woodsmanBSc

Utility Arb Solutions (UAS) Ltd offer Arboricultural and vegetation management services to commercial and domestic clients throughout the UK. Due to continued growth, we welcome applicants for the roles listed below in the North West of England.

Immediate start - Groundsman (Scottish Power – Wirral district)

Essential – Driving licence, first aid, NPTC CS30, CS31, CS38, Wood chipper and SPEN authorisation - Desirable – PA1/PA6, driving licence (B+E) and manual handling.

Immediate start – Climbing Arborist - (Scottish Power – Wirral district)

Essential – Driving licence, first aid, NPTC CS30, CS31, CS38, CS39, CS40 and SPEN authorisation - Desirable – CS41, PA1/PA6, driving licence (B+E) and manual handling.

Immediate start – UA5 surveyor - (Scottish Power – Wirral district)

Excellent rates and benefits including, child care voucher scheme, ride to work scheme, 22 days Holiday (plus 8 Bank Hols), potential use of company pool vehicle to travel to and from site, and continued professional development (CPD)

Please email [email protected] or call the office on 01270 667123 (option 1) to discuss rates/salary

Still looking for a couple more guys or girls for these full tim roles.

About the Company

Utility Arb Solutions (UAS) Ltd offer Arboricultural and vegetation management services to commercial and domestic clients throughout the UK.

About the job

Works are based in the Bushey/Watford, and Hemel Hempstead areas, and are ongoing. All aspects of professional tree works operations.

Applicants will be required to cover weekend possession shifts in addition to mid-week works, you may be required to stay away as work sites migrate, NWR Xmas bonus shifts available. Accommodation and meals paid for if required.

PTS sponsorship/Sub-sponsorship, and OLEC 1 training is available for all successful candidates.

All company PPE will be provided.

All applicants may have responsibility of driving company pool vehicles so driving licence is essential.

Excellent rates with potential PAYE T&C’s for the right candidates. PAYE benefits include, child care voucher scheme, ride to work scheme, sick pay after 6 months, 22 days (plus 8 Bank Hols), tool allowance payment, potential use of company pool vehicle to travel to and from site, and continued professional development (CPD).

Please email [email protected] to discuss rates/salary.

Preferred Skills

Immediate start - Arborist - (Rail – Watford/Bushey, and Hemel Hempstead areas)

Essential - – Driving licence, first aid, NPTC CS30, CS31, CS38, CS39, CS40, PTS (AC/DCCR), OLEC 1 - Desirable – CS41, PA1/PA6, driving licence (B+E)

Rail Supervisors & Climbing Arborists

UAS Ltd are Network Rail framework contractors and undertake utility specific tree works on a number of large long term infrastructure projects in the UK.

Due to recent contract awards we require two Rail Supervisors and a number of climbing arborists to join our teams on rail de-vegetation projects.

This role will suit a time served utility arborists who is qualified and experienced in all aspects of utility/arboricultural works sites. The purpose of the role is to supervise rail tree teams, gain 3rd party consent for tree works, complete all daily risk assessments and daily check sheets, communicate with Operations Manager, ensure the H&S standards are achieved by all staff & Sub-contractors, ensure company equipment is maintained, manage daily logistics and deliver on site tool box talks.

Initially you will be working in the Stafford area with a view to move to the next phase of the project which will be in the North West.

Some mid-week nights and weekend shifts will form part of your working week. The candidate will also be required to work away from home from time to time on projects.

Please note that due to the safety critical nature of this role no physical works are undertaken by the Rail Supervisor. You must be able to complete site documentation and communicate your operational experience in tree works to staff in order to achieve the safest yet most productive method of work.

Candidates should ideally hold:

• CS30, 31, 38, 39, 40, PA1/PA6

• UA1, UA2.1 UA2.2 UA2.3, PTS, OLEC1, ICI

• A current first aid certificate

• Full driving licence

• Street works, MEWP & manual handling certification would be desirable

The successful Candidate will be provided with a commercial company vehicle, company fuel card, 22 days’ holiday, full sick pay after 6 months, full PPE, and a salary range of between £26,000 - £30,000 per annum dependant on experience.

We are also looking for additional PAYE climbing arborists to join this project. Candidates will receive 22 days’ holiday, full sick pay after 6 months, full PPE, Tool loan payment and a salary range of between £21,000 - £25,000 per annum dependant on experience. Applicants for climbing roles should ideally hold CS 30, 31, 38, 39, PTS, OLEC1, ICI, & current first aid certificate.

