AA Teccie (Paul)

...on the ARB Approved Contractor Workshop in Holmfirth on Wed. 26th August. REMEMBER this is also about running a compliant business...which is what ArbAC is all about. Please 'PM' me for further info and to book. Thanks.. Paul

Basically you need the operative 'Unit 2' training / qualification, see https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/4387/regulations.pdf and maybe https://nrswa-courses.co.uk/courses/nrswa-unit2/ (this training provider (TP) explain it quite well but there are 'other' TPs.) Cheers.. Paul

THIS is the only real way forward and to do the best for your client. However, regarding appeals, this should not be undertaken lightly as it is a burden on the tax-payer, albeit it is a valid option. Cheers.. Paul PS The hotel could adopt an alternative marketing strategy for the rooms affected as the 'tree-rooms' giving an insight to the inner crown workings of the 'XYZ' tree (sorry, I missed the species.)

You will need a specific 'young persons' risk assessment, as per HSE / Management Regs. (see Risks to young people at work ) Regardless of nos. employees, I would strongly recommend this be written documented. Also supervisory levels, certainly in the early days, must be high and suitable thereafter. Cheers, Paul

Hi all, Venue: TKF Training (Forest Lodge), Holmfirth - Wed. 26th August There are still places available so please 'pm' me ASAP if you'd like to join us..."go on, you know you want to!" Cheers.. Paul

I think, essentially, they're two different things / systems. ARB Pro is primarily a CRM / customer database which has been extended to allow some degree of site paperwork / PUWER etc. to be recorded. Paper-trail is essentially a system for storing / retrieving and managing stuff (paperwork) with deadlines, expiry dates, renewal dates etc. Don't know enough about either system to add much more I'm afraid. Cheers.. Paul

...dare I suggest also G. australe/adspersum (the brackets higher on the stem)

BS3998 (p.26) advocates the same in terms of avoiding removal of large branches on mature trees instead "branch shortening" is suggested. Cheers.. Paul

Was introduced to a lovely 'new', well at least to me, tree the other day as part of a contractor assessment. He mentioned Alder n I expected the mundane Alnus glutinosa but got a very pleasant surprise https://www.barcham.co.uk/products/alnus-glutinosa-laciniata/

AKA Norway Maple...yup, me thinks so too. Look out for the Cappadocian Maple, really nice one but, unusually for Maple (IME), 'suckers' quite a lot...which is one of the identification features. Cheers.. Paul

Simplistically, and I know it's never quite such, there are only TWO 'recognised' (chainsaw etc.) qualification providers in the arb sector: 1. City & Guilds / NPTC 2. Lantra Awards A qualification, bearing in mind Lantra Awards have only very recently been issuing such for chainsaws etc., from either body is acceptable / recognised, usually. FISA quals., or 'certificates of training' (refreshers), are specific to the forest industry sector, not arb, albeit there is a cross-over where arb's are doing forestry sector works. Is that "another tier of 'bleep'?"...possibly, actually, i.e. another tier! Will FISA lead on 'arb' H&S stuff = no (albeit they may be consulted / involved with certain activities which cross industry sectors, e.g. chainsaw use for tree crown break-downs, or vica-versa.) Hope this helps to reassure...at least a little. Cheers.. Paul

Hi Andy, "seemingly not." I think much/most of the industry is just happy to 'crack on' and do what they do oblivious, in part, to what's going on in the industry at large as it doesn't really affect them....until something goes wrong perhaps. I guess another take on this is a failure for groups like HSE / AFAG / FISA and probably the AA to actively engage and involve them. We are very good at engaging with our members, or at least much better than previously, but engaging the wider industry is challenging. I have previously got very frustrated that the industry doesn't more actively engage with the arb approval scheme. Afterall I'm sure they'd all, well mostly, welcome a central government / HSE edict that said tree surgery business must be 'HSE accredited' etc., which is never going to happen of course, but the majority don't actively engage with an industry 'voluntary' scheme. Most because you don't need to be 'arb approved'...but the more that were would make that position more likely. Ah well, keep pushing..."onwards and upwards, n chin up." I hope you're well. Paul

Hi Paul, At a previous event I attended where Frank Rhin(?) presented, I'm sure he suggested that a crown thin would have to be extensive, 40-50%, to be effective as a means of reducing sail area and reducing windthrow. Hence crown reduction is usually the way to go...would you agree? BTW thanks again for yesterday, Picton Castle Gardens is one of Wale's "Best kept secrets"...oops Cheers.. Paul

