Using a chainsaw from a rope and harness

Use of a Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness

3 days + 1 for assessment Max 2 Candidates 

Qualification – NPTC Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Using a Chainsaw From a Rope and Harness

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 person is in the tree at a time. One saw is running in the canopy 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. Three days of it shared between two is a different course from three 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.

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.

£967 inc. Vat (This cost also includes the cost of the external assessment and NPTC registration fees.)

This course is designed to provide the skills and practical experience to use chainsaws safely and effectively within the canopy.

The course will cover the following:

• Health and safety, including relevant legislation and risk assessment
• Pre-work planning
• Tree pruning techniques
• Visual Tree assessment
• Work positioning whilst using a chainsaw
• A variety of cuts to be implemented in the canopy
• Use of a chainsaw on spikes

Entry Requirements

Trainees must already hold certification for, chainsaw maintenance and cross cutting, felling and processing small trees under 380mm, and tree climbing and aerial rescue, before enrolling on this course. 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

• Personal Protective Equipment
  • Safety Climbing Helmet (Complying with BS EN 12492)
  • Tight fitting gripper gloves – nonessential 
  • Chainsaw trousers – Type C
  • Chainsaw boots
  • Great Oaks Environmental Training reserves the right to withdraw the training to candidates if the PPE or equipment is not in a safe condition
• Climbing Equipment
  • Suitable climbing equipment can be rented from Great Oaks Training for candidates to use
  • Climbing equipment owned by the candidate may be used, however all equipment will require current LOLER certification to be shown and be subject to inspection by our trainers before being used.
• Other Equipment
• Top handle 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.