AFAG 805- Training & Certification provides the answer you are seeking. Your employees don’t need an NPTC, but a Certificate of Competence. Table 1 in 805 provides advice based upon industry good practice, in relation to the level of training and certification needed for the main activities carried out in both forestry & arboriculture, and a summary of those activities requiring a Certificate of Competence. The list is not exhaustive.
In reality, NPTC certificates are the industry standard and is what forestry & arboriculture companies desire.
Unfortunately, in this day and age there are not many (if any) of the gangs of chainsaw operators working where "in-house" training once took place. Many businesses will rely on outside training to make up for this. An employer may also want his employee to learn skills that add value to the business. That employer should be able to go to a training provider that will deliver cost effective high quality training that is targeted at the needs of the business and improves the employees ability to work safely and more productively.
As with all walks of life, there will be people who don’t have the aptitude for the job. That is why the certificates of competence were introduced (and yes, certificate of competence has been a very misleading name for the tickets). It is why there is a legal requirement for assessment of chainsaw operators. If people who do not have the basic skills to work safely are passing the assessments then that is an incrediby serious issue. It is extremely worrying to think that there may be those working in our industry who are assessors and simply pass all those being assessed because it is good for business.
But lets not fool ourselves. Tragically, the majority of serious accidents and deaths HSE investigates could have been prevented or mitigated. In many cases good quality training would have given that person the skills and knowledge to stay safe. In fact, a year or so ago AFAG asked active chainsaw operators and managers what changes they would make to try and reduce accidents and they came up with a very similar ‘apprenticeship’ system. It makes the essential link between preventing accidents and being skilled in the job. It gives back to chainsaw work the level of respect and ‘professionalism’ that it really deserves. Most importantly, it gives importance to both ‘in-house’ training and assessment as well as that available outside the business.
Well, AFAG are getting the main industry players together. To do this we are conveening the Forestry focus group, a small industry group with representatives from the FCA, the UKFPA, FC, Confor and anyone else who represents those working in forestry. Together this group will be able to discuss how the needs of the contractors and the requirements of the larger timber companies (along with everyone else involved in the industry) can be addressed together in the best way for all. It will be their job to move towards an improved system - developed by the industry for the industry. A system that will provide the industry with good foundations for the future. One that puts value on experience and in-house training while ensuring that outside training and assessment are cost effective and add value to both the business and employee by increasing productivity and improving safety. HSE will be involved to help ensure that businesses are covered legally and that the training gives people the right information and provides them with the right skills. They would act on behalf of HSE & they can deliver what the industry wants. The Arboriculture focus group has already met and taken forward this opinionated issue of Training & Certification.
This group will conveen in the coming month. In the meantime I would ask all those reading this article who want to have a say to either talk to their trade organisation or write to HSE. Your opinions do matter. Everyone has the chance to get their voices heard. I know that many have businesses to run and time is tight but this is a real opportunty. If you don’t want to get in touch directly with HSE then write to the FMJ. The editor will make sure your opinions are heard by the right people.
