Took a chainsaw safety class in Portland that changed my whole approach

I always thought I knew enough about chainsaw safety after 10 years on the job. But last month I took a class at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry put on by a local arborist group. The instructor showed us a video of a kickback that happened in under a second and it finally clicked why my old grip was risky. Now I always keep my thumbs wrapped and my stance wider. Has anyone else taken a class that made them rethink their everyday habits?

3 comments

3 Comments

price.ben1mo ago

I was the same way, figured experience was enough. Seeing that slow-mo kickback video was a real wake-up call. Now I can't even hold the saw the old way without feeling dumb.

riverdavis1mo ago

Ever see something that makes you question your whole routine? That video sounds like it really got to you, @price.ben. It's wild how one clip can change your whole muscle memory like that.

thomas_sanchez1mo ago

Yeah, it happens to the best of us. I had to re-learn my entire grip on the router after a safety demo. The key is to just commit to the new method for a full week, even if it feels wrong.