Facts and Figures about Chainsaw Injuries

• According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission there were over 28,500 chain saw injuries in 1999. More than 36% were injuries to the legs and knees.
• The average chainsaw injury requires 110 stitches and the average medical cost was $ 5,600.00 in 1989. Data according to The Davis Garvin Agency, an insurance underwriter specializing in loggers insurance. In year 2000 corresponding costs can be estimated to be over $12,000.00.
• Medical costs for chainsaw injuries based on these facts amount to about 350 million dollars per year.
• Workman's compensation costs, based on the assumption that four weeks recovery is required, can be estimated at 125 million dollars annually.
• Loss of production as well as loss of quality of life for the injured can not be adequately quantified, but may in fact represent the single largest cost.
• There are 69,000 professional loggers in the U.S.. The cost of equipping all of them with one pair of chainsaw chaps at approximately $75.00 each would result in a total annual expense of five million dollars.
• There are few situations where safety has a more immediate payback than in the logging industry.