Fell small trees using manually controlled equipment

This standard covers all the activities that may be required to fell small trees using manually controlled equipment to meet felling requirements, together with the core requirements and responsibilities.

Activities could include some or all of the following:
• felling small trees using a chainsaw - a small tree is defined as under 380mm (15in) at felling height.
• taking down small hung-up trees
• carrying out the assisted felling of small trees

You could be working to a given specification that defines the methods to be used but you will be expected to determine how to carry out these methods on site.

The felling technique and equipment required will be appropriate to the tree species, its size, weight, condition, lean and position, as well as taking into account the terrain and weather conditions.

You will need to take account of any restrictions affecting the work e.g. designated sites, the presence of listed structures, wildlife, non-native invasive or protected species etc.

This standard covers both coniferous and broadleaved trees, trees that are upright, trees that are weighted towards, and those that are weighted against, a given felling direction, as well as hung-up trees.

You are required to avoid or minimise damage or disturbance to the surrounding area including trees, other vegetation, wildlife and habitats, or to any structures, fences, paths, signs, ditches/waterways or drains, and to ensure that other site users are not put at risk by your work.

When working with equipment and machinery you must be appropriately trained and hold current certification where required in line with the relevant legislation.

All tree work must be carried out by a trained and competent person who has relevant experience in the felling task being undertaken and is adequately supervised where required. A time to consolidate learning and gain experience should be allowed between using different felling techniques and between felling different sizes of trees.

Your work must conform to all relevant legislation and codes of practice, industry standards and guidance.

Falls from trees or being hit by falling trees, sections of trees, branches or other falling objects can kill or seriously injure workers on site or members of the public.

Confirm that:
• the layout and organisation of the work area protects workers and members of the public from the risk of falling objects
• risk zones are established and people are prohibited from entering the zones
• risk zones are, where reasonably practicable, clearly marked, signed and guarded
• communication methods between all workers on site are robust and effective

Additional resources may be required on site, such as banksmen, to help manage any risk associated with anyone possibly entering the work site.

Industry guidance on felling trees and requirements for consolidation of learning can be found on the FISA website. https://ukfisa.com/.

Core requirements and responsibilities
1. obtain the relevant information to carry out the work activities in accordance with organisational procedures
2. check any statutory requirements that might be in place that may prohibit or place conditions on the work to be carried out and confirm that all required permissions and licences have been obtained
3. maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in accordance with the relevant legislation and codes of practice
4. assess the risks associated with the site and the work to be carried out before starting work and throughout the activity, checking and confirming the findings of any existing risk assessments
5. confirm that all underground and overhead services such as gas, water, sewage, electricity and communications have been identified before felling commences
6. confirm that sufficient control measures are implemented, risk zones and escape routes have been set up and marked, and emergency planning and procedures relevant to the site have been established and recorded
7. select the safest working methods, making use of mechanical methods where this is safer, in accordance with the assessed risks and organisational procedures, and plan work accordingly
8. plan work to minimise adverse damage and diffuse pollution
9. confirm that relevant training, experience and certification is in place to undertake the work to be carried out and recognise your own competence limitations
10. use appropriate methods to maintain effective communication with other workers and anyone else involved in, or affected by the work, in accordance with industry guidance and organisational procedures
11. confirm that the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work to be carried out is worn at all times
12. select, prepare, use, carry out operator maintenance and store chainsaws and other tools and equipment required for the work safely, in accordance with legal requirements and manufacturer’s instructions
13. confirm that all equipment has been checked, tested where required, and is fit for purpose in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and manufacturer's instructions
14. maintain the safety and security of tools, equipment and fuel (where required) on site
15. carry out the required work in accordance with the information provided and organisational procedures
16. minimise damage or disturbance to the site and surrounding area while carrying out the work and confirm that the site is left in a safe and tidy condition
17. implement best practice approaches to sustainability that are appropriate for the work being carried out
18. deal effectively with issues that arise, within the scope and limitations of your responsibility, and report issues that cannot be resolved, in accordance with organisational procedures
19. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with legal and organisational requirements

