AA Teccie (Paul)

Thanks Timon, hope to see you at one of the forthcoming Prep Workshops anyway. Cheers.. Paul

Thank you Kevin, 'interest' registered Hope you're well. Paul

Tony, THANK YOU. This proposal was suggested by a very wise man...but not me! (cursing) Cheers Paul

Dear ARBTALK'ers, a bit of market research if I may be so bold Increasingly, as the ARB Approved Contractor (ArbAC) Scheme grows in popularity and with an increasing awareness at the (commercial / LA) client level, particularly due to the 'tie-in' with the CHAS Scheme, AND hopefully now in the domestic sector too as we can award TRUSTMARK, several contractors are stating they are "working towards" arb approval. Hence subsequently, the clients often contact us for confirmation of such...BUT we have nothing to support this claim other than the contractor concerned has perhaps been on a (FoC ) Preparation Workshop previously...not particularly a clear demonstration that one is actively "working towards" ARB Approval. It has been suggested, by A-N-other (very) prominent ARBTALK'er, who BTW has recently become ARB Approved himself (thank you), that we should be better supporting, and recognising, these businesses...quite rightly. Hence there is a proposal to consider the introduction of an 'Affiliate Contractor' membership grade which, it is anticipated, will be a contractor 'actively' working towards ARB Approval with a view to presenting for assessment within a reasonable timescale (TBC.) It is not intended to be a long term membership option. By way of support, the contractor will receive the regular updates / 'ARB Digest' we supply to ArbACs and have open lines of communication to myself, as Scheme Manager, and colleagues who are scheme lead assessors. We may, also, be able to offer the option of a reduced price, or maybe free (TBC), pre-assessment visit once the contractor feels they are ready, or almost ready, for assessment. Further AA training discounts would likely be available also. As always "the devil will be in the detail", including cost, which is likely to vary according to business size as with ArbAC, and obviously wouldn't be any more than the ArbAC fees, and hopefully significantly less. So, basically, I'm looking for a "show of hands" to see who would be interested in this proposal? Thanks in anticipation and all feedback (positive and negative) will be gratefully received Cheers.. Paul PS Sorry, just seen this message posted and it goes on a bit..."thanks for getting to this point!"

Either, address them on a site specific basis, i.e. site specific risk assessment, if infrequent, or produce a new generic risk assessment if frequent following a similar format to your existing ones. Cheers.. Paul

"I likes that"...looks a very useful bit of kit. Cheers Paul

In the end the phrase 'Vorsprung Durch Tecnik' seemed very apt which apparently translates as "progress through technology'...or CLINICAL. Lookin forward to the second one tonight...in my lonely TLodge room Paul

...and, to give you a bit of 'extra' purchase if required, a large screw driver can be a useful addition. IF you can also get your 'probe' to act as your measuring stick for estimating tree heights that's also useful. Good luck.. Paul PS Don't forget the compass too, for recording on which side of the tree a 'less obvious' defect is present...

Any 'risk assessment' help is always greatly received (sorry, I couldn't access the documents tho.) The key thing here tho, as with any system you may adopt (inc. the AA system) is to ensure it is relevant to your operations and that you are satisfied the 'controls' are adequate. Too often other people's systems are readily adopted but don't stand scrutiny for your particular business and hence may not stand the "suitable and sufficient" test that HSE, or your insurer, may apply in the event of an incident / accident. Good stuff.. Paul

Hi there, The Planning Portal 'people' have previously been present at AA events to encourage its use and answers queries. Hence I suggest giving my colleague Simon Richmond at Head Office a call (tel. 01242 522152) and asking for their contact details as he coordinated their attendance. If Polly / Tiff asks for your membership no. tell them I said to call via ARBTALK. Hope you get it sorted, very annoying. Cheers.. Paul

Speak to the training providers, i.e. Treelife Training and the land-based colleges etc. REMEMBER, the 'Tech Cert Arb' is no more as it has been replaced by the ABC level 4 in Arb and you need this at Diploma level to be deemed a current equivalent (that said the 'Tech Cert' was at level 3 but still consider the equivalent, particularly if attained latterly, i.e. post 2000...I would suggest.) Cheers, n good luck:thumbup1: Paul

