Chain saw safety course. Chain saw safety course

The Best Chainsaw Safety And Training Courses: Online And In Person

Chainsaw safety is paramount, and taking a chainsaw safety course is wise for both newbies and those who have been using saws for some time.

I’ll admit to never having taken an official chainsaw course, but I have worked alongside and learned from some very experienced chainsaw users. Taking a comprehensive course is still on my to-do list.

The benefit of taking a course is that you can cover things systematically, as opposed to just picking things up here and there. You don’t know what you might have missed with the latter.

Chainsaw Safety Training Near Me

Chainsaw accidents are quite common, and so the best thing to do is take an in-person local chainsaw training.

Just search ‘chainsaw certification class near me’ or ‘chainsaw training near me’ and you will likely find some options.

If nothing pops up, check in at your local chainsaw dealer. If you live near a STIHL shop, for example, it’s likely they run chainsaw training regularly.

I live rurally, but have a city of 100,000 people about half an hour away. There are at least 3 STIHL dealers within 45 minutes of my home, and dozens of other non-STIHL chainsaw dealers within the same distance.

When I search for chainsaw training, a range of options show up:

• A course for experienced chainsaw users – those wanting to advance to the next level
• Forestry training certificates – for those wanting to go into the industry
• A beginners course – learn to confidently operate a chainsaw while minimizing risks and hazards

They range in scope from a full-time course over a number of months to single day, or even evening courses. I’ve now got my eye on the perfect course for my level!

Online Chainsaw Training

For some of you, going to a course in person is not possible.

Taking an online chainsaw training is the next best thing – though it is definitely second best!

There’s so much you miss by not being able to ask questions and interact with an actual chainsaw instructor. Being able to watch someone in person use a chainsaw is a far superior learning experience.

Safe Training North America

Safe Training North America is one example of an online chainsaw safety and training course.

This company runs an OSHA-compliant course that focuses on the safe use and maintenance of a chainsaw.

It is s a very short 60-minute course that covers:

• Safety requirements when handling a chainsaw
• PPE requirements
• Anatomy of a chainsaw
• Mechanics of the chainsaw
• Inspection of the chainsaw before use
• The proper method of felling trees
• Different cutting techniques
• The main hazards associated with chainsaws

This chainsaw course is followed by a test in which you must score 80% or above to pass. A certificate of completion is awarded to those who do so.

Chainsaw Recovery, Maintenance, And Safety Course

Udemy has a chainsaw safety class on the platform.

This course includes 4 hours of content over 4 sessions and has been well-reviewed by those who have taken it. The course not only covers chainsaw safety but includes other important areas as well.

• PPE and chainsaw safety features
• Tool selection and prep for maintenance
• Maintenance and cleaning
• Chain sharpening (a good chainsaw sharpener can help)

This is a beginner online safety course taught by John Russel who has a broad scope of experience and certification in using chainsaws. It’s not free, but at around 20 it’s not going to break the bank!

Cornell University

Cornell University, yes the very alma mater of my man Andy Bernard, has a selection of helpful chainsaw safety PDFs.

It’s not a course, per se (to carry on the Latin theme), but they are nonetheless comprehensive and offer sound advice.

The PDF chainsaw guides are on the topics of:

• Chainsaw safety for homeowners
• Selecting and maintaining a chainsaw
• Safe timber harvesting
• Working safely with a chainsaw
• Safe chainsaw techniques

These chainsaw safety resources shouldn’t take the place of in-person or video training courses, but they are a valuable addition to them.

The University of Kentucky has a 3-day chainsaw safety training course that looks very good for those who are in the area.

Leavitt Machinery

Leavitt Machinery also has online training in chainsaw safety.

This course is around 75 minutes long and intends to teach a healthy respect for chainsaws.

They use chainsaw demonstrations, diagrams, and interactive activities to show how to most safely and effectively use a chainsaw.

• Chainsaw components and safety features
• Different types of chainsaws (for example, mini chainsaws and logging chainsaws)
• Physical and site preparation for chainsaw use
• PPE safety requirements for using a chainsaw (good chainsaw chaps are essential)
• Assessing, identifying, and controlling hazards
• What to check for before using a chainsaw
• Best chainsaw start-up methods
• Different cutting techniques and best practices
• Maintenance after using a chainsaw
• How to safely sharpen a chain

Similar to other courses, you will need to score at least 80% on a test after viewing the course in order to pass and receive a certificate of completion.