Further training and development will be offered to staff members within UAS Ltd.

Please send your current CV and covering letter to [email protected]

Informal interviews will be held in 2 weeks at our head office in Crewe. Remote interviews via Skype may be possible for candidates looking to re-locate but we are looking to employ the successful candidates fairly quickly.

Hi all,

Can anyone point me in the right direction for tip sites near Blackburn/Accrington?

Got chip and log for the next 3-4 weeks.

Mixed hardwood and conifer.

Utility Arb Solutions (UAS) Ltd offer Arboricultural and vegetation management services to commercial and domestic clients throughout the UK. Due to continued growth we welcome applicants for the roles listed below.

Groundsman (Utility – Stoke/Stafford) - Essential - NPTC CS30, CS31, CS38, UA1, UA2.1, UA2.2 – Desirable – WPD authorisation, PA1/PA6

Groundsman (Rail – Stoke/Stafford) - Essential - NPTC CS30, CS31, CS38, PTS - Desirable – PA1/PA6

Arborist - (Utility – Stoke/Stafford) – Essential - NPTC CS30, CS31, CS38, CS39, CS40, UA1, UA2.1, UA2.2, UA2.3, driving licence (B+E) – Desirable – WPD authorisation, PA1/PA6

Arborist - Crew leader (Rail – Stoke/Stafford) - – Essential - NPTC CS30, CS31, CS38, CS39, CS40, PTS, driving licence (B+E) - Desirable – PA1/PA6

Works are based in Stoke/Stafford with some possibility of staying away from home as required by our clients. Client may roster night shifts for these ongoing works.

Although desirable, First Aid, chipper, PTS, CSCS, NPTC UA1 and NPTC UA2.1, UA2.2 & UA2.3 are not essential as full training can be provided for successful candidates.

PTS sponsorship is available for all successful candidates with scope for weekend works on rail contracts.

Salary/benefits for all posts is dependent on qualifications and experience and would be discussed at interview with candidates.

To apply please email your CV to;

[email protected]

Due to continued growth UAS Ltd are looking for x 2 gangs of 3 rail arborists to work from our Rugby Depot.

We require x 2 lead climbers, x 2 second climbers and x 2 groundsmen. These works commence on rail week 21/22 (8th/15th Aug) and will be ongoing. Applicants should have all relevant NPTC and ideally already hold a valid PTS card. However we may sponsor applicants without a current PTS.

Competitive rates and conditions for the right teams with all PPE supplied.

PAYE only, with scope for overtime most weekends.

Please send your CV to [email protected]

Rob,

If your in Scottish Power I'm your man! If you send details of location I will bring the network drawings up and talk over the process with you.

Its not a flick the light switch operation for any outage as i'm sure most guys and girls understand.

Lots of factors for time scale of any outage. Customer numbers, Hv/Lv, medical issues with customers, complaints, commercial operations, outage duration, other utility works scheduled, refurb works scheduled etc.

I do not subscribe to the doing us out of work camp some talk about and lets just crack on with the OHL live.... I MUST ensure all go home safe at the end of the day and the network is not put at risk.

I would say dont use insulated rods unless u hav DNO authorisation, UA training, tested rods and liability cover for works on the spark network.

For any outage i have to submit my outage request 28 days as a min. Thats after RAMS review and site meeting with you on site.

PM, me and we can get the wheel started.

No need! I see lantra and NPTC dont have the same numbers/codes.

Do u still need a firm to back the PTS?

Folks,

Justin has asked if I will post the details on Johns service for those who wish to attend.

Johns funeral will be held @ Springwood Crematorium, Garston, Liverpool, L25 7UN on Friday 2nd March (11:30).

RIP John and thoughts to his family at this hard time.

Hi Monkey,

I work on the SPEN contract and wondered if you got yr chipper back.

Bonjour Paul...

I vouch for Shabz! Many a long night shift on west coast main line cutting thorn...

How are you Shabz?

Sounds comparative to an acorn tree surgery (midlands firm) enterprise a few yrs ago. Margins were minimal for teams but I guess if the order book is lacking..

Hi Ange,

I work for a UK Network Operator (NO's) (EDF, Western Power etc) undetaking the role you perform now over the pond.

I work as a contractor but from within the DNO undertaking your listed tasks with techical report writing & forestry outage planning.

Where in the UK will you be heading as I may be able to give you some leads for work?

Not all NO's work to this model and you may not find a comparative role.

PM me and we can chat more.

