I just referred back and the story has been updated.
Besides being more gruesome now than I recall when I
first read it, it implies he wasn't using the saw at
the time, but was climbing down the ladder.

Indeed. It seems like a genuine unfortunate accident, as even with a proper
work platform, you'll probably have to climb up and down a ladder with your
tools.

However one must assume that the circular saw had a defective blade guard
and I'm amazed just what damage a stationary circ blade can do.

Christian.