Chainsaw Basic Maintenance and Crosscutting

Working with chainsaws is a potentially dangerous task if you are not equipped with the correct training or Personal Protective Equipment. Chainsaws are potentially dangerous machines, which can cause major injury if used by untrained people. Anyone who uses a chainsaw at work must receive adequate training and be competent in using a chainsaw for that type of work.

Course designed for

It’s ideal if you work in a number of industries, from agriculture to woodland.

Course pre-requisites

Learners are required to be 16 years of age or above and be medically fit to participate

Course content

  • Recognise and state the statutory requirements and relevant Approved Codes and guidance documents
  • Understand the risk assessment process
  • Identify procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies
  • Complete basic environmental checks prior to work operations
  • Identify the necessary personal protective equipment required, report on its condition and locate standard markings
  • Identify the health and safety features required on a chainsaw
  • Identify faults and defects on a chain saw and cutting equipment and decide which the operator can remedy and which require a service engineer’s attention
  • Carry out correctly all routine maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction book
  • Prepare the chainsaw saw for use with the correct fuel/oil mix and chain lubrication
  • Start the chainsaw correctly with the correct fuel/oil mix and saw chain lubrication
  • Carry out pre-cutting safety tests and state the procedures if the chain saw fails these tests
  • State the possible hazards/risks when carrying out maintenance or operational tasks and complete a risk assessment
  • Assess and explain the terms ‘tension’ and ‘compression’ in timber
  • Adopt safe procedures to remove a trapped guide bar
  • Use correct cutting methods
  • Clear the pruned branches in a safe manner
  • Organise site safety and state the procedures required.

Course qualification

In-House Certificate (issued by HSCT)

Skill identity card (issued by HSCT upon request)

Refresher training

Every 3 years or if Legislation Changes

Course venue

HSCT Facilities – 50 Nuttscorner Road, Crumlin, BT29 4SQ

Other approved venues

Course duration

1 Day for Refresher, 2 Days for a Novice

Course size

Maximum of 12 learners per Instructor

Maximum of 4 learners per Assessor

Course assessment

  • MultiChoice questionnaire
  • Competency assessment