Allowing dogs in a workplace has proven to reduce staff stress.
In 2012, researchers for the Virginia Commonwealth University in the US studied the stress levels of employees of a manufacturing company who brought their dogs to work. They found these workers reported feeling significantly less stressed throughout the day than those who did not bring a dog to work
– Paws for thought: why allowing dogs in the office is a good idea, The Guardian
Here at Climbers Way, we love having our canine companions to break the stress and keep the office focused and happy.
In the office we have Skyla, she a 4-year-old German Sheppard mix who was rescued as a puppy. She is relaxed but playful and keeps the boys in check.
We have Reggie who is a 7-year-old Collie, the old man of the group.
And we have his adopted brother, Roodie, who is about 1 and a half. He’s also a Collie and has the energy of a Duracell bunny!
It has been a busy start to the year here at Climbers Way.
We wanted to share with you, some of the great work the teams have been doing so far.
Why prune your tree?
Firstly, for the health of the tree.
When you prune your tree, you are removing all the dead and damaged branches that may bring disease and decay. This also allows a lot more sunlight to run through the canopy which results in fewer diseases.
Not only will you keep your tree healthy but you will stop your tree from becoming a hazard. Pruning your tree helps maintain a strong tree structure.
If you have a tree that needs some love, have a look at the services we offer and get in touch.
Here at Climbers Way we thought it would be great to give you an insight into what it’s like being a tree surgeon, direct from the people with plenty of hands-on experience.
This will be a running series for the next month or so, bringing you the ins and outs of the job and what we love about it.
Episode 1: Sam Delves
Find out what Sam, one of our newest climbers, has to say in this video:
Episode 2: Kees Rueb
Kees is one of our resident climbers. Here’s what he had to say:
Keep an eye out for the next episodes!
If you need a tree surgeon, then get in touch with us. We will give you a free estimate in one working day, with no obligations!
As 2018 kicks off, we’re preparing for a busy year.
With this comes the task of building strong teams so that our work is the best it can be.
And being the best is something Climbers Way always strives to be.
This year we are lucky enough to introduce four new members to our team: Simon Swancott, Joe Morris, Sam Delves and Connor Thorne.
We have clear goals and targets that we push each other to reach but never without compromising safety or our high standard of work.
Tree work can be a dangerous profession. We’re working with chainsaws at height amongst other machinery so working as a team is imperative. We come together every month to review our practices and to find more efficient ways to work, constantly growing as individuals and as a business.
If you like our 2018 lineup and need some tree work done then get in touch for a free estimate.
“Scare-mongering in some cases has resulted in trees being felled unnecessarily,” says Chris Cooper-Abbs, arborist, health & safety advisor and friend of Climbers Way Tree Care.
Tree owners have a legal duty of care in respect of their trees, and may be liable for injury to others caused by the fall of a tree or branch. In an attempt to avoid what they perceive to be a risk, some landowners have simply removed trees entirely – but Chris says the answer is actually more straight-forward than that. Under a legal framework of both civil and criminal law, the responsibilities for the health and safety of those on or near the land upon which a tree stands rests with the owner of that land.
“Landowners just need to have a plan or strategy for their trees,” Chris explains. “They need to start with a ‘stock take’ of the trees on their land: What have they got? What condition are they in? Who might be at risk from them? Using this information, the landowner can then establish a plan to manage risks in a balanced way so that those trees can be enjoyed safely. Only if a tree is identified as a significant risk is removal, perhaps, the answer.”
Chris studied arboriculture and is experienced in advising clients on tree management strategies. Today his company, Arb Matters, advise colleagues in the arboriculture and land based industries on quality, environmental and safety management, accreditations and compliance issues.
Could a landowner perform this ‘stock take’ themselves?
“Depending on the complexity or type of inspection required, and their own knowledge base – age of trees, proximity to public areas, signs of disease etc. – it would be possible for a landowner to do this themselves. It’s always worth calling in an expert in case of any doubt but this should not become a financially burdensome exercise,” Chris comments.
And does the same legislation apply to householders?
“Yes, it does, but we have to think about a proportionate response here,” Chris is quick to caution. “A large landowner, for example, with acres of historic woods, roadside trees and lots of visitors is likely to need a more comprehensive tree management strategy. However, if you’re a householder with just a couple of trees, we can scale down and simplify the actions you might need to take”.
What would Chris’s advice be to anyone who is responsible for trees?
“Get to know them! Be vigilant for any changes, both to the tree and in terms of potential risks. If in any doubt, call an expert. And document your observations and actions; should you find yourself in a legal situation, any records that you have pro-actively managed your trees could help provide supporting evidence that a landowner has taken reasonable care.”
If we want to find out more?
Chris recommends information produced by the National Tree Safety Group (NTSG).
“The NTSG is an advisory body approved the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and comprising a range of interested parties, from English Heritage to the Forestry Commission and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. They have produced some useful advice and I’d particularly recommend their leaflets “Managing Trees for Safety” for larger landowners and “Common Sense Risk Management of Trees” for smaller ones,” says Chris.
Chris – like the Climbers Way Tree Care team – believes that trees are to be enjoyed and protected.
“Trees are essential to our planet; we need to be their guardians,” he says.
