AA Teccie (Paul)

An interesting, but perhaps not surprising, holding response from HSE here in that essentially whilst they too consider the risk of a cut to the leg to be 'very unlikely', thereby not necessitating / justifying chainsaw trousers use, if the employer's risk assessment process concludes otherwise then you are obliged either to do so...or get him to review it (this should be done in conjunction with yourself as the operator anyway, i.e. consultation and cooperation. ) Cheers, Paul PS In fairness, I'm not surprised the Tree Services Team wear chainsaw trousers whilst using them but this is doubtless entirely coincidental as they wear them to work anyway...hence it is normalized.

Just checking the City & Guilds / NPTC assessment schedule which, in relation to PPE, states: 2. Demonstrate knowledge of the safety clothing to wear when using the powered pole pruner PPE is subject to legislative/ HSE requirements and risk assessment but will normally include: - Safety boots - Gloves - Head, ear and eye protection - Non-snag outer clothing - Personal first aid kit - Appropriate support shoulder harness for machine No mention of chainsaw trousers. The full document is attached. CS48.pdf

Hi Roots, I guess "the norm" is use of the powered-polesaw will be preceded, or succeeded, by use of the / a chainsaw and hence PPE / trousers will be required...incidentally. However, if you only ever use the pp then your risk assessment is unlikely to result in chainsaw trousers being required. I will consult my colleague in HSE and get back to you. Regards, Paul

The 'test' a previous LPA I worked for was "would we have TPO'd it?" If not, prosecution was a non-starter, perhaps not unreasonably. If the answer was 'yes,' then they would ask is it in the public interest and unless was a persistent offender they would conclude no. If it was a persistent offender most likely was a formal caution, not prosecution...very frustrating, but! Cheers, Paul

Hi all, as I'm sure you're aware the "recommendation" for 5-yearly refresher training, as a professional operator, comes from HSE guidance (INDG 317) and FISA 805 Training & Certification (copy attached, see sects. 33-35.) ...and of course the previous stance / requirement by FISA for mandatory 5 yearly re-qualification, in effect, has emphasized the matter (plus the insurance industry will / can influence too.) Respectfully, we do often pick-up 'bad habits' along the working way and being in the company of an experienced, and competent, trainer, with a view to advancing our skill levels, can be beneficial. Whilst there are structured refresher courses available, mainly with Lantra and FISA, please do take the opportunity to 'up-skill,' e.g. CS31-CS32-CS33-CS34-CS35 (as was), where applicable as this will achieve both objectives. Alternatively, you could try to engage / employ a trainer to work with you to produce a more specific training needs analysis and then deliver a customized program to better suit your needs (and hopefully your pockets as, at least to some degree, the operators can hopefully stay productive.) This does still need to be documented, and ideally certificated, such that there is evidence of the training being undertaken and most providers can do this. It would be a real pity just to undertake, for instance, a small tree felling refresher and not advance your skill levels...after-all 380mm dia. isn't that big of a tree. Just another perspective appen.. Paul FISA 805 Training and Certs.pdf

Yep, CS32 & CS33 as was, now felling trees of 380mm dia. and above (and over 750mm dia.)

Well, ya learn summat new every day...many thanks for this Mr Dempsey Hopin yer well, Paul

A technique used where the chainsaw guide bar is smaller in length than the diameter of the tree. Hence you 'bore in' to the centre of the tree from the middle of the sink-cut / hinge and then, hopefully, match up when you bore in from the sides. Hopefully someone else can explain far better than I having not used the saw for...a few years Cheers, Paul

Reasonably, you could do these checks yourself but, ideally, some form of training should be undertaken (see https://ladderassociation.org.uk/training/ ) Keeping a sense of perspective here, the number of ladders sets, the frequency of use, the place of use, e.g. construction sites being a typical one, the level of user / operator, are all factors to consider in determining the level of training...and who needs to undertake it. So 'you' could do some formal training perhaps and then communicate the main points to staff via a Tool-box-Talk (TbT)...and record this on their personnel files. Cheers, Paul

Oh yes, but under PUWER rather than LOLER, and if you take them on a construction site they'll likely be looking for documented evidence of such. There's a couple of inspection forms below but there may be more, or updated ones, on the 'Help for Arborists' section of the website (but have to be a member, at least Ordinary/Foundation level (£65 p/yr) to access it.) If only occasional use I'd do the inspection as a recorded 'pre-use' (not point have lots of records when not used often enough to justify such.) Cheers, Paul Leaning-Ladder-Inspection-Record(July 2013).docx Step-Ladder-Inspection-Record(July 2013).docx

Hi Mark, probably not exactly what you were looking for but perhaps 'linking' here may help https://www.trees.org.uk/Help-Advice/Public/A-brief-guide-to-tree-work-terminology-and-definit Regards, Paul

An industry wide problem / challenge IME (feedback from contractors.) The phrase 'organic growth' comes to mind but that can take time and if your ambition is to grow quickly then I guess "pay rates" is an important consideration which of course can result in lowered profit margins from increased turn over...a conundrum. That said, many business do recruit and expand so clearly it can be done. Good luck (and if the expansion in the 'commercial world' is important for business sustainability then ARB Approval is probably worth a punt.) Cheers..! Paul

