Course Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to safely operate a hand-held chainsaw and maintain it in working condition.
This unit applies to cross-cutting fallen timber using safe cutting techniques.
The unit applies to individuals who apply low risk work procedures and comply with worksite health and safety requirements when operating hand-held chainsaws to carry out routine work.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assist in preparation of work site
- Identify location of worksite and fallen timber from scope of works and confirm with supervisor
- Identify site hazards, assess risks and report to supervisor
- Confirm first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures
- Document and implement site health and safety in the workplace, environmental and traffic control measures according to workplace procedures
2. Recognise and apply workplace safety procedures
- Identify hazards and risks relevant to the maintenance and operation of chainsaws and implement safe working practices to manage risks
- Select, fit and use personal protective equipment according to workplace safety procedures
- Confirm with supervisor relevant licensing and legislative requirements with regard to the operation of chainsaws
- Transport chainsaw safely according to operation and maintenance manual
3. Check and prepare chainsaw for use
- Select tools and materials required for maintenance
- Conduct routine checks and maintenance prior to operation, according to chainsaw operation and maintenance manual
- Calculate required fuel oil ratios prior to mixing
- Mix fuel and fuel chainsaw according to operation and maintenance manual
- Identify, tag, record and report chainsaw faults or malfunctions to supervisor
4. Operate chainsaw
- Communicate with work team during operations using voice, hand or whistle signals
- Place supports to ensure a stable base for cutting
- Identify materials to be cut and position them for operation
- Visually assess material to be cut for defects and embedded hazards
- Determine cutting methods appropriate to material type and implement risk controls
- Select and use tools associated with chainsaw use
- Operate chainsaw to cross-cut timber using documented low risk work methods
- Identify and report work-site communication issues to supervisor
- Identify and report environmental impacts of chainsaw operation to supervisor
5. Complete and check chainsaw operation
- Record and report chainsaw damage, malfunction and irregular performance according to workplace procedures
- Clean and store chainsaw according to workplace procedures and operation and maintenance manual
- Dispose of debris from operation in accordance with environmental requirements
- Maintain workplace documentation according to workplace procedures