Climbing a 20-metre beech with a running chainsaw is not a routine workplace task, but in Ireland it is what hundreds of arborists do every working day. The HSA treats tree surgery as one of the highest-risk trades in the country, and the documentation expectations match that. Here is what every Irish arborist crew needs.
The four arborist work-at-height methods
- Spiked climbing - traditional rope and harness, used for removals only
- Single Rope Technique (SRT) / Moving Rope System (MRS) - modern climbing for both removal and pruning
- MEWP (cherry picker) - urban work, no climbing required
- Ground-based pole saws and rigging - avoid altogether where possible
The certifications stack
An Irish arborist working professionally typically holds:
- City & Guilds NPTC CS30 / CS31 - chainsaw maintenance and ground-level cross-cutting
- NPTC CS38 - climbing using rope and harness
- NPTC CS39 - aerial chainsaw and aerial rescue
- NPTC CS41 - fells trees over 380mm diameter
- IPAF if MEWPs are used
- Working at Heights Course covering the general work-at-height duties
- First Aid + F at H (Forestry-specific) for crew leaders
The Working at Heights Course sits underneath the climbing tickets - it is the general SHWW Act compliance, while NPTC tickets are the trade-specific competence.
The aerial rescue requirement
Every climbing crew must include at least one person trained and equipped to perform an aerial rescue if the climber suffers a chainsaw injury or medical emergency at height. NPTC CS39 covers this. The rescue equipment - climbing line, descender, first aid kit with chainsaw injury pack - must be on the ground at all times during the climb, not "back in the truck".
Chainsaw at height - the specific risks
- Catastrophic chainsaw injury in a moving climbing system
- Reactive forces on cuts at awkward angles - kickback, pull-in, pushback
- Falling sections swinging back into the climber
- Branch failure under climbing load - dead wood, fungal cavities
- Chainsaw saw chain shot - rare but lethal
PPE for aerial chainsaw work
- Chainsaw helmet with mesh visor and ear defenders, EN 397
- Chainsaw protective trousers Type C all-round protection
- Chainsaw protective boots EN ISO 17249
- Cut-resistant gloves with HV index 1+
- Climbing harness EN 358 / EN 813 with rope-grab compatibility
- Chainsaw lanyard to harness - prevents dropped saw injuring ground crew
Ground crew duties
The ground crew is not "those guys watching" - they are an integral part of the system:
- Spotter for the climber
- Drop zone control - cordon and signage
- Communication with the public if work is roadside
- Aerial rescue ready
- Chipper / removal logistics without entering the drop zone
Risk assessment specific to tree work
Tree-specific items to assess:
- Tree species, condition, defects (decay, included bark, dead wood)
- Wind speed and direction
- Overhead power lines (ESB clearances - generally 3 metres minimum)
- Public access during work
- Emergency access (ambulance can reach the site)
- Aerial rescue equipment positioned
Wind and weather thresholds
- Wind over 8 m/s in canopy - stop climbing
- Heavy rain - stop, slippery bark and reduced grip
- Frost - stop, brittle branches
- Lightning forecast within 30 minutes - stop, evacuate to ground
Insurance and the Working at Heights Certificate
Irish arborist insurers routinely ask for the full NPTC stack plus a Working at Heights Course Certificate. Without the Working at Heights Certificate, the insurer treats the cover as "tree work only" and excludes general work-at-height activities like setting up rigging, building climbing lines, or working on a MEWP. Closing this gap costs 35 euro and 45 minutes.
Online certification
The Working at Heights Course online covers the general SHWW Act duties and the hierarchy of control. 45 minutes, instant Working at Heights Certificate. Pair with NPTC tickets for full arborist compliance.
FAQs
Is NPTC CS38 enough on its own?
For the climbing competency yes. For the broader employer duties under the SHWW Act, no - the Working at Heights Course is needed in addition.
Does the certificate apply to firewood and farm-edge tree work?
Yes. The SHWW Act applies to any work activity, agricultural or otherwise, where a fall could cause injury.
Can I climb solo in Ireland?
The HSA strongly discourages solo climbing because aerial rescue is impossible. Most insurers refuse cover for solo climbers.
Cover the general work-at-height side in one afternoon. Start the Working at Heights Course online, 45 minutes, instant Working at Heights Certificate.