Fell small trees
1. identify trees to be felled to determine felling requirements in accordance with the instructions provided
2. select a recognised felling method and determine the felling direction appropriate to the tree species, its size, height, weight, condition, lean and position and in accordance with the findings of the risk assessment, as well as taking into account the terrain and weather conditions
3. consider the effect of disease, defects and decay on the felling operation and obtain advice where you are unsure
4. identify trees which could be difficult or dangerous to fell and outside the limits of your capability and report these in accordance with organisational procedures
5. prepare the site for felling by checking that the immediate work area at the base of the tree is clear, removing obstacles in the felling direction and checking that the escape route is clear
6. prepare the tree for felling, appropriate to the tree size, condition and the findings of the risk assessment
7. take the appropriate precautions when felling in areas near to railways, roads, paths and areas of public access in accordance with organisational procedures
8. carry out pre-start checks and the setting of the chainsaw for use
9. fell small trees safely in a pre-determined direction, using recognised felling methods, and felling aids where required, as appropriate to the tree size, form, aspect, condition and the selected felling technique in accordance with felling requirements and organisational procedures
10. check that the position and condition of the felled tree is safe and suitable for subsequent operations

Take down small hung-up trees
1. select the take-down method relevant to the tree size, form and condition
2. prepare trees by removing a portion or all of the hinge, as appropriate to the tree size, condition and take-down method
3. configure take-down equipment safely and effectively, where required
4. take down small hung-up trees using tools or equipment appropriate to the tree size, condition and take-down method

Carry out assisted felling of small trees
1. estimate the load and select appropriate pulling equipment for the load
2. select a felling direction appropriate to the tree form and the site conditions
3. position the pulling equipment in accordance with the specific risk assessment to ensure the safety of all operators involved with the operation, in accordance with industry guidance
4. select and use suitable anchor points, which are adequate for the anticipated load, as necessary
5. select and install adequate attachment points within the tree to be felled to give sufficient security and adequate leverage for the pulling system
6. establish a clear communication system between the chainsaw operator and the pull system operator and confirm that signals are agreed before commencing the felling and winching operation
7. where a banksman/signaller is employed, confirm they are trained and competent to carry out the task and positioned outside the defined risk zone
8. pre-tension the pull system to ensure all parts are functional
9. make felling cuts as appropriate to the tree and the guide bar, using aid tools (wedges), as appropriate

Core requirements and responsibilities
1. how to identify and access information relevant to the required work
2. how to identify hazards and assess the risks associated with the site and the work to be carried out, and the importance of site-specific risk assessment and control measures that are appropriate for your area of work
3. the importance of checking for the presence of underground and overhead services such as gas, water, sewage, electricity and communications before felling commences, how this can be done and the actions to take if they are identified
4. the relevant health and safety procedures and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW)
5. the emergency planning and procedures relevant to the site, industry guidance on risk zones and safety clearances from overhead electricity conductors, and what to do in the event of contact with power lines
6. the importance of risk zone management, the correct use of warning signs and barriers to inform and protect others while work is carried out and the procedures for temporary traffic management where required
7. current legislation and codes of practice, industry standards and guidance, organisational policies, procedures and protocols, business and professional ethics that are relevant to your area of work, and to which you must adhere
8. legal, industry and organisational requirements for training, experience and certification to undertake the work activities required and the importance of not undertaking work that is beyond your level of competence
9. the tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the work and how to safely, prepare, use, carry out operator maintenance and store these, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements, manufacturer’s instructions, and organisational procedures
10. the legal requirements for checking and testing equipment and why it is important to maintain all equipment to a high standard
11. technology used within your area of work and how to use it
12. why it is important to maintain effective communication with other workers and anyone else involved in, or affected by, the work and the methods of communication that should be used
13. the potential impact of your work on the site and surrounding area and how this can be minimised
14. your and the organisation’s responsibility for protecting the environment and working sustainably
15. the importance of checking that completed work meets requirements, in accordance with the information provided
16. the issues that can occur when felling trees, the actions to take and the organisational procedures for reporting issues that cannot be resolved
17. the scope and limitations of your competence, responsibilities and accountability
18. the legal and organisational requirements for the completion and storage of documentation

