AA Teccie (Simon Cox)

Hello, The latest code of practice("Red book" 2013) for traffic management applies to the highway. Generally that's taken as the land between two private properties like pavement, roadway, cycle lane, verge etc. If you will be be working on or affecting any of these its best to undertake a traffic management risk assessment by a competent person to determine your best options. So, from your brief overview it is likely you will need some form of TM. All TM training and certificates of competency such as operative or monitoring must be refreshed/renewed every 5 years. ID cards should be carried. On good news the latest code of practice has some really sensible and practical solutions to TM. Use of traffic lights is one of the last resorts! Hope that useful. All the best, Simon

Hello, You do not need to be a member and the demo's are purely observed. However you will be able to see and touch all the kit. Hope to see you Saturday, Simon

Dear all, Following the really informative New Equipment Demonstration in Liverpool earlier this year we have another scheduled for: Date:4 December 2014 Venue: Bicton College, Budleigh Salterton This one-day seminar is aimed at working arboricultural contractors, local authority tree officers, consultants and others involved in day-to-day tree management decisions. With presentations from Dealga O'Callaghan, Glynn Percival and Phil Wade with a demonstration by Selwyn Trading of the new Arb-Ex: The Syngenta Tree Micro-Injection system will be demonstrated along with the latest gadgets from Hansatech. Sorbus will present the new Tree Motion Sensor system along with the new Arb-Ex from Selwyn trading. The day is very reasonably priced and can be booked thorough the AA website training pages. It is well worth the day if you can free it up. Kind regards, Simon

Dear all, Did you know that the "little red book" for signing lighting and guarding was updated in 2013? From October 2014 the updated code of practice is expected to be used. We have organised for a number of update sessions for traffic management operatives and supervisors to families themselves with the updated ACOP. These can be booked through the AA website on the training pages. - 25th November 2014 at Tonbridge, Kent - 26th November 2014 at Bridgewater, Somerset - 2nd December 2014 at Preston, Lancs The sessions run for half a day. One in the morning and one in the evening at each venue. Look forward to seeing you there. Kind regards, Simon

Dear all, Just a reminder that the Single Rope Technique events running is running on the 8th November 2014 at: - Near the Malthouse, Standish Green Gloucestershire. There will be a theory session in the morning to explain the background and history for single rope technique, then on to the application, types of system and equipment selection after the mid-morning break. After lunch there will be practical demonstrations. This can be booked at Arboricultural Association website in the training pages. The workshop is sponsored by ISC. All the best, Simon

Dear all, We have a couple of Single Rope Technique events running in the near future sponsored by ISC. - Bridgewater College on Wednesday 22nd October 2014. - Near the Malthouse, Standish Green Gloucestershire on Saturday 8th November 2014 There will be a theory session in the morning to explain the background and history for single rope technique, then on to the application, types of system and equipment selection after the mid-morning break. After lunch there will be practical demonstrations. Both can be booked at Arboricultural Association in the training pages. If any of you do go it would be interesting to know if the option to attend during the week rather than the weekend is a good one. All the best, Simon

Did you know that the AA conference is taking place in two weeks time? Attendance is open to any interested person, AA member or not. Don't be put off by having to take 3 days away from work. You can attend for single or multiple days, or even better the full event. The conference is not only great for CPD or targeting your learning at particular aspects of arboriculture but also a really good place to network for contractors and consultants alike. The Arboricultural Associations 48th National Amenity Conference is taking place from 14th - 17th September 2014 at Royal Holloway University in Surrey. The AA's 2014 conference theme will be centered around ‘Applied Arboriculture: Healthy Trees, Healthy People’. Full details and booking can be found at Arboricultural Association Simon

Dear all, We have a few spaces left on the AA's ROLO course tailored for Arborists next week. Places can be booked at Arboricultural Association. One in Essex on the 8th September 2014 One at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire for the 9th September 2014. On successful completion of the ROLO Course candidates will receive a ROLO Health & Safety Awareness Course Certificate which enables them to apply for a ROLO Skills Card. The certificate also enables candidates who have passed or are intending to take their CSCS “Touch Screen” Health & Safety Test to apply for a LISS/CSCS Card. All the best, Simon

Dear all, We have a number of rigging workshops booked in for around the country over the next few months. OPEN TO NON-MEMBERS AS WELL AS MEMBERS. 5th September 2014 Northern Branch - Lotherton Hall, Leeds LS25 3EB 27th September 2014 South East branch - Exbury Gardens, Exbury, Southampton, Hampshire 4th October 2014 Midlands Branch - The Tree House, FC Headquarters, Central England Forest District, Birches Valley, Rugeley, Staffordshire.WS15 2UQ Following arrival there will be a theory session to explain the history, legislation, principles and techniques for rigging operations. This will be followed by practical demonstrations in the afternoon. Courtesy of sponsorship from Stein we are able to keep the costs for each course to below £55 +vat. All can be booked thorough the AA website See Branches section for South East branch and the main training calendar for Northern and Midlands. We have some more dates, including in Scotland, for end October/early November which I shall let you know about in due course for those of you that are interested. All the best, Simon