Steve Bullman

By Simon Richmond, Senior Technical Officer Following the announcement in the Autumn issue of the ARB Magazine (issue 186, page 7) that the HSE is now requiring full compliance with the Work at Height Regulations in relation to tree climbing operations, there has been much discussion and debate. The relevant section of the Regulations is Schedule 5, which addresses requirements for personal fall protection systems. See www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/735/schedule/5. The HSE has observed that some aspects of these requirements have been largely ignored by many climbing arborists, and that current training and assessment standards do not adequately address these issues. The HSE has provided details of reported fall from height accidents for a one-year period, which can be viewed on the AA’s website: www.trees.org.uk/2ropes-incidents. The background to this wider issue can be viewed here: www.trees.org.uk/2ropes. The Association has been in discussion with many other organisations, businesses and individuals over the past few months to ensure that, as a sector, we are taking a proportionate and practical position in response to this development in HSE policy. One of the most urgent concerns of many people is that HSE is reminding us that as these Regulations are current (and have been in force since 2005), all operators should be compliant immediately. While the HSE does not intend to focus particularly on our industry in terms of its inspectors’ activity, it has stated that in any investigation following an incident involving tree climbing, it would expect employers and the self-employed to be compliant with the Regulations. This creates a period of insecurity for our sector, as we do not yet have detailed industry guidance in place to help practitioners accurately interpret the requirements in order to be compliant and to make informed practical decisions in planning and carrying out their daily work. Working with our colleagues and other stakeholders we have developed a timetable for introducing the required guidance. Implementing changes to tree climbing guidance: use of two climbing lines The work on revision of the ICoP is progressing well and the HSE has agreed that the following hierarchical approach should form the basis of planning tree climbing work at height: t: These principles will apply to all tree climbing operations and offer a planned approach, subject to any detailed decision making if points 1 or 2 are not possible. It is anticipated that situations where the use of a single fall protection system is compliant will be rare and of short duration. At this stage the emphasis is on all fall protection systems, regardless of whether they incorporate doubled/moving rope technique (MRT) or stationary rope technique (SRT) or a combination of the two. Basic practical guidance At a recent meeting of Lantra Awards Aerial Tree Work Verifiers, a basic set of practical guidance was agreed which has been disseminated to registered instructors to provide initial direction for training that is being delivered currently. There will be further workshop sessions for instructors, but it is recognised that until the full and comprehensive guidance is published in the forthcoming AA Technical Guide, there remains a gap in detailed provision. Access Rope Advance System Have 3 viable systems prior to leaving the ground (2 climbing lines, 1 lanyard). Install systems 1 & 2 (2 climbing lines) from ground. Test each system. Ascend to first anchor. Maintain 2 climbing systems at all times Repeat to final anchor point. Throw Line Install 2 separate climbing systems and if possible do so on independent anchors. Test systems independently. Ascend. Working in the tree Select 2 separate load-bearing anchors where possible and install 2 separate climbing systems. Test systems independently. Work using 2 independent climbing systems. Descent Both primary and secondary working systems should be long enough to descend to the ground. Rescue A single line system may be acceptable in a rescue situation. Follow the conversation here. Frequently asked questions We have been fielding queries on this topic for a few weeks now and will keep this list and the Two-Rope Help and Advice web page updated to provide answers – here are some examples of the most common questions: FAQs Q: What happens in aerial rescue situations when 2-rope makes rescue more difficult? A: It is acceptable to perform aerial rescue from one personal fall protection system. Q: Will there be a list of scenarios where 2 rope exemptions could apply? E.g. if you are able to rule it out categorically in risk assessment A: It is unlikely industry guidance will be able to provide specific scenarios, due to the variation of canopy structures within which arborists work. Guidance will be written to inform operators as to the factors they must consider prior to single line working. Q: I think HSE’s interpretation of the law is wrong. Why can’t we lobby them to change the law? A: As part of the process of working with the HSE over the last six months, the AA have continually questioned their (HSE) interpretation and will continue to do so where relevant. Q: To what extent will contractors be held accountable in the period until training and full detailed guidance has been made available? A: HSE have stated that the Regulations apply now, and therefore employers and the self-employed should be complying with them. Q: What face-to-face training and other resources will be available? A: Resources are to include: Revised Industry Code of Practice (ICoP: Tree Work at Height); Technical Guide 1: Tree climbing and aerial rescue; Lantra Awards have adjusted their tree climbing training, which also includes their refresher provision; The AA intend to run update/information seminars or workshops in Spring 2020. Q: Will a draft of the updated guidance be made available to have a look at prior to it being finalised? A: Yes, an industry consultation on the Technical Guide will be held once the draft is ready. Q: Is the Arb Association going to support contractors / advise industry that work will take longer on 2 ropes and costs will be higher and there will be additional training costs to get everyone up to date? A: It is acknowledged that this change may mean that work takes longer and this in turn may result in higher costs for compliant contractors. The AA will support the industry in promoting the higher professionalism that this brings. Q: Will reasons for briefly not using 2 rope system be required to be written on risk assessment or will verbal risk assess be ok? A: In accordance with current legislation, where the employer employs five or more employees, the significant findings of the risk assessment must be recorded. It would therefore be anticipated that common factor or generic risk assessment may identify the circumstances when a single personal fall protection may be used. Q: Why is the Arb Association implementing this? A: This change in practical guidance and support from the Arb Association has come as a direct result the HSE’s insistence that the industry has not been fully compliant with the Work at Height (WaH) Regulations to date. Q: