Chainsaw Training - Ohio Forestry Association

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Certified Chainsaw Training

For pricing, registration information and dates of upcoming classes please visit www.OhioForest.org or contact the Ohio Forestry Association at (888) 388-7337.

Ohio Forestry Association members receive discounted registration fees.

Chainsaw Safety Education for Every Need!

The Chainsaw Safety Awareness that Works ( CSAW ) Program was established in 2008 by the Ohio Forestry Association Inc. (OFA). The program provides quality chainsaw safety education for anyone operating a chainsaw, from professional loggers to landowners, city/county workers, emergency response teams, volunteers and anyone else using a chainsaw for work or casual reasons. The CSAW program offers different levels of classes from in-depth tree felling and bucking to general chainsaw maintenance and safety.

The cost of the class is on a per-person basis and depends on the type of the class and whether or not each person is a member of the Ohio Forestry Association.The classes are open to everyone, but OFA members receive a discounted registration fee.

All class participants are required to wear the proper safety equipment when operating the chainsaw. Participants may bring Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) (chaps, hardhat, eye/face and ear protection) or these items will be provided for the sawing portion of the class.

All CSAW training programs, safety equipment and class materials are in compliance with OSHA Logging Standards (29CFR1910).

CSAW Level 1

Level 1 is a full 8-hour class with a lecture portion in the morning and a hands-on portion in the afternoon.

The topics covered in lecture Level I are: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), safety features of the chainsaw head, five-point safety check, maintenance of the power head and guide bar, components of the saw tooth, angles and their functions, proper filing, and the reactive forces of the chain and guide bar.

The topics covered in the field section of the class are: benefits of open-face felling, benefits of using a hinge and bore method, five step pre-felling plan, tree felling demonstration, participant tree felling.

At the end of the program, participants should be able to list and discuss all topics covered in the morning lecture portion as well as demonstrate felling a tree using the five step pre-felling plan, open face felling, and the hinge and bore method.

CSAW Level 2

Level 2 is a full eight-hour class with a lecture portion in the morning and a hands-on portion in the afternoon.

In CSAW Level II, individuals are taught a variety of felling techniques. The primary focus of Level II is to advance the skills participants were taught in Level I by demonstrating how to safely limb and buck felled timber. This often involves dealing with the safety hazards that are created when a tree is felled, such as spring poles. Many of these situations are parallel to those that arrive when dealing with timber that is downed by uprooting, so this level can be valuable to those dealing with storm damage, trail maintenance, etc.

Other topics discussed in Level II deal with larger trees, wedging, efficiency, and quality issues.

CSAW Level II can cover a broad range of topics, and curriculum focus will be determined based on group demographics.

***Participants must complete CSAW Level 1 prior to taking Level 2.***

CSAW Basic

CSAW Basic is a 4-hour or 8-hour class that can be tailored for your group’s specific needs. This class is designed to cover the same indoor lecture topics as Level 1 but not as in-depth on each topic. In CSAW Basic each participant will not fell a tree, however each participant may have the opportunity to use a chainsaw to cut an already downed tree in order to show the ability to handle the saw. The field portion of this class will focus more on trees that are already on the ground. This class is geared toward landowners, volunteers and people who need the skills to saw felled trees. CSAW Basic meets the requirements to operate a chainsaw as a volunteer on State Forest Lands.

Pricing

Level 1 and 2 classes are $175 per person, per day for OFA Member Companies (must join as an Equipment Supplier, Professional Services, Land Clearing or Logger Member). The non-member rate is $250 per person, per day. Basic classes are $100 per person for OFA Member Companies and $150 for non-members. This is based on a 4 hour class. We require a minimum of 10 students to conduct a private class. If you would like to schedule a class for your group, please contact Jim@OhioForest.org, or 888-388-7337 ext. 3124.

***Weather Statement - Classes are not cancelled due to weather; however, OFA reserves the right to change or modify the curriculum according to instructor judgment for any weather-related or other safety concern.

See our event schedule for a list of upcoming classes.

"WOW!!!!!! What a FANTASTIC class that was. The instructor was obviously EXTREMELY knowledgeable and experienced, and he worked hard at not only sharing his knowledge but also querying us as to what we wanted to learn. It was a GREAT day. If the class is presented again, I will plan on attending."

Schroeder - CSAW Class Attendee

Check the event schedule periodically as more classes will be scheduled throughout the year.

The Chainsaws used by our instructors are sponsored by: