Chainsaw Safety. Chainsaw 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.

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.

Paul B. Well worth taking the training through Worksite Safety and the instructor made it more enjoyable.

Lesley C. Love the convenience of updating employee training online without compromising the quality and thoroughness of the training.

Chris A. It gives us flexibility while allowing our users to receive well researched, descriptive, yet concise information at a competitive price. Thank you!

Jelle T. Staff was very helpful and got me a certificate as requested. They were good at getting back to me in a timely manner and were very nice.

William G. Steve did an excellent job with teaching the course, made it fun and made sure everyone understood why it is important to be safe working at heights.

David B. Very informative. The instructor was well informed and made the course enjoyable. I would recommend it.

Lucas K. Excellent on-line training and easy to navigate content. Very convenient certification for busy people.

Daniel G. The course was educational and the materials and presentation was very well put together. I would recommend this course to others. Thanks, Danny

Robert G. Very happy with this site! Printed my certificates no problems. Got me a job within 3 days! Highly recommend!

Troy W. I was very satisfied with the level of quality and information covered in your e-course. I will recommend to others.

Marc Z. Course met all expectations and the trainer was great made the experience in class interesting Thanks Marc Z

Harry K. Very helpful staff with questions that I needed answered. Easy to access in order to complete courses.

Justin S. The program was well laid out, with many real life stories to make it more interesting. I will send my coworkers back based on my experience last week

Nicole P. The service was amazing, fast and very helpful! Thank you for making what seemed like a timely and complicated process so very easy.

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.

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.

Chainsaw Safety

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.

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.

Proper Chainsaw Safety and Operation

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are about 36,000 injuries caused by chainsaws every year. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cites the left hand and lower left leg as the most common places for chainsaw injuries. Employers can reduce the risk of these injuries by training their employees on proper chainsaw safety and operation, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Before You Start the Chainsaw

Proper chainsaw operation starts before even turning on the saw. Employees should inspect the area for anything that might put their safety at risk. Some examples include:

• Anything above the work site that could dislodge into the work site
• An escape route in case employees need to reach safety quickly
• Debris (rocks, large branches, tree stumps, or nails)
• Electric power lines

If employees notice electric power lines near the worksite, they must always remain at least ten feet away from the lines. If they cannot, the appropriate supervisor must contact the utility company to de-energize the lines. Only employees who have had additional electrical safety training can work within ten feet of an energized power line.

It is important to ensure that all chainsaw parts are in good working condition before attempting to power on the saw. OSHA requires that all chainsaws have the following parts:

• Chain catcher
• Anti-vibration handle system
• Chain brake
• Hand guard
• Muffler
• Fuel container
• Throttle

If employees find a chainsaw is damaged or that any of the above parts are missing, they should report it to their supervisor, tag it with “Danger; do not use,” and remove it from service until it can be repaired. Employees should also check fuel and oil levels before starting a chainsaw. OSHA requires refueling to take place at least ten feet away from any open flame or other source of ignition.

How to Use a Chainsaw Safely. Part 1

Starting the Chainsaw

Never drop start a chainsaw by holding the starting cord with one hand and pushing the saw down with the other. Instead, employees should place the saw on the ground with the chain brake engaged and pull the start cord toward them. Employees must always start a chainsaw at least ten feet away from the fueling area and any flammable materials.

Proper Chainsaw Personal Protection Equipment

The following PPE is required by OSHA during chainsaw operation:

• Head protection
• Eye and face protection

• If an employee wears prescription lenses that are not safety rated, the eye protection must fit comfortably over the lenses without adjusting their position

• Leg protection must be made from ballistic nylon or a similar cut-resistant material, and must cover the leg from the top of the thigh to the top of the boot

• Foot protection must support the ankle and be made from cut-resistant material. Heavy-duty logging boots are a good example of proper foot protection for chainsaw operation

Safety and Operation Techniques

In order to reduce the risk of injury to themselves or others, employees should always practice proper chainsaw safety and operation techniques. These include:

• Making sure the fall area is free of debris or hazards
• Avoiding cutting an object so that it falls into nearby objects

• This can cause both objects to fall in unexpected and possibly dangerous ways

Additionally, all other employees or bystanders should remain at least 150 feet from anyone cutting down a tree and at least 30 feet from anyone removing limbs from a tree.

To avoid losing balance while using a chainsaw or losing control of the saw, employees should never use a saw in a way that causes them to be off-center, such as reaching out too far or standing on an uneven surface. To maintain control of the chainsaw, all cuts should be below the waist and the chainsaw should never be raised above head level. If employees are carrying the chainsaw more than 50 feet or through difficult terrain such as slippery surfaces or thick underbrush, they must either engage the chain brake or shut off the chainsaw.

Even with proper training, operating a chainsaw is inherently dangerous. Employees should never attempt to do jobs beyond their abilities or training. High-risk chainsaw operations include:

• Operating a chainsaw above ground level, such as in a tree or on a ladder
• Working on a steep slope or uneven ground
• Cutting trees known to split
• Working in inclement weather, such as heavy rain or extreme cold
• Working for long periods of time with no breaks

Conclusion

To keep everyone on the worksite safe, your employees need to be aware of the hazards of using a chainsaw and proper chainsaw safety and operation techniques.

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.

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