likeitorlumpit

Interesting thought but I think kids learn by example and if their example is a life on the scrounge then what hope. I guess one or two may rebel though. Not only that but do they really have a hard upbringing when mum is getting £26K+ per year. Free health care etc etc. Have you any shining examples?

Interesting thought but I think kids learn by example and if their example is a life on the scrounge then what hope. I guess one or two may rebel though. Not only that but do they really have a hard upbringing when mum is getting £26K+ per year. Free health care etc etc. Have you any shining examples?

You're spot on Paul Trouble is most people just hold their hand up, wail and do nothing. Just start with the easy things and move onto the more troublesome. We find risk assessments on site the hardest as we just want to get on once on site. Just need to have a 5 min talk through and an easy form to fill in- tick boxes and minimal writing. We're getting there. Library of risk assessments for sites and tools back at the unit and dynamic assessments on site. Getting 'everyone' on board is not always easy as most firms will have at least one employee or subbie who just doesn't want to get the message. I am told it is a disciplinary but don't want to get too heavy. Bit of thinking to do on this to encourage all!! Any ideas?

this is what I was thinking Tony won't eat you. He's really not that scary and your knowledge will advance exponentially. Or... maybe the recession has ended. We're starting to get busy again.

Spot on- probably get it for £1000 if you haggle I'd be interested to know how much they are in France- with the counrty so near I might do a bit of importing

I would assume the system is there to help people like you. Go ask- it don't cost nowt. No point being proud. I hope you're not a single mum with six kids from 6 dads:mad1:

I love it the way you find out about these things and let us all know- long may it continue. I'd like to get up there work commitments allowing. It's so random.

Good for you Silky- a thread with a happy ending. Still, I hope you continue posting. Breath of fresh air!

Cheer up Andy:001_smile:

Two 10 mile rides along the coast and back. Really enjoyable.

It's a combination of reasons. Money is in there but not by any means guaranteed. When it happens I agree- it's great. Funnily enough love is also in there - I love it, I love it not.

Because we can't get a job doing anything else:laugh1:

Know what you're saying regarding paying the guys leaving yourself nothing- I've done my share of that in the past. You do it because you think things will get better- the optomistic employer. If it keeps happening then you need to act. Shed staff or cut hours - otherwise you'll end up stressed or destroyed by it all.

Agreed Sitting in the truck in the drizzle is depressing and I'd much sooner be out there getting wetter. Mind you, the decision to climb or not is down to the climber.

I wasn't defending s**t money. I think £9 per hour is a bit poor especially for older workers with mortgages and families.

Try not to work for friends, family or neighbours unless it's for free:001_rolleyes:

My climber gets £140 a day. Often is the last to arrive- doesn't usually start climbing till 9 or 9.30 by the time they've got to site. Often finished by 3 or 3.30. Whats the hourly rate when he's actually working- must be £20-£25. Sometimes he doesn't even use his own kit. I don't mind- he's making the firm money (usually) except when he is breaking things or leaving twigs hung up in the tree which I have to go round and recover.- not any more hopefully Yes I agree it's dangerous, but underpaid- I don't think so. Plus I agree with all the employer comments- there is a lot of pressure on employers with PPE legislation/ fire risk/ vehicle insurance/public and employers liability- which needs to be checked through carefully to make sure they haven't stiched you up with new endorsements/ tickets for just about everything to prove you have trained people/record keeping( the big one) without the hassle of getting in work and organising work gangs. Fitting in work round holidays/ bank holidays and the weather. I'm not saying we do it for love but lets keep a balance.

Hi Chris I would be happy to come up with another to help you on this with another. We both have Chapter eight and so long as you can do it in less than 2 minute stoppages we can use our stop/go boards. I know the traffic gets bad through Leeds village up to 9am but calms down later. How long would the job take? I would like to check it out before we do it so we can assess other signage.

enough for 2 winters:lol:

Am I being dumb- why not just use a chainsaw? I can see you don't have to bend down but wheeling and positioning surely take away any advantage.

That must be severe Raynauds.

Don't rule out Raynauds- you can experience the tingling on warm windy days.

we knew what you wanted but we were just teasing:001_smile:

Other than holiday jobs as a student I only worked 6 months for a firm (garden centre). I've never regretted being self employed but then again I always intended to be so it just seemed to be natural when it happened. I started in November which sorts the men from the boys as if you can get through your first winter then summer is a breeze. I was lucky to have a partner who earned good money to help us through the first few years but we didn't get the toys and went without holidays for quite some time. After that things seemed to improve but we often had credit cards completely maxed out and only able to relax when a cheque arrived and made things OK- and I mean maxed- often into the £10,000 region. If you can exist like this then you will be fine. If that level of debt relying on someone to pay- and you can't really chase too soon with some organisations- feels manageable then go ahead. I also think you lose that comradeship you get as an employee because you are unfortunately 'the boss' . So look at that too. Regarding money- look at Silky Fox- bike/chainsaw/climbing kit= maybe £800-£1200 makes it easy entry. BUT you WILL need his enthusiasm.