One Handed Chainsawing

Quintrex · 5th September 2007, 12:33 AM

I've had 2 employees cut themselves badly "crossarming". It's not on. I think one handing is ok, but not crossarming over the bar.

TREE-SURFER · 5th September 2007, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quintrex

I've had 2 employees cut themselves badly "crossarming". It's not on. I think one handing is ok, but not crossarming over the bar.

Must admit, have been guilty of that, but not cutting myself. Not that I'm condoning it, but it does make me concerned that I could cut myself now and make myself aware of not cross-arming in the future.

Ekka · 5th September 2007, 01:06 AM

How bad were they cut and did it happen coz the piece they were holding meant their arm came down on the top of the bar?

This is a very difficult issue for employers.

TrevMcRev · 5th September 2007, 03:49 AM

Ive also had an employee do it. I had to finish the tree(acer negundo) the next day and could see exactly what happened. He tried to cut n hold a leader that released early, but is typical for the species. Should have lowered it!

emr · 6th September 2007, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevMcRev

Just a reminder from page 1. As we are 120 posts into this topic and kickback prevention has taken over from cutting your "other" arm. I still believe this is the greater hazard in 1 handing.

I second this point. Sorry mdv, I dont fully understand your post asking me the question.

Ekka · 6th September 2007, 04:57 AM

OK

I was one handing a darned Shindaiwa top handled and cleaning a palm.

Had my left hand on the seed pod and cutting the bottom of it with the right hand.

The saw caught some of that potatoe sack type fibres and raced upward straight through my thumb.

Was bad but soldiered on with big bandages. Still got a thumb.

So what I learned was never line up with the bar/chain, cut so that if saw goes up or down it's a miss.

I'm not saying do it, and I know the real world, just dont line up with that cutting edge. Palms honestly test you out.

newguy18 · 6th September 2007, 06:14 AM

Hey I can relate to that Ekka we remove a lot of silver back palmettoes.

Quintrex · 6th September 2007, 05:31 PM

1. cutter was blocking small trunk with Echo top handle saw (years ago), block would not quite snap off so he fed saw back into cut, saw kicked out and ran up the inside of his forearm, 56 stitches from memory, from wrist to inside of elbow, quite severe.
2. different guy some years later pruning cypress, holding limb when bar flicked off another small branch. 4 stitches to top of fore arm. Not to bad, but they're never good!
3. yet another operator, pretty gung ho young guy at the time, holding branch with left hand above saw, branch let go earlier than anticipated and inide of forearm badly cut, 30 or 40 stitches yet again!
These incidents occurred over approximately 20 years, but all could have been avoided.

treefeller · 10th September 2007, 05:25 AM

I use my topper one handed all the time, i think it makes my life easier when im right out on a limb. had a collegue who was pollarding limes and the saw skidded down a limb he was holding taking off the top of his hand. Not nice.

playfordtree · 19th October 2007, 12:36 AM

Howdy everyone at Treeworld,

Thanks for the heads up EKKA this site looks great more content less fluff!

This is my first post so i though i might get the ball rolling with a little incident that happened to me yesterday.

Now before i start, just for the record i take SAFETY very SERIOUSLY, but like most men i am also a risk taker, and sometimes i make mistakes.
I like to think that i can minimise my risks by learning from my mistakes.
Anyway heres what happened...

I have a tree at home that needed to come down, Lemon scented gum 20m tall, included bark join at base with whiteant damage.
In my opinion a failure waiting to happen, plus the missus wants to put a vegie garden where the tree is (it's always the missus's fault).

I had the day off yesterday, so i thought great time to get that tree down.
there i was merrily cutting away, thankfully i didn't have to rope anything down as there is plenty of space under the tree.
I just had to be careful not to wreck my back fence, i was blowing the tops out of the back leader and the last one needed just a little push so that the butt didn't "snot" the fence as it came down.

Now i will admit i was probably being a little complacent as i was working at home, also i know i was rushing as i had little time to do the tree.

(I think you know where this is heading)

I don't know whether i held onto the branch to long or i pulled the saw out too fast but.....

Lets just say i gave my left forearm a little "lovetap".

You can imagine the scenario, 15m up, gaping wound, claret pouring out everwhere.

I came down out of that tree faster than any tree i have ever came down from.(thankfully my groundie had come round to help)

At that stage i realised i wasn't going to die from my cut, but then your head fills with thoughts like,
"now i have to ring my missus at her work and tell her"
"how badly am i injured, will i be able work again soon"
"if im off for too long how am i going to pay my bills"
thats when i started to feel really bad.

