There is no doubt that chainsaw chaps are a vital safety accessory for electric chainsaw users. Knowing how they function and their compatibility with different chainsaw types is crucial for ensuring your well-being. Let’s explore the mechanics behind these chaps.
Do chainsaw chaps work with electric chainsaws?
Yes, Chainsaw chaps work effectively with electric chainsaws. The inner layer is made of cut-resistant materials that can stop the chain. The fibers lock the chain and sprocket when the chain touches the chaps. Protects the legs.
Explore the fascinating realm of chainsaw chaps and their silent yet crucial role in safeguarding electric chainsaw users. Dive deep into the mechanics that make these safety accessories indispensable for your well-being. Arm yourself with the knowledge to ensure your safety in every cutting endeavor.
Contents
- 1 What are chainsaw chaps, and why are they used?
- 2 How do you measure your legs correctly to buy a pair of chainsaw chaps?
- 3 What material are the chainsaw chaps made up of?
- 4 What do experts say about the importance of using chainsaw chaps in electric chainsaws?
- 5 Are electric chainsaw accidents prevalent?
- 6 How do electric chainsaw accidents happen?
- 7 How to prevent electric chainsaw accidents?
- 8 How to wash your chainsaw chaps?
- 9 Essential safety measures while operating a chainsaw:
- 10 Remarks
What are chainsaw chaps, and why are they used?
The chainsaw chaps are a piece of safety equipment worn on the legs of an arborist, an arboriculturist, or a tree surgeon to protect them from any severe injury.
Chainsaw chaps are specially designed with extra attention paid to the areas around your lower leg muscles and under your kneecaps to offer more protection than your regular jeans or cotton trousers.
Chainsaw chaps are constructed from slightly rounded high-density impact foam that conforms to your legs and is designed to perfectly cover all contact areas on your ankles, calf, knees, shins, thighs, and feet. Chainsaw chaps have a gel layer covering your entire foot top for extra strike absorption.
• Understanding Chainsaw Chaps
They have comfortable straps to secure them to the back of your leg and open fully, allowing you to easily slip the pair on and off. These straps keep the chaps secure to your feet, including a giant strap on the ball of the foot with rubber dots for extra traction on the ground.
It would be best if you preferred the chainsaw chaps with a mesh window in its back that allows fresh air flow for ventilation.
The chainsaw chaps made out of synthetic leather will improve anti-odor technology if you clean them once a week. To minimize shifting, it would be best to prefer chainsaw chaps with a dual hook, loop strap, and silicone grip.
How do you measure your legs correctly to buy a pair of chainsaw chaps?
Before buying a pair of chainsaw chaps, you must measure the length of your legs, waist, thighs, shins, calves, and ankles. You should measure from your belt loop to your bottom.
You must know your outseam length because some manufacturers provide their electric chainsaw chaps with varied outseam lengths ranging from thirty -two inches to forty inches. Sit down with your feet flat on the floor; now measure around the widest part of your calf using a measuring tape.
To measure the height of your chainsaw chaps, you must start measuring from your ankle to your kneecaps. Measure around the area about 2 to 4 inches below where your thigh bends. After measuring both of your thighs, you must add 2 inches to 4 inches to these figures.
• The Consequences of Oversized Chainsaw Chaps
Select the electric chainsaw chaps an inch longer and a couple of inches looser than the figures. You end up with a pair of chainsaw chaps that are too big; they will disrupt your freedom of motion during training and cutting. They will not fit well and slip off, forcing you to realign your chaps after each step.
And if you ignore your sizing and end up with a pair of chainsaw chaps that are too small, they may fit too tight and will not offer enough protection. When you purchase a pair of electric chainsaw chaps with accurate sizes, they will provide you with maximum safety and comfort.
What material are the chainsaw chaps made up of?
Modern-day chainsaw chaps are made of many different synthetic materials, including, but not limited to:
- Fiberglass – Stiff, sturdy, and lightweight, which offers maximum protection in case of a kickback.
- Foam rubber – Very lightweight but not as sturdy and solid as fiberglass, which offers enough safety and protection.
- Polyurethane – Heavy and sturdy, which offers almost complete protection from most impacts.
- Plastic – Less protective than any of the other synthetic chainsaw chaps.
- Metal – Highly protective but very heavy and uncomfortable while moving or climbing up a high tree.
- Hand-made pairs of chainsaw chaps are the most durable and worthy of investment.
The weight of the early chainsaw chaps used to be about 15 pounds or more. The weight is used to discourage its use in the tree care industry. In the late 1960s, the US Forest Service began providing chainsaw chaps to the crew.
