AA Teccie (Paul)

Thank you Kevin, noted. Regards, Paul

Thank you, and that's really interesting stuff n makes lots of sense. The above is a very wise observation...just hoping in all our cases it isn't any time soon ATB tc, n I hope some planting work turns up for you soon.. Paul

Hi Kevin (and Mick), "fair comment" but just being consistent with the AA underlying message (examples) and people will make their own decisions, based on various factors including economic, as to whether the work in hand is essential or not. Respectfully, can we please focus on the main question about measures to avoid cross-contamination. Thanks n regards, Paul

Hi there, just re-reading this post which is consistent with your early one and again citing "cross-contamination" risks whilst rigging. Forgive me, but to understand you refer to the chances of the climber being infected, touching the rigging equipment and / or branch to be rigged, and then contaminating / infecting the ground workers yeah? If so, my thoughts are as follows (and assumes the works are deemed essential, e.g. safety works / clearance of infrastructure, AND that rigging operations are required) : 1. Why is the infected climber working? (acknowledged he may not be aware, but increasingly seems unlikely, or may be infected and asymptomatic) 2. Is everyone wearing gloves to protect against cross contamination / infection (unusual for climbers but these are unusual times) 3. Is everyone washing / cleansing hands before eating or travelling (hand wipes / sanitizer 60% alcohol) and then thoroughly washing with detergent at the end of the working day (20 secs min. etc.) 4. Are all tools and equipment being cleaned / disinfected (where possible) or washed down with warm water and detergent at the end of use / the day. PLEASE read my 1,2,3&4 above as "Starters for Ten" and add to, or subtract, in a constructive way such that collectively we can produce some (informal) guidance for a particular activity. Thank you. Regards all, Paul

Hi Andy(?), the guidance we have principally received has been from DEFRA / PHE / HSE, hence that's what's posted. Your proposal would take time to coordinate and complete, plus we're all home-working currently. Hence it's non-starter for now I'm afraid. In terms of what tasks are not possible...I don't immediately see any being so 'if' a business has decided to work...one of the most challenging is clearly maintaining the 2.0m social distancing guidance ("where possible") and particularly when travelling in works vehicles if there is more than just the driver any this is where the use of the face-mask would be appropriate (but not more than 2 people AND preferably travel separately...albeit my local council are clearly immune as 3x & 4x operators in recycling / refuse vehicles, mute point.) The construction industry sector have also issued some guidance but again it's quite general (see attached.) Regards, Paul Site-Operating-Procedures-23-March-2020.pdf

Thanks for your reply and points raised. I will feedback to Head Office regarding more detail of "how" to work safely during Covid19 pandemic but in the mean time some information can be gleaned here Arboricultural Association - Help for Arborists WWW.TREES.ORG.UK A range of tree related help and advice for members of the public as well as tree surgeons. Regards, Paul

We haven't we simply conveyed a response from a Government Minister which said the industry is okay to work which many people and contractors were seeking as we've been inundated with enquiries (both members and non-members.) It is for "you" individually to decide "whether or not to work" and the view seems to be 50/50 as we've seen. Regards, Paul

This scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months. This may be extended if needed. See Claim a grant through the coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme - GOV.UK WWW.GOV.UK Use this scheme if you're self-employed or a member of a partnership and have lost income due to coronavirus.

On the Martin Lewis show last night he was directing people to Universal Credits where the don't meet the criteria for the SeIS Scheme. See Coronavirus Financial Help & Rights WWW.MONEYSAVINGEXPERT.COM There are now over 1,500 officially confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and, sadly, 71 deaths. Many are... Don't dismiss universal credit (and other benefits). The changes are bigger than you think – especially for housing costs Universal credit is a benefit which is available to many employed and self-employed workers, either if you're on low income of if you're unemployed (including if you were on a higher income, but that income has now either stopped or been reduced). Amid the current crisis, the Government has increased the standard allowance AND removed the minimum income floor (which benefits the self-employed). So from Monday 6 April, if you're single and 25 or over, you can get a monthly standard allowance of up to £409.89 (both new and existing claims). Over a year, that's £4,918. Before the crisis, this yearly allowance was £3,813. You may get more or less than the standard allowance dependent on your earnings (or your partner's if you live with them), whether you’ve got children, and other factors. One of these factors is the amount of savings you've got. If you or your partner have combined savings of more than £6,000 you'll get less universal credit, and if you've (and your partner) got savings of £16,000 or over you won't be eligible for universal credit at all.

Hello David, no AFAG (that I'm aware of) but there are the Lantra / NPTC assessment schedules you may have access to. Otherwise, hopefully later this year AA Technical Guide 3 - Rigging will be released as an industry guide. Regards, Paul

Hopefully not being September. We plan to have a 'larger than normal' presence at the APF this year so "fingers crossed". Cheers, n take care.. Paul

Apologies all but the ARB Show, and other AA events, have fallen foul of the Covid19 virus. For further info see Arboricultural Association - Arboricultural Association COVID-19 Update WWW.TREES.ORG.UK <h3 class= bold blue >Activity – to and including 30th April 2020</h3> <p class= clearfix mt20 mb20 ><a class= button2... Regards, and stay well and healthy, Paul

Hi Jack, many contractors do use these schemes and some to good effect in terms of new business leads. Latterly, a common comment I have heard is that it's reached saturation point in a particular locality and hence good contractors perhaps then look elsewhere for recognition . Good luck with your new venture. Paul

This approach, and viewing the 'tickets' (chainsaw/climbing quals etc.) as a "licence to practice" NOT the end product, is what will change/improve industry safety and quality performance....and/or maintaining such for those many "professional" and competent / proficient businesses and operators out there already. As an industry, circumstantially, we have perhaps become too reliant on tickets as evidence of competence but that is just the beginning of the journey.. Cheers all, Paul

Respectfully, this is simply not correct. The AA, or more specifically my colleague Simon Richmond (as project lead), the ICOP authors and others have worked tirelessly to represent and defend the industry current practice with the HSE, who, in turn, have been very, very robust in defense of their position and approach...and "the battle" continues, albeit more of frank exchange these days. I would hasten you to try to speak with Stuart Parry at HSE and ask him if the AA deferred to the HSE with little resistance, behaving obsequiously to those in power. With hindsight, it is unfortunate that we perpetuated the issue being titled "use of 2 ropes" which was initiated by HSE but which we now refer to a "climbing with a back-up" (which may include 2 ropes in some situations where appropriate.) PLEASE await production of the revised draft Technical Guide 1 - Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue ('TG1') hopefully to be released for industry consultation by end of April. Thanks for reading and stay safe out there. Paul