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Chainsaw Safety

 

Chainsaw safety is every saw operator’s job.

Always wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling or working around chainsaws.

  • Eye protection – approved goggles or safety glasses.
  • Hearing protection – earplugs or muffs.
  • Helmet.
  • Chainsaw Chaps – proper size and length.
  • Gloves – proper size.
  • Long sleeve shirt – no loose sleeves.
  • Leather boots – no loose boot laces.  

Take the time to inspect the chainsaw before operating the saw.

  • Check the chain and bar – sharpness of chain, bar seated correctly.
  • Check the bolts and screws all around the saw – no missing screws or bolts.
  • Check the casing of the saw – no cracked or missing plastic.
  • Felling axe and wedges in good condition.
  • Saw gas and bar oil in sufficient quantities to meet objectives.
  • Basic saw maintenance tools on site and specific to saw in use.
  • Review fuel geysering indicators/potential.  

Make sure you’re aware of your surroundings while operating the chainsaw.

  • Look for and anticipate people working in your area – the chainsaw operator is responsible for controlling the cutting area and communicating with others in the cutting area.
  • Look for any snags or overhead hazards in your area – maintain recommended spacing of falling teams or others working in the cutting area.
  • Establish consistent communications with spotters/swampers – always minimize personnel working directly at the stump or in the felling area.
  • Are there other risk factors that increase the complexity of the job – loose soils, rocky ground, steep terrain, weather factors or poor visibility, tree condition, others?  

Complete a personal Risk Assessment to determine if you are comfortable completing the task at hand – don’t let job performance pressure force you in over your skill level.

  • Proper training and certification level for personnel running saws and assisting with saw operations.
  • Describe your medical response plan and how it is implemented, including extricating a severe injury at the worksite.
  • If you are not comfortable falling the tree, walk away. Notify your supervisor and mitigate the safety issues or turn down the assignment.

 

Category
Felling Safety


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Date: February 28, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

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Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Demobilization Unit Leader Position Page 

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Next Generation Position Task Book and Updated Incident Position Description Now Available for Operations Section Chief Complex

Date: February 27, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC) has a Next Generation NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC), PMS 311-108 and an updated Incident Position Description.

These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

References:

NWCG Operations Section Chief Complex Position Page 

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NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC), PMS 311-108 

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Date: February 27, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the 2025 NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, is now available. Visit NWCG's website to learn about the major updates and changes in the 2025 version of the IRPG. The NWCG Guia de Respuesta de Incidente de Bolsillo (GRI), PMS 461-ES is available electronically and will be available from Great Basin Cache by early summer 2025.

All hard copy materials, including the IRPG, are ordered through the Great Basin Cache (GBK). Information on the ordering process can be found in the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) Catalog.

References:

2025 IRPG Information 

NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461 

NWCG Guia de Respuesta de Incidente de Bolsillo (GRI), PMS 461-ES 

NWCG NFES Catalog - Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2 

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Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

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Professional Reading Program