Lesson 1Spotting and managing bystanders: safe distances for others, signaling and a lookout person roleExplains how to keep others safe near chainsaw work by setting no-go areas, using clear signs, picking a lookout, and handling visitors, kids, and farm workers who might come close without warning.
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 find which permits, farm rules, and laws apply before starting chainsaw work, including owner rules, disease controls, noise and fire limits, and papers you must keep at the 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 ways in and out of the site and clear escape paths for each cut, including main and extra routes, avoiding traps, and keeping paths free of tools, branches, and rubbish.
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 bosses and coworkers before work, agree on the cut plan, confirm jobs, set no-go zones, and make sure all know signs, dangers, and when to stop 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 dangers around the site, including fuel sheds, workshops, roads, and parking, to stop fires, spills, and crashes during chainsaw jobs.
Locating fuel, gas, and chemical storageSeparating refueling 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, cold, heat, and low light change tree movement, footing, sight, and saw work, and how to adjust times, PPE, and cut plans to stay in control in changing farm weather.
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 hurts and problems by finding first aid and trauma kits, planning rescue and exit routes, checking talk methods, and telling the team about emergency jobs 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 stop problems with animals, working dogs, tractors, and machines by tying up livestock, talking to drivers, and timing chainsaw tasks around normal 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 check the work area for shaky ground, hills, holes, roots, wire, and slippery spots that could make you slip or trip, and how to mark, skip, or fix these dangers before cutting.
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
