TKF Training is fortunate to be an approved provider to ELCAS and is therefore able to offer a range of ELC funded Arborist and chainsaw courses to service leavers.

Courses include:

• TKF Basic Arborist – (Cutting Trees with a Chainsaw, Accessing and felling Trees, Aerial tree Pruning and Emergency Tree Work)
• TKF Advanced Groundsperson – (Felling and Processing trees over 380mm, Assisted Felling, user of a powered pole pruner)
• Advanced Arborist – (Safe use of a stumpgrinder, Use of a Chainsaw from MEWP, Aerial Tree pruning and rigging)

The ELC scheme is an initiative to develop lifelong learning opportunities for members of the armed forces and now provides a great opportunity for a career in Arboriculture.

More information on the funded courses can be found here>>

Pesticides Training – Tips and Guidance

Pesticides versus Herbicide……?

People usually use the term “pesticides” to describe the spraying of any chemical over vegetation.  It is important at the outset to be clear on the difference between Pesticides and Herbicides.  Pesticides are chemical used to control insects, grubs or ‘pests’ which can harm or destroy the vegetation we are trying to nurture.  Herbicides, on the other hand, are chemicals used to control plants or “weeds” that threaten the vegetation we are trying to nurture.

Modern plant protection products, also known as pesticides, help safeguard our food supply by protecting crops against yield losses caused by weeds, diseases and insects.

Pesticides are also widely used outside food production to maintain our recreational, transport and amenity infrastructure.

How do we apply them?

Pesticides and Herbicides can be applied using a wide variety of methods and equipment including:

• Hydraulic boom sprayer
• Air-assisted sprayer
• Pedestrian or walk-over sprayer
• Knapsack sprayer
• Application from an aircraft
• Application from vehicles
• Ground-based reduced-volume spraying
• Fogs, mists and smokes in enclosed spaces
• Fumigants
• Dusts, granules, pellets and baits
• Dipping and drenching
• Seed treatments

Why is Pesticide Training Important?

The above methods each have their own pros and cons in terms of efficiency of application.  Ultimately the aim is to target the pest or plant whilst minimising any effect on the environment and surrounding plants or animals.  This can occur through ‘spray drift’ (wind), crop run off (rain), seepage into soil, leaching into drainage and evaporation.

It is important to be able to select the product and method of application that is most efficient and lowest risk.

It is important also to understand how to dispose of pesticides and herbicides correctly.

Proper training on the use and application of pesticides and herbicides will help to keep you safe but also enable you to apply the chemicals efficiently and with minimum impact on the environment.

Why do I need a Pesticide Ticket?

It is compulsory in many countries for users to be properly trained and certified in the use of pesticides and the requirement is backed by law under specific circumstances.

In the UK, anyone using a professional pesticide must either have a recognised specified certificate (previously known as a ‘Certificate of Competence’) or be working under the direct supervision, for the purposes of training, of someone who has such a certificate.

DEFRA Code of Practice states that everyone who uses pesticides professionally must be trained,  but also in some situations the law requires that users must have an appropriate certificate of competence. The type of certificate needed will depend on the product you are using and your individual circumstances.

What sort of training do I need?

As a starting point we strongly advise that you obtain the ‘Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides (PA1)’ qualification regardless of whether you are required to by law or not – this is because of the points outlined above – ‘Why is it important’

From there we need to consider two things:

1. HOW are you planning to apply pesticides and herbicides and
2. WHERE you are planning to apply them.

If you are using Hand Held Applicators – you will require the Level 2 Award in Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment (PA6)

• Unit 151 – Apply Pesticides to Land
• Unit 153 – Apply Pesticide Pellets or Granules to Land
• Unit 155 – Installing Pesticide Plugs in Tree Stumps
• Unit 156 – Operating Hand Held Injection Equipment
• Unit 157 – Operating Other Hand Held Equipment Requiring Minimal Calibration

If you are going to be operating near water you will need to consider this training:

• Unit 152 – Apply Pesticides to or Near Water
• Unit 154 – Apply Pesticide Pellets or Granules to Land

If you are using large scale or mechanical application methods you will require the Level 2 Award in Safe Application of Pesticides Using Self Propelled, Mounted or Trailed Horizontal Boom Sprayers

Where can I do it? Who should I choose to train me?

Always choose an established company and preferably one that is able to offer facilities for you to train in. There are some companies that don’t have their own site and you can find yourself travelling some distance to get to site each day; this will eat in to your training time.  Be certain that the providers are accredited with appropriate awarding bodies, usually City & Guilds or Lantra Awards for these types of courses. TKF Training ticks all of these boxes!

