Using a Powered Pole Pruner CSW08

What is a powered pole pruner?

A powered pole tree pruner consists of a small chainsaw mounted on a long shaft, enabling the operator to cut through high tree branches while standing at ground level. Some of these tools have interchangeable heads, allowing them to be used to tackle other garden maintenance tasks like hedge trimming as well.

What does the training course include?

• Complete basic environmental checks prior to work operations
• Identify the necessary personal protective equipment required, report on its condition and
• locate standard markings
• Identify the health and safety features required on a pruning saw
• Identify faults and defects on a pruning saw and cutting equipment and decide which the operator can remedy and which require a service engineer’s attention
• Carry out correctly all routine maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s
• Instruction book and/or the Lantra Awards workbook
• Prepare the pruning saw for use with the correct fuel/oil mix and chain lubrication
• Start the pruning saw for use with the correct fuel/oil mix and saw chain lubrication
• Carry out pre-cutting safety tests and state the procedures if the pruning saw fails these tests
• State the possible hazards/risks when carrying out maintenance or operational tasks and
• Complete a risk assessment
• Assess and explain the terms ‘tension’ and ‘compression’ in timber
• Adopt safe procedures to remove a trapped guide bar
• Use correct pruning methods
• Clear the pruned branches in a safe manner
• Organise site safety and state the procedures required.

Venue and equipment requirements:

• Suitable and safe area to complete paperwork
• Suitable welfare facilities
• Suitable and safe area to operate the machine
• Trees to prune
• Maintenance equipment
• Pole pruner and any attachments
• Operators’ manual
• Risk assessment completed

PPE Requirements:

• As per HSE Guidence
• Suitable head protection
• Suitable eye protection
• Suitable hearing protection
• Suitable work clothes to PPE regs 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
• PUWER Regulation
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l22.pdf

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