This unit covers the use of the chainsaw and/or other pruning tools working from a rope and harness in conjunction with a ground person in medium sized open grown trees.

Learning Outcomes

The candidate will be able to:

• Identify, inspect and comment upon key parts of the equipment to be used
• Prepare the equipment for use ensuring the safety of themselves, other people and the environment
• Comment upon the structure, condition and properties of the tree(s) to be worked upon
• Use a chainsaw and other pruning tools whilst maintaining a working position within the crown of a tree using a rope and harness in conjunction with ground staff.

The assessment contains 2 compulsory parts as follows:

• Part 1: Carry out Crown Thinning
• Part 2: Carry out Crown Reduction

Course Content

The candidate will be able to:

• Demonstrate Knowledge of what is involved in a Risk Assessment
• Demonstrate knowledge of the legal and environmental factors that may be present on the work site
• Undertake a hazard assessment of the tree(s) to be worked upon
• Brief the ground staff
• Achieve a working position and begin the thinning/crowning operation
• Demonstrate knowledge of tree pruning operations

Assessment takes place on a separate day - only 2 per day