AA Teccie (Paul)

...well okay, it is an 'ARB Approved Contractor' workshop but the majority of the issues covered are equally applicable to ALL contracting businesses. See AA Approved Contractor Preparation Workshop ? Training for further info (booking form attached below.) The cost is £50 (+VAT = £60 ) per delegate and this is credited, on the basis of one delegate per business, against any full price assessment (variable dependent upon business size.) Thanks all n hoping to see you there. Cheers.. Paul PS IF you're required to be 'accredited' under SSIP, or CHAS / SAFEcontractor, then the workshop will be doubly relevant. aa_training_booking_form-0313.docx

Hi David, and thank you for highlighting something often overlooked. Am I right ("that's a first for AA Teccie did I hear you say?" ) in thinking in North America they often refer to what we would term 'amenity trees' as 'shade trees', thereby identifying a key personal and social benefit. I guess at th eend of the day it all comes down to where you live, hence the UK population might take some convincing...in general. Cheers again n hope you're well. Paul

Apologies all if I'm "late to the party...AGAIN" and quoting previously advised stuff. In all honesty much work still occurs at this time of year, and indeed beyond, but usually under the watchful eye of an ecologist...doo you know one...or is this a development issue for you maybe? This link may offer some further guidance but not particularly helpful to allow works to proceed. TDA 108a Trees Hedges, Birds and the Law Lastly, please be aware that instruction to undertake the works from a Local Authority may mitigate the situation but wouldn't be, or unlikely to be, a defense...tread very carefully. Cheers.. Paul

Nice job, well done. Just a couple of comments / 'heads up' if I may. 1. This specification is too vague and would not be deemed BS3998 (2010) compliant...but the job was underaken by a competnet and skilled arborists, thankfully (in this instance, but many are not.) 2. Remember the standard highlights concerns with multiple operations to one tree at the same as this can have a long term detrimental effect. (I say this acknolwdeging that every tree is different, in terms of situtation / age / vitality etc., AND that the standard is guidance, not 'set in stone', but if you do vary from it you should have a clear justification.) As I say, good job but when we are possibly exceeding recommendations in our industry standard we need to both understand this and be clear why, and how. Thanks all.. Paul

So, wot's that make me then...a 'moronic moron!' Keep on challenging convention Tony, it is ony by doing so we move forward as an industry (consider how Duncan Slater is challenging Shigo and Matttheck..."if you're gonna do it, do it BIG!") You're time will come my friend. Cheers.. Paul 'MM'

SORRY, know this sounds like a sales pitch, and it is effectively, but the 'Fungi Guide' n 'Manual Wood Decay in Trees' are welll worth considering. T'be honest, it was only on purchasing the MWDiT book that I really began to understand the different types of rot and theri effect on wood...'thanks Mr Mattheck!' See Guides - Arboricultural Association Cheers.. Paul

We learn more everyday...the combined wisdom of ARBTALK, 'invaluable'. Thanks all..

Yeah...ok, I knew that. Knew I should have kept that appointment at 'Spec Savers'....dooh!!!

Haha, likewise....'dooh.' Where's Tony and David....never when you need um eh? What are we looking at? The blackened area, whihc I agree appears to be hardened/blackened resinous stuff, or what appears to be 2 small 'conks' to the mid-left, juts below the 'stick' thing? Paul

Their willingness to cooperate and facilitate an aletrantive approach heer all depends on the value, in all it's various forms, they place on the trees and often the local comunity will have a strong, and sometimes influential view, on this....a 'tree positive' one I hope. As a former Tree Officer in Cheltenham, our engineers were prepared to construct a gentle ramp, using bitmac as more flexible than concrete, over rootplates of 'significant' trees and, 'in turn', we removed less significnat trees (usually Prunus 'Kanzans'.) In Seattle, where I had the privelege to visit many moons ago, they actually constructed a step 'up and over' and then down...very impressive. Compromise, as always, i sthe name of the game. Hope this helps...a little. Cheers, n 'good luck'. Paul

Hi all, This is a very real problem in the industry and Tony is absolutely right to raise it . I guess the responsibility prinicapply lies with the climber, not excusing 'the employer' of course but they may be unaware, to ensure they are happy and confident with the person assigned to do aearil rescue, if not, and, in relaity, if it's a tricky job, then it shouldn't go ahead. IMHO the best businesses are those who have two expereinced and compteent climbers....oh yeah, and 'qualified' of course, on site perhaps sharing the climbing and/or climbing at the same time, partic on big / tricky jobs. May sound expensive but often increased productivity AND safety. YOUR industry 'good practice' guide indicates that aerial rescue practice should be undertaken every 3 months...interestingly. I would also recommend this be recorded (if only a note in the managers diary.) LASTLY, if I may, your concern about the prevaling 'ticket culture' and not recognising industry experience, knowledge and training = TRUE competnece, is exactly whta the Prof. Skills Framework (PFS) & 'Regsiter of Tree Work Operatives' (R2) is seeking to address...I'll dive for cover now, BUT please, please be open-minded here...."reet I'm off!" Thanks for your time all.. Paul

My genneral view with Pops, other than deadwood removal n crown lifting optiions (not suitbale here) is "all or nothing". Hence, as an aletrnative approach, I would suggest the multiple trees owners, guided by yourself, consider engaging the services of a 'suitably competnet perosn' (who can spell better than me ) to make an assessment and write a report highlighting the fact the trees are unsuitable to retain long term and to produce a management plan for 'phased' removal and replacement program, with something more suitable, over say a 5 year period. Indiviudally, the TO is unlikely to go for this but as a collective approach he/she just might. Also, in implementing it, particularly if white poplar, you will need to be very mindful of the potential 'suckering' effects from the roo system and be very active in managing this. just an alterantive, hopefully worthy of a thought. Paul PS Just a word of caution for 'topping' (it is inappropriate, and in fact probably incorrect, to use the word pollarding for trees of this size and age, accrding to BS3998:2010, although it is still commonly done), whilst there may be an abundance of regrowth, viewed as positive, in my expereince as Pops don;t compartmentalise well, often extensive decay sets in and the regrowth often fails/'snaps out'.

