Plant & Machinery, Arboriculture
Chainsaw operation remains one of the highest-risk activities undertaken within forestry, arboriculture, countryside management, estate management and wider land-based industries. Effective training, supervision and competence assessment are essential to reduce the likelihood of serious injury, fatality, equipment damage and environmental harm.
This competence-based programme has been developed to provide learners with the knowledge, practical skills and operational judgement required to safely maintain a chainsaw, conduct pre-use inspections, undertake operational safety checks and carry out cross-cutting operations in accordance with recognised industry practice.
The standard supports compliance with relevant legislation including but not limited to:
1. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
2. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
3. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
4. Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended)
5. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
6. Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
7. Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
8. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
9. Environmental Protection Act 1990
10. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
11. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).
This Course Standard should also be read alongside Forestry Industry Safety Accord (FISA) guidance on chainsaw operations, refresher standards and forestry safety. FISA guidance is widely recognised across the forestry and arboriculture sectors and is referenced by employers, contracting organisations and industry bodies as a benchmark for safe chainsaw operation and training provision. Delivery and assessment must reflect current FISA guidance in addition to the legislation and NOS listed above.
This Course Standard aligns with National Occupational Standards (NOS), including but not limited to:
1. Maintaining Health, Safety and Environmental Practice in Land-Based Industries
2. Maintaining Chainsaws and Cutting Equipment
3. Preparing and Operating Chainsaws for Ground-Based Operations
4. Cross-Cutting Timber and Produce Safely
5. Moving and Handling Timber and Forestry Produce Safely.
Due to the high-risk nature of chainsaw operations, many employers, insurers and contracting organisations require evidence of independently assessed competence. This Course Standard may therefore be used as a standalone competence-based programme or as preparation for independently assessed qualifications and assessments where required.
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