Serious accidents

Woodworking requires a lot of attention

A tragic accident involving a circular saw has shaken Carinthia. Serious accidents at work also occur almost daily in Carinthia's forests.

In addition to serious cutting injuries, accidents caused by pieces of wood being thrown away are among the most common injuries on circular saws. However, it is extremely rare for these to end fatally, as in the tragic accident at the weekend in Reichenau (reported by the "Krone"). "The devices have various safety features - such as a riving knife or the safety guard. The latter can deflect pieces of wood that are thrown backwards," explains Martin Huber, Deputy Head of the Forestry Training Center in Ossiach.

It can happen that pieces of wood are flung away when sawing. It is extremely rare for someone to be fatally injured.

Martin Hubert, Forstliche Ausbildungsstätte Ossiach

When working with a circular saw, the expert always recommends wearing a forestry helmet with a visor: "This can prevent serious head injuries. You should also make sure that no pieces are left on the machine."

Dangerous processing of damaged timber
Serious accidents also occur almost daily in the forests. Heavy snow, storms and the bark beetle have left behind vast quantities of damaged timber in Carinthia's forests, which urgently needs to be processed. "If you don't have the necessary knowledge and experience, it's better to leave such work to the professionals," advises Huber. Assessing dangers after storms and severe weather is not easy, even for the experts.

Anyone working in the forest should keep their specialist knowledge up to date - and they should also practise using a chainsaw regularly.

Protective clothing is a must
The right protective clothing should also be a matter of course when working with wood. Cut protection pants and special vests protect against serious injuries caused by the chainsaw. Safety shoes and a helmet with a visor are just as important. "In recent years, clothing has developed significantly, especially in terms of comfort," says Huber.