© Copyright 2019 to 2025 Alba Training

Alba Forklift Training Ltd, 21 Lenziemill Road, Cumbernauld, Glasgow, G67 2RL Tel/Fax: 01236 630300

A Limited Company Registered in Scotland: SC348473

Our petrol cut off saw training courses, usually called Stihl Saws are designed for anyone expected to use petrol cut off saws and are designed to teach candidates the correct procedure for safely cutting a variety of common materials.

Although we typically use Stihl branded saws for the practical element we can also provide training on other branded saws according to customer requirements and special requests:

• Husqvarna
• Shindaiwa
• Makita
• Hitachi
• JCB

The courses can be adjusted to suit novice operators, experienced users and candidates requiring refresher training.

Training can be delivered at our training centre in Cumbernauld using our equipment and materials or delivered on-site using customer equipment subject to minimum criteria being met. In order for training to be effective on customer premises we will require the following:

• A flat, hard standing working area of 5 metres by 6 metres
• A petrol cut-off saw, well maintained and in good working order
• Cut off discs within date, in good condition and suitable for the materials to be cut
• Provision of a water supply or bottle for dust suppression (LEV may also be used)
• Suitable PPE for each candidate attending the course (Consult the course syllabus for requirements)
• A variety of concrete materials to be cut (slabs, blocks, lintels, pipes etc)
• A variety of steel materials to be cut (beams, sheets, angles, pipes or tubes etc)
• Adequate petrol/oil and refuelling facilities
• A Class B fire extinguisher suitable for flammable liquid fires

By prior arrangement we can arrange to provide a number of the requirements necessary to enable training to be conducted on customer premises. Please contact us beforehand to ensure that facilities will be sufficient.

The training courses are devised to cover the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act (19740, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 and the Guidance laid out in HSG17: Safety in the Use of Abrasive Wheels.

Course Content

Our petrol cut off saw training courses cover the following theoretical and practical elements:

THEORETICAL TRAINING

• Regulations and legislation governing petrol cut-off saws and their cutting discs
• The main components of the petrol cut-off saw and their functions
• The risks of dust, noise, vibration and asphyxiation arising from use and the need for correct PPE
• Operators safety code including the risks from kickback, pull away, climbing and pinching
• Pre-use checks and fault reporting procedures
• Selection, identification and fitting of abrasive wheels to cut-off saws including guard adjustment

PRACTICAL TRAINING

• Petrol cut-off saw inspection and maintenance
• Selection, examination and fitting of cutting wheels to petrol cut off saws
• Preparation and assessment of the work area
• Carrying, holding and guiding the cut-off saw
• Safe cold and warm start procedures
• Dust suppression
• Safe refuelling
• Safe use when cutting vertically and horizontally (concrete and steel)
• Transport and storage of the cut-off saw

The practical elements of the course are continually assessed and the course concludes with a theoretical assessment.

At the end of  the course each candidate receives an Alba Training Certificate of Petrol Cut Off Saw Training.

Petrol Cut Off Saw (Stihl Saw) Training Courses

Candidate Suitability

Our petrol cut off saw training courses are suitable for operators with no previous experience of operating petrol cut-off saws, candidates with operating experience but no formal training and candidates with existing certification requiring refresher training or additional training to cover any gaps in operating ability or knowledge.

Any candidate submitted for training must be:

• Reasonably fit: The cut-off saw weighs on average 10 kg and must be supported throughout the duration of the cut
• Have good hand eye co-ordination: the saw requires to be guided with a degree of accuracy and skill to a cut line
• Free from the effects of alcohol and/or drugs: the cut-off saw is a powerful and dangerous machine. We have a Health and Safety responsibility to our instructors and trainees and will reject any candidate we suspect is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• In possession of the correct PPE: Sturdy safety footwear, flame retardant waterproof clothing, good quality gloves, eye protection (safety glasses, goggles or face visor), hard hat, hearing protection and an FFP3 dust mask.