Stump Grinders

Course Objectives

To enable course members to:

• Produce a site specific Risk Assessment for stump grinding operations
• State the principles of HSE legislation and safety guidelines for using a stump grinder
• Select the appropriate PPE and state the maintenance requirements
• Carry out operator checks and identify the safety features of a stump grinder
• Carry out routine operator maintenance
• Inspect and identify defects on the grinding mechanism
• Prepare machine prior to operation, start the machine, carry out safety checks and stop machine.
• Prepare a work area and a range of stumps for grinding and identify hazardous materials not to be ground
• Use approved techniques for safe and efficient stump grinding of a range of stump sizes
• State the procedure for removing blockages
• Re-instate ground and deal with arisings
• Prepare machine for transport and storage

The use of the manufacturer's instruction book is stressed at all times to ensure maintenance and adjustments are carried out to manufacturers' recommendations.

Who is the Course For?

• Any person employed in arboriculture, forestry, horticulture, landscaping and grounds maintenance that is or will be required to operate Stump Grinders. Inexperienced members may require longer than the stated guide times to fully utilise the information supplied.
• This is an Integrated Training and Assessment (ITA) course, and successful candidates will receive a Certificate of Basic Training and ID card

Duration/Format

• One day per machine type for novices
• One day for experienced operators (Evidence of experience required)

Course Content

• Introduction
• Risk Assessment
• Legislation
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Pre-use checks
• Safety Features
• Routine checks and maintenance
• Grinding mechanism
• Start machine and carry out safety checks
• Preparation of site , machine and materials
• Operation of Stump Grinder
• Unblocking Stump Grinder
• Re-instate ground and deal with arisings
• Cleaning, transport and storage