Tree Work at Height - draft new Industry Code of Practice

[daltontrees]

Did anybody respond to this consultation? It closed on Friday. And if not, was it so perfect that no resposnes were needed? Or was it thought unnecessary, or was it too much like hard work to try and understand it?

[carlos]

just had a quick flick through it, would be useful to accompany a course or go over with a new trainee, it seemed to just raise points not actually explain anything but maybe its not meant to.

carl

[daltontrees]

I see the new Industry Code of Practice has been published now by the AA. I am pleased to see that it is a vast improvement on the draft, which was almost impossible to read. I made some suggestions to the AA myself and was relieved to see that they had been taken on board. Others must have done the same, it is definitely improved.

 

Industry Code of Practice: Tree Work at Height

 

So, I went from thinking I might try to get through my professional life without ever having to look at the ICoP again, to now thinking it is quite a good summary of the H&S issues in aerial tree work. Already I am thinking that from both the consultancy side when drawing up specifications and from the contracting side when drawing up quotes it could be a really useful shorthhand to say that the ICoP (or at least the relevant parts of it) will be observed.

 

Anybody else looked at it or got any thoughts on it? I'm not a plant from the AA PR dept, (honest!) I am just as ever interested in where the industry is at.

[Gary Prentice]

This thread, which I missed first time round, and your other post is the first I've heard of it. If it contains all relevant info, it can't be a bad thing.

 

 

I haven't read it, yet!

[daltontrees]

This thread, which I missed first time round, and your other post is the first I've heard of it. If it contains all relevant info, it can't be a bad thing.

 

 

I haven't read it, yet!

 

You're so lucky that you'll never have to read the draft.

[Gary Prentice]

You're so lucky that you'll never have to read the draft.

 

It's still on the AA site, so I've downloaded it too. I'm a glutton hot punishment.

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi all, and Jules in particular, AND apologies for both missing this post to date AND not bringing it to the forum earlier ....but THANK YOU Jules for so doing

 

If I may, just to try to give the 'ICOP' document a place in the H&S legislation hierarchy ("STAY AWAKE" ):

 

- Health and Safety at Work ACT 1974 (HASWA)

- Work at Height REGS 2005 (WAHR)

- Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) BUT there is no ACOP for the WAHR

- Industry Code of Practice (ICOP) i) 'Tree Work at Height', AND ii) Industrial Rope Access (IRATA) a separate document.

- Industry Guidance (HSE) - INDG401 / AFAG 401/2/3

- Industry Guidance (Industry, AA) - Guide to Good Climbing Practice (GGCP) / Guide to use of MEWPs in Arb. (GUMA)

 

OMG, I so hope I'm not confusing things further here but I'm just trying to point out that the Treework ICOP is essentially a management tool for those tasked with the planning, organisation and arrangements of tree work activities. Guidance at this level is usually provided by the ACOP but there is no ACOP for the WAHR (don't know why as ACOPs for all other REGS I believe.)

 

The next step is the review of existing technical guides, e.g. GGCP and GUMA, and production of new ones for rigging, cranes etc. which will commence this year.

 

So, the document is not generally aimed at those undertaking tree work operations unless they happen to be the same person planning the work beforehand.

 

Right, back into the AA bunker...double-quick

 

Joking apart please post back any queries and I'll try to help.

 

Thanks all..

Paul

[daltontrees]

Paul, I have an interesting challenge for you. Why should Arbtalk members use the Induistry Code of Practice? If it takes you more than 25 words then you will probably lose the audience.

[fen01]

Hi Paul,

 

Sorry for the detail, but when's the 'Guide to the use of cranes in arboriculture' likely to be published? If its covered in the ICOP sorry I haven't read it yet. Thanks Mark

[matt.p]

id like to know what we can and can't do..as in do we need a back up line with SRT? the firm i work for is saying no SRT until we know whats going on…bit **** when i got a load of 100ft planes to prune...