AA Teccie (Paul)

2 main 'triggers' for this change (as I see it...but I do sympathise with 'others' views) 1. Introduction of the new(ish) QCF (Qualifications and Credits Framework, which is a national framework for all industries quals etc.) which recognises certain NPTC quals are at a higher level than others, i.e. Cs31 = level 2 and Cs32 - level 3 (previously both were at level 2.) 2. Changes(?) in the relationship between NPTC (who are a 'brand' under City & Guilds, C&G) and Lantra Awards. The previous 'assessment' and 'training' bodies status, respectively, has now fundamentally changed. Both are independent and both can offer recognised quals, or rather 'Licences to Practice' (i feel a new 3 letter abbreviation coming on...) as there are now known. Change is not always good but is does/should make us review and 'refresher training', partic in areas of significant advancement (climbing and rigging I would suggest), should be considered seriously. This should also include 'up-skilling' your felling tickets from Cs31 to Cs32, something we require probably 80% of contractors to do after they become 'ARB Approved', which, remember simply reflects regulatory compliance and industry good practice. Thanks all.. Paul

Hi all, The other thing to remember here is that Lantra Awards, traditionally always the 'training' aspect of the CS units, is now also offering 'CoCs' (certificates of competence, req'd under PUWER ACOP Reg.9) alongside C&G/NPTC. Interestingly, and with many critics, some of these are deliverd with 'ITA' (integrated training and assessment), i.e. the same person trains you and assesses you, such as Cs32 - medium tree felling (as was), and Cs40 pruning. For further info see attcahed (curtesy of Chris Cooper-Abbs.) Cheers all.. Paul Forestry and arboricultural qualifications v0 2 011012.doc

Does no-one have a mulcher they could use? Otherwise, when using the woodchipper, the bigger the better and PUSH-STICKs ONLY!!! Take care.. Paul

The premier logo of course , 'ARB Approved Contractor' (ArbAC), but it comes with automatic CHAS scheme accreditation these days, who also have a logo, and you can access the 'SAFEcontractor' scheme too, who also also have a logo. Hence the 3 logo's for the price of one assessment (although there is an additional £60 licence fee for CHAS and you have to become a member of SAFEcontractor but as an ArbAC you qualify for 50% discount so that's about £95 for a small business.) Would you like me to send you an application form? Cheers.. Paul

Another potential issue here is that 'NPTC' strictly speaking "is no more", it's actually City & Guilds and NPTC is a retained brand...or summat like that. Hence it could be, but I don't know, they are considering doing away with the 'NPTC' brand and replacing it with C&Gs...dunno. Paul

I've got a nice logo you can have...a little assessment beforehand is all that's needed, and actually you can access 3 logos:thumbup: Give us a shout directly, or a call (01242 522152) if you're interested to know more. Cheers.. Paul

Hi, I'm assuming you want to climb and to build up expereince in so doing? The aspiration of many to climb is, in part, down to a perception of progress and advancement I would suggest, rather than necessarily wanting to do so (although I acknowledge many, and probably most, do want to.) As such, much is down to chance and what expereince you get with whom and doing what will influence when you are ready to 'go it alone' (not necessarily meaning self-employed here, but many do, but meaning competent and proficient to undertake the full range of aerial tree work operations.) And of course not forgetting the 'YOU' factor, natural ability, aptitude, awareness, speed of learning etc. etc. Hwo long = that "piece of string reference" but anywhere form 2-5 years I would suggest. My original point, i.e. do you want to climb, comes from the proposed production of the 'Professional Skills Framework' for Arb whihc actually offers a 'side by side' progression route for both ground and aerial work separately. That said, I personally, still believe that someone who has climbed to some degree previously, or ongoing, is generally more effective as a grounder. Good luck with everything. Paul

Good luck with it Rob. Paul

Ben, NPTCs still really 'rule the roost', so to speak, so provided your 10 week course included those then you may be able to bring them up-to-speed with some update training as others have said. If however it didn't, then I see little option but for you to do them now. Your 10 week course will always have recognition but, without the NPTCs, doesn't meet the PUWER Regs requirement for chainsaw use etc., i.e. a recognised certificate of competence. This may / will work against you when applying for jobs and/or accessing contracts. Hope this helps, 'good luck'. Paul

