THEORY PART ECC 1: Chainsaw Maintenance and Crosscutting ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES 1.

Observe safety precautions and wear appropriate PPE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA For maintenance activity footwear with toe protection, work gloves as appropriate to task and non-snag clothing is sufficient. PPE for maintenance should include: Safety boots Work gloves as appropriate to task Eye protection as appropriate (Mandatory for airline use) When starting and checking operational functions of saw, full PPE as outlined in accordance with national safety guidance MUST be worn Candidate to explain why the PPE is required I Ii iii. iv. v. Demonstrate knowledge of information required to select a replacement chain for a given saw Washing facilities / wet wipes in case of petrol / oil / sap etc contact with skin. All debris resulting from cleaning operations is correctly disposed of.

PPE for starting and operating chainsaw should include: Chainsaw boots Head, ear and eye protection Chainsaw trousers Non-snag outer clothing Personal first aid kit Practical Practical Practical Practical Guide bar, sprocket and chain must be compatible, as shown in manufacturers charts, in relation to: Chain pitch Gauge/thickness of drive links Number of drive links/chain/bar length Cutter type Filing angles Enhances cutting performance Working corner must be properly sharpened Cutter length Cutter length directly affects cutter height Variations can lead to: - Increased vibration - Reduced efficiency - Saw not cutting in straight line - Increased risk of kick back - Uneven wear of bar Depth gauge setting Reduces risk of kick back Reduces risk of chain breakage Reduces chain vibration and thus the risk of Hand - arm vibration damage Reduces excessive wear on chain components Achieves optimum cutting speed Practical Reduce vibration and allow straight cutting To prevent burr formation Prevent over-heating Allow lubrication of chain Reduce sprocket wear Bar turned to maintain even wear to rectify wear or damage that may be encountered to check for the acceptable limits of wear before replacement is necessary Ideal ratio: 1 sprocket to 2/3 chains for both Rim sprocket and Spur sprocket Visual check of Springs Bearing Body & weights Needle bearing lubricated in accordance with manufacturers guidance practical

1.

Carry out daily and weekly maintenance, settings and prestart checks as per manufacturers recommendations Maintain the safety and security of chainsaw(s) and other equipment

2.

vi. Demonstrate knowledge of reasons for chain maintenance

vii. viii. Demonstrate knowledge of reasons for maintaining guide bar

ix. x. Check and comment on clutch components

xi.

xii. comment on chain tension

Chain too tight: Wear on bottom of tie straps and cutter body Slow pick-up on acceleration Power loss on small engine saws Damage to sprocket and bearings Over heating bar and chain Excessive wear on bar and rails Chain too slack: Wrong cutting angle Excessive vibration Increased risk of chain derailing Wear on rivets and heel Excessive wear between bar rails Increased wear at topside of bar on entry and underside of bar at nose sprocket Chain creep at tick over/throttle idle Debris removed from fins/air intake External screws, nuts and bolts present and secure Remove chain / bar side cover to clean and check components revealed, including oil-ways All damaged, missing or worn components replaced as necessary or report defects as appropriate Needs to be clean to maintain air/fuel ratio and therefore performance Filter cleaned using brush or washed in water with detergent then dried Airline can be used with appropriate eye protection If fuel or oil rich, plug dark brown to black: engine cokes / oils up If fuel starved, plug light brown to white: engine can seize from overheating Cord inspected for wear especially at - Base of toggle - At attachment to pulley wheel Check for symptoms of under or over tightening: - slack spring: Cord does not fully retract - Over tight spring binds before cord fully extended

xiii. Clean power unit and covers and inspect for damage

xiv. Clean air filter and compartment and explain the purpose

xv. comment on condition of spark plug

xvi. comment on cord condition of recoil starter mechanism

xvii. Check and/or clean / replace fuel filter

xviii. xix. Check chainsaw for condition and pre-use operational safety

xx. xxi. Check components of chain oiling system as appropriate and comment on their function

