Chainsaw Safety - Should the use of PPE be legislated?

[briann532]

If this thread continues down this path, I'm going to have to call in the unions...........

You guys are trying to do Darwin out of a job!!!!

[austastar]

Hi,
  OK, it's not a chainsaw, but an outboard motor.
Now that is ice floating on the water.
Any body see any PPE?



I feel sorry for Police divers called out in water temperatures like this to find the body that did not have the proper protection and eventually sank.

cheers

[kranky al]

how about some tips for us noob chainsaw drivers,  i bought one six months ago, wear lon pants, shirt, steelies, glasses and faceshield.  i only use it for firewood and im pretty careful about settng up cuts before i start cutting.

what else will bite me on the bum?

[Crisp Image]

how about some tips for us noob chainsaw drivers,  i bought one six months ago, wear lon pants, shirt, steelies, glasses and faceshield.  i only use it for firewood and im pretty careful about settng up cuts before i start cutting.

what else will bite me on the bum?

Umm the chainsaw will do just that!
First get some chainsaw chaps cause long pants or not a chainsaw will cut right through and then get some training.
you asked my opinion.
Regards
Crisp Image

[duggie]

Guys, I work in the Underground Mining Industry and have over 30 years in combined time in open cut and underground mines. In my time, (I am the wearer of a few scars and injuries) I have seen safety increase and the results of safety change make mining a much safer working place. But there are those who will use SAFTEY as an excuse not to do any work. JSA, s and risk assessments are a necessary evil in all industries but when people spend hours either doing a JSA or risk assessment and play on the fact that they won’t get themself into trouble by do so, it becomes a bit of a joke.
I have read this section with an open mind and I can see arguments on both sides, but there are those, myself included, when it comes to wearing protective clothing while using a chainsaw, do rely on experience and a prayer. Accidents will happen and no form of protection can prevent this, only reduce the impact.


personal protective equipment (PPE)
   
Definition
Safety equipment issued to help employees in protecting themselves from the hazards of their work environments. PPE includes fire retardant or chemical-proof clothing, gloves, hard hats, respirators, safety spectacles, etc. Food hygiene equipment (aprons, caps, plastic gloves, etc.) are not included in this category.
Ads by Google

QLD Site Safety Plan

The use of personal protective equipment is to reduce employee exposure to hazards when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or effective to reduce these risks to acceptable levels.


cheers duggie

[qlddsl]

i always use all correct PPE when using chainsaw, no matter how small the job or hot the temp. i like my body parts attached and functional. PPE will not save all areas of the body, thats where common sense, safe work practises, and good luck come in. legislation for the compulsory use of PPE at ALL time would be ideal, but you would have more success banning idiots....cheers wayne

[D4D]

how about some tips for us noob chainsaw drivers

If you are not cutting always have the chain brake on
Never ever use the 12-3 area on the bar to cut unless you're doing a plunge cut
Always be aware of what is around you and keep your work area clear in case you need to move in a hurry
Remember CUT, cut compression before tension

This is a pretty good read http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/DD2487.html

[koshari]

how about some tips for us noob chainsaw drivers,  i bought one six months ago, wear lon pants, shirt, steelies, glasses and faceshield.  i only use it for firewood and im pretty careful about settng up cuts before i start cutting.

what else will bite me on the bum?

read up on kickback so you know why to avoid cutting with the tip of the saw,lots of good vids on youtube,  always have a sharp chain ,use hearing protection,  use chaps, and have a hard hat with shield fitted for use when limbing.

heres a link to a vid that shows just how fast kickback can occur.
http://www.treeworld.info/attachments/f7/2657d1193521468-kickback-video-kick-back-video-chainsaw-kickbacktest.wmv


heres a 20 min vid about chainsaw safety.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UamFWzb7ufE

[cdustbehindme]

Bunnings dont give instructions on how to use a chainsaw, But guess what? When you brought your last Car, did the Dealer run you through a 5 day course on safe operation of the car?

No the dealer doesnt do that, but you need a car licence to drive the car, this licence "apparently" proves that you are a safe driver and can use a car responsibly whilst not endangering yourself and others....

Perhaps needing your chainsaw ticket before purchasing a saw would at least ensure that the person buying had a basic level of competency and understanding of safety whilst using this device......   Plenty of injuries from people just sharpening the things!!

"common sense"  we all get taught common sense, we dont gain it genetically.....   genetically we have a different capacity to understand and learn different things......

[FJWALLY]

The chainsaw certificate should be something pretty minimal that can be done when you pick the saw up - this would at least ensure someone completely unsuited to using a chainsaw cannot walk out of a shop without at least being directed to a proper safety course.

But back to PPE - common sense must prevail - I never cut without my stihl hard hat with muffs and shield - good boots and a good set of riggers gloves - chaps I am wanting to get but have not overcome the shock of the price but know I should wear them but I don't cut that often and am extremely careful when I do.

[koshari]

chaps I am wanting to get but have not overcome the shock of the price but know I should wear them but I don't cut that often and am extremely careful when I do.

i got labonville chaps delivered from treestuff USA for less than $100.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52N9YPfFkcw

http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?item=1161

[JethroT]

Seems like chainsaw safety has come a long way.   

I bought a chainsaw about 10 years ago and was offered no advice as to safety and no safety gear.

Looks like I've just been pretty lucky, I taught myself to use the thing and have never used anything other than caution and a pair of glasses.

How good a job do the leather chaps do in stopping a chain saw cut ?

I would certainly have benefitted from some sort of training or knowledge about chainsaw safety.

