Safe Use of Strimmers, Brush Cutters and Hedge Cutters

What is this course?

Brushcutters, strimmers, and hedge cutters are popular tools across the highways, agriculture, horticulture, landscaping, and grounds maintenance industries, saving time and working efficiently in tricky terrain — but they also have the potential to be some of the most dangerous machines in common use. This course helps novice users recognise and reduce those dangers, building the skills and knowledge to use, check, and maintain the tools, and demonstrating the competence to safely carry out tasks requiring them, whether at work or at home.

Quick Facts

  • Price: £100 + VAT per delegate
  • Duration: 1 day
  • Maximum delegates: 8
  • Certification: Certificate of competence
  • Validity: 3 years
  • Relevant health and safety regulations, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and PUWER
  • PPE use, safety checks, and risk assessments
  • Pre-use checks and safety features, including harness fitting
  • Preparing for operations and battery-operated machines
  • Using the equipment safely and confidently, including safe working distances from others
  • Routine maintenance, post-work checks, and safe storage

A classroom assessment of 20 multiple-choice and statement questions (16/20, i.e. 80%, required to pass), plus a practical assessment covering safety checks, demonstrating safety features, PPE use, starting and stopping the machine, harness fitting, and using the equipment competently.

Anyone working, or looking to work, in the highways industry — this is a key skill for maintaining safety for pedestrians and road users. Also suitable for gardeners, landscapers, and anyone working in grounds maintenance, horticulture, or land-based roles.

Course Content

  • Relevant health and safety regulations, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and PUWER
  • PPE use, safety checks, and risk assessments
  • Pre-use checks and safety features, including harness fitting
  • Preparing for operations and battery-operated machines
  • Using the equipment safely and confidently, including safe working distances from others
  • Routine maintenance, post-work checks, and safe storage

Assessment

A classroom assessment of 20 multiple-choice and statement questions (16/20, i.e. 80%, required to pass), plus a practical assessment covering safety checks, demonstrating safety features, PPE use, starting and stopping the machine, harness fitting, and using the equipment competently.

Suitable For

Anyone working, or looking to work, in the highways industry — this is a key skill for maintaining safety for pedestrians and road users. Also suitable for gardeners, landscapers, and anyone working in grounds maintenance, horticulture, or land-based roles.

Entry Requirements
  • • Learners should have no disabilities or injuries that would prevent completion of the practical assessment
  • • A working knowledge of the English language
  • Full PPE is required for this training: long trousers, a hi-visibility jacket, boots, gloves, a hard hat, ear protection, and a full face visor.

Trainer Delivering This Course

Chris Sanders
Chris Sanders
Lead Trainer / Assessor
chris@ajstraining.co.uk
Chris brings 40 years of industry experience to AJ's Training, including 35 years in telecommunications and a background as a City & Guilds qualified electrician. A fully qualified Level 3 trainer and assessor, he delivers NRSWA, EUSR, health and safety and telecommunications training, and mentors AJ's newer trainers.
Stuart Pocock
Stuart Pocock
Apprenticeship Manager / Lead IQA / DLS
stuart@ajstraining.co.uk
With over 15 years across construction and highways, Stuart leads AJ's apprenticeship programmes, safeguards learner welfare as Designated Safeguarding Lead, and oversees assessment quality as Lead IQA. He teaches across vehicle restraint systems, fencing, plant, health and safety, street works and EUSR.

Our Google reviews

We're proud of the feedback our delegates leave us — here's a small selection of recent five-star reviews from Google.

Google review from Thomas Murphy
Google review from a local guide
Google review from G P
Google review from Paul Oxby

FAQs

Is this course only for the highways industry?

No — while it's a key skill for the highways industry, it's equally suited to gardeners, landscapers, and keen DIY enthusiasts.

Does this cover battery-operated equipment as well as petrol?

Yes — the course covers both petrol and battery-operated machines.

What PPE do I need to bring?

Full PPE: long trousers, a hi-vis jacket, boots, gloves, a hard hat, ear protection, and a full face visor. AJ's Training provides the tools.

How long does the certificate last?

3 years.

What's the pass mark?

16 out of 20 (80%) on the classroom assessment, plus a satisfactory practical assessment.

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