Anyway i am fine, no tendon or ligament damage just 15 stitches.
and i nice scar to remind me to be more carefull.

The moral of the story,

Always try to avoid one handed saw use.

But...

(And this is where i am going to be real honest with you)

I know i will still continue to use my saw one handed
albeit more carefully.
My message to you all (and to myself) if your going to use your saw one handed switch on and stay focussed.

Shout me down if you will, but i hope that i am never that careless again and that i never have to post pictures like these again.

Stay safe up there people.

Ekka · 19th October 2007, 01:47 AM

Pushing tops off, left arm above the cutting right would have to claim the most one handed accidents I guess.

The distance between the chain and your arm isn't much, then the gravity factor etc.

I know plenty of people who have got the left arm cut.

Sort of glad to hear you got away with a warning and nothing too serious but still bad. The cut a chainsaw makes is ugly, not like a knife but a wide cut and it tears ....

... hope for a speedy recovery.

I know many people do it, left arm up the piece, right cutting and even go right through with a screaming chain and dump off the back pushing with the left hand whilst the right is swinging in an arc away to the right. I had one guy used to do it with larger saws too and many times derail the chain. Now a days I like to do the cut, put the saw down, then push the cut section off.

Really be careful on that routine, think it through.

Sean Freeman · 19th October 2007, 04:07 AM

Glad you were and are ok...thats a very neat and straight chainsaw cut btw they tend to be much more jagged than that normally...yes I do know.

Ekka · 19th October 2007, 04:23 AM

Maybe he had a sharp chain!

Bermy · 20th October 2007, 03:28 PM

I'm back in the ball game here...

One of my mentors, the chap I look up to as he started the conservation movement here, without whom many of us would not be knowledgable about our natural history, natives endemics etc...He is a NIGHTMARE with a chainsaw, but he's 71!!
He cut his left hand about three weeks ago, using the 020t on the ground, cutting and holding, bounce bounce, buried the saw between his thumb and forefinger, 12 stiches, he was WAY lucky. He's dropped branches on my head before, working too close...at least I wear PPE. HE cut his achilles tendon 20 years ago, walking with his saw, it was running, no chain brake, dangling from his right hand, stepped over a log and zBLLThtttt...
Then last week on a volunteer project, same saw, he cut a dead branch way over his head, it twisted and fell, and gouged the crap out of his right hand, I had a big patch up job to do.
Another tree guy here has cut himself twice on the left hand that I know of, one handing...

My motto, one handing the DEFINITE exception.

Ekka · 20th October 2007, 03:33 PM

That guy doesn't learn eh?

Not funny, but I couldn't help but laugh, old school guys are the hard nuts to crack.

Bermy · 21st October 2007, 03:21 PM

It's ok, you can laugh, we do all the time because its all that's left to do! If he hasn't killed himself by age 71, he'll live forever, he's hard core!

A couple more stories, sorry, off the topic, total derail.
When I was on placement with him during my apprenticeship, we were on Nonsuch Island, our jewel in the crown nature reserve, the living museum project.
We went out to check the Cahow nests (our endemic seabird one of THE most endangered seabirds in the world 71 pairs), his hand was covered in blood, he'd been using a machete to cut back trees and walloped his hand instead, said nonchalantly he might have nicked his tendons 'cause it hurt so much!
We have to check the nests by boat, thowing out a stern anchor and leaping ashore on the rocks as the surge lifts the boat, tie on to a handy rock...only problem on one trip was he'd made some whale oil from a carcass that had washed ashore... the barrel fell over in the boat, so it was like jumping on and off slick ice, oil everywhere and stinky too! Now his knees are buggered from 40+ years of doing this and he still won't give up!!
Nuff respect Dr. David Wingate!

Sorry for the derail chaps

5th September 2007, 12:33 AM	#126 (permalink)
Quintrex Mature tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 495	Re: One Handed Chainsawing I've had 2 employees cut themselves badly "crossarming". It's not on. I think one handing is ok, but not crossarming over the bar.

