Treevolution Forestry Arboricultural Skills Training Scotland

Chainsaw Use From Rope & Harness. Cutting Of Trees Using Free-Fall Techniques – NPTC 204 (2026)

Training Duration: 4 Days (3 days training 1 day City & Guilds Assessment)
Assessment: Training & preparation for City & Guilds NPTC Unit 308 (Formally C308) Assessment
Maximum Group Size: 4 Candidates
Cost includes all registration, assessment and certification fees

Chainsaw Use From Rope & Harness. Cutting Of Trees Using Free-Fall Techniques

Cost Per Candidate:
£630.00 Excl VAT - £756.00 Incl VAT

Candidates must hold NPTC Units 201, 202, 203
On completion of this 3 day LANTRA training course, candidates will receive a LANTRA Certificate of Attendance for Aerial Use of Chainsaw using Freefall Techniques.

Please note there is no kit hire available at the Lochwinnoch Site.

This training is in preparation for City & Guilds assessment Unit 204.

Course Content:

  • Regulations, Best Practice & Risk Assessment
  • Operator safety & protection
  • Environmental & Legal requirements
  • Safe transfer of tools to the climber
  • Aerial starting techniques
  • Aerial cutting techniques
  • Safe & accurate removal of light & medium weight limbs

Download LANTRA Aerial Cutting of Trees with a Chainsaw Using Free fall Techniques

Assessments are normally carried out on the first working day following training, and the date is confirmed at the start of the training course. If you have specific requirements in respect of the assessment date please contact us.

CHAINSAW USE FROM ROPE & HARNESS, CITY & GUILDS NPTC ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW
THE ASSESMENT IS BASED ON CITY & GUILDS NPTC 204 MODULE

  • Be able to promote health and safety and industry good practice.
  • Be able to carry out aerial cutting of trees with a chainsaw using free-fall techniques.
  • Understand relevant health and safety legislation and industry good practice.
  • Understand how to carry out aerial cutting of trees with a chainsaw using free-fall techniques.

Download full NPTC Assessment Documentation

CLIMBER’S KITS MUST HAVE EVIDENCE OF CURRENT LOLER THOROUGH EXAMINATION AND BE IN SERVICEABLE CONDITION.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

  • Clothing-to suit weather conditions with high flexibility.
  • Chainsaw Protective Boots (BS EN ISO 20345: 2004-EN 381-3)
  • Chainsaw Trousers Type C
  • Gloves appropriate to the task

Essential:

  • Arborist’s harness(Work positioning)-CE marked.(EN813,EN358)
  • 6 off karabiner-3 way auto-lock action.(Aluminium rated at min. 22kN.)(Mallion Rapid-delta, if required for harness design)
  • Friction saver to EN365 and EN795B
  • Climbing rope-braided arborist’s rope.(EN1891)
  • 2 off Prussik loops (1 large & 1 small).
  • 2 off Eye-2-Eye friction hitch cord.
  • Micro Pulley-swing cheek.
  • Arborist climbing helmet with adjustable chin strap.(EN12492)
  • Secondary adjustable strop.
  • Top handled chainsaw with lanyard & tool karabiner.
  • Chainsaw maintenance kit.
  • Chainsaw Fuel/Oil
  • First aid kit including large wound dressing, whistle, rescue knife.

Desirable:

  • Hand saw.
  • Tool karabiner.
  • Throw line & 2 off Throw-bags
  • Climbing Spikes
  • Foot ascender
  • Wire core flip line with adjuster.
  • Rope bag / kit bag