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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
SOUTHWESTERN REGION (REGION 3)
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
FSM 6700 – SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM
CHAPTER 6710 – SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
Supplement No.: 6700-2012-1
Effective Date: December 12, 2012
Duration: Effective until superseded or removed
Approved: JEANNE M. HIGGINS
Deputy Regional Forester
Date Approved: 12/12/2012
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by title and calendar year. Post
by document; remove the entire document and replace with this supplement. Retain this
transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this title was ID 67002011-1 to FSM 6710.
New Document
6710
7 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
ID 6700-2011-1, 07/01/2011
7 Pages
Digest:
6719 –Issues as a supplement, without change, the direction formerly issued in ID 6700-2012-1
for crosscut saw and chainsaw operations.
R3 SUPPLEMENT 6700-2012-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 12, 2012
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 6700 – SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM
CHAPTER 6710 – SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
6719 – TRAINING
Definitions. Crosscut and chainsaw operations include, but are not limited to, felling, bucking,
brushing, limbing and specialized uses.
Policy. Crosscut/chainsaw operation shall only be conducted by personnel who have
successfully completed training and are certified as set forth in this directive. These activities are
high-risk, and must be performed by an operator who has successfully completed training and
certification. If a situation is determined to be an unacceptable risk, the operator has the
obligation to say “no” and walk away.
Individual Training and Qualification.
1.
Content of Training. For classroom training the instructor shall introduce and
review Forest Service policy and procedures, proper maintenance and care of the
saw, safe saw operations, and the use of applicable safety equipment. Field
training shall focus on hands on safe operation of the saw. Specific saw activities
will be related to the certification level. (Refer to the Health and Safety
Handbook FSH 6709.11 (22.48b))
2.
Training Curriculum. All saw training and certification shall use either the
Missoula Technology and Development Center Training Course or the National
Wildfire Coordinating Group Course, S-212 Wildfire Chain Saws.
3.
C Certifier Training. The Regional Crosscut and Chain Saw Coordinator is
responsible for developing and implementing a training program for prospective
C Certifiers on how to organize and conduct field certification sessions. Training
will address instructional and evaluation skills. A class that can be taken to show
competency in instructional skills is M-410, Facilitative Instructor.
Supervision of New Operators. Class A Sawyers must be supervised by a Class B or Class C
Sawyer. Sawyers certified at the B or C levels are not considered new operators and therefore do
not require supervision by a higher level operator.
Certification Procedures.
1.
Who may be certified. Forest Service employees and volunteers under
agreement that have successfully completed training may be certified as set forth
in this directive. Certifiers are not authorized to certify non-agency personnel but
may provide training and recommendations for certification.
R3 SUPPLEMENT 6700-2012-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 12, 2012
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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CHAPTER 6710 – SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
2. Field Evaluation Form. This form is used to document the skill of the operator
and the appropriate certification level. It is signed by the student, supervisor, and
certifier.
3. Certification Cards. The certification card identifies the appropriate level of
profiency and any restrictions. This card is issued to the operator and signed by
the certifier and Line officer.
4. Restrictions. The certifiers have complete authority to impose restrictions. This
may include project or size limitations.
5. Instruction and Certification Authority for C Sawyers. C Sawyers can instruct at
the A, B, and C levels. C Sawyers can field certify at the A and B levels, but
cannot certify C Sawyers.
6. Instruction and Certification Authority for C Certifiers. C Certifiers can teach at
the A, B, and C levels, and can field certify A, B, and C Sawyers.
7. C Certifier Qualifications. A C Sawyer may become a C Certifier by
demonstrating advanced communications skills and the ability to transfer and
relate concepts to others. It is suggested that “C” Certifiers attend M-410
Facilitative Instructor training.
New C Certifiers must have the appropriate sign off by:
a. One C Certifier, and the Regional Saw Coordinator, or
b. Two C Certifiers, with at least one being from a different forest than the
individual being evaluated and with concurrance from the Regional Saw
Coordinator, or
c. One C Certifier and a professional timber cutter and with concurrance from
the Regional Saw Coordinator.
d. Re-certification for C Certifiers may be done by any two C Certifiers.
8. Crosscut Saw Assistant. On occasion, a Crosscut Saw Assistant (CSA) may work
on a saw team under the direct supervision of a certified sawyer. The certified
sawyer shall determine the hazards, the potential binds, the escape routes and any
other safety requirements of the cutting operation, communicating the information
to the assistant. Certification of a Saw Assistant is not required. However, a
certified sawyer must document they provided the Saw Assistant basic orientation
and safety training to identify hazards and appropriate mitigations. The certified
sawyer will brief the assistant on appropriate use of all required personal
R3 SUPPLEMENT 6700-2012-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 12, 2012
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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protection equipment (PPE), and will review job hazard analysis (JHA) and
ensure signatures of CSA are obtained. A two person crosscut saw team may
consist of one certified crosscut sawyer and one Crosscut Saw Assistant.
Roles and Responsibilities.
1. Regional Forester. The Regional Forester has overall responsibility for the Saw
Program on National Forest System lands. The Regional Forester appoints the
Regional Saw Coordinator(s).
2. The Regional Director of Fire and Aviation has primary responsibility for the
Region Saw Program, provides leadership for the program, and oversees the
Regional Saw Coordinator(s).
