DAVID ADAMS
As I watched the chainsaw rip through my jeans, I was upset at the thought that I was going to have to buy another pair. I could see the jagged tear and realized that maybe, just maybe, I should check whether the blade cut into to my leg as well.
Feeling no pain, I set down the chainsaw, walked up to the house, went into the bathroom and took off my jeans. There was a ragged gash in my leg, but it was not very deep and there was little bleeding. Thinking I may have escaped serious injury, I probed the wound, still feeling no pain. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. After cleaning the wound with peroxide and cutting off the loose skin, I decided a trip to the emergency room was in order.
A doctor took a quick look at my leg and decided I needed staples to close the wound. Up to this point, I still had not felt any pain. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. After a nice, pain-numbing shot of Lidocaine, the doctor stapled my leg back together, wrote me a prescription and sent me on my way for my next outdoor adventure.
When I reflect on what happened that day, I realize how much worse it could have been. I was wearing the proper eye protection, steel-toe boots and gloves, but I gave no thought to protecting my legs. If I had not let go of the chainsaw trigger, this incident might have turned out much differently.
I should have paid more attention to what I was doing and not let down my guard. What if I had been home alone and needed assistance getting back into the house or calling an ambulance? What if the chainsaw blade struck me in the head or face rather than my leg? When I think how much worse this incident could have been, I consider myself pretty lucky.
At the workplace, we tend to operate more safely. Once at home, however, many of us have the tendency to relax standards. That’s when we get hurt. Safety must be a process that we take home and use in every situation, even if it’s a task we’ve done hundreds of times before. Had I paid more attention to what I was doing that day, I might not have ruined a favorite pair of jeans — not to mention gashed my leg with a chainsaw.
FYI
Operating a chainsaw can be dangerous. Fortunately, you can reduce the potential for injuries by wearing the proper personal protective equipment and practicing safe operating procedures. Here are some tips from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to help keep you safe.
Before starting a chainsaw
- Check controls, chain tension and all bolts and handles to ensure they are functioning properly and adjusted according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Make sure the chain is always sharp and the lubrication reservoir is full.
- Start the saw on the ground or on another firm support. Drop starting is never allowed.
- Start the saw at least 10 feet from the fueling area, with the chain's brake engaged.
Fueling a chainsaw
- Use approved containers for transporting fuel to the saw.
- Dispense fuel at least 10 feet away from any sources of ignition when performing construction activities. No smoking during fueling.
- Use a funnel or flexible hose when pouring fuel into the saw.
- Never attempt to fuel a running or hot saw.
Chainsaw safety
- Clear away dirt, debris, small tree limbs and rocks from the saw's chain path. Look for nails, spikes or other metal in the tree before cutting.
- Shut off the saw or engage its chain brake when carrying the saw on rough or uneven terrain.
- Keep your hands on the saw's handles, and maintain secure footing while operating the saw.
- Proper personal protective equipment must be worn when operating the saw, which includes hand, foot, leg, eye, face, hearing and head protection.
- Do not wear loose-fitting clothing.
- Be careful that the trunk or tree limbs will not bind against the saw.
- Watch for branches under tension, they may spring out when cut.
- Gasoline-powered chainsaws must be equipped with a protective device that minimizes kickback.
- Be cautious of saw kickback. To avoid kickback, do not saw with the tip. If equipped, keep the tip guard in place.