> The idea is attractive as a paradox but it is beyond absurd to consider in practice - in fact it is barbaric.

Agreed, it would definitely be barbaric when it comes to contemporary forestry or other industrial environments. It can be, though, that since those 1980s-or-so workers couldn't even imagine getting a pair of extra safe logging boots, they were somehow (subconsciously?) more attentive about their bodily coordination and movements during chainsaw work. Because of the laymans' boots, there was absolutely no way you could allow yourself to saw towards your feet, for example. These days, you should never do it, but when it happens, you'll probably get away with a fright thanks to the protective footwear.

In other words, to a considerable extent, maybe humans do adapt themselves to the safety level they have at hand -- or what they could have in theory?

That said, using a chainsaw these days without protective boots would surely be really silly to my mind (why take the risk when these boots exist and are easily available). I don't think anybody who's serious really does this either.

Thanks for pointing the discussion to survivorship bias in this regard, though. You got me.