kevinjohnsonmbe

And me! It's not just the ballachingly tedious process of scan, try again because the barcode is crumpled on the mature stilton, or the muppet that wrapped it rolled it around a corner on purpose because they feel threatened by the inevitable automation of the workplace which will see them unemployed as the unstoppable force of the machine replaces the spotty oicke on the first rung of the employment ladder or retiree making some spare cash, leading inevitably to the complete breakdown of civilised society... And... The place your meaningless consumer addiction on the "bagging area" message, or the call assistance because after 30+ years of purchasing alcohol you need earlier referenced spotty oike to authorise, or the discount isn't properly applied since the stilton should have been sold yesterday, but, since you've got some broccoli in that needs using and a stilton / broccoli soup tickles your fancy as you just happen to be passing the supermarket.... As if ALL that isn't enough to rage you right up, loike, what about the person behind you creeping ever closer even though you haven't moved at all? Now THAT is what really grates my gears, post office probably the worst - old people creeping ever closer like the unstoppable tide of human oppression - I haven't moved, stop getting closer to me! PS - and those auto pay-in machines at the bank. Use them and see your local branch closed. Why do the staff so eagerly set upon you and try and make you use the very facility that will put them out of a job? No, I'd rather wait in line - just don't let everyone creep closer unless I move - to freaks me out!

http://www.wctv.tv/content/news/Asplundh-truck-overturns-off-Apalachee-Parkway-466828023.html

I have some degree of respect for the government department that is the H&S executive. Not so much for those that seek to misrepresent the Act. The derail thing, perhaps I should have been clearer. The Dripline link showed a pic of a fairly tired looking bucket truck and the pics I used (it’s not like there are lots of photos of misuse of MEWPs posted online) were another example of how things can be misused / abused once they become established in common use. We we seem to have focussed more attention on hedge cutting than MEWPs. Im not sure it’s got much traction as a discussion in hindsight. Maybe worth a re-visit when MEWPs are written into the AFAG (or whatever they are called now)

Apologies for being a bit snappy, it’s Boxing Day, it’s been persisting down all day and I’ve got cabin fever!

Parochial because the discussion has focussed on hedge cutting rather than MEWP V climbing which was the point of the thread. No need to get all sensitive, I was merely following your lead or did you forget that?

Could this get any more parochial? Try hedge reductions for dummies chapter 1! Have I ever used a pole pruner? Sounds more like you don’t have the upper body strength twinky ? and even if you did, you’d be spending all day freeing up a trapped bar ?????

Still HT 103 = 3.9m reach That'd be 25.58' coming at it from either side. More than adequate since the main cut is likely to be at the midway point anyway. The right tool for the job!

We're getting super focused on that single issue in the early pics (but a wheelie scaffold platform with 6' boards allows you to cover a fair area before coming down to shimmy it along)

I'm like Mr Eggs because his sarcasm is only surpassed by his devilish good looks.....

Soooooooooooooo........ In a separate thread - why? What a laugh that could be, thread title - "I'm like {insert screen name} because..."

You're confused....? I'm confused!! Are you saying you see Varoufakis as an establishment puppet? It's exactly the opposite of that which has made me quite a fan. I'm not saying I'm aligned with his socialist ideology, but to listen to him is, in equal measure, captivating, interesting and entertaining. Ok, so he was Brexit pro-remain but for the reasons he stated in Oct 15: “You have a referendum coming up. My message is simple yet rich: those of us who disdain the democratic deficit in Brussels, those of us who detest the authoritarianism of a technocracy which is incompetent and contemptuous of democracy, those of us who are most critical of Europe have a moral duty to stay in Europe, fight for it, and democratise it.” So there is much to recognise and agree with (green) and only the means by which it might be achieved (red) where I disagree with him (like he'd even know I existed!) It's possible to absolutely recognise and agree with much that is flawed within the EU. But having tried (and failed) to reform from within (David Cameron) AND recognising and acknowledging that, IN HIS OWN WORDS (within the embedded interview), he ALSO recognises and acknowledges that EU reform from within is neither achievable nor likely nor could you ever trust what ever agreements that might be made. Great article and embedded video here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/24/eu-referendum-yanis-varoufakis-says-britons-should-vote-to-stay-in-union He was a legend on QT and always presents at interview in a fashion that is captivating and entertaining regardless of the complexity and humourless subject. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.....

