Peter

Yes, with a lockjack. I used my petzl reverso under the LJ, worked very well. There are many ways to skin this cat, but it's no use knowing the theory if you haven't practised the practise.

AR practise is a great reason to enter ISA comps, the rescue event really sharpens your skill set.

Preferred option is to bring the casualty down on their own system, that is quickest and there is no risk of dropping them during transfer. If you have to disconnect them from their system, and your system won't easily take 2, then you could use a lowering rope and a groundie. Failing that, then some way to add friction into your system is needed, maybe a fig 8 or another descender. Or have a rescue kit set up ready with a suitable system for rescuing a climber rather than your preferred working rig. Whatever you use, if you haven't practised it the chances of getting it right in a emergency are pretty slim. If you have a groundie with a rescue ticket, do they know how your system works?

Climbing kit will have a mbs/swl but they do take some tracking down sometimes. It must be tested to ensure it meets the 22kN requirement. If you can't find the info post up what the kit is and someone will have what you need.

Definitely eleagnus. Silvery backs to the leaves, spikes etc. sure it will burn just fine.

What engine is it?

Plus someone else assumes the liability!

I was told the exact opposite on my course, and I discussed it with the person supervising the exam afterwards. So where does the five year thin come from? It's not primary legislation, it's not the hse acop and it's not the AA icop. The only place I've seen it is the course handbook. Surely makes you wonder where that came from? As Craig says, the responsibility lies with the manufacturer to specify service life and wear tolerances. With the lockjack/spider jack, if there is no manufacturer data then it leaves the examiner in a bit of a quandary. After all it might slip on some 11mm rope but be fine on some 13. My advice to the OP, and indeed anyone buying Arb gear is to make sure you get and keep your certificates of conformity and manufacturers recommendations, and keep proper records of date of first use and records weekly inspections.

There is provision for time spent in proper storage, thats why recording the date of first use is important.

So where did you get the compulsory five year retirement rule from then? I'm still waiting for you to come up with some evidence. I've pointed out where it isn't (loler primary legislation) and an icop that contradicts your earlier statement. All you've posted is more questions to distract from the fact that your original statement is incorrect. If you don't know the answer to your last two questions I suggest you retake your loler course.

I don't think I'v ever worked there?

Pine Shoot Moth damage would be my guess.

Taken from ICoP for arboriculture: tree Work at Height (Edition 1, February 2015) "2.12.4 Equipment lifespan the lifespan of equipment is determined as the period for which an item of equipment remains safe for use within the tolerances specified by the manufacturer or competent person. Manufacturer’s guidance should be referred to when assessing the lifespan of an item of equipment; the age, use and storage conditions will have a significant bearing in relation to continued use. Where manufacturers specify a lifespan, this should be adhered to, and equipment outside of the specified timeframe should be withdrawn from service. lifespans can only be exceeded where equipment has been thoroughly examined by a competent person and deemed safe for extended use. an inspection regime of suitably short intervals should be implemented to reflect any extension of use beyond the manufacturer’s stated lifespan." Why would the latest industry ICOP include a provision for extending lifespan of equipment if this is strictly prohibited? PS The technical author of that ICOP is one of only three people who supervise LOLER exams.

Did your examiner tell you that? Btw, here is a link to the LOLER 1998 regs, it's not very long, have a read through and tell me where the five year rule is. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/2307/schedule/1/made

Also, 5 years for textiles is a guideline for when no other information is available, not a rule.

Although it can be difficult to test out of context, whether it passes or not depends on the person doing the examination really.

I know you can send a sample to a lab and get an ID, not sure who does it but I should be able to find out? One of my clients use them for subsidence claims.

Tough ask to get something growing in pure chalk, have you thought about a pre sown mat, ie sedum or wild flowers?

If you're having to ask the question you don't need it. It won't help you get new business on its own IMO.

I bought a uniforest 1500 from Riko, pretty pleased with it so far.

I don't think Ive ever seen a 252 with the auto sweep still connected!

As Steve says, then loop one end round a tree or two and pull it through under tension to get all the kinks out. Then before you put it away throw one end out as far as you can on an open field and then flake it into your storage as you pull it in under tension.

NI isn't insurance in any sense of the word, it's just second and third income tax.

Personally I feel it would be fairer for small businesses if SSP came out of HMRC budget and we all paid a little more in NI contributions to cover it. For a 2 or 3 man business, having one person off is 50 or 33% of the workforce, which would never happen with 100+ employees. Having one or even ten employees off on sick out of 100 is much easier to sustain. However the rules say differently, so it's a foolish employer who doesn't budget for the possibility of an employee off on long term sick pay. I can't imagine any decent employees want to be off on £88 a week, so it should be in everyone's interest to get back to work as quickly as possible.

Get a decent length of hose and you can park it under another tree to save the root zone of the one your working on. Do make sure your air supply is oil free though, otherwise you'll spray a fine mist of oil over the roots as you go.