Safe Use of Leaf Blowers

Our leaf blowers course run monthly and is ideal for grounds maintenance, forestry, utility, conservation workers.

Leaf Blower Training

The time has come for you to get your leaf blowers qualification and yes before you ask – there really is a ticket for using a leaf blower. So, you could be:

  • new to the use of leaf blowers
  • used them in the past
  • have the opportunity for a new contract or tender
  • need evidence of a certificate to show competence
  • an awesome volunteer who wants to help out more on your favourite site

There are many reasons why you have found your way here and we understand you may have lots of questions. Or you know exactly what you are looking for.

No matter where you are coming from the place to start with using leaf blowers is here.

Not only is this a great starting place for those who have not used or had the experience of using leaf blowers. As folk tend to forget that we all have to start somewhere. It is perfect for those experienced users too. As in everything, there is always the potential to learn something new if you are open to the experience.

For those who have been working within the land based sector such as a:
  • conservation worker
  • volunteer for a local group
  • budding arborist
  • forester
  • farmer
  • gamekeeper
  • landscaper
  • utility worker e.g. rail, highways

Our leaf blowers course allow you plenty of time to learn to maintain and carry out the clearance of an area.

The place to start. . . 

If you have never used any machinery before and want to gain some confidence the leaf blowers course is a fantastic place to start and it is one of the good jobs.

You tend to get into a bit of a zone and totally focus on the job and the real satisfaction is that you can see very clearly where you have been. Nothing like looking back over the area and thinking ‘I did that’ and leaving the site clean and tidy – which customers love!

The safe use of leaf blowers is not just about using a machine safely but making sure we protect not only you and others in the area but the environment in which you work.

Many of you are already actively using leaf blowers however you may have discovered that as a professional operator you need a certificate of competence to enable you to carry on doing so.

You may have been asked by:
  • your quality assurance body
  • your employer
  • or a new contract opportunity to demonstrate competence through certification

You could be new to the job or have been doing it for over 40 years and things have changed, if so and you are faced with having to gain your leaf blowers qualification have you been:

  • Struggling to find the right fit in terms of training provider?
  • Confused by all the names, numbers and acronyms for the land based courses that are available to you?
  • Worried you will get it wrong or waste your hard-earned money?
  • Concerned that it will feel like going back to school?
  • Looking to gain a qualification to continue with jobs because legislation has changed?
  • Offered a new and exciting contract, but need another ticket/qualification to seal the deal?
Then we can help you!

No matter which sector you are coming from, and your level of experience. We can work with you to understand your training needs, we can tailor a programme and provide courses that will be suitable for you.

We provide award-winning training through tailored, flexible, friendly, and approachable trainers and assessors.

All courses are run in small groups to ensure you have as much time as needed to learn and experience what is required for the assessments if you chose to take them. Trainers and assessors are experienced, friendly, and approachable.

As with all Lowe Maintenance courses, you get support and advice via email or on the phone, if you need it in the future, just because you’ve completed the course doesn’t mean you can’t get in touch if you need more information or guidance.

City and Guilds accreditation

Is the certificate you will gain on successful completion of your leaf blower assessment. 

A  half-day course, with the assessment at the end of the day.

Group sizes are no more than four candidates to one trainer, so nice small group sizes. To allow for plenty of discussion and questions. 

You will have access to the Lowe Maintenance portal on booking where you will find leaflets and updates to look through before attending the practical session. 

On this leaf blower ticket you will be learning about:

  • leaf blowers maintenance
  • the risks involved in using leaf blowers and how to stay safe
  • carry out pre-use checks
  • difference between handheld and backpack leaf blowers
  • importance of biosecurity
  • industry best practice 
  • what you need to do in an emergency
  • how health and safety legislation will affect you

Also, a huge bonus for you is that you can hire one of our leaf blowers at no extra cost – how amazing is that!

You will have to bring your own PPE though it is not good practice to share sweaty helmets and gloves. But don’t worry we provide a thorough list of exactly what you need to bring with you so no hiccups on the day. 

Candidate portal

On booking your course you will be given access to the candidate portal, where you will find lots of leaflets and documentation to read through, ideally before you attend the course. This helps you with the terminology during the course and gives you a heads-up of what to expect in any discussions and practical sessions. There could even be some videos we need you to watch to help embed your learning in preparation for your assessments. 

Assessment

The leaf blower course is half a day, with the assessment at the end of that day, you will be assessed by an independent City and Guilds assessor. 

We may be stating the obvious and it is sad that we have to be saying this as it appears it is not common practice. 

When attending a course with us, you must follow any instructions that are given when using any equipment and carrying out tasks, for the safety of all involved. 

For further details please see our terms and conditions for courses.

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FAQ

Under PUWER regulations anyone using machinery within their work must have received adequate training whether it be formal or informal and must meet the requirements of their insurance company.

Leaf blowers can be a dangerous piece of equipment, you could blow small or large particles into yours or someones elses eyes very easily.

Leaf blowers you use in the workplace such as hand held blowers or back pack blowers. 

The minimum safe working distance when using a leaf blower is 15 metres.

This is clearly shown on the safety pictorial label on the machines.

If the sticker is missing – replace it!

There are a number of reasons as to why we need to have a leaf blower course, such as:

  • with the machine being used more and more in the workplace and having a engine with the possibility of a lot of power the decision was taken to produce a formal qualification.
  • misuse and horseplay on the work site, such as the leaf blower challenge (putting the hose in near to your mouth and running the machine at full power to see how long people can last – videoed and then put on social media) – what plonkers!

People working within:

  • landscaping industry
  • grounds maintenance
  • horticulture
  • arborist
  • woodland management
  • utilities
  • game keeping

When using a hand held hedge cutter:

  • helmet with metal mesh visor
  • safety glasses
  • ear defenders
  • non-snag clothing, ideally coveralls
  • gloves
  • safety footwear
  • personal first aid kit

Most commonly used for blowing leaves, chip and arisings at the end of the days work. Also, for clearing newly fallen snow and more recently controlling of the flames during heather burning season and wild fires.

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