Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-Cutting

We work closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure both the course’s content – and the materials we use – are in line with current safe working practices.

You’ll learn all the theory needed to use and keep a chainsaw running safely, with key sessions covering saw chain, guide bar, and power unit maintenance.

And you’ll gain hands-on experience of starting a chainsaw, run through all the pre-cutting tests and learn the skills needed to expertly cross-cut timber.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

Identify the necessary personal protective equipment required, report on its condition and locate the various standard marks
Identify required health and safety features on a chainsaw
Prepare the chainsaw for use with the correct fuel/oil mix and chain lubrication
Start the chainsaw from both cold and hot in a safe manner
Carry out pre-cutting safety tests – and state the procedures if the chainsaw fails these tests
State the possible hazards/risks when carrying out maintenance or operational tasks
Organise site safety and state the procedures required
Identify faults and defects on a chainsaw and decide which you can sort yourself and which will need the help of a service engineer
Select and identify the correct tools to enable maintenance and report on their serviceability
Carry out all routine maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction book and/or the Lantra Awards workbook
Cross-cut timber accurately to required lengths
Assess and explain the terms ‘tension’ and ‘compression’ in timber
Adopt safe procedures to remove a trapped guide bar
Handle and stack timber in a safe manner.