Basic Chainsaw Safety

Protect yourself and your crew by learning the basic safety procedures every chainsaw operator should know. Live demonstration included!

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Chain saw on top of tree stump next to fresh cut tree trunk

Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

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Course Details

Course Name: Basic Chainsaw Safety
Course Code: AL0261CA25
Date of Most Recent Offering: April 4, 2025

Date: April 4, 2025 UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Time: 9:00 am – 12:30 pm (Check in time: 8:30 am) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Location: Holly House, 130 Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08816 (Directions & Map) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Format: Classroom course with live outdoor demonstration UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Fee: $210 per person UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Early Bird Discount Fee: $195 per person (expires March 28, 2025) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Closes: April 2, 2025 This class is sold out! Join the waitlist. UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

There are few tools more dangerous than a chainsaw—and yet, so many people don’t know how to stay safe while using one. In this half-day class, Licensed Tree Expert Steve Chisholm will go over the basic safety procedures every chainsaw operator should know, from appropriate clothing and safety gear to proper cutting techniques. Then you’ll go outside and watch a live demonstration of the correct way to cut up pieces of a tree.

There’s limited seating for this class so sign up today!

Who Should Attend

Anyone who uses a chainsaw can benefit from reviewing the safety protocols covered in this course in order to avoid accidents and injuries. Past participants have included:

  • Department of Public Works Employees
  • Environmental Specialists
  • Gardeners
  • Horticulture Technicians
  • Mosquito Inspectors
  • Parks and Grounds Maintenance Professionals
  • Tree Maintenance Professionals
  • Water and Sewer Repairers

Meet Your Instructors

Steve Chisholm, Aspen Tree Expert Co.

Headshot of instructor Steve Chisholm

Steve Chisholm is the President of Aspen Tree Expert Co., Inc., a New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert, and ISA Certified Arborist. He is ready to share his top-rated wealth of knowledge and years of arboriculture experience with you in this course.

Gary Lovallo, Chestnut Arboricultural & Forestry Services LLC

Headshot of Gary Lovallo

Gary Lovallo, LTE, CF, CA, CTSP, NJAF, is the Principal of Chestnut Arboricultural & Forestry Services LLC, located in Old Bridge, NJ. He has been in the tree care industry since 1982. Gary holds a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from Rutgers University and is a NJ Licensed Tree Expert, State Approved Forester, SAF Certified Forester, ISA Certified Arborist, and Certified Tree Safety Professional. He is the past president of the NJ Society of Certified Tree Experts and the NJ Chapter of ISA, and he serves as the international representative and vice-chair on the NJ Board of Tree Experts. Additionally, he is a co-founder and Director of Training for the Committee for the Advancement of Arboriculture.

Gary has written Community Forestry Management Plans, drafted tree removal ordinances upheld by the NJ Supreme Court, and served on the NJ Task Force for model ordinance development. He has also been an advisor to the NJ Board of Public Utilities’ Vegetation Management Standards. He has been published in TCIA magazine and has testified in court and legislative proceedings. Gary has written various reports related to appraisals, tree hazards, and tree-related fatalities.

Student Reviews

Most useful part of the course: “General info about the chainsaw itself that I never knew, like how many safety devices there are.”

– Past Participant

“The safety guidelines, photos, and demonstration were very helpful.”

– Past Participant

“[I learned] How important the stance is while cutting. I will definitely use that in the future.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Basic Chainsaw Safety (3.5 contact hours) was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Basic Chainsaw Safety course (3.5 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 3.0 Technical Contact Hours (DLGS-RUCPE23-1)

NJ Licensed Tree Experts (LTE/LTCO): 3.25 CEUs

NJ Urban and Community Forestry (NJUCF): 3 CEUs

Meals

No meals will be provided at this course.

Course Requirements and Policies

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Please visit our policies page for the latest information.

Red checkmark in circle iconPre-registration/Walk-Ins

Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.

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Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

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A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Basic Chainsaw Safety, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Joe Canzano

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

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Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

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