Sawing Is the Most Dangerous Activity During Spring Outdoor Work

Many people will use the Easter holiday to tackle yard, garden, and household chores. Data compiled by the insurance company “BTA Baltic Insurance Company” (hereinafter – BTA) shows that in 39% of cases, accidents during typical spring outdoor work occur while sawing. Injuries are also sustained while repairing homes or equipment, working in the garden, and using a hammer. “As the weather warms up, many people rush to tidy up their surroundings and carry out repairs, but it is precisely in these seemingly routine tasks that people often underestimate the risks. A single careless movement or moment of inattention is enough to cause an injury that affects both health and income stability, as well as daily plans,” says Ivo Danče, Director of the Claims Department at BTA Insurance. 

Data compiled by BTA shows that the number of injuries sustained in March, April, and May has remained consistently high over the past three years, while the most common injuries include various sprains, soft tissue contusions, finger fractures, lacerations requiring stitches, as well as injuries to the hands, feet, and joints. 

The Most Dangerous Spring Activity – Sawing 

Sawing is the riskiest spring activity—it accounts for 39% of the accident insurance claims filed with BTA over the past three years for injuries sustained during spring work. Accidents most often occur while preparing firewood, pruning tree branches, and trimming shrubs. During such work, people frequently cut their hands, palms, or fingers, and also injure their legs. 

For example, in one of the reported claims, a person cut their hand while sawing branches in their backyard garden; in another, the saw bounced and struck the radius bone. In yet another case, while sawing firewood at home, a person suffered a serious injury to the lower leg. Meanwhile, one of the most serious accidents occurred in Augšdaugava County, where, while cutting firewood in the forest, a tree fell on a person’s head, causing serious injuries, and the insurance compensation paid by BTA reached 1,500 euros. 

“Sawing may seem like a routine household task to many, but in practice we see that in these accidents people sustain deep lacerations on their hands and legs, and in the most severe cases, injuries are also caused by falling trees or branches. It should be noted that in these accidents, the losses may not be limited to medical expenses for treatment—they can also include loss of earning capacity, lost income, the need to adapt the home environment, and hiring a caregiver during treatment, among other expenses. In other words, any injury can seriously impact daily life and result in a series of expenses that must be covered out of pocket if there is no insurance,” notes Ivo Danče. 

He adds that although injuries sustained while sawing are generally minor, it is always essential to critically assess your skills, follow safety rules, use protective gear, and not overestimate your ability to handle serious tasks involving the felling of large trees, entrusting them instead to experienced arborists. 

In gardening, people get hit in the eye by a shovel handle, while during home repairs, they fall from scaffolding 

In addition to sawing in the spring, people often get injured while working in the garden, especially when carrying heavy loads, digging, and using a wheelbarrow. For example, while transporting soil with a wheelbarrow, the handle broke, striking the person in the face and injuring their eye. In several cases, people have injured their wrists, arms, and backs due to clumsy movements while digging or moving heavy objects. Similarly, a man’s attempt to renovate his home’s facade ended very badly, resulting in injuries sustained when he fell from the scaffolding. In this case, the insurance compensation paid by BTA amounted to 500 euros. 

Injuries also occur while performing repairs on the farm and at home, working with a hammer, and fixing equipment. It is precisely during these moments that fingers are most often crushed or broken, hands cut, and feet, knees, or backs injured. For example, in one of the claims filed with BTA, a person, while performing home repairs, crushed a finger so severely between heavy objects that the tip had to be amputated. In another situation, while repairing a tractor-loader, one of the fasteners snapped, causing the manure fork to pierce the mechanic’s hand. 

“Accidents cannot be predicted, but you can prepare for them, especially if a person is able to assess potential risks in line with their lifestyle. For example, if you have a large property where you regularly perform farm work, tend the garden, and also do repairs—the risk of injury will always be present. “That is why accident insurance is one way to ensure that, in the event of an injury, the financial impact is minimized,” explains Ivo Danče.