AA Teccie (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Hi there, My understanding is that the FdSc Arb has, effectively, superceded the HND Arb (both at level 5, I believe).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

It's not illegal to cut during this period, but generally speaking, particularly with big impact works, you need to take extra care in doing a pre-commencement survey for nests etc. Obvioulsy if found, work stops...or rather doesn't commence. Cheers.. Paul PS The 'Bird Nesting Act' mentioned below is actually the 'Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981', just as an aside.

Hi all, Heard an interesting comment the other day that "we are an industry of tree climbers...aren't we?" In reply I suggested we are an industry of 'tree workers', and others of course, and that climbing was one means of access, albeit a very importnat and frequently used one. However, "IF IN DOUBT, STAY OUT (of the tree crown)", there's too many instances of anchor point failures here for my comfort.,,n "no" it's not about taking the fun out of the job, it's about making sure you can do tomorrow's job...n the day after, n day after, N 'earn your crust' to put food on the table (Sorry, it's now becoming an emotional plea.) Cheers all..n FGS 'take care out there!' Paul PS interesting pic below, give it a try PPS Thaks to Reg Harris n his pro-photographer for supplyin.

As you quite rightly point out £184 is indeed an awful lot of money...but then it is an awfully important document. However, if £35 seems more manageable you could look here (albeit a slightly different book but nonetheless useful) Bs3998 Cheers all.. Paul PS This is not an Arb Assoc publication.

Simon, There's no qualification, 'per se', in BS3998 as it's an industry standard for tree works / maintenance and not a course of study. However it is an integral part of most academic based quals and that would prob be your best way forward. Perhaps look at a level 2 awards / certificates in arboriculture which would include the RFS Cert Arb and ISA Certified Arborist etc. Good luck. Paul

Don't rush me now, I'll get a nose bleed Better late than never tho and often people miss the first post...me included on this occasion Cheers.. Paul PS Thought 30 years was a bit harsh...15-20 maybe as I don't work as fast as I used too, ha!

Not absolutely sure, as always , but I think I have heard a case of someone being fined...but maybe there were other factors. Either way, prob best not to risk it. Thanks for the post. Paul

Hi there, An interesting summation, and probably not far off the mark. HSE will always want to check training / inofmration / instruction etc. and evdience of refresher training is something they're often keen on too. Cheers.. Paul

Hi there, As always I stand to be corrected / 'updated' but I'm not aware of any insurance companies seeking to recover monies (I don't think they can 'prosecute' as such) from policy holders in situations like this. Indeed, I'm aware of two recent incidents where the policy holder instructed the insurance companies not to pay out as the 'employee' was at fault but they did so as the cost of compensation was less that the risk of going to court, losing, and then paying with court / legal costs...this really grinded on the employer who then felt at fault. It's basically a financial consideration for them, which is the cheaper option. To add 'insult to injury' (forgive the poor choice of words) the following year their premiums increased because of the pay outs...MADNESS!!! Fundamentally tho I do share your sentiments and often we don't see the 'seemingly' obvious until an incident / accident happens ("hind-sight")...and then we have to deal with the aftermath. Take care out there, and of each other! Paul

Not at all, the company is responsible in the first instance of course and provided that had acted 'reasonably and proportionally' to avoid the accident then they would be covered from 'legal' / prosecution perspective, I would hope, but the insurance would still apply. Clearly, in this instance, the company knew of teh defective chipper and hence it shouldn't have been used BUT in so doing, as is often the case, they should have ensured extra safegaurds were in place. Also have identified a 'young / naive' person was operating it so needed close, and effective, supervision. There is 'another', often quite profound and long term, effect here on the business owner who often feels morally repsonsible even when they are 'in the clear', so to speak (obviously, not that that's the case here.)

"A mind of useless information"...I know. Sorry, just promted by another DL related post, and as my lad has just got his new 'unblemished' licence, I was reminded that the "4b" date is technically a licence expiry date, albeit for the photo. Hence check yours and update if necessary...before 'Mr Plod' raises a few more funds for the central pot. Cheers all.. Paul PS If you'ce still got the 'old style' paper licence, which is still valid as far as I'm aware, then this doesn't apply.

