Dangerous pops

[Mark Bolam]

Been asked to sub on job taking down some poplars in a caravan park (similar targets to Mick's 4-pops thread).

 

These beasts were pollarded in 1988 at 30' and now have 50' regrowth on top of that. They constantly lose stems from weak union points.

 

Did one a few years ago and told the bloke I wouldn't do another without a MEWP. He hasn't taken that on board.

 

Everything will have to be lowered from these weakened stems because of the targets, and they are not close enough together to tie in to adjacent tree.

 

Oh, and most are manky in that typical 'I'm a poplar and I've been topped before' way.

 

Comments please gentlemen.

[Ian C]

If you have a gen reason for not doing them without a mewp and you dont think it is safe don't do it. tell him no mewp no job, you have to be at ease in what your doing.

[janey]

Mention Working At Heights 2005 (i think) Regulations - MEWP use should always be your preferred way of working and climbing should only be used if it can be shown that it is a safer alternative.

 

Or get some expendable trainee climbers who don't fully understand the perils of poplar regrowth

[Pete Mctree]

Either ask him to get a MEWP, or decline the job if you don't feel up to the challenge. Easy

 

Your call, your client

[Mark Bolam]

It's not so much not being up to the challenge. It's more 'I don't really want to die yet'.

 

Climbers with far bigger balls than me have declined to work on them in the past. I only did it years ago because in Janey's words I was an expendable trainee climber who didn't understand the perils of poplar regrowth.

 

The problem is there are about 400 round this caravan park. You might do 1 or 2, but your luck will run out eventually.

 

I've already said 'not without a MEWP or crane'. His stock response is 'well I can't afford one with the price I've put in'.

 

Just wanted to see what the general consensus was, and I appreciate you really need to see a job personally to make your mind up.

 

Worked for him for six years on and off, and never refused anything before, even when it was running down my leg!

 

Must be going soft.....

[Pete Mctree]

It's not so much not being up to the challenge. It's more 'I don't really want to die yet'.

 

Climbers with far bigger balls than me have declined to work on them in the past. I only did it years ago because in Janey's words I was an expendable trainee climber who didn't understand the perils of poplar regrowth.

 

The problem is there are about 400 round this caravan park. You might do 1 or 2, but your luck will run out eventually.

 

I've already said 'not without a MEWP or crane'. His stock response is 'well I can't afford one with the price I've put in'.

 

Just wanted to see what the general consensus was, and I appreciate you really need to see a job personally to make your mind up.

 

Worked for him for six years on and off, and never refused anything before, even when it was running down my leg!

 

Must be going soft.....

 

 

I was not insinuating that you "are not capable" but merely that it's a black and white decision in my eyes. If the tree is not to be climbed politley decline.

[Mark Bolam]

Appreciate that Pete.

 

Cheers.

[welwell]

Are these pops in a caravan park in Minster/Monkton, Mark?

[Mark Bolam]

You know them then?!!!!

[Mesterh]

If a lot of them have beening shedding limbs due to poor growth points how are you supposed to take them down safely and without causing damage to all those targets without a crane or MEWP?

 

The only way I could imagine would be to section them in very small pieces either cut and chuck or some delicate lowering, surely the time involved in doing that would make the cost of a MEWP or crane more viable.

 

If he has underpriced the job to death to get it then that would be his problem, does he climb?