Level 1 introduces participants to chainsaw hazards, PPE, safe handling principles, chainsaw parts, pre-use inspection, emergency response, and basic awareness of cutting hazards. This course is intended for workers who may assist around chainsaw work or perform very limited low-risk cutting under direct supervision.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of Level 1, participants will be able to:

1. Identify common chainsaw hazards, including kickback, pushback, pull-in, pinching, and contact with the moving chain.
2. Identify major chainsaw components, including guide bar, chain, chain brake, throttle lockout, sprocket, anti-vibration system, stop switch, and chain catcher.
3. Identify required PPE for chainsaw-related work.
4. Explain the importance of PPE inspection and removing damaged PPE from service.
5. Complete a basic visual chainsaw inspection under instructor guidance.
6. Explain safe starting, stopping, carrying, fueling, and storage procedures.
7. Identify unsafe work conditions where chainsaw work must stop.
8. Understand the role and limitations of an awareness-level worker.
9. Demonstrate safe body positioning and two-handed grip using a non-running or controlled saw.
10. Explain emergency response expectations for chainsaw-related incidents.

Core Topics

1. Introduction to Chainsaw Safety
2. Chainsaw Hazards
3. PPE Requirements
4. Chainsaw Parts and Safety Features
5. Basic Pre-use Inspection
6. Safe Starting, Carrying, & Shutdown
7. Basic Cutting Awareness
8. Emergency Response

Participants who successfully complete Level 2 may perform basic chainsaw work in low-risk, ground-level environments, subject to employer authorization and site-specific procedures. This level does not authorize independent tree felling, utility line-clearance work, danger tree removal, or advanced storm-damage cutting.

Prerequisites

• Minimum 18 years of age
• Able to read and understand safety instructions
• Physically able to complete outdoor manual work
• Standard First Aid recommended or required by employer
• Level 1 Awareness recommended, or equivalent orientation
• Required PPE

Learning Outcomes

By the end of Level 2, participants will be able to:

1. Complete a chainsaw pre-use inspection.
2. Correctly inspect and wear all required PPE.
3. Demonstrate safe ground starting and stopping procedures.
4. Demonstrate safe stance, grip, and body positioning.
5. Identify kickback, pushback, pull-in, pinching, and chain-contact hazards.
6. Perform basic chainsaw maintenance.
7. Demonstrate basic chain sharpening and tension adjustment.
8. Perform basic limbing cuts on pre-staged material.
9. Perform basic bucking cuts on stable logs.
10. Identify compression and tension in simple cutting situations.
11. Use the chain brake properly when repositioning.
12. Complete a basic hazard assessment before cutting.
13. Demonstrate emergency response and stop-work authority.
14. Understand that felling is not authorized at this level.

Day 1 – Theory and Maintenance

1. Course Orientation
2. Review of Chainsaw Hazards
3. PPE Inspection
4. Chainsaw Components and Safety Features
5. Pre-Use Inspection
6. Maintenance and Sharpening
7. Safe Starting, Carrying, and Shutdown
8. Basic Hazard Assessment

Day 2 – Practical Field Skills

1. PPE & Saw Inspection
2. Safe Start and Handling Practice
3. Limbing Practice
4. Basic Bucking Practice
5. Simulated Felling Awareness
6. Practical Assessment

Level 3 introduces participants to tree assessment, hazard tree recognition, directional felling, hinge wood, escape routes, communication, felling cuts, wedges, and post-fall assessment. Participants who successfully complete Level 3 may perform introductory felling in low-to-moderate risk environments, subject to employer authorization, site-specific procedures, and instructor evaluation. 