I hate going first, preferring to 2nd someone else (Mr Humphries), but G. resinaceum maybe / hopefully Paul

'ARB Approval' may be worth looking at if you wish to better position your business to access commercial work as it meets the H&S compliance requirements under the 'SSIP' banner. Hence commercial clients have a benchmark for your safety, and quality, performance. Many other business who have become ARB Approved have said it helped access commercial work, and not least as it gave them the confidence to so do. For 'FREE@ workshops to find out more see https://www.trees.org.uk/Training-And-Events Good luck.. Paul

Understand completely, just keep being selective and minimize the risk. Tc, Paul

Yeah, but Ratman is a Farmer's Friend and not the farmer himself, who may be exempted when working on his own land under Grand-father rights (pre-1998 I think) in effect. Tongue withdrawn...from cheek!

In essence 'yes' BUT in event of something going wrong, which I would suggest to be highly likely without any appropriate training being undertaken, you would doubtless find yourself in a very difficult position...more particularly without insurance working on land to which the public have a legitimate right to access. Further, if you haven't followed the requirements / recommendations set out in the PUWER ACOP, e.g. certificate of competence or nationally recognized qualification in chainsaw use, you would be expected to explain / demonstrate what alternative means of achieving competence you have employed / undertaken. Bottom line, not least because of the high level of risk to yourself...and more particularly as it sounds like the tree was wind blown perhaps (hence tension n compression wood is often unexpected / not anticipated), leave it to the experienced, insured, qualified and competent professionals...any takers? Paul

Perhaps raising more questions than answers but a point of note is that people undertaking 'detailed' tree inspections, i.e. as a competent person, need to ensure they are suitably qualified, experienced and insured. Happy reading.. CAVANAGH-v-WITLEY-PARISH-COUNCIL-SHEPHERD.docx.pdf

PS 'ARB Approval' (ARB Approved Contractor) is a specific tree surgery 'business' accreditation as opposed to AARC which is an individual as an arb consultant (not a practice either!)

Hi there, for details about becoming an AA Registered Consultant see https://www.trees.org.uk/Accreditation/Become-a-AA-Registered-Consultant and also try to get an 'Aspiring Day' see https://www.trees.org.uk/Training-And-Events/Course-Detail?id=C870B63E-6972-4FC6-A60B-0EC71FE9D946 to 'find out more.' Membership has various levels including 'Qualified Members' as Technicians, at level 3/4, and Professional, at level 5/6, before moving on to Fellowship after 5 years...if they so wish. Post back if you have further questions, happy to answer. Cheers.. Paul

Indeed, or more specifically the (arboricultural / tree work) industry code of practice (ICoP) copy attached (see Work Methods section starting on p.27) ICoP_TreeWorkAtHeight-090215.pdf

Course Objectives: An evening of informative lectures followed by the first East Anglia AGM in some time where we hope to install a new committee. The first speaker David Evans will discuss the VALID system. The world of tree risk assessment and management tends to fall into one of two camps. A ‘quantitative’ path pioneered by Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA). And a ‘qualitative’ route which the International Society of Arboriculture has gone down with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). Davids' presentation will explore and deliver a third way, that is VALID. VALID marries the benefits of both quantitative numbers and qualitative words in an easy to use and understand tree risk-benefit assessment App. Jim Mullholland will be giving his highly popular talk on Bat Surveying. We will have representatives from the South East branch will also be on hand to give some advice to perspective committee members. Following the speakers will be the AGM where a whole new Chair, Vice Chair,Treasurer and Committee will hopefully be voted in. If you would like to make an impact in your local branch this is your opportunity to get involved. the South East Branch will round the talks off with a short presentation on how to increase branch engagement and answer any questions from people thinking about joining the new East Anglia Committee. The branch AGM will follow when the new committee will hopefully be elected. For further information and booking please see https://www.trees.org.uk/Training-And-Events/Course-Detail?id=DF4E25D5-E3C1-49D3-BDDD-47E1E3C53DD7

Perhaps try UKTC too as many LA TOs post there.

Yes, legally, and simplistically...and you would be expected to abate the nuisance and repair the damage / compensate the land owner. Could you try a "hearts n minds" approach and propose a compromise in terms of flexible resurfacing. Regards, Paul PS Replied as former TO.

In the interests of education there's no benefit, biologically / physiologically, to the tree and probably quite the opposite. However it would seem apparent defects / hazards were present, dead branches and the like, and if these were deemed to present a risk (an unacceptable risk) to MoPs etc. then the owner / manager has instructed a 'heavy reduction' (AKA topping / lopping) and certainly exceeding the level / does of pruning implied in BS3998. Increasingly, particularly in rural'ish settings and woodlands etc. natural fracture wounds are used to benefit habitat and deemed, by some, more aesthetically pleasing to look at (see below.) So, in answer to your original question - probably risk management (often over applied, i.e. "just in case" ) Cheers n gud'on'ya fer askin Paul