A "fair comment" which many will acknowledge and agree with...BUT 'idiots', and/or very naive young people (I know being the Father of one), do exist AND potentially it's your insurance they'll be claiming on after you've been prosecuted by HSE of course. PLUS of course there are occasions when those 'idiots' observe 'idiotic' practice by more expereinced staff. Madness I know but you need to make sure you've got things sorted beforehand so, firstly, hopefully the acccident never happens, and secondly, your "proverbial" is covered if it does. Cheers.. Paul

"Pipped at the post" , thank you for posting this 'Ruskins' I've had a quick scan and the main changes appear to be: 1. Risk Assessment & employees consultation - the guidance now leads with this thereby emphasising it's importance in H&S management and risk reduction. 2. New workers and 'young' people - generally a greater emphasis on induction, information and training and supervision as appropriate. 3. "SPOT THE DIFFERENCE" in the chainsaw (it now has a guide bar cover in place..."I win" ) 4. MANUAL HANDLING - a much increased and improved section of the guidance looking at associated MH tasks and ways of avoding / reducing and generally "lightening the load." Perhaps use this revised guidance as a 'tool-box' talk topic and a timely reminder to "mind that back!" Cheers all, hope this helps. Paul

Apologies if this has been posted previously: Tree firm fined after teenage worker loses toes on wood chipper A horrific accident and wholly preventable. Maybe take this opportunity to reveiw your risk assessment AND implemenet it...in full, i.e. adequate supervision of 'young' operatives. Cheers all n 'best wishes' if the poor lad's out there. Paul

Hi Syd, You can't get 'approved' as such by BSI but you can get 'certificated' for various managements systems, i.e. ISO9001 Quality Management / 14001 Environmental Standards, by demonstrating compliance and robust procedures are in place. Interestingly, over the last two years we have seen a considerable increase in ARB Approved Contractors acheiving these accreditations, including small businesses, mainly due to the activities of a certain industry based 'arb business management consultant'. "Is it worth it?" I'm sure others will have a veiw but again it's about better positioning the business to access Local Authority and larger commercial contracts (completion of the tender documentation for quality management is very easy if you can simply inlcude a copy of your current cert.) Lastly, the ultimate, is to have your ISO audited and accredited by a UKAS approved body, i.e. BSI / DNV / SGS / Lloyds, and this is necessary if you aspire to attain NHSS 18 to work on Highways Agency network rather than simply 'self-certification' or none UKAS certifictaion. Hope this helps...a little. Cheers.. Paul

Hi Rich, Try here https://online.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/ I subscribe and advise the ARB Approved Contractor network of any opportunities (there are one or two others too.) Good to hear you're "working towards" ARB Approved and by the time you come on board the scheme will be registered under SSIP, a rela move forward for LA and commercial work, partic combined with CHAS as we are currently. Hope this helps and look forward to talking further in due course. Cheers.. Paul

UNIMOGS...fantastic vehicles, BUT potentially fraught with difficulties if registered as an 'ag', I alwys cringe if I see one on an ArbAC assessment...but love to have a ride. This is interesting Agricultural Fencing Contractor successfully overturns decision made by VOSA | shropshirelive.com Good luck. Paul

Every 3 years and HSE recommend annual refreshers (prob 'mid-term' 18mths will suffice.) REMEMBER one-day 'EMERGENCY FAW' will suffice, generally (and as per your FA 'needs' assessment ), provided it is 'relevant', i.e use an industry specifc training provider. Cheers.. Paul

Hi Syd, All knowledge is useful, particularly if you're involved in managing H&S and/or have 'employer responsibilities'. We recommend all managers, ideally, should have the IOSH MS and in larger businesses where roles are more defined in managing H&S then NEBOSH is useful. The Lantra H&S course is very good, my colleague Simon attended it previously, but it isn't as 'globally' recognised as IOSH/NEBOSH outside of the landbased industry (all our ArbAC assessors have done the NEBOSH because of this.) It's too easy to dismiss this kind of training / education as "not applicable" becasue it's labelled 'H&S' and not NPTC or 'Arb' but fundamentally it is and will help. There, I'll prepare to be 'shot down' Cheers.. Paul

Not at all Sean, your questions were relevant and covered many importnat points, and I'm sure, as is often the case, others were thinking / wondering the same thing...thank you. Have a good weekend. Paul

Thanks guys (no 'gals' unfortunately) for coming along yesterday and inputting to a really good day at Capel. Look forward to receiving your applications for assessments in due course n don't forget to contact me at any time if I can help with anything. Thanks again.. Paul PS Sean, "gud'on'ya" for getting the common Ganoderma spp recent name change:thumbup1: