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AA Teccie (Paul)

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Everything posted by AA Teccie (Paul)

  1. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Gooorrrrr, "pipped at the post" again by Mssrs. Garner n Humpries. I was just about to put my neck on the line again n say the same...honest Cheers all, n hope yer well. Paul
  2. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Exactly. At a previous HSE workshop the H&S Doctors were really pushing the need for effective 'Health Surveillance' for HAVS (and Noise Induced Hearing Loss - NIHL) which is a legal duty for employers. See Hand arm vibration - Health surveillance for further info and you can do the Stage 1 assessments 'in-house' (but data-protection applies as personal information) and then refer to OHS 'HAVS specialists' (not GP) any concerns / need for Stage 2 assessment. Cheers.. Paul
  3. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Hi Steve, I'm a HAVS sufferer and have only about 75% grip strength in my right hand (according to the consultant from some years ago.) This was a relatively short-term onset thing in my case and stemmed from an intense 6-8 week period of almost daily use of an old Stihl 076 during the 1990 storms which hit up north. My opinion is that because of both the weight of the saw ('bulk-head') and the type of cutting, i.e. big rings cross-cutting to hand-ball size, I did grip the rear-handle throughout and that must have contributed to the damage. Doubtless the fact it was mainly hardwoods too, and in particularly Beech n Oak, also meant I/the saw worked harder to cut through. I don't so much suffer white finger, perse, but do get very cold hands very quickly but it's more my palms that become very tender and my grip fails. hence why I now push a (light-weight) pen in the office. Cheers.. Paul
  4. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Sorry all, late to the party here...again! Whilst PPE is important remember tis the last line of defence, so absolutely get some but at the same time access some good training, and ideally work alongside someone competent / proficient, to avoid going anywhere near it (your PPE.)
  5. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Dear 'Ireland' based tree contractor, Due to an increase in interest in the ARB Approved Contractor Scheme in Ireland we are running a 'FREE' preparation workshop and hope you will join us in Antrim. For further info see ARB Approved Contractor Preparation Workshop Don't hesitate to 'pm' me, or reply here, if you have any questions or require any further info. Best.. Paul
  6. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Refreshers ARE a 'recommendation' (see FISA 805) below BUT recommended by: 1. The HSE (the regulator) 2. FISA (a significant industry body) 3. Arb. Assoc. ( as above...I hope ) 4. City & Guilds / NPTC and Lantra (may be viewed with scepticism) 5. Insurance companies / courts and 6. Contractual / commercial client etc. Hence there's good enough reason to consider refresher training seriously. Wherever possible concentrate on refreshing skills you don't often use, inc. First Aid (industry specific) - aerial rescue - large tree felling - windblown trees etc. As far as refreshing / updating quals. always try to 'upskill', i.e small tree felling (CS31) to medium/large tree felling (CS32), or chainsaw rope and harness (CS39) to aerial tree rigging (CS41.) Hope this helps to give a balanced view. Cheers.. Paul FISA 805 Training and Certs.pdf
  7. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Have you tried "Tree Surgery - A Complete Guide" (PH Bridgeman, 1977)...about the only one I can still relate to! Now where did I put those pension plan details . I also like the Shigo photo guide book. Cheers.. Paul
  8. AA Teccie (Paul)
    :thumbup1: OR refer the matter to a 'suitably competent person'...what's your address Jules? Good stuff, thank you. Paul
  9. AA Teccie (Paul)
    When we used to receive enquiries of this nature from tree owners we also used to make reference to 'possible' compensation claim for loss of amenity / enjoyment of the property and garden but the article makes no reference to that...perhaps it's "pie-in-the-sky." Cheers.. Paul
  10. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Indeed, Jon thank you for your intervention and information here. It would have had to wait til Monday for me to find out and reply. Best.. Paul
  11. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Excellent stuff, thank you all. Paul
  12. AA Teccie (Paul)
    :lol:
  13. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Not wishing to steal anybody's thunder, so to speak, but if you're not getting offers to quote to compare you could try here Directory of Tree Surgeons - Arboricultural Association Regards.. Paul
  14. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Very useful clarifications, thank you. Paul
  15. AA Teccie (Paul)
