Health and Safety Executive

Working with handtools and machinery

This page covers all handtools and machinery used in forestry or arboriculture that isn't either a chainsaw or a vehicle.

It includes:

  • Woodchippers
  • Brushcutters
  • Stumpgrinders
  • Flails and mulchers

While this equipment does not cause as many serious accidents as chainsaws, there are still accidents and risks that you need to assess and control.

What you need to do

Ensure that no-one should use this equipment unless they have the relevant National Proficiency Tests Council ( NPTC ) certificate of competence.

Find out more


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28.08.09