In my two decades of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how chainsaw chaps protect users. They’re designed to quickly stop a chainsaw upon contact by pulling the fibers into the chainsaw’s sprocket, causing it to jam and stop. It’s a simple yet effective safety mechanism.
• OSHA’s Role in Chainsaw Safety
In January 1975, Mr. Robert Felix, Executive Secretary of the National Arborist Association, which was the forerunner of the Tree Care Industry Association, wrote a brief in the Journal of Arboriculture on a recent Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citation to Asplundh Tree Expert.
For not providing the chainsaw workers with chainsaw chaps. National Arborist Association and Asplundh Tree Expert considered that the chainsaw chaps offered a false sense of security and trip hazard. Nowadays, the chainsaw chaps’ material is lightweight and very comfortable to wear.
Many manufacturers sell chainsaw chaps ranging from summer material to winter material, comfortable and suitable for every reason and the season you cut. The protective material used in the manufacturing of chainsaw chaps is reliable.
• The Outermost Layer of Chainsaw Chaps
The outermost layer of the chainsaw chaps is made up of regular fabric that will protect your legs against hitting by flying sawdust, stones, wood chips, snow, rain, etc. It is not cut-retardant; it is only waterproof.
The innermost loose layer is responsible for stopping the movement of the chain and the sprock of your electric chainsaw. The innermost layer of the chainsaw chap is made up of ballistic nylon, polyester, or Kevlar with solid, cut-retardant fiber.
The fibers can spread or straggle by the cutters of your electric chainsaw, holding, stopping, and locking the chain of your electric chainsaw by pulsing it into its drive sprocket. The four layers of ballistic nylon in electric chainsaw chaps can contain a chain speed of 2750 feet per minute.
– Purchasing Chainsaw Chaps: What to Look For
The Forest Service has an even higher requirement for protection at 3200 feet per minute. When you are out to purchase a pair of chainsaw chaps, make sure that they meet the specifications in ASTM F1897-98. The pair of chainsaw chaps that meet ASTM F1414 are puncture and cut-resistant.
Some chainsaw chaps may carry a warning that they will not control the movement of the chain on an electric chainsaw. Before ordering one, make sure that you have read the product description twice.
Ask the manufacturer about its use with an electric chainsaw if you can’t find any details in the product description section.
A common misconception is that chainsaw chaps make the user invincible. They are an important part of safety equipment, but safe operation practices are equally important.
What do experts say about the importance of using chainsaw chaps in electric chainsaws?
Tsioras in 2014 and Kenyon in 1989 stated that proper chainsaw chaps and user training effectively reduce avoidable deaths, kickbacks occurring, and the severity of the subsequent injuries.
Pratt in 1979, Smith in 2000, and Koehler in 2004 stated that electric chainsaw kickback injuries consist of removing a wide swath of flesh, often resulting in wounds filled with dust, oil, and wood debris.
Hamming and Jones 2015 stated that the most common cuts caused by electric chainsaw use are 40 percent to the user’s leg, with half of these to the user’s knee. In 1999, Cullman stated that the chainsaw chaps have proven effective.
• Petrilli and Messenger 2004: A Study on Chainsaw Chaps
According to some studies, they have caused a three-fold reduction in leg lacerations due to electric chainsaws.
Petrilli and Messenger 2004 stated that the four layers of ballistic nylon in the early chainsaw chaps were manufactured to resist a chain speed of one thousand and eight hundred feet per minute without cutting across.
Are electric chainsaw accidents prevalent?
Data was collected from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from 2009 to 2013. 115,895 emergency room (ED) or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) visits for injuries related to using a chainsaw occurred during the survey period.
Ninety-five percent of injury visits occurred among male users and persons aged between thirty and fifty-nine years. Most of these accidents took place during September through November. The main body sites injured were the legs and knee.
Eighty percent of injuries were deep lacerations. In the United States, an average annual frequency of 23,179 injuries occurs using an electric chainsaw without proper chainsaw chaps. The results depict the frequency and percentage estimates of injuries.
• Seasonal Trends in Electric Chainsaw Injuries
Fifty-seven percent of adults aged thirty to fifty-nine accounted for most emergency room visits for injuries, with ninety-five percent of males representing the visits for an injury related to an electric chainsaw.
Most of these injury visits occurred during the spring, summer, and fall months, while fifty-eight percent of these injuries occurred at the patient’s house. The results showed that lacerations were the primary diagnosis for eighty-one percent of the ED visits.
