Thoughts on One Handed Chainsaw Use
- Thread starter Tr33Climb3r
- Start date
- Location
- Springfield MO
"They should have a skills test for one handing, IMO."
Automatic Fail . I can use my hand saw or make a snap cut in any occasion that would provoke a one handed cut.
Automatic Fail . I can use my hand saw or make a snap cut in any occasion that would provoke a one handed cut.
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
IN the UK there is a competency based training program that will ultimately allow a climber to one-hand a chainsaw.
One-handing can be done with very reduced risks if a plan is used as well as proper skill training. Without some sort of similar program in the US OSHA/ANSI will never allow the practice...unless you can wiggle through the tiny window that is written into the Z133.
One-handing can be done with very reduced risks if a plan is used as well as proper skill training. Without some sort of similar program in the US OSHA/ANSI will never allow the practice...unless you can wiggle through the tiny window that is written into the Z133.
I do alot of right of way trimming for storm relief. With probably 50 to 60% of the time you have to cut one handed and toss limbs away from cars, mailboxes... One could rope all theese down, but the work is production based and getting cheaper by the storm. So that is not very cost effective. I have been doing this for 6 yrs with several crews who I personally train with not one chain saw accident. Its all in the training and safety conciousness IMO.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
I'm still trying to figure how to use the saw with my teeth so I can safely maintain four points of contact.
classictruckman
Participating member
- Location
- Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada
1:rope
2:lanyard
3:right foot or spur
4:left foot or spur
2:lanyard
3:right foot or spur
4:left foot or spur
- Location
- Gibsons BC
If you can't trust yourself to safely use a top-handled saw one handed now and then you likely shouldn't be in this business. That being said, new climbers definitely shouldn't be allowed to use a saw one handed until they've demonstrated a comfortable margin of competence with chainsaw safety in trees.
- Location
- Milwaukee
Never have one handed and been certified six years. I am not judging anyone who does. I have seen the pics of injuries sustained while one handing. I want to hold my baby with both of my hands...I love climbing and believe that part of being a good climber is being good at getting into proper position to make a cut with two hands. That is my focus because I never consider a one handed cut. It is possible and I am proof but it has taken a conscious effort to train myself to not one hand. Just me...
- Location
- Victoria, BC, CAD
[ QUOTE ]
If you can't trust yourself to safely use a top-handled saw one handed now and then you likely shouldn't be in this business.
[/ QUOTE ]
Anyone can drive a car one handed too. Professionals use two hands.
If you can't trust yourself to safely use a top-handled saw one handed now and then you likely shouldn't be in this business.
[/ QUOTE ]
Anyone can drive a car one handed too. Professionals use two hands.
- Location
- Gibsons BC
[ QUOTE ]
Anyone can drive a car one handed too. Professionals use two hands.
[/ QUOTE ]
Unless you drive stick but maybe that's out of your comfort zone as well?
Anyone can drive a car one handed too. Professionals use two hands.
[/ QUOTE ]
Unless you drive stick but maybe that's out of your comfort zone as well?
- Location
- Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Mmmm....
Always an interesting topic this one.
I think the real danger with 1 handing comes from not knowing when it is really dangerous. I've seen climbers put themself at huge risk doing this without knowing it, thinking all is fine. To me, there's an acceptable time to do it and and an unacceptable time to do it. (One is when worksafe come by )
Seriously, cutting a branch you dont need to hold is usually ok. I think cutting a left facing lateral holding the branch with your left hand and cutting with the right or a total vice versa of this is usually ok.
Its when you cross over, or cut vertical branches/stems that you face the massively increased risk of cutting yourself when the falling weight of a branch maybe in the wrong direction drags your arm across the saw.
This is the time to either rope it, step cut/snap/throw it, or sometimes i attach a sling and hold it to bring my arm/hand well away from the saw.
But those that just cut away at anything with 1 hand just coz ya can with a tophandle saw are asking for it. These people are the ones behind the injuries that are so common in this industry. If you work like this its just a matter of time before it happens.
Always an interesting topic this one.
