Accident analysis during the chainsaw use: prevention and protection measures to reduce injuries

The chainsaw is a widely-used tool in agriculture, in forestry as well as for professional and hobby-related purposes. This article has the aim to highlight the state of injuries both for professional and domestic uses. As far as its methodologies are concerned, this study analyses and compares several data (including domestic data, statistical data, non-conventional data as well as news stories documenting chainsaw-related injuries). Our results are going to define and emphasise two key points: 40% of injuries are either serious or mortal, causing an average of 40 days of prognosis and permanent disabilities (including finger and toe amputation). Furthermore, it is confirmed that the operator’s head is the most exposed area of the body and is often correlated with the death of the operator. (Death is often due to collision against the chainsaw blade, facial traumas as well as sudden contact with sharp parts of the plant). In conclusion, this article develops and proposes a fast-running software tool for evaluating competences both in forestry and in hobby-related matters. This software tool can be seen as a propaedeutic tool for risk management, both for professional and domestic uses.