Individual Windblown Trees

Course Description

Using a chainsaw is always a potentially hazardous activity, and working on windblown trees presents a unique and additional set of risks that require specific skills and knowledge to manage safely. This two day course develops and maintains your ability to deal with individual windblown trees in open settings, covering both the practical chainsaw skills and the relevant health and safety guidelines. Learning outcomes include: identifying hazards and risks and producing a risk assessment for the worksite; agreeing appropriate emergency plans and procedures; organising site safety in compliance with current good practice and relevant health and safety legislation; assessing windblown and damaged trees for hazards and risks; selecting and preparing equipment required for dealing with damaged trees safely and effectively including hand winches; safely severing windblown trees up to and over 380mm in diameter, recognising tension and compression; safely felling partially blown, leaning and damaged trees; and using a winch to control overhanging root plates and excessive side tension. Pre-requisite: Lantra Awards Level 2 Felling and Processing Trees upto 380mm or equivalent. It is strongly recommended that operators hold a current First Aid at Work certificate with +F Forestry add on. Assessment: This course is a Lantra Awards non-assessed course followed by assessment through a Lantra Awards qualification, whereby successful candidates will receive a Level 3 Award in Severing Individual Windblown Trees. The assessment is 1 compulsory unit and usually takes half a day to complete. The assessment can be completed in stages during the course or as one standalone event.