AA Teccie (Paul)

Tom, thank you, for both raising the issue (forgive the pun ) AND considering MEWPs...which is what the ICOP requires you to do. When I worked for the local authority, albeit many years ago, they had an 18m street-lighting wagon which was used many times for dismantling big dead elms, and some privately owned ones that were very dead and "self-dismantling" ) that endangered the highway. This was a ideal application for MEWP use. Paul PS I did climb too, frequently and often in combination, plus the other time it felt good (being in the MEWP bucket) was during very heavy rainfall to ensure I had good footing when using the saw.

Hmmm...I wouldn't agree here. MEWPs are often justified, or rather would be if either the company owned one or the value of a contract AND their availability locally was favourable. I know we climb dead/dying/dangerous trees, adjusting our techniques accordingly, or at least that's what we tell ourselves, but how often have you been in that situation and something's happened that made you go SH*T, that was a bit too close for comfort...or maybe it was just me. PLEASE consider ALL the differing factors to determine whether a MEWP really might be the best option...at least in so doing and then deciding otherwise, ie to climb, you'll be according with the regs / ICOP. Cheers, n tc out there.. Paul

"Possession is 9/10ths of the law" - record (write down when/where/how etc.) the conversation took place, take lots of photographs and carry on I would suggest. Cheers, Paul PS This is just my opinion, not a statement of law.

Hmmm, HSE love "hindsight" in prosecutions so perhaps be prepared for the question "why did you not use a MEWP on this job when the tree was quite obviously dangerous?" Food for thought n "pragmatism" is my middle name Take acre out there n thanks fer the chat Paul

Maybe, maybe not, kinda academic anyway as compliance is compliance regardless of who a contractor is approved by...or not as the case maybe. That said many Councils still have their own 'informal' approved list but often its a presumption by the contractor who works for the council that they are therefore council approved...sounds good for marketing. Cheers.. Paul

MEWPs do fall, indeed one failed in Leeds / Bradford area last year (I think) and the operator was badly injured. What's interesting though, and there are no "hard facts and figures" that I'm aware of, I can think of several situations last year where climbers fell from trees for various reasons. So, anecdotally, and acknowledging the vast majority of aerial tree work is still done from rope n harness thereby perhaps making a proportionally similar, MEWPs can benefit safety...under some circumstances and in certain situations (see Chapter 9 of the previous HSE research report below.) The ARB Approved Contractor, and indeed ALL compliant contractors, should be aware of the industry ICOP (see below also) AND be able to justify whatever method of accessing the tree they have selected based on sound reasons. This can include cost, or rather dis-proportionate cost, which in H&S terms is the "reasonably practicable" argument, i.e. cost 'v' benefit, hence the cost of the job would be significantly increased for very little safety gain (the exception here in many / most instances being the dismantling of dangerous trees.) Skiing holiday sounds great...how do you risk assess that? BTW without exception, every contractor I've ever spoken to who owns a MEWP would never get rid and always wants a bigger and better one because they are a very useful tool to have available and certain jobs get done much quicker and efficiently. Cheers, n thanks for the questions.. Paul rr123.pdf ICoP_TreeWorkAtHeight-090215.pdf

Were they ARB Approved? Regardless its H&S directive, in terms of "collective measures" take priority (MEWPs in our industry case) AND the industry ICOP which sets out a hierarchy to follow when planning work at height = AVOID, e.g. feel from ground level (where possible / feasible), PREVENT (the chances of a fall by using collective measures / MEWPs) and the MINMISE (use rope and harness.) ALL contractors, ARB Approved and not, will interpret this and apply it with subjectivity. Cheers.. Paul

Looks good to me, I guess the hope, at least in part, is to generate a new crown lower down as the tree is a bit "Jerry Hall"...leggy. Cheers..

Worth a look here too https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=599#section-2

Hi there, not a direct answer to your question, and I'm sure someone will be along shortly to offer more, and maybe much more (a copy of a CoE) but the government website has some very useful information which may helkp to draw up your own https://www.gov.uk/employment-contracts-and-conditions/written-statement-of-employment-particulars

Acknowledged, "fair comment." You right things quite clearly I think, it's my reading that let's it down Cheers Gary, Paul

Hi Gary, Why would they need a 'policy' per se for making and serving TPOs when there's such extensive guidance available which is backed up by the regulations...or do you mean a policy in the sense of their normal practices? No need to reply particularly as this is just a thought out loud really. Cheers.. Paul

Hi Gary, I would have thought so, seems reasonable / makes sense. Seems to ring a bell this issue, perhaps worth an archive search. Cheers...n hope you're well Paul

