Chainsaw Refresher Training: Maintaining Competence and Compliance with City & Guilds/NPTC Standards
- chrisdaniel1983
- Nov 18
- 4 min read
Chainsaws remain one of the most indispensable — yet high-risk — tools used in arboriculture, forestry, and land management. From felling to aerial dismantling, operators depend on precision, judgement, and up-to-date knowledge. Maintaining these competencies is a professional obligation and a legal requirement under PUWER.
Chainsaw refresher training is how operators ensure continued compliance, safety, and technical proficiency in line with City & Guilds/NPTC, FISA, and HSE standards.
What Is Chainsaw Refresher Training?
Chainsaw refresher training is designed for operators who already hold recognised City & Guilds/NPTC (formerly NPTC) or LANTRA qualifications. These short courses update and verify practical skills, safe work methods, and current industry standards.
Typically, one to two days long, the training covers:
Safe cutting and felling techniques
Current safe industry practises
Updated PPE standards
Risk assessment and emergency procedures
Refresher training is not a re-qualification — it’s a continuation of competence that maintains the skills and knowledge learnt with your existing certification.
Why Chainsaw Refresher Training Matters
1. Competence and PUWER Compliance
Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), employers must ensure that all operators are trained and competent. Refresher training provides tangible proof of this competence and helps organisations meet their legal obligations.
The HSE advises that refresher training should take place every three to five years, depending on usage frequency and operator experience.
2. Reducing Risk and Improving Safety
Chainsaw work remains one of the highest-risk tasks in arboriculture. Even experienced operators can become complacent or adopt unsafe habits. Refresher courses re-establish safe procedures, reinforcing correct practises to minimise risk of injury.
3. Staying Current with AFAG, FISA, and Industry Guidance
Best practise is constantly evolving. AFAG (Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group) and FISA (Forest Industry Safety Accord) regularly update safety bulletins and technical guidance covering felling techniques, assisted felling, and winch use.
Refresher training ensures operators apply the most recent recommendations from:
FISA 301–307 (chainsaw operations)
AFAG 301–308 (arboricultural chainsaw guidance)
FISA 805 – Training and Certification (competence standards)
By following these, both individuals and employers maintain compliance with national safety expectations.
4. Supporting Professional Development and CPD
Refresher training also forms part of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). It demonstrates a personal commitment to safe working practices and professional growth — something increasingly required by clients, contractors, and local authorities.
Integrating City & Guilds NPTC CPD Modules
City & Guilds NPTC CPD modules are purpose-designed to keep skills aligned with current standards while maintaining continuity with original NPTC qualifications.
Each short module provides focused updates on technique, safety, and technical knowledge. They are ideal for professionals seeking a structured refresher pathway without retaking full assessments.
Available CPD Modules Include:
Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-Cutting
Felling and Processing Small Trees up to 380mm
Felling and Processing Medium Trees over 380mm up to 760mm
Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue
Using a Chainsaw from Rope and Harness
Aerial Tree Rigging
Each CPD unit is assessed to City & Guilds/NPTC standards, giving operators recognised documentation of their ongoing competence.
Maintaining Continuity with Original NPTC Qualifications
The NPTC CPD structure allows operators to maintain a continuous training record. Instead of retaking their original qualifications, they can extend their competence through related CPD modules.
This approach:
Keeps continuity with existing NPTC qualifications
Demonstrates ongoing competence for insurance and compliance audits
Creates an unbroken training record aligned with FISA and PUWER requirements
For employers, this provides clear traceability and documented evidence of professional maintenance of skills — essential for meeting health and safety obligations.
Chainsaw Refresher Training with Practical Arb
Practical Arb offers a complete range of City & Guilds/NPTC CPD Modules. Our courses are led by instructors with industry experience, applying the latest FISA, AFAG, and HSE standards.
Available Chainsaw Refresher Courses:
Courses can be delivered at Practical Arb’s training sites or at a suitable client's site (subject to inspection and risk assessment). Each programme can incorporate City & Guilds NPTC CPD modules, ensuring operators maintain qualification continuity while gaining formal CPD recognition.
Recommended Refresher Frequency
Although there is no single mandatory interval, the HSE and FISA recommend:
Every 5 years – for frequent operators
Every 3 years – for occasional users
Every 2 years – for supervisors or those returning after absence
Practical Arb provides certification and competence records upon completion, helping employers demonstrate compliance during audits or safety inspections.
Conclusion
Chainsaw refresher training is a vital part of maintaining technical competence, compliance, and professional credibility within arboriculture and forestry.
By integrating City & Guilds NPTC CPD modules, operators can maintain continuity with their original qualifications while evidencing ongoing professional development.
With Practical Arb, refresher training goes beyond compliance — it strengthens skills, enhances safety, and reinforces the standards that define professional arboriculture.
🌲 Ready to Refresh Your Skills?
Contact Practical Arb to book your next chainsaw refresher course and integrate City & Guilds NPTC CPD modules into your training plan.
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