    I so wish we were talking, for instance, the PUWER Regs here as by comparison they are simple and easy to understand/apply....however. Firstly, THANK YOU "Just Me" for your very informed and very useful contributions here, much appreciated. Secondly: 1 above - I thought there was either a recent incident, reported here on ARBTALK, or maybe even a recent legal case where it was established its the weight of the trailer at the time of the 'offence' that matters and not its potential carrying weight. 2 above - many contractors interpret the 'Agriculture / Horticulture / Forestry etc. exemption to be applicable here. Never really sure about this but if it does apply perhaps its time review your role from tree surgery business to 'urban forestry' business. Just a couple of doubtless useless contributions. Cheers all n thanks again 'Just Me' Paul
  16. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Looks interesting BBC - Oak Tree: Nature's Greatest Survivor - Media Centre Cheers, n "happy viewing" Paul
  17. AA Teccie (Paul)
    How bizarre, seems too extreme to be bottle-but, I would suggest, perhaps worth investigating the 'nurse-tree' principle, i.e. where a mature tree has fallen/collapsed and then a (previously) lateral branch has grown up as a tree. Hmmmm :001_rolleyes: Reet, back to those H&S regs...aaaaaaaaahhhhhh:001_rolleyes: Cheers.. Paul
  18. AA Teccie (Paul)
    As mentioned above 'fitment' (great word) is all important. The FC previously issued an information note, or similar, about ear defender stowing when not in use warning against inadvertently resting on the 'guttering' of forestry helmets causing the hygiene unit to deform. Hence it doesn't then seal and protect the ear. The below FC note is also generally interesting around the subject. Cheers.. Paul FCTN7.pdf
  19. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Edward, forgive me, I'm afraid the penny's not dropping here in terms of recognising / identifying you as a previous AAAC Thank you for your approach here and, as you quite rightly point out, the website gives the opportunity to refer people without making a specific contractor recommendation. AAAC nos. are increasing, fast approaching 300 now, but some areas are still quite sparse so lots of opportunities readers Thanks for your reply here. Cheers.. Paul
  20. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Increasingly, anecdotally, Councils / LPAs are linking to the 'Find a Tree Surgeon' section of the Arb Assoc website to assist here...and probably to avoid fielding that difficult question about "can you recommend anybody?" Having been in that position previously, as a LPA TO (sorry, Local Planning Authority based Tree Officer) we did have an (informal / historic) approved list with half a dozen or so contractor details but were latterly told to withdraw it to protect the Councils interest / integrity. So, 'pm' me for your 'ArbAC' assessment application forms Cheers.. Paul
  21. AA Teccie (Paul)
    I'm aware of several contractors who charge a nominal fee (£25-£40) and then refund it, effectively, by deducting it from the final invoice. But the majority seem not to charge particularly for regular clients. Cheers, Paul
  22. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Hi Chris, not a problem to disagree based on your experience which differs to mine...neither of which were 'our' decisions. As with, for instance, Misc. Provisions Act, LA's do have both discretionary options AND their own 'legal depts.' interpretations which can result in differing, n dare I say inconsistent, approaches. I think the Poole case is maybe different in that is was recovery of a fine rather than the Council's time n resources...perhaps. Anyhow's as this fantastic forum, and fantastic forum contributors , allows us all so to do we share our experiences n knowledge n allows others to 'take or leave' it...thank you. Cheers.. Paul
  23. AA Teccie (Paul)
    I was previously advised by the Council's solicitor, in a previous LA TO life, that you cannot levy a land-charge for this particular purpose.
  24. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Hi Gary, "my thoughts" The HA cannot serve a 'Sect. 154' notice saying to remove a tree only to remove a danger (or an obstruction / encroachment)...which of course may be one and the same. The liability remains with the land owner, I believe. In terms of liability for damage after the notice has expired and not complied with = the landowner, but the HA could be implicated. I have to clarify here that this is 'my' view and not a statement of law/fact given the potential implications of the case. Cheers.. Paul
  25. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Hi all, Just a 'heads up' for this FREE event at Hadlow College on Weds. 14th October (2015.) For further info and booking please see ARB Approved Contractor Preparation Workshop Cheers.. Paul

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