Chainsaw Operational Complexity and Tree Size-Up - When Complexity Changes
Identify common themes from the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center “2004-2019 Tree Felling Accident Analysis” to promote discussion between new and experienced sawyers about ongoing procedural size-up and complexity analysis, human factors affecting the cutting process, and complexity changing throughout a chainsaw operation.
Category: Hazards
Core Component(s):
Local Topics, Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned, Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 45 minutes
Video Length: 20:26
Intent
Identify common themes from the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center 2004-2019 Tree Felling Accident Analysis to promote discussion between new and experienced sawyers about ongoing procedural size-up and complexity analysis, human factors affecting the cutting process, and complexity changing throughout a chainsaw operation.
Facilitator Preparation
- Review the video, module tools, and additional resources linked below.
- Consider additional discussion questions pertinent to your location and agency.
- Guide discussion based on the topics and guidance provided below from the NWCG Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee.
Facilitating the Discussion
- Show the video.
- Pause video as questions appear on screen to facilitate discussion.
- Optional: Conduct additional activities pertinent to your location and agency.
Discussion Questions
- What size-up process(es) have you used or seen?
- What factors affect which is the good side vs. bad side of the tree?
- What does cutting area control mean to you?
- What other human factors might influence the size-up process, complexity analysis, or overall cutting operation?
- What experiences have caused you to reevaluate your felling operation? How do you maintain your cutting area control?
Resources
- Document: 2004-2019 Tree Felling Accident Analysis
- Publication: NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212
- Website: Ferguson Fire Tree Strike Fatality
- Website: Lolo Peak Fire Tree Strike Fatality
- Website: Strawberry Fire Tree Strike Fatality
- Website: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee
- WFSTAR Module: Felling Hazard Trees: Does it Need to Come Down?
Video Information
- This video is also available as a download (zip file, size 1.2 GB) with .srt file for closed captioning (you may need to right click and Save As). For information on how to add closed captioning to a video, see this how-to page.
- Note: For Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, right click the word download and select Save Link As; for Internet Explorer (IE), right click and select Save Target As.
