Safe Use of Brushcutters & Trimmers (Refresher)

Price: POA
Duration: 1 Day
Location: Portadown, Northern Ireland

Brushcutters and trimmers are widely used across the agriculture, horticulture, landscaping and grounds maintenance industries. They are highly efficient in difficult terrain and vegetation management, but they are also among the most dangerous hand-held machines in common use. This refresher course reinforces safe working practices, highlights key risks, and ensures operators remain competent, compliant and confident in their role

Who Should Attend?

This course is suitable for:

• Agriculture workers
• Horticulture operatives
• Landscaping professionals
• Grounds maintenance staff
• Anyone who currently operates a brushcutter or trimmer

The course is physically demanding, so delegates must be fit enough to complete practical tasks.

Course Aim

To refresh the knowledge and skills of experienced brushcutter and trimmer operators, ensuring they:

• Understand current regulations and safety requirements
• Recognise hazards and reduce risks
• Maintain equipment correctly
• Work safely, efficiently and responsibly

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, delegates will be able to:

• Produce a site-specific risk assessment for brushcutter/trimmer operations
• Identify the correct personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Identify health and safety features on brushcutters and trimmers
• Recognise defects and decide which can be fixed by the operator and which require a service engineer
• Carry out routine maintenance in line with manufacturer instructions
• Prepare equipment with the correct fuel/oil mix
• Start machines safely from hot and cold
• Perform pre-cutting checks
• Identify hazards and risks during maintenance and operation
• Maintain cutting heads safely and efficiently
• Adjust machines for safe and comfortable operation
• Select the correct cutting head for operating conditions
• Operate with consideration for public safety, property and environmental factors
• Organise the site and apply systematic working methods

Assessment Method

Learners will be assessed through:

• Practical observation
• Safe working demonstrations
• Knowledge checks

Certification

Upon successful completion, delegates will receive a LANTRA Certificate of Competence confirming refresher training in the safe use of brushcutters and trimmers.