On-Site Training

Some companies are able to come on-site to train in the safe use of chainsaws.

These chainsaw professionals are mostly targeting those who are in the forestry or arboreal industry. It’s about teaching staff new skills and/or refreshing them on everything they’ve forgotten.

FISTA Safety Training

Fista, the Forest Industry And Training Alliance also offers chainsaw safety training.

There are courses for beginners to advanced, but they are focusing more on those who are looking to get into the forestry industry, rather than home use.

This company will come and provide hands-on training with each participant and customizes the content for the class.

They can do training in advanced cutting techniques and in how to deal with hazardous situations.

Ohio Forest CSAW

The CSAW program run by the Ohio Forestry Association is one example of another in-person chainsaw training.

They run two main classes; level one and level two. Each of these chainsaw courses runs for 8 – 16 hours in length and are exceptionally good. It’s so much more advanced than the standard online or free chainsaw courses.

• PPE requirements
• Chainsaw safety C=checklist
• Starting a chainsaw, parts, and maintenance
• Proper tree felling techniques and procedures

That last module is perhaps most interesting as it goes beyond what can be taught online.

Learn about chainsaw reactive forces, creating a pre-felling plan, how to do an open face notch, a bore cut, and all about the hinge. It even goes into felling direction considerations.

• Advancing the skills of felling trees that participants were taught in level 1
• Safest techniques for topping and limbing trees
• Dealing with the safety hazards that occur when a tree is felled

You can see there that a chainsaw safety course nearby trumps those which are online.

Free Chainsaw Safety Training

We can’t forget YouTube when it comes to chainsaw safety and training courses.

The video above is one of the best free courses on how to use a chainsaw safely. It’s part one of a two-part series taught by some very experienced and advanced chainsaw pros (part two here).

Even though it’s free, this is a good course put out by the US Agricultural Safety and Health Center.

Besides this series, YouTube is full of quality free videos on how to best and most safely use a chainsaw.

Immerse yourself in them and you will learn a lot. Be sure to listen to a variety of people so you can learn to discern the good advice from the bad!

Chainsaw Training

Hopefully, if you can’t make it to a local chainsaw class, you can learn a lot from these paid and free online courses.

Different chainsaw brands have different safety features and specs that all come into play as well. Make sure you familiarize yourself with your particular chainsaw manual in case there is something you need to know that’s unique to your saw.

Whether you have a US-made STIHL chainsaw or a Chinese-made Remington chainsaw, they are all fairly similar in their make-up.

However, as with all things chainsaws-related, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Lastly, you’ve got to check out the BaSt-Ing VinZent – it’s an item of PPE like you wouldn’t believe.

Chain saw safety course

50/person for the day. Please contact your local chainsaw shop to register. Once 10 people register then the course will be held.

Basic Chainsaw safety /technique course.

One Day Introduction – This 6-hour introductory course to basic chainsaw safety is offered in conjunction with local chainsaw shops across New Brunswick. It runs 9 am – 4 pm and covers basic chainsaw safety features, PPE, basic maintenance, basic filing, safety techniques to keep operators safe and provide a brief introduction to felling.

This course cost is 50 per student. Operators will work on their own saws, learn minimum safety clothing/devices to keep the operator safe, and basic safe operating techniques through hands-on learning. Contact your local chainsaw shop and register for our spring or fall courses today. Due to the short training window, no certification is offered for this course, but it is designed for first-time chainsaw owners and is targeted entirely to prevention and safety

Please contact and register with your local chainsaw shop. There needs to be a minimum of 10 people to do a course.

450/person (No HST) for 2 days of chainsaw safety and training. Please contact Rod below to register. Once 6 people have registered, dates will be set and you’ll be contacted with more specifics.

Basic PLUS Chainsaw safety technique training course

Two day Safety course – this course covers not only the safety basics and applicable regulations for employees and employers, it is a two full-days of practical, hands-on learning of maintenance, filing, knotching, limbing and directional felling techniques to keep the operator safe while learning how to assess a tree for directional felling.

Day one is spent in the classroom and covers all chainsaw maintenance, filing a chainsaw (most requested component).

Day two is entirely out-of-doors making knotches, backcuts, limbing, boring cuts and directional felling trees. This course is 450. Saws and safety gear can be rented if the student does not have all required PPE.

