Helmet, PPE

CWME · Dec 18, 2010

Saved me a trip to the ER this morning. Feel stupid that it happened but at least I was protected. Widow maker about 1.5" around and 4' long. Finished the back cut and the tree started moving. I was getting out of the way and got hit with this seemingly small branch. I was getting ready to look up too...

Sore neck and back but good to cut another day.

Mntn Man · Dec 18, 2010

I have been waiting to get one of them. Maybe I better pull the trigger.:taped: Glad you are ok, I bet it really fired your mind up with the "what ifs?"!

jimbojango · Dec 18, 2010

can you say that really would of hurt w/o a helmet!

CWME · Dec 18, 2010

jimbojango said:
can you say that really would of hurt w/o a helmet!

It hurt WITH the helmet on! Knocked me senseless for a few seconds and then I finished getting the heck out of there. Butt end glanced off the the helmet and snapped my neck forward. Without the helmet the glancing blow would have been a direct hit to the top of my head.

Damn Pine trees have dead branches for the first 60-70 feet. This branch must have been ready to go because the tree didn't hit anything on the way down. And I inspected it for hangers before I started.

I walked away because I got lucky for starters and then had on my PPE.
Going to hang this helmet in the shop for a reminder..

Dalmatian90 · Dec 18, 2010

Cheaper then a co-pay!

A lot of the bicycle helmet companies and maybe some others have crash replacement programs. I wonder if any of the forestry folks do?

dancan · Dec 19, 2010

Glad your OK !
That's a hell of a wallop you got there !
I posted your pic in Blunt Force Trauma http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=157294 .

:cheers:

GeeVee · Dec 19, 2010

Penny wise, pound foolish.

EVEN if it was very expensive to replace, it'll be worth it. I doubt they're cost prohibitive, but I'm glad you're ok.

Better, just the mere picture and your testimonial will get a couple of more cutters to wear theirs.

I'm sending rep.

GeeVee

peterc38 · Dec 19, 2010

Yikes!!! Glad you're no worse for the wear.

beerman6 · Dec 19, 2010

atvguns · Dec 19, 2010

Last day for the 20% off sale at Labonville You have convinced me to order one

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=158311

Blowncrewcab · Dec 19, 2010

My wife just bought mine Friday, I had the face screen with ear muffs, but felt I needed the helmet too-So my wife bought it for me for Christmas :bowdown:

Glad your okay!

TFPace · Dec 19, 2010

I am glad you had the helmet on!

I swear by them and have worn on for years. For AS members that don't own one I'd suggest buying a helmet that has the headband that adjusts by tightening/loosening knob at the rear of the headset. It makes using any helmet alot easier on the skull IMO.

Tom

Cedarkerf · Dec 19, 2010

TFPace said:
I am glad you had the helmet on!

I swear by them and have worn on for years. For AS members that don't own one I'd suggest buying a helmet that has the headband that adjusts by tightening/loosening knob at the rear of the headset. It makes using any helmet alot easier on the skull IMO.

Tom

I find quite the opposite staze-on works way better on the skull bucket for keeping it on and much more comfortable.

D.Marsh · Dec 20, 2010

Glad to hear you made it out no worse for wear. I should show this thread to an uncle of mine. He gives me flak every time I'm over trimming out his trees, or taking some down. "Bah, we never wore hard hats back in the day. Just watch where you're cutting and you'll be fine!" Ya may hardly ever have a widowmaker come down while you're working, but it only takes one if you're not wearing your PPE.....

greengiant · Dec 20, 2010

TFPace said:
I am glad you had the helmet on!

I swear by them and have worn on for years. For AS members that don't own one I'd suggest buying a helmet that has the headband that adjusts by tightening/loosening knob at the rear of the headset. It makes using any helmet alot easier on the skull IMO.

Tom

:agree2: I can wear mine with a thin skull cap under in the winter, or nothing in the summer.

It can be a pain in the butt to putt on the saw boots, wrap chaps, put in the ear plugs, and on with the helmet like above ( I also put in plugs because my glasses keep the ear protection from sitting tight around the ear): and sometimes I wonder if I'm a sissy compared to 90% of people I see cutting while I drive down the road, or on tv that wear NO protective equipment, but knowing that I am greatly reducing the trauma possibilities and hopefully keeping my hearing from getting any worse, is worth that extra effort. I am kind of dumbfounded even, that with the safety gear we have around these days, that people think they don't need it. Yes, maybe the DR can put on a new arm or leg, but it will never be the same, and I know you only get one set of ears.

Rickochet · Dec 20, 2010

CWME said:
Saved me a trip to the ER this morning. Feel stupid that it happened but at least I was protected. Widow maker about 1.5" around and 4' long. Finished the back cut and the tree started moving. I was getting out of the way and got hit with this seemingly small branch. I was getting ready to look up too...

Sore neck and back but good to cut another day.

CWME---Congratulations for working safely! Take a look at Bullard Hard Hat's website for their Turtle Club. It is a way to be recognized for using your head to save your life! You certainly qualify for the club! Membership requirements for The Turtle Club are the same today as they were in 1946. Each new member receives a new hard hat, a membership certificate, a membership card, a Turtle Club pin, and a Turtle Club decal. There are no dues or membership fees. I work for a large electric utility company and we have employees who are members of the Turtle Club. Unfortunately we also have employees who decided not to work safely and some are no longer here to work--period.

Also, rep sent for working safely and sharing your story! :clap:

http://www.bullard.com/V3/products/head_face/head_protection/turtle_club/

http://www.bullard.com/V3/products/head_face/head_protection//turtle_club/register.php

CWME · Dec 20, 2010

I posted in hopes that others will see the need for helmet use. I had an Arborist cut a lot of trees for me when we were building our house last year. He gave me a hard time for not having one. Friends and Family made fun of me for wearing it. But very glad I listened to that smart Man last January.
Boots, chaps, gloves, and helmet every time all the time no matter who thinks you look stupid. $50 helmet saved me a $500 hospital copay, an unkown amount of time out of work, etc, etc.

Going to go with a Petzl helmet from Bailys with the face shield and hearing add on. Been getting back into climbing and this will cover both bases for me.

Rickochet, thanks for posting the links. I am not a professional so I don't think I qualify. Just a weekend firewood warrior pretending to be a big shot logger:bang:

SpiralAcacia · Dec 20, 2010

PPE rep on the way.
SA

TMFARM 2009 · Dec 20, 2010

i had mentioned in another post that two of my friends had died in logging accidents.... one took a saw to the leg cut artery bled out before he could get help. the other from a barber chair felling a tree, took his head clean off.... safety wear is a must!!!! all it takes is one incident....the first could have turned out different if he had worn chaps....but not even a helmet would have helped the second..... makes one look at life differently....glad you are ok.

logbutcher · Dec 20, 2010

Nice thoughts all. Even a "light" trip to the ER will spoil your day.

BTW for us Up Norths: when it gets down to the singles, do not spit with your face mask down. It freezes and ruins your view. With the ground hard now, we start our firewood harvest, TSM, and clearing again. Too easy to forget you've got that mask on when a chip gets in the mouth.

Helmet, PPE

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