Is chainsaw the top 5 dangerous power tools?

[rharman]

My vote would be the hammer.....especially when left on top of a ladder.....that I'm moving.....

I built my whole garage....all 2 stories without so much as a scratch (well, maybe a small one).....

Then one sunday morning....I'm taking on the last piece of trim.....LAST piece.....

7 Stapples

Good thing you didn't look up!

 

[Socket Pounder]

Might have been said, but if you want to see something really scary -- look up commercial pressure washers, especially pipe cleaners. In a safety demonstration a guy shot a piece of 3/4 plywood from 10 feet away and knocked a hole right through, like it had been hit by a cannon. Then we saw the safety videos --- yuck.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I avoid working in my shop since there are things out there that may injure me, or keep the neighbors awake, or upset the neighbors (whose opinion is far more valuable than my own)... I also avoid food that's not ground up for me, and prefer to sleep in a crib because I could fall out of bed and hurt myself... I make sure someone is holding my hand before I cross the street, and always wear a seat belt, full harness, helmet, flame resistant gloves, and drive 30 below the posted speed limit.

ARRGHHHH!!!

Yeah, chainsaws are dangerous, so is walking across the street, waking up in the morning, or *** with strangers. My dad taught me how to use one when I was about 12 or so (and I had a Super 2 that is quite worn out, but hangs on my wall, as a memento of those days) and I used to limb oak trees with that beast with no kickback protection, no chain brake, and even through all those horrors I STILL have 10 fingers, 2 legs, and both eyes.

Shall I get into my shop class rant? Never mind... you KNOW where that one is going... right?

I used to work at great heights on pre-osha bridges, and still deal with **** that would as soon dissolve you as get it on you. And people somehow think because they fear it, NO ONE should EVER do it... and THAT pisses me off. Sorry, rant over.

 

[Motorman55]

I think chainsaws are pretty universally dangerous - to trees.

I think the most common dangerous tool is the ladder. More people hurt on them than anything else. Using a chainsaw on a ladder has got to be really dangerous.

I've always heard the most dangerous power tool per hour of use is the powered hedge trimmer. Chainsaws are dangerous looking and sounding enough that many people stay away from them. Hedge trimmer doesn't look as dangerous.

Table saw has got to be right up there - so easy to slip or have it rip wood out of your hand.

I guess I've been lucky. The tool that has caused the most injury to me - probably the lowly wrench - I've busted knuckles so many times it isn't funny. I banged my head hard on the arm of my 2 post lift one time - sat down to recover and had blood running down my face.

I've had a few close calls with Ladders, saws and yup angle grinders, but so far no major injuries.

Yes the ugly hedge trimmer got me.

I was trimming some hedges with an electric hedge trimmer. I stopped for a minute because my wife was saying something to me ( I think it was "Be careful with that thing" )

At which time I had set the cutting end down in one hand while I still had the handles/switch in the other and yep you guessed it...zip it goes thru the fatty bottom side of two fingers...Lots of blood and swearing (me) and screaming (my wife) I just cleaned them good and wrapped them up. Healed pretty good. Oh yeah, and I was sitting on the top of the 8' ladder too! Ha, ha

 

[Milton Shaw]

I thing the stats still say the most dangerous thing in the home is the bathtub followed a long way down the list with ladder etc.. Danger is in your attention to detail and not being distracted while using them and also making sure no alcohol is anywhere around its use. Even friends watching should not be consuming. More injuries by "Hold my beer" than any fault of the tool. Been using chain saw for over 50 years with no injuries other than splinters from handling the wood. I did know of one lady that was hurt when starting a chain saw and it slipped from her grip and cut her foot/ankle without ever starting. Sharp chains can cut without even running.

 

[speed bump]

Like most tools it is as dangerous as you let it be. Any tool with a lot of power and a large unguarded cutting surface is inherently more risky than a low power well guarded tool. However, the operator is the difference between a safe tool and a dangerous one.

