AA Teccie (Paul)

I think the general presumption is "like for like, at the same site" unless stipulated otherwise in the TPO consent notice.

The attached, an excerpt from TG4 may be of use / interest.

A purchase worth considering Arboricultural Association - Technical Guide 4: Use of Mobile Cranes in Tree Work WWW.TREES.ORG.UK A source of publications, guidance notes and leaflets for arboriculturists. Competitively priced available to members... Whilst the AA generic risk assessments cover crane use it wouldn't meet the needs discussed here as it only a very simple one.

Agriculture - Lung disease WWW.HSE.GOV.UK See attached. Obvioulsy much worse is stored indoors / under cover with restricted air-flow.

This is quite helpful: If you disagree with your neighbour about a tree or hedge WWW.CITIZENSADVICE.ORG.UK What to do if you and your neighbour can’t agree about a tree or hedge that’s causing problems. That said most Council's actually won't get involved in what they perceive to be a neighbourly dispute but it's worth asking. Remind your neighbour they have a 'duty of care' responsibility to you, and others, and as the tree is clearly dead/hazardous (assuming it is) if it fell and caused damage / harm they would almost certainly be liable. Maybe worth a conversation with your house insurers too, if that part of the property is insured. Good luck..

The qualification titles are consistent between NPTC and Lantra, the 2 current assessing organisations (previously just City & Guilds NPTC of course, Lantra covered only training and 'ITA' previously but now offer quals too.) Hence I would forget the nos., in either case and as wildly different, and stick with the titles, e.g. Level 2 tree felling upto 380mm dia. / Level 3 cutting using free-fall techniques etc. Cheers, Paul

IN summary, and if you're staying in the UK long-term, the NPTCs / Lantra quals are highly recommended but, from a HSE point of view (insurers may think/say differently) if the employer deems you competent, and ideally records / evidences such rather than simply a 'nod-n-a-wink", you can work here whilst familiarising yourself with UK techniques and systems etc. Having a training/assessment plan, with timescales in place, based on what you've already posted, would be a good idea too. Good luck with it all and I hope you're happy to leave the sunshine behind. Paul

WWW.WOODLANDTRUST.ORG.UK

We always have been involved in industry practices, both directly and through our membership of AFAG (HSE sub-group.) See Arboricultural Association - Tree work at height – Regulations and guidance WWW.TREES.ORG.UK <p class= dgreen lead bold >Over the last couple of years there has been a significant shift in practical guidance on safe and... for more insight.

Hmmm, previous wind-rock that has (temporarily) stabilized but absolutely of concern if there are 'targets' within the likely failure zone (it looks very 'weighted' in the direction of fall'). As a matter of course, I'm very careful in my use of the term "leaning tree". Where the tree in question is, for instance a woodland edge tree that then grows vertical in the upper crown, I describe it as "growing on an angle" (a mouthful but hopefully removes any concern to the tree owner that may be associated with the word "leaning"...still, that said, the Tower of Pisa is still there...or 'was' last I heard )

Phytopthora perhaps...fungi loom similar to Daldinia, something saprophytic perhaps. Perhaps too much "perhaps'ing until Mr Humphries come along 😉

Ivy covered Field Maple maybe

I use an i-Pad these days Swinny, binned my clipboard years ago

No particular updates but the Arb Assn is reviewing the previous 'R2' development (Register of Tree Work Operatives) in conjunction with Lantra, and with a view to simplify it (previously was very complex.) Also City & Guilds / NPTC have developed a means of digital badging individuals to evidence qualifications, and the details of the qual (it also have the facility to record additional information, e.g. time served / experience .) Hence this is an ongoing project being 'driven', to some extent by HSE/AFAG, but will be for industry to deliver.

I think FISA have set, "are setting", the standards for demonstrating chainsaw competency, including recording training / quals and 'hours logged', and Callum has developed an app based system for recording this which also includes machinery operations (I've seen the system demo'd and it appears very comprehensive for the forestry industry sector.) AFAG are looking at the opportunity for an 'arb industry' equivalent but this is in relatively early stages (I'm in a AFAG meeting his morning so will report back anything worthy of note.) Cheers, Paul