Do I need a licence to use a pole-saw (long-reach chainsaw) at work?
The basic chainsaw and tree climbing qualifications required are the following NPTC certificates but if you are already ‘licensed’ to use a chainsaw this usually also covers the use of the polesaw (although if you didn’t specifically cover this in your training you should ask your supervisor to arrange an induction as without the training you may not have insurance cover) As you work for the CC you must have the fully certified training even if you rarely use the machinery. To equip you for groundwork CS30 Maintain the chainsaw CS31 Fell small trees CS36 Cross-cut and stack procedure Then to progress into the trees CS38 Climb trees and perfom aerial rescue CS39 Operate the chainsaw from a rope and harness You have to pass these to then take CS 40 (Carry out Pruning Operations) and CS41 (Dismantling) NPTC stands for National Proficiency Tests Council view the website at http://www.nptc.org.uk/ There are other recognised qualifications
