Tree Hazard Evaluation Report for West Midlands RFCA

Transcription

1 Tree Hazard Evaluation Report for West Midlands RFCA Case Details Address Your Reference Our Reference Project Manager ISO Check - WM RFCA Liverpool Road, Cross Heath, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 9ED WM/14/100062/15/0030 John Graham Our Contact Number Report Date 09 June TPO / Conservation Area Status TPO & Conservation Area: TBC at tree surgery stage. Scope of Report To carry out a detailed tree inspection of onsite trees to assess their condition, risk and hazard. To identify appropriate tree works. To identify the recommended year for re-inspection based on tree condition and land use.

2 Contents 1.0 Scope of Works Visual Tree Assessment Site Overview Observations Limitations Photographs 6 Appendices Appendix 1 Site Plan 7 Appendix 2 Tree Survey Data 9 Appendix 3 Tree Survey Schedule 11 Appendix 4 Surveyor Profile 12 Appendix 5 ArbNet 14 Environmental Services Page 2 of 14

3 1.0 Scope of Works 1.1 To carry out a detailed tree inspection of onsite trees above 7.5cm diameter at 1. assess their condition, risk and hazard. To identify appropriate tree works. To identify the recommended year for re-inspection based on tree condition and land use. 2.0 Visual Tree Assessment 2.1 Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) refers to the process used for identifying the condition of inspected trees. In summary each tree is inspected in a methodical manner. The inspection seeks to identify the presence of visual symptoms. These help the inspector identify whether remedial works are required to abate or manage defects noted. 2.2 Each tree is assessed in the same way. The overall condition of the tree is inspected from a distance approximately equivalent to the height of the tree (where space permits). This seeks to identify the overall condition of the tree, canopy shape, presence of leans etc. 2.3 The area around the base of the tree is then inspected to identify whether ground disturbance has occurred. This could be in the form of mechanical damage to roots, or identifying evidence that the root system has been weakened. 2.4 An inspection of the stem and branches of tree is then undertaken from ground level. This seeks to identify decay pockets, stem cracks, reactive growth of wood, decay fungi, bark condition and many other factors associated with VTA. 2.5 In addition an assessment is made of the suitability of the tree to its location, for example, no defect may be present but branches may be obscuring security lighting. 2.6 Only once this assessment is made will any appropriate tree works and the relevant re-inspection year be prescribed. Environmental Services Page 3 of 14

4 3.0 Site Overview 3.1 The site comprises a main office building with associated out buildings, parking areas and landscaped surroundings. The site is generally level and occupies an area that is predominantly residential. 3.2 The site has multiple users including; the RFCA recruiting offices and a motor cycle training centre that sub-lets a section of the site. 4.0 Observations 4.1 The trees on site contain no significant hazard issues the only requirements recommended include the pruning of some trees back from buildings, fences and clear of wires. 5.0 Limitations 5.1 Trees should be re-inspected as per the recommendations in this report. 5.2 The recommended re-inspections will seek to evaluate the effectiveness of management proposals and to re-evaluate the condition of the tree stock to meet your duty of care to ensure, insofar as is reasonably practicable, that people and property are not exposed to unreasonable levels of risk. 5.3 Trees should be inspected by a suitably qualified arboriculturalist after severe weather, localised ground works or other factors that may affect tree health and structural integrity, to assess their condition and evaluate the need for any remedial action. 5.4 Any events that require a detailed inspection to assess tree condition should be carried out by a qualified arboriculturalist. 5.5 Recommendations for tree management have been based on current Arboricultural Best Practice as set out by the Arboricultural profession and all relevant publications. 5.6 The presence of Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) or Conservation Area status must be determined prior to any tree works being implemented, failure to do so can result in fines in excess of 20,000. Environmental Services Page 4 of 14

5 5.7 A legal Duty of Care requires that all works specified in this report should be performed by qualified, arboricultural contractors who have been competency tested to determine their suitability for such works in line with Health & Safety Executive Guidelines. Additionally all works should be carried out according to British Standard 3998 (2010) Recommendations for Tree Work. 5.8 Any comment relating to 3 rd party trees has been made without full access to the tree(s). We would advise you to instruct us to contact the 3 rd party or notify the 3 rd party to undertake further inspection work. Environmental Services Page 5 of 14

