It is certainly a story that I would rather not be putting on Landscape Juice at Christmas time, but it is a case that highlights the very real dangers of working with a chainsaw. ThisisLeicestershire.co.uk reports how 38 year old Alistair Green suffered a fatal wound to the neck whilst working with a chainsaw in his rear garden.
The chainsaw is believed to have kicked back and severed an artery in Mt Greens neck. The resulting blood loss was so severe that Mr Green was reported to have died before the air ambulance could get him to hospital.
A kickback occurs when the chain is momentarily 'trapped' in the cut whilst the power of the engine is maintained. this momentarily stopping of the blade tends to relax an unguarded operator. The chain is then released from the grip of the cut as the operator is least expecting it and the blade, with rotating chain, is 'kicked back' towards the operator.
Experienced chainsaw users get to know the feel, sound and pattern with which the 'personality' of their machine works.
I covered chainsaw safety back in September - read the article here
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