Blog
NSORRA Volunteers Offered Chainsaw Training
Nova Scotia Trails offered a free 2-day chainsaw safety training course to its member associations this season, and NSORRA took them up on their offer.
The course, led by chainsaw professional Kaesy Gladwin, was offered to trail maintainers in response to severe trail damage caused by Hurricane Fiona when it hit Nova Scotia in Fall 2023. NSORRA was pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to eight of its volunteers.
Day 1
Late fall and the temperatures were chilly when participants gathered on Saturday, 26 October 2024. Greg Young, from NS Trails, was on site to welcome everyone and introduce their instructor for the weekend, Kaesy Gladwin. An avid trail builder, Kaesy has extensive experience working in the forestry and mining industries and participates in many recreational outdoor activities. The group was keen to learn that he is also a dirtbike rider!
Members spent the morning bundled up and sitting in the classroom – a cold barn – learning all about Nova Scotia chainsaw regulations, noting that each province has their own set of guidelines to be followed. Each participant was provided with a large kit for the weekend. They reviewed the components and what pieces are required to be on your person when handling a chainsaw. The instructor explained the PPE ratings and how to make sure safety equipment meets Nova Scotia standard and is not expired. Participants will all be looking at their safety gear with new eyes from this day forward!!
Participants reviewed brake use, basic cutting techniques, various hinges and tree responses, parts of the bar and when and how (and when not) to use them. The group was able to ask questions, share challenges they have come across on the trail, and discuss safe ways to proceed when trail clearing.
Putting learning to Practice
In the afternoon, the group moved outside with their saws for some hands-on practice. Each participant put on their chainsaw chaps, PPE helmet and gloves and installed one of the 4’ logs provided into their stands. They received demonstrations on proper starting techniques and how to warm up cold saws - then it was their turn!! The instructor acknowledged that this is the nerve wrecking part for him, when eight saws get started and it's time to go!
Everyone successfully started their saws and practiced which safe starting technique worked best for them. Participants were then shown the maximum cutting height for their stance and practiced using their push and pull sides of the chain to shorten logs and then worked at creating as near perfect hinges as possible.
The instructor worked around the group, pointing out safety issues that needed correction and providing advice on hinges. Participants then moved on to back cuts, perfecting the technique and comfort of working on each side of the log. They also learned plunge cuts, relief cuts and using wedges to fell trees. Participants gained lots of confidence and saw handling skills in a controlled environment.
Day 2
Sunday morning activities started promptly at 9am, with coffee in hand for morning classroom time in the near freezing barn. The instructor started the session with a full review of what participants had learned the day prior, then they pulled out their saws for beginner maintenance training.
After demos, participants attempted each skill including: removed their bar covers; safely remove the bar and chain from the machine; what to look for and how to inspect their chain and bar for damages and wear; and how to repair them and when they should be replaced.
Diving deeper into the saw body, participants removed the clutch cover and carefully inspected the needle bearing before removing it. They thoroughly cleaned the clutch housing, greased the needle bearing and reassembled their saws. The instructor gave pointers and tips for each participant to be successful, providing parameters for service frequency and replacements. Participants reinstalled their bar and chain, learning to properly tighten and adjust the chain as they went.
Next came the important skill of sharpening. Many in the group had some knowledge of how to sharpen a saw, but it turned out each participant had some new skills to learn!! They all completed their saw sharpening and were rewarded with another satisfying lunch.
Hitting the Woods with Chainsaws in Hand
In the afternoon, they moved outside, and everyone fueled and added bar oil to their machines. Participants pulled on their PPE and were excited (and proud) to be directed to the neighboring woods with saws in hand. The instructor had previously marked trees which presented various scenarios that could be encountered, and each tree became an opportunity for discussion. The instructor demonstrated some of the techniques participants had learned the day before, like using shallow hinges on a bent tree and showed them the control and ease it provided to bring down a tricky tree.
Participants moved to a stand of saplings and each independently demonstrated the safe way to cut saplings with the instructor providing suggestions or improvements. It was the first field test, and all participants were successful. They moved on to limbing practice and observed the instructor fell a few problematic trees, demonstrating the safe use of wedges.
Participants used various trees for discussion learning how to deal with each type of tree if they encountered them when trail clearing. This was very insightful, and all participants took away new safe techniques to put into practice. The afternoon included discussion, questions and answers and then time followed by a group photo to celebrate the learning team.
Wrap Up
Overall, it was a very full weekend of learning. All participants walked away with new skills and a better understanding of safe cutting techniques. Kaesy made the class fun and practical and participants are eager to take the Chainsaw Level 2 Course! We hope to offer more courses like this to NSORRA volunteers next season.
Susan Foote is NSORRA’s Trails and Admin Coordinator (partially funded by Moto Canada). She and her husband, Patrick, are experienced trail builders who are enjoying the opportunity to grow their trail building skills!
Published: November 2024
