Pole Saw Laceration

D

Dsuttle

Location
Seattle
Last Thursday I was pole sawing some dead wood and got the saw pinched. I got another pole saw and began to take weight off the branch so that I could free the pinched saw. The pinched saw was released and fell before I was expecting it and began to fall towards me. I was on a ladder and couldn’t get out of the way fast enough. I stuck my hand out to protect my body and took the full brunt of the blade in my palm right under my thumb. I knew immediately that it was bad and confirmed that when I looked down and saw a giant gash in my hand. I went to the hospital and got 8 stitches. The doctor said I was lucky that my tendons and muscle were still intact. It hurts like hell and is taking its time to heal. Bad things can happen faster than you realize. Never take for granted how dangerous our job is and always be asking yourself what can go wrong here and how can I avoid it. I should have not been under that saw while I was trying to free it. Be safe out there and don’t take your safety for granted.
 

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Yep, them pole saws are relentlessly sharp to flesh. Glad it wasn’t worse. I had a pole saw try to take my forearm off 5 or 6 years ago…. I won’t use them aloft ever again.
 
Boomslang said:
Ladders. It's always fucking ladders. You have nowhere to hide when things go sideways.

Glad it wasn't worse man. I had something similar happen with a hedge trimmer a few years ago. Scars tell stories though, so at least you have that going for you.
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My worst fall was off a ladder with a hedge trimmer. Glad the tendons didn’t get damaged OP!
 
That same thing happened to me when I first started out. Hung the pole saw above me while climbing. When I advanced, I knocked it free. Hit me right on my middle knuckle. That took a while to heal.
 
Dsuttle said:
Last Thursday I was pole sawing some dead wood and got the saw pinched. I got another pole saw and began to take weight off the branch so that I could free the pinched saw. The pinched saw was released and fell before I was expecting it and began to fall towards me. I was on a ladder and couldn’t get out of the way fast enough. I stuck my hand out to protect my body and took the full brunt of the blade in my palm right under my thumb. I knew immediately that it was bad and confirmed that when I looked down and saw a giant gash in my hand. I went to the hospital and got 8 stitches. The doctor said I was lucky that my tendons and muscle were still intact. It hurts like hell and is taking its time to heal. Bad things can happen faster than you realize. Never take for granted how dangerous our job is and always be asking yourself what can go wrong here and how can I avoid it. I should have not been under that saw while I was trying to free it. Be safe out there and don’t take your safety for granted.
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Welcome to the TreeBuzz forum, @Dsuttle! Sorry to hear about your injury. I hope you heal well and quickly.

You should ask your doctor if you'll be able to play the piano once the injury heals? If he says yes, tell him "That's geat. I could never play the piano before, but I've always wanted to be able to do so." Take care. TimBr.
 
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