AA Teccie (Paul)
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Everything posted by AA Teccie (Paul)
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Hmmm, not wholly sure why but I think that it may be something to do with the number of 'credits' involved which are essentially the building blocks of the qualifications registered on the new Quals. and Credits Framework (QCF.) Essentially whilst both the 'ABC award' and the BSc are at level 6, and both have enough credits to register them as 'Diploma', the ABC is 60 credits and the BSc is 360...hence a significant difference in favour of the BSc. Now, this is the world of academia and professional membership / charter-ship, the world of employment may take a different view. The AA Prof. Member, and onto Fellowship after 5 years, will happily accept ABC level 6 qualification. Hope this helps...at least a little. Thanks.. Paul
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Scotland - FREE Approved Contractor Workshop (Thurs. 13th Nov.)
AA Teccie (Paul) replied to AA Teccie (Paul)'s topic in AA
Timon, thank you for coming along and your valuable questions and contributions throughout the day, that's what really makes it. Good luck with everything and don't hesitate to "shout" if I can help with anything. Cheers...n hoping to see you before 12 months Paul -
Given the complexity of the situation here, and the potential financial penalty for "getting it wrong", I would strongly recommend you engage a suitably qualified and competent arboriculturist to advise you, i.e. an arbor. consultant. There are several on forum here, so give them a shout, but should you so wish there is a list here too Directory of Arboricultural Association Registered Consultants Regards, and good luck, Paul
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Scotland - FREE Approved Contractor Workshop (Thurs. 13th Nov.)
AA Teccie (Paul) replied to AA Teccie (Paul)'s topic in AA
Hi Tim, thanks for your post here. Nope, the Council nomination scheme is being phased out for 2015 and it's being replaced by a 25% discount on the initial application fee for all businesses attending the workshop and applying for assessment within 3 months thereafter (regardless of business size, i.e. nos. employees.) Hence please book on and I look forward to meeting you there. Cheers.. Paul -
Whilst acknowledging that I come from the 'conformance' side of the industry this just about sums it up and gives a commercial value, or rather potential saving, aspect too. Great post. Cheers.. Paul
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...at the Royal Highland Showground (next to Edinburgh Airport.) Please see ARB Approved Contractor Preparation Workshop for further information AND come along and see me Many thanks.. Paul
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Apologies for our delay here all...and we've been "pipped to the post" in replying. I'll see if I can get Chris and Matt to do a brief précis of their experience, knowledge and skills etc. and post back Cheers.. Paul
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Another great initiative, and major industry benefit, Steve 'at al' at ARBTALK. Well done and thank you. Paul
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Loler Thorough Inspection, advice wanted
AA Teccie (Paul) replied to Keithrturner's topic in Training & education
Yup, be there all 3 days :-) Cheers Timon.. Paul -
Loler Thorough Inspection, advice wanted
AA Teccie (Paul) replied to Keithrturner's topic in Training & education
Another benefit to having someone in the company 'LOLER Inspector' qualified, albeit the CS41 'aerial tree rigging' is the key one, and obviously therefore the combination is ideal, is that it contributes to the 'competent person' role required under the regs. Just an aside...from my obscure world Cheers.. Paul -
All, some excellent posts here containing great information. Thank you all Paul
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Generally you are still giving advice as a 'competent person' and need to know what your saying is sound and hence having your 'informal' knowledge based on experience (a very valuable asset) backed up by a formal qualification, ideally, is better. REMEMBER you need to know your limitations too, i.e. "Sorry Mrs Miggins but you need to get in an expert / consultant to advise here as I'm not qualified to do so." (This is being professional ...and I do it all the time ) Cheers.. Paul
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The phrases: 1. "make hay whilst the sun shines", and 2. "saving for a rainy day" comes to mind, so invest, but do so wisely...including your pension payments or other investments (inc. 'bricks n mortar'.) It is encouraging that the economic 'green-shoots' of previous are now blossoming...but winter looms (just hope for no more bl**dy storms eh!) Sorry, not quite sure where this post is going, or where it's come from, so I'll opt-out. Cheers.. Paul
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I think it's often a 'softer' way of explaining topping/lopping to clients that sounds more professional and acceptable...perhaps they should use the term "indiscriminate," and/or damaging pruning, and then explain correct target pruning etc. However, what the client often wants is topping and/or lopping which can have consequences and future management requirements which should be clearly explained (and ideally documented on the quote, and to say these works are outside the scope of BS3998.) If, fully informed, they still wish to proceed then the decision is yours whether to accept the instruction or not...provided your quote's not too much of course. Cheers.. Paul PS Here's a "marketing opportunity" for those who've spent out considerable sums of money for BS3998, i.e. take it with you and show the relevant section to your prospective client....but probably not when it's raining