How long does it take?

Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides is a 1 day course with a 1 hour assessment which occurs on a separate day.  All training is classroom based.

Our most popular event is a combined course for Principles of Safe Handling & Application of Pesticides (PA1) plus Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment (PA6).

Training takes two days, followed by City & Guilds Assessments on a third day.

What equipment do I need?

You will need a Hand Held Sprayer and PPE, (personal protective equipment) which TKF have available for hire if needed.  All of the TKF Open courses have a hire option for equipment, including an ATV with Boom Sprayer.

Is it hard? (what is our pass rate?)

On average 94% of candidates at TKF pass their pesticide training courses.  So provided you listen carefully to the instructor…you should be fine.

How much does it cost?

Principles of Safe Handling & Application of Pesticides (PA1) plus Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment (PA6) Unit 151 Apply Pesticides to Land cost is £446.95 inc vat.

Principles of Safe Handling & Application of Pesticides (PA1) plus Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment (PA6) Unit 151 Apply Pesticides to Land & Unit 152 Apply Pesticides to or Near Water cost is £461.95 inc vat.

How often do I need to do it?

Apart from the legal requirements to obtain a certificate of competence there is no legal requirement to undertake refresher training, however, the Certificate of Competence training and the HSE Code of Practise for using Plant Protection Products emphasises the importance of continuing to develop your technical knowledge and practical skills in using pesticides.

You can register with the National Register of Sprayer Operators and collect points for CPD (Continuing Professional Development).

Most of our clients opt for refresher training every 3 – 5 years.

References

• Pesticides – Code of practice for using plant protection products. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the National Assembly for Wales Environment, Planning and Countryside Department.
  http://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/resources/C/Code_of_Practice_for_using_Plant_Protection_Products_-_Complete20Code.pdf
• Amenity – Best Practice Using Pesticides in the Community – Crop Protection Association.
  http://www.cropprotection.org.uk/media/1061/cpa_leaflet_amenity_best_practice_2013.pdf

Chainsaw Certificate – Tips and Guidance

Why do I need a Chainsaw Ticket?

Workers must be adequately trained and competent to carry out their job safely. The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 places general duties on employers and the self-employed. It may also negate your Public Liability Insurance if you’re not deemed competent and proficient when carrying out works. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)also requires users of equipment to receive adequate training. Further information can be found at: http://ukfisa.com/assets/files/safetyLibrary/FISA%20805%20Training%20and%20Certs.pdf

What sort of course should I do?

Presuming that you are needing to use a chainsaw to fell trees the best place to start is with the City & Guilds Ground Based Operator. This will then allow you to go on and either train to fell larger trees or train in the aerial cutting of trees although you do need to take the Accessing a Tree and Aerial Rescue training for this first. Your decision will be whether you want to stay on the ground or if you want to climb. You can take the Accessing a Tree and Aerial Rescue training without the need for a chainsaw licence and you can complete a Chainsaw Maintenance & Cross-cutting course if you don’t need to fell trees.

Where can I do it? Who should I choose to train me?

Always choose an established company and preferably one that is able to offer facilities for you to train in. There are some companies that don’t have their own site and you can find yourself travelling some distance to get to site each day; this will eat in to your training time. Be certain that the providers are accredited with appropriate awarding bodies, usually City & Guilds or Lantra Awards for these types of courses. TKF Training ticks all of these boxes!

How long does it take?

The Ground Based Operator and the Accessing a Tree and Aerial Rescue course is 5 days of training with a full day of assessment, 6 full days in total. If you want to take the Accessing a Tree, Aerial Rescue and Aerial Cutting this is 6 days of training with 1 full assessment day – 7 days in total. To become a more skilled arborist TKF offer a 23 day course which includes additional aerial courses and Emergency Tree Work, see the Basic Arborist information here>>.

However it doesn’t end there, you may have a need to use a woodchipper, survey trees or become LOLER qualified. If you’re dealing more in landscaping you might want brushcutter training or pesticides. There are also options for Mowers and Off Road Vehicles.

What equipment do I need?

You will need a Chainsaw and PPE, (personal protective equipment) which TKF have available for hire if needed. All of the TKF Open courses have a hire option if the equipment isn’t already included, for example the ropes, harnesses, top handled chainsaw etc are included in the Accessing a Tree, Aerial Rescue and Aerial Cutting courses.

Is it hard? (what is our pass rate?)

The pass rate is in the mid to high 90% for candidates training with TKF. As the courses are mainly practical there isn’t a huge amount of classroom based time and most assessments are practical based.

