likeitorlumpit

let alone eclectic cuts:biggrin:

Nah- it just means the rail company looks after it's customers. Some people can't read well- how do they cope?

OK todays update on this work Network Rail Manager site meeting. Good bloke- says we need a track possession to do the work as the trains are nearly touching the trees. That costs £28K plus cost of bussing passengers. But they can't legally put obstacles in the publics way when they want to work on their own trees so... He is going to allow us to piggy back one of their track possessions. That is likely to be a Sunday and may not take place for 12 months but we can do our work while the line is closed with him on site and us in Network Rail orange hi vis and blue hats. There you go- think I did the right thing and as he pointed out- if we had caused an accident it would have been a crime scene. Also we should be signing a BAPA (or similar) agreement but we're not going to as once again- they can't put obstacles in our way. So thanks all and to Mick also for coming out. I'll take up your offer of a chip tip site if thats still OK. I'm guessing 3-4 loads. Apparently they still use detonators but not as a warning to operatives but as a warning to the driver to slam on the brakes as he is running into a danger area. They sound like great bonfire night bangers.

The Ladder Association Code of practice allows work from a ladder for short periods only (less than 30mins). Now I suspect that may allow for a 2 hour job on a hedge where you are moving along. Also need to have 3 points of contact. This would indicate you must wear a harness when working with 2 hands. Could that be clipped to the ladder (tripod) and how safe would that be? Work at height rules apply. I checked as there was a thread on here regarding the Japanese ladders and no one could answer. I've now bought one 4.8metres high= a bit scary. I am though wondering how much we will use it - we'll see. They have a website ladderassociation.org.uk

too painful to watch

So thats why a poxy salad in Paris costs £20

OK lets give you this scenario- must have happened to everyone You're on a day job- but it's been raining and you need to crack on- you're 40 miles from base. The tree has been reduced and there are two options- chog the rest down or go for a risky fell with a fence in the way.Maybe not this exactly but something that has two options- quick & risky vs. slow and safe. Time dictates the fell. Your lads are on the bonus so decide to chog as they would lose money with the fell if it went wrong. They finish unfinished ( they have to go because one of them has a blind date) but have to return the next day to clear up. Would the fell have been better= all down and home on time with the next day free for another job. You decide

Excemption licence doesn't cost so do it to save grief. Can store I thought was 100 tonnes. I think once it's set up it's not particularly monitored.

It comes down to the old old question. What do you charge per day? As much as I can get away with. It really is as simple as that. Thats not cowboy talk either- it's a general business principle. A price that applies to one customer will not apply to another. Also- a day rate that applies today may not apply next week or next month. I guess your day rate for 2 guys and chipper will vary from as little as £250 upwards especially if they are employees who need work every day as it's costing money to pay them to do nothing. If you are pricing at £250 every day then I guess you'll be out of business pretty soon. Or working 6 days a week.

The trouble with that sort of bonus is rather than one employee losing due to a broken item, they all lose. Then it can become a question of whether they should own up because everyone loses because of one mans actions. In fact there is pressure from the others to disguise the damage etc. No. It's better to pay for damage as a boss and have stern words with the culprit if things continue. Having said that, stern words are only a last resort. Sometimes accidents just happen.

They want to be paid for the wood....simples:001_smile:

Be honest Do you really need these guys working for you. They sound a nightmare and won't improve unless they are fresh out of college. It sounds harsh but that is a lot of damage. I ask my fellas to always own up. I pay for the damage as I profit from the work. Generally theres no more than £100-200 a year= broken windscreens/windows from strimming. It usually ends up with one of us having a bad year then a good one. Oh yes I forgot our climber- now he's into about £200 just for him in the past 6 months. Quick but a bit careless springs to mind. One day I'll shake it into him. Maybe he's having a bad year.

Absolutely brilliant:laugh1::laugh1:

Customer wants a date Give them a date If it's raining a 20% surcharge I wish:biggrin:

I think I know where you are coming from Tony. Nothing worse than a bookshelf of books that just sit there. Much better this shared bookshelf. The money thing would be a pain but so is a missing book.. Hmmmm..... Inner dilemma:001_smile:

This isn't so 'hippy' but like a book club why not take a deposit from everyone= returnable on request and when finished borrowing. Can't think of any other way that would stop you losing out. It's a shame really. I thought this was a good thing. I guess another way would be to have everyone who passes on a book PM you with the new borrower's name/address. It's all a bit administrative. By the way, to ease up on resources I found Body language at our library. Do it online

Tony- have you tried googling Ashman +trees One comes up I assume someone on here sent the book to Ashman so they should know him/her.

I am thinking professional indemnity this year. Don't tempt me on the other- I'd sooner not know what is available. All insurances currently cost us about £70 a week so I'd rather not add to it.

4 out of six ain't bad Don't do tools on site or on trucks as they have to be in a locked container- impractical for us generally. Plus - we don't lose much from site. Tools in the unit are insured as we have had break ins in the past which hurt. Don't do injury to me. As the business would continue without me generally then I think the loss of earnings equation would not give me much of a payout. The government thing applied to their cars- this may have changed and I suspect each case is taken on its merit.

Quite right And keep the details for 40 years so any claim relating to aged issues have a timeline. BTW- the government don't have any insurance on vehicles etc I was once told- they become their own insurance company.

Finally Someone else had to fork out. So it's not just me. That's one hell of a valet for a bit of dust. I'm liking the bit about charging for the delay. Now- how could I build that into my next contract.

Issues- I like it Were those compensation issues? or smack in the face issues?

Why do people assume aussies kiwis or yanks are better chainsaw operators than brits. We are far better because we deforested our country years ago. The trouble is- all the time you don't nick your boots (with the saw) you feel it's money wasted. The one time you do and all the money spent becomes money well spent. Sometimes I think I work less safe with the boots on as I find myself standing on small branches and cutting through. Not the cleverest of things to do. All the time you are uninjured justifies not splashing out. Personally I won't use a saw without c/s boots and trousers. It's a mental thing.

Hehe... or Can you please move further away- you're in the way of our noise.