Factors Influencing the Effective Life of Chainsaw Protective Legwear
Authors
Mark J. M. Sullman
Liro Limited, Rotorua, New Zealand
Abstract
In 1983, chainsaw cuts to the leg accounted for 29% of all reported lost time accidents in the New Zealand logging industry. The introduction of protective legwear reduced this figure to 8% in 1986. Since this time chainsaw cuts to the leg have continued to account for more than 5% of all injuries. There were several possible explanations for this failure to eliminate chainsaw cuts to the leg, including the deterioration of the protective legwear over time. Therefore, two research projects were established. The first attempted to find out how long the legwear was able to protect the user at the level required by the New Zealand Standard. This research found that the legwear failed after 6 months use by loggers working in New Zealand plantation forests. The second project was established to determine which factors caused the deterioration of the legwear's protective properties. This project found that exposure to even small quantities of oil resulted in the legwear comprehensively failing the New Zealand Standards test.
