Joe Newton

You're quite right, and he's wrong.

Yeah, but it's a case of finding where you're non compliant. Are your refreshers up to date? LOLER? Are you staying type C trousers? Have you replaced the safety decals on your top handle? I could go on. Basically the insurance will find a fault if they want to. Best not to rely on that. Try and work so that you don't need them.

It's a pretty harsh "sink or swim" scenario as it is. I was thrown in at the deep end like many of us, and luckily I managed to swim. There might've been a couple of fence panels/gutters that took the brunt of my inexperience. Plenty of people achieve a low level of competence and plateau there, some of who will blag their way around. I think if you can manage the first 3-5 years of climbing without doing yourself a mischief you fall into the lower risk category.

I think perhaps the IRATA training system which requires you to have a certain number of hours supervised by a competent person before moving on to the next level could be workable

It was nothing to do with the AA really, they had disappointingly little influence over the whole debacle which was led by HSE

Here's my take: 2 working lines as a blanket policy is ridiculous and I won't do it. However, on large trees to prune it can be really useful. I still detest the tangle of 2 seperate working lines but I've found a really useful compromise which suits me. I have a 45m rope with a skinny splice both ends. Not only does this mean I can install my ZZ from either end, but I also carry a pinto/hitch/crab on my harness. Its multifunctional, from being a progress capture system for my throw hook, or a seperate ddrt system for the tail of my line, or a ddrt redirect or even a light rigging system. Typically I will use it like this: climbing a large open tree I'll set my anchor at the usual place whether ddrt/srt, climb and do my thing until I get to an awkward limb/ second leader. I'll use the throw hook and hitch/pinto on the tail of my line to help get me out there, and when I'm there I put the hook away and the vt/pinto turns into a secondary system with the tail end of my rope. Once I've worked that part of the tree I'll pull out the second system and move on to the next bit. It can really make for a more comfortable work position, and it's they're when needed and not in the way when not. The Gyro swivel on the bridge makes a huge difference in keeping things well oriented. I used it a fair bit in this large turkey oak deadwood from last week.

I just knew someone would post that, and I had a suspicion it would be you.

The need for approval from a bunch of British "pussies" is a bit tragic, to say the least.

Nobody's listening to him anymore on the yank forum, so he bought his videos here in search of attention. Sad really

Could've told me this morning.

I think you're right. It's not the only controversial post of his. A while ago he posted a video of him trying to crane a large tree out. The first bit was him rabbiting on about how ISA certification was a waste of time for him as he was a "removal specialist" A bit of arb knowledge might've helped him spot the obvious inclusion on a limb he'd slung up to pick. He didn't spot it though and when the crane op picked the limb, half of it split out and went through the roof he was over 🤣

You're an idiot

Bold presumption

Personally I'd ignore the condition because I don't believe it's valid. What could they prosecute you for? I once had a condition attached to a tpo app saying "we request the tree officer be present to oversee the works". I took it as read and denied their request. Cracked on and did it.

Fair points. I'd argue that if you're working remotely away from your van a trauma kit is worth taking in with your fuel and lunches. I've got a medium one in my lunch bag. No point having it in the van.

They don't get to stipulate what happens to the arisings. The only issue would be if you burn it yourself it's classed as burning industrial waste, which you would need a permit for. The homeowner however is allowed to burn green waste that originated on the property, providing there are no local regulations against it.

On your person you just need a CAT, Israeli bandage and Celox guaze. Anything else is non urgent and can stay in the site kit.

You're probably looking at a minimum of £500 in materials for Cobra before you even pay someone. I can do it for you if the money is right 👍

Well you can't blame me for thinking that. You've earned your reputation fair and square 🤣

I reckon he fell out of it pissed

Cracking climber is Alex, highly recommend. Bit quiet round us at the moment isn't it mate?

You using the snake method for keeping a sustained burn John? Any wood chips with the charcoal?

Is that beef short rib in the last pic? I did a 6 hour smoke on short ribs last year which turned out well. Here's me dinner tonight, 15 minutes and delicious.

Read this back when you've slept off your Friday night shandies.

Plenty of people work under this arrangement. Yet more valuable contribution from you.