Chainsaw Training Checklist

Chainsaw Training Checklist

I ______have completed the following training requirements for the safe and effective use of a chainsaw.

On ______I, ______attended the < Training Session> conducted by <insert organization, person, and location >.

PPE – leather boots, hardhat with face/eye protection, hearing protection, safety chaps, leather gloves.

ð  Must be worn whenever the saw is operated – NO EXCEPTIONS

ð  Leather gloves must be worn whenever the saw is handled

ð  Hearing protection critical

ð  Chain guard in place during transport

ð  First aid kit always in immediate vicinity

ð  Cell phone or radio always on and in immediate vicinity

ð  NEVER WORK ALONE!

Blade Safety:

ð  Do not cut with top 90 – KICK BACK can be deadly

ð  Make sure chain break is operating correctly

ð  Do not rest chain on thigh

ð  Leather gloves must be worn whenever the saw is handled/sharpened

ð  Do not operate saw with a dull blade

ð  Do not operate a saw with an idle set too high so that the chain travels at idle

ð  Always cut at high throttle

Most Common ways to be cut/hurt:

ð  Not wearing safety gear

ð  Kick back

ð  Cutting foot

ð  Resting saw against thigh

ð  Vertical slitting of trunk – razor snap

ð  Widow makers

ð  Broken chain

ð  Operating saw while fatigued

ð  Starting saw in improper positions

Starting:

ð  Check saw for damage

ð  Check chain break operation

ð  Check chain tightness – pull half a tooth

ð  Check bar oil and fuel levels

ð  Set saw on ground, foot on rear handle, one hand on front bar

ð  Run switch on

ð  Compression valve set to in position

ð  Pull out choke, pull rope until saw tries to start or starts

ð  Push choke in, pull until saw starts

ð  If flooded, pull several times with choke in (off), then repeat last four steps

ð  Check that chain is being oiled

Stopping:

ð  The engine/saw is stopped by switching off the ignition

Cutting:

ð  NEVER WORK ALONE!

ð  Always operate with two hands on saw – Never cut with one hand

ð  Avoid operating above saw waist level

ð  Never operate above shoulders

ð  Never cut with saw between legs, keep saw to one side

ð  Keep head and body out of Kickback line of motion

ð  Keep chain out of dirt, flying debris

ð  Don’t force the saw through the wood - Let saw do the work

ð  Don’t let saw blade contact hard objects, rocks, metal fence posts, etc.

Limbing/Bucking:

ð  NEVER WORK ALONE!

ð  Never stand on the down hill side of log

ð  Be aware that the tree may roll or fall off the stump at any time

ð  Let the log hold the saw

ð  Gauge which way the limb will open to avoid pinching the saw

ð  Be aware that cut limbs may spring towards you with considerable force

ð  Cut limbs on your side by moving saw away from your body

ð  BE AWARE OF YOUR FEET!

ð  NEVER STICK THE BLADE WHERE YOU CAN’T SEE IT!

ð  Maintain proper footing

ð  Make sure chain has stopped before reaching for or pulling limbs

ð  Buck in uniform increments i.e. 16” depending on diameter/weight of log

Working with the saw or near a saw operator:

ð  Maintain a safe working distance from others

ð  Don’t approach saw operator until eye contact & communication is established

ð  Staccato engine revving means look for danger

ð  Don’t pull limbs until saw operator gives okay

ð  Don’t begin felling until all crew members are aware and are in safe locations

ð  Always cut with saw at high throttle

ð  Don’t let saw idle for long periods of time, shut off saw when not in active use

Felling:

ð  NEVER WORK ALONE!

ð  Notch trees above 5” in diameter

ð  Diagonal cut trees smaller than 5” in diameter

ð  Do not cut trees that are beyond your comfort/skill/experience level

ð  Make sure other crewmembers are aware of your intention to fell

ð  Examine surrounding area for overhead electrical lines and other hazards

ð  Carefully check for hanging limbs, broken tops, etc.

ð  Carefully check for vines, intertwined branches, etc.

ð  Carefully chick for soundness of tree (dead trees can present unique hazards i.e. unpredictable falling patterns)

Felling (Continued):

ð  Carefully check for signs of imbedded objects, fence wire, nails, etc.

ð  Beware of bowed or leaning trees, strap wood and razor snap

ð  Assess the overall lean of the tree from two 90 degree angles, assess crown weight

ð  Decide target direction to fell tree (pay close attention to lean, weight distribution, and gravity)

ð  Assess the wind – Do not fell in windy or gusty conditions!

ð  Remove lower limbs to head height keeping tree between you and saw

ð  Completely clear escape routes at 45 degree angles to target direction

ð  Chainsaws are replaceable, you are not

ð  Use saw handle to aim felling direction

ð  Felling cut 2 inches above

ð  Create a good hinge of wood that will hold and direct direction of fall

ð  Back away as soon as movement occurs

ð  NEVER place head or body behind tree, razor snap is instantaneous and deadly!

ð  Rope difficult trees, felling wedge, felling lever, have ready prior to initiating cut

ð  Step away perpendicularly to avoid falling tree

ð  Be aware of bounce hazards that may “kick up” butt of tree

ð  Cut all stumps horizontal (parallel with ground) – No sapling daggers

ð  Cut all stumps flush with ground (as low as possible)

ð  Hung up trees

ð  Warn of impending felling

Basic Maintenance:

ð  CHAINSAWS NEED CONTINUAL MAINTENANCE TO BE OPERATED SAFELY AND TO BE EFFECTIVE TOOLS

ð  NEVER PERFORM ANY MAINTENANCE OR MAINTENANCE CHECKS WHILE SAW IS RUNNING!

ð  NEVER RUN A SAW THAT HAS NOT BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY OR HAS BEEN TAGGED OUT!

ð  Each Start - Operational Maintenance:

o  Visually inspect all aspects of the saw to check for damage before each start

o  Check chain tightness and sharpness before each start

o  Check chain break and chain guard before each start

o  Check fuel /Check bar oil frequently – TOP OFF BOTH – each time one is low

o  Sharpen chain frequently and properly

o  Tag all damaged saws immediately upon knowledge of a problem!

o  Tag any saw you feel may have a problem!

o  Notify your co-workers & supervisor of all tagged equipment as soon as possible!

□  I have demonstrated the safe operation & basic maintenance of a chainsaw

Employee Signature Date

Trainer Signature Date