Among the body parts injured, twenty-nine percent occurred to the hand or fingers, eighteen percent to the knee, twelve percent to the lower leg or ankle, and eleven percent to the upper leg.
• Overview of Electric Chainsaw Injuries
Closer analysis of injuries to these body parts showed that these lacerations were the predominant injury diagnosis, presenting eighty-seven percent of hand and finger injuries, eighty-nine percent of lower leg and ankle injuries, ninety-eight percent of knee injuries, and ninety-eight of upper leg injuries.
Verbatim results of a survey conducted in the USA revealed that three patients were hospitalized every year while ninety-four percent of the electric chainsaw victims were treated and released.
There were, on average, 139 annual amputations and 983 injuries to the head and neck, with sixty-nine percent of head and neck injuries diagnosed as lacerations. Deat is also familiar with death before arrival to the emergency room or death in the emergency room.
How do electric chainsaw accidents happen?
An electric chainsaw is a portable machine used for multi-purpose forest operations. Professionals and non-professionals commonly use it. Forestry and related tree operations are among human activity’s most hazardous working sectors.
Currently, operations with electric chainsaws are conducted by all persons and are not solely restricted to professional loggers. Emergency or forensic doctors often encounter serious or lethal lesions due to electric chainsaws. Such serious accidents often occur during electric chainsaw activities.
They are essentially due to kickback, uncorrected use of an electric chainsaw, and lost implement control due to the failure or slip of the user. Deve oped countries have agencies responsible for collecting and analyzing electric chainsaw accidents.
• The Role of Accident Reporting Forms
In the majority, one accident reporting form is used for all accidents. This represents a solid basis for comparing the production sectors in the same country and allows for comparison between other countries. However, this approach needs improvements regarding the forest sector.
The driving factor behind this need is many variables that should be analyzed and correlated in electric chainsaw accidents, which outnumber those of other production sectors.
When this information is missing (e.g., weather conditions during the incident, slope, tree species, wage system), the following analysis may result in misleading conclusions.
• Chain Reaction After Releasing Throttle
Electric chainsaw accidents happen when the chain spins after releasing your finger from the throttle, and the chain brake is not engaged. When a gasoline-powered chainsaw touches your chainsaw chaps while its chain is still spinning, it will also cut into the outermost layer and the protective fibers.
The chain of a cordless electric chainsaw will stop spinning the moment your finger comes off its trigger. A co-less electric chainsaw will make only a slight nick in the outermost layer of your chainsaw chaps when it touches them.
The chain of your electric chainsaw will not spin once your finger is off the trigger, which reduces the probability of an accident. There are six primary reasons for electric chainsaw accidents:
- They were felling trees that overhung electric wires, water bodies, bridges, and buildings.
- They were felling trees on uneven surfaces or a steep slope.
- They were felling the species of such a tree that can split or has a stem rot.
- They were felling trees that had a heavy lean.
- They were felling trees in large shelterbelts.
- They are removing storm-thrown trees in storm-prone areas.
When buying your first pair of chainsaw chaps, look for chaps that are certified to meet safety standards, ensure they fit properly, and remember that while they provide valuable protection, they don’t replace safe chainsaw operation practices. This is the advice I’ve given to countless individuals over my career.
How to prevent electric chainsaw accidents?
Researchers have developed and adopted electronic safety devices to stop an electric chainsaw when needed. The d vice is based on a Wiimote controller (Nintendo™), which includes two accelerometers and two gyroscopes to detect rotation and inclination.
Bluetooth wireless technology is used to transfer data to a portable computer. Collected data about linear and angular acceleration are filtered, differentiating based on the Euclid norm, differentiating between regular and dangerous election excellent chainsaw movements.
The results showed an excellent response to the safety device, which sent an alarm signal to stop the cutting chain when a dangerous situation occurred. The device demonstrated correct behavior in all tested hazardous situations.
• Extending Safety Measures to Combustion Engine Chainsaws
They encourage extending its use to chainsaws with a combustion engine and other portable equipment used in agriculture and forestry operations. For these applications, the safety device was also patented.
Modern electric chainsaws include advanced characteristics such as lighter weight, increased horsepower, reduced gas emissions, and better ergonomic design (anti-vibration handles and kickback security).
In Europe, wood extraction (i.e., moving the wood from the harvesting site to the forest road for further processing or transportation) using animals has been replaced almost exclusively by tractors and more specialized forest machines, skidders, and forwarders, emphasizing ergonomic design.
• A Look Back: Safety Measures in the 1980s
The Personal Protective Equipment, especially the chainsaw chaps, has also been improved; its parts are specially designed and tested during forest work.
This can be easily understood if we consider that in the 1980s, forest workers, even in developed countries such as Finland, still used heavier construction helmets made of non-durable materials and permitted inadequate ventilation.
All those mentioned above technological developments increased the risk of fatal accidents. Increased levels of mechanization have “removed” direct contact with the trees, and powerful electric chainsaws can assist the users.
How to wash your chainsaw chaps?
You can wash your electric chainsaw chaps in four simple steps:
- Step 1: Preparations before washing: Turn the chaps inside out and make sure all of their zippers are closed so that the washer’s agitator does not cause any abrasions or corrosion on its surface.
- Step 2: Washing: if your electric chainsaw chaps are white, only wash them and rinse them in cool water. If it is dark-colored, then select the delicate mode in your washer. Use m ld detergents only.
- Step 3: Drying: don’t let the spinner rotate for more than a few minutes. Never hang the electric chainsaw chaps in direct sunshine; otherwise, they will shrink and will not fit on your legs anymore. Open all its zippers and spread the chaps on a smooth, open-air surface.
- Step 4: Conditioning: Softeners and conditioners will prevent shrinkage, so you can apply a good amount of them (optional).
You must always ensure that you immediately repair any small holes and cuts in the outermost layer of your electric chainsaw chaps.
You should use Seam Grip or any other product recommended by the manufacturer of your electric chainsaw chaps to repair any damage caused to the ballast c-nylon shell of your chaps. These products create an oil-proof and corrosion-proof patch that will protect your Kevlar pad against contaminants.
Essential safety measures while operating a chainsaw:
- Animals: Ensure no animals, birds, or other people are in your work area.
- Extreme weather: Never use an electric chainsaw in extreme weather conditions such as wind, snow, hail, rain, haze, fog, eclipse, etc.
- Stable: Make sure your footing is 100 % balanced and stable. Never reach out of your arm’s length or work on an off-balance footing.
- Steep slope: Be careful while carrying your electric chainsaw over a steep slope, a water body, or uneven ground. Permanently shut your electric chainsaw off before taking it with you from one place to another. Make sure you have it by its front handle only with its bar to the rear; never carry it near your head or on your neck or shoulders.
- Distance: You must ensure that people are two tree lengths away while you are felling a tree.
- Escape route: You must always plan a clear and well-leveled escape route or exit route towards your left and right side and rearwards.
- Free of electric wires: Ensure NO electric wires or telecommunication cables are in your workplace.
- Dislodge: Make sure the low-hanging limbs of the tree that you are feeling cannot dislodge you.
- Cover: Always cover the bar of your electric chainsaw to carry it to and from your work area.
- Car: Never travel with your electric chainsaw in the passenger compartment of your car or truck.
- Rope ladder: Never use your electric chainsaw off a rope ladder.
- Alone: Never work alone in a far-flung area; make sure somebody can hear when you cry.
- Alcohol: Never consume alcohol, drugs, or sleeping pills before operating your electric chainsaw.
- Stay alert: To stay awake, take short breaks every half an hour and rest when you feel exhausted and sleepy.
- Digging: Never use your electric chainsaw bar to search hard, rocky soil.
- Thumb location: Make sure that your thumb stays firmly wrapped around the front handle of your electric chainsaw to ensure that in the event of a kickback, your hand must not slip off its front handle.
- Chain brake: You must ensure that your electric chainsaw’s chain brake works appropriately and has a rigid handguard fitted or a mitt laced to its front handle.
- Chain lubrication: Make sure your electric chainsaw’s chain is well-lubricated. You must activate the oiler and wait for the oil to appear.
- Throttle: Make sure the throttle control lockout is functioning correctly.
- Stand safely: Always keep your feet firmly planted close to the cutting position. Never try to overreach. Slightly bend both your arms for improved control of your electric chainsaw. Always position yourself to the side of the cut to minimize the risk of injury in the event of a kickback.
Remarks
To conclude this blog post, we would say that a good pair of electric chainsaw chaps can make a real difference between life and death. You should always invest in a good set of protective gear to surround yourself with an added safety layer.
We hope this blog post has given you a detailed insight into the facts associated with using chainsaw chaps. Not performing chainsaw chaps on and off ordinary work pants are cut by a breathable big saw.
And want and want the highest there is no point type a and c the policies of the employer and the industry of the employer and a big saw and over the top of meant for climbers only chainsaw chaps or pants productive achieve making uniform during the day safer bulk.
