We offer a 2-day refresher which will update you on legislation, industry best practice, techniques and equipment.
The Health & Safety Executive recommend that occasional chainsaw users undertake refresher training every 2-3 years, whilst full-time operators should do so at least every 5 years to ensure that their skills and knowledge remain current. However, your company health and safety policy or your own personal feelings may indicate that you do a refresher chainsaw course more frequently.
You MUST hold the relevant NPTC certificates prior to attending:
- Competence in Chainsaw Cross-cutting and Maintenance (0039-20)
- Competence in Felling Small Trees up to 3800mm (0039-21)
What you'll learn
This 2-day refresher course will update you on:
- risk assessment and emergency procedures
- relevant health and safety regulations and changes where applicable
- maintenance of the chainsaw
- operational checks of the chainsaw
- fell and process trees
- carry out cross-cutting and shredding of the timber
- discuss hung up trees
- demonstrate industry best practice
How you'll learn and be assessed
There is no formal assessment for this course. However, on successful completion, a Merrist Wood College Certificate of Attendance will be issued
Progression
You could go onto our other arboriculture courses or, following successful assessment, climb trees commercially.
Other courses offered at Merrist Wood College include:
- Aerial Chainsaw use from Rope and Harness
- Manually Fed Wood Chipper Operations
- Arboriculture (Tree Management) Level 4, Award, Certificate and Diploma
Entry requirements
This course is for experienced chainsaw users over the age of 16. You must hold the relevant NPTC cert prior to attending.
You will need:
- Personal protective equipment or complete a booking form to request hire.
- *Chainsaw protective helmet (complying with EN 397)
- *Chainsaw protective trousers (type A) (complying with EN 381-5)
- *Chainsaw protective gloves (complying with EN 381-7)
- *Chainsaw protective boots (complying with BS EN ISO 20345:2004 and bearing a shield depicting a chainsaw
- Ear defenders (complying with EN 352)
- Face Visor (complying with EN 1731/Safety Glasses EN 166)
- Personal first-aid kit, including a large wound dressing.
*The items marked with an asterisk should bear the chainsaw logo and show the chain speed to which they have been tested
Additional information
Catering facilities may or may not be open on site, therefore you are more than welcome to bring a packed lunch and drinks.
The cost includes all instruction, assessment, and use of equipment but not use of personal protective clothing.
Please note: PPE can no longer be hired from the College.
A map of the college will be supplied in your joining instructions. Please ensure you arrive early to locate your meeting place and ensure a prompt start time. You must report to the Harris Centre reception and sign in (opens at 8.30am), they will issue you with a lanyard that must be worn whilst you are on campus. Once you are signed in you need to go to the Short Course Centre at the bottom of the drive. There is parking in the Equine car park.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What time does the course start?
The course starts 9am.
You must report to the Harris Centre reception and sign in (opens at 8.30am), they will issue you with a lanyard that must be worn whilst you are on campus. Once you are signed in you need to go to the Short Course Centre at the bottom of the drive. There is parking in the Equine car park.
What time does the course finish?
The course finishes at 5pm. Depending on when your assessment is, you may finish earlier on your assessment day.
You must return your lanyard to the Harris Centre reception and sign out (closes at 5pm) or hand your lanyard to the assessor.
Is there a restaurant on site?
There are two catering outlets on site. These are only operational during term time. You are more than welcome to bring your own packed lunch and drinks.
