AA Teccie (Paul)

Treemeup, THANK YOU for your posts..! In gardening / horticulture, those 'customers' who are a little more engaged are aware of the 'RHS'. Perhaps the equivalent in the tree world is the FC, maybe this is something we should explore further? However I think, well it's certainly the case with me, the reason why consumers know about CORGI (Gas Safe) is through 'association', in that every plumbers/gas installerts van you see carries the logo. Society is flooded with those bright oriange triangular stickers on their vehicles and YPs ads. AN equivalent could be to achieve the same, or similar, position with 'ArbAC', but unlike CORGI it would always be voluntary. (I also think the over-riding factor in the domestic sector is 'word-of-mouth' recommendations, understandibly, and provided 'the price is right' the jobs yours...hopefully!) In relation to your second point 'yes', more particularly since the tie in with CHAS (and hoepfully soon SAFEcontractor), the main gain of 'ArbAC' is in the commercial / LA sector, although not exclusively so. Hopefully, as you say, then filtering down into domestic would be good (just an important point of note here, IF I receive an enquiry about a none 'ArbAC' and whether they are approved I always state the fact they are not does not mean they are not a reputable and competnet business, it just means they haven't joined the voluntary scheme to seek independent accreditation of such!) We do join forces with HSE, and TReevolution, on their SHADs up and down the country (next one in Southend on 22nd March) to raise client awareness of their responsibilities in enaging competnet arb contractors and what they should look for...and consdering 'ArbACs'. The client groups you mention are all invited along. However their is still much work to be done here but time and resources are of the essence. Cheers.. Paul Cheers..

You're very welcomed. Check back in a few weeks when ther should be more..! Cheers.. Paul

Excellent...THANK YOU. Sorry, I'll 'bog off' now and let Jaime take over. Cheers.. Paul

Phew...'live to lie, sorry die, another day", ha! Thanks Hama...as always! Paul

Sorry Jaime, have jumped in here. 'Treemeup', THANKS for the post whihc I'm sure Jaime will consider. However, we have already had talks with people in 'high(ish)' places about direct central government regulation for the industry. Bottom line it just ain't gonna happen I'm afraid. ALthough what we do is very 'hazardous' most of he time it is so but to oursleves, as climbers/chainsaw operators etc., and the actual risk to homeowners / MoPs directly is relatively low...COMPARED to messing about with a very highly explosive, and poisonous, substance INSIDE someones doemstic dwelling / commercial premises, hence the CORGI / GASSAFE scheme whihc is mandatory. I know this sounds like I'm selling the 'ArbAC' scheme, and I probably am coz I belive in it as it (the process) improves businesses, BUT the only viable option is an industry scheme, yes voluntary, but the less repuatble and scrupulous would not achieve approval nor bother to present themslevs as such. Then we would have a scheme setting us apart from those who are not insured, qualified nor reputable. The other stuff you mention is certainly worth exploring further and I'll leave Jaime to feed them into the system. THANKS again for posting...it's important you do! Cheers.. Paul

Hi all, PLEASE support Jaime in his role, he's acting as kinda a 'conduit' between the industry and the AA for those who maybe aren't comfortable to come direct, preferring an indirect approach. This is kinda akin to the employee safety rep who ain't afraid to shout at the boss, well 'approach' the boss (certainly Jaime didn't hold back in the week, n gud'on'im for that!), voicing the concerns of his colleagues on the shop floor. Thanks all and 'well done' Jaime, looking forward to working with you...et al! Cheers.. Paul

'Should', in H&S law, is interpeted as 'shall' which in legal terms means MUST! Not holding NPTC tickets, coz they are the only 'CoC' (certiifctae of competence) awarding body, is in contravention of PUWER 98, the HASWA is the 'Act' they would bosh you with as that contains all the prosecution sections. Point taken about employing a newbie with all the tickets BUT at leats he is legal and you can mold him in your company wyas and 'good' habits. GOOD expereince does count for everything in this industry and many 'newbies' don't have the benefit of good 'on the job' training and good mentoring, something essential to developing true 'competence' and proficiency. I view the NPTC tcikets for a newbie as a 'driving licence' equivalent, hence would you expect them to drive you to the job faultlessly = no, the trouble is too often they beleive they can AND seek top dollar for the privilege...hmmm!!! Hope this clarifies things a bit. Cheers.. Paul

