AA Teccie (Paul)

Hi all, The previously 'open' resource, mainly H&S stuff inc. some RA forms etc., is now a member benefit. Hence in order to access this you would need to join at least at Ordinary Member grade (see https://www.trees.org.uk/Membership/Grades/Ordinary cost £65 per year and includes FREE access to the ARB Show, plus some other stuff.) Respectfully, another thing to be aware of is often copies of the AA RA system are shared / distributed, "fair enough", but recipients often don't understand how the system works, e.g. how the sites specific cross-references with the generics and vica versa, and how to maintain / update it, and hence they may potentially trip themselves up by not doing something they commit to by adopting the system. Just FYI and not trying to sell you a 1-day course covering such. Cheers all n have a good weekend, Paul

Thanks Khriss, many do, particularly when recommending comtractors to tree owners, which is great but still much work to do. With their own tree works it's often a "chicken n eggs situation, ie enough good contractors get ARB Approved n they start using it as a benchmark n specifying it in tenders etc. Thanks for your post. Paul

"Ouch," that hurt Indeed many arguments (reasons) "for and against" but the huge frustration for me is that most bona-fide 'arb' businesses I speak to would welcome regulation for the industry to marginalize the unscrupulous contractors(?) who plaque our industry, it's reputation and often the ability to charge accordingly for a professional service. 'ARB Approval', in reality, is the nearest we're ever going to get, as Central Gvnmt. will never intervene, and hearing decision makers and specifiers think ARB Approved Contractors are too expensive is a negative thing...that's the cost of compliance Thanks for your post, and your candour which I do appreciate. ATB, Paul

"Ouch," that hurt Indeed many arguments (reasons) "for and against" but the huge frustration for me is that most bona-fide 'arb' businesses I speak to would welcome regulation for the industry to marginalize the unscrupulous contractors(?) who plaque our industry, it's reputation and often the ability to charge accordingly for a professional service. 'ARB Approval', in reality, is the nearest we're ever going to get, as Central Gvnmt. will never intervene, and hearing decision makers and specifiers think ARB Approved Contractors are too expensive is a negative thing...that's the cost of compliance Thanks for your post, and your candour which I do appreciate. ATB, Paul

2nd'd! Good post Timon, Paul

Whilst it sounds like business is going well, very well, staff recruitment, and retention, is an increasingly challenging issue for employers. Anecdotally there is some evidence to indicate that ARB Approved Contracting businesses have more success here, albeit not all. Coincidentally, and acknowledging it's very much the "11th hour" (+), I'm delivering a FREE 'Introduction and Preparation' Workshop at Writtle College tomorrow (noting you're Chelmsford based.) If this may be of interest, and you're looking for an opportunity to escape the sun for a day, please come along and join me (9:30am in the Joseph Tucker Suite, Essex Conference Centre (next to the cafeteria.) Good luck with your recruitment drive..! Paul

2nd'ed...or maybe that's 3rd'ed or even 4th'ed (if Mr Dempsey counts )

commonly grafted on Crategus too..

i.e. 2010, but was actually in planning portal guidance from 2008 (circa) see attached. guidance_note-works_to_trees.pdf

Jonnoj said As a side point, IV been pruning back this other heavily over grown tree any no idea what it is either It's a different tree he's referring to. Paul

Hi all, it's "that man" again wanting you to join him at this 'ARB Approved Contractor' preparation and introductory workshop at ParkHill Training, Seagrave, Leics. For more info and for booking see https://www.trees.org.uk/Training-And-Events/Course-Detail?id=D3C463A8-1144-4F7B-8C4C-9F9A4E582727 Thanks all and look forward to seeing you there Paul

Very helpful / informative...thank you. Paul

A technicality perhaps, but maybe an important one in a potential prosecution situation, I understood it only to be Schedule 1 and 1.1 birds that enjoyed a higher level of protection including 'disturbance.' The inference being those previously referred to 'pest species' (those detailed in the DEFRA GL05 form(?), e.g. crows / magpies / wood pigeons) are protected from being killed, injured or the nest destroyed...but not disturbance? Regardless, morally, and professionally, we shouldn't "knowingly" disturb them / their nests either. Thanks for posting, Paul

