AA Teccie (Paul)

...if I don't get back to you on 'none' AA threads as: 1. I'm pretty 'pants' at finding my way back to the same threads I've posted on 2. I'm somewhat overwhelmed at the moment with lost of stuff going on with the ArbACC scheme n, sadly, less time to spend here Hence, if you do reply to something I've posted and want a reply please poke me with a 'pm' or in the 'AA Forum'...or enjoy the peace and quiet Thanks all n have great weekend.. Paul

Hi there, CPD (continuing professinal development) is essentially any form of learning / advancing that helps to keep you current and up-to-date. Traditionally we all think of attendnace at conferences or seminars or short-courses etc. but it can be other stuff too. This can include pratcial skills advancements, or learning anew skill, reading industry mags, internet research, ARBTALK, observations of demo;s at trade fairs, discussions (of the right knid)...basically anything that moves you forward. The hard part is sometimes identifying it and recording it, or rather remembering to record it (perhaps the atcahed form may help, don;t worry it;s an AA thing!) Formally, some courses etc. will say it qualifies for, for instance, 5hrs CPD and people simply put that on the record. However if only 3 of those 5 hours were new stuff that moved you forward you shold only record that...no-one does tho! Reet, there, 'simples' eh? I hope this helps, at least a litte. Good luck.. Paul CPD-form-v5-180612 (2).doc

Often veiwed, I believe, as a 'stepping stone' towards AA Registered Consultants status (for which I am now responsible since Guy left us) so may be worth looking closer if that figures in your future aspirations at all. Regards.. Paul

SORRY, I'm in a rush here but simplistically (my middle name) IF the waste is generated by YOU and it is stored on your land, or land for whihc you are responsible, i.e. you rent it, then no transfer has taken place and you do NOT need a licence. Under the ArbAC scheme, for this activity, we require contractors to register an exemption using the form below and the EA, generally, altho there are sometimes regional variations , seem happy and accept this. Hope this helps. Paul T6_exemption.pdf

Yup, very happy thanks, n not least as I've just received positive information regarding our recent SSiP audit...more to follow. Hope to catch up soon.. Cheers. Paul

Bob, simplistically (as I am ) I can only see two obvious ways forward, assuming 'tying back/up' the offedning branches is not an option: 1. Await the 3 weeks the TO has indicated (it could be 6 weeks.) 2. Proceed and risk prosecution...or a warning. Good luck.. Paul

Hi there, as an option you could consider ARB Approved Contractor whihc covers all the above and more, albeit it would cost you around about the amount you spend with them each year, i.e. £500 (+VAT:sneaky2:) as a 'small business' BUT I believe it is good value for money AND it may bring other opportunities. Failing that, as a small business, I would advise to go through the CHAS/SSiP route (see CHAS - The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) to Construction line which will cost you £155 as a small business...+the COnstructionline fee of course. Good luck. Paul

...or look here Help becoming an ARB Approved Contractor (scrolling down the page AND remeber the policy template is only really suitable for a small business.):thumbup: Hope you're well Ian:thumbup1: Paul

If the tree and the pub are on the same land, then 'actionable nuisance' doesn't apply (I don't believe) and unless you can get the go-ahead from the TO beforehand you have to go through the 6 week notifictaion period...so 3 weeks doesn;t sound too bad. Madness I know, but there's no way of tying back / up the offending branches til you get go ahead to prune so repair works can proceed is there? Sorry Bob...all out of (stupid) ideas now. W'yam. Paul PS Councils can only 'fast-track' a sect. 211 notice IF there's a will to do so AND if the TO has delegated powers...I think.

Hi Richard, Hmmm, nothing rings a bell from your description nor anything I've heard of recently...other than 'more' squirrel damage of course! I'm intrigued and watch with interest. Cheers.. Paul

'Riggerbear' Thank you for this, and for taking the time to post it. I'm really glad you found it useful. I attended the High Wycombe event and similarly found it very useful. Thanks again.. Paul

Be very wary of the anchor points, partic if they were done some time ago as appears to be the case. BS3998, for lapsed pollards, recommends leaving stubs 3-5 times there basal diameter. A start point maybe. Hope this helps. Paul

BUMP...hope I didn't wake anybody:biggrin: C'mon guys you know you wnat to Cheers.. Paul

In theory, the ISA CA is an interationally recognised qualifictaion, at least in those countries that have an ISA Chapter. In Europe, many countries of which do have an ISA Chapter, the Euro Tree WOrker qual is also gathering momentum I believe and there is mutual recognition between the two organisations. Not sure what the score is 'down under' tho. My understanding is that the NPTC qual(s) has international recognition and acceptance even though it is of UK origin. Other obstacles, those nasty little 'red-backs' down under ENjoy.. Paul

