Woodchippers ARB09

What is a woodchipper?

A tree chipper or woodchipper is a machine used for reducing wood (generally tree limbs or trunks) into smaller woodchips. They are often portable, being mounted on wheels on frames suitable for towing behind a truck or van. Power is generally provided by an internal combustion engine 

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
• Set up exclusion zone
• 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 woodchipper use
• Prepare the woodchipper for use
• Conduct all necessary safety and efficiently
• Environmental considerations
• Storage and transport of woodchipper
• 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
• Branches of various lengths and sizes
• Suitable and safe area to complete paperwork
• Suitable welfare facilities
• Stump grinder
• 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
• Woodchipper use AFAG604
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/afag604.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
• Demonstrate knowledge of controls including emergency stop procedure
• Demonstrate safe and efficient use of machines
• End of use checks

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