NPORS Circular Saw Training (N303)

NPORS run them as two separate categories. N302 is the Bench Saw, which is the circular saw bench, and N303 is the Circular Saw. They are assessed on different machines, and crews who use both need both. Tell us which machines your people actually use and we will confirm which category or categories you need before you book.

The one your people use. Because the category name covers more than one style of machine, we ask at enquiry exactly what is in your vans and your workshop, and the assessment is carried out on that machine and recorded accordingly. The assessor confirms the machine used on the paperwork.

The NPORS test sheet gives a one day novice duration with six candidates and one instructor, and the same maximum of six on a refresher. We confirm the length when we quote.

Not on the NPORS test sheet we work from. N303 shows a novice course and a refresher, each with a maximum of six tests, and no experienced worker figure.

The blade binding in the cut. Usually because the material was unsupported and closed on the blade, because the saw was twisted, or because a blunt or wrong blade was being forced. The course covers supporting the work so the cut opens, stance and grip, and what to do when the saw snatches.

Yes, and it is the single most common defect on these machines. A moving guard that does not close under its own spring, or that has been tied or wedged back, means the machine should be taken out of use until it is repaired. Testing the guard by hand is the first check we teach.

Yes, and we would rather. Corded and battery machines behave differently, blade sizes and guards differ, and people should be trained on the saw they will pick up on Monday. We can bring machines if you have nothing suitable.

An NPORS Red Trained Operator card, or a Blue Competent Operator card where the holder has the relevant NVQ. Either carries the CSCS logo while a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test pass is in date.

NPORS courses are priced per course, not per person. What you are paying for is the instructor, the registered tester and the machine time, so the figure turns on four things: the category, which route your operators need (novice, experienced, conversion or refresher), how many people are coming, and whether we run it on your site or at one of ours. It is also why a squad works out considerably cheaper per head than sending operators out one at a time. Use the course builder on this page: tell it who is coming and it works out how many days the course takes and how many times it has to run, which is what the price is built from. Then ask us and you will get a figure for that exact group rather than a list price with conditions attached.

We run NPORS courses across the UK rather than out of one fixed centre, and for most categories the better answer is that we come to you: your operators are assessed on the machine they will be using anyway, nobody loses a day travelling, and for a group it costs less. If you would rather come to us, we have centres at Trent House in Stoke, Pride Park in Derby, Europa House in Manchester and Kingsway House in Liverpool. Tell us where the work is and we will say honestly which way round makes more sense.

There is no fixed timetable to wait for. NPORS courses here are run to order, which means the dates are built around your programme rather than ours, and a single operator or a full squad can normally be booked in within a couple of weeks. If you have a card about to expire or a start date to hit, say so when you enquire and we will work to it.