AA Teccie (Paul)

The other issue here is that claiming HSE are trying to stop the industry climbing. I don't believe this is the case at all but they are trying to make tree climbing safer, perhaps in a too simplistic way...but perhaps not. With the development and increasing range of MEWPS / tree shears / grapple saws etc., and increasing pressure on justifying climbing, I can see "tree climbing" becoming more niche / specialists in the next 10 years, but not stopped.

Kevin, respectfully, and it's academic anyway as the decision is made (and was effectively required in 2005 when the Regs came in) but can you really evidence your last statement? Not that I'm asking you to, and indeed I wished I didn't keep getting drawn in, but just strikes me as a very damning statement, which many will jump on the bandwagon of, that really isn't evidenced based other than anecdotally. REMEMBER in my reply here I'm not envisaging '2 ropes' but rather a primary system with a suitable backup, which may of course be 2 ropes but may be other systems that change given particular circumstances (sorry, very wordy and can't think of a good example.) Regards, Paul

A TPO once made must be served on the tree owner / land owner, one would expect an agent too, e.g. arb consultant / tree surgeon. Hence "double-check" with the tree owner and if no TPO email the TO, ideally, giving them the start date for the works (out of professional courtesy.) A technicality, but important, it's "notification" with a Conservation Area, i.e. giving the Local Planning Authority (LPA) 6 weeks to serve a TPO to stop the works, and an "application" with a TPO, giving 8 weeks to determine or a deemed refusal. Also, in England, the 2012 TPO Regs apply equally and consistently regardless of where / which LPA. Cheers.. Paul

Hi all, just to clarify "2 ropes", whilst an option and a very good one in many instances, but maybe not all, is not the requirement of the updated industry guidance...a "backup system" to protect the primary system should it fail for any (unexpected) reason is. This may be 2 long ropes, both capable of reaching the ground (always a good option) BUT it can be 1x long rope and 1x short rope, or long lanyard, and/or short lanyard, a flip-line on vertical sections, or maybe some form of passive following rope being belayed (a proposal, which I don't understand the detail of.) Basically any system to stop you falling should the main climbing rope / anchor fail. Please have an open mind and doubtless technologies, equipment and techniques will change going forward...and many more businesses will invest in MEWPs and grapple-saws etc (NOT that HSE intend preventing climbing, it just needs to be clearly justified and follow 'current' industry good practice, i.e. ICOP(2) (managers) and TG1 (all.)) Thanks for reading.. Paul

The other thing to add here is that CHAS is about 'compliance' (H&S) whereas ARB Approved is about business improvement, with compliance...and support through the process and thereafter.

Terrible analogy but kinda like Vauxhall Corsa (CHAS) v Vauxhall Zafira (ARB Approved. ) The Corsa gets you from A to B but the Zafira offers much more versatility and options...and gets you from A to B too. Both schemes are registered safety schemes with SSIP, as are many others including SAFEcontractor and SMAS, but whilst they cover only H&S compliance (for SSIP) we cover that and lots more so more beneficial to the Arboricultural/tree surgery business. Once ARB Approved you can access the other schemes without further audit. We care planning some virtual workshops / open forums (online) in near future so "watch this space." Any questions please ask...or call me tomorrow 07971995351. Paul

True, kinda, we were lined up to facilitate an 'Arb Village' on there last Sept...hopefully still the same for this one. Highly unlikely the ARB Show at Westonbirt will go ahead, I think something virtual is lined up again...."watch this space" Cheers, Paul

Not sure. Speak with Sarah at Head Office, the Training Coordinator, [email protected] who will hopefully be able to advise. Cheers Paul

On a previous, very similar thread, someone suggested: - tree surgeon = someone who knows how to do pruning cuts correctly.. - arborist = someone who knows "why" I kinda liked that but...I guess "5 Shires" post put pay to that Paul

Hi Ben, I think the simple answer is "no", however LPA/TO relations n all that. I guess the LPA send them out as a matter of routine to "the applicant" assuming they generally occupy the site...of course if your "the agent" this may not be convenient, as you say. You could always return them I guess Cheers, Paul

Hi there, not currently unfortunately, all are online...an option which is likely to remain post-pandemic. However, I would anticipate we will return to face-to-face training when possible and where demand requires it. I deliver the online training and whilst it is different, stating the obvious and after delivering many courses face-to-face previously, I'm satisfied the key message and information does get through. Tbh, "getting into the woods" with it is a post-course activity for yourself, ideally accompanied by a more experienced tree surveyor/inspector, even on f-t-f training the amount of time outdoors is limited. Hope you get something sorted...and maybe look forward to meeting you (virtually) at some stage in the future. ATB, Paul

The general view from HSE is that it is the employers responsibility to ensure an operative is competent, and capable, to perform whatever tasks / jobs are assigned. Training and qualifications can clearly help with this and PUWER Regs also support this. With non-UK workers you need to ensure competence in the first place, and document / record this, and within 12 months align them to the UK system, i.e. NPTC / Lantra. Your insurance company may have an opinion too, which may not align with the above unfortunately. Regards, Paul

