Basic Chainsaw NPTC 30 & 31

The course members will be able to:

• State and identify the necessary personal protective equipment required on its condition and locate the various standard marks.

• Identify faults and defects on a chainsaw and cutting equipment and decide which the operator can remedy and which require a service engineer's attention.

• Select and identify correct tools to enable maintenance to be carried out and report on their service ability. Carry out correctly all routine maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction book and/or the NPTC workbook.

• Prepare the chainsaw for use with the correct fuel/oil mix and chain lubrication.

• Start the chainsaw from cold and hot in a safe manner.

• Carry out pre-cutting safety tests and state the procedures if the chainsaw fails these tests.

• State the possible hazards/risks when carrying out maintenance or operational tasks.

• Cross-cut timber accurately to required lengths.

• Assess and explain the terms 'tension' and 'compression' in timber.

• Adopt safe procedures to remove a trapped guide bar.

• Handle and stack timber in a safe manner

• Organise site safety and state the precautions required.

• Understand risk assessment procedures

• Assess tree to be felled for hazards and associated risks. Prepare trees to be felled and escape routes.

• Fell trees that have a diameter up to 200mm/8" safely and accurately using different techniques.

• De-limb felled trees in a safe and effective manner.

• Select and use hand tools and maintain them in a safe condition.

• Take down hung - up trees using hand tools.

• State techniques that must not be used.

• Includes NPTC Assessment for Units 30/31.