Safe work from the bucket...

tomthetreeman

tomthetreeman

Participating member
Location
Rhode Island
With the debate still hot over one-handed use of chainsaws, I got to wondering... How are most bucket operators doing removals or large trims over wires, yards, fences, etc?

As a climber, I generally use my handsaw for smaller stuff, anything else gets roped down. I very rarely one-hand the saw, and I no longer cut and hold at all.

What are safe bucket operators doing? Bringing a hand saw in the bucket? The temptation to cut and hold with a chainsaw from a bucket seems to be much stronger than from a saddle, at least I remember it that way; haven't been in a bucket for a long time.

-Tom
 
I use a hand saw out of the bucket all the time. On larger cuts I will go 9/10ths of the way thru with the chain saw and finish with a hand saw. Also, I will use snap cuts. Setting a lowering line either in a natural union or a block is always easier in a bucket. If I use a block, recovery is no big deal when flying the bucket.

Tony
 
I one hand when I deem it to be safe, which is most of the time. Its about body positioning, limb size, etc. When not applicable I use snap cuts or lowering lines. Whenever possible I just let it fly!
 
at my place of employment they want us to cut and hold most of the time. when its safe enough to me as the operator i will...if not i go to rope or let it fly. mind you i work for the county government and they really dont care what osha says about anything, so the one hand use of a saw dont bother them. sometimes i wish osha would show up just to see what happens.
 
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at my place of employment they want us to cut and hold most of the time. when its safe enough to me as the operator i will...if not i go to rope or let it fly. mind you i work for the county government and they really dont care what osha says about anything, so the one hand use of a saw dont bother them. sometimes i wish osha would show up just to see what happens.

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OSHA doesnt have anything to say, they refer to ANSI in cases like this. Their inspectors arent trained 100% in ANSI law, heck they arent even 100% trained in OSHA law!
 
I'm not a bucket truck guy, but I rent a trailer lift maybe 6 times per year and there is a huge temptation to hold & cut with a chainsaw. But, for the most part I rig when needed, make snap cuts when needed, and make final cuts with a hand saw as well.
 
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I one hand when I deem it to be safe, which is most of the time. Its about body positioning, limb size, etc. When not applicable I use snap cuts or lowering lines. Whenever possible I just let it fly!

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ME TO!
 
I prefer to snap-cut or rope rather than the one-hand cut'n'hold, but I don't feel unsafe or uncomfortable doing the latter, either.

Top-handled saws are made for one-handing, despite what anyone will tell you. However, there are inherent risks to doing so, and you have to be much more conscious of what you're doing and how.
 
After working for the X-man for a while getting back in the bucket was hard. Actually yesterday was the first time in about a month, and the only reason I did get into it was because I had to show my number two guy how fast it is to rig from the bucket. I hear that the cut and hold method was "just the way we do things here." Put it on a rope. Not because of holding the saw one handed but because the throwing will start to really wear oneself down. Today I feel more comfortable climbing anyhow.

About three weeks ago OSHA showed up on my job. According to him he was watching us for some time. He reminded us that someone on the crew could use ear protection. with that exception we were in compliance. This was a saturday afternoon at about 2:30. Every tree guy in the area thinks my crew and I are lying because OSHA doesn't come to these parts. The positive effects this has had on my crew have been awesome.
 
"What are safe bucket operators doing? "

What kind of question is that ? What are unsafe bucket operators doing ? That temptation must be horrible to deal with , should I hold my saw with one hand ? I hope you find a way to deal with this crisis in your career . I typed this with one hand , what are unsafe typers doing ? Get over it , people one hand saws all the time , deal with it . It's ok , it'll be allright , it's ok , easy now . Talk to your saw it won't bite you , be nice to it , clean the air filter , keep it sharp , give it a name and than slowly let one hand off the handle , ahhhh . Thats all . Now your one of them . The onehanders.
 
Ha. The last two responses kinda say it all, don't they? At least they hit both ends of the spectrum.

Riggs, the reason I asked the question is because I don't run a bucket truck, I only climb. One handing the saw is becoming a frowned upon practice in our industry, unless you've been under a rock, so based on that I was wondering what guys or gals were doing out of the bucket, and what is accepted as OK out there. It was a question intended to elicit any and all responses. Why you buggin' man?

-Tom

(PS - I have said before that I one hand at times, when I am in a position to do so.)
 
I used to do it alot when I ran a bucket, but I always tried to make sure the cut was below me and the lip of the bucket. It's been like 6 years now, and I guess I was just wondering what was accepted or 'deemed safe' these days.

-Tom
 
There should be a test to certify or license a person to one hand a saw. You should be able to demonstrate proper saw control, body positioning, size of cut, and other factors.

You can certify anyone for anything, why not this?
 
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After a fatal mishap with a service drop everything gets tied with webbing. Then two hands can be on the saw, even for little stuff.

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Do you mean fatal mishap as in someone died?


SZ
 
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I feel one handing in a bucket is far safer than while climbing. I hardly ever cut & hold when on rope, and find it to be dangerous.

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On the first part; I agree. One-handing for me is a matter of thoughtful practice; in my avatar, you'll notice I one-hand in a couple of the shots. You'll also notice that the saw isn't in line with my body- by design.

On the second part... ditto- I'd rather rope it.
 
One hand saw use is being frowned upon by the choir , teach new guys how to climb like parapalegics , dress like firefighters in a tree . You actually asked two questions , what are safe bucket operators doing and "should " I one hand a saw . I haven't been under a rock , I just one hand saw when ever I feel like it .

"It was a question intended to elicit any and all responses. Why you buggin' man?"

I guess you just want responses from the choir . I'll put it like this , I did two tours of voullunteer work for the choir at Arlington VA. Everyone was there , I don't think anyone was hurt either time , and this one hand debate was going on back than too , You couldn't walk by a station of trimmers and not see one hand use . You'll be talking about this for the next twenty years too . If you really want to stop one handed saw use , stop selling saws that you can one hand . One more point , I am a safe climber / bucket operator , file it .
 
" There should be a test to certify or license a person to one hand a saw. You should be able to demonstrate proper saw control, body positioning, size of cut, and other factors."

Just what we need another certification . You'll never see that one .
 
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