Down to legal definitions, and interpretations to some extent..."Mr Mynors anyone" It is my understanding if a branch, or root, encroaches a boundary AND causes an actionable nuisance, e.g. impacts on the roof tiles, then LPA consent is not necessary to 'abate' said nuisance (but you can only undertake the minimum work necessary and I would recommend informing the LPA of your intentions.) However, I don't think this is the OP's point, I think the "permission" the LPA refer to here is to do with landowners/tree owners permission, i.e. not LPA consent. Lastly, as I understand it, 'informatives' are different to 'conditions' and perhaps they have mixed the two up (a common informative being about protected species / nesting birds.) Just my "ten-penneth".. Cheers Paul

Hi Ben, as I understand it you're required to have ISO9001 in place first, no bad thing commercially, and then 14001 is a pretty straight forward 'carry on' (as I think you're aware Mr Elcoat does this with/for many tree surgery clients.) Cheers.. Paul

Probably not generally, but reducing wind-loading by height/crown reduction may reduce some of the deflection / pressure on the wall...perhaps.

Hi, I think there are only 3 or 4 ISA Master Arborists in the UK currently. Hence, respectfully, I would suggest the value in the UK to be quite limited and would consider other qualification options more recognised here, e.g. ABC L4 Arb Dip or FdSc Arb, but they are much larger quals and hence much work / commitment is involved. Of course if you fancy USA or Canada, then go for it n "good luck" Paul

Obviously the "actual measurement" will vary dependent upon the stem dia. but 'metres' is the norm in my experience.

Hi there, when you say you've started up yourself, which is always an option and many good arborist have followed the same route and time + trial and error has developed them to where they are today, but if you can I would suggest trying to 'freelance' to other businesses to see a range of practices, probably good and bad (and indifferent) to build up your knowledge and experience. There are many education opportunities, full-time, part-time, short courses, online, webinars etc. etc. but "hands-on" experience and knowledge counts for so much. Maybe "take a punt" on here and say where you are and ask if anyone can offer you some days. Just my thoughts... Good luck with it, stay safe and enjoy.. Paul

Only, 'as a matter of interest', was the fence mentioned / included in the site risk assessment as a potential hazard etc. and, if so, did that mitigate your responsibility at all? If not, coz it was bl**dy obvious, do you feel it may have helped your cause if it was included? (benefit of hindsight n all that) Thanks.. Paul

They usually have their own climbing kit n pruning saw yeah...hence their own small tools. Tbh Ben I don't think you'll get 100% reassuring answer but the majority of businesses I deal with operate with freelancers as LOSCs. Cheers Paul

Hi Ben, Probably worth clarifying, but then I feel obliged to say that, but clause 7 = 'labour-only' subcontractor (LOSC) and clause 14 = 'bona-fide' subcontractor , with the 'freelancer' generally being LOSC. Further, and as I understand it, a 'contract of service' can include terms of engagement for a LOSC in the same way it would include an employee under an employment contract. Hope this helps and, if required, there is an alternative forum you can post on :0 Regards, Paul

To clarify, any "targets the AA may have set" are based on regulatory requirements or good industry practice etc. not something we just think is a good idea. Whilst many employers do, because of the exposure elements of the Vibration Risk Assessment, you can utilise industry averages (produced by Stihl, FC etc.) rather than 'logging hours', whihc are often over exaggerated, and combine this with an effective program of health surveillance (there have been many instances of HAVS over recent years with employers being fined very, very large sums of money...and employees, including myself, suffering long term.) 'Near Misses' - reporting of, should be viewed positively as a means of identifying potential accidents / incidents, "lessons learned" etc. ...just the AA perspective. Thanks all.. Paul

BUMP - just in case anybody missed these AA 'Safety Guides' (SGs) first time round. They are essentially a 'check-list' for the respective Technical Guides (TGs), in effect giving an overview of such, and can be used for onsite safety inspections (a bit like the previous 'blue-inserts' for the FASTCo leaflets...for those who are "mature" enough to remember .) They can be downloaded by following the link: Arboricultural Association - Arboricultural Association Safety Guides WWW.TREES.ORG.UK A range of tree related help and advice for members of the public as well as tree surgeons. TG3 - rigging, and it's SG, will follow early in 2021. Merry Christmas all, have a 'safe', and hopefully relaxing and peaceful, time. Paul

On the point about felling Ash with ADB - here's the previously issued FISA Safety Guidance Note ...as an aside. Safety+Guidance+Note+-+Felling+dead+ash+-+April+2018.pdf

Thanks Steve. In practice, and I stand to be corrected (as always), and perhaps other than Innonotus in Ash, and maybe Massaria on LP, I'm not particularly aware of fungi being a safety issue / factor when climbing...but more potentially when felling (partic. ADB.) Hence my thoughts here were simply to list commonly associated fungi, perhaps including aerial or basal occurrence such that the reader can decide whether to read further with the links you include. I wasn't thinking anything more here and certainly wasn't thinking of rating these. Cheers.. Paul