xxii. Demonstrate knowledge of symptoms associated with poor cutting performance

Fuel cap removed Filter located visually (using appropriate tool if required) Condition of filter determined Cleaning procedures or replacement as appropriate Practical If chainbrake fails to function correctly, label saw, e.g. Not to be used - defective chain brake Saw checked for oiling function (e.g. oil throw test or oil present on drive links) Chain becomes stationery when throttle released On / off switch is working (pull choke to stop if not, then label not to be used) Practical Check and clean oil-ways Check and clean bar mating surfaces If chain does not oil during operation: - Check there is oil in tank! - Clean oil tank filter as appropriate - Adjust flow rate as appropriate - If still not oiling do not use and label saw, e.g. Not to be used - defective oiling Wood dust being produced by blunt saw Fine chips produced if depth gauges not lowered Saw may cut in a curve if teeth are different lengths or blunt on one side Vibration (or kick back) during cutting because of poor sharpening angles and/or too low depth gauge setting

3.

Practical

4.

Safeguard and maintain your own health and safety and that of those likely to be affected by your work

i.

Demonstrate knowledge of the safety considerations required during crosscutting.

5.

Maintain effective teamwork when working with others

i.

6.

ii.

The minimum safe working distance from other people is 5 metres . The chain brake is used appropriately during cross cutting operations if the operator is walking, if saw has to be put down or before taking a hand off the saw Avoid chainsaw bar coming into contact with ground or obstruction causing kick back injury or saw damage Plan sequence of work so that an escape route is available at all times Only one person to work on the timber Never work below timber on a slope Ensure timber is in a stable condition before any cutting commences Appropriate steps should be taken to maintain effective teamwork in respect of other persons on site during the assessment. This may include taking steps to ensure effective communication and safety precautions. Demonstrate knowledge of how to remove First switch off engine and/or apply chain a trapped saw brake Lever or lift the timber up / down to open the kerf Drive a wedge (not steel) into closed kerf Use another saw to free the trapped saw, cutting the timber at least 300mm from trapped saw Demonstrate knowledge of the alternative Use pulling chain Use pushing chain methods of carrying out a boring cut and the safeguards required. Greater risk of guide bar hitting the ground or operators leg under. Demonstrate knowledge of the risks Risk of kickback associated with using long chainsaw bars Change to larger chainsaw/ guide bar to cut small diameter timber Roll timber over Cut from both sides Demonstrate knowledge of methods required for cross cutting timber of greater diameter than the chainsaw bar -

8.

Practical

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES What the chainsaw operator must know and understand: a. How to identify hazards and comply with the control measures of risk assessments wr pr/or Explain how to identify hazards and comply with the control procedures of risk assessments

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Risk Assessment should cover the following: Sites (information from walking the site and Site Specific Risk Assessment documentation) Tasks (information from job specification / method statements, safety guides) Machines (information from manufacturers guidance / industry guidance notes) Risk Assessment should: Identify significant hazards Evaluate the risks and to whom Indicate control measures required Be written down Be communicated to all other operators and reviewed / monitored EMERGENCY PLANNING Emergency Planning information should include: - Location name (Site location name, Street name/district) - Grid reference - Designated meeting place (useful in remote areas to guide the emergency services to the worksite) - Nearest access point - Type of access (public road/light vehicles, four-wheel drive) - Suitable helicopter landing area - Location of nearest Accident and Emergency hospital and Phone number - Managers contact details (Radio call sign / Phone number / Mobile number) - Your own contact number / Mobile number

b. wr or

Emergency planning and procedures

c.The implications of t the implications of terrain, ground conditions, season, weather and species wr pr/or Describe the implications of terrain, ground conditions, season, weather and timber type and condition