500/person for a full 2 days of everything in Basic PLUS but with Advanced felling techniques and more…

Advanced Chainsaw training course

This course is everything that is in the Basic PLUS course but with the added following:

Meet the instructor

Rod is a graduate forester from UNB (BScF 1990) and has trained hundreds of chainsaw operators over the past 35 years.

Rod was initially certified as a chainsaw safety instructor through UNB’s Continuing Education Department in 1986. He has taught at the University of NB and the Maritime College of Forest Technology’s certified training courses.

Rod’s natural ability to train students with passion and knowledge makes hands-on learning enjoyable while at the same time ensuring operators are safe, efficient and productive.

Rod is also a climber. He climbs for his personal urban tree business where he operates and maintains a fleet of Echo, STIHL and Husqvarna chainsaws from 25 – 100 cc’s. Rod also competes at STIHL Timbersports competitions locally and nationally. And he coaches the STIHL Canadian Rookie Champion to the World Championships. Here they have won 2 gold and 1 bronze medal the past 6 years.

His practical experience, approachability and enthusiasm make him a highly sought after instructor on chainsaw safety, particularly because he continues to operate a chainsaw daily at his business and in competition.

Rod continues with his passion of seeing safe chainsaw operators run chainsaws efficiently and safely with his Company – East Coast Lumberjack. He has partnered with Mark Coldwell, Executive Director of the Association of Safety and Health Consultants and trainers Inc. (ASHCAT). Together, they deliver a state-of-the-art safety courses in a one and two day format. This better serve the needs and demands of chainsaw enthusiasts. From occasional users to full time arborists and loggers.

Chainsaw Safety: A Guide to Training, Hazards, and Inspections

Chainsaws are one of the most frequently used power tools on the market. They’re also one of the most dangerous because chainsaw safety is incredibly complicated.

Each year, 36,000 people in the U.S. seek emergency help for chainsaw-related injuries. And a far greater number of people have close calls. Because even chainsaw experts, like professional arborists or lumberjack champions, can and do experience chainsaw hazards that threaten their lives.

This chainsaw safety guide is a helpful tool for utility workers, agricultural workers, arborists, or even those using chainsaws for one-off tasks at home. In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

• OSHA Chainsaw Training Requirements
• Dangerous Chainsaw Hazards
• Required Chainsaw PPE
• Chainsaw Do’s and Dont’s
• Chainsaw Inspections

How Dangerous Are Chainsaws, Really?

Chainsaws are an incredibly common power tool used across several hazardous industries. And you likely have one at home for occasional use. However, they’re also a tool that is too often underestimated. The hazards associated with a chainsaw are both numerous, and each hazard has the potential to be fatal, even if you manage every other risk well.

To illustrate, let’s take a look at an OSHA recordable fatality from the Christmas holiday period in 2000. The OSHA Accident Report Detail says:

• Three employees were trimming trees on a December day.
• One of the employees was inside a utility truck bucket cutting a 20-ft long limb from a 75-ft high tree. He was not wearing fall protection.
• Two other employees stood on the ground holding a rope tied to the limb.
• The employee in the bucket saw the limb lean towards him and asked the ground workers to hold the rope tighter.
• The limb leaned away from the tree and hit one of the workers on the ground. The limb also hit the boom of the truck, and the employee fell out of the bucket. He died at the scene of the accident.

In this case, everything that could go wrong did. And a man died three days before Christmas.

These cases show why it’s so important to not only provide dedicated chainsaw operator training but to regularly train teams on potential hazards that come with chainsaw operations.

In other words, it’s not just about the power tool itself. Your ability to stay safe while operating a chainsaw requires excellent planning and a full risk assessment of the potential knock-on effects that can come from chainsaw work, especially the impact of something going wrong.

What are the OSHA Requirements for Chainsaw Training Safety?

Tree care (excluding logging) falls under the General Industry Standards (29 CFR 1910). According to OSHA, the most relevant standards within 1910 for the industry include:

To be compliant with OSHA chainsaw training, all chainsaw operators should know how to:

• Inspect, maintain, and carry a saw
• Operate the saw correctly and safely (with special training for operating a saw within a tree)
• Identify and work safely around hazards
• Wear and inspect the PPE needed to operate the chainsaw
• Initiate emergency procedures

While it’s tempting to run training on a case-by-case basis, particularly if chainsaw use isn’t included in the daily job risks, it’s always better to go through comprehensive training prior to beginning the job. In addition, you should run regular toolbox talks to reinforce best practices, address near misses, and provide training or compliance updates as needed.

