Overview
This two-day course is designed for individuals responsible for supervising or managing chainsaw operations in forestry and land-based environments. Participants may include Forestry Works Managers, Site Supervisors, Contract Managers, Team Leaders, or others overseeing work where chainsaws are in use—either directly or via contractors.
The course addresses the crucial role of the supervisor or manager in ensuring chainsaw operations are safe, legally compliant, environmentally responsible, and operationally effective. It is not a practical chainsaw use course, but a training event focused on supervisory oversight of chainsaw activity and team management in dynamic forestry settings.
Participants will engage in a mix of indoor learning and outdoor site visits, including real-world demonstrations and practical group exercises. Emphasis is placed on developing a critical eye for safe and unsafe practices, environmental stewardship, incident readiness, and proactive leadership.
It is strongly suggested that the participants have attended the (Forestry) Works Manager Awareness Course before attending this event.
Objectives
At the end of the course the participant will have an understanding of:
Their role as a supervisor and/or manager of chainsaw operations, including legal responsibilities under PUWER, LOLER, and relevant industry guidance (e.g., FISA, HSE).
Site preparation, risk assessment, and the development of safe systems of work, including appropriate use of PPE, exclusion zones, and control measures.
Chainsaw operation competencies, including tools, equipment, operator requirements, and safe and unsafe working practices.
Identifying and addressing poor practices, including troubleshooting, learning from incidents and near-misses, and applying alternative approaches to improve safety and efficiency.
Environmental responsibilities, including recognising good and bad practices, protecting sensitive habitats, preventing pollution, and understanding legal obligations.
Incident management and emergency planning, including planning for and responding to injuries, environmental breaches (e.g. spills or contamination), and reporting procedures.
Planning and managing teams on site, including communication, managing fatigue, and lone working.
Objectives 1, 2 and 3 establish the foundation for effective supervision by providing the necessary knowledge and skills for the safe and efficient management of chainsaw operations.
Objectives 4, 5 and 6 then build upon this foundation looking into health and safety supervision, safe and unsafe working practices, and potential impacts on the environment.
Instructor
Iwan Lloyd-Williams MICFor - Lead Instructor
Iwan is a distinguished Chartered Forester with over two decades of experience in the forestry and timber industries. As the proprietor of Iwan Meirion Consultancy, he provides comprehensive services in forest management, timber sales, and safety consultancy, offering his expertise for projects across the UK.
His extensive background includes significant leadership roles, such as Director at DSHWOOD UK Limited, and Head of Timber Purchasing at Clifford Jones Timber Group.
Iwan's career is marked by his tenure at UPM Tilhill, where he served as Regional Harvesting Manager, demonstrating his deep-rooted expertise in harvesting operations and forest management.
Beyond his professional commitments, Iwan is a dedicated volunteer, contributing significantly to the forestry sector through various roles. He serves as Chair of Confor’s Wales Committee, Assistant Honorary Director of Forestry at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, and a member of Natural Resources Wales' Regional Advisory Committee. His advocacy efforts have been instrumental in securing substantial funding for woodland creation in Wales and improving public sector forest management.
Additionally, Iwan is a trustee for the DPJ Foundation, supporting mental health initiatives in rural Wales. Iwan is also Chair of the WalesYFC Finance and Management Committee and is leading the current changes to the governance of the federation. His leadership and dedication to both his profession and community underscore his impact and commitment to the forestry sector and beyond.
Gethin Hughes - Lead Demonstrator
Gethin Hughes is a dedicated forestry and arboriculture professional with a deep-rooted passion for trees, cultivated since his early days at his family’s tree nursery.
Gethin holds a BTEC National Diploma in Countryside Management and a Level 2 NVQ in Forestry, achieving triple distinctions. Gethin's extensive qualifications include various City and Guilds NPTC Awards, emphasising his expertise in tree felling, aerial work, and machinery operation.
With a career spanning over a decade, he has gained significant experience in woodland management and challenging forestry tasks, from tutoring at Coleg Llandrillo Menai Glynllifon to managing steep and inaccessible sites at Williams Forestry.
Currently, as a Forest Operational Works Manager at DSH Wood, he oversees site management, quality control, and safety across North and Mid Wales. Gethin is committed to advancing skills and knowledge, Gethin is also an NPTC Assessor and trainer, sharing his wealth of experience with the next generation of forestry professionals.
Who should attend?
Existing Forestry Works Managers
Site Supervisors
Team Leaders
Managers within Forestry
Forestry contractors wishing to understand their responsibilities on site
Participants do not need to be competent in the use of chainsaws however they must understand the work being undertaken and the competencies required of the operators and contractors.
Bookings
Please direct booking requests to learninganddevelopment@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk who will confirm the booking on your behalf.
Other Information
PPE: The course will include visiting site in a forestry and woodland environment. The ground will be uneven so there will be a need to wear PPE suitable for outdoor visits appropriate to the conditions and weather.
You will require a minimum of: Helmet, Hi Viz, footwear suitable to visit a forestry worksite.
Refreshments will be provided but please bring your own packed lunch.