Hi there, I'm sure you'll find the RA workshop useful as it expands (massively) on the info posted and explains the why and how of the process etc....an essential tool for further reducing likelhood of an accident and of course complying with the law in the process. Cheers for the post. Paul

Hama...red (Carnea?) on white (hippo.)? Thanks, sometimes my basics are lapse....oops, shhh! Paul

Sorry, sorry, sorry....NEBOSH H&S nurd here! Either read the AFAG 805 'Training & Certifictaion', OR the ACOP (Approved Code of Practice, a quasi-legal document) to PUWER 98 and in particular Reg. 9 'Training' whihc states: "Chainsaw operators (Sect)191 All workers who use a chainsaw should be competent to do so. Before using a chainsaw to carry out work on or in a tree, a worker should have received appropriate training and obtained a relevant certificate of competence or national competence award, unless they are undergoing such training and are adequately supervised." The ACOP if your inclined (and suffer from insomnia I'd recommend it!) see p.41...enjoy, ha! Paul PUWERacop.pdf

"the first arb van folder"....steady on Jaime, you'll be goin 'ARB Approved' next, ha! Glad it's of use...as I said there will be more to follow inc. wildlife stuff n LOLER (n not 'the show girl'!) Cheers.. Paul

I admire that, gud'on'ya! Paul

Yup, but we're all in it together.."up the revolution!" Cheers Rob. Paul

Excellent, ha ha ha...but worryinglY I can relate to it...to what???

Great, no worries, cheers! Paul

Your very welocmed, gald it's of use! Cheers.. Paul

Have you seen this before, I know many contractors, again ArbACs and none, provide clients with a copy at the quote stage: Tree Work ? Choosing your Arborist We've tried too many times to get on Watchdog and as much as they've promised they've never delivered. Paul

NOT at all, and there's no AA members training discount on this one, its a standard price for all delegates.. Paul

Hi Robert, I'm sure it does but I will check the detail with Simon (Richmond) the AA's Training & Events Manager. Leave it with me..thanks! Paul

Monkey, I whole heartedly agree, if it was £25 everyone would buy a copy and it would become a real, meaningful industry standard being accesible to all. Still I guess 50% discounts helps, a little! Paul

Sorry Rob (on mi 3rd beer now!), how'd'ya mean about letting the public know? So they are then better informed in what to ask the tree surgeon for copies of...hmmm, interesting proposal. Paul PS AA approved or not it's all about raising standards and compliance and if it helps that's great, if it helps avoid some accidents then that's even better!

Hi Robert...hope you're sat down....ready....£172...PARDON???!!! So if you need a copy, hard or electronic, it's well worth while attending as it'll cost ya £50 and then you can purchase it at 50% reduction, i.e. £86, meaning a saving of...of...of..."more than a coupla beers AND a G&T for the good lady!" Cheers.. Paul PS Sorry for frivolity, it's Friday evening n I've had a couple of beers.

Had an AA 'Arborists Working Group' meeting on Thursday with several contractors attending, both ArbACs and none ArbACs, and they all said we should make more of letting the wider industry know about this stuff (YES it's designed to help contractors achieve ArbAC status BUT it's relevant to all.) Help becoming an ARB Approved Contractor Hope you find, at least summat, useful and check back again periodically as more stuff will go on. Thanks all.. Paul

Gud'on'ya Johnty, it's actually the Kingsley Village site just off the A30. Cheers.. Paul

Sorry Hama..! IF there is interest in futher events, either through other AA Branches or perhaps in conjucntion with some of the colleges (Capel?), then we would be more than happy to dleiver. Trouble is the costing is done on a min. 40 delegates so it would need to be well supported. PLEASE register an interest at '[email protected]' with the subject title 'BS3998' and where you would like an event to be held and we will consider them...no probs! Many thanks.. Paul