Felling and Processing Trees over 380mm

PREREQUISITES

Learners are asked to comply with the following requirements:

Chainsaw as per HSE guidance and pre-course handout, PPE as per pre-course handout, Operator’s maintenance kit and equipment as per pre-course handout, 2-stroke fuel and saw chain oil. Hand tools, for example, felling lever/timber tongs/turning strap.

INTRODUCTION

Fell trees and cross-cut timber safely and effectively with our 3-day course. This course is not an alternative to achieving the relevant qualification in this area. Professional Users must achieve the Level 3 Award in Felling and Processing Trees over 380mm.

OVERVIEW

Tree-felling is, by its very nature, a hazardous undertaking. It takes a skilled and confident practitioner to carry it out both safely and efficiently. That’s what you’ll become at the end of our intensive 3-day training course. This course is ideal if you work in a number of industries, from arboriculture to woodland conservation. This is a hands-on course that covers both practical skills and health and safety guidance, as well as demonstrating that you and your employer have completed sufficient training to meet the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). Our course is the perfect stepping stone if you’re aiming for a Licence to Practice. If you’re a professional user looking to obtain a regulated qualification, you’ll be able to proceed to the Level 3 Award in Felling and Processing Trees over 380mm.

THE FINER DETAILS

Our training is delivered by experienced instructors to small groups, so you’ll always enjoy plenty of individual attention. You’ll learn all the techniques and how to spot potential hazards to ensure you are confident and safe when felling trees over 380mm. We supplement our training with high-quality course materials and we work closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure the latest safe working practices are covered.

COURSE SESSIONS

• HSE legislation and safety guidelines
• Felling
• Additional felling techniques
• Snedding and de-limbing
• Cross-cutting felled timber
• Taking down hung-up trees
• Stump treatment, clearing site, and chainsaw checks

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This course is suitable for people who work in arboriculture, forestry, agriculture, horticulture, woodland industries, local authorities, conservation and land-based industries.

This course involves a lot of physical work, so you’ll need at least a moderate level of fitness to successfully complete all the tasks.

WHAT WILL BE COVERED

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

• Identify hazards and risks, and produce a risk assessment for the site
• Agree appropriate emergency plans/procedures for the worksite
• Organise site safety in compliance with current good practice and relevant health and safety legislation, and state the procedures required
• Assess the trees to be felled for hazards and risks
• Assess the work site for environmental impact
• Fell trees over 380mm/15ins
• Assess a leaning tree and identify the safest method of felling
• Make accurate felling cuts in the correct positions
• De-limb felled trees in a safe and methodical manner
• Cross-cut timber accurately to required lengths
• Assess and explain the terms tension and compression in timber
• Adopt safe procedures to remove a trapped guide bar
• Handle and stack timber in a safe manner
• Assess a hung-up tree and the safest method of takedown
• Select and prepare the equipment required for a safe and effective takedown
• Check on the safety of takedown tools
• Make accurate severing cuts in the correct positions
• Select and use hand tools safely
• Take down hung-up trees to a safe and stable position
• State techniques which must not be used for the takedown of hung-up trees.