Safety Advice for the Wanna-Be Ax Men
Ha Ha, Here We Go!
Who doesn’t like the Ax Men? They’re the roughest, toughest, most famous loggers in America.
Whether it’s the Rygaard crew working the mountain or Piss Willy (Shelby’s dog) sniffing out some logs, there’s one thing the Ax Men focus on first.
. . . SAFETY!
Nobody wants to get hurt, whether you’re on the job or not.
Take your pick. Spend thousands of dollars on string that sews up your leg, and awful tasting hospital food, or use the appropriate safety gear to prevent that serious injury.
Besides, it’s hard to perform as a rugged outdoorsman with a 100 stitch wound in your flesh.
Check Out the Stats
Chainsaws are considered the most dangerous piece of power equipment on the market today. According to the National Agriculture Safety Database:
- 30% of wood-related accidents involve a chainsaw.
- 40% of chainsaw incidents are to the leg.
- The average chainsaw injury requires 110 stitches.
Accidents are unplanned events, but being prepared for one could save your life.
Don’t Press Your Luck
You’ve had too many close calls. Eventually your luck is bound to run out. Chainsaw safety gear isn’t just for the weak or inexperienced. You can look pretty hardcore decked out in cool safety gear.
Most of the time, you see the logging crews wearing their safety gear, whether they’re cutting down trees or choking logs. Even if you don’t have 3,000 pound logs rolling down the hill at you, wearing safety gear is still important when operating a chainsaw.
Gear Up Head to Toe
Chainsaw Safety Gear
Let’s start where most chainsaw injuries occur, the lower part of your body. Protective pants, called chaps cover your waist to your ankles. The protective material is designed to pull apart and jam the sprocket of the chainsaw, so the chain slows down or stops.
Cutting wood close to the ground can be dangerous, especially if you don’t have protective footwear. Chainsaw boots with a steel reinforced toe are perfect to keep your feet safe.
Moving to the upper body, don’t wear loose clothing. This can be a snagging issue when operating the chainsaw. A protective vest should be worn to protect your chest and torso from any accidents.
A high visibility vest is ideal, not only to protect your chest, but to make you visible to others who may be cutting around you.
The chainsaw itself, isn’t the only danger when cutting. Falling limbs and debris are also hazardous to the operator. Guarding your head and face should be on your safety list, as well.
Helmets, earmuffs, face screens, and safety glasses will keep that precious noggin of yours out of harm’s way. Some helmets are combined with earmuffs and face screens for an all-in-one headgear system.
Don’t forget the gloves. Durable chainsaw gloves shield your hands in case of those quick slips of the saw.
Saw Safety Features
Chainsaw Safety Features
The right protective gear isn’t the only thing helping to keep you safe. Most chainsaws have built-in safety features, to prevent operating accidents. It’s good to know how these features work.
The throttle lock prevents an accidental increase in throttle because it has to be depressed at the same time you press the throttle control.
The right hand guard also protects your hand from any chain breaks or derailments.
The kickback protection with chain brake stops the chain if a kickback occurs. Many saws also have an inertia-activated chain brake feature to prevent injury during a sudden kickback.
The chain catcher is on the bottom of the saw to catch the chain if it breaks or derails.
Picture This
Imagine yourself in your chainsaw armor, headgear, vest, chaps, boots, and gloves. Like a knight in shining armor, chainsaw by your side, you’re ready to battle like an Ax Man.
Don’t be a statistic for chainsaw injuries. Gear up now!
Conclusion & Thoughts
Most chainsaw injuries can be prevented if you follow proper chainsaw operating procedures and wear the appropriate safety gear. Check out our selection of chainsaw protective clothing and safety gear.
About the Author
Turner Anderson is the Internet Marketing Manager at Jack's and the editor of Jack's DIY Center. You'll also find him creating How-To articles, videos, newsletters, and much more.
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