If you’re looking for OSHA chainsaw training options, consider resources such as:

There are also some great videos from the U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers for people who might use chainsaws occasionally but not as part of their day-to-day job duties:

What Are the Most Dangerous Chainsaw Hazards?

There are many hazards that can threaten even the most experienced chainsaw operators. Every chainsaw operator must identify these hazards before starting work. The most dangerous chainsaw hazards are:

• Tree or branches hitting the operator or a passer by (springback)
• Explosive tension in logs or branches (binding)
• Slip, trip, and fall hazards
• Fuel tank issues (using incorrect fuel-oil mixtures, fueling on the ground, using an unapproved container, fueling near sources of heat)
• Work at height hazards

Chainsaw Kickback

Chainsaw kickback occurs when the chainsaw jolts or jerks suddenly in an upward direction. What causes kickback on a chainsaw? According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, “Kickback occurs when the end portion of the nose of the bar (the kickback zone) strikes an object and momentarily snags or is pinched.”

It can be difficult to appreciate how dangerous kickback is until it happens to you. Here’s an example of how powerful kickback can be and an explanation of just how dangerous it is:

In the video, he explains that if it wasn’t for the tree, the power of the kickback would have sent the saw 180 degrees and hit him while the saw was running. In other words, the tree prevented him for experiencing a serious, or even fatal, injury.

• Low engine speeds
• Overreaching and cutting above chest height
• Failure to maintain the chainsaw according to manufacturer’s instructions
• Incorrect replacement of chains and guidebars

Why is kickback so dangerous? When kickback occurs, the blade tip can move upward and go as far back towards the chainsaw operator. If you’re holding the chainsaw and the blade tip hits you, then you could become seriously injured. Most chainsaw fatalities happen as a result of kickback.

You can prevent chainsaw kickback with thorough chainsaw training and refresher training for operators as well as the use of safety tips to cover the nose of the bar (the kickback zone).

Vibration Disease

Vibration disease (or white finger syndrome or hand-arm vibration syndrome) is an ergonomic hazard that every operator and employer should take seriously. The disease occurs as a result of the vibration of hand-held power tools, especially chainsaws. Some experts believe that it’s not only the most common neuromuscular disorder in environments like construction and forestry but also the most underappreciated. Once vibration disease fully develops, it’s irreversible.

Hearing Loss

The noise made by chainsaw operation is a huge hazard for operators. Although it may seem minor for occasional users, CDC data shows that noise-exposed workers in Forestry and Logging had a higher percentage of hearing loss than every other industry with noise exposure combined.

Wearing hearing protection is important as is installing mufflers and silencers on equipment. Ensuring all tools are well-maintained and reducing exposure time are also vital for protecting hearing.

Remember that hearing loss isn’t only caused by noise. Vibration disease can also impact hearing, possibly through changes to the blood flow as it travels through your inner ear. So, wearing the correct PPE is imperative because there is an overlap between these two high-risk hazards.

CO Poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is another underappreciated hazard among arborists, forestry workers, and farmworkers. Small gasoline-powered engines emit a dangerous amount of carbon monoxide and are particularly dangerous for loggers. Data from a NIOSH study shows loggers experience twice the CO exposure compared to workers who also perform limbing and other operations.

Unfortunately, CO is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. It’s also deadly, even in small amounts. The CDC provides an example of a farmer who died of CO poisoning after working only 30 minutes indoors with a gasoline-powered pressure washer.

Working outside will not necessarily protect operators from CO poisoning. In situations where the dispersal of exhaust fumes is hindered by another factor, fumes can still build up and threaten the operator and those in the immediate vicinity.

Electrical Hazards

Electrical hazards can come in several forms. While electric chainsaws aren’t often used outside of domestic use, like pruning and cutting trees, they still pose a danger; any electric chainsaw comes with the risk of electric shock and electrical fires. You should always inspect the cord, plug, and socket for burn marks or arcing and you should only use an appropriate extension cord and a socket with an RCD (residual current device).

The other electrical hazards for gas-powered chainsaws relate to falling branches or trees and the risk of contact with power lines. Before operating near a power line, you must verify that the line has been de-energized.

