Fallers Job Description

The Fallers use axes or chainsaws to fell trees using knowledge of tree characteristics and cutting techniques to control direction of fall and minimize tree damage.

Duties:

The Fallers stop saw engines, pull cutting bars from cuts, and run to safety as tree falls. The Fallers must appraise trees for certain characteristics, such as twist, rot, and heavy limb growth, and gauge amount and direction of lean, in order to determine how to control the direction of a tree’s fall with the least damage. The Faller must saw back-cuts, leaving sufficient sound wood to control direction of fall. The Fallers must also clear brush from work areas and escape routes, and cut saplings and other trees from direction of falls, using axes, chainsaws, or bulldozers. The Fallers measure felled trees and cut them into specified log lengths, using chain saws and axes. The Fallers assess logs after cutting to ensure that the quality and length are correct. The Faller determines position, direction, and depth of cuts to be made, and placement of wedges or jacks. The Faller control’s the direction of a tree’s fall by scoring cutting lines with axes, sawing undercuts along scored lines with chainsaws, knocking slabs from cuts with single-bit axes, and driving wedges. The Faller trims off the tops and limbs of trees, using chainsaws, delimbers, or axe. The Faller is the one who selects trees to be cut down, assessing factors such as site, terrain, and weather conditions before beginning work.

Activities:

The Faller performs physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body, such as cling, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. The Faller uses either control mechanisms or directs physical activity to operate machines or processes not including computers or vehicles. The Faller must use hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. The Faller identifies information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. The Faller runs, maneuvers, navigates or drives vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft. The Faller monitors and reviews all information pertaining to the cutting of the tree’s that he has been assigned. The Faller inspects equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. The Faller services, repairs, adjust, and tests machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical not electronic principles. The Faller observes, receives, and otherwise obtains information from all relevant sources. The Faller assesses the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Abilities and Skills:

• The Faller needs the ability to quickly respond with the hand, finger, or foot to a signal sound, light, picture when it appears. The Faller must have the ability to coordinate two or more limbs for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
• The Faller needs the ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or vehicles to exact position.
• The Faller needs the ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• The Faller needs the ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
• The Faller needs the skill to perform routine maintenance on equipment and determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• The Faller needs the skill to repair machines or systems using the needed tools.
• The Faller needs the skill to determine the proper kind of tools and equipment needed to do his job function. He must be able to have all tools ready before they start doing the job.
• The Faller needs the skill and ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Often the Faller is already in the process of cutting down the tree and must act swiftly.
• The Faller must be a trouble shooter that can determine the causes of operating errors and decide what to do about it in an instant.

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