Power Saw Operator

The WSCA is working in conjunction with the BC Forest Safety Council to develop instructional material for safely operating power saws in the Silviculture workplace.

The two main tools around which the instructional material is being developed are the chainsaw and the brushsaw. The BCFSC has completed an initial set of materials which will teach the safe use of the chainsaw in tree falling and bucking which is not associated with standing trees of a dbh 6" and greater.

The WSCA is paralleling that material with materials applicable to brush saws.

To date we have completed the skills profile charts for several specific jobs/tasks which are the responsibility of Silviculture workers. These include the following: Tree Spacer, Brusher & Weeder, Roadside Pruner, Silviculture Pruner, Mistletoe Eradicator, Sanitation Slasher, Industrial Vegetation Manager, Roadside Brusher, Hellipad Builder, Trail Builder, Creek Cleaner, Emergency Roadway Clearer, and Firewood Cutter. Those components which deal primarily with the field application of the Brush Saw will be developed with the intent of receiving an endorsement by the BCFSC.

During the Fall of 2010 and the Winter of 2010/2011, we have delivered several pilot courses to Silviculture workers using three instructors, primarily in the Nelson and Williams Lake regions. A Training Standard for both Chainsaw and Brushsaw Operator courses has been developed which identifies the learning outcomes on which the course material is based.

We are projecting that final course materials will be ready by the end of April to allow us to begin to develop additional instructors. The initial reaction from students has been very positive as to the usefulness of the courses.

Here, as an example, is one of the Skills Profile Charts which was used to develop the Training Standards - Tree Spacer.

We will keep you posted on the progress on this web page. If you have any questions, or input that you feel may be helpful please contact Jo G. by e-mail.

©Copyright 2011

WSCA - British Columbia, Canada