Very well put, the first bit...and the second bit of course . I guess you have a choice, if you wanna do commercial stuff you have to play by the(ir) rules if not stick to domestic. Cheers.. Paul

Flip David, that's quite worrying. Nev Fay recently provided some similar images ofr the AA P&D book, including a shot of the top of the branch and then the sectional view showing the extent of decay. The thing that immediately struck me was 'anchor point' selection for the unaware and the need to thoroughly load test at ground level, nay branches upto 150mm dia (is what I suggested), to ensure it was safe to use. The GGCP (Guide to Good Climbing Practice) on review maybe needs to mention this specifically as it could have serious implications. Thanks for the info, very useful as always:thumbup: Paul

Mmmm, I can understand why you say that but these schemes (n therein lies part of the problem as there are multiples of them...BUT only one ArbAC scheme:biggrin:) do highlight the importance of H&S compliance and improve awarness and, in turn, the culture within a business...where/if it needs to be of course. Obvioulsy, in turn, they also improve your compliance and help you better fill your duties under H&S law as an employer (of both PAYE staff AND none PAYE staff) which is a good thing and protects you...and hopefully makes you sleep easier at night...with an accompnaying 'hot toddy' of course.) They also present an opportuntiy perhaps to demonstarte that you are not a disreputable contractor, as they wouldn't apply...nor comply. Hence I think they do have a place in the contracting industry and, 'luv em r ate em', they're here to stay. There, r u convinced? Cheers.. paul

To be honest, in practice outside of the ArbAC scheme, I'm not sure how it actually works. With us, on approval, we issue an AA cert. of H&S compliance and the contractor presents this to SAFEcontractor instaed of their H&S documentation. They still have to pay the SAFEcon. membership fee, although this is reduced by 50% as an ArbAC, and of course complete their application form on the first occasion. Your accreditations shoud, be equally recognised under SSiP, of which both CHAS and SAFEcontractor are member organisations...as hopefully ArbAC will be very shortly. Cheers.. Paul PS I hope I've answered your query but not convinced

You're welcomed Pete...I'll expect your ArbAC application in due course then Cheers..

Hi Robert, Nope, in theory, and in practice, as they both assess Stage1 H&S, i.e. basic documentary compliance, and are both members of SSiP (Safety Scheme in Procurement.) this means they've agreed mutual recognition so you can apply for SAFEcontractor as an existing CHAS acccredited contractor, provided you've got a min. 9 months validity left, without a further document submission. You do need to pay the SAFEcontractor memberhsip fee though. Alternatively, you could consider ARB Approved which includes CHAS and gives access to SAFEcontractor with a 50% discount on membership fees...and is your industry scheme, and assessese Stage2, 'on-site', and includes so much more! Shout if you wanna know more. Cheers.. Paul

Sorry for the short notice here folks See AA Approved Contractor Preparation Workshop ? Training for further details. Hope to see you there. Cheers.. Paul PS The £50 attendance fee is refunded on application for assessment.

Hi David, to add my ten penneth.. Whilst delivering the Basic Tree Surevy Course I explain about the 'nylon mallet' as a basic sounding device to detect decay / dysfunction but suggest it should be used in a targeted manner, rather than just randomnly 'knocking around', as it could still cause injury to lightly barked trees. That said I do acknowledge that not all examples of decay / dysfucntion exhibit visual signs. Not sure what the guys in the vid were trying to establish, other than obvioulsy decay of course, but was that part of a safety inspection or pre-climb...wudda liked to have seen the ladders secured too...once a H&S nurdy always... I have used the boot technique before too, but raised too many clients eyebrows so bought myself a mallet...much more impressive. Hope you're well. Cheers.. Paul

Gibbon, whilst not "re-inventing the wheel", so to speak, I would strongly recommend you have a stab yourself first, if only to identify the 'significant' hazards so the process becomes more of a 'compare and contrast'. The danger with simply adopting someone elses (inc. the AA's, but we don't actually have one for air-spading currently...so please share with me ) is that you don't actually satisfy yourself it is 'suitable and sufficient' (the HSE test for RA) and meet your duties under the Act. Cheers.. Paul

Hmmm , You know exactly what you're doing Mr Wilkinson, despite the claim to guess, but, in all honesty, it is down to training, experience and knowledge = COMPETENCE Take care out there.. Paul