Now you're being facetious My Bullman, it takes at least a week

Whilst some may balk at this proposal, I've experienced the opposite on a few occasions, i.e. willow trees failing to respond / regrow and dying, perhaps through physiological shock...albeit they were generally 'over-mature' specimens, i.e. older than these appear to be. So, if you're keen to retain them. and for them to regrow, perhaps consider a phased reduction / pollard over a few years and allowing a rest year in between to allow the tree some recovery...and hopefully to start to develop a new 'inner' crown that you can eventually pollard back to. In terms of 'when,' I'd suggest waiting for the current drought conditions to pass but then crack on. An alternative view, just to add to the mix, and I acknowledge that economically the "single-hit/prune' approach is most appealing but trees don't get to that height / size overnight and, ideally. shouldn't be reduced that heavily "overnight." DISCUSS...and I'm off t'pub Paul

If you're unsure perhaps take a look here first http://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/index.htm If, as I suspect, you are referring to a H&S Policy template, again the HSE website can help, but if you're looking for something a bit more relevant / suitable we offer a policy template...but only to members Happy to comment / advise further just give us a bit more to go on. TTFN.. Paul

Hi all, long time no post...hope you're well, and "un-melted" If you're looking for an opportunity to spend a day in the shade, why not join me at Writtle College on Weds. 8th August to find out more about the ARB Approved Contractor Scheme and how it may be able to benefit you and your business. For further information, and booking, see https://www.trees.org.uk/Training-And-Events/Course-Detail?id=E7337968-0261-4C8A-9273-12E2F2A956A1 Thanks all and hope to see you / meet you there Paul

If the client is pushing for works to be done, could you possibly deal with the "untidy and leggy parts" in isolation returning later in the summer to complete the fuller works when the sun has gone back to the Med? Sell it right to the client and you may even get paid twice

Hmmm, don't think I've seen I. hispidus on Oak, at least not commonly, but I. dryadeus very commonly...particularly on Holm Oak (IME.) Positioning, i.e. between buttresses, may be significant in terms of the section of the stem / bole affected perhaps being limited to the central core / heartwood (to be established.) I'd await other, more authoritative, posts here before rushing to do anything tbh and whilst CR is often appropriate to reduce sail area / wind loading, it should be justified as it does involve wound creation and if excessive can hasten existing decay as energy reserves are re-directed etc. etc. reet, time t'dash ... Paul

Sorry Glen, I haven't explained myself here very well. Tech Cert Arb = level 3 not level 4 ...however, for instance, either qual would make you eligible for AA Technician Membership and either qual should meet any pre-qual requirements to access 'Dip Arb Level 6.' Cheers, Paul

Hi Glen, The (AA) Tech Cert was a level 3 qual. It was only when it was replaced by the ABC Awards 'Arb' Diploma it became a level 4 qualification which coincided with a change in the National Quals. Framework, I think, as it was then. Cheers, Paul

Remember, I not the regulator and hence cannot give a definitive interpretation. Further the Highway Code interprets the Road Traffic Act (I believe,) i.e. statutory legislation, 'my' interpretation is of HSE guidance...which can "bend" to best suit particular circumstances. Sorry, not meaning to appear evasive here but if you wear gloves at all times, on the ground at least, then all will be well...or should be! TTFN, Paul

"Standing to be correct" as always (my standard caveat these days) but I believe chainsaw gloves, i.e. with Kevlar etc. protection on back of left-hand, were first introduced pre-front hand guard days when there was deemed to be a possibility of contacting the running chain. The HSE / AFAG / FISA 'requirement' is to risk assess the situation / 'the job in hand' and select the most appropriate controls, inc. PPE. I think HSE would 'reasonably' expect gloves to be worn by most when using chainsaws on the ground, whether they be general work gloves or chainsaw gloves, but deemed more optional in the tree. As others have said, and particularly during colder weather conditions, they do help to keep hands warm and dampen vibrations a little = lowered risk of HAVS developing. Cheers fer now.. Paul

According to the 'latest' ISA publication ('The CODIT Principle') probably the first one as the second one is likely to form a "nourishment blind spot' (see attached.) TTFN.. Paul CODIT5.pdf

Personally I think it's the lack of branches directly below that makes us twitchy but I do agree with your comments concerns. That said I'd feel absolutely fine with the anchor point strength, a not uncommon failure point in many accidents apparently. Cheers n hope you're well Gary Paul