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This group performs some or all of the following duties:

• Operate chain saw to fell, delimb and buck trees at the logging site and loading area
• Operate cable, or grapple skidder to move or yard the felled trees from the logging site to the landing area for processing and transportation
• Assess site, terrain and weather conditions before felling and yarding trees
• May work as member of a team rotating between chain saw operation and skidder operation
• May maintain and perform minor repairs on skidders, chain saws and other equipment.

• Completion of secondary school may be required.
• Completion of a college program for forest workers may be required.
• Formal training in chain saw operation and maintenance and several months of on-the-job training are usually provided.
• Previous experience as a logging and forestry labourer or logging machine operator may be required. Experience requirements vary depending on the type and location of woodlands operations.
• Provincial certification or a forest worker program certificate is required in some provinces.
• Trade certification for fallers is available, but voluntary in Quebec.
• Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) and first aid certificates may be required.

• Chain saw operators often must own and maintain their own chain saw.
• Mobility may be limited from eastern and central forest zones to western forest zones where tree size or steep terrain may require different cutting and yarding methods.
• Progression to logging machinery operator positions is possible with experience.
• Progression to supervisory positions or self-employment as a logging contractor is possible with experience.
• There is a trend toward company certification of chain saw operators in larger companies.
• There is some mobility among jobs within this unit group as chain saw and skidder operators often work in teams and rotate jobs.

• Logging contractors and supervisors (in 8211 Supervisors, logging and forestry)
• Logging and forestry labourers (8616)
• Logging machinery operators (8241)
• Silviculture and forestry workers (8422)