Utility Arboriculture

Keeping the UK's key infrastuctures safe!

What is Utility Arboriculture?

Utility arboriculture is the management of trees and vegetation effecting the different infrastructure networks found in the UK.

Whatever the network, be it the overhead electricity lines, railways, highways, communications equipment or waterways, unmanaged trees and vegetation can lead to damage, loss of supply and most importantly, threaten the safety of the people around them.

Undertaking tree and vegetation maintenance on these networks requires specialist training and authorisations in line with the network owners requirements. The additional hazards associated with such networks mean that Utility arborists have to take their skills to the next level to ensure they can operate safely.

Our Utility Arb Services

Tree cutting and Surveying around Overhead power networks

One of PLS Group's core work streams. MD Jason and senior manager Mark have decades of experience between them and have worked on every voltage and for nearly every Network operator nationwide including National Grid.

They also regularly provide NPTC Utility Arb training from basic electrical awarness through right through to Utility Arb surveyor.

Working alongside live overhead powerlines is extremely hazardous. All PLS operatives are qualified NPTC utility arborists along with holding the required network operator authorisations for what ever network operator they are working for.

We also provide an emergency response service, putting teams on high alert during predicted stormy weather.

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Highway network tree and vegetation management

Trees are found growing in close proximity to thousands of miles of the UK road network. There are multiple benefits to this with them acting as sound barriers, screens, pollution absorbers and wildlife habitats.

However, if left unmanaged they have the potential to cause multiple issues. Our team have years of experience working alongside traffic management teams using the latest equipment to put safety first and minimise disruption to road users.

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Other utility services

Railway Network Tree Management

As with the highway network, trees can prove hazardous to the safe operation of trains along with affecting third party property that borders the network.

Waterway Tree and Vegetation Management

With the change in climate and threat of global warming, the risk of flooding has come to the fore front of the national consciousness. Our rivers are bordered by trees which when they fail can exacerbate the risk of flooding through fallen trees and branches causing blockages and restricting water flow.

Whatever the network, PLS has the resources and skill to come up with the safest, most cost effective solution to suit your needs.

Our Team

The PLS Group UK team is a dynamic workforce with years of experience

Our Managing Director, Jason, and Senior Manager, Mark, have spent many years working for the country’s largest utility arb companies as both climbing arborists and field managers. Between them, they have decades of experience working on all infrastructure networks.

Our field team are highly skilled professionals with safety and efficiency at the forefront of all our operations.

We are passionate about training at PLS. We are constantly upskilling qualifications to carry out any utility project.

All our staff are NPTC qualified and undergo regular refresher training. All machine operatives are CPCS/NPORS/LANTRA trained.

Efficiency Through Mechanisation

Arboriculture has historically been a very labour-intensive industry. That is now changing for the better with advances in technology and what were once arduous tasks involving manual handling and hand work can now, wherever possible, be carried out with machinery.

PLS utilise a range of machines ideally suited to the industry that increase safety and efficiency wherever possible. These include:

Remotely controlled forestry mulcher for clearing large areas of thorny, low lying scrub. Capable of traversing 55 degree slopes.
Excavators with tree shear and grab - Various machines suited to small and larger sites.
Boom height limiters are fitted for increased safety.
Large woodchipper for dealing with larger trees. Able to be fed with excavator and grab or by hand if necessary.
Remote machine mounted forestry winch for difficult access sites.

Working at Height

Annually, working at height is responsible for more injuries and fatalities in industry than any other hazard! As arborists, a large part of our work involves working at height. We take a risk based approach to all our climbing operations applying industry best practice to every job. As part of our commitment to a safer working environment.

While accessing trees using a rope and harness has been the norm in the Arboricultural industry for many years and still will be for years to come, the use of MEWP’S (mobile elevated work platform) has now become normal wherever access will allow, meaning a much safer mode of working.

By thoroughly assessing the risk of working at height on every job, PLS strive to create the safest working environment possible for it's team!

Contact us today for more information about utility arboriculture

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