Chainsaw Safety: Training Employees in Safe Handling

The first thing that should come to mind in using a chainsaw for the first time is chainsaw safety. They are wonderful tools, but can cause serious injuries in the wrong hands. The wrong hands, in the case of employers, can be those of an employee what has been using chainsaws without proper training. From using the right protective equipment to following correct procedures, chainsaw safety is essential. The following article covers what you need to keep in mind when you hire new employees who will be using the chainsaw.

Chainsaw Safety Training - The Important Points to Cover With Each of Your Employees

Did you know that more than 30,000 people are injured each year while using a chainsaw? And, that figure is in the United States alone. Since worldwide numbers are not readily available we can see that the actual number is much higher. For this reason, particularly if you are an employer whose employees use a chainsaw regularly, safety training is an absolute must. By providing proper training for those affected employees, you can reduce your on the job injuries, reduce your workers' compensation insurance costs, and have a much cleaner safety record.

First and foremost, ensure that any new employees that are hired are trained on the proper use of the chain saw before they use it. Regardless of the employees experience level, it is your job that any new hire is trained before being allowed to use this dangerous tool. Why? At least two reasons: 1) It is an OSHA requirement that all new employees be trained before they enter a hazardous workplace, and 2) you took the time to find, hire, and retain this new employee and you don't want to have to start over again. Is this selfish on behalf of you the employer? Absolutely.

Much of your chainsaw safety training needs to revolve around the use of the proper personal protective equipment or PPE. Much time should be spent discussing the use of hard hats, proper hand protection such as gloves, eye protection in the form of safety glasses, and hearing protection such as ear plugs. Proper training on PPE will go a long way to ensure that your employees who use a chainsaw on the worksite will remain safe while on the job.

Finally, make sure that your employees are trained on the proper process of starting the chainsaw. Although this sounds overly simple, many accidents occur by employees doing an "air drop" technique to start the saw. This is where the operator holds the starting cord with one hand and drops the saw forcing the start of the tool by gravity. Many employees think this is the "cool" way to start a chainsaw and many an operator have lost their hands while attempting this. There is only one proper way to start a chainsaw and that is with the tool in complete control at all times. Your employee's should know that safety is important at your company and that any violations might result in discipline or termination.

If you want to use a comprehensive training solution, check out this chainsaw safety training video.

Tags: chainsaw, chainsaw safety, hard hats, hazardous workplace, osha requirement, personal protective equipment, safety training

March 03 2011 | chainsaws | No Comments »

Chainsaw Carving is an Art

Chainsaws and art may sound like an oxymoron. But, chainsaw carving is exactly what it sounds like, creating sculptures with the use of a chainsaw. It is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing art forms in the world. There are special events and festivals centered around chainsaw carving all over the world. It is becoming so popular that more of these events pop up every year.

The unique thing about chainsaw carving is that, not only does it result in a beautifully created piece of art, it has also evolved into somewhat of a spectator sport. Many carvers have turned it into performance art. People will come from miles around just to watch these artists at work. Watching a carver turn an ordinary log into a valuable piece of art is truly amazing to watch, and there are plenty of people willing to watch. Many people have been able to turn chainsaw carving into a full time job as some sculptures will sell for thousands of dollars, depending on the size and detail involved.

History

Chainsaw carving has been around for some time. For decades, it was only done as a hobby or something to pass the time by loggers. They would quickly carve out some type of design on a tree stump on their way to a job just for fun.

It wasn't until the 1960s that chainsaw carving was brought into the public eye. It started to appear at fairs and forestry expos. Some chainsaw dealers would have simple carvings that were done with their chainsaws to demonstrate how easy they were to use. At that point, it was nothing more than a gimmick to attract customers.

After that, it began to gain popularity among small groups around the country. People would do it as a hobby, and maybe load a few pieces in the back of their trucks and take them to the local fairs and festivals.

In the 1990s, chainsaw carving really began to catch on, thanks to the popularity of the internet. It has continued to grow at astonishing rates since then. Now, there are thousands of carvers in the U.S. Alone. It has also begun to catch on in other parts of the world, including Germany, the UK, Japan, Africa, and Australia. Many of the large chainsaw carving events in the U.S. Draw people from these, and other countries.

If one of these chainsaw carving events comes to an area near you, you really should consider checking it out. The things that the carvers are able to create will amaze you. Equally amazing is the style and beauty of actually watching them work.

Tags: chainsaw, chainsaw carving

March 02 2011 | chainsaws | No Comments »