But no succesful cases/claims for compensation involving trees, as far as I'm aware. And certainly unlikley to be so where deciduous trees are involved.

Hi there, I quite agree, "two wrongs, (or even one) don't make a right", but the key failing here was a lack of effective supervision and instruction by the owner not the safety bar issue...although clearly that was a contributory factor. And, whilst no excuse, I'm sure the machine had been used for some time prior by more expereinced and competnet staff without incident. Paul

Hi Danavan, A very good point, well several actually, very well made. A failing in good, strong leadership combined with a positive culture towards a safe working environment is key to many accidents. As you quiate rightly imply, this should never have happened as others, more expereinced and knowledgable, shouldn't ahve allowed it to. Leadership skills training is something many foremen / supervisors etc. would benefit from...can't see it being well received though nor deemed importnat in the greater scheme of things 'training related', still. Thanks for the post. Paul

Scott, thank you for your kind and positive words...I get it all the time on ARBTALK and for being so forgiving with my silly quips and jokes I reckon you'll get a better response here under a new posting / thread either in the AA or General forum. Perhaps title it "Tips for getting AA Approved" and hopefully constructive stuff will come back, positive and negative probably. Good luck n don't forget you can give me a shout anytime, well almost cheers.. Paul You might be better posting this message as either a 'new post/thread' under the AA Forum or under the General Forum as more likely to get repsonses there I would suggest...as hopefully constructive ones, positive or negative.

Forestry Commission - Guidance for FC Staff Have a look here and request a copy o fthe relevant OGB at the bottom of the page. Cheers.. Paul

Any room for a crane?

Good luck Syd...'head down' now! Paul

Hi all, Sorry...PLEASE don't get 'hung up' on the chain/cut protection value of gloves. They keep your hands warm and when you're old an frail, and working for the Arb Assoc, you'll wish you wore them. IF you're really flush, 'heated handles' are well worth it too Take care out there.. Paul

Hi there, My understanding is that the FdSc Arb has, effectively, superceded the HND Arb (both at level 5, I believe). If your looking for something more 'applied' you could consider the QCF Level 6 Arboriculture (see QCF Level 6 but I'm sure many other learning establishments will offer this too.) Good luck and "gud'on'ya" for broadening your horizons. Cheers.. Paul

Gloves have additional benefits of keeping hands warm, thereby reducing the effects of vibration, and protecting the hands from cuts / scatches etc. The updated AFAG 301 requires gloves to be worn but they don;t have to be chainsaw gloves and, as mentioned above, some of them are quite cumbersome and reduce the ability to hold the saw firmly, particularly the old leather hyde ones when wet, and operate the 'on-off' switch effectively. It's the good old Risk Assessment approach that dictates, which gloves, and yes "if any" in some situations, should be worn. Remember the gloves with chain 'clogging' material on the back of the left hand pre-date front hand gaurds and chainbreaks and hence did have a place. (That said I've never met anyone yet who has cut themsleves here by contacting the chain, even in kick-back or if it breaks.) Please do wear 'suitable' work-gloves as the long-term effects of HAVS can be quite debilitating. Cheers.. Paul

REMEMBER, if you are exceeding the manufacturers recommended 'life-span' for any item, either because infrequent use or you've been very careful, you should have full and comprehensive LOLER 'Thorough Examination' (visual inspection, no 'testing' per se) records deeming it 'fit for purpose / safe to use', and, I would advise, undertaken by a third party, i.e. an independent and impartial inspector (certainly for those inspections 'after' the recommended retirement date.) If you have then you should be okay but as for 'how long past this date are you ok'....hmmm, not sure. Hope this helps...kinda. REMEMBER, remember, at the end of the day it is the regulator, i.e. HSE, who will take a veiw one way or't'other and then Mr (or Mrs) 'White Wig' will ultimately decide. Cheers.. Paul PS ALSO, sorry , you're insurer may have a view...and guess what that's likely to be.

Take it in a positive vane and a learning opportunity...personally I wouldn't pursue this 'line of enquiry' as it's gonna be time consuming and there may be future repercussions, i.e. more visits. Cheers.. Paul

Poss. coincidentally she lived in village and been on recent HSE 'Treework' 3-day course. Re- £124 per hour (HSE - 'Fee for Intervention') HSE have reaassured me that 'investigations of material breaches' will not be undertaken lightly and principally aimed at persistent offenders (often known to HSE.) Nonetheless it does 'focus the mind' and will hopefully have a positive effect on improving H&S, partic. on site, but also at the documentary level....'ARB Approved Contractor' anyone? Take care out there. Cheers all.. Paul