Who is the course for?
Anyone who is required to maintain and operate chainsaws for cross cutting where the NPTC certificate is required by the company (e.g. Railtrack or the Forestry Commission) or those wishing to go on to fell trees over 200mm or to use a chainsaw in a tree.
The course
2 days training for novice or less experienced users.
1 day training for experienced users i.e. 3 years experience recommended.
Course Outline:
• Workshop Safety
• Maintaining guide bar and saw chain
• Engine Maintenance
• Safety features of a chainsaw
• Personal protective equipment
• Starting a chainsaw & pre-use checks
• Safe working practices
• Storage & transport.
• Cross-cutting timber
• Stack timber
• Legislative issues.
• Pre-NPTC Assessment guidance
What should you bring to the course?
Full Personal Protective Equipment:
Chainsaw helmet (with mesh visor & ear defenders) to EN 397 and withinmanufacturers’ date recommendations (usually 3 years). Mesh Visor to EN1731 or safety glasses to EN166 and Hearing protection to EN352
Chainsaw gloves CE stamped for chainsaw use (EN 381-7)
Steel toe-capped chainsaw work boots, CE stamped for chainsaw use to EN 345-2 – wellington style or forestry boots.
Chainsaw trousers CE stamped for chainsaw use – Class 1 / type C – EN 381-5 Full, all round protection with no damage to fibres. Full protection types are compulsory for tree climbing or inexperienced ground users, Type A are permitted for experienced ground users only.
Jacket protective chainsaw jackets are now widely available and recommended for tree work but not compulsory – all upper body clothing should be non-snag.
5 metre tape measure–for measuring felled timber – a cheap one is ok
Chainsaw (recommended guide bar length 380mm 15”, over 45cc in good working order with the manual) Please make sure that the chain on the saw is new or nearly new, if in doubt bring a spare chain with the supplied box. Tool kit to include sharpening equipment – sharp files, knock-in vice, depth gauge, raker (Guide bar cleaner), plug spanner & screwdrivers, felling lever. Fuel/2 stroke & Chain Oil.
The above can be hired apart from the jacket for the course but not the assessment.
Personal First Aid Kit (must include large wound dressing). Non-snag outer clothing.
Please bring packed lunch and drinks for each day and sufficient warm clothing & wet weather gear to allow for weather conditions. Sun protection is advised for those rare occasions that we see it – minimum recommended is SPF 15 but this can be higher depending on skin type.
NPTC Assessment
You will have been given advice and guidance on the assessments during the course. You will also be given feedback at the end of the training to help you prepare for your test. Please be aware that you will need to read the materials that you were given during the course and practice what the instructor has told you to do.
The test comprises a separate practical assessment with questions (about 3 – 4 hours) and is arranged through your local NPTC test centre. Lynher Training Ltd. are now registered as an NPTC test centre and can arrange these assessments if required.
You will need to provide a passport photo at the time of booking, this can be sent as a “.jpg” file on your phone, camera or computer and emailed to admin@lynher.com.
Don’t forget that you will need to provide all your own equipment for the assessments
So please talk this over with your instructor. In some case the assessor can have access to “hired in” equipment but this must be arranged in advance – please contact Lynher Training at least a week before your test takes place if required.
You will be asked for some form of photographic ID before you can take your assessment, please have this with you.
Further assessment schedules are available from: http://www.nptc.org.uk/qualificationschemes.aspx?id=3
Certificates
On successful completion of assessment – NPTC Certificate of Competence.
Refresher Training is recommended about every 3 years.
For Individuals
Come and join us at our next ‘open course’ – please contact us for details or check our website for dates and prices
For Groups
Please ask for more details if you would like us to come to your site.
All trainees must be over 16 years of age and be “physically fit”. Anyone under the age of 18 can only use a chainsaw under the supervision of a certificated operator. Persons with certain ailments or on certain medication may not be able to take part in the practical sessions.
First Aid training is strongly recommended by the HSE.