Arboriculture, Plant & Machinery
This UKRS Course establishes the minimum requirements for the safe operation, inspection, maintenance and use of wood chippers within forestry, arboriculture, grounds maintenance, agriculture, estate management and associated land-based industries.
Wood chippers are widely used to process branches, brash, timber offcuts and woody vegetation into manageable woodchip products. Incorrect use of wood chippers presents significant risks including entanglement, crushing, contact with cutting mechanisms, struck-by hazards, flying debris, noise exposure and manual handling injuries. Consequently, operators must possess the knowledge, practical skills and judgement required to work safely and effectively.
The programme provides learners with the competence required to assess operational risks, establish safe working areas, inspect and maintain equipment, safely process timber materials and implement appropriate emergency procedures.
Relevant legislation includes but is 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. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (where applicable)
6. Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
7. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (where applicable)
8. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (where applicable)
9. Environmental Protection Act 1990
10. 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 wood chipper operations and 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 machinery operation. Delivery and assessment must reflect current FISA guidance in addition to the legislation and NOS listed above.
National Occupational Standards (NOS) referenced include but are not limited to:
1. Maintaining health, safety and welfare within land-based industries.
2. Carrying out risk assessment and implementing safe systems of work.
3. Operating, inspecting and maintaining machinery and equipment used within forestry, arboriculture and grounds maintenance operations.
4. Processing timber, brash and woody vegetation using powered machinery.
5. Maintaining environmental good practice and minimising environmental impact during land-based operations.
6. Communicating and working safely with others during machinery-based operations.
This UKRS Course Standard is a non-regulated competence-based training and assessment programme and does not constitute an Ofqual-regulated qualification, RQF qualification, SCQF qualification or formal award. Certification is issued in accordance with UKRS accreditation requirements and must not be represented as a regulated qualification issued by an Ofqual-recognised Awarding Organisation.
Select a county from the drop down box to find your nearest UKRS accredited training provider delivering this course.
