Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying “If I had eight hours to cut down a tree, I’d spend six of them sharpening my saw”. It’s a saying that seems particularly (and literally) pertinent in our line of work!
Good practice in tree surgery requires us to make sure all of our varied kit is safe and well maintained.
Whether we’re talking about chainsaws and other powered equipment like brush chippers or stump grinders, or the ropes and harnesses we use when climbing is required, or our vehicles: good health and safety means that we check, maintain, audit and service it all regularly, using external experts and auditors for some aspects.
Good maintenance practice extends to our “human assets” too. We invest a great deal of time in training our team, since learning to be a competent, safe, up-to-date practitioner in this work is an ongoing effort; there’s always something new in the field of arboriculture, health and safety, kit and equipment, work practice, law and regulation to learn.
Learning and training comes in lots of different forms in our business; as well as taking expert advice from H&S and arboriculturists, we follow LLANTRA and City and Guilds accredited courses, network at conferences and seminars, attend workshops run by our professional association and others, visit organisations with a special interest in trees such as Kew Gardens, and connect to, read and hear from various experts directly through publications, books and social media.
One of the most effective ways that we “sharpen the saw” in maintaining the team member’s skills is through regular practical refreshers and practice. Here the team are practicing aerial rescue. Six of eight members of our team – both climbers and groundsmen – are trained and qualified to do this should there be an accident whilst a climber is in the tree. We hope we’ll never have to use these skills, but regular practice means that the team are ready to help each other should they ever be called upon.
For advice and information about your trees, or for a written detailed quote for tree work, call Andrew on 01256 817369, 07771 883061 or email him at Andrew@Primarytreesurgeons.co.uk