Stuart Phillips

Truth is that you could do that now. The law (PUWER) requires you to be 'adequately' trained. It is in the HSE's code of practice that it calls for nationally recognised qualifications or certificates of competence. Mind you, your insurers might need you to have been ticketed before they'll cover you in case of accident.

The Arb assoc, Lantra and C&G have all supported the employer group that have been developing the trailblazer apprenticeship for arboriculture. If you are going to the Arb Show on the 12-13th May at Westonbirt, it is an opportunity to catch up with one (or all) of us and have a chat about the new apprenticeships, training etc.... or just pass the time of day.

The apprentice is a full member of the team, so works normal hours... except that the Govt requirement is that off the job training is equivalent to 20% of the time (which a cynical person could interpret as one day a week). That said, depending on the training provider, and the agreement they have with the employer, it may not be a case of trooping off to a training centre for day release. When it comes to the chipper, the requirement for the apprentice to achieve their chipper ticket is written into the standard, along with the chainsaw and aerial tickets. So they will need to use, and become proficient with the kit if they are going to complete the apprenticeship assessments.

There are a whole lot of changes going on to the apprenticeship system. Later this month the employer steering committee, which managed the development of the new apprenticeship standards, will be hosting a meeting for training providers for Forestry, Arb and Horticulture apprenticeships, to discuss the implications for them and the content of the new 'trailblazer' apprenticeships. The standards are still waiting their final ministerial sign off so that they can be offered. Until the middle of last month, the funding levels had not been agreed, which would explain why provider would have been hesitant about quoting costs. The Skills Funding Agency have a register of 'Approved Providers' which, as you'd expect, includes many of the colleges. However, there will be independent trainers who will get onto that register, or sub the work for the college.

I have put the question of chainsaw gloves to the HSE. The thinking was that keeping hands warm and dry - to reduce risks from Hand Arm Vibration, and protecting from thorns etc. could be more of an issue, given the protection built into the chainsaw. However, it may be worth risk assessing them out where they are not used to evidence they have been considered and ruled out. This will also be the way to go where contract arrangements require their use ( as was the way with some of the Forestry Commission one I believe).

Gian, you can always give them a call at Treelife, and they will be able to advise you on the amount of work involved. As said, its not an easy ride, which is what makes it a valuable qualification to have.

You can always do a training provider search on the Lantra website https://www.lantra.co.uk/provider-search/1545

A number of brigades across the country do encourage and support firefighters to gain chainsaw qualifications. There is a element of concern when it comes to the delights of windblow and emergency tree work, in that a full time fire fighter is a part time chainsaw user. The risk to be considered in this case is when we start expecting people who occasionally use a chainsaw to deal with trees in potentially very hazardous situations.

For aerial use of a chainsaw the pre requisites are the Level 2 awards in chainsaw maintenance, cross cutting and felling upto 380mm. Completion of the Lantra Awards Level 2 Awards (rather than the ITA training course with felling up to 200mm) will be acceptable for going forward to do an NPTC certificate, just as Lantra Awards would accept the corresponding C&G Level 2 Awards. Both sets of qualifications are accepted in the industry, but they do need to be the completed qualification. The only confusion that has occurred has been where individuals have completed the Lantra ITA training course, which is designed for use by 'occasional users', i.e. those not employed within forestry and arb for whom chainsaw use is a core element of their work, rather than the regulated qualification.

There ahs been a discussion ( at the AA's Education and Training committee) about referring the ISA certifications to NARIC UK, which operates on behalf of the Government as the national agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills. This would be the body which would look at the content of the ISA certifications and officially establish the level equivalence for the UK. I have a sneaking suspicion that someone ( possibly senior teccie Simon) was going to look into the costs and process for this.

Like the idea, but you might want to consider revising your questions as Q1 and Q3 effectively ask the same thing, and Q2 may need an option of 'Other', as you might find that the ISA certifications, or other credentials, are actually better accepted.

I've not seen the FCA article, but I did copy this HSE release (and the first draft of it) to the FCA for information... so I suspect it might well be.

