Using silky... Unskilled labour?

[Spruce Pirate]

I think that the answer is to join the FCA, get this moved forward, get an exemption for forestry, get at least some of the meddlesome beurocracy out of our jobs, get some common sense back in. Falling out amongst contractors and subbies over the issue is not the way forward, nor will it get it resolved.

 

I would like to second that. It would make an unusual, and pleasant, change for the beuraucracy in my life to be reduced rather than increased! I believe the removal of forestry from the GLA remit is currently at the stage of going through parliament, how it will be resolved is yet to be seen. We can but hope for a swift and sensible conclusion to the matter. Knowing my luck forestry will be removed the day after I renew my license!

[Andy Collins]

Ok, so the initial query was whether using hand tools is deemed "unskilled" in the GLAs eyes. Now I'm not wishing to cover the ground already covered in this, but endeavour to continue a reasoned discussion.

The exclusion from GLA licence mentioned on the GLA website is for the employment of "a skilled worker, eg a qualified slaughterman to work in an abattoir, or an individual skilled worker such as a shepherd or herdsmen" would not a qualified certificated self employed tree worker, be it forester or arborist, fall under this exclusion? Would it not also be totally irrelevant which tools the aforementioned skilled worker choose to use in the course of his duties, after all, he is a skilled worker and as such would choose the correct tool in any application, and use it in a correct manner?

[Spruce Pirate]

The exclusion from GLA licence mentioned on the GLA website is for the employment of "a skilled worker, eg a qualified slaughterman to work in an abattoir, or an individual skilled worker such as a shepherd or herdsmen" would not a qualified certificated self employed tree worker, be it forester or arborist, fall under this exclusion? Would it not also be totally irrelevant which tools the aforementioned skilled worker choose to use in the course of his duties, after all, he is a skilled worker and as such would choose the correct tool in any application, and use it in a correct manner?

 

I think in theory you may be right in this, but in the real world we have all rolled over and not challenged it. It is either easier to get a license or to risk it without a license, especially if most of your work is in a non-regulated sector. In effect I'm not so sure that the exclusion applies, for example, I've had three guys plant trees for me, one with MSc two with BSc, the MSc in Forest Ecology & Management and one BSc in Environmental Science (the other BSc is in an unrelated field). Both of these degrees would put the guys in the "skilled worker" category (in reality way over-qualified), however, planting still requires a GLA license.

 

I think in the context of the GLA they count things which require a certificate as "skilled" and things which are un-certified as "un-skilled", hence the broad brush distinction between hand tools and mechanical tools. Many of us, myself very much included, object to this - pruning and planting (hedge laying was also mentioned in an earlier post) are all jobs where the difference between an un-skilled worker and a skilled worker will very quickly become obvious.

[Iain Prentice]

If the work has to be done with a chainsaw are the managers aware that you should not use a chainsaw above shoulder height? Pruning height will be somewhat limited. Unless a little platform is carried from tree to tree! Like the ones used in supermarkets to stack shelves.

[gensetsteve]

Situation resolved. Speaking to the forestry foreman, so long as we have chainsaws on site, are wearing the correct PPE and use the chainsaws occasionally (for removing failing/undesirable trees) we should be OK. The whole situation is bloody stupid if you ask me as it's an exercise in legislative compliance rather than best practice, but I suppose hoops are there to be jumped through.

 

And there is a saying "the customer is always right when he pays on time"

[David Goss]

And there is a saying "the customer is always right when he pays on time"

 

isn't it ironic

[penfold]

The phrase i was taught in our first contract management lecture "The golden rule of contracting is that the person who pays the gold makes the rules" unfortunately springs to mind here David. Most arborists/foresters would agree with you about tool choice for the job at hand but unfortunately it seems that the customer has you over a barrel.