 

[wafrederick]

No,it is operator error if the person does not know how to use and operate it right.Stupidity as well.It is called this,if anyone does not know how to use it: learn how to use it or keep their hands off of it

 

[RedneckWelder]

Chainsaw doesn't bother me too much I just don't like felling at all. Something about taking a tall pole and dropping it down flat while you are at the base wigs me out

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I love my saw, it has a better power to weight ratio than a snowmobile, motorcycle, Hellcat...
Why is that dangerous?

 

[SuperCat]

Like most tools it is as dangerous as you let it be. Any tool with a lot of power and a large unguarded cutting surface is inherently more risky than a low power well guarded tool. However, the operator is the difference between a safe tool and a dangerous one.

Well said, speed bump. (Bold on last line added by me.)

 

[zendriver]

LOL, No, nothing dangerous - at all, about a loud power tool, with a razor sharp chain rotating 200 times per second., slinging wood chips everywhere.

Of course they are dangerous, even when used safely, by a competent operator.

I know of those who have felled trees and cut hundreds of truckloads of firewood - over decades, no mishaps whatsoever, then - for some reason "**** happened". Luckily the injuries were not too severe.

The potential is always there. Always.

 

[mbshop]

The danger is still the brain when not engaged. Folks using dangerous products get complacent, don't engage brain and then proceed to cut themselves. Or worse.
seen it over and over.

 

[finn]

There’s more than one reason that timber harvesters have largely replaced chainsaws for felling trees.

Safety is one of those reasons.

There are a lot of busted up former sawyers around here. Excavators with forestry heads seem to do a pretty high percentage of logging work nowadays.

 

[redwrench60]

A lot of chainsaw injuries occur not from stupidity but from exhaustion or being in a hurry. You know how it is, you start out fresh and strong but after being in the woods all day, you’re about to fall over from heatstroke, your arms feel like limp noodles, you’re almost out of water, you’ve been stung by yellow jackets, you’re fighting fading daylight and you just want to be done, get loaded up and go. That’s when it happens. This can get even the most experienced operators. Be careful out there guys.

Oh....and a multi page thread on chainsaws and not one pic of a chainsaw? That won’t do. Here’s my Stihl MS461 when it was new on its first trip out.

 

[zendriver]

The danger is still the brain when not engaged. Folks using dangerous products get complacent, don't engage brain and then proceed to cut themselves. Or worse.
seen it over and over.

I've slipped on icy mud, when cutting up a felled tree, on an incline.

Nothing happened, but certainly could have.

There is really no practical way around it, the additional hazards of using a chain saw - in in the real world.

It's not like cutting a board in half, on a table saw, in a heated workshop.

Loggers are experienced professionals, but I'll bet they have plenty of tales to tell about chainsaws.

There's no telling how many times Bill Turney had cheated death in the 54 years he worked in the timber industry. But last June, at age 70, he finally lost out. He was cutting a large tree in Johnson County, Ark. and, as it fell, it hit another tree and struck him.

Fatality rate per 100,000 workers: 92

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/pf/jobs/1108/gallery.dangerous_jobs/3.html

 

[thool]

It amazes me when I watch those "living in Alaska" shows, where the guy cutting down a large tree and the ******* stands right there while the tree is falling with no concern that the **** end can shift sideways or back nailing him. I was taught to drop the saw and RUN back and perpendicular as the tree is falling.

Yep, have a couple clear exit paths defined before cutting, and any bystanders are far enough away and alert.

 

[flushcut]

I own a tree service and there are very few chainsaw only deaths it's usually the tree or parts of a tree that account for most of the fatalities and then there are the deaths caused by machinery: chippers, grinders, bucket trucks, skid steers, ect…
Most people don't know how to properly use a chainsaw and make a proper well aligned cut for the situation.

 

[Finky198]

Being in the biz as well my experience is similar to flushcuts...

I have had many more close calls do to falling limbs or trees being unpredictable, then I’ve had close calls with a chainsaw. My worst chainsaw injury was while sharpening a chain. Netted me 6 stitches in my hand... I can think of at least 3-4 times my hard hat has saved my life. And at least half a dozen more were it’s been to close for comfort.