I think the real danger with 1 handing comes from not knowing when it is really dangerous. I've seen climbers put themself at huge risk doing this without knowing it, thinking all is fine. To me, there's an acceptable time to do it and and an unacceptable time to do it. (One is when worksafe come by )
Seriously, cutting a branch you dont need to hold is usually ok. I think cutting a left facing lateral holding the branch with your left hand and cutting with the right or a total vice versa of this is usually ok.
Its when you cross over, or cut vertical branches/stems that you face the massively increased risk of cutting yourself when the falling weight of a branch maybe in the wrong direction drags your arm across the saw.
This is the time to either rope it, step cut/snap/throw it, or sometimes i attach a sling and hold it to bring my arm/hand well away from the saw.
But those that just cut away at anything with 1 hand just coz ya can with a tophandle saw are asking for it. These people are the ones behind the injuries that are so common in this industry. If you work like this its just a matter of time before it happens.
- Location
- Victoria, BC, CAD
[ QUOTE ]
Unless you drive stick but maybe that's out of your comfort zone as well?
[/ QUOTE ]
One hand on the wheel one on the shift? Nope.
Unless you drive stick but maybe that's out of your comfort zone as well?
[/ QUOTE ]
One hand on the wheel one on the shift? Nope.
- Location
- Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Location
- North of Boston
Is that one hand on the wheel in the total tree care car? You have a death wish or something boy!!!!?????
- Location
- Gibsons BC
It's because he's not a pro. A pro never has less than two hands on the wheel (or the saw).
- Location
- North of Boston
That rally car has paddle shifts? Sweet!!!
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
How do you shift with two hands on the wheel?
A pro uses two hands because it's gives the best control, but sometimes you have to use one because the other hand is busy or out of position.
This is a never ending argument. I've been cut, more like kissed, with a chainsaw twice. Both hands on the saw both times. Both times were near the end of the day in wicked heat and i was worn out and pissed off. Safety is behavioral, if you get slack, you're more likely to hurt yourself or someone else.
Humans can train themselves to do almost anything safely, including one handing a saw. It's not the technique that's the problem, it's attitude and behavior. Exhausted and hurrying with two hands is more dangerous than fresh and methodical with one hand.
A pro uses two hands because it's gives the best control, but sometimes you have to use one because the other hand is busy or out of position.
This is a never ending argument. I've been cut, more like kissed, with a chainsaw twice. Both hands on the saw both times. Both times were near the end of the day in wicked heat and i was worn out and pissed off. Safety is behavioral, if you get slack, you're more likely to hurt yourself or someone else.
Humans can train themselves to do almost anything safely, including one handing a saw. It's not the technique that's the problem, it's attitude and behavior. Exhausted and hurrying with two hands is more dangerous than fresh and methodical with one hand.
- Location
- Victoria, BC, CAD
[ QUOTE ]
Ahhh rallying, my other main interest than trees....
Here's my ride:
[/ QUOTE ]
Nice ride, I figured there must be some other buffs lurking.
The whole purpose of paddle shift is to reduce lost time and control from one hand traveling back and forth to the shift. Yes, you still have to travel back to the spike now and then but you don't see drivers resting a hand on the shift or spike while cruising through a chicane at high speeds. Why? It's dangerous enough with two hands firmly planted. Why sacrifice control for the illusion of a faster shift on the exit? Watch an in car cam to see just how long a rally pilot takes to make a shift or spike and return to the wheel.
Ahhh rallying, my other main interest than trees....
Here's my ride:
[/ QUOTE ]
Nice ride, I figured there must be some other buffs lurking.
The whole purpose of paddle shift is to reduce lost time and control from one hand traveling back and forth to the shift. Yes, you still have to travel back to the spike now and then but you don't see drivers resting a hand on the shift or spike while cruising through a chicane at high speeds. Why? It's dangerous enough with two hands firmly planted. Why sacrifice control for the illusion of a faster shift on the exit? Watch an in car cam to see just how long a rally pilot takes to make a shift or spike and return to the wheel.
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