Who is the course for?
This is an advanced course for tree surgeons who already hold units 201,202,203,206,306 &308 (were CS30,31,38 & 39) as well as reasonable tree climbing experience and their own equipment. First Aid training is strongly recommended.
The course
3 days training which can include the assessment if required.
Course Outline:
• Legislation
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Tree climbing equipment
• Rope configurations
• Tree access
• Hazard Identification
• Tree Identification
• Work positioning
• Target Pruning
• Light branch removal
• Tree descent
• Flip lines and spikes
• Environmental issues
Course content can on occasions vary to suit clients’ requirements
What should you bring to the course?
All support equipment must comply with LOLER. Please read the Update in the NPTC assessment section below.
Full Personal Protective Equipment:
Chainsaw helmet (with mesh visor & ear defenders), Chainsaw gloves, Steel toe-capped chainsaw work boots, Chainsaw trousers (Type C)
Chainsaw and Chainsaw Strop– 12” – 15” guide bar with 3/8” or low profile chain is advised with correct and appropriate tools. Top handled saws are best but quite expensive & cannot be used on the ground. Rear handled saws are more versatile but need to be quite small – 35cc is good for general purpose work but are a little small for general ground use.
Knock-in vice, depth gauge, raker, plug spanner & screwdrivers.
Fuel/2 stroke & Chain Oil.
Climbing Rope – 13mm diameter Pre-stretched Tree Rope – 35metres long
Approved tree climbing harness in good condition, to EN358 and EN813 standards
Five self-locking, triple action Karabiners, 22KN
Three Prusiks (70-80 cm) must be CE certified
3.5 metre Flip line with a rope or steel core
Hand saw (Silky or Bow).
If available you should also bring the following: Rigging Rope, Friction Hitch/es (optional), Rigging Pulley, Rope Brake, Strops, Steel Karabinas, Spikes (climbing irons).
All this will be discussed in detail on the first day and spares will be available for use during the course. All the equipment is readily available but will need to be acquired prior to the separate NPTC assessments.
Personal First Aid Kit (must include large wound dressing & whistle). Non-snag outer clothing. Please bring packed lunch and refreshments for each day.
NPTC Assessment:
This is an 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
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IMPORTANT UPDATE ON CLIMBING EQUIPMENT:
NPTC City & Guilds have issued the following directive to all Climbing Assessors:
Tree Climbing Equipment – LOLER
In order for aerial assessments to commence, candidates must provide evidence that the equipment to be used is fit for purpose and LOLER compliant. This means that it should have a unique identification and have been thoroughly examined by a competent person. The most current examination record must be provided where equipment is greater than 6 months old. If these records are not available for the Assessor to check, the assessment must not proceed.
Please ensure that candidates are aware that they will need to provide the most current examination record in order for the assessment to proceed.
PLEASE NOTE:
As can be seen above, NPTC have instructed their assessors NOT to assess any candidate that cannot provide either valid Receipts (showing that the equipment is less than 6 months old and the Unique Identification Number for the item purchased) or valid LOLER certificates for their equipment. Please remember that these must also show clearly the correct identification marks that are on the actual equipment provided.
There is no room for guesswork, if the paperwork or markings are not 100% clear or have been altered in any way the assessors are not allowed to continue the assessment.
Another frequently asked question: Chainsaw tool strops are to be LOLER compliant and should form part of the evidence of thorough examination when older than 12 months.
Any assessor that if later found to have bypassed this in any way has been told that they will struck off the NPTC register so please try not to put them in this position
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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 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