Who is the course for?
Anyone using a chainsaw wishing to fell trees over 380mm (15”) at felling height.
You must have an NPTC CS30 and CS31 or 201,202 & 203 qualification, and have suitable and relevant experience – 6 months of felling is preferable.
The course
3 days ITA course. 1 day for refresher.
Course Outline:
• Safe working practices
• Protective clothing
• Starting & pre-use checks
• Practical demonstrations & safe use
• A safe working area, hazard analysis
• Preparation, felling & de-limbing
• Storage & transport
• 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 within manufacturers’ 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.
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. Fuel/2 stroke & Chain Oil.
Other Equipment: (PUWER compliant) Felling Lever/Breaker Bar. Plastic Wedges. High Lift Wedges. Sledge Hammer
Hand winch – 1.6 Ton Tirfor winch or equivalent. Strops- ideally 3 in number, 3 metres in length with min 2 ton loading capacity. Shackles – 2 in number, heavy duty, around 8 ton loading capacity. Winch pulley –minimum 3 ton loading capacity.
Some of the above can be hired for the course but not the assessment. Enquire when booking.
If booking more than one candidate, the above requirements for winch etc. will do for a team of up to 4 candidates.
Personal First Aid Kit (must include large wound dressing).
Passport style Photos for NPTC card and if not already supplied, hard copy or .jpeg file
Please bring packed lunch and drinks for each dayand 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
(This is not a part of the course):
This is a newly introduced (June 2013) ITA – Integrated Training & Assessment course so the instructor can now assess candidates during the course. Please contact us for updated arrangements as you will need to pre-register for the assessments.
Assessment Schedule available at http://www.nptc.org.uk/qualificationschemes.aspx?id=3
Certificate:
On successful completion of assessment -NPTC Certificate of Competence
Refresher Training is recommended every 3-5 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
Do you have a group?
Our instructor may be able to come to your site/workplace – please ask for details
All trainees must be over 18 years of age, in good health. Persons with certain ailments or on certain medication may not be able to take part in the practical sessions