UpFront - Newsletter Editorial


	*To advance the science of arboriculture for the public benefit*

Up Front

Industry news and views, events, technical developments and people.
A Quarterly message from the Arboricultural Association by Nick Eden, posted June 2004
(This message is published in the Arboricultural Association's June Newsletter. For your regular copy, join us)

Trade Fair

If you need an excuse to come to the Arborists' Trade Fair then check out the Trade Fair page of this site - you could win a chipper! Isn't that worth Ł6 to get in (or Ł5 if you use the Ł1-off-flyer, or just Ł3 if you're a student)?

Of course there will be so much more to see and do as well as try to win Ł10,000 worth of Greenmech chipper or a Premier chipper - FREE access to the Contractors' Workshop sponsored by STIHL and FREE participation in the Tree Climbers' Forum (first come-first served) sponsored by STIHL, Honey Brothers, Wilkie Recycling and Fujikura, and of course the trade exhibitors (over 65 confirmed exhibitors).

The new venue for Trade Fair promises much - a level, well drained site ideal for exhibitors, a supportive landlord (many thanks to The Earl Bathurst who has been most welcoming and accommodating), great surroundings (the Bathurst Estate woodlands recently won an award from the Royal Forestry Society), Cirencester on the doorstep in the heart of the Cotswolds and easy access from major road and motorway networks.

Membership Structure

Talks with the ISA on the potential for a merger continue. It's pretty obvious that the two organisations are quite different in style and structure but board members are keen that we explore all the possibilities. The final decision will be made by members of course.

In the meantime the board recognises that the Association can not stand still and our June Newsletter reports a proposal for changes to the membership structure. This proposal includes some changes which I believe will be beneficial to the Association and beneficial to members including introducing a new grade of Professional Member who may use the style M.Arbor.A., and introducing the grade Student Plus to help facilitate new workers' transition from Student subscription rates to full member rates.

There are other proposed changes and the reason for reporting the proposal in the Newsletter is to ask members' views. Further opportunity for members to make comment will be at the AGM (part of our annual conference in the University College of Chester) after which the board will decide the way forward.

Performance in 2003

A brief article in our June Newsletter shows how the AA performed last year, returning a healthy surplus after a busy and productive year. This stable foundation allows us to do much more for trees, the industry and of course our members.

British Standards BS3998 and BS5837

The AA is keen to ensure that the review of the above standards is as comprehensive as possible for the benefit of the nation's amenity trees. If all goes to plan both documents should be available for public consultation in June. The AA will obtain copies of both documents in electronic form and with the permission of the British Standards Institute will be authorised to release copies at no charge to anyone who wants one (I am told that obtaining copies direct from BSI would cost Ł10 each).

So, if you want a copy simply send an email to admin@trees.org.uk titled "BS 3998", "BS 5837" or BS Both" and we will send you a copy or copies. As we expect demand to be high please allow a few days for a response.

10,000 copies sold - in a month!.

The new joint industry leaflet 'Tree Work - Choosing Your Arborist' (see 'Publications' for a free download) has been so successful that the AA is ordering another 20,000 copies. We gave away the first 10,000 - the next lot are for sale - the costs set simply to cover production and distribution costs. If you're a contractor, give them out with your quotes, if in local government, send them out with tree work application forms/decision notices and place in reception areas. This popular guide has great potential to raise the standards of contracting in the industry - as long as they get to the consumer.

Representing the Industry

I'm often asked "What do I get for my AA subscription money?" It's tempting to say four Newsletters, Journals, essentialARB etc. but I try to make a point of saying that subs are first and foremost your contribution to the development of the industry - standard setting, voluntary regulation (the industry is not regulated by government), and representation. These activities are less visible, but arguably more important. Look at this:

Just a couple of months ago the AA submitted a response to the Work at Height Regulations which the HSE had put out to public consultation. The Regulations have the potential to affect the way we do our work in a major way and in cooperation with the Forestry Commission, Lantra, the International Society of Arboriculture and the Forestry Contracting Association we believe we have found a realistic way of retaining single rope access as an option for accessing tree canopies and therefore submitted a joint consultation response along these lines. We will provide more information once we are advised of the detail of the new Regulations (due 19th July 2004)

The AA was represented at the latest Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG) meeting - the forum where industry and legislators interface on safety issues. Several issues were progressed, perhaps most significantly the Guide to Good Climbing Practice which is currently out of print (a joint AA/FASTCo publication which set the standard for the last five years). The HSE are under new leadership and are attempting to cut costs significantly so it looks as if there will be no financial help with revising and reprinting the guide. The AA recognises the importance of this guide to arborists and the industry and will make sure it is reproduced one way or another, which may cost us some money

The Association's Professional Committee has been working on another directive from Europe - the Small Engine Emissions Directive 2002/88 EC (with potential impact on arboricultural equipment) and is preparing a response.

