Chainsaw Vid by August

Many of these standards(ie two hands on the saw) are put into place to keep people safe while learning how to do tree work. Once you have learned to do things the correct and safest way possible you can then begin to make judgement calls. If you are trained correctly and stay in the business long enough you can make calls to make the job go as fast and as safe as possible. Everyone who has been doing this job for a long time knows sometimes you take calculated risks based on past experiences.That being said if you dont learn how to do things by the book and gain experince you might not make it to a point where you are qualified to make judgement calls. In my experiences you have to know all the rules before you can decide when to bend them.
 
also one last thing. I run a 20-22 person trim dept. So I know the problem this creates when training people. New climbers have to do it by the book every time. Once they gain enough experience, then we can talk about different techiques. I guess at a certin point I trust experienced climbers judgement and back their play. But untill that time it is by the book. It is a hard balence to strike. Im still trying to figure it out.
 
In response to all the above. Perhaps, when faced with a situation with choices one way or the other, standard vs. non-standard you ask yourself "why not"instead of "why?"

Pondering that question may provide better answers.

Tony
 
The rules are not hard and fast. But, because the outcomes of our actions can and do impact the industry as a whole, we have an obligation to be able to defend our decisions when we step outside of these rules. As an employer, you are ultimately responsible for your company's actions and the results thereof. That is the mantle taken up by deciding to go into business for yourself.

What essentially we gain with experience, hopefully, is an ever expanding database from which to draw on. Instead of just a repetition of the 1st yr of experience over and over again, we actually develop our ability to critically evaluate and apply our knowledge and experience to a given scenario and be able to see the likely outcomes. We become consciously competent.

The challenge in training someone is developing that ability instead of just rote methods and backing it up with, either, that's the way it's always been done or, because that's what the rule says. Our industry can't tolerate complacency for very long. Some get away with it for the whole of their career. Train your people to be focused and in the moment not treating it as just another day.
 
First and foremost thanks to August for putting together a pretty awesome vid.

with regards to one vs two hand I studied this exhaustively with our findings published in Arbclimber issue 1 http://www.arbclimber.com/ Sooo I just wanted to cover two bases, one as an arbclimber and two as an employer. Here are a couple of snips from the article.

Is the risk of one-handed chainsaw use worth the reward? It is difficult to quantify the risk because it is so dependent on the skill of the operator and the conditions under which they have chosen to cut. If the weather is good, the arborist is in good health and the tree has no surprises in store, one-handed chain saw use can actually make the job safer both in terms of stability and the greater distance between your body and the chainsaw.
A less acknowledged aspect is the further the power house and cutters are away from the eyes, nose, mouth and body the less operators will be exposed to contaminants. Exhaust fumes from the power house (comprising unburnt hydrocarbons, benzene and of course sleep inducing carbon monoxide), misting from toxic bar oil, saw chips again with traces of bar oil, wood splinters, particulates of fungus, animal excrement and pollution all create a greater potential for personal contamination. The closer we bring ourselves to the power house the closer we are to danger. One has an acute affect (the cutters) and the other a chronic effect (contaminants). think of yourself first and what it is that negatively affects/effects you.

Be prepared for the inevitable.
Conclusions Safety starts with a plan. Or rather risk comes with lack of planning
Some employers caution against one hand chainsaw use with some deeming it an unacceptable technique and banning it entirely. As an employer it is easier to ban its use than it is to inform, demonstrate and build it into a training and practice Plan. A policy banning its use may also create liability issues because it refuses to accept a widely used technique that may actually be the least dangerous option in some circumstances.
The reality is many arborists will disregard all warnings and utilize the technique any way.
As a business operator or manager you have one of two options.
First is an outright ban with a strict policy and plan for discipline.
Second is a selective use plan based on a specific climber, their abilities and when and where it can be used and when it shall not be used.
Wearing PPE does not allow you to enter a hazard zone with disregard for self and others or ignore proper operating procedures nor do they replace good judgment.
If your cutting movements, whether it is with chainsaws or hand saws, can possibly come in contact with you or your climbing equipment, they eventually will. This is a given.
Most aerial cuts are on the left hand/wrist, left shoulder, left triceps area, left chest, and neck. (Unsubstantiated internet quote).
According to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission; in 2004 32,436 injuries reported were related to chainsaws, out of those 40% were leg injuries, and 35% were to the left hand. The average chainsaw injury requires 110 stitches, the cost is estimated to be over $12,000, and the average recovery time is 12 weeks.
Some of you will find much of this information redundant. Even so, please take the time to consider and analyze your specific practices or work place policies. No one is perfect and no single practice is perfect or acceptable. The key point is to climb and cut safely so the end of day is spent enjoying life and not the emergency room of a hospital.

On a side note Arborist is a voluntary trade in Canada which when boiled down makes the regs,swp etc seem less than effective.
 
I'm still trying to figure out how August filmed the final clip where the gopro was at the stump face. Looked like the camera would've been crushed.
 
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I'm still trying to figure out how August filmed the final clip where the gopro was at the stump face. Looked like the camera would've been crushed.

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Stump-Tech Productions

 
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