AGR4208 - Chainsaw Safety/Field Maintenance and Tree Felling Program
Course Description
The program has been divided into modules that are designed to effectively address each of the key
knowledge and skill areas, as follows:
Chain saw safety and field maintenance: Basic course that covers basic chain saw operation,
maintenance and cutting. Modules include:
a. Choosing the right chain saw;
b. Chain saw safety features;
c. American National Standard (ANSI) Z133.1 Safety Requirements;
d. First aid supplies required for chain saw use;
e. Selection, use and care of Personal Protective Equipment;
f. Chain saw care and maintenance toolkit;
g. Proper, safe transport and storage;
h. Inspection, field care and maintenance, including importance of proper fuel mix and bar oil;
i. Chain tension and sharpening;
j. Proper starting procedures: ground and leg lock;
k. Safe operation practices and procedures, including avoiding kickback; and
l. Proper cutting techniques: stance, top cut, undercut, kickback prevention.
Tree felling: Basic tree felling requirements and practices. Must have successfully completed
basic chain saw safety and field maintenance before taking this course. Modules include:
a. OSHA 1910.266(h)(2) Manual Felling;
b. ANSI Z133.1;
c. Work Planning - Site and tree inspection, and tools and equipment;
d. Felling techniques (notches, hinges, plunge cuts, and back-cuts);
e. Avoiding and addressing felling challenges (lean, hang, barber chair);
f. Limbing and bucking; and
g. Special considerations for felling dead trees.
Prerequisites
In order to effectively, efficiently and safely participate in the program, each student must possess the appropriate tools, equipment and materials and be prepared to use them properly. All tools and equipment must be compliant with all OSHA and ANSI requirements and be in reasonable working condition. The minimum tools, equipment and materials that must be in the possession of each student are as follows:• Head protection Hard hat);
• Hearing protection;
• Protective glasses;
• Gloves (leather);
• Heavy work boots (preferably with steel toes);
• Properly fitting work clothing (long work pants, long or short-sleeved shirt);
• Chain saw protective leg chaps (one pair of chaps may be shared between two students);
• Chain saw that student normally uses to conduct work (one chain saw may be shared between two students);
• Chain saw owner’s manual;
• Chain saw tool kit for each chain saw including rags, brushes, and scrench (or alternative wrench and screwdriver) to open and maintain chain saw; and
• Chain sharpening tools for each chain saw.
If tree felling is conducted, it is recommended that each 2-person crew possess at least 1 rigging rope (>/= 1⁄2” diameter and 120’ long), a throwline with at least 1 - 10 to 12 ounce throwing weight, 2 felling wedges and a single bit axe.