AA Teccie (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.)

But, MORE IMPORTANTLY, a different set of standards for contractors of 'upto 5 people' (inc. the boss / employer.) More news to follow soon. Thanks all and hope business is improving. Cheers.. Paul

Oops, 'good morning'...sorry was out the back so didn't hear you come in! As already advised the Tech Cert, as we all know (knew) it, is no more as it's being 'modernised' by Mr Dowson and ABC Awards. By way of interest whilst it's origins are with the AA, the qualification is know who adminstered and developed by 'ABC Awards', who are the awarding body whihc enable the qualification to be formally recognised, and of course with input from Mr D. That said the AA's 'Education Committee' are consulted. For further information on the current state of play please see Further guide to qualifications and careers in arboriculture Call back if any further questions. Many thanks.. Paul

NOT condoning 'cut and hold' at all as it's completely in breach of all HSE/AFAG guidance, perhaps tho, in (large) part, it's down to expereince and judgement AND, in my expereince of observing, often using the hand-saw as opposed to the chainsaw...a far safer and more pleasurable (quiter) operation! BE SAFE...don't take that risk, it's never worth it! Cheers.. Paul

Hi, just a couple of comments for your consideration: Photo's would compliment the general look and feel of the guide and add clarifictaion perhaps to some of the diagrams (trouble is finding appropriate ones of the right quality, pictures wise not pruning wise, I've found.) IN the points to ask when 'hiring an arborist' you could consider what is the relevant industry standard, expecting the response of 'BS3998' (very current) and perhaps European Tree Pruning Guide, whihc all good Uk&I arborists will be aware of. Lastly as well as mentioning AA Membership you could mention the 'ARB Approved Contractor' scheme perhaps alongside ISA Certified Arborist as the 'Choose Your Arborist' leaflet does. Thanks for the opportunity! Paul

Warhammer, tahnks for the post! Time to bear my soul to all...but tis the seaosn of goodwill remember (plesae!) I have a mid-90s Tech Cert, nothing like to the same level/depth/intensity in reality as the recent Tech Certs, and I tried my hand at the PD Arb but only got 4 of the 6 units so couldn't proceed to the management day without resits etc. but I couldn't commit to further study for various reasons. However the knowledge I gained with Dave through studying was extremely valuable and still make the course worthwhile IMO. Oh and I have got PTI (but I did have to do a retake to get the required 80% or above to go on and deliver the course as my original score was 75%.) I'm sorry you've attended course deemed a waste of time and I sincerely hop ethat wasn't one we delivered. MORE importnatly, if so, PLEASE feedback so we can review things...thank you! Cheers.. Paul

Hi Paul, thanks for the post! Paul, not surprisingly, what Nick has advised is correct. The PTI is not a qualification 'per se' as it is not accredited on the NQF, or Q&CF (Quals & credits framework) as it is now. However it would be submissible as relevant training and when, for instance, I assess AA Technician Members apps with equivalent quals., i.e. not directly arb...ND Forestry / ND LAndscape etc., I would recognise PTI as training at level 3. You are absolutely right in that the course is a short 'hands on', or rather pen loaded, course but I beleive it does in fact cover, certain aspects, of arb knowledge (mainly SHigo / Mattheck / trees & law) to the same level as Tech Cert albeit in a very summarised way designed to be a quick recap. The course is essentially an opportunity to demonstrate competence at detailed tree inspections via a nationally recognised assessment process, i.e. Lantra Awards 'Integrated Training and Assessment' (ITA.) Clearly adequate underpinnig arb knowledge is essential to achieveing this and hence Tech Cert / ND etc. holders, OR indeed those with an equivalent level of arb knowledge as an actual qualification is NOT a prerequisite to accessing the course (although this was considered), are very well placed. Now I've probably shot off on a tangent here and missed the point.... 1. Does PTI stack up as a recognised arb qual against Tech Cert = probably not! 2. Does Tech Cert stack up as a recognised competence award for tree inspections against PTI = probably not! The above is my opinion rather than the AAs but what I would strongly recommend i sthat IF you are serious about undertaking tree inspections and recording/reporting on a regular basis you consider both a recognised qual (min. level 3, i.e. ND Arb / Tech Cert etc.) AND recognised training (PTI / VTA etc.) Right I'llgo now as laeday waffled too much! Hope this to be of help. Paul

Hama, THANK YOU for posting here so I didn't miss it! The reference to 'level 2' in the P v B case refers to the tree inspector, NOT the level of qualification, and implies a 'competent' person, i.e. somoene with adeqaute training, qualification and experience as opposed to a level 1 person 'a generalist' (for completeness level 3 was the specialist.) This was a common confusion at the time and was exacerbated when we at the AA suggested to landowners/estate managers that a level 2 tree inspector should, ideally, have a min. level 3 qualification...aghhhh!!!!!! BUT we also stressed the importance of relevant training, i.e. tree surveying course / VTA course / PTI course, AND experience (with ALL DUE RESPECT not as a tree surgeon/arborists BUT as a tree inspector undertaking detailed examinations...which of course many tree surgeons/arborists do very competently!) Hop ethis clarifies things...a little! Paul

Resembles the graft lines I've observed several times on Silver Lime but on H. chestnut?....A. carnea? Thanks.. Paul

Hello Guy and thank you for posting an enquiry about the 'ARB Approved Contractor' Scheme. Whilst I acknowledge yor seeking views "straight from the horses mouth", so to speak, if you have any specifc questions or queries please don't hesitate to contact me. The process is fairly straight forward to be honest and, from 2011, if you are a 'small' contractor, i.e. upto 5 people (inc. the employer), it will be much simpler AND much better value. Best regards.. Paul (Paul Smith, AA ARB Approved Contractor Scheme Manager)

All being well it will be with us very shortly...I believe (yes, I know, but this time it is much more positive!) Hence in relation to Jonny's previous post either, i) don't bother and wait for the 'new' one, OR ii) pop into your local land based college library and view it there. (Interestingly BS will sell you a copy, yes a 'COPY' for about £80...aghhhhhh!!!!!) Also don't overlook the EAC (European Arb Council) 'Tree Pruning Guide', NOT a BS3998 competitor as it's often referred to and criticised, BUT a fantastic 'must have' general guide with very useful diagrams and explanations...thank you EAC! Cheers all.. Paul