Course Information

Chainsaw Safety, Cutting, & Technical Tree Felling

Chainsaw Safety and Ergonomics

• Integrated risk assessment, work planning and communication
• Safe work distances from operators
• Safety apparel, helmets, eye-wear, foot-wear and ear protection
• PPE inspection
• Minimum first aid training and supplies needed
• Emergency response protocols
• Who does what role in an emergency? 
• Fire Prevention and Emergency Preparedness

Chainsaw Design, Selection, Feature Benefits and Starting

• History and development of the modern chainsaw and chain
• 5 Safety features of the modern chainsaw
• 2 types of kick back and how it occurs
• 4 reactive forces of a chainsaw bar
• Three point contact starting, ground start and leg-lock
• Proper work positioning

Chainsaw Maintenance

• Daily, weekly, monthly maintenance practices
• Air filter maintenance
• Checking the spark plug
• Choosing the right fuel
• Inspection and field repair of recoil
• Cutter tooth sharpening, depth gauge filing, files and guides
• Cutter bar edging, dressing & cleaning
• Life expectancy and replacement of wear parts

Limbing and Bucking

• Wedges
• Compression, tension and avoiding bar pinch
• Mis match cuts 
• Spring poles and accordion cuts
• Body positioning/ avoiding rollover injury

Technical Cutting

• Face notches, back cuts and hinge wood
• Types of notches
• The right notch for the right tree
• Felling sites and operator positioning
• Maximizing hinge performance and control
• Setting a hinge for control to the ground
• Bore cutting, reactive forces and kickback

Technical Felling

• Systematic 5 step work planning and variable reduction strategies
• Tree and site assessment, height, hazards, obstacles and weather
• Inner and outer perimeter survey
• Bio-mass lean evaluation, 
• Escape route 
• The 5-15-90 rule
• Wood fiber analysis and developing the hinge

Ropes, Knots and Mechanical Advantage

• Throw line, the "Big-Shot" and pull lines
• Correct rope height and angle for maximum leverage
• Safe use and loading of pull lines, bending moment and leverage
• Knots, hitches and prussic
• Tools and configurations for MA
• Reeving mechanical advantage and calculating input & output force
• Felling wedges and understanding lift