Safety Fire and Medical Australia

Chainsaw Courses

FWPCOT3351

Fell Trees Manually (Advanced)

Nationally Recognised Certificate
Fast Certificate Turnaround
Experienced and Certified Instructors
Flexible Learning Options
Industry Validated

Course Description

This course provides the skills and knowledge required to assess, plan and safely carry out manual felling of trees with advanced characteristics using a chainsaw. This unit covers the felling procedures for advanced trees with a level of complexity that requires significant tree assessment and advanced practical felling skills.

The unit applies to individuals who possess existing proficiency in operating a chainsaw and are required to fell advanced trees as part of arboriculture, forestry, agriculture, conservation and land management, local government, emergency services and other government agency operations. With the exception of minor forest produce, this unit does not apply to commercial harvesting operations.

Individuals competent in this unit should be able to effectively fell trees of any size, species and condition, including those with significant defects and characteristics that cause excessive felling complexity, that are deemed safe to fell.

Units Delivered

Cost: $1560.00

FWPCOT3351 – Fell trees manually (advanced)

Additional Information

Course Delivery

This course can be delivered/assessed in the workplace or at facility organised by the training provider.

Entry Requirements

An individual undertaking this course will need to demonstrate the following to be eligible for entry:

Minimum age: 18 years.
Prerequisites: No formal prerequisites. Prior chainsaw and intermediate felling experience is recommended. Workplace authorisation and site requirements may apply.
PPE / equipment / IT access: Chainsaw PPE is required for practical sessions, including safety helmet, eye and hearing protection, chainsaw gloves, protective legwear and safety boots.
Participants must be physically capable of completing practical activities, with reasonable adjustments available where appropriate.

Online learning: Students must have basic digital literacy skills to navigate online platforms, complete assessments, and access course materials. Before enrolment, students should assess their ability to engage in online learning. Support is available where required.

The online learning program can be found in the student portal. Students must have access to a computer, smart phone, tablet or other electronic device with access to the internet to complete the online studies and associated assessment tasks.

Learner Rights, Responsibilities & Support

Trainer support is available throughout the course. Language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) support and wellbeing support are available on request. We provide a safe, respectful and inclusive learning environment.Participants must follow trainer instructions and use equipment safely. Reasonable adjustment is available where appropriate.USI: A valid Unique Student Identifier (USI) is required prior to the issuance of nationally recognised certification.Policies and processes (including Complaints & Appeals) are available via the Student Handbook.

Assessment Activities

Performance Tasks:

Conduct a complete hazard and risk assessment of site, surroundings, and trees, planned risk control measures, selected appropriate cutting techniques and felled a minimum of six trees with advanced characteristics following workplace policies and procedures and current workplace health and safety legislation and regulations.
The trees must be chosen according to the following criteria:
- at least one tree to be selected from:
- tree with a lean and a weight distribution that adds significant complexity, yet can be assessed and adapted to site requirements
- tree leaning in a direction away from the fall zone, or side-leaning towards the available fall zone
- at least one tree with a heavy forward lean
- at least one tree that can be safely felled using one of the following complex felling techniques:
- centre scarf technique
- executing cuts from both sides of the tree during the scarf and back cut
- at least one tree exhibiting damage, defect or complex structure that requires complex felling techniques to be selected from the following:
- tree with visible lightning damage
- tree that is burnt out or has a fire-damaged butt
- trees with complex multi-stems
- tree with multi-legged growth or large multiple leaders
- tree with a hollow
- tree that is stag-dead or alive but in an advanced stage of decay
- tree with complex large low branches.

Documentation:

Equipment Details & Maintenance Checklist
Equipment Pre-Operation Checklist,
Risk assessment for at least one of the felled trees. This documentation must detail localised hazards and risks associated with tree felling and specify methods to minimise these risks.