Safety Gear - Order Of Importance

[Witterings]

I know the obvious answer would be all of it but if you've never worn any chainsaw specific safety clothing and decided it was long overdue that you should but were going to buy it a bit at a time .... what would be the order of importance i.e. gloves or trousers / chaps.

 

The only things I do have at the moment are some standard safety glasses and ear defenders ... not sure how important it is to have a helmet as I'd probably get one of the all in one's if it is and it's only for cutting up logs for a burner not for felling trees.

[Witterings]

@Stere (and everybody else that suggested helmet 1st) ..... Cheers for that and point taken ..... helmet 1st it is !!!!!!

[HuntingHicap]

I had a kick back when I was 16. Pre doing any tickets. Cut about 20mm into the peak on the front of the hat. Trashed the visor. Bicton college asked to keep the helmet as a training aid when I did my tickets there. If you are in West sussex I have a medium size pair of arbortec breathflex trousers, hardly worn, you can have them for £50.

[woody paul]

On 17/12/2019 at 12:27, Witterings said:

 

Looks like it's Chaps are for me then ? ?

There is only one order of what to get, everything hat, trousers and boots. 

[Witterings]

3 hours ago, HuntingHicap said:

If you are in West sussex I have a medium size pair of arbortec breathflex trousers, hardly worn, you can have them for £50.

 

I am in West Sussex just south of Chichester but having looked up the sizing unless they come up large on the waist I think I'd struggle with them and the leg would be too long by a couple of inches as well but thank you otherwise I could well have been up for that!!!

Edited December 19, 2019 by Witterings

[Canal Navvy]

In order, in my view bearing in mind the intended use. 

 

Forestry helmet. It is giving a lot of protection for the money. (use of a peak less climbers helmet is not always approved on the ground) 

 

Boots. Steel toe caps will give the best protection from the saw. I suspect that some ordinary steel capped boots would give better protection than a composite capped chainsaw rated boot.... and a lot cheaper. 

 

Gloves. Chainsaw protective on the left hand only was for the days before saws had a proper front handle guard. Gloves give protection by keeping hands warm which reduces the risk of vibration damage, so just buy lots of cheap pairs so there is always a dry pair. 

 

Trousers. A good thing to have on when concentration has gone and the saw is where it should never be. 

 

 

 

[Stubby]

2 hours ago, woody paul said:

There is only one order of what to get, everything hat, trousers and boots. 

That's what I meant when I said common sense is at the top .  E.G. if you get a hat and hearing protection you might not hear the screams when you accidentally ( for what ever reason ) put the bar in your leg , having not got the strides  and that .....

[spudulike]

Read about the dangers, know how they are caused and then avoid the route causes. Kick back - avoid cutting with the bar tip, trip/slip hazards - switch the saw off or use the brake when walking about, pushback - learn about stress in fallen timber and bar pinching.....etc, etc

The PPE will protect you from these scenarios but common sense will stop them happening in the first place.

Bit like having an airbag but knowing following too close to the car in front may cause a rear end so you back off a bit.

[htb]

Remove airbag put big spike on steering wheel will reduce tailgating, all the features in modern cars makes drivers feel invincible. For the record we drive L/R  90's and 110's for all their faults.

[Silverhooker]

I went on a course years ago and the guy told us to put a sticker on the most dangerous part of the saw, we all got it wrong by putting it on the chain. We should have put it on our foreheads ! Common sense and respect for the tools and the job your doing is the most important. Helmet with cans and visor a must, so are trousers or chaps ( I have both but prefer chaps), chainsaw gloves are not needed just decent well fitting and dry work gloves ( pound shop can be a good source of these).

Also have your phone handy, just makes sense.

And if a job looks dodgy the first time you look at it walk away 'cos your first impression is usually right.

[woody paul]

I think alot of accidents with saws used be hobby firewooders is they do not hold them tight enough.