6 6.0 Photographs T9 to T11 and TG1 T5 [Cherry] T4 [Cypress] and T3 [Lilac] T12 [Sorbus] Environmental Services Page 6 of 14

7 Appendix 1 - Site Plan Environmental Services Page 7 of 14

8 T12 TG2 T8 T11 TG1 T10T9 T5 T4 T3 T6 T7 T2T1 Tree Location Plan WM RFCA Liverpool Road, Newcastle under Lyme SCALE : DATE : Innovation Property (UK) Ltd - Environmental Services 1 : /09/2015 MAP FILENAME : WM RFCA Liverpool Road Maps based on Ordnance Survey MasterMap or 1:25000 Mid-scale data with the permission of the Controller of HMSO. Crown Copyright

9 Appendix 2 Tree Survey Data Tree No. Species Height (m) Age Class Past Management Defects General Comments Date of Inspection Risk Target & Year of Next Inspection Tree Works Work Priority T1 Birch. 10m to14m Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 2m 6 months T2 Cherry. 10m to14m Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 2m Remove dead wood >10cm diameter throughout the crown. 6 months T3 Lilac. Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 0.5m 6 months T4 Lawson Cypress. Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 0.5m 6 months T5 Cherry. 10m to14m Minor Crown dead wood. Wires in crown and canopy close to building. Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 2m clearance from adjacent built structure and prune back from wires. Remove dead wood >10cm diameter throughout the crown. 6 months T6 Lawson Cypress. Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 0.5m 6 months T7 Blackthorn. Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 0.5m 6 months T8 Norway Maple. Semi Co-Dominant stems with minor / moderate / major Included Union. No Works. Not Applicable T9 Birch. 10m to14m No Works. Not Applicable Environmental Services Page 9 of 14

10 T10 Birch. 10m to14m No Works. Not Applicable T11 Birch. Co- Dominant stems with minor / moderate / major Included Union. No Works. Not Applicable T12 Swedish Whitebeam. Slight lean. Prune back from fence to 2m. 6 months TG1 Lawson Cypress. <5m No Works. Not Applicable TG2 Lilac. Juniper. Yew. Semi Topped. No Works. Not Applicable Environmental Services Page 10 of 14

11 Appendix 3 Tree Surgery Schedule Tree No. Species Height (m) Age Class Past Management Defects General Comments Date of Inspection Risk Target & Year of Next Inspection Tree Works Work Priority T1 Birch. 10m to14m Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 2m 6 months T2 Cherry. 10m to14m Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 2m Remove dead wood >10cm diameter throughout the crown. 6 months T3 Lilac. Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 0.5m 6 months T4 Lawson Cypress. Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 0.5m 6 months T5 Cherry. 10m to14m Minor Crown dead wood. Wires in crown and canopy close to building. Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 2m clearance from adjacent built structure and prune back from wires. Remove dead wood >10cm diameter throughout the crown. 6 months T6 Lawson Cypress. Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 0.5m 6 months T7 Blackthorn. Cut back to suitable side growth point to provide 0.5m 6 months T12 Swedish Whitebeam. Slight lean. Prune back from fence to 2m. 6 months Environmental Services Page 11 of 14

12 Appendix 4 Surveyor Profile Environmental Services Page 12 of 14

13 Dr John Graham Arboricultural Consultant PhD BSc ND Arb Arboricultural Association (Professional) Dr John Graham Arboricultural Consultant Specialist Areas Planning and Development Woodland and Habitat Management Tree Preservation Orders Appeals / resurveys Large Scale Tree Surveys Detailed tree inspection Diagnosis of ill-health Contact Details T: M: John.Graham@innovation.group Brief Details of Experience John Graham joined Innovation Property (UK) in January John has been working in the industry since 1984 and has a wide range of experience in the consulting and contracting sectors. In addition to a broad knowledge and experience within the industry he has also been involved in applying genetic approaches to species identification of plant material for the subsidence industry. John has over 15 years of experience in planning and implementing Tree Risk Management systems, many of which have involved tens of thousands of trees. For six years John has also been heavily involved in tree related subsidence issues; including surveying, reporting and attending appeals. In addition he has extensive experience carrying out BS:5837 surveys, Arboricultural Impact Assessments reports and method statements and some extended Phase 1 Habitat surveys. Education PhD Plant Genetics and Physiology, University of Leeds BSc (Hons) Genetics, University of Leeds BSc (degree points and course content equivalent to degree in Ecology), O.U. ND Hort/Arb, Askham Bryan College