I alway joke the day my job seems to routine or I get comfortable is the day I should quit before I get hurt... as much as I know I’m messing with nature and usually nature wins. So An escape plan, chaps, helmet, gloves, boots (spiked in the winter), eye and ear protection are important. But an aware operator is by far the biggest ingredient in safe operation of a chainsaw or any equipment for that matter.

Someone on GJ said it well and it applies extremely well to chain saw use.

“Engage your brain before engaging your hands”

I recently was on the phone outside the shop and watched a 30’ x8” limb drop in the woods naturally. If that hit some one they would be dead or seriously injured. Be safe out there....

I agree with redwrench60 need some pics in here
My ms660 with a 36” bar about as dangerous as they get for big saws.
that said small saws are just as dangerous and not to be taken lightly...

 

[srr]

Really, a ladder probably is the most deadly tool.

Yeah you can cut your hand off with a table saw, and you may bleed a lot, but you probably will be able to get to the hospital. Yeah you can slice your leg open with a chainsaw, but you probably won't die unless you hit the groin artery.

But you can easily die if you fall off a ladder and hit your head on something - just a 6 foot fall can kill you - l10-20 foot fall from the top of an extension ladder is probably really deadly.

Agree. I bought two of them rolling ladders for use outside and inside the garage. Ladders freak me out! Most of them are rated for 225 LBS...I'm a few past that!

 

[MikeF2316]

Chinsaws are friggin dangerous but that's what makes them safe. You know dam well what a cut will look like if you make a mistake so you pay attention. Other tools seem less dangerous so you let your guard down and then you get bit.

+1 At first cut, you know how dangerous chain saws can be, so you think, you're aware of where the chain is, where your hands are, you think of where what you're cutting is going to land, and you're starting out with the easier stuff. Then after you get a little experience, you're a bit tired too, you have some confidence to take on a couple of trickier cuts, and **** happens.

This same scenario goes for just about anything that can hurt you.

 

[mushia]

Good point. So you are doing like like?

The human brain is the most dangerous. To make it worse one just needs to add alcohol.

 

[Jazz1]

Never had issue and been cutting my firewood for decades. Its a matter of knowing the saw is unforgiving. Saw a guy get hit in forehead with saw in Northern Alberta 40 years ago. Keep feet planted when cutting. I don't use saw after cocktail hour.

 

[AngryBeaver]

Next week on Americas most wanted:

Armed and dangerous with at least 10 fully automatic human slayers. He's been know to escape by climbing trees. He's also been seen using heavy assault axes to harm victims.

I've been cutting for about 28 years now. Both as a firewooder and professionally.

Cutting all day leads to fatigue when most accidents happen in the profession. Happy homeowner standing on top of a ladder reaching for that one limb with the saw over his head is darwinisn in the making. Let it be.

 

[redwrench60]

Next week on Americas most wanted:

Armed and dangerous with at least 10 fully automatic human slayers. He's been know to escape by climbing trees. He's also been seen using heavy assault axes to harm victims.

I've been cutting for about 28 years now. Both as a firewooder and professionally.

Cutting all day leads to fatigue when most accidents happen in the profession. Happy homeowner standing on top of a ladder reaching for that one limb with the saw over his head is darwinisn in the making. Let it be.

I’m in for pics of this assault axe! This I gotta see. I thought I had some cool axes but I wanna see one with a pistol grip, bayonet lug and 30 round mag.

 

[Finky198]

Got some nice stuff right there. Is that a ms660 with a 25” bar ?

I cleaned some trail with my ms362 and a 25” bar and felt it was a little nose heavy. I might switch it back to the 660 and put the 20” back on the 362. I’ve been using the 660 to buck red oak rounds for fire wood and haven’t needed the extra length I just like the power and the weight of it just pulls it right through the rounds..

I Would definitely be into seeing someone else tree climbing and
rigging gear maybe it time for a dedicated tree thread...

 

[M6erfan]

Once everything has been "idiot-proofed", all that will be left are the idiots.

