EDUCATION

CHAINSAW SAFETY & EFFICIENCY TRAINING

Luke Saunders is certified by Safety and Woods Worker Training (SAWW) as an Instructor of Levels 1-4 of chainsaw safety and efficiency training. 

These chainsaw trainings are dynamic, challenging and fun, and will help you feel more comfortable running a saw while increasing proficiency and productivity. We follow a curriculum outlined by SAWW-certified training, drawing from proven methods to teach techniques that protect you from inherent dangers, while getting more work done. We preach “Layers of Protection”. Blue Heron Stewardship LLC uses these techniques in our own day-to-day operations. We look forward to sharing them with you or your crew.

Course Descriptions

1

  • Level 1 Training provides the baseline for subsequent SAWW-certified training. Level 1 Training moves from understanding risks of chainsaw operation, to running a saw proficiently, introducing basic planning procedures to practice felling, bucking and limbing trees. All Participants have the opportunity to run a saw.

    1. Overview & History of SAWW Training Program

    2. OSHA regulations and requirements

    3. Personal Protective Equipment

    4. Tools of the Trade

    5. Safety Features of the chainsaw

    6. The Cutter Tooth, and its Reactive Forces on a chainsaw

    7. Planning: Intro to the Felling (and bucking) Five

    8. Principles of directional felling

    9. Hands-on practice with saws, focused on body mechanics, safe practices and application of techniques to implement Planning

    10. Introduction to basic limbing & bucking techniques

2

  • Level 2 Training builds on Level 1 basic saw training. Level 2 teaches proper maintenance of the chainsaw, with particular focus on sharpening to optimize saw performance and safety. Level 2 cutting techniques build on Level 1 concepts, applying them to more complex situations. All participants have the opportunity to run a saw.

    1. Review of Level 1 concepts

    2. Basic chainsaw maintenance, to Reduce Down Time (RDT)

    3. Chain sharpening; filing options and techniques, hands-on practice

    4. Review of the Felling Five, focused on precision at the stump

    5. Applying Felling Five to bucking and limbing operations

    6. Hands-on practice with saws, introducing more complex scenarios to felling, limbing and bucking

3

  • Level 3 Training focuses on felling difficult trees, and processing trees in difficult scenarios. Level 3 introduces important concepts critical to successful cutting in complex scenarios, with the majority of the class conducted in the field. Level 3 content and focus can be adapted to client needs and applications.

    1. Review of Level 1 & 2 concepts

    2. Introduction to Segments and Lift (planning for difficult trees)

    3. Felling of difficult trees

    4. Review of the Felling Five, focused on identifying limits, ensuring success on difficult trees

    5. Extensive hands-on practice with saws, introducing more complex scenarios to felling, limbing and bucking

4

  • Level 4 Training is advanced training for professional chainsaw operators, including focus on productivity. Level 4 content and focus can be adapted to client needs and applications

    1. Review of Level 1, 2, and 3 concepts

    2. Trainer demonstration of complex procedures and techniques, as requested

    3. Trainee implementation of all concepts with limited Instructor guidance (show it)

    4. Extensive hands-on practice with saws, with all potential scenarios to felling, limbing and bucking

Blue Heron Stewardship, LLC draws on Luke’s professional experience as a horse logger, timber feller and restoration technician to provide chainsaw trainings to meet the needs of a wide variety of participants.

Our clients and partners include:

  • Municipalities (Parks and Recreation, Public Works Departments)

  • Counties

  • Department of Natural Resources, other state agencies

  • US Army Corps of Engineers

  • Private companies, including in utilities, logging, ecological restoration and arboriculture fields

  • Rural electric cooperatives

  • Land Conservancies

  • The Prairie Enthusiasts

  • Open-to the public trainings at many Nature Centers and other sites

  • Community and Development organizations

Testimonials

“I really enjoyed Luke’s teaching style and felt confident and comfortable him taking lead in the training. If I take more courses I want him to be the instructor.”

— Arborist, Level 1, 2022

Luke is an outstanding trainer.  He's very personable, and tailored the training to fit our groups prior experience and skill level.  I have no doubt that his expert instruction has probably saved many sawyers from serious personal injury or death.  He needs a raise!

— Level 3, 2021

“I learned so much from this course and I’m much more confident with running a saw and dropping trees. Looking forward to the next level of training.”

— Level 1, 2018

“Luke was an awesome instructor for both SAWW1 and SAWW2 classes. SAWW1 we(the students) had lots of issues felling the trees, But!! that was great because we were able to analyze what happened and with Luke's experience, show us how to still be able to fell tree safely. Luke's knowledge and experience was the best part of the class. Just did not have enough time! SAWW2 Luke moved maintenance to end of the day because of heat index. This to me was a benefit, we used students saws as examples of maintenance needed. Clogged filter, depth or lack of depth so chain did not cut. Idle needing adjustment. Luke used each problem and a learning experience. Thanks Luke!!”

—Levels 1 & 2, 2023

The instructor was extremely patient, and a very good teacher. It was very easy to ask him questions, and he was very thorough in answering questions, as well as explaining the topics covered in a fun, and inviting way.

—Level 1, 2019

Luke and his light sabers are awesome.

—Level 2, 2019