5th September 2007, 01:06 AM	#128 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 7,701	Re: One Handed Chainsawing How bad were they cut and did it happen coz the piece they were holding meant their arm came down on the top of the bar? This is a very difficult issue for employers. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

5th September 2007, 03:49 AM	#129 (permalink)
TrevMcRev Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 791	Re: One Handed Chainsawing Ive also had an employee do it. I had to finish the tree(acer negundo) the next day and could see exactly what happened. He tried to cut n hold a leader that released early, but is typical for the species. Should have lowered it! __________________ Total Tree Care- Melbourne Arborist Reports & Consulting,Tree Pruning & Removal www.treegear.com.au Tree Climbing Gear, Arborist Supplies

6th September 2007, 04:57 AM	#131 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 7,701	Re: One Handed Chainsawing OK I was one handing a darned Shindaiwa top handled and cleaning a palm. Had my left hand on the seed pod and cutting the bottom of it with the right hand. The saw caught some of that potatoe sack type fibres and raced upward straight through my thumb. Was bad but soldiered on with big bandages. Still got a thumb. So what I learned was never line up with the bar/chain, cut so that if saw goes up or down it's a miss. I'm not saying do it, and I know the real world, just dont line up with that cutting edge. Palms honestly test you out. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

6th September 2007, 06:14 AM	#132 (permalink)
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,833	Re: One Handed Chainsawing Hey I can relate to that Ekka we remove a lot of silver back palmettoes. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

6th September 2007, 05:31 PM	#133 (permalink)
Quintrex Mature tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 495	Re: One Handed Chainsawing 1. cutter was blocking small trunk with Echo top handle saw (years ago), block would not quite snap off so he fed saw back into cut, saw kicked out and ran up the inside of his forearm, 56 stitches from memory, from wrist to inside of elbow, quite severe. 2. different guy some years later pruning cypress, holding limb when bar flicked off another small branch. 4 stitches to top of fore arm. Not to bad, but they're never good! 3. yet another operator, pretty gung ho young guy at the time, holding branch with left hand above saw, branch let go earlier than anticipated and inide of forearm badly cut, 30 or 40 stitches yet again! These incidents occurred over approximately 20 years, but all could have been avoided.

10th September 2007, 05:25 AM	#134 (permalink)
treefeller Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cheshunt Posts: 86	Re: One Handed Chainsawing I use my topper one handed all the time, i think it makes my life easier when im right out on a limb. had a collegue who was pollarding limes and the saw skidded down a limb he was holding taking off the top of his hand. Not nice. __________________ Copper Beech Tree Works Hertfordshire www.copperbeechtreeworks.sampasite.com

19th October 2007, 01:47 AM	#136 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 7,701	Re: One Handed Chainsawing Pushing tops off, left arm above the cutting right would have to claim the most one handed accidents I guess. The distance between the chain and your arm isn't much, then the gravity factor etc. I know plenty of people who have got the left arm cut. Sort of glad to hear you got away with a warning and nothing too serious but still bad. The cut a chainsaw makes is ugly, not like a knife but a wide cut and it tears .... ... hope for a speedy recovery. I know many people do it, left arm up the piece, right cutting and even go right through with a screaming chain and dump off the back pushing with the left hand whilst the right is swinging in an arc away to the right. I had one guy used to do it with larger saws too and many times derail the chain. Now a days I like to do the cut, put the saw down, then push the cut section off. Really be careful on that routine, think it through. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

19th October 2007, 04:07 AM	#137 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,735	Re: One Handed Chainsawing Glad you were and are ok...thats a very neat and straight chainsaw cut btw they tend to be much more jagged than that normally...yes I do know. __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

19th October 2007, 04:23 AM	#138 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 7,701	Re: One Handed Chainsawing Maybe he had a sharp chain! __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

20th October 2007, 03:28 PM	#139 (permalink)
Bermy Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bermuda Posts: 67	Re: One Handed Chainsawing I'm back in the ball game here... One of my mentors, the chap I look up to as he started the conservation movement here, without whom many of us would not be knowledgable about our natural history, natives endemics etc...He is a NIGHTMARE with a chainsaw, but he's 71!! He cut his left hand about three weeks ago, using the 020t on the ground, cutting and holding, bounce bounce, buried the saw between his thumb and forefinger, 12 stiches, he was WAY lucky. He's dropped branches on my head before, working too close...at least I wear PPE. HE cut his achilles tendon 20 years ago, walking with his saw, it was running, no chain brake, dangling from his right hand, stepped over a log and zBLLThtttt... Then last week on a volunteer project, same saw, he cut a dead branch way over his head, it twisted and fell, and gouged the crap out of his right hand, I had a big patch up job to do. Another tree guy here has cut himself twice on the left hand that I know of, one handing... My motto, one handing the DEFINITE exception. __________________ Keep smiling, people will wonder what you are up to! (especially if you're gunning a chainsaw!)

20th October 2007, 03:33 PM	#140 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 7,701	Re: One Handed Chainsawing That guy doesn't learn eh? Not funny, but I couldn't help but laugh, old school guys are the hard nuts to crack. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors