Laundering Saw Chaps

[SawAddictedFarmer]

When the shed was on fire you had 6 departments dispatched. I assume most if not all were unmanned volunteer departments. Think about the response time. That is in no way a criticism of anyone, just the reality of the situation.

First one was here in 3 minutes. We live just outside of a tiny town and within sight of the fire station. The guy who was driving lives right next to that. The rest were all spread out they only called in other departments because they needed a lot more water. The fastest a ambulance would get out is 20 minutes. I don't plan on needing one though and I'll look into some level of chaps.

 

[IffykidMn]

First one was here in 3 minutes. We live just outside of a tiny town and within sight of the fire station. The guy who was driving lives right next to that. The rest were all spread out they only called in other departments because they needed a lot more water. The fastest a ambulance would get out is 20 minutes. I don't plan on needing one though and I'll look into some level of chaps.

Most excellent response time , most volunteer FD have at least First Responder training and 3 minutes is still 3 minutes if bleeding out not knocking any dept full time or volunteer just nature of the job.

Daytime response from volunteer FD can go up drastically as most have day jobs that takes them from the immediate area, again not knocking just stating the way that it is.

One of the other factors that goes into issuing burn permits for evening hours besides lower temps and higher humidity is volunteer depts are more likely home from their day jobs.

 

[59billy]

I used to have a job where I had to yell at people about PPE and safety in general. That makes me hyper-aware of my own safety practices. I've never had a work injury that did not stem from me being stupid or careless.

Chaps are a PITA, especially if the weather is hot, or if you're fat like me, or if your low back hates bending like mine does. But. It's still better than a cut, even a non-fatal one. And losing a leg could really wreck your love life.

 

[IffykidMn]

I used to have a job where I had to yell at people about PPE and safety in general. That makes me hyper-aware of my own safety practices. I've never had a work injury that did not stem from me being stupid or careless.

Chaps are a PITA, especially if the weather is hot, or if you're fat like me, or if your low back hates bending like mine does. But. It's still better than a cut, even a non-fatal one. And losing a leg could really wreck your love life.

I generally try to run along the lines of Pro PPE without becoming the safety police.

I find most adults respond better to hearing the pluses and minuses of PPE and deciding for themselves rather than being told what they should do.

Having had numerous after the fact conversations with people who have cut themselves including numerous pro loggers 100% had wished they had been wearing PPE.

 

[Philbert]

I used to have a job where I had to yell at people about PPE and safety in general. That makes me hyper-aware of my own safety practices.

I generally try to run along the lines of Pro PPE without becoming the safety police.

I teach chainsaw safety to volunteers.

Sometimes, I’m more worried about someone snapping a photo of me running a saw without chaps than I am about potential injury.

That’s why it’s nice to have a pair of basic, lightweight, apron chaps (belt + 2 straps per leg), for quick, low risk tasks, in addition to heavier, more protective, wrap chaps, for more substantial cutting.

Philbert

 

[IffykidMn]

I teach chainsaw to volunteers.

Sometimes, I’m more worried about someone snapping a photo of me running a saw without chaps than I am about potential injury.

That’s why it’s nice to have a pair of basic, lightweight, apron chaps (belt + 2 straps per leg), for quick, low risk tasks, in addition to heavier, more protective, wrap chaps, for more substantial cutting.

Philbert

Guilty at times myself better leading by example.

 

[bwalker]

I use to soak mine in a bucket of simple green and water, then spray off with a garden hose

 

[bwalker]

When I was logging I didnt wear chaps or inserts except in the winter. I had a few close calls and nicked my leg slightly.
Some years later after I had stopped logging my dad and I were clearing a piece of property of small aspen. My dad proceeded to cut the hell out of the inside of his lower leg. After that I became a little more dillegent with wearing chaps.
For those who have never seen a chainsaw wound you might be suprised by how much it bleeds and how fast. A saw chain cuts a kerf so its not like a knife cut at all.