At the end of this comprehensive course in safe and efficient chainsaw use, participants will know how to effectively handle, maintain and sharpen their chainsaw as well as receive basic felling and limbing technique information under a variety of conditions. They will also know how to identify and deal appropriately with a variety of hazardous conditions associated with professional chainsaw operation.
The four course modules consist of: Chainsaw Sharpening and Maintenance; Safe Chainsaw Handling; Felling and Limbing; and Field Practice.
Moving from the classroom to the woodlot, participants will practise the principles of how to sharpen, maintain and operate a chainsaw competently. Building their skills through supervised practice in actual felling and limbing operations, they will also learn the best way to hold, start and handle a chainsaw.
Intended Audience: The course elements, modules and adapted areas of the training and curriculum are useful for safe chainsaw operation training of operators who are not employed in logging. This course does not meet the pre-employment classroom training requirements for the logging industry.
Equipment Required by Participants:
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Forestry headset (CSA-approved hardhat, ear plugs and/or ear muffs, and face screen)
- CSA-approved safety glasses (with side shields)
- Chainsaw gloves/mitts
- Chainsaw pants/chaps
- CSA-approved protective footwear with chainsaw cut protection
- Reflective vest (or similar high-visibility garb)
- Chainsaw (ensure chainsaw is purged of fuel for classroom portion)
- Size and type appropriate for the work normally performed
- properly sharpened, maintained and ready to work in full compliance with requirements of applicable legislation, with owner's manual (if possible)
- For field session, participants will require chain oil and mixed gas as per the owner's manual
Sharpening and maintenance tools
- Combination tool
- Correct size round file with handle
- Filing guide
- Depth gauge tool
- Flat file with handle
- Small screwdriver (to fit carburetor adjustment screws)
- Chainsaw grease gun, rag
- Spark plug gap tool, wire brush, emery paper
- Chain owner's manual
- Felling aids (wedges, axe/hatchet, felling bar -optional)
- Participant Manual
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Forestry headset (CSA-approved hardhat, ear plugs and/or ear muffs, and face screen)
- CSA-approved safety glasses (with side shields)
- Chainsaw gloves/mitts
- Chainsaw pants/chaps
- CSA-approved protective footwear with chainsaw cut protection
- Reflective vest (or similar high-visibility garb)
- Chainsaw (ensure chainsaw is purged of fuel for classroom portion)
- Size and type appropriate for the work normally performed
- properly sharpened, maintained and ready to work in full compliance with requirements of applicable legislation, with owner's manual (if possible)
- For field session, participants will require chain oil and mixed gas as per the owner's manual
Sharpening and maintenance tools
- Combination tool
- Correct size round file with handle
- Filing guide
- Depth gauge tool
- Flat file with handle
- Small screwdriver (to fit carburetor adjustment screws)
- Chainsaw grease gun, rag
- Spark plug gap tool, wire brush, emery paper
- Chain owner's manual
- Felling aids (wedges, axe/hatchet, felling bar -optional)