AA Teccie (Paul)

Conkers, dare I say 'risk assessment' is the way forward here and, unlike the 'guard' business, HSE have renaiged here if it is demonstrated that a WP harness is adequate. Principally this is based around the likleyhood, or not as the case may be, of the operator being ejected from the bucket. An example would be working on a high speed road where there is an increased risk of HGV impact and 'ping' goes the operator...a FB harness would be required (the is the example HSE cited to me.) However in general usage 'no' a WP harness is fine AND more particularly where it is anticipated the climber may access the tree crown from the bucket for part of the operation (worth remembering!) Cheers.. Paul

Hi all, It has been suggested I post here to get better coverage for this proposed workshop: Wed. 13th July 2011 (10am-4pm) @ The Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh I need more positive responses by 9am this Monday (27th June) as we need a minimum of 10 businesses to make it viable. Thanks n look forward to hearing from you either direct reply or 'pm'. Cheers.. Paul

See A Guide to the Use of MEWPs in Arboriculture and the front cover says it all really. As you say a contentious issue, and one not often seen, except from a HSE perspective and I reckon you'd have to work very hard at a site specific risk assessment to overcome this one. The Guide, to some extent, supercedes AFAG 403 'MEWPs' which doesn't mention this issue, but there is a real risk of cutting by the chainsaw to the MEWP operator when two persons are in the bucket as the 5m safety buffer is breached. Hmmm.... Take care out there..! Paul

Hi all, Yet further interest received but not quite the committed numbers to make it 'a runner'. Hence if you're "petering on the edge" I need your contact, either by 'pm' or reply to this email, before 9am this coming Monday 27th June as I then need to confirming the venue and flights etc. 'Fingers crossed'...thanks! Paul

Hi David, Unless you also run your own business, with your own clients and jobs, or have intentions to do so in the future, it probably wouldn't be of 'direct' use but may be ''of interest'. Cheers.. Paul

Trouble is I'm "pencilled in" at the Utility Conference to speak about BS3998 (2010) on the Tuesday...hmmm. We'll see. Thanks.. Paul

Excellent, that makes 'two' (inc. ME!)...c'mon guys, anyone else up frit?! Cheers.. Paul

Tom, thanks for posting, and asking, NOT ‘a pain’ at all! As ‘ScotsPine1’ (THANKS!) has mentioned there is now a ‘small business’ category which essentially majors on the ‘performance based’ standards relating to work quality (tree planting & tree pruning) and safe working practices (sectional felling inc. rigging) with a requirement for a basic H&S systems and office/admin procedures appropriate to a small business...hopefully nothing you’re not already doing and would be comfortable with. As your moving more into commercial / LA / Housing Assn. stuff doubtless the dual CHAS award would be of interest/benefit. Hoping this to (still) be of interest and for more info on the ‘Technical Standards’ please follow the ‘ArbAC’ link from the website at Arboricultural Association Cheers.. Paul

Hi Robert, thanks for yer post! The workshop is essentially an introduction to the scheme, the standards and the assessment protocols including highlighting common areas of none compliance AND how to address these beforehand. Unfortunately there will be no further workshops in the near future in Scotland as an alternative, hence 13th July will be the only real option. Regarding some ‘free drink and food’, the funding for these workshops is very limited as they will be FoC to delegates and hence lunch will be exactly to your liking (AKA ‘BYO’). Sorry again about the date..! Cheers.. Paul

Hi all, sorry to chase. Plenty of 'views' here but very few replies (so far). PLEASE contact me ASAP if you are interested, otherwise we may have to review the viability of running the workshop. Remember to that whilst the key focus is clearly 'working towards' arb approval, actually the scheme standards reflect only legislative compliance and industry good practice whihc is applicable to all. Cheers fe yer time..! Paul

Hi Rob, Paul Bullimore, formerly of the Lancashire Woodland Project but now part of Lancs. County Council..I think. Along with Ken, Paul has always been very supportive of the AA and events we run/organised up there. I'm a "Chorley FM" boy originally, leaving in 1990 after working at Myerscough / Winmarleigh for two years. My 'nearest n dearest' is a Wigan lass n the spade is definately not an implement with whihc to move soil...gud'on'er! We may have met before but please do collar me at Wrexham an intro yerself. Cheers.. Paul

THANK YOU for posting this whihc I feel represents a very good opportunity for informed discussions both in the tecahing environment (to 'newbies') AND as a workplace tool-box talk (to 'not so' newbies.) I think there are good, and some not so good, issues highlighted BUT this makes it even more valuable as a teaching/learning aid to get veiwers thinking and questioning. If you don't mind I will be forwarding the link to the 'ArbACs' with an outline for a useful tool-box talk. Thanks again for taking the time to run the video and post it...much appreciated! Cheers.. Paul

Hmmm, not good! How about clearing the debris and then some decompaction with the air-spade. With regard to the construction of a patio, ideally, I'd be hoping for some form of cell-web construction above the tree roots OR at least a good layer of sharp sand and butt jointed slabs (tey're gonna move anyway)...what about a porous surface perhaps, pebbles or summat similar? Good luck..! Paul PS Thinking ahead, the trouble with a patio 'under' the trees is it will soon result in pigeons doing what pigeons do best and then numerous complaints and pressure on the LPA TO to allow removal. Hence some barrier planting (Berberis etc.) underneath and patio elsewhere maybe?

