National Proficiency Test Council

NPTC National Proficiency Test Council

Anyone who uses a chainsaw professionally must complete the core units with NPTCand they are units 30.1 and 30.2

This covers chainsaw maintenance and cross cutting. It is a three day course plus one day examination.

Anyone who uses a chainsaw to fell small trees up to 15 inch diameter must complete NPTC unit 31. This covers all aspects of felling and directional cuts, snedding and cross cutting to enable the safe felling and cleaning of small trees. It is a four day course with a one day examination.

Anyone who climbs tree professionally must complete NPTC unit 38. This covers all climbing techniques and aerial rescue. This is a four day course with a one day examination.

Anyone who uses a chainsaw form rope and harness must complete NPTC unit 39. This covers all aspects of using a chainsaw from rope and harness and all directional cuts.

Anyone who operates a top handled pruning chainsaw must have unit 39.

You cannot gain unit 39 without completing the other units first.

All of the above courses are mandatory by law and for one person to complete all of thee courses will cost in the region of £1600 to £2000.

Refresher training and ongoing training is also required.

Other courses available are:

REMEMBER NO NPTC CERTIFICATE NO INSURANCE COVER!

Always ask to see the credit card sized I.D which must contain the above core units and a photograph of the card holder.

A grounds man must have units 30.1 and 30.2 minimum.

When tree surgery operations are taking place using rope and harness there must be one climber who is qualified to aerial rescue (unit 38) for every climber above ground level using rope and harness with a chainsaw.

 

Examples of the NPTC Card

   

 

 

Please click image to enlarge