ARB Approved Contractors

We are pleased to say we are now Arb approved contractors !! Accreditation can give customers peace of mind that we comply with health and safety and industry professional standards. Below are more details.

WHAT IS THE ARB ASSOCIATION APPROVED CONTRACTOR SCHEME?
Setup nearly 40 years ago here is more about the scheme in the words of the Arboricultural Association themselves:

“The ARB Approved Contractor scheme offers a recognised benchmark for arboricultural contracting throughout the UK and Ireland and is increasingly required by Local Authorities and other large commercial organisations. ARB Approved Contractor is also of benefit in the domestic sector as a quality mark assuring the client of good quality tree care undertaken safely and efficiently.”

The Arb Association maintain a directory of approved contractors (and separately a directory of approved consultants) which you may use to find an approved contractor in your area.

WHAT ACCREDITATION MEANS
Demonstrated knowledge, quality and safe practice in all aspects of our tree work. And it is not simply a one-off inspection but rather interim assessments + a full reassessment cycle every 4 years.

Four major areas are reviewed in detail, including site visits and visits to our working yard.

1. Worksite
Paperwork, personnel, PPE, first aid, tools, climbing + ground based operations, vehicles
All equipment safety certification current and up to date

2. Work Quality + Arboricultural Knowledge
Planting, crown lifting, crown reduction, crown thinning, deadwood incl. inspections of work
Demonstrated arboricultural competence

3. Customer Care + Office Procedures
Quoting, contracting, invoicing, Ts&Cs, customer satisfaction
Insurance + licences
Wildlife + ecology, environmental policies

4. Health & Safety Management
Policies, monitoring, review
Working at height, lifting equipment, first aid, PPE, fire safety, etc.
Training: qualifications + training records for entire staff (incl. future training plans)
Spill control, oil storage, equipment servicing
Yard setup

WHY IT MATTERS TO YOU AS A CUSTOMER
The scheme covers so many aspects of tree work including what you see and care about as a customer leading up to a job, the job itself and after care. It also ensures things you are unlikely to see behind the scenes are being handled properly: in the office and at our yard which are very important for the environment, ecology and biosecurity.

These aspects of our work are verified for you:
all personnel on-site have the appropriate training for the tasks they will be carrying out
all equipment and machinery has an up to date safety inspection
our insurance is appropriate and adequate
our work is carried out to British standard BS3998: 2010
we honour council tree preservation orders (TPOs) and observe conservation areas
all arisings from the job will be processed in an appropriate manner
our invoicing and customer after care is well established
our commitment to various bodies is honoured: Arb Approved, Safe Contractor, Trustmark, and Trading Standards
In conjunction with accreditation here is a handy guide the Arb Association has for selecting a tree surgeon.