Taking Tree Work in-house
Chainsaw use on the golf course is usually classified as ‘occasional’. Even so, strict regulations are in place to ensure safety for both the operator and the public.
Jane Carley investigates what regulations are in place, what qualifications are required and where to find training courses
here are, of course, plenty of experienced arborists available to provide contract services to course managers - the Arborists Association can provide a list of members at
www.trees.org.uk - but it may be more efficient to undertake routine maintenance in house. However, it is not just a matter of any
T
greenkeeper or groundsman picking up a chainsaw. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) requires that any person who uses or supervises the use of work equipment has had adequate training. In particular, the Approved Code of Practice accompanying the Regulations requires anyone working with chainsaws to hold a Certificate of Competence award or national competence award relevant to the work they undertake. For professional chainsaw operators working in forestry and arboriculture, the adequacy of training for all chainsaw operations, including aerial tree work, needs to be confirmed by an independent assessment, leading to the award of an accredited NPTC Certificate of Competence in the relevant unit or units. Core NPTC qualifications are CS30.1 ‘Maintenance of the Chainsaw’ and
CS30.2 ‘On-site preparation and basic cross cutting’, which can be completed in one or two days depending on the candidate’s experience. Felling qualifications can then be added on, along with additional training and certificates for tree climbing and arboricultural work, if required. Chainsaw operators working outside
forestry and arboriculture at a basic level (occasional users) can attend an Integrated Training and Assessment (ITA) course leading to a Lantra Awards Certificate of Basic Training. This applies to the operations of chainsaw maintenance, basic cross-cutting and felling material up to 200mm diameter. This will be recognised as meeting the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. However, occasional users wishing to fell material over 200mm diameter must hold the relevant NPTC Certificate of Competence. Under PUWER, chainsaw operators
are required to attend a refresher course every five years, if in the professional category, and every three years if in the occasional category. Due to the high risk nature of arboriculture, training is usually provided by colleges or specialist training centres and delivered by
trainers who are industry/technical specialists.
Qualifications are also available for operating stump grinders and wood chippers, which can be useful on the golf course or sports ground. Hartpury College offers the NVQ level 2 in Greenkeeping and NVQ Level 3 in Golf Course Supervision, and chainsaw courses, from the Lantra basic training certificate up to aerial rescue and tree climbing, are optional modules within the two year modern apprenticeship course. They can also be taken as add-ons for qualified greenkeepers, with discounts offered to mature students.
“Spraying courses are probably the most popular, but we can offer training and certification for tree work,” explains trainer/consultant Chris Pickles. “The training would be appropriate for work on a golf course, as it includes aspects such as setting up a safe zone to protect golfers and other bystanders.” GOSTA Training is a learning centre used which specialises in training for greenkeepers and the landscape industries. Managing director Lesley Lowrie comments: “Golf courses tend to have one or two members of staff who are trained in tree work - if a tree
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132