AA Guide to the Use of MEWPs in Arboriculture

[Dean Lofthouse]

I keep a record of every time I use a mewp, as per the IPAF recommendations.....Model, type, etc

 

Don't forget your Vibration records, waste disposal records, driving time records.........................

 

Suprised we have time to actually do the work required on trees. Personally I don't, I use it quite a few times a year

[skyhuck]

Don't forget your Vibration records, waste disposal records, driving time records.........................

 

Suprised we have time to actually do the work required on trees. Personally I don't, I use it quite a few times a year

 

Me to Dean!

 

The only records I keep is who hasn't paid me

[Dean Lofthouse]

Me to Dean!

 

The only records I keep is who hasn't paid me

 

Lol, class!!

[David Humphries]

Anyone seen/bought/read the new AA Guide to the Use of MEWPs in Arboriculture??

 

http://www.trees.org.uk/publications.php

 

If so, are there any points of interest??

 

Bought a copy last week.

 

Covers a great deal

75 pages

Steering group included-

Ipaf, HSE and various access companies.

 

Over view of-

Legal considerations

Risk assessment

Machine selection

Training

Set up

Mewps & Highways

Mewps & overhead electricity Lines

Utility Works

Emergency rescue

Aerial rescue

Inspection regimes

 

Appendix includes pro-formas and a handy Beaufort scale.

 

 

There's even a picture on page 33, which show's a climber exiting the platform and anchoring on to a tree.

This should keep Deano happy

 

 

Like the idea mentioned of using a Mewp for students to observe arboreal demos.

 

 

There's also a paragraph that mentions that consideration towards using a Mewp, is not nescesary, particulrly if you're a double hard northern barsteward with a predelection to self craning and climbing anything that will hold your weight

 

 

Seriously, I recommend this publication to all, whether or not you've used a Mewp yet.

Will give people an idea as to where the industry currently sees the provision and use of this particular "tool" with regards to Arb.

 

 

 

At £10..................... a copy knocking around will possibly fill a few gaps, and may help show any over zealous spot checkers, that you are serious towards these well put together guidances.

 

And if it helps prevent just one fatality, (which lets face it, are becoming scarily regular) by providing that one little piece of overlooked wisdom/guidance..........then thats a bargain in my eyes.

 

 

Be safe brethren

 

 

 

[Dean Lofthouse]

 

 

 

At £10..................... a copy knocking around will possibly fill a few gaps,

 

 

 

 

Ordering one david

[bob]

Ordering one david

 

but will you read it

[Dean Lofthouse]

but will you read it

 

Most of it is common sense and I have a degree with distinction in common sense so I may not have to read it.

[Will Hinchliffe]

2 in the basket is much quicker plus its good to have someone to hold on to your ankles when you have so stand on the top of the basket.

[conkers]

Surely the only time you need a bucket is when the tree is unsafe to climb.

Imo that is fine but as long as you are on firm ground, you can get the thing in to the job, which often compromises size and reach and then position the very expensive TARGET under the tree.

Often the platform can only positioned on the side of the tree you dont want it should the tree/ limb fail rendering them usefull on nice wide roads where the tree is leaning the right way on a windless day.

[treequip]

2 in the basket is much quicker plus its good to have someone to hold on to your ankles when you have so stand on the top of the basket.

 

Proper men frown on ankle holding. You can go solo if you tie your bootlaces to the top rail