{"schemaVersion":"1.0","exportedAt":"2026-05-15T12:40:07.598Z","occupation":{"soc":"45-4021.00","title":"Fallers","group":"Farming, Fishing & Forestry","sector":"11","jobZone":2,"jobZoneInferred":false},"framework":{"version":"v.26.05","description":"","contextCovered":"This framework covers commercial timber felling and bucking operations in forest harvest settings, from entry-level supervised felling through lead-faller oversight and crew-wide safety and production management.","levels":{"emerging":{"label":"Emerging","statements":["Chainsaw startup and shutdown procedures — demonstrate under direct supervision at a designated landing area before active felling begins.","Escape routes and drop zones — identify and clear brush from predetermined paths under a lead faller's guidance on a timber harvest site.","Basic tree lean — recognize obvious directional lean on standing timber under close supervision during a training fell.","Undercut depth and placement — follow a step-by-step protocol to position a simple undercut notch on small-diameter trees under direct instruction.","Saw engine shutdown and bar removal — practice stopping the saw and retreating to a safe distance along a cleared escape route during supervised practice fells.","Log length specifications — read and apply posted cutting instructions to measure felled trees with a measuring tape on a logging crew.","Personal protective equipment — select and correctly don chainsaw chaps, hard hat, and hearing protection before entering a felling zone.","Sapling removal — use an axe or handsaw to clear small trees from a planned fall path under crew supervision in a forest stand.","Cut log quality — recognize obvious defects such as excessive bark inclusion or incorrect length after a supervised bucking operation.","Felling site hazards — list common risks including widow-makers and uneven terrain during a pre-shift safety briefing on a logging operation."]},"developing":{"label":"Developing","statements":["Tree appraisal — assess visible twist, surface rot, and heavy limb growth on standing timber to inform felling decisions with minimal supervisor input on active harvest units.","Directional fall control — score cutting lines with an axe and execute undercuts along those lines with a chainsaw to influence fall direction on moderate-diameter trees in a production timber setting.","Back-cut execution — saw back-cuts while maintaining sufficient hinge wood to guide fall direction safely on routine timber stands without step-by-step direction.","Wedge and jack placement — drive felling wedges into back-cuts to correct lean and prevent saw pinching during standard felling operations on a logging crew.","Bucking to specification — measure and cut felled trees to designated log lengths using a chainsaw, meeting mill requirements on a production logging site.","Escape route preparation — independently clear brush and small saplings from work areas and two planned escape paths before beginning felling on a new setting.","Lean estimation — gauge the degree and direction of a tree's lean using visual reference and simple instruments to select appropriate felling technique on varied terrain.","Post-cut log assessment — inspect bucked logs for correct length, sound wood, and absence of excessive defect before bucking crew moves to the next stem.","Chainsaw maintenance — perform daily bar oiling, chain tensioning, and air filter cleaning to keep equipment operational throughout a logging shift.","Crew communication — use standardized voice and hand signals to coordinate safe movement of personnel during active felling on a multi-person logging team."]},"proficient":{"label":"Proficient","statements":["Complex tree appraisal — evaluate multiple defect indicators including internal rot, severe lean, and crown imbalance to determine the safest felling method on challenging old-growth or damaged timber without oversight.","Fall direction precision — combine scored undercuts, angled back-cuts, and strategically placed wedges to land a tree within a narrow target zone on steep or obstacle-filled terrain.","High-risk felling operations — safely fell trees adjacent to roads, power lines, or other infrastructure by selecting appropriate cut sequences and equipment on sensitive harvest sites.","Brushing and obstacle removal — operate a chainsaw and direct bulldozer clearing to prepare complex felling zones and multiple escape corridors on large, uneven logging settings.","Production bucking optimization — determine optimal cut points across a full stem to maximize log-grade recovery and meet multiple mill specifications on a commercial harvest unit.","Non-routine defect handling — adapt felling and bucking technique in real time when unexpected hollow cores, split tops, or severe lean is discovered mid-operation on active timber ground.","Situational hazard assessment — conduct independent pre-fell assessments of weather, slope, snag density, and ground conditions to make go or no-go decisions on a daily basis.","Equipment troubleshooting — diagnose and field-repair common chainsaw faults such as carburetor fuel imbalance, bar groove wear, and drive sprocket wear to minimize downtime on remote logging sites.","Log quality verification — apply grading standards to assess bucked log quality for length, scaling defect deductions, and species-specific requirements before log decks are transported to the mill.","Regulatory compliance — apply federal and state felling safety regulations and best management practices to daily work decisions independently on contracted timber sales."]},"advanced":{"label":"Advanced","statements":["Felling strategy development — design stand-level felling sequences and directional fall plans for an entire logging unit, balancing efficiency, safety, and environmental objectives for a full harvesting crew.","Crew training and mentorship — instruct emerging and developing fallers in undercut geometry, hinge wood theory, and escape protocols through hands-on demonstration on active harvest settings.","Safety program leadership — establish and enforce site-specific felling safety standards, conduct incident investigations, and implement corrective actions across multiple logging operations.","Harvest unit planning — collaborate with foresters and land managers to appraise timber stands, identify high-risk trees, and define operational boundaries before equipment or crews mobilize.","Production and quality oversight — monitor daily log volume, length compliance, and grade recovery across a full crew, adjusting work assignments to meet contract specifications on commercial timber sales.","Equipment procurement guidance — evaluate chainsaw models, bar lengths, and personal protective equipment options and recommend purchases that match the scale and terrain of an organization's operations.","Regulatory and environmental compliance leadership — interpret evolving timber harvest regulations, communicate requirements to crews, and ensure logging operations meet legal and certification standards across all active units.","Operational risk management — develop and rehearse emergency response plans for chainsaw injuries, hung trees, and wildfire on remote logging sites, coordinating with local emergency services.","Workforce scheduling and resource allocation — assign fallers, equipment, and support personnel across multiple concurrent settings to optimize throughput while maintaining safe crew ratios.","Continuous improvement and knowledge transfer — analyze production records, near-miss reports, and industry best practices to refine felling techniques and institutionalize lessons learned across an entire logging organization."]}}},"sources":{"onet":"v30.2 (CC BY 4.0)","crosswalk":"https://skillscrosswalk.com","generator":"LER.me"},"attribution":"© EBSCOed"}