Arm mounted cutting equipment TRA05

What is an arm mounted cutting equipment?

An arm mounted cutting equipment is widely known as a tractor mounted hedge trimmer. It has a number of hydraulicly moveable booms with a rotating cutting head. The machine can be used to cut hedges and grass verges.

What does the training course include?

• Have a basic understanding of the industry, the dangers of working in the industry and their responsibilities as an operator
• Have a working knowledge of the manufacturer’s handbook for the particular machine to be used
• Be able to locate and identify the major components of the machine and explain their functions
• Be able to locate and identify key controls and explain their functions
• Conduct set up zones
• Conduct all pre-operational checks in accordance with manufacturers and legislative requirements
• Select suitable type of machine relative to the work being undertaken
• Identify and maintain PPE appropriate for use
• Prepare arm mounted cutting equipment for use
• Conduct all necessary safety checks at the work area and set up exclusion zone
• Operate machinery safely and efficiently
• Environmental considerations
• Storage of machine
• Disposal of cut materials
• Carry out all end of shift and shut down procedures

Venue and equipment requirements:

• Suitable and safe area to operate equipment
• Vegetation to cut
• Suitable area to complete maintenance tasks
• Suitable and safe area to complete paperwork
• Suitable welfare facilities
• Arm mounted cutting equipment
• Operators’ manual
• Risk assessment completed

PPE Requirements:

• Suitable head protection
• Suitable eye protection
• Suitable hearing protection
• Suitable work clothes including wet weather
• Gloves
• Suitable work boots including steel toe protection
• High Viz

HSE further information:

• Avoiding danger from overhead power cables guidance GS6 https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/gs6.pdf
• Avoiding danger from underground services HSG47 https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg47.pdf
• PUWER Regulation
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l22.pdf

Theory assessment:

• 25 multiple choice questions
• 4 marks per question
• 80% pass mark required

Practical assessment criteria:

• Pre use and operational checks
• Set up safe working area
• Demonstrate safe and efficient working

On-site training courses delivered:

Southwest – Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Avon, Somerset, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire

Southeast – Oxfordshire, Kent, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex

Midlands – Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Shropshire

East Anglia – Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk

Aylesbury, Banbury, Basingstoke, Bath, Bedford, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Cirencester, Cheltenham, Coventry, Exeter, Gloucester, Hereford, Hungerford, Milton Keynes, Newbury, Northampton, Oxford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Reading, Salisbury, Southampton, Stroud, Swindon, Taunton, Warwick, Winchester, Witney, Worcester, Yeovil