Close Call With A Chainsaw

[kweinert]

My cousin runs a tree business in Michigan and had a close call a couple of weeks ago.

I don't know the exact circumstances in which this happened but he's not new to the job.

Somehow he got a kickback and the chainsaw hit him in the face. When all was said and done at the ER he ended up with stitches in his eyelid and forehead - but his eye was not touched.

You can't get much closer than that.

I know, not much in the line of details. Just wanted to point out that no matter how long you've been doing something or how much of an expert you are - it only takes a second for something to reach out and grab you.

 

[Tclem]

Glad he's ok.

 

[Kevin]

Scary. A helmet and face shield like this is what he needs. There's other models but that's the exact one I have and can reccomend it. It's my second one and about 5 years old and stands up to hard use. When I cut even just 1 or 2 cookies for an order the helmet goes on automatically and I don't even know it's on - he'll get used to it. Send him the link. Glad he didn't lose an eye.

 

[Schroedc]

Scary. A helmet and face shield like this is what he needs. There's other models but that's the exact one I have and can reccomend it. It's my second one and about 5 years old and stands up to hard use. When I cut even just 1 or 2 cookies for an order the helmet goes on automatically and I don't even know it's on - he'll get used to it. Send him the link. Glad he didn't lose an eye.

That's the exact one I use and I wouldn't be without it, the hearing protection is a nice fringe benefit too!

 

[woodtickgreg]

I have the same helmet, started to really wear it when I worked for tree services as a ground man. Climbers like to drop things on your head, I liked the ear protection too. The ear protection also helped hold the helmet on your head when you looked up as you maned your ropes. Now the face shield I just did not like, but that was just me. to much dust got through it and I felt that it obscured my vision. The helmet protected me more than once, the ear protection always did as well, glad I never needed the face shield.
Edit: But I always wore safety glasses without the visor.

 

[Treecycle Hardwoods]

I had a helmet like that. They are great for tree work but don't hold up so well against puppies.

 

[Patrude]

Lucky it wasn't worse and glad he will be ok. You can never be sure when something might go wrong. Personal Protective Equipment: Always! Thanks for sharing with us

 

[shadetree_1]

Scary. A helmet and face shield like this is what he needs. There's other models but that's the exact one I have and can reccomend it. It's my second one and about 5 years old and stands up to hard use. When I cut even just 1 or 2 cookies for an order the helmet goes on automatically and I don't even know it's on - he'll get used to it. Send him the link. Glad he didn't lose an eye.

I wear the exact same helmet Kevin and I don't start the saw without it on, learned the hard way about kickback, never again!

 

[brown down]

glad all he got was a few stitches. I have a very close friend who has a tree company. the guy is in his late 50s and just recently bought a bucket truck. for years all he did was free climb. anyway over the summer at his own home, same thing happened to him, only he stopped the saw with his left hand from taking his face out same thing just a few stitches..

I think most accidents happen when people either get in a hurry, or become too comfortable with their jobs or the equipment they are or have been using for years.

Kevin I too have a helmet like that and won't start my saw without it on, that and my gloves!
I am a very firm believer In PPE. most of the times its overkill, but that one time you need it you'll be glad you had it on!

 

[David Hill]

Ran across this thread--thanks for the link---easier to use this than all separates like I have been. It's ordered.