What PPE Do You Need to Operate a Chainsaw?

Chainsaw PPE includes six components. For safety and OSHA compliance, you must wear:

• Protective gloves
• Hard hat (head protection)
• Safety glasses (eye protection)
• Steel-toed boots
• Hearing Protective Equipment
• Leg protection (kevlar leg chaps, either internal or external)

The operator’s clothes should fit neatly. You don’t want any sleeves or trousers flapping in the wind as these can become a hazard in an accident.

If you’re working in a tree or off the ground, you will also wear fall protection as required. Working at height requires its own risk assessment and should be considered for when you’re planning the job.

Do you always need to wear the full set of chainsaw PPE, even for a quick job?

Wearing the right PPE can seem cumbersome for people who operate chainsaws regularly or even just for a short job. However, chainsaws are so powerful that there’s no level of experience that can protect you from these hazards. Just look at this Champion lumberjack who nearly experienced a serious leg injury during a competition — if it weren’t for his chaps.

How to Use a Chainsaw Safely: A Guide to Chainsaw Techniques and Ergonomics

Learning how to use a chainsaw safely will help avoid operator error and potentially fatal incidents. OSHA also requires that anyone who uses a chainsaw must learn how to use it correctly and understand the hazards before they are allowed to take on into the field.

The first rule of chainsaw operation is to always follow the manufacturers’ instructions. After that, competent operators can follow these steps for a safe work environment.

Complete a Work Plan or Risk Assessment

Before even picking up the chainsaw, every operator should run a risk assessment and complete a work plan for the job to be done. The process should identify and document any key risks, including the risks associated with the chainsaw and its use.

For example, if the job involves trimming branches and working at height, be sure to account for the potential of a branch to hit the worker on the ground as well as any possibility that the worker may fall.

Chainsaw Risk Assessment Example

Risk	Potential Harm	Risk Severity	Action
Chainsaw wounds	OperatorsParticipantsSpectators	Medium	Provide training for competency; Wear full PPE as provided by safety management plan; Replace chain cover and apply the brake when saw is not in use
Burns	OperatorsParticipantsSpectators	Medium	Wear gloves and chaps; allow the machine to cool before inspecting, refueling, or re-starting
Eye injuries	OperatorsParticipantsSpectators	Medium	Wear eye protection
Noise	OperatorsParticipantsSpectators	High	Wear hearing protection
Falling limbs branches	OperatorsParticipantsSpectators	Medium	Complete work plan to assess the potential of falling branches; wear PPE in the vicinity

An example of a chainsaw risk assessment to perform prior to starting a job

Part of the work plan should always include spotting hazards around the work area and eliminating them where possible. You need to clear everything away that you don’t intend to cut and remove any potential trip and fall hazards. It’s also vital to ensure you have a retreat pathway available to you.

Start the Chainsaw Safely

Your chosen OSHA chainsaw training will cover how to start the chainsaw safely. This is an often-overlooked part of chainsaw operations. There are several methods for starting the chainsaw, but the golden rule is: never drop-start the chainsaw.

You can get step-by-step instructions for starting a chainsaw from:

• Keep the saw away from your body and anything you don’t intend to cut.
• Avoid contact with any object as the chainsaw starts.
• Cover the guide bar when the motor stops.
• Always turn off the engine before putting the chainsaw back down.

Hold the Chainsaw Correctly

The way you hold a chainsaw will determine how you manage the remaining hazards that you haven’t eliminated through the hierarchy of controls.

You should hold the chainsaw with your right hand on the rear handle and your left hand on the front handle. Operators should use a firm grip to hold the saw securely. However, you should take extra care not to hold on for dear life: if your grip is too tight, you amplify your risk of vibration disease, which is painful and irreversible, even if you wear the correct gloves.

There are four golden rules for chainsaw operation:

• Hold the chainsaw with two hands. No exceptions.
• Stand to the side of the chainsaw. Never rest it on your leg.
• Keep the saw parallel to the ground when cutting.
• Carry the chainsaw with the guide bar pointed to the rear, so the blade drops off behind you.

When you put the chainsaw down, always keep it on a level surface.

Cut Safely

You’re ready to work. Your plan of action will dictate how and where you cut. However, there are general rules to follow:

• Don’t cut anything above mid-chest height.
• Make sure you don’t cut a tree where the diameter is greater than the length of the blade.
• Always work with a companion.
• If you get tired, stop work. When you’re tired, you can lose your concentration and grip, resulting in a severe incident.

