AA Teccie (Paul)

Hi Jake, thanks for your post here. If you are talking about individual membership, e.g. Ordinary Member / Associate Member / Technician Member / Professional Member, then look here Membership overview - Arboricultural Association If you mean joining as an accredited business that's quite a different thing so look here Become an ARB Approved Contractor or better still get along to the workshop in Wrexham next Weds. (25th March) see ARB Approved Contractor Preparation Workshop presuming your in that area, if not look here for other free workshops Training - Arboricultural Association Hope this helps but if you're looking for more, give me a call tomorrow 01242 522152 or 07971 995351. Cheers fer now.. Paul

Nice one, I couldn't remember Billy's name. He's working with Jon Cocking on it. Paul

Hi there, Whilst I'm not aware there are, and hence I would simple say you hold UK chainsaw qualifications for X, Y and Z etc., I know this is a project the EAC are looking at...or at least I understand they are, i.e. harmonisation of European chainsaw qualifications. Jonathan Cocking is the UK/AA rep and hence it might be worth dropping him an email (see EAC - ) Also I'm pretty sure there are a couple of French based UK arborists who post so hopefully they'll see this thread. Good luck.. Paul

We have a very nice pre-designed logo you could use from approx. £500 per year Gis a shout if you want to know more or get along to one of the FREE workshops (see Training - Arboricultural Association ) Cheers..n hope you get it sorted soon Paul

Hi Tom, I'm not expert here and usually steer well clear but my interpretation of the guidance (cited elsewhere) is that the 'agricultural vehicle' is being used to cut roadside trees and hedges, i.e. a tractor with a side arm flail, not that it is transporting people and equipment (chainsaws etc.) for cutting roadside trees. I always struggle with the Unimog registered as an 'ag' but then with white-diesel being used whilst driven on public roads. Although HMRC might be happy(er) about this as they're receiving the extra fuel duty, VOSA/DVSA may not as they may expect it to be registered as a heavy goods vehicle under a 'O' licence etc. etc. A very complex area of vehicle law and interesting HMRC said it was their interpretation, or similar. I would prefer they say "this is the case," or better still not, so its clearer to all. Cheers.. Paul

OMG I always shy away from these for fear of embarrassment...but 'heyho' know I'm amongst friends Is it not Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra)...kinda "long time no see" but it looks so familiar? Cheers, n preparing to be shot down.. Paul

Hi Ste, take it you mean the Dr Hessayon 'Expert' books Expert Books by Dr D G Hessayon - Easy-to-follow advice and information you can trust. Yup, tis in my collection too. Good call. Paul PS notice he's done a Conifer one too....my birthdays coming up n the days of wild parties n dancing girls have gone, so maybe, just maybe (but which one, the book or the...armchair :-) )

I'd be happy to see that on an ARB Approved Contractor assessment. Would need to look closer at final pruning cuts, i.e. positions / angles / size etc., but overall "Well Done!" Cheers.. Paul

Why not give him a 'trial' saying IF he pulls his socks up n starts working more independently and proficiently you will consider increasing his hourly rate anything upto £10 an hour...incentivise him, or at least try. End of day, in terms of how far to go to cover your employers duties, the requirement is to do what is 'reasonable', open to interpretation to some extent, but a key aspect is also supervision and support Good luck.. Paul

Hi Mark, apologies for my delay in responding here. Unfortunately the Crane 'technical guide' is unlikely to be available til mid-2016. In part this is because, unlike tree climbing and MEWPs, there isn't an existing guide so it will be starting form scratch. Cheers.. Paul

Jules, apologies for the delay in responding here I have two quotes for you / ARBTALK members, the first from Chris Cooper-Abbs (ICoP author) and the second from Simon Richmond (AA Senior Technical Officer and ICoP Project Manager) "As a tool to map your arboricultural/tree work practices and management against = reduce liability, increase productivity" "The Arboricultural industry needs to step up to professional, safe working practices, in line with other sectors. This ICOP sets the standards for responsible tree work management." One is just under the 25 words, the other just over...hopefully you'll accept the average. Also, Simon mentioned the following as a reminder that tree work at height can be very hazardous and better planning can help to reduce that hazard... "A climber recently fell 40' out of a tree and landed on his feet, breaking nearly all the bones in his body. Are we prepared to accept that?" Thanks all.. Paul

Hi Dan, hope you're well. Essentially its a basic(ish) level H&S awareness course so, arguably, it does serve to make the guys better informed and more "aware" across a range of H&S issues. We, the AA, deliver the course to give it more of a treework emphasis whereas originally it was very much grounds maintenance focused. So, yes it does cover stuff not included on the touch-screen test, albeit there is some overlap. If you have ten people looking for training, AND if you can provided a venue, hopefully we can offer a reasonable rate (speak to Tiff at Head Office 01242 522152 n tell her you've been speaking to me...that'll double it at least ) cheers.. Paul

