Safe Use of Woodchippers (Refresher)

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

Woodchippers are widely used across arboriculture, forestry, landscaping, and grounds maintenance. Although highly effective, they can cause serious injury if used incorrectly. This refresher course updates operators on key health and safety issues, correct operating techniques, and routine maintenance requirements.

Prerequisites

Learners must provide evidence of woodchipper certification achieved within the last five years.

Who Should Attend?

This course is suitable for:

• Arboriculture
• Forestry and woodland industries
• Landscaping and grounds maintenance
• Utilities and vegetation management
• Estate and land management
• Local authorities and conservation work
• Horticulture and land-based industries

Refresher training is normally required every five years.

Course Aim

To refresh and reinforce existing knowledge so that operators continue to work safely, efficiently, and in line with current legislation and manufacturer guidance.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, delegates will be able to:

• Produce a site-specific risk assessment for woodchipping operations
• Understand HSE legislation and safety guidance for woodchipper use
• Select appropriate PPE and state maintenance requirements
• Carry out operator checks and identify machine safety features
• Perform routine operator maintenance
• Inspect blades and identify defects
• Prepare the machine for use, including starting, stopping and safety checks
• Prepare work areas and materials and identify hazardous materials that must not be chipped
• Use approved techniques to chip woody brash and short and long timber safely
• State correct procedures for removing blockages
• Understand safety and environmental factors relating to woodchip disposal and end use
• Prepare the machine for transport and storage

Assessment Method

Learners will be assessed through:

• Integrated training and assessment
• Classroom theory and practical instruction
• Hands-on machine operation
• Blockage removal practice
• End-of-course assessment

Certification

Upon successful completion, learners will receive a LANTRA Certificate of Refresher Training, confirming continued competence in the safe use of woodchippers.