Ground based chainsaw operator

Ground Based Chainsaw Operator

5 days + 1 for assessment – Max 2 Candidates 

Qualifications:
NPTC Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cutting
NPTC Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Felling and Processing Trees up to 380mm

How the day runs

Two candidates on this course. Not four.

Some of a training day cannot be divided. The demonstration takes the same time whether two people are watching or four. The rest of it can only happen one at a time. One tree comes down at a time. One saw is running with the instructor watching it.

That is the part of the day that gets shared out, and it is the part that makes you competent. Five days of it shared between two is a different course from five days shared between four.

Your training lives in an app

Every candidate gets a login. It installs on your phone straight from the browser, so there is no app store and nothing extra to pay for.

Before you come: your dates, your joining instructions and what to bring. The workbooks and videos for your units are already in there, so you can work through the theory at your own pace. It keeps track of what you have covered, and there is a coach you can ask about anything on this course.

Afterwards it does not close. Your certificate goes in it and stays in it, along with every other ticket you get from us, and it tells you when one is coming up for renewal rather than you finding out on site.

The official manufacturer’s manual for whatever saw you are running is in there too, searchable by make and model.

£1351 inc. Vat (This cost also includes the cost of the external assessment and NPTC registration fees.)

Booked separately, chainsaw maintenance and cross cutting is £672 and felling and processing small trees is £967. That is £1,639, and seven days away from work, with four on the course for the first two of them.

Booked together it is £1,351. Six days away from work, and two candidates on the course all week, training and assessment.

Same two City and Guilds NPTC certificates either way. £288 less, and a day back.

This course is designed to provide trainees with the necessary skills for efficiently and safely maintaining chainsaws, performing a variety of chainsaw cross-cutting techniques, and the skills needed to safely fell and process trees with a diameter of up to 380mm.

The course will cover the following:

Health and Safety, including relevant legislation and risk assessment
Chainsaw maintenance in the workshop and in the field
Manual handling
Use of battery and petrol-powered chainsaws
Introduction to a range of felling, lifting, and rolling aids
Refresher of cross cutting techniques
Various felling techniques and their applications
Branch removal/snedding techniques
Safely taking down hung-up trees

Entry Requirements
As this is an entry level course, there are no prerequisites to join. However, trainees must provide their own PPE and have a good level of fitness. Great Oaks Training reserves the right to refuse training to any person we consider to be unfit, for any reason. 

All trainers are first aid trained; however, we advise that all candidates hold a current recognised first aid qualification before commencing training.

Equipment Requirements

Trainees must provide:

Personal Protective Equipment – PPE must be purchased from a reputable supplier, click here to read more.
Safety Helmet – Groundwork (HSE Recommended EN 397 with ear protection to EN 352 -3 & mesh visor to EN 1731)
Chainsaw protective Gloves (HSE Recommended to EN 381-7)
Chainsaw Trousers (HSE Recommended to EN 381-5) Type C are advised if planning to progress onto Aerial use of Chainsaw.
Chainsaw Boots (HSE Recommended to EN 381-3)
Great Oaks Training reserves the right to withdraw the training to candidates if the PPE or equipment is not in a safe condition
Chainsaw – subject to inspection before use. (Equipment may be rented from Great Oaks Training, contact us for more information.)
Maximum guidebar length 15”/38cm
In good working order.
Personal Trauma First Aid Kit – Purpose built kits can be purchased online, click here to read more.
Specific felling equipment such as felling leavers, wedges, measuring tape etc will be provided by us and the use of which will be included in course fees.

Additional
Due to the nature of the training, felling sites will be located within one hour drive from the training centre. Personal transport is essential.