If your business is involved with hazardous chemicals in any way then you may already be aware of the Global Harmonised System (GHS) – but if it is something new to you, it is very important that you understand it. Whether you are involved with these chemicals directly, or perhaps
Whilst gardening is a fun and enjoyable pastime, it’s also one that can be decidedly challenging in some instances. Aside from the labour-intensive and time-consuming nature of some gardening tasks, it may occasionally be necessary to undertake more complex projects that make your outdoor space more accessible and functional. Whilst
Waterloo Air Products plc is investing in an 18-month professional development programme for a group of employees from all disciplines within the company. Run in conjunction with Accelerator Solutions, the initiative is designed specifically to develop the skill sets that Waterloo will require as it continues to expand, creating a
BSRIA has launched its free-to-download topic guide on Soft Landings and Business-Focused Maintenance (BFM). This guide aims to inform those involved in the design, construction and operation of a building about how an effective BFM regime can be developed and achieved through the soft landings approach. Nick Blake, the guide’s
Latest transaction at premier 74-acre Silverwood’s Business Park now brings the development to 90% occupancy. St Francis Group, a leading UK-based property development and investment group and an expert in brownfield development and regeneration has announced the sale of 3.6 acres of land at its premier 74-acre Silverwood’s Business Park
Having just some uncertain ideas and a logo of your company is not enough to say that it is a brand strategy. To succeed one should have a written plan in details to gain results and understand what should be taken. 3 questions each brand should ask itself before planning
KAREN Ryan who spent 15 years of her career at Stepnell has been crowned Mentor of the Year at an annual award ceremony which recognises the very best in construction excellence within the West Midlands. The award recognises an individual who has shown a commitment to developing the future leaders
The Environment Agency has announced a set of new supplier arrangements and partnerships which will increase efficiency, value for money and the green legacy of its £2.6 billion capital investment programme. The programme aims to better protect 300,000 homes from coastal erosion and flooding up to 2021 and beyond. Effective
In a move designed to enhance levels of efficiency, sustainability and quality, mechanical and electrical services specialists Mitton Group have entered into a new partnering agreement with modular and portable building company Enviro Building Solutions. The agreement will see Mitton provide mechanical and electrical services for buildings designed and constructed
Following significant growth in the use of Mobile Plant equipment in the UK, Bureau Veritas is warning firms to be vigilant when it comes to achieving compliance. It comes as the UK Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP) rental market increased by 4% year-on-year, with demand outstripping the rest of Europe
If your business is involved with hazardous chemicals in any way then you may already be aware of the Global Harmonised System (GHS) – but if it is something new to you, it is very important that you understand it. Whether you are involved with these chemicals directly, or perhaps in an incidental way it is vital not only to know what the symbols mean and what they are used for, but also to ensure that any labelling that you are responsible for is carried out correctly. Here we will take a GHS to establish exactly how it could affect your business, as well as examining the steps that you need to take to ensure that your labelling is fully compliant. A brief history Across the world many different countries and organisations have laws and rules about how hazardous properties of chemicals are identified (known as their ‘classification’) and how information about these classifications should be distributed to individuals and companies, such as through labelling and data sheets. For a long time, this was extremely confusing as there was little cooperation or unity between different countries and the bodies that oversaw hazardous chemicals. In some countries a chemical might be labelled ‘hazardous’ while in others it was not considered to be. This can potentially make it dangerous for the people involved, and complicate international trade. What is GHS? It wasn’t until 1992 that the international community developed the Global Harmonised System. The UN has since rolled out the GHS across the world. It is used to classify and communicate whether a chemical has hazardous properties. It does so by defining the risks posed by the specific chemical to health, safety, and the environment. It uses available data to establish processes for chemical classification and ensures that hazardous information is presented in the correct way. Thankfully the GHS has been adopted by organisations and institutions worldwide as it makes the whole process of dealing with hazardous chemicals not only potentially easier and more profitable from a trade perspective, but also safer and more environmentally friendly. Why is it important? It is clear to see that with poor systems in place for understanding hazardous chemicals, the consequences could be disastrous. Ultimately, the GHS came into place in order to provide better protection for people, as well as for the environment. It also makes it much easier for businesses to work within a standard framework for these chemicals. Having a standard labelling system means that there are no language barriers or localised systems that can confuse the situation. Companies, industries and countries are able to work within a unified system that everyone can refer to without the potential for misunderstandings. How can my business become complaint with the GHS? If you work with any kind of chemicals in the process of producing, transporting, or storing then you need to have health and safety labels that comply with the GHS. Ultimately, a GHS-compliant label has the following: A signifying word indicating the severity of the hazardous chemical. This might be “danger” or “warning”. A GHS hazard statement which uses specific words and phrases for the type of A GHS hazard pictogram which provides information about the specifics of the hazardous effects that a chemical can have on human or environmental health. All pictograms are black and white images inside a red diamond border. Explaining the GHS pictograms Created for the fast and effective recognition of chemicals, the GHS pictograms need to be clearly positioned on any materials so that it is easy to read from an appropriate distance. The GHS has nine official pictogram symbols that are used to represent specific hazards. Here we’ll take a look at the pictograms, broken down into their relevant categories: Physical hazards Explosive – unstable and explosive substances are signified with the icon of an exploding ball Flammable – any gas, liquid or solid that has the potential to ignite are signified with a flame Oxidising – any chemical that has the ability to oxidise any other substance is signified with flame over a circle Compressed Gas – any container with pressured gas inside is signified with a gas canister Corrosive – any corrosive substances are signified with a hand and an object being damaged by fluid from a test tube Health hazards Toxic – any substance that has a poisonous effect (either through consumption, inhalation, or physical exposure) is signified with skull and crossbones Harmful – any substance that can cause damage to the skin, damage to the eyes, dizziness, or other reactions, is signified with an exclamation mark Health Hazard – any substances that are carcinogenic, or can be responsible for issues with reproductive, development, or the respiratory system are signified with a figure with a burst in their chest Environmental hazard Environmental Hazard – any substance that can cause harm to the aquatic environment is signified with a barren tree and a dead fish