So, what you gonna "thin?" It does seem rather excessive, to say the least, and I would argue that it actually wouldn't be possible to execute the works in accord with BS3998 due to the probable lack of suitable secondary growth points. Cheers.. Paul

Acknowledging it's his land, BUT it's your job and your risk...don't let him get too close where he puts himself in danger. Hence "better to stay in your house Sir!" Paul

Presumably they're going to follow through and TPO them then, which would seem the logical next step...and perhaps to see if they really do think they're worth it? Sorry Ben, no experience with BS85837 categorization but I have heard (many) others say how subjective it is. Good luck.. Paul

Now that's impressive knowledge...thank you Paul

On the basis that PPE is "the last line of defence", from a H&S point of view, and "avoidance" is the first, try to convince your clients to have their Plane trees pruned when dormant (that's the trees, not the clients ) Not practicable in many situations, acknowledged, but maybe in some. OR work on them when it's raining to dampen the effects, this would be a risk assessment 'control measure'...although not when too wet of course. Cheers, Paul (sat in an office these days )

Rock Walk project Torquay this it? I think we ran an article in a previous ARB Mag. Cheers.. Paul

Looks like developing Dryad's Saddle (Polyporus squamosal) emanating form the old pruning wound. Quite common in my experience n not usually an immediate cause for concern although it does appear at the perimeter of the wound possibly indicating more extensive decay than if it came from the middle, which they often do, and then suggesting tree has compartmentalised. So, doubtless we'll sound find out I'm better sticking to H&S stuff Cheers.. Paul

William, in terms of taking the business to the next level of compliance, in the hope of securing your position on the council's list, you may wish to benchmark it using the ARB Approved Contractor standards, a copy of which is available here Become an ARB Approved Contractor (scroll down the page to the appropriate word document at the bottom.) Cheers n 'good luck' with it all.. Paul

Hi Sam, In "old money", if you've got CS39 you don't need CS47 but you do need a MEWP ticket. Most people suggest IPAF for this as it's accepted by all, generally speaking, including on construction sites where training by other organisations might be challenged (that said often training with Lantra, for instance, is more relevant to tree work activities.) Hope this helps. Paul

Andy, as a quick overview of the consultation replies (which will now be collated and presented to FISA / AFAG at the next meeting and thereafter will formally be reported back to the industry) - 70% respondents in ARB industry - 59% AA members (so 41% NOT AA) - Variable roles, inc. contractor / consultant / manager / climbers - Variable freq. of accessing AFAGs / FISAs from daily (3%) to yearly (36%) - Usage variable, and equal(ish), inc. training / compliance / RA / monitoring - Format accessed variable from hard copy to pdf etc. (roughly 50/50) - The 9 chainsaw guides (300 series) to be combined in 1 or 2 documents (59% and 24% respectively) - Forestry & ARB combined guides or separate (40% and 60% respectively.) Broadly those were the findings which overall confirms the value of the guidance published. RE- FISA members, and in particular the FC in my experience, imposing specific contract and training / skills requirements I think the answer is undoubtedly 'YES' they will...and do already (EFAW '+F'). I am pushing FISA to issue a clear 'Position Statement' regarding FISA refresher training and ARB, i.e. that it is not applicable, and they agree in principle but no statement yet. However 'current' (C&Gs / NPTC or Lantra Awards) training / updates will be required, and with that I cannot disagree. Hope this helps and forgive me if I've missed some bits of your email, its a hot day and I'm wilting fast. Regards.. Paul

Apologies here as I'm sure this has moved on but direct HSE guidance on 'Chainsaws at Work' (indg317, see below) reinforces AFAG 308 stating: Top-handled chainsaws These saws have the rear handle over the top of the engine. They are only suitable for use off the ground by trained competent arborists. They are not designed for use on the ground or as a substitute for small, rear-handled chainsaws. So, as others have pointed out this is what the industry 'good practice' guidance says and although it is not 'law' you need to think very carefully about the potential consequences of not following such...if something goes wrong. The HSE / insurance companies / clients / AA will refer to published guidance as a benchmark and start their assessment of "what went wrong" from there. IMHO the temptation to 'cut n hold' on the ground, particular with the branch going in the chipper...not rather NOT going into the chipper, thereby bring the chain in close proximity to the left-hand, is massive. Take care out there.. Paul PS there are 'lightweight' battery driven chainsaws out there now which are ideal for sitting alongside the chipper for use when needed...the 'rear-handled' version of course. indg317.pdf

"BUMP"...oops!