Vermeer Australia, together with event partner SherrillTree, will be presenting the Vermeer Arbor Seminar Series again in 2018.

This year features a one-day seminar and the addition of a second day advanced workshop across four locations. Vermeer is honoured to welcome back Joe Harris, an internationally recognised trainer and tree climbing champion who will co-host alongside a special guest presenter. Whilst the first day seminar will focus on beginner and intermediate skill levels, the advanced workshop sessions will allow attendees to put the learnt techniques to use by completing a simulated rescue.

We spoke with Joe about this year’s aerial rescue seminar series to learn more about what attendees can expect from this experience.

“Aerial rescue is defined in arboriculture as ‘bringing an injured [or stuck] worker down from a tree or aerial lift device’. Provision for aerial rescue is a requirement on tree work sites under the
SafeWork Australia guide to managing risks in tree trimming and removal, 2016. As such, all tree climbing crews must include a ground-crew member or second climber who is trained in aerial rescue techniques,” Joe said.

The 2018 Vermeer Arbor Seminar Series workshop program will aim to teach rescue preparation and response, as well as techniques for tree access and casualty care. Six specific training outcomes include:
1. The preparation for the event of an accident, which should take place before beginning work at each site
2. Accident-response protocols, including all steps of the response that should be conducted before attempting a rescue

Click here to read the full article in the May edition of The Australian Arbor Age

Presenter bio: Joe Harris
Cert. Arborist / Contract Climber

Joe is an internationally recognised trainer in Aerial Rescue, Advanced Rigging and Forces, and Advanced Tree Climbing, and has presented at Arboriculture Australia and ITCC events. He has presented workshops in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany and the US, and produced instructional videos for ART. His achievements include being a two-time Australian tree climbing champion, silver medalist at the International Tree Climbing Championships, and an array of national achievements.

For information on and registration for this year’s series, see your local Vermeer product specialist, contact Vermeer on 1300-VERMEER, or visit the events page of the website here. The 2018 Vermeer Arbor Seminar Series kicks off in Brisbane on Friday 10 August and finishes up in Adelaide on 22 August.