Training for use of chainsaws is a legal requirement. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) require chainsaw operators to be trained (Regulation 9). Furthermore, the Approved Code of Practice also states that they should have obtained a relevant certificate of competence or national competence award.
There are only 2 routes recognised for training and certification of competence for the use of chainsaws.
- Lantra Awards certificate of Integrated Training and Assessment
- Maintenance and crosscutting
- Basic felling techniques up to 200mm diameter
These courses are suitable for use of a chainsaw for business, domestic/leisure activities but would not be recognised for anyone working in the forestry or arboricultural industries
- Training only courses with separate assessment by National Proficiency Test Council (NPTC)
There are a range of courses from crosscutting and basic felling to dealing with windblown trees and including aerial use of chainsaws for arboricultural operations. This certification range is progressive and requires that the basics are trained and certificated before dealing with more complex operations.
All courses are for a maximum of 4 delegates. Business Works will organise assessment by NPTC following training which we carry out.
Course Course Code
Pre-requisite
Length of course(days)*
Maintenance and cross-cutting CS30 Non 2 Felling Small Trees up to 380 mm diameter, including Take-down of Hung-up Trees using Hand Tools CS31 CS30 3 Maintenance, cross-cutting and Felling Small Trees up to 380 mm diameter, including Take-down of Hung-up Trees using Hand Tools CS30 + CS31
Non 5 Felling Medium Trees (380 – 760mm diam) including Take-down of Hung-up Trees using a winch CS32 CS30 & CS31 3 Dealing with Individual Windblown Trees CS34 CS30, 31, 32 1 Felling Large Trees over 760mm CS33 CS30, 31, 32 2 Dealing with Multiple windblown trees CS35 CS30, 31, 32, 34 1 Basic Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue CS38 5 Using a Chainsaw from a Rope & Harness CS39 CS30, 31, 38 2 Crown Thinning and Reduction CS40 CS30, 31, 38, 39 2 Tree Dismantling Operations CS41 CS30, 31, 38, 5 * Does not include assessment
Shorter refresher courses are available for experienced operators