I have never seen a professional wearing chaps, chainsaw pants, or a hard hat.
Echo Gloves: not that Safe?
- Thread starter Paul Bunions
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It's not common that's for sure.
All the time.
Helmets are seen in all the classic logging photos and videos.
Chaps and pants worn by most of the arborists and utility crews that I see: exceptions are those that appear ‘non professional’.
Philbert
I used to wear chaps, and did so up until 2-3 years ago.
There are still times when I do.
Working on steep ground, chaps become cumbersome.and restrictive of movement. FOR ME it's less safe to wear chaps with restricted motion, especially when every step matters on your escape routes, then the gain of safety from the chaps.
Is it taking a chance? ABSOLUTELY!
Is that my choice to make? ABSOLUTELY.
My first step into the homeowner helpers forum is....horrifying.
Come visit Florida some time. Sounds like Minnesota is very different. I gear up better than the pros around here.
I did not wear my new ones yesterday. I was up to my neck in hassles, and I just plain put it off.
Today I finally wore chaps. First time ever. They were a little warm, as I figured, but they did a great job of keeping sawdust off my boots and socks, and for once, I didn't go home with my legs carved up by weeds. On the whole, they might be worth the aggravation even if they didn't block chain cuts.
It's okay. I'm pretty horrified at some of the things I see here too.
My crewboss has been running saw for 40+ years. He wore chaps when required, but hasn't worn them for decades. Never cut himself. Luck? Sure, why not?
The most important thing is for the saw to be an extension of your body, and to be AWARE AND MINDFUL of what you're doing and WITH INTENT.
Accidents do happen. Freak accidents do happen.
I've only been running saw for ~12 years. Haven't cut myself with a moving chain or a still-chain in the field so far.
**KNOCKS HARD ON HARDWOOD**
hard hats are a must, though.
A lot of the guys who wear (and sell) chainsaw protective pants agree with you. Especially, climbers.
Good quality, well fitting protective pants can be expensive ($200 -$300). They are not something easy shared among a crew. And they have to be laundered more frequently than chaps.
But you understand the tradeoffs.
Philbert
We had 4 guys on saws last weekend, I was the only one with a helmet, another guy was the only one with chaps but at least everyone had eye and ear protection. I have a pair of labonville chaps on order- his sure looked handy for wading into a job. Thorns go thru the carhartts even if they don't tear.. kind of tired of getting speared and poked. And 40 yrs ago I almost took a chunk out of my right thigh cutting left-handed with a heavy saw, been thinking of that recently, so chaps it is for me I think.
Hermio
Addicted to ArboristSite
As I mentioned, my local timber buyer has been doing tree felling for 50+ years, and so was his father before him. The only PPE he uses is eye protection. I have seen him work, and he is very skilled with the saw. But even one with great skill can screw up once, with devastating consequences. So far, he has been lucky. I always use full chaps, steel-toed boots and a logger helmet when cutting, but until reading this thread, I have not been using chainsaw safety gloves. I am still puzzled how those hand injuries occur if the saw has a fully functional chain brake.
Michael E
New Member
My uncle had been working with chainsaws for 35 years before he cut into his chainsaw pants for the first time. He seemed a bit shaken but otherwise fine.
Here in Germany folks usually wear protective pants instead of chaps. I always wear protective boots (steel toed plus Kevlar tongue), protective pants, helmet with face shield and ear muffs. Plus a hi-vis shirt/jacket, so they can locate my dead body easier in the forest. (My girlfriend gets angry when I say that.)
When you watch chainsaw videos on YouTube, you can usually tell within the first seconds if this is a chainsaw fail video or shows impressive skills. Full PPE, competent work. Shorts and flip flops, going horribly wrong. The people who know best what they are doing seem to wear the best protection, despite or because of their experience.
Here in Germany folks usually wear protective pants instead of chaps. I always wear protective boots (steel toed plus Kevlar tongue), protective pants, helmet with face shield and ear muffs. Plus a hi-vis shirt/jacket, so they can locate my dead body easier in the forest. (My girlfriend gets angry when I say that.)
When you watch chainsaw videos on YouTube, you can usually tell within the first seconds if this is a chainsaw fail video or shows impressive skills. Full PPE, competent work. Shorts and flip flops, going horribly wrong. The people who know best what they are doing seem to wear the best protection, despite or because of their experience.