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Hi Leigh, I hope you are well. In terms of decay fungi, I have only ever observed Pereniporia (as you say) as portrayed in the photo, i.e. spreading across the ground at the base. Of interest, perhaps, I have observed Heterobasidion annosum on Whitebeam, often combined with Armellaria, resulting in tree root-plate failure. Doubtless Mr Humphries will be along shortly to correct me Cheers.. Paul
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However, in the event of one of your reports being scrutinised, by a judge or other professional, they will consider your general 'competence' to carry out the task (know this sounds a bit 'contractor' orientated but it applies equally to consultants / advisors.) Hence consider your knowledge, training, qualifications and experience (and indeed 'currency', i.e. are you up-to-date?) I would suggest you summarise this as your professional credentials and obviously would include professional memberships of AA / ICF / CAS etc. Hope this helps. Paul
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Knew there wuz summat I forgot to check...hmmm, I'll get on the case ASAP Cheers Paul, tell um to pop over n say hello. TTFN.. Paul
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Hi all, Whilst no sharp axes, no shiny n shimmering 'climbing etc.' bling...we have got some good books etc. n I am there for all 3-days (next to Sorbus Intl.) so please pop in n say "hullo"...be good to put a few more faces to names. See you there.. Paul
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Hi Nick, I think this is often influenced by availability and accessibility etc. as to which course is chosen and also the type/style of learning best suited to the individual. I would also 'suggest' the "what you intend to do afterwards" would also come into play in terms of BSc = research / teaching / academic etc. and ABC level 6 = tree officer / consultant / practitioner etc...perhaps. (I also take it here you did mean 'ABC' level 6 as both quals. are QCF level 6, i.e. registered on the Quals. and Credit Framework at level 6 and as Diplomas...confusion.com ) The above is my 'personal take' on the topic. Cheers.. Paul
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Hi there, hope you don't mind me adding my "two-penneth" here and it's really just to highlight the Quals. leaflet we produce (copy below) which may be useful as a source of reference (what's interesting, in part, is that we haven't mapped the AA membership options against it ...still!) However, very quickly: Ordinary Member = no formal qual. level requirement but usually working in the industry Associate Member = no formal qual. level requirement but typically level 2 and may include a range of NPTC etc. certs. Technician Member = level 3/4, e.g. AA Tech. Cert./ABC level 4 ARB, ND Arb. Professional Member = level 5/6, e.g. PD Arb/ABC level 6 ARB, HND / FdSc Arb. or MICFor. AA Registered Consultant = min. level (as above) Hope this helps, at least a little Cheers.. Paul aa_guide_to_qualifications_web.pdf
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Hi there, hope you're okay and make a speedy recovery! Just wearing my 'H&S' hat and referring to published HSE guidance, i.e. "Chainsaws at Work - indg317(rev2)", copy attached, it states: Gloves: The use of appropriate gloves is recommended under most circumstances. The type of glove will depend on a risk assessment of the task and machine. Consider the need for protection from cuts from the chainsaw, thorny material and cold/wet conditions. Where chainsaw gloves are required these need to be to EN 381-7. REMEMBER all PPE is a last resort and never 100% effective...so don't rely on it! Cheers, n take care out there Paul ChainsawsAtWork(indg317-rev2).pdf
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Oh yeah, and circa 2.7m clearance over cycle-ways. P.
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Hi Bob, sorry for delay. AS I understand their is no 'statutory height' in the Highways Act 1980, as such, but a general duty to keep the highway safe and unobstructed. It is then down to the individual highway authorities to determine what height this is, which often varies dependent upon type of road and usage etc. However, generally, in my experience it is 5.2-5.4m over carriageways and 2.2-2.4 over footpaths. Cheers Paul
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Hi Simon, there is no 'absolute' here and it will often be dictated by the commercial clients you work for and what their expectations are. However, it is nonetheless quite useful to have some stuff at hand to use / refer to in the event of an incident / accident and/or just as a point of reference. As an industry benchmark, to some degree, and said as the scheme is recognised as such by HSE (and of course as we dual-accredit with CHAS,) I have attached the ARB Approved Contractor standards (small business) below and what you refer to as the H&S 'pack' is broadly covered in Module 1 (sects. 1.1.1 and 1.1.2) I would suggest. I hope this to be some help. Cheers Paul Standards-less-than-5-employees-FINALv4(131220).pdf