14 Appendix 5 - ArbNet Environmental Services Page 14 of 14

15 Tree surgery and forestry operations have been recognised as one of the most dangerous industries in the UK. The odds of someone in forestry and arboriculture sustaining a major injury in any one year are estimated to be 1 in 120 (HSE). The risks associated with tree work outstrips construction! The law is clear. If you instruct contractors then you have real risks. These risks are magnified when applied to tree work operations. ArbNet applies industry leading systems backed by experienced and qualified staff to effectively manage a clients Duty of Care. The odds of someone in forestry and arboriculture sustaining a major injury in any one year are estimated to be 1 in 120 (Health and Safety Executive) How to engage ArbNet To instruct ArbNet to carry out tree works or provide a free quotation please contact either us through the web site or via the details below. E: treesurgery@innovation-environmental.co.uk T: Do you instruct tree works? Organisations instructing tree works contractors have real liability The ArbNet Contractor Assurance Scheme Severity / Impact Transfer the Risks Retain the Risks Avoid the Risks Reduce the Risks Likelihood / Frequency Figure 1: Risk Management Strategy Decision Maker If you instruct tree works contractors and do not sufficiently test their competence and procedures then you may be liable to prosecution in the event of an incident. You could be exposing your organisation to prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Corporate Manslaughter Coroporate Homicide Act The ArbNet Contractor Assurance Scheme provides a national network of fully vetted tree surgery contractors. The scheme offers a clear strategy for risk management (see figure 1) that enables organisations to outsource their risks. ArbNet offers managed liability and other multiple benefits that make commercial sense. HSE research relating to injury rates per 10,000 employees for the period 1990/ /96 helps to put these figures in perspective. Injury rates per 10,000 employees All Industry ArbNet ensures: All manufacturing All agriculture Your risk is out sourced Construction Your legal duty of care is fulfilled Forestry & Arboriculture Costs controlled by competitive tendering Customers are supported by an experienced team All receive first class customer care

16 How to engage ArbNet To instruct ArbNet to carry out tree works or provide a free quotation please contact either us through the web site or via the details below. E: treesurgery@innovation-environmental.co.uk T: Case Study: The Risk is Real! An effective risk management strategy A tree surgeon was ly killed while undertaking works at a domestic property during March Whilst undertaking works within the canopy of the tree an accident occurred causing a fatal injury. It was reported that emergency services attended the scene of the accident to find the tree surgeon suspended within the tree from his harness. Paramedics were unable to reach the victim and fire brigade was called to assist. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. It is not possible to provide further detail at the time of writing due to the ongoing investigation; however previous circumstances of a similar nature have arisen due to failings in the application of work at height and emergency procedures. All contractors undertaking tree works must have on the ground personnel who are trained in performing Aerial Tree Rescue. To breach such a requirement is a direct contravention of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations Investigations undertaken by our ArbNet team have identified that the contractor concerned is a former member of the ArbNet panel. The contractor was removed a number of years earlier due to failure to maintain required standards. The incident has been classified as an industrial accident and the Health and Safety Executive are carrying out a full investigation. It is wholly possible that Corporate Manslaughter legislation could be applied to this tragic situation. All organisations have a statutory duty to ensure that contractors are competent and to ensure activities do not put the safety of themselves or others at risk. Such responsibility would be applicable in this case and any failing in meeting this duty is likely to be viewed as a management failure. The risks associated with tree works are high due to the nature of the work. These risks stretch beyond the work team and have the capacity to injure residents and members of the public. Strategic risk management is needed by those who engage tree contractors. ArbNet provides systems that allow you to transfer the risk and effectively manage your Duty of Care. The law relating to a clients obligations for the safety of contractors and others is comprehensive. ArbNet is aware of these requirements and has aligned its procedures to protect all parties. ArbNet enables you to transfer your risks to our systems of an effective risk management strategy of any organisation. Customer Care The following information sets out the results of continuous customer satisfaction surveys. % Level of satisfaction Punctuality 97.7 Information & communication 95.1 It is wholly possible that Corporate Manslaughter legislation could be applied to this tragic situation Conduct on site 94.0 Overall satisfaction 96.8