FACTS
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cites the left hand and lower left leg as the most common places for chainsaw injuries. Employers can reduce the risk of these injuries by training their employees on proper chainsaw safety and operation, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- The four leading causes of trimming and clearing fatalities are struck-by incidents in which workers are hit by falling trees, limbs or motorized equipment; caught-in incidents, which often involve workers becoming caught in wood chippers; falls from elevations such as trees, lifts or ladders; and electrocution due to contact with overhead power lines.
- Some common hazards are: you can cut yourself, kick-back, noise, vibrations, eyes injuries, the chain can derail/break, head injuries, back injuries, and being crushed under a falling tree.
- A kickback happens when the tip of the chainsaw’s blade contacts a hard surface or suddenly gets stuck in a piece of wood. This will redirect the force of the chain in the opposite direction – in other words, towards the user. Most injuries from chainsaw use are due to “kickback”
STATS
- According to OSHA, 243 workers died while engaging in tree-trimming and clearing activities.
- According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 28,500 chainsaw injuries. More than 36 % were injuries to the legs and knees.
- Approximately 40% of all chainsaw accidents occur to the legs and well over 3 % occur to the left hand and wrist.
- Chaps or chainsaw pants as well as keeping both hands on the saw would reduce chainsaw injuries by 75 % or more.
- C.D.C. reports there are about 36,000 injuries caused by chainsaws every year.