Prerequisites

• Level 2 Basic Chainsaw Operator or equivalent
• Recommended minimum 80 documented hours of supervised chainsaw field experience
• Current Standard First Aid
• Required CSA-compliant PPE
• Supervisor or employer sign-off confirming readiness for felling training
• Physical ability to complete outdoor practical work

Learning Outcomes

By the end of Level 3, participants will be able to:

1. Conduct a site hazard assessment for felling work.
2. Identify hazard trees and overhead hazards.
3. Assess tree lean, weight distribution, defects, decay, and surrounding hazards.
4. Establish an exclusion zone.
5. Select and clear an escape route.
6. Develop a simple felling plan.
7. Explain hinge wood and its relationship to tree control.
8. Complete a conventional notch and back cut.
9. Use wedges safely during basic directional felling.
10. Fell a suitable tree within the intended lay under instructor supervision.
11. Demonstrate safe retreat and communication.
12. Complete post-fall stump and site assessment.
13. Perform follow-up bucking and limbing.
14. Identify conditions that exceed Level 3 competency.

Day 1 – Theory: Felling Principles and Hazard Assessment

1. Level 2 Competency Review
2. Hazard Tree Identification
3. Tree Physics
4. Felling Plan
5. Felling Cuts

Day 2 – Field Skills: Introductory Felling Practice

1. Site Orientation and Hazard Assessment

2. Instructor Demonstration

3. Participant Practice

Day 3 – Intermediate Practice and Competency Assessment

1. Troubleshooting Felling Problems

2. Practical Assessment

Level 4 develops proficient felling techniques for workers who already have introductory felling experience. This level introduces more advanced work planning, utility corridor hazard awareness, ropes and knots, rope-assisted directional felling, complex bucking and limbing, and advanced felling problem-solving.

This level does not replace formal utility owner authorization, electrical safety training, minimum approach distance training, arborist certification, or employer-specific line-clearance qualification.

Prerequisites

• Level 3 Introductory Feller or equivalent
• Documented felling experience
• Current First Aid
• Required PPE
• Employer or supervisor sign-off
• Utility hazard awareness, if working in utility environments
• Fall Protection, if required by site conditions
• Ability to demonstrate safe Level 3 felling skills

Learning Outcomes

By the end of Level 4, participants will be able to:

1. Conduct advanced site and tree hazard assessments.
2. Identify work that exceeds their authority or competency.
3. Explain utility corridor hazards and minimum approach distance awareness.
4. Plan felling work around roads, structures, equipment, and utility corridors.
5. Demonstrate key knots used in rope-assisted felling.
6. Inspect ropes and related equipment.
7. Set up a basic rope-assisted felling operation.
8. Communicate effectively between sawyer, spotter, and rope crew.
9. Demonstrate proficient directional felling techniques.
10. Apply advanced bucking and limbing techniques.
11. Recognize and manage compression, tension, spring poles, root balls, and storm-damaged material.
12. Apply emergency response procedures for utility and felling incidents.

Day 1 – Advanced Planning, Utility Awareness, Ropes, and Knots

1. Level 3 Review
2. Utility Corridor Hazard Awareness

3. Advanced Work Planning

4. Proficient Felling Techniques
5. Ropes and Knots

Day 2 – Rope-Assisted Felling and Evaluation

1. Rope-Assisted Directional Felling
2. Complex Bucking and Limbing

3. Utility Emergency Response Scenario

4. Practical Evaluation

Level 5 is a competency check, not an instructional course for beginners. Participants must already have faller training and documented experience. The purpose is to verify whether the participant remains competent to complete chainsaw inspection, maintenance, bucking, limbing, hazard assessment, felling planning, felling cuts, escape route use, communication, and emergency response.

Prerequisites

• Previous Level 3 or Level 4 certification, or equivalent faller training
• Documented field experience
• Current First Aid
• Required PPE
• Own chainsaw and tools, unless supplied by employer
• Employer or supervisor verification, if required
• Fit-for-work declaration

Competency Check Components

1. Documentation Review
2. Written or Verbal Knowledge Review
3. Competency Test 1 – Chainsaw Inspection and Maintenance
4. Competency Test 2 – Bucking and Limbing
5. Competency Test 3 – Felling