AA Teccie (Paul)

Yeah, n they're on their way over Mr Prentice as we speak Hope yer well.. Paul

Hi there, apologies for my late arrival to this thread. It's never going to happen because the industry doesn't really register at central government level, something we are trying to change with our involvement in the All Parliamentary Group for Horticulture, and the people most at risk are those within the industry itself rather than the wider society / general public (unlike, for instance, Gas Installers or Electricians...the latter even, not being vetted in the same way as the former.) Hence it is for the industry itself to sort things out and improve it's safety performance / standing etc. Obviously the PUWER Regs. (Reg. 9 - Training) go some way to influencing this giving a quasi/semi-legal input to the requirement for chainsaw 'licences' and of course it is the HSE's role to Police this, in effect. I do believe the AA, and the ARB Approved Contractor Scheme, are well placed to help / improve standards, along with others, and we welcome people to get involved through the various Branches / Committees / working groups and to influence things and move things forward. With regard to "door-knocker" firms using the logo, if they are of the "no-fixed abode" type there is little we can effectively do TBH but if they are bona-fide businesses there's much we can do so please do let me know (with 'the evidence.') Thanks all for discussing and again apologies I've not been around to partake. Best.. Paul

Hi all, just to reinforce Kate's message here about the value of aerial rescue refreshers AND 'practice' in rescue techniques / methods, both the industry ICoP and industry climbing technical guide make reference to such with the Guide to Good Climbing Practice recommending, in effect, every 3 months. (Important) "food for thought".. Cheers, n please take care out there, Paul

The general RA requirement under the 'Management Regs' is "suitable and sufficient"...and hence may be a combination of all of the above. However, the norm is generics for, for instance, chainsaw use / woodchippers, i.e. used on a regular basis, PLUS site specific to capture, for instance, uneven / slippery ground / neighbours greenhouse / shed (HSE don't generally accept the 'dynamic' element even in storm conditions recognising it's an armed services / emergency services facility really.) If you 'employ' more than 5 people it has to be recorded, i.e. written, but even if fewer than 5 complex activities should also be recorded (insurance companies expect it anyway.) The key challenge is making the RA process a useful insight into making the job safer, and hopefully more proficient, and NOT simple a paperwork exercise...good luck Regards, Paul

Indeed, thank you Paul (I was trying to cite the 'current ' direct alternatives to, relevant to and commensurate with PTI, for instance, the old 'AA Tech Cert' ) Regards, Paul

Hi, just to clarify the PTI is a Lantra training course/ certification opportunity regardless of whom delivers it or whichever training provider, Inc the ARB Association, offers it. The 'level 3' probably relates to an academic qualification level, to compliment / supplement the PTI, which is actually not that easy to access these days outside of the college environment. Professionally most people look to attain the level 4 diploma in ARB with various training providers or landbased college. Hope this helps to clarify things...a little. Regards all, Paul

Thanks for that, n 'fair comment' about the leaves on the ground...the stems just look so beech-like. Cheers, Paul

Mature bay trees??? (semi-mature beech trees)

Hi Wes, "fair comment." You are quite right that GAS SAFE is mandatory and that's why every plumbers vehicle carries the logo. Hence they must have tens of thousands of income but they don't advertise it...but then given the afore mentioned, they don't need to. Estimated 12-15k businesses so our market share is very small BUT we do have some of the bigger / biggest players / employers in the scheme (but lets not go down that path again ) Yep, last comment acknowledged and with a finite budget we are looking as to what we can do best. Cheers, Paul

Negligible, I don't have the figures to hand but I could count them on one (hand.) Some decline the 1st full reassessment (Yr 6) if they don't feel benefits but very, very few in Yr 2. Cheers, Paul

The stickers, albeit quite small (80mm x 80mm), are "A Member of.." or "A supporter of.." and hence goes 'some way towards promo'ing the organization and the member...but more / bigger would be better. Fundamentally though the AA is keen to get contractors as accredited members, i.e. ARB Approved Contractors, and therefore there's a balance to be struck such that they, and the logo, are not compromised (the ISA don't offer this opportunity and hence are all about promo'ing the individual arborist.) Cheers Ian, n I can't actually get anywhere near my own 'a*se' these days TBH Paul

Clearly your outlook of the AA is improving Ian, i.e. your reference to us only being "a little" up ourselves . Historical one in many respects in that the only entitlement to use the logo originally was with the 'accredited members,' e.g. AA Registered Consultants & ARB Approved Contractors. Approx. 3 years ago the AA re-branded which included specific / unique logos for the AARCs & ArbACs thereby allowing the AA generic logo to be released to members. Initially this was restricted to 'qualified members,' i.e. Fellow / Professional / Technician, but there are discussions afoot about further release so "watch this space." However, there are vehicle 'window' stickers available for members and supporters...a couple of dozen should do the trick Cheers again, Paul

Sorry Bob, you've failed on the last point...beards are so "last year." Essentially what you describe would be the £495 assmt fee, every other year, + £305 annual fee...both +VAT I'm afraid. The only anomaly here would be where a small arb team is part of a larger business / organization and then, because of H&S compliance issues of "5 or more employees," would have to apply as a 6-9 staff business and the fees £780 & £440 respectively. Cheers, Paul PS What colour shirts?

