Who is the course for?
Anyone who is required to maintain and operate chainsaws where an NPTC certificate is required, or those wishing to fell trees over 200mm, or to go on to use a chainsaw in a tree.
Suitable for those with little or no experience or previous certification.
The course
5 days of training in preparation for the NPTC assessments
Day 1:
• Workshop Safety
• Maintaining guide bar and saw chain
• Engine Maintenance
• Safety features of a chainsaw
• Personal Protective equipment
Day 2:
• On site risk assessments
• Starting a chainsaw & pre-use checks
• Stopping the saw and safety checks
• Emergency cut off devices
• Safe working practices
• Storage & transport.
• Cross-cutting timber
• Stack timber
Days 3 to 5:
• Felling demonstration
• Felling trees up to 380mm diameter
• Additional felling techniques
• De-limbing felled trees
• Cross cutting trunks of felled trees
• Take down hung-up trees
• Practical demonstrations & safe use
• Further issues regarding felling
• 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 boots,CE stamped for chainsaw use to EN 345-2 – wellington style or forestry boots. (IMPORTANT: Ordinary Steel toe caps are NOT acceptable for chainsaw work, you must have chainsaw 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(not compulsory) –protective chainsaw jackets are now widely available and recommended for tree work but not compulsory – all upper body clothing should be non-snag.
Other equipment required:
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.
Fuel/2 stroke & Chain Oil.
Tool kit to include sharpening equipment – sharp files, knock-in vice, depth gauge, raker (Guide bar cleaner), plug spanner & screwdrivers.
Felling lever (some felling cuts cannot be undertaken without this),
Felling Wedges
Tape Measure– 5 metre tape (min) for checking felled tree lengths are cut to size specification. (a cheap tape is fine for the course)
Personal First Aid Kit(must include large wound dressing).
Non-snag outer clothing.
The above – excluding chainsaw jackets can be hired for the course but not the assessment.
Also: Please bring packed lunch and PLENTY TO DRINK 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
(This is not a part of the course):
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 emailed as a .jpg file (from your phone, camera or computer) 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
Certificate:
On successful completion of assessment – NPTC Certificate of Competence
Refresher Training is recommended about 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
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