a safety sticker in sight, and it got me thinking… Operating a saw is like grabbing a rattlesnake by the tail and trying to get it to bite a tree. It shakes, makes noise, and is unpredictable. Only a trained professional should do that sort of thing, but you and I can walk into any local hardware store, pick one up and be operating it in under an hour without any trouble.
Let’s check out a few quick and gory chainsaw statistics:
Looking at WorksafeBC’s Faller Review report published in 2009, 26 tree fallers died in BC with 1,400 other injuries claimed between 1998 and 2002. These stats are just of workers, whose job it was to operate a chain saw, not the average wheeler who drags it out of mothballs every few months.
According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 36,000 people in the US are injured using a chainsaw every year. Of those, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states that 80% of those are to the hands and legs, and needed an average of 110 stitches. OUCH.
Chainsaw related accidents happen for a few reasons. Lack of safety gear, improper operating techniques, and fatigue are among the leading causes. So how do you stay out of these statistics? Let’s take a closer look into these problem areas and see what we can do to avoid them.
Going out with all the tools, parts, clothing, fuel/oil/water, food and anything else you might need on a trip can be a true test of foresight and usage of space. You jeep guys know what I’m talking about! Some of the gear you need might already be in your rig, and others you might be able to use elsewhere, not just for sawing. A good pair of leather gloves is cheap and easy to store and will drastically reduce operator fatigue. Mechanics gloves just don’t have the same ability to protect your hands from possible cuts. Chain saw pants are in the sub $100 price range and will protect you against the 110 stitches talked about earlier. Again, they’re not a one use item. I use mine for something to lay on when I have to climb under a rig, and also use them for a winch line weight. Safety glasses might not be something you currently think about having, but are recommended. Sunglasses are better than nothing if you forget yours at home. And finally, PLEASE no flip-flops. You know who you are…
Many will say that operating a saw is all about common sense, but it’s a little more involved than that. Many of the situations we wheelers encounter clearing a roadway involve fallen trees, generally known as “snags”. And snags are dangerous, don’t kid yourself. Before grunting and saying something in caveman like “Ugg, cut tree now” and firing up your saw, check out the tree while getting your safety gear on. Think about what might happen when you start cutting into the tree. Look at the forces on the tree: is it under tension or compression? Is the wind going to be a factor? When the tree starts to come apart, is your saw going to get caught? Can you get out of the way safely if things start to go wrong? Walk around the area and decided on your first cut. Think about the other tools you have available as well. Is it safer to winch the tree out of the way rather than cut it? What about tying it back just in case it falls the wrong way? Make sure you have a clear path out of the area if things go wrong. You don’t want to be tripping over yourself trying to get to safety. Keep in mind, there are always other options available.
Now that your saw is started, your gear is on, and vehicles and people are a safe distance away, clear any branches out of your way so you can get to your cut without having to reach with your saw. This makes it easier on you, and prevents a branch from catching you as it falls. Always keep in mind that a chain saws chain can approach 100 kph and if it breaks, it’s not going to stop in its tracks. Keep your head and body out of the possible path of the chain. If you are looking in a straight line with the chain, you’re in a danger zone. This goes for anyone around you as well; keep your buddies from turning into carcasses, and get them out of the way. Saws are offset to one side for right handed operators to keep the bar as far away from you as possible (sorry lefties, nothing personal). After your cut is made, DO NOT turn your back on the tree until it hits the ground and stops moving. Back away with the saw off.
A good day of wheeling can really be draining, and running a saw while you’re already beat can be a recipe for disaster. Running a saw itself can be draining too. A properly sharpened saw will not only cut faster, but reduce vibration. Any saw shop will have sharpening guides to help you out; just having a sharp edge is only part of sharpening a saw properly. The gloves mentioned above are for more than keeping your hands warm and safe from flying debris, they reduce saw vibration as well. On another note, ever notice that a chain saw doesn’t have a cup holder? This isn’t because the “company suits” don’t understand having a refreshing beverage while on the trail. They’re trying to keep your mind on the job at hand and get you back in your rig for the rest of the trail.
This is just a small snippet of the kind of information an experienced faller can offer you in a course setting. Courses are available all across the country, and may just keep you or a friend out of danger. To throw one last statistic at you, of all forest workers who sustained chainsaw injuries, 82% had less than 1 year experience on the job.