Lesson 1Spotting and managing bystanders: safe distances for others, signalling and a lookout person roleExplains how to keep others safe near chainsaw work by establishing exclusion zones, using clear signals, appointing a lookout, and managing visitors, children, and farm staff who may enter unexpectedly.
Defining safe approach and exclusion zonesMinimum distances for bystanders and helpersHand, whistle, and radio signal systemsLookout person duties and positioningControlling visitors, children, and petsLesson 2Permits and local rules: understanding farm-specific rules and any regulatory requirementsCovers how to identify which permits, farm policies, and legal duties apply before starting chainsaw work, including landowner rules, biosecurity controls, noise and fire restrictions, and documentation to keep on site.
Checking landowner and farm policy rulesIdentifying required work and burn permitsBiosecurity and contamination controlsNoise, dust, and working hour limitsRecording permissions and site approvalsLesson 3Access, egress and escape routes: planning primary and secondary escape paths for each cutExplains how to plan safe access to the worksite and clear escape paths for each cut, including primary and backup routes, avoiding dead ends, and keeping paths free of tools, branches, and debris.
Planning safe access and exit to the siteClearing primary escape paths for each cutEstablishing secondary backup escape optionsKeeping escape routes free of tripping hazardsAdjusting escape plans as work progressesLesson 4Pre-task briefing: communicating with manager and coworkers, establishing exclusion zonesOutlines how to brief managers and coworkers before work, agree on the cutting plan, confirm roles, set exclusion zones, and ensure everyone understands signals, hazards, and stop-work criteria for the task.
Reviewing job scope and cutting sequenceConfirming individual roles and limitsAgreeing on signals and stop-work wordsSetting and marking exclusion boundariesDocumenting and revisiting the site planLesson 5Traffic and fuel risk zones: locating fuel stores, workshop, and vehicle parking relative to work areaFocuses on mapping fuel, chemical, and traffic hazards around the worksite, including fuel sheds, workshops, access roads, and parking, to prevent ignition, spills, and collisions during chainsaw operations.
Locating fuel, gas, and chemical storageSeparating refuelling and cutting areasIdentifying farm traffic routes and blind spotsSafe parking for trucks and equipmentFire ignition and spill prevention stepsLesson 6Weather and daylight considerations: wind, rain, cold, temperature effects on saw and footingDetails how wind, rain, temperature, and fading light affect tree behaviour, footing, visibility, and saw performance, and how to adjust work timing, PPE, and cutting plans to maintain safe control in changing conditions.
Assessing wind direction and gust strengthRain, ice, and snow effects on footingCold, heat, and chainsaw performanceWorking safely in low or changing lightDeciding when to postpone or stop workLesson 7Emergency planning: nearest first aid kit, trauma kit items, rescue locations, emergency contact and evacuation routeCovers preparing for injuries and incidents by locating first aid and trauma kits, planning rescue and evacuation routes, confirming communication methods, and briefing the team on emergency roles and contacts.
Locating first aid and trauma kits on siteEssential trauma kit contents for chainsaw workChoosing communication and call-out methodsMapping rendezvous and extraction pointsAssigning emergency roles and responsibilitiesLesson 8Animal and vehicle risk management: securing livestock, notifying tractor operators, timing work around movementsDescribes how to prevent incidents involving livestock, working dogs, tractors, and other machinery by securing animals, coordinating with operators, and scheduling chainsaw tasks around routine farm movements.
Securing livestock away from work zonesHandling working dogs and companion animalsCoordinating with tractor and loader operatorsTiming work around feeding and yardingPreventing start-up and blind spot incidentsLesson 9Checking the environment: ground conditions, slopes, hidden obstacles, mud and slick areasShows how to inspect the work area for unstable ground, slopes, holes, roots, wire, and slick surfaces that could cause slips or trips, and how to mark, avoid, or stabilise these hazards before cutting begins.
Surveying for holes, ruts, and loose soilEvaluating slope angle and worker footingFinding stumps, roots, and buried debrisSpotting wire, fencing, and old hardwareMarking and isolating high-risk areas
