Accreditations

Tree work requires a high level of competence, training and experience and should only be undertaken by well trained, professional arborists. Understanding the accreditations of a company can be a great way to ensure you are choosing the right people for the job.

Simpson Arboriculture Ltd are a professional tree surgery and forestry company with over 16 years’ experience. Our professional team work safely and efficiently to carry out tree work to a high standard. We ensure that all our arborists have the correct training, so they can approach the job confidently and with technical accuracy. Any training is ongoing and up to date so you can book with confidence and with peace of mind.

We have been officially recognised as being qualified to perform tree work by several health and safety bodies as listed below.

The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is a voluntary accreditation scheme for fleet operators. They aim to raise the level of quality within fleet operations, and to demonstrate which operators are achieving exemplary levels of best practice in safety, efficiency, and environmental protection. As a member of FORS, Simpson Arboriculture Ltd are regularly assessed and adhere to these high standards of professional practice in relation to the use of our vehicles.

Kate and Will Simpson of Simpson Arboriculture Ltd have attained the qualification for health and safety management. This qualification provides an introduction to health and safety that can be applied in the workplace with confidence.

CHAS is an industry authority on UK compliance and health and safety legislation. They aim to provide simple and standardised health and safety assessment for contractors. Simpson Arboriculture Ltd are a CHAS ‘Advanced’ accredited contractor, meaning that we adhere to these high standards for our health and safety practices and procedures.

The ROLO Scheme (Register of Land-Based Operatives) was introduced to raise the standards of Health and Safety and reduce the risks and accidents throughout the industry for anyone who works in the Land based Sectors. Arborists at Simpson Arboriculture Ltd hold the relevant ROLO certification in order to carry out land-based operations on site.

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) provides proof that individuals working on construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they do. This is a standard requirement for all our arborists and operators to ensure safe working practices.

Simpson Arboriculture Ltd attained the status of ARB Approved Contractor (ArbAC) in 2021. This is a national ‘tree surgery’ competence accreditation scheme operated by the Arboricultural Association (a national tree-care industry body, see www.trees.org.uk).

The accreditation really does test all aspects of a tree-care business operation and management, and most importantly, it tests the business at the ‘sharp end’ by visiting work sites rather than just being office and paperwork based (although this is also checked). The scheme also seeks to ensure a customer focused approach and helps businesses better care for their valued customers.

The scheme, which duel-accredits tree surgery contractors with CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme), and offers access to the SAFE contractor scheme, is also SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) registered, which is supported and endorsed by HSE. It has also gained increased recognition at a national level often being used as a benchmark standard by Local Authorities and other government bodies.

Speaking, Paul Smith (ArbAC Scheme Manager), said…

“Achievement of the accreditation takes considerable time and commitment, along with a significant financial investment and demonstrates a business that is keen to improve and progress by meeting national standards and effectively agreeing to a program of continuous improvement. It is unfortunate that in an industry which has more than its fair share of ‘less scrupulous’ contractors, often price is the only determining factor for many clients with quality, and ‘best value’, being overlooked. This is a short-sighted approach and often the trees are damaged irreparably and future expensive remedial works are then required. A situation which could easily be avoided by engaging an ‘ARB Approved Contractor’ to undertake the work (and listening to their professional advice of course).”

Contractors are reassessed (retested) every two years to ensure their standards stay at the highest levels and of course to ensure customers are still satisfied with the service they provide.

Our ‘Ready to burn’ hardwood logs, available to buy throughout the year from Simpson Arboriculture, are sustainably sourced using BSL authorised virgin wood.

Recently certified officially by the Ready to Burn Scheme for meeting the criteria of ‘The Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) England Regulations 2020 Part 2 – for Force Dried Hardwood.

The scheme by Woodsure aims to regulate the production of firewood across the UK. Wood sold in volumes of less than 2 cubic metres must now be legally certified as Ready to Burn.

Lantra is a national organisation that trains and assesses the competence of people using chainsaws, stump grinders, wood chippers, other arboricultural equipment and use of rope and harness to work at height. Only those arborists who hold Lantra awards certificates are approved and qualified for safe chainsaw use.

Our arborists at Simoson Arboriculture ltd hold qualifications awarded by Lantra, so you can rest assured that our arborists are only authorised to carry out work that they have been trained to do.

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) promotes the safe and effective use of powered access equipment. During our day-to-day tree work, our arborists are often required to use equipment such as a man lift or MEWP (mobile elevating work platform) for working at height. Only arborists who have a recognised qualification are permitted to operate these machines on our work sites.

NPTC is a national organisation that trains and assesses the competence of people using chainsaws, stump grinders, wood chippers, other arboricultural equipment and use of rope and harness to work at height. Only those arborists who hold NPTC awards certificates are approved and qualified for safe chainsaw use.

Our arborists at Simoson Arboriculture ltd hold qualifications awarded by NPTC, so you can rest assured that our arborists are only authorised to carry out work that they have been trained to do.

NPORS (National Plant Operators Registration Scheme) is one of the UK’s leading accreditation and registration bodies. They focus on the safe use of plant machinery as well as accreditation across sectors such as construction and agriculture. An NPORS qualification demonstrates the operator’s ability to
safely operate or drive an item of machinery or equipment, a qualification which all of our machinery operators hold. This qualifies them to safely use machinery such as our 360° excavator.

The Biomass Suppliers List (BSL) is a list of woodfuel that has proven it meets the eligibility requirements for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. It allows RHI participants to easily demonstrate to Ofgem that the fuel they are using in their biomass boilers meets the RHI sustainability criteria required to claim their RHI payments. Simpson Arboriculture as a BSL Suppliers List approved supplier.

Simpson Arboriculture is Trustmark registered, which means we have met the high standards set by Trustmark, a government-endorsed quality scheme for tradespeople and home improvement professionals. By choosing a Trustmark-registered business like Simpson Arboriculture, you can have peace of mind knowing that we have been independently assessed for our technical skills, customer service and trading practices.

Choosing the right tree surgeon

With so many companies offering tree work, it can be challenging to decide on the right people for the work. It’s important to recognise what to look for in a tree surgery company and how to spot good practice and professionalism. Badly executed tree work can lead to personal injury, property damage and serious harm to the trees as detailed by the Arb Association.