My favorite future bumper sticker...

 

[AngryBeaver]

Got some nice stuff right there. Is that a ms660 with a 25” bar ?

I cleaned some trail with my ms362 and a 25” bar and felt it was a little nose heavy. I might switch it back to the 660 and put the 20” back on the 362. I’ve been using the 660 to buck red oak rounds for fire wood and haven’t needed the extra length I just like the power and the weight of it just pulls it right through the rounds..

I Would definitely be into seeing someone else tree climbing and
rigging gear maybe it time for a dedicated tree thread...

That was a 28" iirc.

I use a ported 372 with a 25" on one and a 28" on the other 99% of the time. It's 3-4lbs lighter than the 660. About the same physical sizes an 044/440 with 2-3 more hp. Makes a difference running it all day. It'll run a 36" just fine but it lacks the oil on the long cuts and there isn't an oil pump upgrade like the HO western stihls have.. The 660 only comes out with a 36" for stump work usually.

My climbing saws were a 200t and a ported 361 with a 20". Also had a ported ms36 for awhile that would run neck and neck with a 440 up to 25". But yes they are nose heavy.. I sold them a few years back. If I have to climb these days I use a husky 562xp with a 20 or 25" but with the t540xp and a 16" I rarely need a bigger saw up in a tree. I don't climb near as much as I used to. This picture makes people cringe. Got sick of having Multiple bars and chains for every brand so I milked the slots longer and made some adapters.

 

[Finky198]

Yeah I was at that point when buying the 660 I knew I wanted a 36” but I figured I could run a 25” bar on the 362 but the 28” would have been a bit of a stretch especially in the north east cutting hardwoods. That was before the 044...

I think I’m gonna get cracking on fixing it and putting the 25” on it. The 20” on the 362 and I can just keep the 36” on the 660 were it belongs...

I have a collection of old top handles mostly 020s 009L and a few odd balls
but my work stuff is a 192tc, ported 201t, 362, 044 (recent acquisition) , 660.
I run 14”, 16”, 20”, 25”, 36”. All Stihl so it keeps its simple.

Do you still climb. I’m doing it less myself as I’ve gotten older I don’t recover as quickly... I try to pick the cool/odd jobs. My shop duties have slowed my actual time spent on tree work but my body is def not complaining.

 

[Texsun]

This one's got to at least be in the top 10

 

[Sine Swept]

A couple things I can speak to

1) Saws that have never been maintained, worn bar, chain thats never been sharpened and a chain that looks like it is going to fly off the bar. This would be my friend from works camping chain saw. Scares me to even look.

2) My dad is the local firewood guy. He has learned a thing or 20 about safety over the years. I think in the beginning there was very little in the way of safety gear. He owns proper boots, pants, jacket, helmet w/ faceguard and ear protectors. I know he has cut into those chainsaw pants on more than one occasion. The ear protection didn't come in until after the tinnitus started. In his younger days a 6" tree came down on one of the guys he was working with and luckily didn't kill him.

3) My moms cousin worked as a linesman for hydro all his life. He was finishing up his retirement home, clearing a few trees with no one around. The **** end of the tree bounced and struck him dead. He could have had more time on a saw than my dad, although most of his experience was from a bucket truck. Anytime I hear a chainsaw I think of all these things.

 

[Swingpress]

I will go with: a DULL poorly maintained chain saw is the one of the most dangerous.

However, I have had more trips to the hospital due to grinders and death wheels while I have never yet as an accident with a chainsaw. I always wear safety glasses but grinder grit and metal can still find your eyes.

Short story: A few years ago I started having bad pain in my knee. It would be swollen if I was in my feet all day and would feel hot at night. I couldn't figure out why and neither could my doctor. It took a series of x-rays to reveal a 3 inch piece of wire embedded straight into the front of my knee cap. Couldn't figure out how it got there and then it dawned on me that I had been in the shop working with a 10" bench mounted wire wheel. Apparently a wire came off and, quick like a bunny, found a home in my kneecap.