Remember that the size of the tree isn’t fully indicative of how dangerous it is. Brush and small branches can cause accidents by grabbing the chain and throwing the operator off balance.

What Should You NOT Do With a Chainsaw?

There are a few things that no operator should ever do when their job involves a chainsaw. Forgetting these rules not only increases the chance of an injury but even grows the chance of a potential fatality.

Never Work Alone

Chainsaws come with many risks. Even when you complete a thorough risk assessment, you can’t control everything. Because of the increased severity of chainsaw accidents compared to other power tools or tasks, operators should never work alone.

Never Carry a Chainsaw While It’s Running

A chainsaw can cause injury anytime the blade isn’t covered. Carrying a chainsaw when it’s running puts you at risk of cutting yourself, those around you, objects, or animals in the vicinity and increases the chance of a burn.

Never Use a Chainsaw When You’re Tired

Mitigating hazards like falling branches requires your complete attention. Don’t operate a chainsaw when you’re tired, as you could lose FOCUS or find it difficult to maintain the correct grip.

Take frequent breaks when using the chainsaw and let a supervisor know if you’re struggling to concentrate.

Never Saw Above Shoulder Height

There are three very good reasons to never use a chainsaw above mid-chest or shoulder height:

• Holding a chainsaw overhead throws off your center of gravity, making it easier to lose your balance.
• Raising a chainsaw too high impedes your view. It’s much harder to see where and what you’re cutting.
• Lifting a chainsaw makes it more prone to kickback. When combined with impaired balance and vision, kickback becomes exceptionally dangerous.

Never Use Faulty Equipment

If a chainsaw inspection results in any question or doubt about the chainsaw’s maintenance, you must report it to the relevant person immediately. You should never use a chainsaw that doesn’t pass an inspection with flying colors.

How and When to Inspect a Chainsaw

Every operator should know how to inspect a chainsaw before they start the equipment. The chainsaw inspection should include the:

• Chain
• Bolts
• Brake
• Handles
• Ignition
• Clutch cover
• Fuel and oil
• Cord and plug (if electric)

If any part of the chainsaw is up for review, turn it over to the equipment manager and get a new one. Never use a chainsaw that you have any doubt about, even if it’s the only tool available. A loose chain, missing bolt, or sticky brake can land you in the hospital.

You can find free pre-operational chainsaw inspections from Northern Hire Group Chainsaw Pre-Operational Checks. Safesite users can also ask for a chainsaw inspection to be uploaded into their organization’s template library, so you can assign it to operators for completion and better manage equipment and hazards.

Chainsaw Safety is a Job that’s Never Done

The issue with chainsaw safety is that you can be the most skilled chainsaw operator in the world and still be at risk from half a dozen or more different hazards. And all of those hazards could present a severe risk to your body. As a result, it’s vital to avoid any complacency in chainsaw operations. Whether it’s suiting up with the correct chainsaw PPE or performing a chainsaw inspection or risk assessment, every step you take could be the step that prevents an injury if something goes wrong.

Are you looking for more information on OSHA training obligations? Check out How to Comply with OSHA Safety Training Standards.

Chainsaw Safety

This online Chainsaw Safety course teaches the basics of safely operating a chainsaw, in accordance with CSA Standard Z62.1-15 (R2020). which is the industry standard for chainsaw operators in Canada.

This course is meant to be completed entirely online, may be started and stopped as needed, and there is no time limit. It is fully narrated and includes interactive exercises in each chapter. Once the course has been completed, you will understand the safe work practices and responsibilities of operating a chainsaw.

You will receive a digital and printed certificate as well as a record of training immediately upon completing the final exam. Your training also includes a plastic wallet certificate of completion. The wallet card typically ships within one day using Canada Post regular mail.

Additional job-specific training may be required to safely operate a chainsaw depending on the type of saw you are using and the work you are performing. This can be documented on the back of Worksite’s wallet certificate. There is no licensing body for chainsaw training in Canada. The certificate you receive from this course can be used to show training competency across Canada.

If you are unsure if you require additional training specific to the work you are performing, our Advisory Services team is available to assist with any questions you may have. We are also able to provide on-site equipment training as well as program and policy development services.

