gregors

just to veer off topic yet again,i have been to quote for the removal of 3xsycamores today and they run in a line along a road.turns out the end tree nearest the hv cables belongs to highways and not the client,so that rules that out for us,however the other 2 still require removing.The two trees have no limbs going towards the hv lines,and are a pole and a half away from the lines.theres a telephone cable but cant see that posing a risk as it isnt tagged onto the electric pole,and does not run directly near the hv cables. should i have these lines killed/isolating prior to the removal works,or are they far enough away not to pose an immediate effect,theres nothing growing toward the lines,nor is there anything that could make contact to the cables when dismantling.

 

please see sketch below and air your veiws.i do not hold ua tickets only know about them through a ladd who climbs for LEC and climbs part time for us.

 

Whenever not sure ask the relevant power distributor in your area, they will be happy to advise. The guidlines are two tree lenghs or 15 metres whichever the greatest. Look at the site and imagine the worst case scenario, what if the weather changes, could branches be blown towards conductors? HV over the road, if anything did go wrong it might not be just yourself and your team at risk! Personally i always work from worst possible scenario's and if this involves injury or death then something is amiss.

Just be careful of ALL powerlines - those twisted insulated ones aren't always insulated, and some electrical companies insist on treating them the same as live open conductors. The attached pic is poor, but it shows where damage in the insulation has lead to a phase to phase fault that was buried in ivy. You couldn't see the problem from the ground at all, even when the offending tree had been removed.

 

That twisted cable would make you just as dead as the 11kv conductors in your situation. Never be complacent with electrical apparatus - if in doubt then speak to the relevant electricity company.

After reading the threads i'm really glad someone has pointed out the lethal danger of LV lines, especially the ABC conductors which should never be considered insulated, they wear through very easily!

Many utility arborsists have taken a jolt over the years, usually through the tree losing amps so therfore get to tell the tale, many never get to tell the tale. When new lads ask the dangers of different voltages i tell them that HV will blow you up, you might get away with losing some limbs, severe burns and internal organ failure and manage a few days of intense pain before dying...., LV you're just DEAD.

How do you know your bosses aren't reading this? Just be careful what you say.

 

Best to raise any issues you have face to face.

Why would it matter if they were, it is a serious subject that is allowed to be discussed and the reason it was raised on here was a face to face discussion had taken place (and continues) and i would like to know other peoples experiences and feelings on the matter. Where's the harm? No name no companies mentioned!

Thanks to everyone for your contributions although yes a few seem to have got the wrong end of the stick! As a whole i think most have agreed that the company should pay for the employees time from yard to yard and yes it goes without sying that the empoyees time to the yard and home is on their own time. I will take on the advice of many and talk with the management putting across the opinion that by paying for travel back to the yard with their equipment is the fairest option for all as everyone is being paid for their time rather than time on site which will increase respect and improve positivity and motivation and so therfore production. At this point i will just say that most do finish at the yard for half four but every now and again management pull people up on it and it causes stress. Most of the crews will merely sit around until the finish time as their span quota is done and then slowly head on back feeling slightly guilty and bitter . All the crews i work with are happy to work hard and put in the extra to get jobs finished, but they do want to be paid accordingly. The company would not have to pay out anyting extra as this is time the crews do nothing anyway and all the span rates are very good, by management acknowledging this they will gain respect, crews will have a more positive attitude and therfore production will increase...at no extra cost! If this fails then a look at working time regulations may follow....Thanks again and i'll keep you updated.

Isnt the 500 renowned for having bad engines, i think i have read it on here somewhere about them. How long have you had it / how you find it ?

I bought it about five years ago and ran it pretty much everyday for two and half years. Always blamed the scored piston and cylinder on putting in fuel that had been sat for a little while in shed. Didn't think of giving it a good shake as used to fuel shaking around in van!! The piston polished up well but unfortunatley the cylinder is zinc coated and can't simply be polished or honed.

I know many will slate the poor ol' makita jsut because of his colour but i have an old faithful which has done me well but has finally croaked due to poor fuel intake. I'm trying to get hold of a cylinder and piston so he can outshine those damned orange bullies again... He is a DCS500. If anyone has one for breaking or can help source the parts (can't justify buying new) then please don't be shy i for one won't judge you for being blue!

this is how my life started, utility for many is the first and last rung on the ladder- suck it in and get on with it, if you have got a job this year in arb you are one of the lucky ones, - hiring and firing is common in the utility world- keep your head down work hard , dont wind up the blokes and you will be ok, use this time in your life to practice your cuts and just think of it as a learning curve in life. when you leave to go where the grass is greener you will soon find out that as a sub-contractor working in the private sector you will work twice as hard as you ever did in utility arb, In the private sector attention to detail is king, master your garden leaf rake as your finnish will be your desti:lol:ny or get a job in tesco:lol:

I agree for some it is a good place to learn the trade nad then move on but myself i learnt the trade through the private sector nad yes it is twice as hard, also twice the fun, but as the family grows having steady hours with regular pay is the priority.

The general feeling towards utility arb is it is the lowest rung of the ladder and people are treated badly because of this. The fact we are doing a risky job to start with, around power lines (health and safety is a mere formalityto cover the arses of the company) which requires lengthy training and a good eye to try and leave trees in good form after 'bashin' out a clearance. jeez.

We have a policy....you stay until the jobs done

Notice this is in utility arb section, different set up to private or quoted jobs.

Gregors, as you are an employee, what does your contract state your working hours to be?

Yes my point exactly working hours are eight hour days, with a clause to do more if/when necessary (fine) paid at standard rate up to 6o'clock, time and half after.

What i'm getting at is not the idea of 'swings and roundabouts', early days late days, prices on jobs or even what time i get finished (I'd quite happily work the overtime but this also brings issues). I simply want paying for a working day. I'd prefer not to have an hour unpaid for lunch, i'd just leave earlier. At the end of the day i'm driving there equipment and vehicles, if i was working 8 hours in a warehouse i wouldn't be expected to spend an extra hour stacking away equipment unpaid!

I'm not a subbie for the contactor i'm a paid employee contracted to work eight hour days. I'm not quibbling getting to and from work, the yard being work, it's driving vans and machinery to and from site back to the yard. I don't expect to be paid from yard to home.

Anyone have any experience or views on this matter. Team meets at yard 7.30 picks up equipment and travels too site, leaves site and travels back to yard to drop equipment for 4.30. Eight hour day one hour lunch unpaid. Management wants team to stay on site until 4.30 then drive back to yard unpaid!?