Fell small trees
1. how to identify which trees need to be felled by species, location, condition and markings
2. the timber characteristics of the trees being felled and how this can impact on how they react
3. how to determine the felling method and felling direction for different trees and what needs to be considered
4. the implications of terrain, ground conditions, season, weather and tree condition on the felling of small trees
5. how to recognise the signs of disease, defects and decay in trees, the risks that this can cause, and how to modify felling methods accordingly
6. how to recognise when trees are difficult to fell and will require specialist techniques and the action to take
7. the advantages of setting up and using natural felling benches, brash mats and similar support prior to felling
8. the techniques required for felling different small trees including the recognised felling methods, including the use of boring cuts and felling aids where required, as appropriate to the tree form, aspect and condition
9. how and when to use additional equipment to assist with felling small trees and the additional safeguards required
10. the additional safeguards to use when felling in the proximity of railways, roads, paths and areas with public access
11. the danger areas when felling trees and the importance of observing the tree and the work area throughout the operation

Take down small hung-up trees
1. the importance of observing the hung-up tree and the work area throughout the take-down operation
2. the take-down methods for a range of small tree weights and diameters, using appropriate hand tools
3. the take-down methods for small hung-up trees using winches or other manual or mechanical means
4. the various types of winches and compatible equipment used in taking down small tress and the mode of operation, including hand and powered winches
5. the danger areas in relation to hung-up trees being taken down
6. the use of hand tools, pull ropes and winches, to assist with the snedding/de-limbing of trees
7. the appropriate actions to take if a hung-up tree cannot be taken down

Carry out assisted felling of small trees
1. the additional equipment required to carry out assisted of felling of small trees and the application and limitations of different types of pulling equipment
2. how to estimate the load of the tree and determine the pulling equipment required
3. the techniques used to safely set-up an assisted fell pulling system which is adequate for the anticipated load of the tree being felled
4. the importance of clear communication when carrying out assisted felling operations and the communication methods available when a clear line of sight cannot be maintained
5. the importance of agreeing the signals to be used before commencing the felling and winching operation
6. the necessity for offset pulling when operating in confined sites or on sites with steep slopes
7. the need for the accurate selection of the felling direction and the importance of employing appropriate felling techniques and cuts
8. the benefit of incorporating a “back-hold” into the felling cut for assisted fell operations
9. how to assess the hinge-holding requirements of different tree species
10. how to perform cuts to produce hinge dimensions to meet the requirements of different tree species, condition and aspect

Activities could include some or all of the following:
• felling small trees using a chainsaw - a small tree is defined as under 380mm (15in) at felling height.
• taking down small hung-up trees
• carrying out the assisted felling of small trees

Felling methods for different small trees including:
• upright/balanced trees
• back-weighted trees
• forward-weighted trees
• small trees stripped of tops and/or branches (poles)
• use of guide bars greater than diameter of the tree
• use of guide bars smaller than diameter of the tree
• difficult to fell trees (e.g. due to their high commercial value, condition, aspect or position)
• hung-up trees

Additional equipment includes:
• hand or mechanically operated winches
• pull ropes
• friction devices
• cables
• strops
• chokers
• shackles/connectors
• pulley snatch blocks
• hydraulic or mechanical wedges
• other devices such as cable extension clamps

Communication with other team members:
• hand signals
• two-way radio sets
• mobile phones
• headsets

Banksman/signaller - a trained and competent person who controls the movements of machinery, procedures and people on a site to ensure work activities are carried out safely.
A hierarchy of controls must be established between the banksman/signaller and other operators to ensure that pre-agreed signals are clearly transmitted and understood.

Hand tools include:
• breaking bar/felling lever
• sledgehammer
• lifting tongs
• cant hooks
• turning hooks
• turning straps
• take-down poles
• wedges
• hand winch with handle, cable, pulleys and strops

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)

Risk zone – also referred to as Danger zone and Exclusion zone. The Risk zone should be established before commencement of any tree work. Usually, the distance equal to twice the height of the tree to be felled though other factors also need to be taken into consideration.

Poles – trees stripped of branches

Prepare the site – this could include setting up a bench, brash mat or similar

Prepare the tree for felling – which could include brashing lower branches, removing climbing vegetation, buttresses and other obstructions

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.

Terrain:
• hard surfaces
• soft surfaces
• uneven surfaces
• slopes