Description:
It is a fact that felling trees is one of the most life-threatening activities any worker can perform. This course is designed to educate anyone who operates a chainsaw about tree felling procedures used in an environment that has restricted access, with both targets and obstacles within the drop zone. Chainsaw safety, maintenance, use, and handling are core components of this course. You will learn how to gather the necessary data to develop a safe tree felling plan which will allow you to fell a tree with both accuracy and precision, by avoiding obstacles and, assessing risks and hazards. This course also covers systematic limbing and bucking procedures, methods for dealing with spring poles, and understanding compression and tension forces. This course will educate learners about the theory and practical application of notches and back cuts and how the methodology affects the success of accurate tree felling. Also, participants will have the opportunity to practice notches and back cuts in a “hands on” setting. Participants will gain an understanding in what contributes to accidents and how to avoid them. There is a strong focus on personal safety, risk assessment, and accident prevention. Training workers in developing skills that reduce variables and mitigate risks associated with chainsaws, tree felling, in high-risk environments is the general theme of this course.
Applicable Standards: This course meets the ANSI / ASSE Z490.1 Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety Health and Environmental Training as well as OSHA 1910.266 and ANSI Z133.
Eligibility Recommendations: Inexperienced chainsaw operators and/or experienced operators who require updated training in the following components.
Tree Felling Risk Management, Emergency Planning, and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
• Integrated risk assessment, work planning and communication
• Safety apparel, helmets, eye-wear, foot-wear and ear protection
• Fire prevention and emergency preparedness
Chainsaw Safety, Starting, and Operations
• Safety features of the modern chainsaw
• Two-point contact starting, ground start and leg-lock
• Chainsaw operation including body and hand positioning and chain brake use • Ergonomics, Muscle Skeletal Disorders (MSDs), and exercises
Technical Tree Felling and the Six-Step Felling Plan
• Systematic work planning and variable reduction strategies
• Tree and site assessment, height, hazards, obstacles, and weather
• Bio-mass lean evaluation, escape route, and the 5-15-90 rule
• Wood fiber analysis and developing the hinge plan
Technical Cutting
• Face notches, back cuts and hinge wood
• Felling sights and operator positioning
• Maximizing hinge performance and control
• Bore cutting, reactive forces, and kickback
Limbing and Bucking
• Bucking wedges, cant hooks, tongs, and clamps
• Compression, tension, and avoiding bar pinch
• Limbing and bucking techniques and methods
• Spring poles, tab cuts, and accordion cuts
Overcoming Back Lean Using Mechanical Advantage Systems
• Throw line, the ‘Big-Shot’, installation, and loading of pull lines
• Felling wedges and understanding lift, bending moment, and leverage
• Ropes, slings, knots, hitches, and Prusiks
• Prusik minding pulleys (P.M.P.’s), slings, and connecting links
• Reeving mechanical advantage and calculating input and output force
Chainsaw Maintenance
• Daily, weekly, monthly maintenance practices, fuels, and lubricants
• Air cleaner maintenance and chain tensioning
• Cutter tooth sharpening, depth gauge filing, files, and guides
• Cutter bar edging, dressing, cleaning and leveling
• Drive sprocket and needle bearing maintenance
• Spark plug and carburetor performance assessment techniques