There’s also the case where the MEWP went over in a park. Somebody on here was involved in the investigation and I can’t recal if the outcome was ever disclosed. My suspicion was that the ‘corporate’ RAMS had said MEWP preferable to climbing so that’s what happened regardless of the actual circumstances screaming differently - blind obedience to RAMS rather than situational awareness.

I suspect our individual dislikes of HSE diverge at the point where you (and I, as a general rule, but perhaps not quite so vehemently in this example) tend to disapprove of all central control, whereas my dislike of HSE stems from poor or inappropriate interpretation and implementation of, what I think, is a pretty good piece of legislation by ‘little Hitlers’ that seek to present barriers rather than facilitate solutions. What wouldn’t perhaps be interpreted from the example pic, is that it’s not the owner / operator of the equipment which is being misused that is dangling from it, but rather an employee and as such, is exactly the sort of abuse of the workforce that should be prevented by good use of the legislation. But that’s all getting off the point of the original question - are MEWPs “inherently” safer, and as such should be the first choice OVER climbing? I think not and the pic, along with the link, were examples of why.

A good book...

Anyone else seen this on Facebook yet..... Hilarious....... and tragic, in equal measure!!

Really....? "enterprising" adjective 1. having or showing initiative and resourcefulness. That would be purchasing a long reach hedge cutter and using the lift for, errrr, lift so that the job can be done quickly, efficiently, safely and professionally - with the right tools. I just see stupid, inefficient, buffoonery..... "stupid" adjective 1. having or showing a great lack of intelligence or common sense.

Bucket Trucks / MEWPs etc - More prevalent and possibly a longer usage trend Stateside? Sadly another reported fatality: http://dripline.net/bucket-operator-dies-bucket-truck-boom-malfunctions/ Is there a danger that potentially poorly interpreted HSE requirements might (a) 'push' tree works towards MEWPs and away from climbing and (b) once that's happened, people will be more inclined to use a MEWP (because that's what the RAMS says is preferable to climbing) when climbing would have been a better option. A couple of pics below lifted from a local Facebook group - unbelievably, it's the owner / operator posting these pics

There are (at least) 2 possible answers, one is the right answer, the other is at your own discretion: (1) The text book answer - if you haven't 'done the course', passed the exam, got a ticketed operator on site and a supervisor on call having signed off the plan, and applied for and received your LA's version of the permission to work in the highway (and highway margins), and got the mandated PL insurance, and implemented the correct TM according to the road and conditions.... It doesn't make a great deal of difference what you do, you won't be compliant. Or, perhaps get a TM company to do all of that for you. (2) At your own discretion (and as many have done before and will do in the future) do your best and hope it doesn't go TU. Anything in between is just kidding yourself....

This is posted on Facebook now with a link to the draft docs: http://www.vetcert.eu/standards-certificates

Does that mean you don't know anything before 1985? Or are you suggesting I'm 114?

Disregard for personal injury.... Disregard for the law.... Disregard for the ignorance of broader public opinion.... You're probably right... Reckless, irresponsible and criminal behaviour. What will that EVER achieve.....?

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hms-queen-elizabeth-urgently-sail-arctic-circle-support-multinational-air-transport-mission/

Must be feeling uncharacteristically seasonal Mr E!!

This is not a "if I don't do it somebody else will" scenario - even if that was ever going to be an acceptable defence. Acorn Environmental Management Group Ltd is a company with some fairly bold claims on their website, the 2007 winner of the Horticulture Week landscape & amenity award (can't see that happening again anytime soon), a company with £1.275m net assets listed on the accounts to end February 2017 , a company probably making a lot of money from a contract which completely lacks credible arboricultural analysis of the justification.... Keep the videos coming! Keep the protests in the public domain, keep the profile in the media - that's what politicians will come to realise their jobs are dependant upon and, hopefully, maybe slowly, they will start to ask the right questions of the right people and finally start to SERVE the people. Come the day of the revolution Comrade! PS - hit them up, see if you can link your vids to their 'latest news' tab on their website... It seems to lack any mention of Sheffield operations??