3. Regional Saw Coordinator. The region will appoint a chainsaw/crosscut
coordinator. The Regional Saw Coordinator shall be certified at the C Certifier
level in both chainsaw and crosscut. Responsibilities include:
a. Coordination of training and certification of all “C” Certifiers.
b. Compiling forest databases of all certified operators in the region.
c. Providing assistance to Forests regarding the saw program.
d. Disseminating current knowledge of policy and regulations pertaining to
crosscut/chainsaw and related equipment.
e. Serving on or assigning a “C” certified sawyer to accident investigation teams
when requested for accidents involving crosscut/chain saw operations.
f. Possess current knowledge of crosscut/chainsaw PPE and Forest Service
safety regulations.
4. Forest Supervisors. Forest Supervisors are responsible for administering policy as
set forth by the Regional Forester. They also appoint a Forest Chain Saw and/or
Crosscut Saw Program Coordinator. This appointment should be in writing and
send that letter to the Regional Chainsaw Coordinator.
5. Line Officers. Line officers are responsible for signing of as the approving
official on each card that is issued to an employee on their unit.
6. Forest Chain Saw or Crosscut Saw Coordinator. It is recommended that the forest
coordinator be certified at the highest level of operator proficiency. Forest Chain
Saw and/or Crosscut Saw Coordinators are responsible for:
R3 SUPPLEMENT 6700-2012-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 12, 2012
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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a. Possessing current knowledge of policy and regulations pertaining to
chainsaw and/or crosscut related equipment.
b. Keeping records concerning the training and qualifications of all certified
sawyers on the forest.
c. Coordinating with Forest Safety Officer and Regional Saw Coordinator to
ensure standardized certification and documentation processes are followed.
d. Coordinating the training, certification, and recertification of all sawyers on
the forest.
e. Cooperating with the regional coordinator to maintain a regional sawyer
database and respond to Regional requests.
f. Acting as the primary contact for all other instructors on the Forest or unit.
g. Assisting other Forests in the certifications.
7. First Line Supervisor. First line supervisors are responsible for ensuring that
operators have received proper training and certification prior to the operation of a
saw. Training shall include proper PPE and use, first aid, CPR, and bloodborne
pathogens and RT-212, Saw Refresher.
8. Certifiers. Certifiers are responsible for:
a. Assessing the skill of the operator, and documenting that on the Field
Evaluation Form.
b. Sign as instructors for Class A, B, and C operators that have attended the
appropriate training and have demonstrated the appropriate level of
proficiency.
c. Identifying operating limitations when appropriate. Limitations should refer
to operations such as "limbing only," "bucking only," "limbing and bucking
only," or "brushing only."
d. Providing documentation to the forest coordinators of who they have certified
each year.
R3 SUPPLEMENT 6700-2012-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 12, 2012
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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9. Sawyers.
a. “A” Sawyer. These sawyers have completed and introduction to chain saw
use and are considered apprentice sawyers. They can use chainsaw or
crosscut to do brushing, limbing, bucking and falling up to 8 inches with
supervision by a B or C sawyer.
b. “B” Sawyer. These sawyers have completed either the MTDC saw course or
S-212 class for chainsaws. They can fall and buck trees generally up to the
length of their bar. The trees should not be complex in nature.
c. “C” Sawyer. These Sawyers have completed either the MTDC saw course or
S-212 class for chainsaws. They can fall and buck trees up to their comfort
level. They can train at the A, B, and C levels, but can only certify at the A
and B level.
d. “C” Certifier. These sawyers have completed either the MTDC saw course or
S-212 class for chainsaws. They can fall and buck trees at any level. They
can train and certify at the A, B, and C levels.
Record Keeping.
1. Each forest saw coordinator needs to maintain a record of who is certified, at what
level (including restrictions), original certification date, who certified them, and
recertification date(s).
2. A regional database is compiled and maintained from the Forest database by the
regional saw coordinator(s). Forest saw coordinators will provide this
information as requested, and send a copy of their data base to the regional
coordinator by October 31st each year.
Recertification and Training. Recertification is required every three years. Minimum
recertification requirements are:
1. Classroom review shall last a minimum of 4 hours and will involve applicable
safety films and job hazard analysis and cover accident and situational awareness
reviews.
2. Hands-on field review by a certifier. Operator shall perform work at an
acceptable level with material relevant to the certification.
Monitoring. Monitoring is critical to the prevention of saw accidents. It is recommended that
the forests perform periodic monitoring of their saw program. The Regional Saw Coordinator
R3 SUPPLEMENT 6700-2012-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 12, 2012
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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may conduct activity reviews or other periodic inspections to ensure that workers are using
acceptable procedures for tree felling and other saw applications.
Following are suggested review elements:
Review of operator's training, certification, and recertification.
Review of felling methods and operator understanding of felling cuts and their relationship to
each other, wedges, escape routes, procedural felling steps, and other critical points of saw use.
1. Use of personal protective equipment.
2. Review of JHA's.
3. Safety and tailgate meetings.
4. Observation of unsafe practices; corrective actions.
5. Review of supervision and instruction of operators who are in training status or
who have a restricted operation.
6. Use of stump reading to judge the quality of felling work.
7. Encouragement of both announced and unannounced saw project inspections.
8. Steps to ensure the safety of anyone not directly involved with the felling
operation.
9. Review of minor chain and crosscut saw accidents with forest safety officer.