Saw training
What is it?
Flathead Trails Association helps to organize Forest Service approved chainsaw and crosscut saw training classes each year. This certification is needed if you are cutting any trees on Forest Service land. You will need to also be associated with an organization that has an agreement with the Forest Service to do trail work.
Tell me more.
We schedule several trainings across the Flathead Valley each year, from Blacktail to the North Fork. Sometimes they are closed courses, if one group has more than 6 sawyers to train or re-certify. At least one training is open to all groups that have their paperwork in order with the Forest Service. Recertification is a shorter process than the full training class. Please reach out if you are interested.
Course requirements.
Each person or group must have a current Forest Service Agreement in place prior to working with a chainsaw or a crosscut saw.
Each person must have a current First Aid/CPR certificate.
If working around or with stock (horses or mules) must have a current Defensive Horse Safety Card.
Chain sawyers must be a minimum age of 18 years. Crosscut sawyers must be a minimum age of 16 years.
All Chain sawyers must have the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which includes, chaps, eye protection, ear protection, hard hat, gloves and appropriate footwear.
Any organized trail clearing projects on Forest Service land must contact the appropriate Forest Service official prior to the work being done.
If all of the above is in compliance, then the sawyer will be covered by the Forest Service for tort and workman’s compensation for those individuals.
Saw certification cards are good for 3 years.