Hi, thanks for the post here. I would agree that 'ARB Approved' is unlikely to have as much financial benefit in the domestic sector as it's both a very tough market and "price is king." Not sure I'd agree its pointless tho as many contractors report back that its given them more access to the higher end domestic...a nice place to be, and of course dependent upon the contractors focus and marketing. Cheers, Paul

Hey Mick, just checking you're awake

Hi Neil, thanks for your post here. In answer to your question about have we ever thrown anyone off the scheme, in the context you mention = "no." In part as that isn't our approach, we here to help and develop, but we do have some who are on increased frequency of re-inspections because of concerns over standards, e.g. annually as opposed to biennially. Whilst I understand your frustrations, and I really do, but I think the expectations of the AA are somewhat unrealistic at times...what about the clients role, particularly for LA TOs, where are they and why aren't they speaking to me / complaining to me. Currently we do, as you say, only 2-yearly visits, previously 5-yearly, and the issue of 'spot-checks' has been discussed at length AND it is something that may be implemented in future...I remain somewhat skeptical about there effectiveness TBH (but we should probably try it and see.) I can reassure you anything brought to my attention will be considered and acted upon if appropriate...but unlikely a business would be "booted off" unless they really did something bad and /or repetitively. Cheers, Paul

Hi Kevin, thanks for your posts here. The problem with a big push is that it takes big resources, the kind we simply don't have unfortunately. The analogy I often use relates to GAS SAFE and why people know (regardless of the 'legal' v 'voluntary' bit) and I really believe it's because of 'association' in hat every plumbers van you see has the logo on it rather than anything GAS SAFE have done in terms of marketing. Clearly we have a very, very long way to go here. The other thing is the 'hot-spot' effect down here in Torbay, entirely coincidental that I live here, whereby because there are 10-12 ArbACs is a 30 miles radius most LAs and other commercials use the scheme as a min. standard. Thanks again for contributing Kevin and if you can think of any "quick-fix" ways of hitting the public market please let me / us know (we have tried to get on 'Rogue Trader' but they're not really interested in anything or anyone other than the Rogue Trader and of course an industry expert and we've been "pipped to the post" there by James Pinder ) Paul

Yeah, a "careful" one (stance ) Its basically down to W@H Regs, and the ICoP, where ladders may be determined a suitable work platform dependent upon the nature of the work and it's duration...but more generally viewed as a means of access TBH (more partic if it's me!) Just to qualify, in terms of the AA having a...'view', our view would be an interpretation of relevant regs and guidance, i.e. a qualified view rather than opinion. Cheers, Paul

Hmmm, agreed but that's not necessarily a good thing and you should still aim for target pruning in accord BS3998 to try to limit this.

A "sky-hook"? ...sorry, I know that's the reality in many instances but perhaps a MEWP might be a good option under the circumstances. Sorry, got to dash now Hope yer well Steve, Paul

Timon, thanks for the post I hope you are well. Timing is everything...but please don't leave it too long ...n we've got loadsa stickers with your name on them. Cheers Paul

Hi Bob, thanks for your post here and apologies for the delay in replying. Firstly congrats on achieving SMAS - work safe contractor accreditation, also an SSiP registered safety scheme as ARB Approval is. Based on experience, and with other non-industry specific safety schemes, there's a probability a bit more work might be required in certain areas, e.g. Work at Height procedures n LOLER maybe, but it's a good start. Part of the reason .any ask for CHAS / SMAS / SAFEcontractir is down to a lack of awareness of ARB Approval so we still have work to do. In time I firmly believe ARB Approval will become the norm for tree surgery contracts given it is the only industry specific scheme around. Thanks again Paul

Thank you Graham, and if you do see vehicles still using the logo please try to get a photo and email it to me [email protected] and I will follow it up. Cheers, n have a good weekend, Paul

Hey Ian, I'm sure you meant "wHinging" here...as I can't imagine you and your team would ever need to 'wing' it (n "woe-be-tide" if they (the team) ever did!) Don't take too long Ian as it'd be a privilege to undertake another visit to yours n I'm just getting too office bound these days. Enjoy yer weekend, n thanks again fer yer posts Paul