[D4D]

How good a job do the leather chaps do in stopping a chain saw cut ?

Like a hot knife through butter

[austastar]

Like a hot knife through butter

Hi,
   haven't seen leather chainsaw chaps, they would not be effective at all.

The ones I saw on our course were kevlar outer with a thick padding of nylon thread which pulls out if caught by a chain tooth and stops the chain very quickly.
There are some good demo videos on Youtube of how it works.
I believe the new ones have a kevlar filling now and are even faster at choking the saw blade.
cheers

[FJWALLY]

Nice one koshari - have ordered a set - Stihl set are 300+ here.

[gronk]

Now I know I should wear PPE......but to cut a small log for the campfire whilst using the smallest size Huskie.......and being mindful of where I stand and how I cut....I'm sorry, but I'm a bloody idiot for not using ANY PPE...

But I'll keep doing it....knowing full well the ramifications if something were to go wrong, but also being fairly confident that it won't !!!!!!!!

99.9% of my cutting is a log lying on the ground......no plunge cutting....no cutting into the dirt underneath.....no compression cutting....no standing where a kickback could hit the body etc etc !!

But if you are really concerned about my safety, I suppose someone could donate some PPE  !!

[D4D]

Now I know I should wear PPE......but to cut a small log for the campfire whilst using the smallest size Huskie

Both of the times where I have had a 'moment' have been on small stuff. The bigger stuff you usually have a mental plan of how and where you're going to cut. But I take your point. Maybe you should get out the bow saw and make it safer for everyone and get fit too

[Black Diamond]

Maybe you should get out the bow saw and make it safer for everyone and get fit too

Fark i better start now than ive got a few excess kilo's to work off 

[koshari]

Nice one koshari - have ordered a set - Stihl set are 300+ here.

cheers wally,
i should have mentioned if you put "arborist" in the coupon field of the order you can save another 5% as iam a member of the arborist site but i dont think they check,  sorry thats a bit late for you to benefit.

[gronk]

. Maybe you should get out the bow saw and make it safer for everyone and get fit too

No way.........I'd rather cut me leg off than have a heart attack !!

[9775Andrew]

Fact is, there are less people injured or killed in the workplace today.

Look at it this way, would you rather send your kids to a workplace that conduct "20 page" risk assessment, and does their best to manage the safety of your precious offspring? Or would you prefer to send them to a workplace that just wanted the job done quickly, taking unnecessary risks is a part of the job.

All whilst you are getting paid an hourly rate. Think about it.

Those in the "We're looking after you industry" will defend the over the top regs to the end of time and have piss week Parliaments allowing them to destroy the workpace.

I have been an employee, employer, self employed and site manager responsible for teams of people and I have never asked them to do anything I wouldn't do myself, in fact if it ever there ever is a bit of risk involved I do carry out said task myself.

But everyone must realise the rising cost in any workplace and there comes a massive cost to employment and Australian production.

No, don't send people out to chop trees without a pair of glasses (I won't even grind without full face shield after too many visits to the doc) BUT, if they chose to, don't try and sue the employer and the saw manufacturer .................. just deal with the decision they made.

It is the legal poopsticks and piss week legislation that allowed the American "it's someone elses fault" system to start here.

If my kids chose to ignore the dangers after sound advice then bad luck. If my kids get told by an employer to do something they are not comfortable with and don't tell them where to go ................. they must be someone else!

How many times do you tell your kids 'don't ride down the hill or jump off that roof, are they gonna sue you for no barricade on your roof or buying them the bike?

It's called Life .............. deal with it

[dno]

Those in the "We're looking after you industry" will defend the over the top regs to the end of time and have piss week Parliaments allowing them to destroy the workpace.

I have been an employee, employer, self employed and site manager responsible for teams of people and I have never asked them to do anything I wouldn't do myself, in fact if it ever there ever is a bit of risk involved I do carry out said task myself.

But everyone must realise the rising cost in any workplace and there comes a massive cost to employment and Australian production.

No, don't send people out to chop trees without a pair of glasses (I won't even grind without full face shield after too many visits to the doc) BUT, if they chose to, don't try and sue the employer and the saw manufacturer .................. just deal with the decision they made.

It is the legal poopsticks and piss week legislation that allowed the American "it's someone elses fault" system to start here.

If my kids chose to ignore the dangers after sound advice then bad luck. If my kids get told by an employer to do something they are not comfortable with and don't tell them where to go ................. they must be someone else!

How many times do you tell your kids 'don't ride down the hill or jump off that roof, are they gonna sue you for no barricade on your roof or buying them the bike?

It's called Life .............. deal with it

Well said, totally agree.

[Burnsy]

cheers wally,
i should have mentioned if you put "arborist" in the coupon field of the order you can save another 5% as iam a member of the arborist site but i dont think they check,  sorry thats a bit late for you to benefit.

Ahh that's where I have seen your user name before.  Also a member, sold my mill now though so havn't been there for a long while.  Good forum, bought my chainsaw from the US on some advice from an aborist member from over east.

[koshari]

Ahh that's where I have seen your user name before.  Also a member, sold my mill now though so havn't been there for a long while.  Good forum, bought my chainsaw from the US on some advice from an aborist member from over east.

cheers burnsy, i actually initially joined this forum from your jayco build thread, have done a bit of work to our dove but nothing as comprehensive as yours.

[Barry G]

I have a bow saw for firewood.

If I get a chain saw I will do training and buy protective gear.

A long time since my Air Cadet weapons training with the Lee Enfield .303, but the principles have remained in-grained.  I recon the same principles apply here.