Ok lets be sensible here! Why would you increase the risk to yourself and workforce/mates if there was a safe way to get the job done? I understand the lead time for a job is increased when going down the “right” route. But with planning and foresight it should not be a problem.

There are a number of “punishments” a DNO could put upon an unprofessional outfit undertaking works near the OHL without a safe system of work.

1. Inform HSE

2. If caught in the act following an f##c-up, seek criminal prosecution for damage to network, call out charges of DNO staff and compensation to customer’s dependant on level of disruption. (I have seen this done more of late)

3. If AA registered make official complaint to AA – possibly being struck off

4. Refuse company authorisation/sub contract works on network in the future – maybe not an issue for smaller firms but if you ever sub for a bigger company it may hinder your growth.

There is of course a direct knock on effect for you as a company if it all goes wrong. Increased Insurance premiums, damage to reputation, cost incurred for loss of earnings etc.

The key to all this is communication and planning! Most DNO’s have dedicated tree folk who themselves have been on the tools and understand “what’s what”.

Don’t forget DNO’s are obliged to provide an outage if it’s near the OHL. Lines teams & earthing up gives you that reassurance you’re not going to add any further risk to a risky occupation already.

These been a number of fatal & serious accidents on the Uk’s OHL networks in recent years and in my mind if we can get it done safely and get home to our loved ones why push too near the edge.

Stay safe ladies & gents

My lass works for a company that supplies lone work emergency systems. I think they call it code 5! It is on your phone or a stand alone pocket device.

I know lots of councils, utility and larger arb groups use them.

Lone Worker Protection – Lone Worker Safety Alarms & Security Systems

Good luck

James

RTP,

Do you have a primary source for this video clip (wmv etc?) Company polcy wil not let us view you tube!

There sould be someone in the DNO who would inspect the trees with the forester. They would then come up with a safe system of work together. This may be an ouatge/line drop. GS6 may come into effect if plant etc is moving under the OHL. We issue a GS6 notice to folks working under the OHL which outlines the risks and highlights they are responsible for damages to the OHL.

I'm guessing United Utilities is the DNO given your location. If you call them they should have an internal procedure for contacting said forester/landowner and talking over felling operations.

Anyone have a link for UK supply of CELOX? Sounds like it should be part of a teams first aid kit.

All the best to the lad involved and what a good job the emergency services did! Stay safe guys & girls.

Hi Bareroots,

I’m not surprised a “professional” Forester has felled a tree on the OHL! We all take measured risks when working in Arb/Forestry but the sign of a professional (in my opinion) is knowing when to seek additional methods or control measures when there is elevated risk. Any subsequent applied method has without doubt been evaluated and studied by many of us over the years.

There are a number of consequences evident in this type of situation. There is of course a risk of spread of a wild fire by way of ladder fuels and dry detritus. The plantation may not have an active wildfire management plan in place (Fire breaks, beaters etc). This of course affects biodiversity of this site. That’s not to say fire is a not useful tool in Forestry/Agriculture. Added Nitrogen and other elements are evident following wildfires and we all know some species of flora/fauna need frequent fires to thrive.

There will undoubtedly be a financial implication to the DNO responsibly for this OHL network. Call out fees for direct or contract staff, land access issues, leaving planned work site locations and the cost of new materials to replace damaged electrical equipment would all be factors. These costs may be placed upon the person responsibly by a DNO’s legal team. However law, specifically law associated with electricity is not my field and comment from a professional would be more appropriate.

We would also see an interruption, and I would say unnecessary, to members of the public’s electricity supply.

A recent article published in the AA’s Arb magazine on what DNO’s call 3rd party outages is a good start. It’s a brief insight into how a particular DNO plan 3rd party works and the complication involved but is a good starting point. These complications may be a fundamental reason why outages are not requested by Arbs/Foresters. It is obvious guys and girls need to earn a crust but I really think in an already dangerous profession, the added danger of electricity warrants careful planning. I would direct all undertaking works near power lines to refer to HSE/NPTC guidance when working in proximity to any OHL network and seek advice from the DNO.

If you are undertaking frequent works near the OHL it’s about planning and building a relationship with the DNO’s tree team.

Does anyone know where this can be got? It might have been a BBC doc called;

Year in the life of an Oak Tree

Had a look on web thingy with no result!

Any help would be cool!

Is Tom still with you John?

Max send me some site specific details! Who you spoke with and a post code so I can see if its in my patch!

Its not on my desk so can only asume its with another!

All S/Ds have a min 2 week turn around but if its Lv its a simple gig!

Let me know and I will help!