chainsaw chaps as a snagging hazard

I think we all need to get chainsaw pants, or another crew member on jobs like this. I think that approaching it as an either, or scenario will bring to light that chainsaw pants are way cheaper than hiring someone. See ya tomorrow man!
 
After a day of work and talking a bit in the morning before the work, I realize it's not so much the chaps but, it's the chance to be knocked off balance. Once you loose your balance (control) you open yourself up to uncalculated infinite risk. So anything that can reduce the chances of mistakes being made reduces the chances for an incedent to occur. Then stream lined work apparel and chainsaw pants are, my best choices so far.
 
same reasons you wear boots, and gloves. Pants offer you a layer of protection that shorts don't, not talking chainsaws here, just basic protection from insects, poison ivy, hazardous materials (gas, diesel, blood born pathogens) splinters, debris, scrapes (skinned knees), the Sun, and it looks more professional.
 
"same reasons you wear boots, and gloves. Pants offer you a layer of protection that shorts don't, not talking chainsaws here, just basic protection from insects, poison ivy, hazardous materials (gas, diesel, blood born pathogens) splinters, debris, scrapes (skinned knees), the Sun, and it looks more professional. "

Gotta agree to a certain extent, my legs get a little more scratched up while wearing shorts. Some BASIC protection for sure, that I can do without for the comfort i get with shorts.

Comfort is an ergonomic concept, imo. As important as glasses not getting foggy to me.

Some things you said, I gotta disagree. Protection from spilled gas? No. Once you spill gas on your jeans, it soaks in and touches your skin all day. Plus, I don't spill gas. ;>

"looks more profesional"

Good one. I know how to look like a professional, and sweating more doesn't equate with that. Chaps, helmet, required items = professional. Chainsaw pants? Professional. In 90° weather? Not for me. Shorts certainly don't lose me jobs, I promise.
 
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Gotta agree to a certain extent, my legs get a little more scratched up while wearing shorts. Some BASIC protection for sure, that I can do without for the comfort i get with shorts.

Comfort is an ergonomic concept, imo. As important as glasses not getting foggy to me.

Some things you said, I gotta disagree. Protection from spilled gas? No. Once you spill gas on your jeans, it soaks in and touches your skin all day. Plus, I don't spill gas. ;>

"looks more profesional"

Good one. I know how to look like a professional, and sweating more doesn't equate with that. Chaps, helmet, required items = professional. Chainsaw pants? Professional. In 90° weather? Not for me. Shorts certainly don't lose me jobs, I promise.

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Good point on the gas. Please don't take any of this personal you asked, I answered. Our company has about 17 people in the field everyday, it is in our best interest to appear as professional as possible.
 
Ok...back to the snagging hazard please. Or, have we distilled to chainsaw pants? Are there any incedents where a person got injured while chipping wearing chaps due to snagging?
 
Pulled in by a shovel.

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/...cident_20091122

Pulled in by a climbing rope he was attached to.

http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-11-17/ba...ident-tree-limb

Pulled in by a jacket (just his arm).

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2011/...dent-overnight/

Pulled in by a rope he got tangled in.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_tampa/wood-chipper-kills-tree-trimmer-on-the-job

I could not find one documented due to chap snag, however it would be completely plausible to be pulled in by anything going into the wood chipper. Obviously the less things that you have on your person that could get snagged the better. There is no full proof brush chipping outfit that can guarantee 100% that you are completely safe from going into a chipper. Chippers are insanely dangerous and wearing clothing with less snagging potential and, with proper operating and safety training we can reduce the risk of going through. So... Wearing chaps when chipping can increases your risk of going through, but not wearing them while chipping will not guarantee you will not go through.
 
My bad Caballos. Upon rereading my post, I did sound a little offended. I didn't feel that way at the time, but can see that personal bit peeking through. All is well. We can both look professional with or without pants! :)

My question regarding the snag and chaps chipper dilemma is this - how many times a day do you find yourself cinching up your chaps because they have loosened up? I do it daily at least, and on several different pairs of chaps. It begs the question of whether the snaps would hold enough pressure to actually pull you in.

Sure, they could get snagged, pull you off balance, and you fall in, but that can already happen with belt loops, buttoned shirts, etc.

Have you ever tested this theory? Hook a friend on the chaps with a branch and pull as hard as you can - when they're ready or not (like real world, you may not be ready when the chipper starts to pull you in) - and see if the chaps come undone. I've never tried but do wonder if the buckles are strong enough to pull an adult off balance.

I still think the whole concept is a little bit overthought, since there is a reverser-bar on every chipper out there. If you ban chaps with chippers, people will cut without chaps when chipping. People are lazy and will take shortcuts wherever possible. Maybe I phrased that too strongly, instead "people take the path of least resistance." Bending over to re-chap for the fourth time in an hour is serious resistance versus bending over for the saw.
 
Its possible that a branch or stub can catch on chaps, but its the lesser of two evils. I would rather deal with a tug on the chaps and have to hit the reverse bar on the chipper to stop the process, then to be taking the chaps on and off repeatedly all day. Eventually I think any operator would become lazy or forget to put the chaps back on to use the chainsaw. It only takes one cut to ruin your day. Protective pants are superior.
 
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