Utility Arboriculture Courses
Now offering Utility Arboriculture units UA1, UA2.1, UA2.2 and UA2.3
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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.
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.
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
- Aerial Tree Pruning (formerly CS40) NPTC Unit 302
Please contact the office for prices and dates:
Maximum of 6 trainees per session.