See you there...well at least on the Friday & Saturday (hope that doesn't put anyone off going!) Cheers.. Paul

Hi all, If you haven't managed to get to these seminars to date, and you're anywhere in or near Wales (Wrexham & Carmarthen, in that order) then please see: BS3998: 2010 Tree Work - Recommendations BS3998: 2010 Tree Work - Recommendations Thanks all and hope to see you there! Cheers.. Paul

Dear Scottish 'Arbtalkers', hope yer all well! As a precursor to the FREE 'ARB Approved Contractor' assessment (+2 half price) scheduled for 6, 7 or 8 September 2011 (see earlier posting) we are proposing to run a preparation workshop day on Wed. 13th July 2011 (10am-4pm) at the Royal Highland Centre nr. Edinburgh Airport (FoC). Before we commit I'm seeking an indication of likely numbers (we need a minimum of 10 businesses really to make it viable.) Can you PLEASE respond, and / or 'pm' me, if this would be of interest. Many thanks...and hope to see you there! Paul

Cheers Penfold, Bob's contacted me directly. Thanks.. Paul

Hi Rob, You're quite right Tim Beckley is Northern Branch chairman but I tend to think of him being NE owing to his base at Hull (along wiht Jo (Ryan) In York of course) and Ken, usually supported by Paul, is active in NW and particularly Lancashire (my 'home' county...awww!) I'm sure that Ken would be only too happy to get involved in any events you may propose, and of course with your input as well, as he is an active member of the Association's Media & Communications Committee. Cheers.. Paul

Hi Ciaran, T'be honest I'm not sure if there's any pre-requisite no. years in the industry before doing the Consultants course but it does talk about 'significant expereince' so maybe one for the future when a little more experience under yer belt in an advisory capacity. Look forward to seeing you in Wrexham. Cheers.. Paul

'Monkey D', hope you're well! As a PTI training provider, usually Tiff will ask if delegates have prior industry experience, i.e. in tree inspecting, and a relevant qual., i.e. Tech Cert, and if so she'll book themn straight on. If however that's not the case then, usually, she will tarnsfer them to myslef, Guy or Simon, to effectively 'interview' them prior to attending. During this process we make it clear if we think they may struggle with the assessment aspect but provided they understand this we will book them on the course. In summary, arb quals / prior expereince are not pre-requisites for the course BUT are very useful and certainly those who pass, and pass at a good level, are qualified and experienced. This screams out on the 'tree inspection exercise' in particular where the expereinced inspector will major on the significnat deefcts/issues where the inexpereinced 'hedges their bets' and catalogues everything. Sorry, I'm waffling. Cheers.. Paul

Ciaran, Perhaps consider: What's it worth? Tree valuation methods in the UK BS3998: 2010 Tree Work - Recommendations Arboricultural Consultancy Amenity Conference - Arboricultural Association ...and anything TreeLife do is always valuable. Good luck..! Paul

Banter time eh?! I'm a 'noverner' moved sarffff to escape the wet stuff, trouble is I stayed on the left side rather than the right...no complaints tho the Palm trees r luverly down ere! We are trying very hard to forge stronger links 'up norf', much thanks to Ken Linford (AA Northern Branch) and Paul Bullimore (Lancs. Woodlands) AND Jo Ryan. We would be delighted to bring more of the AA training courses and seminars 'up norf' but traditioally they've alwasy been low on numbers. A thought, IF you, as the norven collective, would consider getting more involved with the Northern Branch then no reason why you couldn't also run your own events. Certainly the Cornwall, SE and E.ANglia branches are very active regionally. Regarding shows there was a previous sugestion about alternating the 'ARB Show' north and south, but the logistics of making it happen are challenging, to say the least. Does anyone know 'HOLMFIRTH' well, thinking between Manchester & Leeds, and more particularly a tree friendly landowner who may be willing to accomodate us? Cheers all.. Paul PS Regarding the HOLMFIRTH issue please 'pm' me in case I can't find my way back ere..ta!

ISA Certified Arborist scheme, and Euro. Tree Worker exam are equivalents that may be more accessible? Good luck..! Paul

Not sure I get to um all t'be honest Danavan, despite my best intentions. Hence PLEASE give me a poke in the AA Forum if I miss summat...many thanks! Cheers.. Paul

Dependent how it is registered he may be able to legally drive it, i.e. as an agricultural vehicle (AKA tractor) BUT it is a piece of work equipment and he would require 'adequate training' prior to using it. Someone 'competent', i.e. expereinced and knowledgeable (and ideally qualified), to train him and supervise him for a period of time until satisfied he's okay to let out alone. Cheers.. Paul