AA Teccie (Paul)

I hear this an awful lot 'up, down and across' the country and whilst I'm certainly not advocating the appeal process, not least as it hits the public purse strings hard, it an available option. However, better to be proactive, rather than reactive, so why not get to togther as a collective group, i.e. many contractors in one LPA area, and make a representation to the Council. To add strength to your argument refer to Table B.1 of the new BS3998 where it cites many situations, including 'to manage light and shade', where crown reduction is considered "often appropriate". Yes, from the LPA point of view crown reduction, involving an overall reduction of the size of the tree, inevitably reduces the associated 'visual amenity' (the key criteria for a TPO) BUT, in many situations, it will likely increase the longevity of the tree and create a more 'harmonious' and 'sustainable' relationship between the owner and the tree.....and save the LPA TO repeated tel complaints and time consumin spurious applications. Further IF the overall objective is to achieve a 30% reduction, which LPA's particularly don't like, why not go for a phased approach of 15% + 15% with a 2 year break in between. You may say the client wouldnn't go for this but if it achieved their overall objective, albiet not straight away, then I think many would. IF you have a forward thinking LPA this could be done as an indivdiual tree management plan and consented in one go. Obvioulsy it would need to be appropriately conditioned, to ensure it was 15+15 3 years later AND a require to notify the LPA 5 working days beforehand etc. etc. BUT I think it could work. Sorry this all sounds a bit "fluffy bunny"...I'm going (GONE!) maddddd!!! Hpe it to be of interest, and use, and gentle negotiations are the way forward. Good luck...keep me posted! Cheers.. Paul. PS As a matter of interest I expected their to be a lower of resistance to TPO apps to reduce trees on the basis of 'light loss' when the 'High Hedges Bill' came in whihc seeks to address the very same issue.

"Unit 30..2 Crosscut and stack small diameter timber using a chainsaw For cross cutting there must be sufficient timber on site for cross cutting and at least one piece of timber must have a diameter of 200-380mm (8”-15”) to accommodate a boring cut to sever log 8. Crosscut timber under guidebar length to a given specification." The above is all taken from the NPTC CS30 Assessment Schedule on theri website. In summary it would indicate that 380mm (15") is the max. size of timber to be cross-cut under a CS30 ticket. However, as we all know and all do, much larger timbers are cut in reality. Consider obtaining CS32 would be my advice which states: "Crosscut stems over guidebar length in diameter to a given specification." Hope this to be of use. Cheers.. Paul

Hmmm, that's not as I understand it. CL are one of the founder members of the 'SSIP' (Safety Schemes in Procurement) organsiation, an initiative started by HSE and CHAS and hence should be deemed to satisfy. I'll make some enquiries. Cheers.. Paul

I reckon so....but perhaps that's no surprise. In reality, as with all accreditations schemes inc. ArbAC (or perhaps not as industry specific and beneficial for a business to check it's compliance/competnece with external audit), I guess its largely driven by client demands. Many large organisation/Government Depts. require CL as a prerequiste to the tendering process, i.e. no have it = no quoting!, and it covers broad range H&S, financials, insurance, Directors etc. As a matter of interest, currently unlike CHAS, CL do not vet/check you H&S docs. they simply 'hang' them on their database for others to see....and check, i.e. satisfy themselves. However IF you are CHAS Accredited then you need only submit your current, valid, certificate. Hope this of interest. Cheers, n good luck. Paul

Coz it's part of my job and I'd get sacked, potentially, if I weren't. Ta fer askin. P.

That's fine ("an old chest freezer"), just don't forget the appropriate signage...."NO FROZEN CHIPS TO BE STORED IN HERE!", ha! It wouldn't be the first time, albeit as a pesticide store. THANK YOU for your support Frank, much appreciated. Cheers.. Paul

Clearly someone's not been reading their new (2010) BS3998 (p.31 sect. 7.10)...probably because it's covered in paint tins! Take my hat off to you tho, painting is one of my many pet hates, so whenever I'm forced to do so by 'Mrs Smith' (NOT AJ) I always make a hash of it....usually take about 5 years for her to forget and ask (TELL ME) again! Sorry...it would be 'topping', an indiscriminate and damaging way of cutting trees...commonly done and sometimes justified AND often the trees (seemingly) happily grow back....aghhhhh!!! Thanks n hope yer finished soon..! Paul Paul

