Overview
This 3-week microcredential certificate gives you the knowledge and skills to safety and effectively operate a clearing saw to thin trees in remote forested areas. You learn how to run and maintain the saw, plan thinning routes, prepare for remote forest work and navigate to and from remote forest worksites using maps, GPS and digital tools.
The Thinning Saw Safety and Operations certificate consists of 3 courses that must be completed to receive the microcredential.
Health and Safety for Remote Forest Operations
Learn how to:
- Apply the rights of the worker as outlined in the Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act.
- Follow safe work practices and procedures for remote forest work and produce an Isolated Workplace First Aid Plan. You also learn to implement practices to support your well-being while working remotely.
Forest Navigation
Learn how to:
- Develop the skills needed to navigate remote forest work sites using a map, GPS and digital tools.
- Use forest landmarks and features to support navigation and orient yourself while working in remote areas.
Clearing Saw Operation
Lean how to:
- Operate and maintain a clearing saw safely and effectively to thin trees in remote forested areas, meeting industry standards for quality and density.
- Plan efficient thinning routes and perform quality assessments using fixed-radius plots.
Choose NSCC
- This program is delivered through NSCC’s Centre of Forest Innovation, which is helping to advance the shift to ecological forestry in Nova Scotia. We’re training the next generation of forest professionals from diverse communities with innovative programming that meets industry needs.
Courses may include
These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.
Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.
FORT 100M - Health and Safety for Remote Forest Operations
In this course students apply the rights of the worker as outlined in the Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act. They also follow safe work practices and procedures for remote forest work and can produce Isolated Workplace First Aid Plans. They also learn to implement practices to support their well-being while working remotely, including positive nutrition and sleep habits, maintaining appropriate hygiene, and working safely with others.
FORT 105M - Forest Navigation
In this course students develop the skills needed to navigate to, from, and through remote forest work sites using a map, GPS, Avenza tools. Through applied practice, they also use forest landmarks and features to support their navigation and to orient themselves while working in remote areas.
FORT 115M - Clearing Saw Operation
In this course students learn to safely operate a clearing saw for effective thinning of trees in remote forested areas. Through applied practice, they develop the skills to operate and maintain a clearing saw, plan efficient thinning routes, and demonstrate the ability to thin tree stands to industry standard levels of density and quality. They can also perform quality audits of thinning operations using fixed-radius plots. Students will learn to apply proper ergonomic techniques and health and safety practices, and to collaborate with other forest workers.