Are electric chainsaw accidents prevalent?
Yes, electric chainsaw chaps are essential for your safety. They are compatible, offering maximum protection. Stay safe while exploring the mechanics behind these crucial safety accessories.
Where can I find high-quality chainsaw chaps?
Hi Franklin, you can find high-quality chainsaw chaps at safety equipment stores or online retailers that specialize in forestry gear. Make sure to check for specific features such as cut-resistant materials and a secure fit.
What is the role of OSHA in chainsaw safety?
OSHA plays a crucial role in ensuring workplace safety, including chainsaw use. They set standards, provide guidelines, and enforce regulations to protect workers. It’s essential to follow OSHA guidelines for chainsaw safety.
Is it advisable to wear chainsaw chaps in all seasons?
Wearing chainsaw chaps in all seasons is advisable, as they work effectively with electric chainsaws. They offer crucial protection, so wear them year-round for safety.
How often should chainsaw chaps be replaced?
Chainsaw chaps are a crucial safety accessory for electric chainsaw users. Their durability depends on your usage and exposure to damage. Inspect them regularly for any signs of wear and replace as needed.
How to wash your chainsaw chaps?
Thank you for your interest in chainsaw chaps! They are compatible with electric chainsaws and provide vital protection. Stay safe while working!
How to prevent electric chainsaw accidents?
Thank you for your comment, Donald! Chainsaw chaps are indeed a crucial safety accessory for electric chainsaw users. Stay safe out there!
How do electric chainsaw accidents happen?
Hi Norma, accidents with electric chainsaws happen due to kickback and user errors. Chainsaw chaps are essential for safety, designed to stop the chain from causing severe injury. Stay safe!
Does the length of the chainsaw chaps matter in terms of protection?
Yes, the length of the chainsaw chaps does matter in terms of protection. Longer chaps provide greater coverage, increasing overall protection against chainsaw accidents. Be sure to measure your legs accurately before purchasing a pair.
Do all chainsaw chaps have the same level of protection?
Yes, all chainsaw chaps provide the same level of protection, with cut-resistant materials stopping the chain and fibers locking the chain and sprocket to protect your legs.
Are there any regulations regarding the use of chainsaw chaps in professional settings?
Yes, chainsaw chaps are compatible with electric chainsaws and essential for safety in professional settings. Remember to prioritize protection while using your electric chainsaw.
Is there any maintenance required for chainsaw chaps?
Yes, regular cleaning and repairing of small holes are required to maintain the durability and effectiveness of chainsaw chaps. Safety first!
Does the length of the chainsaw chaps matter in terms of protection?
Yes, the length of chainsaw chaps matter in terms of protection. Make sure they cover your legs from top to bottom for maximum safety.
What are chainsaw chaps, and why are they used?
Chainsaw chaps provide essential protection for electric chainsaw users, effectively stopping the chain with cut-resistant materials. Remember to measure your legs accurately for a proper fit. Stay safe!
Do chainsaw chaps work with electric chainsaws?
Yes, chainsaw chaps are compatible with electric chainsaws and provide essential protection. The cut-resistant materials in the chaps effectively stop the chain upon contact, safeguarding your legs. Stay safe!
Can chainsaw chaps protect against all types of injuries?
Chainsaw chaps are designed to protect against most injuries, but they are not foolproof. Always follow safety guidelines and use proper form when operating an electric chainsaw. Stay safe!
What are the different layers of protection in chainsaw chaps?
Thank you for your interest, Andy. Chainsaw chaps are indeed compatible with electric chainsaws, providing a crucial safety layer. Stay safe out there!
How do you measure your legs correctly to buy a pair of chainsaw chaps?
Hi Vicki, before purchasing chainsaw chaps, measure your legs from the belt loop to your bottom, around the widest part of your calf and ankle to kneecap. Consider outseam lengths for compatibility with electric chainsaws. Stay safe!
What is the history behind the development of chainsaw chaps?
Thanks for your interest! Chainsaw chaps are compatible with electric chainsaws, offering essential protection. Stay safe!
What material are the chainsaw chaps made up of?
Chainsaw chaps are typically made of cut-resistant materials like Kevlar, polyester, or ballistic nylon. These materials are vital for stopping the chainsaw chain in case of contact. Stay safe!
What do experts say about the importance of using chainsaw chaps in electric chainsaws?
Chainsaw chaps are indeed crucial for electric chainsaw safety. They function effectively by stopping the chain with cut-resistant fibers. Your safety is our priority.