Appropriate PPE / additional clothing may be required for: identify dry or fungus infested timber Thorny / shattered timber that can cause injury Tree saps that may be toxic material Contamination of ground or timber by harmful material e.g. sewage / waste / rat urine Weather becomes very cold or very wet Additional precautions may be required if: Weather becomes to windy in the specific situation Dry conditions create a Fire hazard Working above, below or on slopes / steep ground Working in very hot or dry conditions Ground frozen or obscured by snow Harmful insects are present Working near waterway lakes / ponds / boggy ground Branches / crown overhead is dead / brittle /storm damaged / squirrel damaged / snow lade Spillage of environmentally hazardous liquids eg: petrol, diesel, urea can: Cause harm to the environment (particularly aquatic plants and animals) Contaminate drinking water supplies. Cause hazards to human health Plan and set up and use fuelling and maintenance points in secure areas All debris resulting from cleaning operations is correctly disposed of pollution control equipment should be available on site (e.g. spill kit) Vegetable chain oils are not toxic to the operator or plants and pose less of a hazard to the environment An appropriate fuelling site would be: A safe distance from buildings In a shaded area away from work and equipment A safe distance from any source of ignition Away from a main fuel store A position selected to minimise damage to the environment Emergency procedures should be put in place and followed if there is a spill. minimise any pollution incident Any major incidents should be reported to the relevant environmental agency or Emergency Services PPE should be: Identified and worn appropriately in accordance with current best practice guidance Other PPE worn as highlighted by a Risk Assessment Marked with an EN number Within any date limits and undamaged Maintained / cleaned / stored / transported correctly NOISE Possible hazards include: Noise hazard to operators Possible control methods: Avoid operation in enclosed spaces All operators wear suitable ear protection Rotate work with other workers or other operations Avoid working in close proximity to machinery Have an adequate exclusion zone for bystanders VIBRATION Vibration is transmitted Into your hands and arms from hand-held powered tools (e.g. chainsaw!) Regular exposure to vibration can cause Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS): Vibration white finger Carpal tunnel syndrome HAVS Affects the nerves, blood vessels, muscles and joints of the hand, wrist and arm. May involve pain, tingling, numbness and weakness in parts of the hand It can become severely disabling if ignored. The effect is reduced by: Checking tools before use that properly maintained and repaired Make sure cutting chain is kept sharp so that the saw works efficiently. Reduce the amount of time you use a saw in one go, by doing other jobs in between MANUAL HANDLING Reduce the risk of muscular/ skeletal injury when manually handling machinery, equipment, timber or arisings: Use aid tools such as timber tongs Use safe lifting techniques (bend knees and keep back straight, etc.) Pivot loads rather than carry them Move the lightest pieces to the heavy pieces Drag, roll, move end over end Maintain correct stance when using tools (e.g. chainsaw) Do not handle items that are too heavy or awkward Prepare material to reduce length and/or weight if possible

c. Wr pr

Causes of, and how to prevent, potential pollution and environmental damage

d. Wr Pr

How to identify your own capabilities and limitations as operator

The principles of safe/ergonomic manual handling techniques whilst crosscutting under guidebar length in diameter How to apply ergonomic working methods and the implications of manual handling regulations How to move or roll timber by hand and with mechanical assistance

Wr Pr OBSERVED DURING PRACTICAL TEST

f. How to identify tension and compression in timber wr pr OBSERVED DURING PRACTICAL TEST j. The methods and safeguards required when dismantling timber (e.g. hardwood or similar tops) with vertically aligned stems, branches or sections k. Wr Pr Precautions to take to avoid the danger of logs rolling

FIRST AID Ideally a person qualified in First Aid at Work should be present as per national guidelines A regulation First Aid Kit must be immediately available to a work team A vehicle should always be available on site A pairing ( buddy ) system should be used A First Aid Kit should be carried on the site (according to national standard) Tension found on the outside edge of strained timber and when cut, the kerf opens Compression found on the inside edge of strained timber and when cut, the kerf closes Important in crosscutting because the sequence of cuts should always result in the final cut being made from the tension side so that the saw does not become trapped in the kerf

Tripping or falling over or into obstacles Contacting obstructions with chainsaw causing kick back injury or saw damage Tree rolling onto operator if working on lower side of tree on a slope. Spring back from cut branches or saplings when severed

Critical Major Minor