Course Objectives

To enable course members to:

• Produce a site specific Risk Assessment for wood chipping operations
• State the principles of HSE legislation and safety guidelines for using a wood chipper
• Select the appropriate PPE and state the maintenance requirements
• Carry out operator checks and identify the safety features of a woodchipper
• Carry out routine operator maintenance
• Inspect and identify defects on the blades
• Prepare machine prior to operation, start the machine, carry out safety checks and stop machine.
• Prepare a work area and a range of materials for chipping and identify hazardous materials not to be chipped
• Use approved techniques to chip woody brash and both short and long sections of timber safely and effectively
• State the procedure for removing blockages
• State the safety and environmental factors associated with the disposal of woodchips and the various end uses of woodchips
• Prepare machine for transport and storage
• The use of the manufacturer’s instruction book is stressed at all times to ensure maintenance and adjustments are carried out to manufacturers’ recommendations.

Who is the Course For?

Any person employed in arboriculture, forestry, horticulture, landscaping and grounds maintenance who is or will be required to operate Woodchippers. Inexperienced members may require longer than the stated guide times to fully utilise the information supplied.

This is an Integrated Training and Assessment (ITA) course, and successful candidates will receive a Certificate of Basic Training and ID card

Course Content

• Introduction
• Risk Assessment
• Legislation
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Pre-use checks
• Safety Features
• Routine checks and maintenance
• Cutter and anvil checks
• Start machine and carry out safety checks
• Preparation of site , machine and materials
• Operation of woodchipper
• Unblocking woodchipper
• End uses of woodchip
• Cleaning, transport and storage