Training and certification
Tree work can be a high-risk activity and workers may be required to operate in, for example, areas frequented by the public, areas adjacent to the highway or railway, in remote areas with difficult terrain and in all weathers. Effective training is an essential requirement for ensuring this work is carried out both safely and efficiently.
All workers must be adequately trained and competent to carry out their job safely. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 places general duties on employers and the self-employed to provide health and safety training and information (INDG345 Health and safety training (PDF) [1]) .
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to provide health and safety training for workers, when:
- they first start work, ie induction training
- they are exposed to new or increased risks
- they require refresher training – this is recommended at specific intervals for certain high-risk activities, eg operating machinery, including chainsaw
- a supervisor identifies specific weaknesses in an operator's abilities
Employers must provide this training during working hours and employees must not have to pay for it.
People new to a task should receive adequate information and training to do their work safely and effectively. Depending on the nature of the work, the training may vary from simple instructions provided by their supervisor, through to nationally recognised courses providing comprehensive basic training
Find out more
- Why is health and safety training important?[2]
- INDG317 Chainsaws at work[3]
- FISA 805 Training and certification[4]
- SIM 01/04/2002 Changes to the training and assessment of chainsaw operators[5]