Chainsaw Safety after Kansas Storms
Kansas summer storms are welcome for the much-needed rain, but the accompanying wind can cause havoc on cherished shade trees. Storm debris clean-up is often needed when large trees and limbs fall to the wind. The National Weather Service office in Topeka reported wind gusts as high as 80-100 mph in the last week. These winds can cause serious damage to structures as well as trees.
Yard maintenance is part of homeownership, farming and ranching, when clean-up is pending and a chainsaw is needed, good safety practices can help avoid serious injury.
Before purchasing a chainsaw, consider the safety features of the equipment and read the safety manual, choose a chainsaw that has built-in safety measures such as throttle control to shut down the saw if pressure is reduced and anti-vibration systems. When pulling out an owned chainsaw, check to make sure the saw is in good condition and the safety features are working properly.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates 36,000 people are treated for chainsaw related incidents in emergency rooms each year. These accidents occur due to the absence of, or inadequate safety equipment, insufficient preparation, and improper handling and inexperience. Operators should know their physical limits, take breaks often, stay hydrated and stay aware of their changing worksite. The most common chainsaw-related accidents are caused when the end of the saw is pinched and the saw kicks back at the user.
Knowing a person’s location may seem irrelevant but if a call to 9-1-1 is made, specific location will be essential to direct first responders to the exact location. Dr. Ed Brokesh, an assistant professor of K-State's Carl and Melinda Helwig Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, shares his perspective on chainsaw safety, "When working with a chainsaw and you are about to do something that somewhere in the back of your mind a voice says ‘this probably is not a good idea’, listen to that voice and rethink what you are about to do. A few minutes of proper planning and using the right equipment and safety gear will save you time, money, and possibly your life". Brokesh adds, a person can save time and money by purchasing the right gear rather than paying for a trip to the Emergency Department. “If you don’t have time to do it right the first time, you certainly don’t have time for the accident that happens to you”, said Brokesh.
A common piece of safety gear is chainsaw chaps, chaps can stop the chainsaw from causing serious bodily injury. Helmets, face shield, safety glasses, ear protection, heavy work shirts, leather gloves and steel toed boots all help protect a worker from falling limbs, whipping twigs and branches, flying saw dust and noise. High visibility clothing is also helpful so that workers are visible from a distance, especially in storm clean up areas. Other equipment to have nearby include wedges and ropes, a first aid kit, and a cell phone.
Brokesh adds that it is important for individuals to receive training from an experienced chainsaw user, free training videos are available on manufacturer websites, Kansas Forest Service, The National Education Center for Agriculture Safety, and YouTube.