Just picking up on the previous email about HSE Fee for Intervention which could/should stimulate improved H&S performance making 'ARB Approved' more relevant...maybe! 'First things first', in the small business the H&S (documentary compliance) bit probably accounts for about 10-15% of the process, to demonstrate a basic level of compliance commensurate with CHAS/SAFEcontractor etc.. The worksite stuff, probably 25-30%, and similar with work quality, pruning and planting. So the scheme is still very much 'outcomes' focused. Reet, am waiting (but out very shortly so will get back to you's ASAP!) Thanks all.. Paul

Hi all, Just to let you know, coincidentally, we have a 20% discount offer for October on ceratin AA publications and this, 'MUST HAVE', book is one of them (along with the new fungi guide.) Take a look here.. Limited 20% reduction on selected publications - - Arboricultural Association Go frit, you won't regret it! Cheers.. Paul

Now that's a bloomin good idea...tee hee. I'm 'in n out' this weekend but if anyone's got any questions/queries about the process please do ask...and ideally thru the AA forum as they come straight to me then, cheers! Don't forget these days ARB Approval also comes with CHAS, and you can now access the SAFEcontractor scheme without any further audits/checks. Admittedlt all worth more in the commercial market place BUT can make you stand out from the crowd...and will further marginalise the 'rogue' element. Thanks all.. Paul

Answered my own question thanks to a 'G**gle' search, see Hydnum repandum (MushroomExpert.Com) Cheers Tony, Paul

Tony, 'good morning', hope you're well! Why 'Hedgehog Fungus', aftreall it doesn't look spikey at all? Thanks in anticpation.. Paul PS Hope others were thinking this too...or just 'numpty' me!!!

The above, from 'Rover', sums it up quite nicely, namely: Exemptions Not everyone who drives a truck of over 3.5 tonnes gross weight has to have a Driver CPC - but most do. The Driver CPC legislation does apply to part-time drivers, delivery drivers, full-time employees who do a bit of driving as holiday cover, agency drivers and the drivers of specialist vehicles such as skip and mixer wagons. However there are some exemptions, including learner drivers and mechanics road-testing vehicles. The most significant exemption from the point of view of the construction industry is that of the tradesman. For example, a bricklayer or scaffolding erector who drives a truck loaded with tools and materials to a site and who then uses those materials in his own work, will not require the Driver’s CPC. But a driver who takes tools or material to a site and unloads them for others to use, but does not use them himself, will need a Driver CPC. Contact your trade association or seek legal advice if you plan to take advantage of an exemption. The Driver CPC Exemption cards touted on the internet have no legal value. Cheers all.. Paul

The Conference for 2014 is planned to happen 'up north', previoulsy been at Manchester / York / Durham / Lancaster, and we have certainly registered all your interest in Mr McMahon...wonder what he's doing that night? Cheers all.. Paul PS That's also the AAs' 'Golden Anniversary' year, i.e. 50 years...amazing where time goes eh?!

David, thank you and glad you enjoyed it. We'll look at the possibility at future events / conferences. Happy hunting, please keep us posted fo anything partic interesting. Regards.. Paul

Hi Jim, I'll give it a shot.. Firstly, do you have to remove the limbs at all? Is the tree in a target area and if so can the target be removed / diverted? Gonna venture an opinioin now but may be subject to challenge from 'the great and the good' here on forum, but the cracks you refer to are likely to be 'hazard beams' (see Matthecks' "Body Language of Trees") and whilst common place I don't believe they are particularly prone to failure. Secondly, if you do decide to proceed then 'yes' leaving a long stub (advocated in BS3998-2010 in certain circumstances) and teherby avoiding creating a large wound on the main stem, whilst probably aesthetically unpleasing, which would undoubtedly serve as an entry point for decay organisms partic at this time of year when they'll soon be sporrulating. Another point to consider is I believe these cracks can be host to temp bat roosts, so need to be very careful not squash them if so. Hope this helps. Paul

Hi there, I don't believe we took any 'footage' as such but there's some on Grahams' website at Sherbrooke Tree Service | Tree Lopping | Tree Removals | Tree Pruning Happy viewing.. Paul

Hi Rob, good to hear. Maybe inputting to the Northern Branch, who I know are very keen to engage new members, may help in getting more stuff going on. I know a couple of the branches in particular are very, very active with stuff regularly happening and sometimes it is transferrable, i.e. rigging updates / bats / BS3998 / aerial rescue, and they usually do it on Sats at cost of between £30-£50. Contact Jo Ryan ([email protected]) if you fancy getting stuff moving. Thanks for your support...as always! Paul