'High Hedge Regulations' (part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003) gives powers to local authorities in England and Wales to deal with complaints about high hedges. Documents detailing the draft regulations and guidance on administering complaints are both in draft format and can be found at www.odpm.gov.uk/treesandhedges - this consultation period is open until 30th June and Professional Committee is leading the AA's response to this consultation invitation. You can, of course, make your own response too.

Of course non-members benefit from these activities just as much as members, but the point is that we would not be able to do this without a large and stable membership base.

Planning Reforms

The Government has recently reaffirmed its commitment to reform the planning system to make it "faster, fairer, more predictable and more efficient to deliver sustainable communities". Most of us interface with the planning system in one way or another - development sites, tree protection and so on so it is worth a look on www.odpm.gov.uk/planning. Government says that the planning system should "…be transparent so that the right decisions are taken more quickly, with a set of rules that everyone can understand…" Could this lead to a standard guide for the assessment of trees for TPO status I wonder?

Also in the June Newsletter

I am grateful to everyone who has submitted articles for the June edition of the Newsletter and especially to Guy Watson, our Technical Officer for pulling it together to make it such an essential read.

There's a couple of articles from the Health and Safety Executive - one concerning a prosecution where poor understanding of tree work by the client and contractor resulted in a member of the public being put at risk. The HSE prosecuted and fines and costs totalled Ł22,000. The construction company claims to have contacted a 'tree surgeon', who wasn't available for a couple of weeks so they went ahead anyway using a site excavator! Adrian Hodkinson of the HSE also gives us a summary of the HSE's approach to the use of MEWPs in arboriculture

There's a useful article with a practical guide to identifying bat roost sites in trees, procedures when carrying out tree work where bats are or may be, mitigation, what to do when finding a bat and of course the issue of rabies

There's part 1 ina serried detailing the reasons behind the principles of Risk Assessment. In this time of increased scrutiny of all we do, be it insurance companies, enforcement agencies or simply your client, arborists need to understand the statistics, reporting mechanisms and principles of risk assessment more than ever before.

I am also grateful to the AA's newly set up Contractors' Working Group (currently Nick Beardmore, Andy Poynter, Peter Holloway, Jim Quaife and Guy Watson), a sub-group of Professional Committee who have taken the lead on the 'Mainly for Contractors' section of the June Newsletter. This new section will be a regular feature ensuring we cater for all groups within the AA's broad membership. They have also launched a new training package - "Arborist in Business". Details are already in the June Newsletter and will be on this web site in due course.

Enjoy the summer!

Nick Eden
Director

	Just a couple of months ago the AA submitted a response to the Work at Height Regulations which the HSE had put out to public consultation. The Regulations have the potential to affect the way we do our work in a major way and in cooperation with the Forestry Commission, Lantra, the International Society of Arboriculture and the Forestry Contracting Association we believe we have found a realistic way of retaining single rope access as an option for accessing tree canopies and therefore submitted a joint consultation response along these lines. We will provide more information once we are advised of the detail of the new Regulations (due 19th July 2004)
	The AA was represented at the latest Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG) meeting - the forum where industry and legislators interface on safety issues. Several issues were progressed, perhaps most significantly the Guide to Good Climbing Practice which is currently out of print (a joint AA/FASTCo publication which set the standard for the last five years). The HSE are under new leadership and are attempting to cut costs significantly so it looks as if there will be no financial help with revising and reprinting the guide. The AA recognises the importance of this guide to arborists and the industry and will make sure it is reproduced one way or another, which may cost us some money
	The Association's Professional Committee has been working on another directive from Europe - the Small Engine Emissions Directive 2002/88 EC (with potential impact on arboricultural equipment) and is preparing a response.
	'High Hedge Regulations' (part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003) gives powers to local authorities in England and Wales to deal with complaints about high hedges. Documents detailing the draft regulations and guidance on administering complaints are both in draft format and can be found at www.odpm.gov.uk/treesandhedges - this consultation period is open until 30th June and Professional Committee is leading the AA's response to this consultation invitation. You can, of course, make your own response too.

	There's a couple of articles from the Health and Safety Executive - one concerning a prosecution where poor understanding of tree work by the client and contractor resulted in a member of the public being put at risk. The HSE prosecuted and fines and costs totalled Ł22,000. The construction company claims to have contacted a 'tree surgeon', who wasn't available for a couple of weeks so they went ahead anyway using a site excavator! Adrian Hodkinson of the HSE also gives us a summary of the HSE's approach to the use of MEWPs in arboriculture
	There's a useful article with a practical guide to identifying bat roost sites in trees, procedures when carrying out tree work where bats are or may be, mitigation, what to do when finding a bat and of course the issue of rabies
	There's part 1 ina serried detailing the reasons behind the principles of Risk Assessment. In this time of increased scrutiny of all we do, be it insurance companies, enforcement agencies or simply your client, arborists need to understand the statistics, reporting mechanisms and principles of risk assessment more than ever before.