While safe use of wood protection products and treated timber
are covered by regulations, it is important that products and
treated timber are used effectively. This requires everyone in
the chain of specification, treatment, purchase and use to
understand the requirements at each stage that will ensure that
that treated wood delivers the service life expected of it.
With adequate training and appropriate underpinning knowledge:
- Specifiers will be able to specify treatment appropriate to
the Use/Hazard Class of wood being used in their projects
- Sales people will understand how their treated timber stock
can be effectively used
- Treatment plant operators will be able to select appropriate
timber species for the end use and control the treatment
parameters to ensure fitness fir purpose
- Buyers and users of treated timber will understand the
properties of treated timber and how it should be handled,
installed and maintained to ensure the desired service life is
achieved
Training in the timber industry is available from a variety of
sources including:
- Suppliers of preservatives may offer training for plant
operators in the use of their products.
Find a supplier
- Courses may be run by local colleges with the aim of achieving
industry qualifications
- Training consultants may be available to train individuals or
groups to specific requirements
The WPA publishes guidance on training requirements for safe and
effective use of wood preservatives. View or
download the
guidance document
to learn more.
DIY users of wood preservatives and other products subject to
the regulations should carefully select a product with the right
properties for the desired purpose then read the label and
follow the instructions on safe use. The WPA has produced a
small card that provides basic information on safe and effective
use of treated timber and this is available on request from the
association.
Qualify
Qualifications are available from the Institute of Wood Science
(IWSc) which has a wealth of training materials and awards
covering a broad range of activities in the timber sector.
Visit the
to learn more
For plant operators, the Construction Industry Training Board
with City & Guilds offers a Level 2 National Vocational
Qualification - National Occupational Standards - Wood
Preserving, Industrial Pre-treatment – that sets the benchmark
for plant operator competence. Companies wishing to gain access
to the market for supply of timber components for highway works
(for example fencing and environmental barrier for national and
trunk road construction and maintenance and other central and
local government highway works conforming with the Highways
Agency specification) must ensure their plant operators have
this NVQ.
Such NVQ holders must also be registered with the Wood
Protection Association which requires regular refresher training
to ensure operators remain up to date with safe and effective
plant operation practices.
Visit the
to learn more.
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