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Course Introduction

The first section introduces the course and outlines the learning objectives of the training program.

Chainsaw Basics

This section covers the basic features and types of chainsaws, as well as what materials chainsaws can cut. It identifies industries chainsaws are commonly used in and how to select the correct chainsaw for the job.

General Safety Requirements

The third section explores regulatory requirements and standards around chainsaw use, as well as the importance of the manufacturer’s manual in maintaining and operating a chainsaw. This section also reviews typical hazards associated with chainsaw use and PPE to use to reduce the risk of those hazards.

Safe Operation and Maintenance

The final section of the course reviews safe work practices to follow when handling and operating a chainsaw. These include pre-operation inspections and how to safely start, use, transport, power down and store a chainsaw. It also briefly touches on the proper maintenance of a chainsaw.

Bulk Discounts. Free Tools.

Depending on how many training credits you purchase, you may receive a discount. Once purchased, training credits may be used to assign training to users in your account or held for future use.

In addition to the training that you purchase, you will also have access to a number of free training management tools. These tools allow you to add and manage users in your account, distribute training courses, view training progress, print certificates, view records of training, and create customized certification reports to ensure your users are always in compliance.

Additional Services

We put our team of professionals to work to build solutions that improve results, save time, relieve your budget and keep your people safe. In addition to our training programs, we also provide Consulting Services, Train The Trainer Solutions, Course Authoring, and Integration services.

Lantra Chainsaw Course. Sean Duffy Basic Felling

Consulting Services

It is our mandate to develop plans and programs that meet the unique needs and environments where staff carry out their work on a daily basis, creating customized programs that deal with risks specifically for each situation.

Our consulting services include OHS Auditing, Safety Policy Development, Procedure Writing, Training Needs Analysis, Safety Inspections, Job Safety Hazard Analysis, Emergency Response Planning, and Fall Prevention Detection.

STIHL Chainsaw Safety, Operation & Maintenance

Train the Trainer

Customize and control the learning experience of your staff or customers with our Train the Trainer offerings and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with our lifetime complimentary update service.

These packages educate new trainers on how to deliver in-person training to adult learners. Packages include Instructor Certification courses, expanded reference manuals, ready to customize classroom presentations, exam templates, certificates, and participant guides for students.

Program Authoring

Deliver original content courses to your staff to address the unique hazards associated with your workplace.

Our team of industry leading instructional designers and subject matter experts are able to develop defensible, effective, and efficient training programs that you can deliver as elearning content, self-learning course books, reference materials for classroom teaching, or as an app that integrates with existing frameworks. Training programs can be something that is built from scratch, or modified using pre-existing course materials from our library or your own.

Training Programs

A full 8-hour class with a lecture portion in the morning and a hands-on portion in the afternoon.

This class focuses on personal protective equipment (PPE), safety features of the chainsaw head, five point safety check, maintenance of the power head and guide bar, components of the saw tooth, angles and their functions, proper filing, and the reactive forces of the chain and guide bar.

The field section covers benefits of open-face felling, benefits of using a hinge bore method, five step pre-felling plan, tree felling demonstration, and participant tree felling.

In this course each participant will fell a tree under the guidance of an instructor. All participants must wear a hard hat at all times while in the field.

Personal Protective Equipment About the Chainsaw Chainsaw Starting Pre-Felling Considerations

Tree Felling Open face notch Sight line Roll-off containers Creating and using a proper hinge Back cut Bore cut Forward leaning trees Backward leaning trees

Cost: Members: 275.00 per person Non-members: 375.00 per person

Lunch will be provided by the Safety Council.

Cancellations less than 24 hours in advance and no-shows are responsible for the full registration fees. Substitutions may be made at anytime. Non-members must prepay to register.

Donation Refund Policy

We are grateful for your donation and support of our organization. If you have made an error in making your donation or change your mind about contributing to our organization please contact us. Refunds are returned using the original method of payment. If you made your donation by credit card, your refund will be credited to that same credit card.

Automated Recurring Donation Cancellation

Ongoing support is important to enabling projects to continue their work, so we encourage donors to continue to contribute to projects over time. But if you must cancel your recurring donation, please notify us.

Class and Event Registration Refund Policy

Refunds will be handled on a case by case basis for all class and event registration payments. Please contact The Safety Council directly at info@scnwo.org or (419)662-7777.