Controversial Issues in the Arboricultural Industry

[RobRainford]

As you all know, there are many different issues in and around our industry, and lucky me, im doing a report and a presentation on a chosen subject.

 

Im not looking for the answers here, im pretty certain which topic i am choosing. here is a copy of the scenario I have been given:

 

You work for a specialist arboricultural consultancy. There has been a great deal of discussion raised over a particular aspect of Health and Safety legislation that the consultancy regularly deals with. You are considered to be the foremost expert in the consultancy regarding that particular matter. You have been asked directly by your CEO, to produce a report that reflects on the controversial issue, and to produce a presentation that will be used to inform your work colleagues about this Health and Safety requirement. The presentation should be written from the point of view of how it will affect you personally.

 

From this, i have decided that i will look into the training of employees and how the improper training has an impact on the immediate people, such as an improperly trained employee felling a tree and it damaging property, hurting a colleague or hurting/maiming themselves, and then either party trying to claim compensation. Its an issue which extends quite deeply into the role of training and CPD within the industry.

 

After looking therough the AFAG guides section of the HSE website, i have found some references i can use and it also gives me some case studies.

 

I am looking for the views of other people in the industry, as my view is not very experienced and seeking the views and opinions of people who do have their own businesses and have probably dealt with situations similar to this.

 

like i said, im not going to copy and paste your views straight into my report, im looking for more information which would help me to achieve the higher marks by considering other options and also by looking around the issue at problem solving and also accident prevention.

 

Thanks, any comments which help on this matter are greatly appreciated, and i will be referencing these posts in the assignment whereever possible!

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

As you all know, there are many different issues in and around our industry, and lucky me, im doing a report and a presentation on a chosen subject.

 

Im not looking for the answers here, im pretty certain which topic i am choosing. here is a copy of the scenario I have been given:

 

You work for a specialist arboricultural consultancy. There has been a great deal of discussion raised over a particular aspect of Health and Safety legislation that the consultancy regularly deals with. You are considered to be the foremost expert in the consultancy regarding that particular matter. You have been asked directly by your CEO, to produce a report that reflects on the controversial issue, and to produce a presentation that will be used to inform your work colleagues about this Health and Safety requirement. The presentation should be written from the point of view of how it will affect you personally.

 

From this, i have decided that i will look into the training of employees and how the improper training has an impact on the immediate people, such as an improperly trained employee felling a tree and it damaging property, hurting a colleague or hurting/maiming themselves, and then either party trying to claim compensation. Its an issue which extends quite deeply into the role of training and CPD within the industry.

 

After looking therough the AFAG guides section of the HSE website, i have found some references i can use and it also gives me some case studies.

 

I am looking for the views of other people in the industry, as my view is not very experienced and seeking the views and opinions of people who do have their own businesses and have probably dealt with situations similar to this.

 

like i said, im not going to copy and paste your views straight into my report, im looking for more information which would help me to achieve the higher marks by considering other options and also by looking around the issue at problem solving and also accident prevention.

 

Thanks, any comments which help on this matter are greatly appreciated, and i will be referencing these posts in the assignment whereever possible!

 

Hi Rob, a little 'random' I'm afraid as it's Thursday, and according to Chris Evans before he moved to th enew breakfast show, that's the new Friday.

 

Forgive me also if I'm on a completely differnet tangent here, but I would also start at the foundation requirement for 'provision of adequate training, information and instruction' which is a key employer duty in Sect. 2 o fthe HASWA 74. This is then further reinforced in the Management Regs. (Management of H&S at Work Regs. 1999) Reg. 13 and includes 'Capabilities', something which may be overlooked.

 

Another key issues with our current industry arranagemnts for H&S training is ommission of the 'skills consolidation period' between receiving your Lantra Awards training and undertaking your NPTC assessment (you have 6 mnths within whihc to take the 'test' and the FC ar every keen on this consoldiation period to allow operators, under the watchful eye of an existing NPTC holder, to practice and hone their new skills before being NPTC'd, not a good analogy but perhaps a little like a trainee driver withtheir provisioanl licence going out with their parents to further develop their new found skills before sitting the driving test....something whihc generally standas them in very good stead and increases their likelihood of passing).

 

Typically our industry involves training and assessment in the same week and whilst I acknowldge this makes better economic sense, and employers like it as it (supposedly) means they can go out and work unsupervised, its not the most effective means of training and ensuring adequate capability is developed.

 

Another key aspect of training is regular monitoring of an individuals performance through site safety audits and the AFAGs to which yu refer can equally be used for this purpose (hence the tickboxes in the left-hand margins and the space for notes + signatures and dates at the end....apologies if this is a bit "grannies, eggs and sucks".)

 

As you've already highlighted refersher/updated training is important and both AFAG 805 & the Management Regs. ACOP (Approved Code of Practice) makes specifc refernece to this.

 

Rob, is this the kinda stuff you're looking for as if so I'll give it some further thought? IF not I'll bid you farewell sir and move on.

 

Regards..

Paul

[RobRainford]

That's a very good addition and that will help me in looking at things from a different angle. I'm trying to look around the subject and not just at it. I think that's some of the beat information I could have. I think it will end up being a very thorough report methinks!

 

How on earth can I fit all this into 1000 words!

 

Thanks a lot Paul. Very helpful.

[dodger]

after being in the tree game 30 years plus i can see many Controversial Issues

with training , health and safety, and employers, and pricework,

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

That's a very good addition and that will help me in looking at things from a different angle. I'm trying to look around the subject and not just at it. I think that's some of the beat information I could have. I think it will end up being a very thorough report methinks!

 

How on earth can I fit all this into 1000 words!

 

Thanks a lot Paul. Very helpful.

 

Sorry Rob, as you may have noticed if you've read any of my previous postings 'brevity & succinctness' just aren't my bag!

 

Another coupla quick things cam inot my mind (AGGHHH!!!...I don't need anything more!) the issue of 'risk assessment' and how taht's intrinsically linked with training as that's our main 'control' as an industry in developing 'competent' (not just NPTC certificated) operatives AND the human factor, i.e. the receptiveness and attitude to training and devlopment by the individual themselves, this is often a direct reflection of the 'culture' that previals in the company.

 

Oh yeah (double AGHHH!!!!) and not forgetting the value of 'on the job' training form otehr experienced operatives, kinda a 'mentoring' role.

 

There, have I blown your mind now....I'll leave you to write!

 

Good luck with the assingment!

Paul

Edited March 5, 2010 by AA Teccie (Paul)