Construct, maintain and repair steps — City & Guilds Limited Occupational Qualification Horticulture & Land Management Revision

    This element covers the practical skills and knowledge required to construct, maintain, and repair steps in a work-based trees and timber environment. Lear

    Topic Synopsis

    This element covers the practical skills and knowledge required to construct, maintain, and repair steps in a work-based trees and timber environment. Learners must understand different access structures, select appropriate materials, and apply health, safety, and environmental good practice throughout the process. The focus is on creating durable, safe, and environmentally sensitive access solutions in outdoor settings such as woodlands, parks, or estates.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Construct, maintain and repair steps

    CITY & GUILDS LIMITED
    vocational

    This element covers the practical skills and knowledge required to construct, maintain, and repair steps in a work-based trees and timber environment. Learners must understand different access structures, select appropriate materials, and apply health, safety, and environmental good practice throughout the process. The focus is on creating durable, safe, and environmentally sensitive access solutions in outdoor settings such as woodlands, parks, or estates.

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    Learning Outcomes
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    Assessment Guidance
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    Key Skills
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    Key Terms
    3
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma In Work-based Trees and Timber

    Topic Overview

    The City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Work-based Trees and Timber is a vocational qualification designed for individuals working in arboriculture, forestry, or woodland management. It covers the practical skills and knowledge needed to safely and effectively manage trees and timber in a work-based context, including tree felling, pruning, chainsaw maintenance, and timber processing. This diploma is ideal for those already employed in the sector or seeking to formalise their hands-on experience with a recognised qualification.

    This qualification sits within the broader field of Horticulture & Land Management, focusing specifically on the sustainable management of trees and timber resources. It emphasises health and safety, environmental stewardship, and compliance with industry standards such as the Forestry Commission regulations and the Arboricultural Association guidelines. By completing this diploma, students gain the competence to work independently or as part of a team in roles such as arborist, forestry worker, or grounds maintenance operative.

    The diploma is structured around mandatory units covering safe working practices, tree climbing and aerial rescue, chainsaw operations, and timber harvesting. Optional units allow specialisation in areas like stump grinding, chipper operations, or pesticide application. Assessment is through practical observations, written tests, and a portfolio of evidence, ensuring students can demonstrate both theoretical understanding and practical proficiency.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Risk assessment and method statements (RAMS) for tree work operations, including identifying hazards like falling branches, unstable ground, and overhead power lines.
    • →Correct use and maintenance of chainsaws, including chain tensioning, sharpening, and fuel mixing, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) such as chainsaw trousers, gloves, and helmets.
    • →Tree felling techniques, including directional felling using wedges and felling cuts, and understanding tree lean, wind direction, and escape routes.
    • →Timber processing and extraction, including cross-cutting, stacking, and using machinery like forwarders or skidders, with consideration of timber quality and market value.
    • →Environmental legislation and best practice, such as protecting protected species (e.g., bats, nesting birds), managing waste, and minimising soil compaction.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Be able to construct, maintain and repair steps, Be able to work safely and minimise environmental damage, Be able to select, use and maintain relevant equipment, Know how to construct, maintain and repair steps, Distinguish between different types of access structure, Know relevant health and safety legislation and environmental good practice, Know the types of equipment required and how to maintain them

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for demonstrating correct setting out and leveling of steps, ensuring consistent riser heights and tread depths as per specification.
    • Evidence must show safe and proficient use of relevant hand tools and power tools, including appropriate storage and maintenance checks before, during, and after use.
    • Candidates are expected to identify and implement environmental protection measures, such as using biodegradable lubricants, protecting tree roots, and controlling silt runoff during construction.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Pre-start checks: Always demonstrate a thorough inspection of tools and equipment, and verbally justify your choice of materials and design decisions to the assessor.
    • 💡Environmental awareness: Explicitly state the steps you are taking to minimise environmental impact, such as avoiding soil compaction by using boards for access, and note any protected species or habitats.
    • 💡Safety focus: Walk the assessor through your risk assessment and show how you are applying it on site; never skip PPE requirements, even for small tasks.
    • 💡In practical assessments, always talk through your actions as you work. Explain why you are making each cut, checking your PPE, or assessing the tree. This shows the examiner you understand the reasoning behind safe practices.
    • 💡For written tests, use the correct terminology (e.g., 'felling notch' not 'cut', 'escape route' not 'run away path'). Refer to industry standards like the Arboricultural Association's guides or HSE publications to back up your answers.
    • 💡Keep a detailed portfolio with photographs and notes of your daily work. Include risk assessments, maintenance logs, and reflections on what went well or could be improved. This evidence is crucial for unit sign-off.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Misjudging the gradient, leading to steps that are too steep or uneven, causing trip hazards.
    • Inadequate drainage provision around steps, resulting in water pooling and accelerated weathering or erosion of materials.
    • Using incorrect or substandard materials that do not meet the durability requirements for outdoor exposure, leading to premature failure.
    • Misconception: Chainsaw maintenance is optional as long as the saw starts. Correction: Regular maintenance (e.g., cleaning air filters, checking chain tension, sharpening) is critical for safety, efficiency, and reducing fuel consumption. A dull chain increases kickback risk and engine strain.
    • Misconception: Tree felling is just cutting through the trunk. Correction: Proper felling requires planning the hinge, notch, and back cut to control the tree's fall direction. Incorrect cuts can cause the tree to split, barber chair, or fall unpredictably.
    • Misconception: PPE is only needed for chainsaw operation. Correction: PPE (helmet, visor, ear defenders, gloves, boots) must be worn during all tree work activities, including pruning, climbing, and timber handling, to protect against falling debris, cuts, and impacts.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic understanding of health and safety in the workplace, including COSHH and manual handling.
    • •Familiarity with common tree species and their characteristics (e.g., hardwood vs softwood, timber uses).
    • •Physical fitness and comfort working outdoors in all weather conditions, as the role involves manual labour and climbing.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Be able to construct, maintain and repair steps, Be able to work safely and minimise environmental damage, Be able to select, use and maintain relevant equipment, Know how to construct, maintain and repair steps, Distinguish between different types of access structure, Know relevant health and safety legislation and environmental good practice, Know the types of equipment required and how to maintain them

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