Hi all, 'HEADS UP' for the above which is in Thetford Forest area on Wed. 6th August so please do come along and find out more about getting your business ARB Approved. Cheers.. Paul

...good advice above. OR speak to the college about level 3 'diploma' opportunities, or similar. OR look at the ISA Certified Arborist which is a very good practitioners course and well recognised in the industry. Good luck and "gud'on'ya" for wanting to further your studies Cheers.. Paul

The principle of HSE 5 yearly refreshers has always been there, it's just that the Forestry Sector and FISA have made it mandatory it's recently come to the fore. When considering 'where' to concentrate your efforts and attentions consider the activities where things have changed significantly as a priority, i.e. climbing / aerial rescue and rigging etc. Cheers.. Paul

See Chapter 6 of http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr668.pdf Paul

Appropriate quals, e.g. CS32-35 (felling larger trees and wind-blow), is a good start point but 'competence', as in experience (considerable), knowledge and practice is key at this level and in this situation and it was incumbent on the LA to check that too (in the H&S world that is know as Stage 2, i.e. checking the contractors competence.) Good point about NR, I wonder why they didn't consult / inform...I guess they didn't expect it to go wrong. Paul

Likewise, it's shocking isn't it, and oft involving young people in avoidable accidents...very, very sad (ALL people involved!) I often read the articles and think it' so obvious, it was an accident waiting to happen...but I wonder whether its often the great benefit of hindsight when things often do seem obvious. However, its an opportunity for others to learn and avoid these sad incidents. Cheers.. Paul

Thank you for posting this link Very interesting, and very worrying, in equal measures! Cheers.. Paul

Members and Fellows have equal opportunity to be peer reviewed via the AARC process. The current situation has evolved over a long period of time and it may well be that it is time to review. Cheers.. Paul

Hi there, I would disagree, Members and Fellows do indeed have value as being the highest levels of professional membership within the Association attained through qualifications and CPD etc. The AARCs are different as they are also at least Prof Members who have chosen to present their application of knowledge and experience for peer review, via reports portfolio submission and interview, to attain that status. We value all of our members equally as it is from students and ordinary members etc. that the Profs and Fellows of the future are borne and we do encourage qualification, career and membership progression. Members and Fellows are welcomed to promote themselves accordingly and indeed use the appropriate post-nominal, i.e. M.Arbor.A / F.Arbor.A, however currently the use of the logo is restricted to the AARCs and ArbACs. However, what is current today may not be tomorrow. The AA and ICF are working closely together to better place the 'profession' for the future. I will ensure your valued comments are fed-back. Cheers.. Paul

I think we're pretty professional and until such time as the ICF started to offer 'Chartered Arboriculturist', status circa 5 years ago(?), we were the choice of many as their professional body...and indeed still are for some I would suggest. Also we have the AA Registered Consultants scheme / status, some of whom choose not to become ICF. There, doubtless that's stirred the 'mud' a little Cheers.. Paul

Tis much worse late spring / early summer AND during periods of hot weather with a breeze. Mid-late summer is better but even more worse in mid-winter! Cheers.. Paul

Feel a bit cagey saying this but "let he who is without sin throw the first stone" (I quote from a famous book.) The works are absolutely not complaint with BS3998, but sometimes the customer wants and demands, despite your best endeavours to convince the otherwise, are the over-riding factor. I think that's a reality sometimes, n sadly. The tree may cope with the 'topping n lopping' given its age, they often do, although the species may be a balancing factor. For me, and I acknowledge tis oft the case, but where this kind of work is undertaken and resultant split, tears and rips are present that is 'bad' workmanship. Not meaning to be controversial here but just suggesting there's often another side to the story....appen! Cheers all.. Paul

The AA Prof Committee are currently drawing up some guidelines for aerial inspections which I will post when available. Interesting vid, thought the safety issue was a little overstated given the position of the tree alongside a golf-course fairway however there was a clear process behind the inspection and use of photographic evidence, as appropriate, is always useful. Thanks David. Paul