Okay, so you'll probably need to invest ("speculate to accumulate" maybe ), time, resources and money in the first instance but thereafter being 'ARB Approved' costs, on average, from about £600 per year +VAT (including Trustmark which is a government endorsed scheme seeking to offer a similar marketing opportunity to 'RP' and Check-a-Trade and Trusted Trader with web-based feedback.) It would / should / could also better position your business to access commercial contracts, or at least "open doors." Just a thought. For more info look here Arboricultural Association - Become an ARB Approved Contractor and for FREE workshop events look here Arboricultural Association - Course Detail and here Arboricultural Association - Course Detail with others to follow. Cheers Paul

Exactly. The fungi Id and significance / colonisations strategy etc. is "open book" and some of this will be covered beforehand. Usually there's 3 fungi which are pretty "run-of-the-mill" n the 4th to stretch / challenge you a little.

The forum at its best here with useful and interesting stuff. Thanks guys Paul

Be thorough in your inspection of the trees but recording only that deemed to be important, either based on visual prominence, eg large superficial bark-wound, or significance, eg decay fungi present AND ensure this is then followed up by appropriate recommendations and timescales (this is often the subjective bit so back it up with your thinking / logic succinctly I would suggest.) You may wish to show a systematic approach here listing out i) crown area, ii) branch structure, iii) stem, iv) bole / root-plate etc. Also don't dwell on any one area of the assessment too long, think you have 2 hrs so plan it effectively. Lastly, one you're in possession of the course work-book, make that your study guide each night. Lastly...RELAX n enjoy. Good luck Paul

Hmmmm....obviously as the employer you have a duty to provide such H&S training as may be required to carry out the tasks. Other training, e.g. RFS Cert Arb / Level 2 arb, can be reasonably negotiated. I know some contractors put a loyalty clause, in effect, in the employment contracts such that if the employee leaves the business soon after CS etc. training they will seek to claw-back, proportionally dependent upon exactly how soon, the cost of the course. what's the possibility of getting a free-lance instructor / trainer to come to you maybe as an alternative.

Right, "form an orderly queue" to book on this "not to be missed" informative day SO, the next FREE workshop is at Lantra House, Stoneleigh Park on Wednesday 27th April. To book please go to Arboricultural Association - Course Detail remembering doing so will both generate a nice certificate of attendance for you, ensure we have enough tea n coffee...AND entitle you to 25% discount on the initial assessment fee (provided you apply within 3 months.) Hoping to see you there Cheers.. Paul PS I'll bring the biccies

Hi Ben, there's some good information here https://www.gov.uk/take-on-an-apprentice and also here https://www.lantra.co.uk/apprenticeship/apprenticeships-england-wales-and-northern-ireland You will doubtless need to link with a college, or other registered training organisation, who can draw down the funding (£1500 I think,) to make it work. Also be mindful the apprenticeship scheme for the "trees and timber" industry (inc Arb) will be changing in the near future to one of the governments trail-blazer schemes being much more employer lead Cheers, n good luck. Paul.

Aesthetics doubtless comes into play in some situations, particularly residential and amenity trees, but, in general, yeah where you can leave them (provided there are no safety issues / concerns in so doing.) As Steev says in a woodland setting is very appropriate and also because of the habitat considerations. I recollect hearing somewhere recently (sorry, not very helpful) that because of the way branches fail during storm damage and the wood cells stay in tact, subsequent dysfunction / decay is less likely to occur. Obviously the "species factor" will be relevant here in that some species readily decay anyway and others are more resilient having durable heartwood. Right, time to run as I'm getting fact too technical for myself...and as an AA Teccie Good to see others view here too. Cheers.. Paul

Wasn't quite that good, at least not as I understood it, but not as stringent as here in England. Very interesting 'Tree Protection' legislation too, kind of a mix between the Forestry Act, in respect of controlling tree removals, and TCPA, in respect of works to protected trees. Well worth a visit too, but not, ideally, in the p**ing down rain (I forgot the latitude is the same as the Lake District...a wonderfully lush, green place...and often very wet!) Cheers.. Paul

This is not helpful. I would (strongly) recommend always specifying to the higher level such that it becomes "the norm" for you (and of course it accords with the principles of BS3998.) Obviously the LPA can change the works consented by use of a condition if they so wish. The description of work you cite above is not prescriptive and open to interpretation and being (mis) applied I would suggest. Enforcement / prosecution would then be very difficult. Cheers.. Paul

Got quite excited here when I read the thread title thinking I was going to be able to share my experiences of a recent flight to the Isle of Man on a 19-seater plane with 'Citywings'...a "small airline"...ah well. What an interesting place though and quite liberating as they don't have the plethora of H&S regs we have to comply with here in England / UK. Felt kinda naked at first but soon enjoyed the breeze. Cheers, n hope you get your 'airline problem sorted soon. Paul