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AA Teccie (Paul)

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Everything posted by AA Teccie (Paul)

  1. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Hi there, thank you for this information, very useful. Presume I'll be able to find reference to such, albeit maybe as an annual figure, on the HMRC website. Thanks again.. Paul
  2. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Hi Paul, thanks for your useful comments in the previous post. With regard to this one "no" it's in the sports and fitness industry. Bit frustrating in a way as I'm sure he would make a very good tree surgeon but he's much maturing to do before I would steer him that way. Thanks again.. Paul
  3. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Whilst "real life examples" are useful to reinforce regulations, the W@H Reg. 4 duty includes planning to include emergency arrangements AND rescue. Further this is reinforced in industry guidance, including: AFAG 401 & 402 AA Guide to Good Tree Climbing Practice HSE 401 Working at Height - a brief guide Paul
  4. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Hi folks, thank you for your pointers and information here, plenty things to follow up. Much appreciated.. Paul
  5. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Hi all, a none 'AA Teccie' question you may be able to help with. My son, 17yrs, is trying to secure an apprenticeship with a local business who operates as a 'sole trader.' Whilst he is open minded to the possibility of the apprenticeship he doesn't currently have any other 'employees' and doesn't want to get embroiled in PAYE / National Insurance / Pensions etc. etc., understandable. Assuming this may be required, can an apprentice also register as self-employed and invoice the 'employer' for the hours they work? A bit messy, acknowledged, but I'm keen to try and make this work. Is anyone out there a 'sole trader' with an apprentice and how does it work with regard to PAYE etc? Thanks in anticipation all.. Paul (Smith, Dad n general "dogs body" )
  6. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Hi Ben, perhaps it's too easy / simple to jump on the band-wagon of inefficient LPA / poss. 'maladministration' claim etc. and we should be mindful of the cuts in Local Government and the impact on service provision. Hence what you have proposed, albeit more admin your end (for which some contractors charge the client, some also discount it off the job if they get it), may be a workable solution. Is it worth, as a collective ideally I would suggest, trying to arrange a meeting with the Head Of Planning to both put the issue on the radar and, hopefully, agree a way forward? In general though, sorry about that, quite disconcerting Cheers.. Paul PS In terms of programming works, would simply moving 8 weeks to 10 or 12 weeks be an idea?
  7. AA Teccie (Paul)
    ...is the garden environment sterile and sparse of any other food source for HF?
  8. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Hi David, Thanks for the poke, I'll check and get back soon. Hope you're well. Paul
  9. AA Teccie (Paul)
    PHEW...cheers guys. trouble is when the most I see of greenery these days is out of the office window it rapidly becomes a case of "lose it...by not using it!" Ident used to be a really strong point of mine, now, not so much so....anyway back to PUWER Reg. 9 sect. ii Cheers all.. Paul
  10. AA Teccie (Paul)
    I often refer to LP trees as being the "Arnold Schwarzenegger" of the tree world and hence they need lots of space in which to grow...otherwise they'll create their own space. Hence you proposal sounds good to me. Cheers.. paul
  11. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Think it changes with age to more of a kinda speckled rough bark as per the photo.
  12. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Hi Steve, apologies for delay replying here. I think others have 'collectively' answered your question and, in your case, it's essentially about practising the actual rescue protocols rather than the access. As Mr Jenks said, embedded training is a powerful thing...so don't forget to spray the Ketchup before the practice. cheers, n hope yer well. Paul
  13. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Prob gonna embarrass myself here...again, is it not Rhododendron?
  14. AA Teccie (Paul)
    I guess another possible issue of concern, and potentially a greater one if it were to happen, is the hedge being wind-thrown / blown over as a result of massively increased exposure. This happened to a friend of mine when he removed a line of Leylandii's on his boundary and that evening during strong winds his neighbours, which were planted at a similar time, blew over...oops! Otherwise, whilst the concern is generally a compensation claim for loss of amenity / screening / privacy I'm not aware of any case law to support this...let's hope we don't have any soon. Cheers.. Paul
  15. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Hi Timon, The 'AA Guide to Good Climbing Practice,' as "industry good practice," recommends, in effect, that aerial rescue should be practised every 3 months. This recognises that it's, hopefully, a skill that's not undertaken too frequently and hence revisiting and practising it is a very good idea (and, of course, it helps to demonstrate the employers duties under W@H Regs.) Hence we do look for evidence of this, e.g. a record / note in manager's diary, as part of the ARB Approved Contractor assessment process...and we chat with the guys on site about it. Hope this helps and be interesting to hear what others think / do. Cheers Paul
  16. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Does this help too http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/shigo/DOSE.html
  17. AA Teccie (Paul)
    SHOCKINGLY, and assuming my calculations to be correct, through a combination of i) Fuel Duty, and ii) VAT, the Government take approx. 77p from every 114p per litre of fuel you buy = 67% of the cost = 2/3rds = an awful lot of our hard earned cash. Wonder how long it'd take me to cycle to work...125 miles Paul (depressed)
  18. AA Teccie (Paul)
    So, inc. VAT, that works out at just under £1.11 per litre. Currently cheaper than the supermarkets (and as you say being VAT registered helps here.) Do you have to purchase a min. amount over a certain time period to qualify for that price? Sorry, just be nosey...inquisitive! Paul
  19. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Hi there, The 'ETW' certificate is a recognised level 2 craftsman qualification in the UK, albeit not all are aware of it. It is, I believe, interchangeable with the ISA Certified Arborist qualification but not any other UK based qual, e.g. RFS Cert Arb / NC Arb. Hope this helps...at least a little. Cheers.. Paul
  20. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Likewise...and that's were ARBTALK can offer good CPD opportunities. Thanks Chris...et al. Paul
  21. AA Teccie (Paul)
    When I wuz on the tools, "back in the day" , it would always be pasta n chicken or tuna with a pinta (milk) to wash it down. Worked fer me...but now a lettuce sandwich to help me "push the pen." Cheers, n eat well.. Paul
  22. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Smoke-bush (Cotinus)...I think.
  23. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Is it A. palmatum (Japanese Maple)perhaps...but looks too big?
  24. AA Teccie (Paul)
    A tad expensive perhaps, and with a need for on-going maintenance / checking, but a very good proposal and one I'm sure the school caretaker will welcome. Nice one PS Would still do a little bit of CR too.
  25. AA Teccie (Paul)
    Nothing mentioned specifically in 'Principles of Tree Hazard Assessment and Management' nor 'Diagnosis of ill-health in Trees' for Catalpa and propensity for shedding limbs but it does mention 'twig-abscission' as a common problem. However, if it was Tulip tree the books do mention 'top breakage' as of concern = mechanical failure. Sorry, little personal experience of this species to add anything more I'm afraid. That said, if the trees are valuable in offering shade during hot summer days, perhaps a 'light' branch reduction, say 10-15% (as a linear distance of course ) would be appropriate as a precautionary measure and to pacify the school caretaker. Whilst not an advocate of unnecessary pruning, sometimes minor pruning with very limited impact on tree health, can be a viable option I would suggest. Cheers.. Paul

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