Hi everyone, hope you're well. In light of several recent queries, I just wanted to clarify something about the required level of managers arboricultural technical knowledge for 'ArbAC' status, if I may. Firstly, to confirm this is NOT a failure criteria of the scheme. IF the required knowledge level is not demonstrated at assessment we will agree a CPD plan with the manager concerned and with a realistic timescale, i.e. typically upto 4 years (with a review after 2 years), to coincide with the programmed revisits to the business, and help them achieve it. The knowledge level required is to a minimum of level 2, i.e. C&G Arb / RFS Cert Arb / ISA Cert Arb (level 2...???), BUT it is not the qualification we are looking for, although "that'll do nicely" if you have (and actually we'll still ask questions even if you have BSc Arb or PD Arb), it's the knowledge and the ability to impart that to the assessor(s) as though we were a client that's important. So, an example: "Mrs Miggins (joins us on every assessment) asks you to cut her 'front garden' 70ft Poplar trees down to 30ft as has been done down the road"...how do you deal with that kind of enquiry? Reply..."I would advise Mrs M. that isn't the best option as it doesn't accord with good arboricultural practice because....(answers on a postcard please, ha!)...it is 'topping', whihc is bad practice and which will result in a large wound across the main stem section which will decay and any regrowth stems that then shoot from the sides would be likely to fail at a later date unless the tree was pruned again, typically 5-8 years time. Hence a better option would be to either do 'nowt', light reduction, or fell and replace with something more suitable etc. etc." Now, the big question, would an ArbAC do such work, hmmm, therein lies the dilema (but we do adopt a very pragmatic approach here and wholly acknowledge you have a living to make.) Anyway, apologies for the verbose posting...hope you kept awake. PLEASE contact me if you have any further questions. Thanks for reading..! Paul

Sorry Robert, I missed this one. Craig's a good chap...and I can almost understand what he's saying, tee hee! Send him my best.. Cheers. Paul

Woody, £2 million is the minimum I ahve come across with £1o million being the most. In the main £5million seems to be the average BUT of course you need to ensure you've adequate cover for the type of contracts undertaken. ALSO check the policy exclusions prior to signing the cheque as I frequenty come across height restrictions in relation to aerial ops and tree felling, which the contractor wasn't aware of. Good luck..! Paul

Robert, THANK YOU! I wholly acknowledge the value of the accreditation in the domestic sector is very limited and word of mouth is everything (well done YOU for that.) However my hope, in the fullness of time, is that the ARB Approved Contractor 'badge' becomes synonymous with tree surgery in the same way the CORGI (GAS SAFE) 'badge' is for plumbing/gas installations and therefore has increased value in the domestic sector. Thanks for replying and I hope perhaps some of the H&S information / templates etc. on the website to be of use. Take care out there! Cheers.. Paul

Excellent news 'Johnty', look forward to receiving the app. Increasingly, albeit a little bit begrudgingly (because H&S compliance has always been integral to ACs...but the operational outcome is of more interest), the "deemed to satisfy" arrangement we have with CHAS, thereby allowing us to dual award, has opened dialogue with H&S and procurement people. Finally, if again you fall into the 'small business' category, the amount of cash you stand to lose is less than £500 per year (averaged over the 4 year cycle)...hopefully representing good value for money and 'on the nail' for the value many small contractors said they would put on AA accreditation. Many thanks.. Paul

Robert, consider the benefits it may bring to your business as an 'ARB Approved Contractor', including reduced insurance premiums (reported in many instances), and perhaps it'll make it worth the effort. As a small business, assuming you to be such, the amount of organisation required shouldn't be overburdening. Go on...give it a go, call me if you wanna chat further. Cheers for the post..! Paul

Frank, thanks for the 'thanks' and I hope we can do so (thank you) personally very soon. I believe this now presents a real opportunity for all tree care contractors, regardless of business size, to get accredited and gain the recognition they duly deserve. Cheers.. Paul

Check out FC Forest Research....loads of stuff there! Good luck.. Paul

Apologies for the delay but hopefully it's worth the wait..! Please see: Become an ARB Approved Contractor for the overview and electronic copy of the information and application pack Become an ARB Approved Contractor for the standards (1. 'upto 5 people', and 2. 'more than people') Help becoming an ARB Approved Contractor for help on the H&S stuff (aimed principally at 'small' contractors to help them comply) An introduction to regulations affecting arboricultural contractors for a broader overview of key H&S regulations and their requirements I sincerely hope this information is useful to you and it becomes a valued H&S resource for those contracting in the arb industry such that they will consider 'ARB Approval' status as the way forward for their businesses. As always ALL comments greatly valued ('for' or 'against'!) Cheers.. Paul PS REMEMBER 'ARB Approval' can be yours, as a small contractor ('upto 5 people'...inc. the employer), for less than £500 per year.

