Chainsaws and Safety

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (March 10, 2025) Chainsaws are important tools, useful for everything from yardwork to cutting firewood to forest management to harvesting timber. They are a feat of engineering, a relatively simple machine made up of a motor, a bar, and a chain that allows anyone the power to take on large tasks. Effectiveness can quickly become dangerous if this machine is not used properly, using appropriate safety measures.

Together with the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, the Friends of the Chautauqua County Greenways, and several local trail enthusiast groups, CCE-Chautauqua is hosting the GOL courses in 2025 to increase the volunteer support for the county trail system. So far, attendees for this year’s classes include members of the Western NY Mountain Bike Association (WNYMBA), Little Valley Riders Club, and Chautauqua Rails to Trails.

Other chainsaw users, including municipality staff and woodland owners, are also encouraged to attend. The course fee is $150, which includes a full day of demonstration, training, and personal coaching as each participant gets to put their new knowledge into working in the woods.

Every participant is required to bring their own personal protective equipment, including a hard hat, ear and eye protection, and chainsaw chaps. At the end of the day, participants go home with an official certificate of completion.

Upcoming course dates include:

-Tuesday, May 13 – GOL Level 1, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

-Wednesday, May 14- GOL Level 2 8:00am-4:30pm

-Wednesday, August 20 – GOL Level TBA, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

-Thursday, August 21 - GOL Level TBA, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

For more information about what is covered in GOL Level 1 and Level 2, and to register online, visit https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/events or call the CCE-Chautauqua office at 716-664-9502.

The Game of Logging chainsaw safety training, hosted by the CCE-Chautauqua Agriculture Program, is one of many educational opportunities offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated March 10, 2025