 

[Hybridss]

I tend to use my Stihl HT101 pole saw when I can. Move the dangerous part 6-10 feet away from the get go.

I personally always considered the tree parts and ladder combo much more dangerous.

 

[mushia]

You exprience what you think.

A couple things I can speak to

1) Saws that have never been maintained, worn bar, chain thats never been sharpened and a chain that looks like it is going to fly off the bar. This would be my friend from works camping chain saw. Scares me to even look.

2) My dad is the local firewood guy. He has learned a thing or 20 about safety over the years. I think in the beginning there was very little in the way of safety gear. He owns proper boots, pants, jacket, helmet w/ faceguard and ear protectors. I know he has cut into those chainsaw pants on more than one occasion. The ear protection didn't come in until after the tinnitus started. In his younger days a 6" tree came down on one of the guys he was working with and luckily didn't kill him.

3) My moms cousin worked as a linesman for hydro all his life. He was finishing up his retirement home, clearing a few trees with no one around. The **** end of the tree bounced and struck him dead. He could have had more time on a saw than my dad, although most of his experience was from a bucket truck. Anytime I hear a chainsaw I think of all these things.

 

[MushCreek]

I worked in a shop full of tool makers, part of a huge corporation. We used grinders, lathes, milling machines, and saws. We handled dead sharp ground steel all day long. Yet they banned glass or ceramic coffee mugs, because if one was broken, it would be a safety hazard!

 

[Ign]

I worked in a shop full of tool makers, part of a huge corporation. We used grinders, lathes, milling machines, and saws. We handled dead sharp ground steel all day long. Yet they banned glass or ceramic coffee mugs, because if one was broken, it would be a safety hazard!

Ah bureaucracy at work!

In other news I was listening to a program about the new Cadillac self-driving cars.....Super Cruise I think they call it.?.

Anyway it works by watching the driver’s eyes to make sure you’re looking at the road. If you look elsewhere it alarms and then eventually starts to decelerate (and let’s hope pull OFF the road).

So my previous suggestion of building a saw that makes sure you’re cutting WITH someone else present who is also WATCHING what you’re doing is 100% feasible!!! I was only joking — but hey, YAY technology!!

Bring it on! As I said, it’ll only add ~$500 to the cost of a $100 Homelite once tooled up to build a million or so units.

Anything in the name of safety. And full speed ahead to the world (accurately) predicted by Wall-E!!!!!! Woo-hoo!

 

[30cal]

Chainsaws are dangerous only because they have to be. There is no way to cover the blade, and still be a useful tool. You have to be able to cut from the top, bottom, and the plunge cut..

Ban low performance sawyers, not high performance tools

 

[The Fall]

Outside of a short stint in Vietnam, my dad has only done cabinetry. I've worked with him for a decade. Been around the shop my whole life (born in 1982).

I took our lead guy to the ER -- table saw cut vertically up his thumb. A nasty cut, but they stitched him back up. Some nerve damage, but he was overall okay. A real craftsman -- he turns all our bun feet, legs, welds the structural metal for bar countertops and long floating shelves; rewired the shop. Figures all the hard **** out. A real pro.

Jesse -- not so lucky. Lost three fingers at the knuckle. They were unable to reattach his fingers. Within a year, he had gotten divorced, drove his '68 Cougar into a ditch and just stopped showing up to work (just on light-duty veneering). The injury was bad enough, but the psychological toll was heavy. He'd been building cabinetry boxes for fifteen years, five days a week. He wasn't green. He knew what he was doing.

Accidents happen. A lot of guys go thirty years without a serious injury. Others aren't that lucky. We've got one Delta and two SawStops now. I mostly use the SawStops. I'm not even as good as the two guys who got hurt. Feel free to disagree, and I don't agree with a lot of OSHA's regulations, but I like it when innovation works to protect workers.

 

[seber]

The one that scares the hell out of me is the buffer. Especially when buffing a knife blade.

 

[flushcut]

Random tree **** big tree: and my wife with y 3120 with q 54" bar

 

[flushcut]

this is the tree