Using a platform with operator...problems!

[Cal_bell]

This issue was raised at the Conference at Arb fair North, by Frances Hirst (HSE bod.) If I can remember back, you are meant to have a divider between the operator and the tree worker, in all circumstances, regardless of bucket size. Of course this was followed by a load of laughter from the audience.

 

Cal

[Big 'Ammer]

Nationwide are not charging us for the day and have agreed to carry out the work on Thursday as long as we provide a screen.

Have to say they have been good about it. I just wish it was common knowledge that the changes had been made!

 

Well thats reasonable of them.

 

If that is their policy, they should really have made you aware when you booked it, assuming that you told them it was for tree work.

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

See A Guide to the Use of MEWPs in Arboriculture and the front cover says it all really.

 

As you say a contentious issue, and one not often seen, except from a HSE perspective and I reckon you'd have to work very hard at a site specific risk assessment to overcome this one.

 

The Guide, to some extent, supercedes AFAG 403 'MEWPs' which doesn't mention this issue, but there is a real risk of cutting by the chainsaw to the MEWP operator when two persons are in the bucket as the 5m safety buffer is breached.

 

Hmmm....

 

Take care out there..!

Paul

[Big 'Ammer]

The best way, IMO, if you are going to use mewps for tree work, is to make sure your qualified as a mewp operator and don't have anyone else with you in the basket with you while you are working with a saw.

 

The money Conkers firm lost yesterday, when they should have been working, would surely have put at least two guys with cs 41 through an access platform course.

[Peter]

I have my IPAF ticket, and I would still rather have an operator in a big truck mount. Makes the job so much smoother, I can just cut non stop, while he/she twiddles the levers.

[tommer9]

i hired one from them last year.. cant remember height but it was on a 24 ton chassis.. never asked us for any tickets which was good cos we dont have any.. took the driver over hour and half to set it up and i had to help with

most of it.. he didnt have a clue what he was doing as it was 1st time he'd taken it out.. when we finally got it going we did the job with no problems..

 

None at all??? Or just relevant to bucket use?

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I prefer to work alone, and can move the bucket into position and cut on the move! Oh naughty boy!

 

I guess it all boils down to confidence, I said confidence not over confidence! im old enough to be over that bravado bullshit!

 

Sounds to like the HSE and the AA need to get the "grey areas" sorted.

[Peter]

What grey areas? If the cutter is less than 5 metres from the operator then he is too close, you shouldn't be cutting.

[nick channer]

None at all??? Or just relevant to bucket use?

 

none for a cherry picker...! i've owned one for nearly ten yrs now and can say i've never been asked....

[conkers]

On this topic. How many people use their tree harness in the bucket?

 

I think the guard is the way forward. I would rather not be worrying about over confident operators getting too close any way. Keep yer fingers!