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| To advance the science of arboriculture for the public benefit |
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| To advance the science of arboriculture for the public benefit |
Up Front - June 05
Industry news and views, events, technical developments and people.
A Quarterly message from the Arboricultural Association by Nick Eden, posted March 2005
(This message is published in the Arboricultural Association's March Newsletter. For your regular copy, join us)
It's great to be able to welcome our new Technical Officer Paul Smith to the growing ranks of AA staff here at Association HQ to serve you and the public with top quality advice. Both Guy (our current Technical Officer) and Paul will cover the broad range of technical demands placed on the Association but will specialise where it comes to the running of the accreditation schemes as follows:
New for Contractors - an aid to Health and Safety Paperwork Finances 7th Arborists' Trade Fair - 24th and 25th June 2005 39th AA National Arboriculture Conference - New Horizons in Arboriculture - 19th - 21st September 2005 Guide to Good Climbing Practice - now Fully Comprehensive Your Vote and Committee Work in the AA New Regulations Update AA Utility Arboriculture Group What else in this issue
The Contractors' Health and Safety Package was launched this month. It's been a long time in gestation but this reflects the magnitude of the document and the wealth of information it contains. Particular thanks go to Guy Watson and Peter Holloway for their input to this document.
For just £45 + £5 P&P you've got information on LOLER, PUWER, First Aid, COSHH, RIDDOR, and so on - over 160 pages of safety-related matters that arboricultural contractors are faced with every day, including standard proformas and tick-sheets for record keeping. See publications page for more details
In Newsletter 128 March 2005 I reported the growth of both the Association's Registered Consultant and Approved Contractor schemes and the growth in members to just under 2,000. Now I can report that the Association made a healthy surplus after last year's trading of just over £85,000 (subject to auditor's final confirmation). A proportion of that surplus is due to membership growth and the rest results from our full programme of training throughout the year and sponsorship.
I must pay particular tribute to the staff at Ampfield who have worked particularly hard this last year to cope with the increased demands placed on the Association - that's why we have recruited more.
New for 2005 is the STIHL Technical Centre (free access to STIHL's technical professionals for advice on troubleshooting, maintenance and the latest developments), lectures on the Work at Height Regulations (live since 6th April 2005), modern apprenticeships and other issues of the day. STIHL are also sponsoring a series of practical climbing demonstrations with Treevolution.
The Tree Climbers' Forum provides a number of sessions throughout the day for climbers to try the latest kit and techniques under the helpful eye of Forum members.
Join the throng of tree care professionals, see, try and buy a wide range of products, update your knowledge and skills and network with industry colleagues in the Cotswolds on 24th and 25th June - more information on Trade Fair pages.
This year's National conference has an international flavour to it with speakers on the world arboriculture scene and the president of the European Arboricultural Council. We'll be coming right down to earth with other subject sessions - the Monday "subsidence special", features for contractors, the utility arboriculture sessions, the new British Standard 5837, new root-finding radar technology and the high hedges regulations to name bus a few.
We have to pay 23% more for university accommodation than we did last year (it's much better quality) but we have managed to keep an average price increase to less than 9% and are offering students the same rates as last year. Join in with this great educational, social and networking event at Exeter University - 19th - 21st September - more information on Conference pages.
This major piece of work is now available from Ampfield at £10 + £2 P&P It is not just a replacement for the old AA/FASTCo Guide with the same title but fully reworked, incorporating the newly launched Work at Height Regulations, guidance on Aerial Rescue and sections specific to utility arboriculture work. I am grateful for the support of many people - particularly Mick Cottam, technical coordinator and Treevolution's Liam McKeown and Chris White as technical authors. More details on the Publications page.
AA members are invited to nominate themselves for election as a Trustee-Director and/or to one of the Associations Committees. Have you got the time and drive to steer the Association forward? Any paid-up member can apply. Your term of office starts in September, consist of around four committee meetings a year and as much time as you need to pursue projects in between committees. Travel expenses are payable.
Within the Newsletter members can see Frances Hirst (HSE)'s update on the new Work at Height Regulations and a brief comment on the Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive which will go live on 6th July 2005. Frances will be providing more on the PAD in the September issue of the Newsletter.
The AA UAG and AA Professional Committee have identified and agreed the purpose of the group is to champion the development and maintenance of a safe and sustainable utility arboriculture industry through the establishment of unified and nationally recognised tree care and safety standards accepted by all stakeholders.
The Group has identified three ambitious but key medium-term aims towards fulfilling its purpose:
There's more detail on the Utility Arb pages (www.trees.org.uk go News go Utility Arboriculture Group). To receive copies of minutes of the group and its regular quarterly message join the Virtual UAG - you don't even have to be an AA member - email its secretary Halley McCallum (halm@btsgroupuk.com) and you will be added to the virtual group.
reports on their last meeting
missing tree surveys and tree protection measures are specifically listed in the guidance as reasons to serve a stop notice.
So if you've been unsure of your powers in this area check this new guidance and if necessary, employ it with gusto to protect trees
Nick Eden
Director
Arboricultural Association