The HSE has issued new guidance regarding the application of PUWER for winching operations. This can be found by a Google search on "Application of PUWER for tree work winching operations" (see attached). It clarifies the application of PUWER and LOLER in these circumstances. Application of PUWER to tree work winching operations (002).docx

As Paul has said, the recommendation is a refresher every 5 years for regular chainsaw operators, and increasingly we are seeing that same 5 year recommendation being applied to other areas. Up-skilling is accepted as a refreshing of existing skills and you would aim to do a refresher for the 'highest' certification you hold, or for an area where it has been identified that you need updating. If you hold a windblow ticket, the suggestion would be that you refresh that in preference to felling, as you will cover many of the elements and, like the recommendation that occasional users refresh every 3 years, because you use those skills less often the chances of forgetting things is greater. All good refresher courses should also involve an element of updating, rather then just covering all the same things again, and should have the scope to be shaped to the learner's individual needs.

A little bit of time hunting through Google will throw up a good number of the standards you're looking for, as folk have loaded them onto the web for various reasons. (Clearly not what they are supposed to do) You may find it better to search using the title, rather than the number, in many cases.

Its usually about 20 days. If you have supplied a couple of passport photos, then you'll get a skills card as well. Lantra send them out to the training provider that you did the course through, and they will forward the certificate to you.

couple of other offerings who can deliver it contextualised for forestry & Arb RURAL SERVICES SCOTLAND AIRPORT BUSINESS PARK, PERTH 01738 550101 Contour Training Ltd Fintry, Glasgow 01360 860088

Mark's spot on ( as is often the case) with the 30,31,38,39 ( and I won't bother quoting all the current titles). I would, of course, say do the Lantra's certification for preference... but I'm biased and, in truth, it makes no difference. I would say suggest doing the Lantra training, because that does make a difference, and you might opt for the woodchipper and stumpgrinder as ITA courses, rather than going for the regulated qualification.

You'll (hopefully) be pleased to know that the 3 day Professional Tree Inspection course has been reviewed and updated... if you did it 5 years ago, you might consider signing up for the refresher as things have moved on a bit in the meantime. The 1 day Basic Tree Survey and Inspection course is due for reviewing and updating shortly.

Get across to Orkney. To be fair, they are not big on trees there. (You can play "spot the tree" as there are a few hidden in back gardens and the remains of one in the middle of Kirkwall). There are a good number of megalithic sites, like the Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae. WW2 features, such as the Italian Chapel (built by prisoners of war from a Nissan hut) and the defensive positions around Scapa Flow. There are ferries from Kirkwall to the other Islands... and the whisky is good. On the mainland, you can lose a day in Edinburgh, and head slightly south from there to Rosslyn to visit the famous chapel. (you just need to ignore the Da Vinci code muppets there looking for something mystic).

Jamie, I have emailed your number through to Rob, so I have no doubt he'll be in touch with you in due course.

I'm going to sort out the timer on my central heating, then pray for a hard winter, rather than another of the dreary damp ones we have endured for the past few years.

The link to the corresponding page on the Lantra site is: Become an Instructor or Assessor | Lantra or contact the instructor team at [email protected]

I don't know the route for NPTC assessors, but if you would like details of becoming a Lantra instructor contact the instructor team at: [email protected] The general requirements are that you have a some form of instructional techniques or teacher training (if necessary they can help by putting you in touch with the trainer for a 5 day instructional techniques course); an up to date first aid certificate; some form of Health & Safety training; and the technical certificate or other evidence of technical competence in the areas you wish to deliver training. Once the application is received, the instructor team arrange for an interview ( often done over the phone) carried out by one of our technical verifiers, this is followed by a 1 to 1 Technical Evaluation and then a Standards Course. Usual line, if you were looking to do Ground Based chainsaw for example, would be to cover chainsaw maintenance, cross cutting and felling upto 380mm, and then look at adding other skills ( over 380mm, windblow etc. at a later date. Hope all that helps

Had an odd conversation yesterday with a chap from Fire Service training on this very topic. There is a lot to be said for the 'being comfy' school of thought. Is you can't work in them, or are getting over hot due to the PPE, the risk of an accident is increased. So, some of it has to come back to the risk assessment on the day. Not that anyone is going to have a pair of class 2 trousers for cooler days and class 1 trousers for warmer ones.