Congrats to 4 new, small business, contractors in the SE region how have achieved ARB Approved Contractor status: 1. Quercus Tree Services Ltd (Kent) - Howard Simms 2. W.J. Kent Tree Surgeons (Surrey) - Bill Kent 3. David Sutlieff Tree Surgery (Surrey) - David Sutlieff 4. SL Treecare Ltd (Kent) - Steve Launchbury Thanks for supporting the scheme all. Regards.. Paul

Hi all, great to see many of you at Conference this year and here's a (very) quick resume of the highlights (not inc. meeting me of course ;-]) Sunday - tour of the grounds by Rupert Taylor and some magnificent trees. Monday - Prof. David Ball highlighting the imporatnce of 'BENEFITS' in the risk assessment process for public safety and how this needs to be better considered and ensure we do risk assessments, i.e. likelihood of harm, and not just ''hazard assessments", i.e. harm could occur because a hazard is present. Monday - Graham McMahon = mad and awesome in equal measures (but enough said elsewhere.) "Crocodile Dundee eat yer heart out!" Monday - speed briefs, i) Richard Nicholson - BS5837, ii) Peter Annet - AA Reg Con revamped scheme and iii) Tony Lane - Prof. Skills Framework (mainly aimed ay operatives level) Monday - Dave Cashman & Tim O'Hare - basement developments under tree root systems & top soil significance and assessment Monday - Orjan Stahl & Ted Green - contaminated soil removal (inc. around trees) from island off Stokholm & importance of understanding soils and mycorrhizal relations. Tuesday - Brian Crane and Keith Sacre - Berkeley Sq management plan (interesting to see L.PLane heavily decyaed stems by Rig ulm & Per frx) & TDAG 'Trees in the Townscape' document and significance (a 'pan industry' approach). Tuesday - Scott Cullen (USA) looking at the various valutaion systems and giving some evaluation of their application and highlighted the importance of the process as outlined by RICS guidance. Tuesday Awards - Best Trade Stand = Treelife, Best Tech Cert Student = Mark Franklin, Best Prof Dip student = Jago Keen, and AA Award = Mick Boddy. Tuesday - Adam Sandler & Joan Webber - Adam changed from ALB eradication to Davy system of tree survey / inventory development & JW gave update at latest P&D stuff, inc. Chalara dieback of Ash, but reminded us not to forget the old foes. Tuesday - Glynn Percival - looking at systemic induced resistance, akin to human immunisation / boosters, and how this can be used to improve tree response to subsequent disease attacks. Tuesday - Duncan Slater - updates on MSc project looking at forks and attcahments in trees reinforcing earlier research that the 'clever clip' system is correct and previous models are erroneous. Wednesday - Glynn Percival & Bartletts looked at their very strong didgital microscope showing the Camararia larvae on screen down to its mandibles...fascinating stuff. Then a tour of the molecular labs, as they're based there, and demo of air spading and tree spraying. For further info, where available, papers will be posted on the AA website soon. Thanks all.. Paul

Morning all, hope yer well. Firstly THANK YOU David for starting the thread and thanks to all who've contributed...good stuff. To answer a few comments: Graham McMahon - curently in Italy for a few days then off to Scotland for a 'drive around' to inc. Isle of Skye and Fort William. A fantastic, very polite and unassuming guy, who apparently still loves getting up to go to work everyday...and I saw why (not sure about the 'Huntsman Spiders' tho!) Conference Tues. Evening - it was possible to just attend for the BBQ and Graham's talk and costs were from £22. (In all honesty, said rather embarrasingly but I know I'm amongst friends :-), I didn't realise this was an option either and I'm real sorry for that and not bringing it to your attention...the 'Genghis Khan' treatment for me eh?) Stuff 'up north' - as David pointed out the 2010 Conference was at Manchester and the Conference, in particular, is not a South-East'entric' event. Next years is Exeter and hopefully 2014 'up north'. On the last point, and I know it was terrible weather that resulted in the cancellation (at a significant cost to the AA), but we did try to run the 'ARB FEST' in Leeds this year and of the 100 places we had available only about 40 sold and of that approx. 50% were Midlands / South / Wales based. So we did try and it wasn't to be. Thanks again fer yer commnents n keep um rollin. Cheers all.. Paul