Great, thank you for that. I actually met 'Accountax' at the APF Show last year, they seem a very switched on organisation. Appreciate that.. Paul

Hi there, Without prying, could you advise as to the source of this information which seems sound and authoritative? Thanks in anticipation.. Paul

Hi all, and Jules in particular, AND apologies for both missing this post to date AND not bringing it to the forum earlier ....but THANK YOU Jules for so doing If I may, just to try to give the 'ICOP' document a place in the H&S legislation hierarchy ("STAY AWAKE" ): - Health and Safety at Work ACT 1974 (HASWA) - Work at Height REGS 2005 (WAHR) - Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) BUT there is no ACOP for the WAHR - Industry Code of Practice (ICOP) i) 'Tree Work at Height', AND ii) Industrial Rope Access (IRATA) a separate document. - Industry Guidance (HSE) - INDG401 / AFAG 401/2/3 - Industry Guidance (Industry, AA) - Guide to Good Climbing Practice (GGCP) / Guide to use of MEWPs in Arb. (GUMA) OMG, I so hope I'm not confusing things further here but I'm just trying to point out that the Treework ICOP is essentially a management tool for those tasked with the planning, organisation and arrangements of tree work activities. Guidance at this level is usually provided by the ACOP but there is no ACOP for the WAHR (don't know why as ACOPs for all other REGS I believe.) The next step is the review of existing technical guides, e.g. GGCP and GUMA, and production of new ones for rigging, cranes etc. which will commence this year. So, the document is not generally aimed at those undertaking tree work operations unless they happen to be the same person planning the work beforehand. Right, back into the AA bunker...double-quick Joking apart please post back any queries and I'll try to help. Thanks all.. Paul

Hi Nick, Not suggesting he's good, but I'd be very surprised if otherwise, see earlier thread re-contacting Chris Cooper-Abbs [email protected] for a steer here. Cheers.. Paul

I believe Chris Cooper-Abbs is an assessor for LOLER inspector course so perhaps contact him in the first instance for a 'steer' [email protected] Cheers.. Paul

One operator/cutter ONLY is better but thereafter tis down to a documented and detailed, I would recommend, risk assessment / method statement and an absolute if you are not going to deploy the protection method shown on the front of the industry published, and HSE endorsed, guidance of a physical divider / barrier. REMEMBER 'PPE' is last line of defence so make sure there's other stuff included beforehand like, training, information, instruction, supervision, roles etc. so you develop an 'equally' safe system of work. Cheers.. Paul

Possibly, depends if you can secure contract work. utility arb often seem to be after surveyors, but something of a specialism. good luck.. Paul

Timon, my comments are made as manager of the ArbAC Scheme and, I hope, are pragmatic. Look forward to receiving your application soon Best..n have good weekend.. Paul

Hi Kevin, exactly. Sometime ago I sat down with HSE and the list of CS units ("old money" acknowledged) and my intention was to select the minimum necessary as many are mainly 'organisational specific' (CS48 powered pole pruners - EA) and others duplicated to some degree (CS47 chainsaw in a MEWP where CS39 is held). Hence when we got to CS41 "aerial tree rigging" we both agreed it was to be deemed an essential given the relative complexity of rigging and associated the skills, knowledge and experience required. Interestingly, I have had a couple of businesses present for assessment without the CS41, which came to light when reviewing training and quals etc., BUT they were competent in the true sense of the word. Regardless, their outcome was PENDING until CS4 qual was attained...which was a formality. People also need to know that the list of chainsaw quals is listed in the revised PUWER ACOP, which they weren't previously, and hence any sharp-eyed H&S Bod may start questioning what quals you hold. Thanks for the question Kevin n I look forward to seeing you very soon Have agood weekend.. Paul

Hi Sam, try to get hold of a copy of the PTI course workbook and recommended reading/reference list from someone who's completed the course. Good luck.. Paul

Hi Ti, hope you're well. Knowing you will have taken every opportunity to 'extol the virtues' of such a lovely tree...at the end of the day the customer gets what the customer wants. You need to make a business decision which often conflicts with idealisms but a contractor cannot survive without contracting. Difficult I know but sounds like you've done your best. Good luck.. Paul

Did the owner particularly want to retain the tree and hence the reduction recommendation rather than removal perhaps? Difficult to say with being in possession of all the facts, and it would still be inappropriate for me to comment anyway, BUT I would expect a report to be generated by a suitably qualified and competent person AND to give a range of options with 'pros n cons' etc. IME, but mainly U/KD on street tree Limes, removal is inevitable...partic in a high target area...and hopefully 'planned' rather than...unplanned. Cheers.. Paul