Chainsaw Operations for Supervisors and Managers
The aim of this course is to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to oversee chainsaw operations within the workplace, ensuring safety, compliance with regulations, and high operational and environmental standards.
The course also endeavours to instil an understanding of safe and unsafe chainsaw practices, good and bad environmental practices, enabling the participants to identify, address, and mitigate potentially hazardous situations.
It is strongly suggested that the participants have attended the (Forestry) Works Manager Awareness Course before attending this event. .
Location: UK
Study mode: Classroom & On-site
Duration: 2 days
Cost: From £490+VAT per person*
Overview
This two-day course is designed for individuals responsible for supervising or managing chainsaw operations in forestry and land-based environments. Participants may include Forestry Works Managers, Site Supervisors, Contract Managers, Team Leaders, or others overseeing work where chainsaws are in use—either directly or via contractors.
The course addresses the crucial role of the supervisor or manager in ensuring chainsaw operations are safe, legally compliant, environmentally responsible, and operationally effective. It is not a practical chainsaw use course, but a training event focused on supervisory oversight of chainsaw activity and team management in dynamic forestry settings.
Participants will engage in a mix of indoor learning and outdoor site visits, including real-world demonstrations and practical group exercises. Emphasis is placed on developing a critical eye for safe and unsafe practices, environmental stewardship, incident readiness, and proactive leadership.
Objectives
At the end of the course the participant will have an understanding of:
Their role as a supervisor and/or manager of chainsaw operations, including legal responsibilities under PUWER, LOLER, and relevant industry guidance (e.g., FISA, HSE).
Site preparation, risk assessment, and the development of safe systems of work, including appropriate use of PPE, exclusion zones, and control measures.
Chainsaw operation competencies, including tools, equipment, operator requirements, and safe and unsafe working practices.
Identifying and addressing poor practices, including troubleshooting, learning from incidents and near-misses, and applying alternative approaches to improve safety and efficiency.
Environmental responsibilities, including recognising good and bad practices, protecting sensitive habitats, preventing pollution, and understanding legal obligations.
Incident management and emergency planning, including planning for and responding to injuries, environmental breaches (e.g. spills or contamination), and reporting procedures.
Planning and managing teams on site, including communication, managing fatigue, and lone working.
Who should attend?
Existing Forestry Works Managers
Site Supervisors
Team Leaders
Managers within Forestry
Forestry contractors wishing to understand their responsibilities on site
Participants do not need to be competent in the use of chainsaws however they must understand the work being undertaken and the competencies required of the operators and contractors.
Lead Instructor
This is a 2 Instructor course; one will demonstrate correct chainsaw operations.
Other Information
The course will include visiting site in a forestry and woodland environment.
The ground will be uneven so there will be a need to wear PPE suitable for outdoor visits appropriate to the conditions and weather.
Bespoke option available: We can organise this course on your site subject to planning & preparation costs.*