Why do Tree Surgeons need CPD?
A tree surgeon, also known as an arborist, is a professional who specialises in the care and maintenance of trees. They work in various environments including parks, gardens, residential or commercial properties, and forests. As a tree surgeon, you may typically perform tasks such as pruning, felling and removing trees, as well as inspecting trees for disease or damage and providing advice on tree care and maintenance. You may also perform stump removal and tree planting.
To become a tree surgeon, you typically need to complete a relevant qualification such as a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Arboriculture. You may also need a Chainsaw Certificate and a driving licence. It’s important to gain practical experience through apprenticeships or work placements. Additionally, it’s recommended to join a professional organisation such as the Arboricultural Association to further your career prospects.
CPD courses most suited to Tree Surgeons
Tree Surgeons us
I have done Abrasive Wheels courses in the past but never have I done one that goes into so much detail. Very enjoyable. Highly Recommended.
Graham Butters
Abrasive Wheels
Course was very good! Convenient and excellent value for money! Carried out in the comfort of my own home, I learned valuable information. I passed the course and received my certificate the next day along with a little sweetie! Would highly recommend.
Keely Howard
Workplace First Aid
It was worth it and I’m appreciative of online courses like these. Totally worth it.
Peter Esebame
Assessing Risk (Risk Assessment Course)
What CPD courses do Tree Surgeons need?
There are many risks to be aware of whilst working as a tree surgeon. Some of which are working at height and working with power tools. We have many courses that can count towards your CPD to assist your knowledge whilst you are working.
Some of these are:
- Abrasive Wheels – this course will introduce you to the safety aspects, risks, hazards and other factors that should be considered in the workplace when working with abrasive wheels. You will consider the different types of abrasive wheel machines and explore the different types of wheels that should be considered for the task at hand.
- Assessing Risk (Risk Assessment Course) – this course will explore the two main pieces of health and safety legislation and regulations. You will learn that for a risk assessment to be effective in reducing the risks, it must identify the hazards that are foreseeable and significant. You will explore that elimination is the best option for reducing risk, and learn the principles of prevention.
- HAVS (Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome Training) – in this course you will gain a detailed insight into what vibration is and the various terms relating to the physics of vibration. You will consider that HAVS can progress quickly, particularly if a worker is regularly exposed to high levels of vibration. You will also acknowledge that HAVS is irreversible, but symptoms can improve if detected in the early stages.
- Health and Safety for Employees – this course covers a large number of different areas and is designed for new and existing employees to develop their knowledge of safe practices in the workplace. In order to ensure a safe and harmonious working environment, all employees should have a strong knowledge of health and safety legislation. This course covers hazards and risks as well as how to carry out risk assessments, something which is required when any business has more than five employees.
- Ladder Safety – in this course we will look at the legislation that surrounds working at height and the use of ladders and stepladders. We will explore the requirements of The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulation (RIDDOR) 2013 in relation to accidents and injuries involving ladders and stepladders, as well as why it is important to carry out a risk assessment. Finally, we will look at what should be considered in an emergency rescue plan.
- Personal Protective Equipment – this course will look at what the definition of PPE is, the different types of clothing and the regulations surrounding PPE. You will also learn when PPE should be used and why it should be used.
- PUWER Awareness – the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) came about to ensure that any equipment provided and used at work is without risks to health and safety, regardless of what it is, and its age, condition or origin. Throughout this course you will explore what PUWER is, its definitions and who has duties under the regulations. You will explore what duty holders must do to comply with the law. You will also explore the legislation relevant to PUWER and some case studies where duty holders have been prosecuted for failing to protect people from the risks associated with work equipment.
- RIDDOR Awareness – this RIDDOR course covers everything that has to be reported relating to injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences. Throughout the course RIDDOR legislation in Northern Ireland and Great Britain will be covered. Students will gain knowledge of employee responsibilities surrounding RIDDOR as well as cover when a RIDDOR report should be made, who should make the report and how to keep records of reports.
- Slips, Trips and Falls – this course will explore who is at higher risk of slips, trips and falls so students will be more aware of who needs to be protected. This course will also explore the importance of risk assessments and how to carry out a risk assessment. The course will explore how to report an accident in the workplace, including the RIDDOR regulation. Finally, you will finish off by exploring how to prevent slips, trips and falls in the workplace.
- Working at Height – in this course you will learn what is classed as work at height and the main industries that are at higher risk of falls. We will consider why risk assessments are important and look at who is responsible for carrying out the risk assessment, as well as the five steps of a risk assessment. We will also explore some of the work at height equipment that people can use to assist them in their work.
- Workplace First Aid – in this course you will learn how to treat injuries that may occur in the workplace, as well as some of the common illnesses that workers may experience, what the signs and symptoms of each are and how to treat them. Our First Aid training also covers how you should keep records of any incidents that take place in the workplace.
A guide to CPD for Tree Surgeons
To continue practising safely and effectively in your career as a tree surgeon, you may need to complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD). CPD is the process of continuing your learning whilst you are working in your role to stay up to date with the latest knowledge and skills in your industry.
There are many different types of CPD training activities that you can complete to help you do this such as:
- Completing a CPD course.
- Working with a mentor in your industry.
- Conducting your own research on the internet or reading books.
- Listening to topical podcasts.
- Attending a conference or a webinar about a particular topic.
Recently there has been a significant shift in the guidance on completing arboriculture safely and compliantly. There has been a revision of the Industry Code of Practice as well as new technical and safety guidance to deliver the legislation (Work at Height Regulations 2005) in a more practical way. The Arboricultural Association or the International Society of Arboriculture will provide the specific requirements and recommendations for tree surgeons.
CPD certificates
All our courses result in you obtaining a CPD certificate for successful completion of the course. To complete the course, you will simply need to work through the course materials and then complete the end of course quiz. This can all be accessed online in one place which makes our courses flexible for different lifestyles so that our students can fit our courses in around their other work and life commitments.
When you have completed the course, your certificate will be available for you to download immediately. We advise our students to save these in a safe place on their computer. As well as this, you can print a hard copy for your records, or we can even post a hard copy of your certificate to you.
Logging CPD hours
The amount of time that is spent on your CPD training can be added up to make a total number of hours spent on CPD. Logging your CPD hours is a good way of staying organised and tracking how much time you have dedicated to it. Many industries and employers require a set number of hours of CPD to be completed each year which is why logging your hours is important.
Keeping evidence
Your logged CPD hours and your CPD certificate will form part of your CPD evidence. This is proof of the CPD activity that you have undertaken. As stated above, many employers and industry regulators request evidence of your CPD training, so it is important to be organised with your evidence. You can create a CPD portfolio as either a hard copy or an electronic copy and keep any documents relating to the training activity safe. This will then serve as evidence that you have taken part and completed that particular activity.
Renewing CPD certificates
Your CPD certificates are your lifetime proof that you have completed the training courses. However, as with all industries, they will need to be renewed in line with industry updates and legislation changes. At CPD Online College, we advise that our students renew their certificates every two years. This will help you stay abreast of any changes and ensure that you are working safely and effectively.