Utility Arboriculture Courses

Now offering Utility Arboriculture units UA1, UA2.1, UA2.2 and UA2.3

  • UA 1 – Basic Electrical Knowledge

    This course is classroom based and takes 2 days to complete, with a half day assessment to follow where you will receive a NPTC Certificate of Competence. Candidates will identify the electrical equipment needed, electrically categorise trees, identify zones and have a clear knowledge of their site duties.

    If you are employed in Utility Arboriculture or work closely to overhead conductors of up to 400kv, this course is a must. A current first aid certificate that includes treatment for shock is recommended for the safety of your training.

    The minimum age for this course has recently changed to 18yrs old.

    Course Objectives:
    • Do Risk Assessments for generic, site specific, electrical in relation to overhead power lines
    • Site supervision, PPE & injury prevention
    • Consider safety factors e.g. leaving the site, atmospheric conditions, fire
    • Being aware of dangers involved with using ladders, ropes & machinery
    • Emergency actions and personnel rescue, using the emergency procedures document
    • Understanding procedures for making a line dead and in the event of an injury
    • High Voltage (HV)/Low Voltage (LV) overhead lines and apparatus
    • HV Earth and LV Bonds
    • How trees are electrically categorised when located in proximity to an overhead line
    • Safety rules, codes of practice and working under a safety document
    • Permit to Work (PTW)/ Permit for work (PFW)
    • Ground Clearances & Live/Vicinity/Proximity Zones

    Please contact the office for prices.
    Maximum of 6 trainees per session.

  • UA2 NPTC Level 3 Certificate of Competence Utility Arboriculture

    The practical course takes 2 days to complete with a half-day assessment to follow, where you will receive a NPTC Certificate of Competence. The course is for those employed in Utility Arboriculture who have a good level of fitness and stamina to handle the physical nature of the course. You must inform staff of any medical conditions before training starts.  The minimum age for this course has recently changed to 18yrs old.

    Course Objectives:
    • Identify common broadleaved & coniferous & tree categories A, B, C & D
    • Knowledge of slow & fast growing trees and the significance of them growing in proximity to overhead lines
    • Tree growth factors
    • Significance & hazards of sprout growth, brittle stems, climbing plants, common defects, ill health and overhang
    • Knowledge of pruning methods and their implications
    • Site-specific risk assessment
    • Electrical Method of Work procedures for each tree category
    • Assembly, inspection, minimum numbers, factors of care and maintenance of insulating rods
    • Using pruning tools & appropriate PPE
    • Felling trees adjacent to overhead lines
    • Utility pruning operations during climbing
    • Briefing ground staff & using systems for effective communication

    All candidates must provide their own PPE, full climbing kit with in-date LOLER records

    Pre-requisites for this course are:

    • Chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting (formerly CS30) NPTC Unit 201
    • Felling and Processing of Trees up to 380mm (formerly CS31) NPTC Unit 202
    • Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue Operations (formerly CS38) NPTC Unit 203
    • Using a Chainsaw from Rope and Harness (formerly CS39) NPTC Unit 204

    Please contact the office for prices and dates
    Maximum of 4 trainees per course

NPTC
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