Clearing Saws

Who is this course for?

Any person employed in forestry, arboriculture, agriculture, horticulture, landscaping and grounds maintenance, and who is, or will be, required to operate a clearing saw. Inexperienced operators may require longer than the stated guide times to fully utilise the information supplied.

Course objectives

• Produce a site specific risk assessment for clearing saw operations.
• Identify the necessary personal protective equipment required (PPE).
• Report on its condition and locate standard mark.
• Identify health and safety features required on a clearing saw.
• Identify defects on a clearing 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 operator's manufacturer's instruction book and/or Lantra Awards workbook.
• Prepare the clearing saw for use with the correct fuel/oil mix.
• Start the clearing saw from both hot and cold start in a safe manner.
• Carry out pre cutting checks.
• Maintain the clearing saw and cutting blade in a safe and efficient working condition.
• Adjust the clearing saw for safe and comfortable operation.
• Operate the clearing saw on stems up to and over 50mm in a safe manner having regard for the safety of the public, property and environmental factors.
• Organise the site and use a systematic method of working where possible.

Duration/ format

• CLMC09X – one day
• CLMC09Z – two days
• CLMC09R – one day

Course content

• Safety and risk assessment
• HSE legislation
• Protective clothing
• Components and maintenance
• Practical maintenance
• Fuelling and starting
• Testing the safety features
• Checking balance of the clearing saw
• Safe operation