BTCV Handbooks Online

Book:	How & Why
Chapter:	How to fell trees
Section:	Project leaders' notes
Metadata:	Details	Buy this book

Site visit

Visit the work site in advance to gain a clear idea of what you will be doing on the day.

Assess the suitability of the project for the group you will be leading and the time available.

Check for obstacles to felling - particularly overhead cables (don't fell within 15m of electricity cables) and fences. Discuss any obstacles with the client in case the work plan needs to be altered. Decide what is to be done with the cut wood. Undertake a risk assessment for both project and site.

If there is public access to the site, plan exclusion zones and lookout points.

Tools and equipment

Depending on the size of the team adjust the quantity of equipment taken to the site.

Check the tools are in good condition before using them.

First aid kit
Appropriate protective gloves
Goggles
Hard hats
Axes
Bowsaws (small and large)
Billhooks
Loppers
Slashers
Mattocks
Felling levers
Polesaws
Sharpening stone
Wedges and sledgehammer
Winch and rope
Matches and firelighting equipment
Hazard tape
Ensure all team members are wearing appropriate footwear and clothing and issue the specified safety equipment.

Introduction

Introduce the site, the work and the reasons for doing it.

Walk around the site explaining what work will be undertaken. Identify potential hazards and explain how people can work safely around them.

Demonstrate tool use

Demonstrate and explain the safe use, carrying and on-site care of the tools before starting work.

Refer to the BTCV Hand Tools booklet.
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Demonstrate work techniques

Demonstrate all new work techniques as you come to them. This will save mistakes and avoid accidents.

Plan the location of log piles to minimise the distance wood is dragged.

Demonstrate correct lifting technique (bending the knee and keeping the back straight so that the leg muscles are used and the back is not strained).

Refer to the BTCV Basic Safety leaflet.

Organisation of team

Divide the team into small groups or pairs and ensure everyone has a turn at each job, although each person should sned and log up the trees they fell.

See that no one part of the job holds up the others. If necessary move people around to ensure this.

Beware of boredom and fatigue. Let people change jobs at breaks. Make sure everyone is part of the team.

Check that people work at safe distances from each other. People felling trees should be at least three tree lengths apart, but within earshot of each other. At all times everyone should be kept informed of the location of felling zones. The leader should check, assist and encourage people and ensure work standards are maintained.