Hi all, Just a quick email to let you know the new 'ARB Approved Contractor' (ArbAC) information and application pack, outlining the revised scheme, is now available from AA Head Office (tel. 01242 522152 or email [email protected]). The 2 standard sets: 1. Contractors of 'upto 5 people', and 2. Contractors of '5 or more people' (both include the 'employer' in the numbers count) ...will be available to download as a pdf. or 'word doc.' from the AA website next week along with a suite of H&S docs. to assist the small business comply with curent legislation. As a related item the AA Method Statement (see Framework for Method Statement) is curently being adopted by 'SAFEcontractor' as a good practice note to replace their existing publication 'MS for Tree Surgery' (GN30). Have a good weekend all. Cheers.. Paul

Hmmm, not absolutely sure, I thought the plans including retention of some reference to Arb Tech Cert, either at certificate or diploma level (essentially based on the number of learning hours involved...after that pleased don't ask, aghhh!) Will feedback more as, and when, I know (and understand) more! Cheers.. Paul

Absolutely, the Tech Cert Arb is a very well recognised qualification and in whatever guise will always have industry creedance. My personal view is that it is level 4 training for a level 3 qualification, as others have related to ISA Cert Arb being level 3 for a level 2 (which I wholly agree with too!), and hence is well worth while. 'Head down' and good luck! Cheers.. Paul

HI Scottie...'good job!' I don't have any direct experience of air spading but increasingly arb contractors are undertaking this operation which, in principle, I think is a real move forward in urban tree care...our colleagues over 'the pond' have been doing it for years..! In terms of how deep to go I guess that's dictated, at least in part, by the reason behind the operation. If it is principally to relieve compaction then I guess you go as far as needed to break the pan (compacetd zone) so it sounds to me like your pretty much 'spot on'. Be interested to know how much better the trees look this summer. Gud'on'ya..! Paul

Thanks Tommer...'watch this space'. I sincerely hope what we have to offer in the revised scheme meets your needs. Cheers.. Paul

Hi Johnty, Sorry for delay in replying but I was travelling most of last evening. If by any chance you are attending the 'Aspect Tree Consultancy' / South Hams DC BS3998 seminar at Ivybridge next week yuo'll get more of an insite as I'm speaking about it there. If not don't worry as more info will follow. Cheers, n hope all's well! Paul

Hi Peter, Not at all, "the official position of the AA", but often based on my experience H&S procedures are either sometimes lacking in certain areas, i.e. W@H procedures for tree work ops, OR inappropriate for arb ops., and more particularly where non-arb extrenal H&S advisors have been involved. Even by CHAS managements own admission a specific industry based body is far better to assess it's own contractors than a non-specialist and hence they have given their full co-operation in achieving appropriate and suitable standards. As you mention, where the H&S procedures etc. have been established 'in-house', they often carry much greater weight and relevance to the actual operations undertaken and, most importantly, have ownership whihc is crucial to the process. However, even in that situation, it is useful to have positive external scrutiny even if from a non-arb specialist, and perhaps at times a general H&S practioner highlights some issues that may be taken for granted by the arb specialist, i.e. manual handling assessments (BUT, this particular issue has previoulsy taken up (too) much time convincing other CHAS assessors that we cannot do this effectively as almost every load we deal with is different, tahnkfully CHAS management have now acknowledged this and provided adequate rsik assessments are in place, with evidence of MH training so that the basics of good lifting techniques etc. are understood, they're happy...phew!!!) Cheers.. Paul

I would suggest giving Mr Dowson, or his very (very) able assistant Ms Dowson (Keely), at Treelife a call to enquire as to the latest and what they can offer. Good luck..! Paul

Hi Peter, thanks for the post! It depends what you mean by 'fast track'. IF you mean can we bash through the H&S elements quicker, then yes...hopefully, so we can spend more time on site. IF, however, you mean can we 'skip' that section, in a sense 'prior accredit', then I'm afraid not. The reason is because H&S compliance is very much intergal to the ArbAC approval and needs to be checked. Further, based on my considerable expereince to date (and particularly where 'non arb' external H&S advisors have been involved), the relevant docs. are often lacking and/or inappropriate/irrelevant to tree work operations, i.e. lots of reference to scaffold and ladders. That said, particularly if you fall into the small company category, i.e. 'upto 5 people' (inc. the employer), the CHAS stuff is minimal AND we will be providing a full range of H&S docs. as templates to download. Sorry for the lengthy reply...bet you've missed these eh? (like a hole in the head, ha!) Cheers.. Paul PS If you are CHAS accredited, thereby requiring annual audits, we can offer to undertake this for you as an ArbAC so you have one point of contact, at least for the assessing / auditing elements of the accreditations, rather than two (however the CHAS accreditation adminstrative process, i.e. completion of a simple form & £60 cheque, is done directly with CHAS.)