Physical Requirements?

All of the chainsaw courses and climbing course do require a reasonable level of fitness. For the climbing courses learners should be aware that to take this course, you must be physically fit and not suffering from vertigo or similar conditions. You must also be free from medication that could affect your safety.

How much does it cost?

The ground Based Operator is £798.95 inc vat
Accessing a Tree, Aerial Rescue and Aerial Cutting – £993.95 inc vat
TKF Basic Arborist – £3341.97 inc vat

TKF run a multitude of training courses please feel free to call or email for more information and prices.

Contact TKF Training

View Our Chainsaw Courses

It has never been more important for organisations in the Forestry and Conservation sector to be able to prove competency and proficiency, especially when dealing with the HSE. It is becoming a common issue to ensure men and women working in the areas of forestry and arboriculture are properly trained.

It can be difficult to keep up to date with, training requirements to ensure competency and proficiency across a large team of staff, especially when many of those staff may be moving between job roles and or projects that require different skills.

TKF training have developed a FREE White paper ‘Ten Steps (A guide) for HSE compliance for Forestry and Conservation organisations.’

This is the first of a range of documents and tools we will be making available over the next few weeks which we hope will be of value to organisations in the Forestry and Conservation industry seeking to get their ‘house in order’ in terms of being up to date with training, training plans and documentation for dealing with the HSE.

To download the Guide for HSE compliance for Forestry and Conservation organisations click here >>

In addition to this we have put together a some typical Arboriculture and Tree Surgery training packages for those operating in Forestry and Conservation based on our experience of the courses generally required.

Please visit our Chainsaw Courses and Grounds Maintenance training – Forestry & Conservation page for more information and downloads.

It has never been more important for Local Authorities to be able to prove competency and proficiency, especially when dealing with the HSE. It is becoming a common issue to ensure men and women working on ground maintenance and in tree surgery are properly trained.

It can be difficult to keep up to date with, training requirements to ensure competency and proficiency across a large team of staff, especially when many of those staff may be moving between job roles and or projects that require different skills.

TKF training have developed a FREE White paper ‘Ten Steps (A guide) for HSE compliance for Local Authorities in the areas of Ground Maintenance and Tree Surgery.’

This is the first of a range of documents and tools we will be making available over the next few weeks which we hope will be of value to Local Authorities seeking to get their ‘house in order’ in terms of being up to date with training, training plans and documentation for dealing with the HSE.

To download the Guide for HSE compliance for Local Authorities click here >>

In addition to this we have put together a some typical Ground Maintenance and Tree Surgery training packages for Local Authorities based on our experience of the courses generally required.

Please visit our Ground Maintenance and Tree Surgery for Local Authorities page for more information and downloads.

It has never been more important for organisations such as Housing Associations, Councils and Landscapers to be able to prove competency and proficiency, especially when dealing with the HSE. It is becoming a common issue to ensure men and women working on ground maintenance and in tree surgery are properly trained.

It can be difficult to keep up to date with, training requirements to ensure competency and proficiency across a large team of staff, especially when many of those staff may be moving between job roles and or projects that require different skills.

TKF training have developed a FREE White paper ‘Ten Steps (A guide) for HSE compliance for Housing Associations in the areas of Ground Maintenance and Tree Surgery.’

This is the first of a range of documents and tools we will be making available over the next few weeks which we hope will be of value to Housing Associations seeking to get their ‘house in order’ in terms of being up to date with training, training plans and documentation for dealing with the HSE.

To download the Guide for HSE compliance for Housing Associations click here >>

In addition to this we have put together a some typical Ground Maintenance and Tree Surgery training packages for Housing Associations based on our experience of the courses generally required.

Please visit our Ground Maintenance and Tree Surgery for Housing Associations page for more information and downloads.

The TKF Training Office is jumping with joy this week as we have achieved ISO14001 & ISO18001!
Thank you to Paul Elcoat from  Elcoat Ltd for the support provided throughout our ISO journey. It’s so good to have such a solid relationship with this company. I am so very happy to say that we have now achieved and been awarded ISO14001 & OHSAS18001. Pauls comments have everyone doing backflips.. “The work and commitment to getting everything in place was obvious during my visit so you can all be justifiably proud.” A huge pat on the back has to go to Jonny for pulling everything together.

Much Rejoicing 🙂

We are happy to invite you to take a look around our new website. The site, designed and developed by Balance vc, is fully responsive and can be viewed equally well on desktop computers, tablets and mobile devices.