Chainsaw - NPCT Certification

[Erik Hamburger]

Slightly off-topic, but some of you may be interested: I have recently done the 5-day LANTRA/NPCT L2 chainsaw course (Operation, maintenance, cross-cutting, felling up to 380 mm) - after having used a chainsaw for 9 years, without any training or qualifications. I can highly recommend it to those who may use a chainsaw at work, in a volunteer role, or maybe related to general woodland conservation or commercial work, stalking/shooting related, maintenance around high-seats, etc. The instructor eventually got rid of some bad habits I had and I learned a lot of new techniques - Do's and Don'ts, with confidence increased and now also recognising my limits. While the course was fun, and run very relaxed and informally, the Assessment was a lot harder than I expected, with the Assessor going through every point in the extensive Assessor guidance notes. One of the candidates (3 of us did the Assessment) hadn't done his homework and was promptly failed on what I felt was a quite minor point. Not a walk-in-the-park, and if you commit to the quite expensive course (including travel etc you won't get much change from £900) it pays to take it serious and invest some time in knowing the theory and passing the Assessment. My training centre was Hartpury College, and the Assessment Centre was the RAU. Aged 59 and semi-retired I will never need this qualification professionally, but having a lot of forestry work (coppicing, felling, producing fire-wood) to do in the next few years (in between stalking!) I am pleased I've done it.

 

[Kalahari]

It is a great course. Well worth the time and effort. A lot cheaper than a serious accident as well.

David.

 

[Mike L]

5 days??!

 

[Greenmist]

Chainsaw safety trousers, expensive but cheaper than a new leg. Congratulations on passing, I've always found it strange that blokes seem to think they can naturally use chainsaws, firearms and barbecues without any training what so ever

 

[Kalahari]

5 days??!

Five busy days. You learn a stack of useful stuff.

David.

 

[LandRover90]

I agree totaly, it's worth it. I learned a load of new stuff.. and realised I'd been doing some dangerous stuff for a few years also! Like you say cheaper than a new leg.

 

[sikadog]

Been using a chain saw for over 50 years, felled trees up to 4ft across, never done a chainsaw course a bit late now at 66 years old just used common sense.
Never had an accident.

 

[SimpleSimon]

I did mine last year at Hartpury/RAU also and I'd definitely recommend them both as a venue or provider for any course.

 

[swift]

Been using a chain saw for over 50 years, felled trees up to 4ft across, never done a chainsaw course a bit late now at 66 years old just used common sense.
Never had an accident.

yes my friend like you i have 40 years experience with a chainsaw no coerces ever done out side of safe pass which is mandatory here to inter a work site , common scene is not very prevalent i am afraid among the xbox warriors you will see on some sites to day, then you have sandals and short trousers strimming and cutting the lawn , it is all the rubbish they see on tv and most think that is how the whole world now lives, you would suffer kidney failure watching some of the attempts made with an angle grinder or consaw that is where nylon track bottoms comes into their own they just don't know any better
so yes every one should do a course starting out no questions !!!!!!!!!!!! and like driving just because you have a licence , or certified course you still need experience which takes years NEVER LET YOUR GUARD DOWN WITH POWER TOOLS safety first

 

[Erik Hamburger]

Having witnessed a chainsaw accident - which put an end to the active country sports- and working life of a deer stalker, (who had been using one for 40 years without accidents - up to that day...) , and having seen the video's on YouTube about chainsaw incidents, generally involving an overconfident untrained man, a tree, a chainsaw and a ladder, I for one decided that purchasing and using the PPE, and doing a course, and working within my limitations and experience, would be a good idea.

 

[countrryboy]

Well done on doing the course.
Must admit I'm generally against courses etc but the chainsaw 1s are worth it.
Althou my mates dad is the best hard wood cutter around despite never doing a ticket.

Only 1 thing if u need to use ur ticket to get on to ground make sure the company/land owners accept Lantra, some don't and insist on Nptc.

 

[foxdropper]

Does that course require 5 yearly refreshers at x amount too .

 

[cookingfat]

Does that course require 5 yearly refreshers at x amount too .

I did the NTCP course a few years ago and there where people on the same course doing it through Lantra, the difference was I was tested by someone else and the others where tested by the person that ran the course, I was told that my NTPC course was for life but I believe things have changed now

 

[CarlW]

I had a quite serious accident a few years ago while tree-cutting. Took me getting on for a year to recover fully. Boy did it hurt when I woke up. Be safe, fellas.

 

[lw woodlands]

I had to do a refresher earlier this year. I whined and moaned about it because I'm an experienced professional and have done a lot of cutting and shouldn't have to do one.... and it was brilliant, i learnt a few new things, ironed out a few bad habits and reminded me of the value of some techniques i ought to use more.
I know a couple of pro's who have had life changing accidents cutting trees. Witnessing inexperienced untrained chainsaw users terrifies me.

 

[Greenmist]

Does that course require 5 yearly refreshers at x amount too .

Not necessarily, sometimes its down to your employers insurance, that you have to attend refreshers

I had to do a refresher earlier this year. I whined and moaned about it because I'm an experienced professional and have done a lot of cutting and shouldn't have to do one.... and it was brilliant, i learnt a few new things, ironed out a few bad habits and reminded me of the value of some techniques i ought to use more.
I know a couple of pro's who have had life changing accidents cutting trees. Witnessing inexperienced untrained chainsaw users terrifies me.

Its worth keeping up to date, things do change on occasion

 

[Sonicdmb73]

Bloody scary tools chainsaws. I always assume it’s trying to kill me and take all precautions.
I have a mate who is a tree surgeon. The forum he goes on has had some videos on showing accidents and the damage done.
One of the worst was a lad who cut his neck with the saw kicking back. He cut the prussic on his throw line and fell 30 or so feet. If he hadn’t his safety climber wouldn’t of got to him in time. Gives you a certain respect for what can and does go wrong.

 

[countrryboy]

I had to do a refresher earlier this year. I whined and moaned about it because I'm an experienced professional and have done a lot of cutting and shouldn't have to do one.... and it was brilliant, i learnt a few new things, ironed out a few bad habits and reminded me of the value of some techniques i ought to use more.
I know a couple of pro's who have had life changing accidents cutting trees. Witnessing inexperienced untrained chainsaw users terrifies me.

Aye seen a few boys that should we be allowed nail sciccors never mind saws.

As far as I know nptc still have no expiry date on them, BUT if ur working professionally esp in commercial forestry ( usually FISA affiliated sites/companies) they want either a 5 year refresher or u do another ticket ( upskilling) don't think caught on yet in the ARB industry yet.

Like all things any courses/ refreshers all depend on the instructor how much u learn, but every day is a school day. And everyy tree is different
Surprisingly either leaning trees or windblow tend to be the most dangerous, when us think they should be the easiest

 

[Waz77]

The refreshers are largely dependent on who you are working for, they are recommendations, usually every 3 or 5 years although some now stipulate annual

 

[Cranhill]

I had nick from a chainsaw a few years ago, I was very very lucky