AAAC Pre Assessment Workshop

The ‘ARB’ Approved Contractor Scheme- an overview

Paul Smith AA Technical Officer & AAC Scheme Manager

AAAC Pre Assessment Workshop

Benefits of AAC status

• Achieves benchmark for arboricultural contracting and recognition as a reputable company

• Demonstrates compliance with H&S, competent working practices and tree work to BS3998

• Fully integrated with CHAS (Contractors H&S Assessment Scheme) enabling dual award

• May give access to a wider range of contracts, i.e. Local Authority, National Trust, FC, EA etc.

• Direct access to general H&S and industry guidance and advice through AA

• May qualify for lower insurance premiums

AAAC Pre Assessment Workshop

NEW for 2011:NEW ‘small’ business category - reduced criteria & reduced cost

NEW ‘large’ business category- additional time & additional advice

CHAS scheme compliant & fully integrated- IF ‘Accredited’ meets H&S for other schemes

Reduced reassessment cycle (5 yrs. – 4 yrs.)- inc. ‘interim’ assessment in Yr.3

Standards: modular approach- to be achieved within any 12month period

AAAC Pre Assessment Workshop

Business size:(inc. ‘employer’ & subbies)

Small = 2-5 people

Medium = 6-19 people

Large = 20 or more people

Multi-office = xxx people

AAAC Pre Assessment Workshop

Standards- now 2 categories

1.‘Upto 5 people’ (17 pages) - For small businesses

2. ‘More than 5 people’ (24 pages)- For medium, large* & multi-office*- *additional H&S requirements

AAAC Pre Assessment Workshop

Standards- incorporating 4 modules

1. Work site safety inspection- Sectional felling inc. rigging operations2. Finished work quality inspections- Tree planting & pruning, arb. knowledge3. Office support & customer care etc. - ‘Suitable’ for size of business4. H&S compliance & premises etc.- ‘Suitable for size of business

AAAC Pre Assessment Workshop

New 4 year cycle

• Yr.1 – AAC (full) + CHAS = visit• Yr.2 – CHAS audit = desktop• Yr.3 – AAC (part.) + CHAS = visit• Yr.4 – CHAS audit = desktop

• Yr.1 – AAC (full) + CHAS = visit …etc.

AAAC Pre Assessment Workshop

‘ARB Approved Contractor’ & CHAS

• CHAS (Contractors H&S Assessment Scheme, see www.chas.gov.uk)

• A H&S compliance scheme meeting ‘Stage 1’ assessment under CDM 2007

• Often cited as a pre-requisite in Local Authority etc. PQQs

• CHAS ‘Accredited’ status meets H&S for Constructionline, ‘exor’, SAFEcontractor

AAAC Pre Assessment Workshop

Cost:

Size:

SMALL(2-5)

Med.(6-19)

Large(20+)

Multi-office

Assmt. (full)

£495

£995

£1,495

TBA

Assmt. (partial)

£345

£595

£995

TBA

Annual fees

£260

£460

£660

TBA

Averaged over 4 yrs.

£470

£855

£1,282

£xxx

AAAC Pre Assessment Workshop

‘ARB Approved Contractor’ ‘ARB Approved Contractor’

AAAC Pre Assessment Workshop

Any Questions?????