Why, if we have always used a 1 rope system, is this now not considered safe? A: The view of the HSE is that, given the number of falls from height in our sector (of climbing arborists), our current guidance and the standards we have been working to can be improved. The HSE have also stated the use of a single personal fall protection system as the norm during tree climbing operations does not meet the requirements of the WaH Regulations. Q: Will both ends of the same rope suffice or does it need to be 2 separate ropes? A: This point does require further discussion with the HSE to determine the standard they would expect to see and whether such systems would be practical to adopt. It is likely that under certain circumstances the use of the same rope to create two separate load bearing anchor points will be acceptable. Q: I do not feel this is a safer system so can I always risk assess to not use it? A: When using a work positioning system (moving rope techniques) and it is not reasonably practicable to include a backup as part of your system then a single system may be used. When using a rope access system (stationary rope systems) and the use of a second line would entail higher risk then a single system may be used. . Q: Will both ropes have to reach the ground? A: New technical guide has been drafted stating that at least one of the systems in use by the operator must be capable of providing an uninterrupted descent to the ground (i.e. without the need for a change of anchor) from any point within the canopy in the event of a self-rescue being required. During descent under normal climbing conditions, the climber will need to ensure that they remain connected to two systems for the duration of their descent. Q: When will there be set definitions, that won’t change, of such things as stationary rope work positioning, moving rope work positioning etc? A: These definitions will be developed as part of the revision of the ICoP and the new Technical Guide. Q: In a self-rescue situation can one rope be disconnected to allow one handed descent? A: It is acceptable to resort to a single personal fall protection system in an aerial rescue. Q: As a contractor when should we be putting this new system in place? A: The principle of using two separate load bearing anchor points should be in place immediately.

The UK’s leading manufacturer of professional wood chippers, Timberwolf, has been recognised as a member of the Made in Britain organisation. Accredited to businesses selling goods that have been manufactured or have undergone a final substantial change in Britain before sale, Made in Britain is the official collective mark for British manufacturers. From its purpose-built manufacturing facility in Stowmarket, Suffolk, Timberwolf specialises in the design and manufacture of professional wood chippers for the arboricultural and horticultural sectors. For over 30 Years, Timberwolf has manufactured industry defining commercial wood chippers to meet the needs of the arboriculture industry, promoting and embodying British engineering and manufacturing excellence. Chris Perry, Manging Director at Timberwolf, said: “Timberwolf wood chippers have become renowned in the UK and in export markets for engineering excellence. “Everyone at Timberwolf works incredibly hard to deliver unbeatable power and performance from every machine and to be a part of a collective promoting British engineering is very important to us.” According to a recent Make UK report, manufacturing in the East of England contributes £17.8bn to the UK economy and employs over 244,000 people in the region.* Recognised for their contribution to the regional economy, Timberwolf were awarded the Large Business Award and Business of the Year Award in the 2019 East Anglian Daily Times Suffolk Business Awards. Timberwolf machines are designed in-house by a team of nine engineers and the company is committed to inspiring future generations to work in the Engineering and Manufacturing industries through supporting six in-house apprentices as well as attending local career fairs. An innovative business approach is at the heart of Timberwolf’s success and longevity and is clearly demonstrated by its position as the only UK manufacturer in its sector to use a flow line system, increasing flexibility and efficiency through production. As products move down the production line they can be adapted at short notice according to the needs of customers. A high standard of manufacture is maintained through an in-house Quality Control department, ensuring all components are fitted correctly to the machines as they are assembled down the production line. The change to a flow line system has revolutionised Timberwolf’s output, improving production capability from 20 machines a month to 30 machines per week, an increase of 640%. Timberwolf has highly skilled in-house fabrication and Quality Control teams to ensure exceptionally high-quality standards are maintained for bespoke machine components. In-house fabrication accounts for 10-15% of components depending on the model of machine, and includes critical machine components such as roller boxes for hydraulically fed wood chippers and track components for their tracked wood chipper range. Using an in-house team for the fabrication of these bespoke parts means quality standards are kept exceptionally high for these critical components. Timberwolf machines are renowned for their robustness and strength and this is directly attributable to the skills, knowledge and dedication of the fabrication and production teams. The company is committed to helping support local suppliers with more than a quarter of suppliers located within 25 miles of Timberwolf’s Stowmarket base, and 50% of suppliers within 75 miles. In addition, almost 90% of externally sourced components are supplied by British-based companies, with over 60% of components from within a 100-mile radius. Timberwolf’s success and commitment to innovation drew the attention of the London Stock Exchange Group who, in 2019, identified Timberwolf in their ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ report. An annual report celebrating the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium sized businesses over the last three years, with companies representing over 40 sectors and spanning every region of the country included in the prestigious list. Timberwolf was selected as one of five businesses nationwide to represent the engineering and manufacturing sector, while also being highlighted as a leader within the manufacturing sector. Chris Perry, Manging Director at Timberwolf, said: “We have seen strong growth in our Export markets over the last 5 years and we now export nearly 50% of our machines outside of the UK. “British Manufacturing and Engineering excellence is valued highly in international markets and the addition of the Made in Britain mark, which our products will wear with pride, will help strengthen our ambitious international trade goals and let any customer know that their machine is made to the very highest of standards.” For more information visit www.timberwolf-uk.com or follow @MyTimberwolf on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.