About this course

Build your skills in safe tree felling

Felling trees safely requires careful planning, the right equipment and a good understanding of potential hazards. This hands-on course will teach you the basic skills to assess trees, plan felling operations and use manual techniques to fell trees safely and effectively.

You’ll learn how to:

  • maintain and operate a chainsaw safely
  • assess trees and their surroundings before felling
  • plan tree felling operations and identify potential hazards
  • use safe and efficient tree felling techniques
  • follow work health and safety (WHS) and environmental requirements.

Whether you work in forestry, land management or arboriculture, this course will help you build practical skills and confidence in carrying out basic tree felling operations.

Completing  Trim and cut felled trees is a prerequisite to attending this course.

Is this course right for me?

Before registering, check that this course suits you. You’ll need to be at least 16 years old and physically able to lift, carry and operate equipment across uneven or rugged terrain. The course involves practical chainsaw and tree felling activities, so you should be comfortable standing, bending and kneeling for extended periods and handling moderate loads. You’ll also need to be comfortable following safety instructions and using the required personal protective equipment. If you meet these requirements and want to build your skills in basic tree felling, click on the register now button.

At a glance:

Location: Statewide
Course duration: 2 days
Start date: Multiple intakes
Number of units: 1
Indicative fees: $1,170 GST-free
Accredited Course: Yes

Details

  • Prepare for felling
  • Assess tree and plan felling
  • Apply tree felling techniques
  • Maintain equipment

$1,170 GST-free

  • Revise WHS, operational and maintenance requirements for general chainsaw use
  • WHS and environmental requirements for tree felling
  • Identify operational hazards and control measures
  • Identify tree felling direction and site preparation
  • Plan and effect cutting and fell basic tree
  • Fall a range of trees to a site plan
  • Chainsaw servicing and sharpening as required
  • Tree hang ups and control measures discussed and implemented

  • Participants are provided with the Workspace Training’s Chainsaw Operation: Beginner to Advanced manual.
  • This course is delivered using both indoor and outdoor instruction.

Participants must:

  • Have successfully completed Trim and Cut Felled Trees prior to attending this course (proof of prerequisite qualification required).
  • Be 16 years of age or older.
  • Have the physical strength, stamina, and agility to lift, carry, and maneuver heavy chainsaw equipment and gear across uneven, sloped, or rugged outdoor terrain.
  • Be physically capable of standing, bending, crouching, and kneeling for extended periods while handling operational loads and managing saw vibration.
  • Supply and wear full mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during practical activities (including cut-resistant chaps/trousers, steel-cap boots, helmet with face shield and hearing protection, and heavy-duty gloves).
  • Not have disqualifying medical conditions that could impair physical balance, manual dexterity, reaction speed, spatial judgment, vision, or the safe control of high-risk equipment.
  • Strictly follow Work Health and Safety (WHS) directives and instructor safety commands at all times.

Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Capability Requirements

To complete this course successfully, participants will need:

  • Reading: Interpreting tree assessment guides, operator manuals, safety signage, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and environmental protection guidelines.
  • Writing: Completing Job Safety Analysis (JSA / Take 5) forms, pre-operational checklists, risk assessment worksheets, and incident logs.
  • Numeracy: Calculating tree height estimates, safe fall zone radiuses , face notch angles , hinge thickness ratios, and fuel mixing proportions.
  • Oral Communication & Hearing: Communicating clearly with ground crew and spotters using established visual hand signals and loud verbal callouts, maintaining field situational awareness, and executing immediate escape route calls.
  • Digital Literacy: Basic computer or smartphone skills

This course is mapped to the national unit of competency FWPCOT2275 – Fell trees manually (basic)



Additional Information

For information on students rights and responsibilities, and the Tocal College Code of Practice see Industry qualification student policies.



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