Carry out routine maintenance of chainsaw and cutting system
Overview
This standard covers the activities required to carry out the routine maintenance of a chainsaw and cutting system, including the guide bar.
Chainsaws may be petrol or battery powered.
Chainsaws used in aerial and groundwork are included in this standard.
Maintenance could be carried out in a workshop or on site.
When working with chainsaws you must be appropriately trained, and hold current certification where required, in line with the relevant legislation.
Your work must conform to all relevant legislation, codes of practice and industry standards and guidance.
This standard is for anyone who uses a chainsaw to carry out their work.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- obtain the relevant information to carry out the maintenance activities in accordance with organisational procedures
- maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in accordance with the relevant legislation and codes of practice
- assess the risks associated with the place of work and the maintenance activities to be carried out before starting work and throughout the activity, checking and confirming the findings of any existing risk assessments
- select the safest working methods in accordance with the assessed risks and organisational procedures
- confirm that relevant training and certification is in place to undertake the work to be carried out and recognise your own competence limitations
- confirm that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work to be carried out is worn at all times
- confirm that the safety features on the chainsaw are present and functioning
- select and use the appropriate maintenance tools for the chainsaw power unit and cutting system, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
- inspect, clean, service and maintain the chainsaw power unit, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and industry guidance
- inspect and maintain the cutting system, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and industry guidance
- replace damaged, missing or worn components
- where damage or defects are identified follow the required procedures
- reassemble the chainsaw and the cutting system to an operational standard
- complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with the legal requirements and organisational procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- how to identify and access information relevant to the maintenance activities
- how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with the place of work and the maintenance activities to be carried out, and the importance of site-specific risk assessment and control measures that are appropriate for your area of work
- the relevant health and safety procedures and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW)
- the legal, industry and organisational requirements for training and certification to undertake the work activities required, and the importance of acknowledging your limitations and not undertaking work that is beyond your level of competence
- the maintenance tools and personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the work and how to select, prepare, use, maintain and store these safely, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements, manufacturer’s instructions, and organisational procedures
- why it is important to maintain chainsaws and cutting systems to a high standard
- how to use a maintenance checklist or report sheet
- the reasons why safety features are fitted to chainsaws and how they function
- the key areas to keep clear of debris during operation
- the key points of operational safety of a chainsaw and cutting system
- the function and maintenance requirements of individual components
- how to identify the key indicators of the correct chainsaw set up of the individual components
- the reasons why it is important to check the chain and guide bar for wear and damage
- the symptoms and problems encountered when the chain and guide bar are worn, damaged or poorly maintained and how to deal with them within your level of competence and responsibility
- how to check the compatibility of the guide bar, sprocket and chain
- the acceptable limits of component wear to the cutting system before a replacement is necessary
- the procedures to follow if the damage or wear to components exceeds the recommended limits
- how a cutting chain works
- the different chain types and their application
- the importance of selecting the correct file and gauge sizes when sharpening and setting the depth of cut on the chain, and where to obtain the specifications for this
- the steps to be taken when a chainsaw or cutting system is not repairable, is faulty or is non-operational
- the scope and limitations of your competence, responsibilities and accountability
- the legal and organisational requirements for the completion and storage of chainsaw and cutting system maintenance documentation
Scope/range
Clean, service and maintain a petrol-powered chainsaw:
• cleaning
• spark plug
• air filter
• starter mechanism
• chain brake
• fuel and oil filters
• oil systems
• inspect clutch mechanism
• inspect exhaust
• inspect compatible chain guide bar
• inspect chain
• inspect sprocket combinations
Clean, service and maintain a battery-powered chainsaw:
• cleaning
• chain brake
• oil filter
• oil systems
• inspect compatible chain guide bar
• inspect chain
• inspect sprocket combinations
• inspect battery condition
• recharge battery
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Information required to carry out work activities could include:
• drawings
• plans
• schedules
• specifications
• method statements
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• manufacturer’s instructions
• customer requirements
• quality assurance requirements
• industry standards (e.g. British Standards)
• verbal or written instructions
• industry guidance (e.g. FISA)
Organisational procedures refer to procedures set by the organisation you are employed by or the organisation that you are doing the work on behalf of (the client or customer).
Routine – corrective and preventative maintenance that is carried out daily or at regular intervals by the operator prior to and during work.
Safe System of Work (SSoW) – is a method of work that puts in place control measures arising from a risk assessment, in order to manage identified hazards, which are broken down into four elements: safe person; safe equipment; safe place; and safe practice.
Safety features
• rear handguard
• stop switch (petrol only)
• throttle interlock
• safety decals
• vibration reduction mounts/system (petrol only)
• chain catcher
• chain brake & front handguard
• front-facing exhaust (petrol only)
• chain and guide bar combination offering a reduced kickback
• scabbard