Training and qualifications, Skills and experience

The Forestry Team has always worked with the ethos that when we set out to do a job we do it to the highest standards possible.

As a result, various individuals in the team had been keen from the beginning to ensure that their work was as professional as could be achieved with constraints of equipment & finance. Graham and Dave initially explored the various training and assessments available within the Forestry industry and both completed many of the National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC) chainsaw qualifications at their own expense. This drive for quality and for safety has enabled WRG Forestry Team to obtain insurance coverage within the IWA WRG insurance for the work they complete.

The team continues to update their qualifications; with the aid of the IWA training award, Graham was able to successfully complete the Tree climbing, use of a chainsaw from rope and harness and Aerial rescue units. WRG at the 2004 training weekend provided an instructor and assessor to enable a dozen WRG volunteers to qualify at NPTC standard for use of brushwood chippers, a piece of equipment in more and more frequent use.

Assessments passed by various team members includes:

• NPTC Certificate of competence in use of pesticides (GR)
• NPTC Brushwood Chipper (GR, AJ, SW, JL, CA)
• NPTC Carry out dismantling operations (GR)
• Risk Assessment for Commercial Arboriculture (GR)
• Emergency First Aid (GR, AJ, SW, CA)
• Maintain the chainsaw (GR, AJ, CA)
• Fell small trees (GR, CA, AJ)
• Fell medium sized trees (GR)
• Fell large trees (training need)
• Cross-cut and stack produce (GR, AJ, CA)
• Breakdown medium sized broadleaf crowns (training need)
• Climb Trees and perform aerial tree rescue (GR qualified, AJ trained)
• Use of chainsaw from a rope and harness (GR)

The team is capable of a number of tasks:

• Assessing sites and arranging for or assisting with relevant paperwork & wildlife assessments to be performed
• Straight felling wooded areas
• Removal of limbs of trees overhanging water or footpaths, climbing and using the chainsaw from rope and harness where necessary
• Removing limbs from storm damaged trees
• Clearing windblown trees
• Removal of fallen trees from canals / footpaths using chainsaws and winches
• Dealing with arising timber and brash through chipping, stacking and habitat pile creation, charcoal burning on a small scale where at least four consecutive days are available
• Clearing previously felled areas, logging to specification