Course Overview

This practical course, formerly known as CS31, is about the directional felling of trees using a chainsaw. The felling technique will be appropriate to tree size, weight, condition and species as well as taking into account guidebar size and weather conditions. This covers both coniferous and broadleaved trees, trees that are upright, trees that are weighted towards and that are weighted against a given felling direction. After successful completion you will be able to safely fell and process small trees up to 380mm in diameter.

Chainsaws and PPE will be provided, however, if you are going to use your own PPE it must meet the following standards:

• Safety helmet (EN 397) with hearing protection (EN 352-1) and eye protection, either mesh visor (EN 1731) or safety glasses (EN 166)
• Chainsaw protective trousers (EN 381-5) Type C all-round leg protection
• Safety boots to BS EN ISO 20345:2004 and bearing a shield depicting a chainsaw to show compliance with EN381-3
• Chainsaw gloves (EN381-7).

As per HSE guidelines for Forestry and Chainsaw workers you may decide to carry a personal first aid kit with you.

On the first day you will start this course at the Cannington Campus but will then need to travel off-site (using your own transport) to a secondary location for the remainder of the course. Please bring food and drink with you.

You will be required to send a passport type photo as a jpeg file to the assessment centre, more details will be given to you prior to the start of the course.

Progression Options

This course is a pre-requisite to the following courses:

• Level 3 Award in Felling and Processing Trees over 380mm (formerly CS32)
• Level 2 Award in Tree Climbing and Rescue (formerly CS38)
• Level 3 Award in Aerial Cutting of Trees with a Chainsaw using Freefall Technique (formerly CS39)