Whilst gardening is a fun and enjoyable pastime, it’s also one that can be decidedly challenging in some instances. Aside from the labour-intensive and time-consuming nature of some gardening tasks, it may occasionally be necessary to undertake more complex projects that make your outdoor space more accessible and functional. Whilst this will require you to comply with various health and safety and planning legislation, it’s thought that modifying your garden space can translate into an ROI of 88%. This means that you can add considerable value to your home by creating an accessible garden, and the question that remains is how can such an objective be achieved? Start with Your Layout – Considering Paths and Paving If you’re modernising your garden space, it’s important to determine its precise layout. This means dividing the space between paving, lawn and flower beds, as you look to compartmentalise the area and optimise accessibility. In terms of paving, this is a worthwhile investment in a new or modified garden as it provides an affordable and relatively easy to maintain surface area. Paving also provides the ideal balance between efficiency and cash savings, as whilst materials such as gravel may be cheaper they’re far from ideal for bins, children’s toys and pushchairs. From a practical perspective, paving with mortared joints tends to be easier, whilst this also prevents weeds from sprouting in your garden space. If you have kids, you should also keep clear of slippery materials like slate and York stone, whilst paths should also boast a recommended width of between 1 and 1.5 metres. If you intend to maintain flower beds around the edge of the garden, you should also look to separate alternative planting areas that negate the need for constant pruning and minimises overgrowth. This means that your flower beds should be secured and compartmentalised, with Marshall’s garden edging stones and caps providing a stylish option that strikes the ideal balance between cost and aesthetics. Some Practical Considerations for Home-owners In terms of functionality, there are other steps that you can take to improve your private or communal garden space. One option is to install an outdoor plug socket on the external wall of your home, as this makes jobs such as mowing and hedge-trimming far easier. It’s also wise to install simple and easy-to-use handles (or latches) on all external doors and gates, so that people can gain access safely at all times. If you don’t have the money to install a new or powerful water system, you should consider fitting an outdoor tap or a water butt that collects rainwater as it falls. These steps will help you to create an accessible and functional garden space, and one that’s inherently safe and enjoyable during the summer months.
Waterloo Air Products plc is investing in an 18-month professional development programme for a group of employees from all disciplines within the company. Run in conjunction with Accelerator Solutions, the initiative is designed specifically to develop the skill sets that Waterloo will require as it continues to expand, creating a group that is ready for the future challenges the business will face. The participants were selected on the basis of an initial assessment as to suitability, aptitude and potential to benefit from the programme. The content is broad-based, from analytical skills and the application of technology, through to emotional intelligence and communication. The benefits will not just be for the business. The goal is to increase employee satisfaction and generate a positive impact on customer service. Managing Director at Waterloo, John Tiernan, says: “Customer service is the main focus for Waterloo as we move forward. We know that the key factor in delivering exceptional customer service is having experienced and happy employees. This course is designed to really support and challenge our people to help drive innovative customer solutions into the future.” Heidi Daniell, Director of the providers of the training programme, Accelerator Solutions, adds: “It’s fantastic to be working with Waterloo Air Products. We aim to not only benefit Waterloo’s employees but positively impact the organisation. Accelerator delivers high-impact training and development programmes to clients in a range of sectors. We’ve found that these programmes really help organisations to strengthen skill sets, and build a culture based on shared vision and values with team members at all levels as well as customers and stakeholders.”
BSRIA has launched its free-to-download topic guide on Soft Landings and Business-Focused Maintenance (BFM). This guide aims to inform those involved in the design, construction and operation of a building about how an effective BFM regime can be developed and achieved through the soft landings approach. Nick Blake, the guide’s co-author and principal consultant on facilities management, said: “It is fundamental to involve the facilities managers (FMs), where known, from early on in the design stage. The knowledge and experience of the FMs can inform better design of systems and make BFM more readily adoptable and easier in operation. “Maintenance can have a major impact on the success of a business and, therefore, can deliver a competitive advantage. It shouldn’t be considered as an overhead – but as a way of adding value to the business. Each building, therefore, should have its own bespoke maintenance programme, which can enable the FM to prevent asset failures through a more pragmatic approach.” He added: “BFM can help the team to first decide which assets are crucial in achieving the business goals and the end users’ needs. Then, soft landings success criteria in terms of the availability, accessibility and manageability of those assets can be set. And the asset strategy and maintenance schedules should be gradually developed during the project and be completed and available at the pre-handover phase.”
Latest transaction at premier 74-acre Silverwood’s Business Park now brings the development to 90% occupancy. St Francis Group, a leading UK-based property development and investment group and an expert in brownfield development and regeneration has announced the sale of 3.6 acres of land at its premier 74-acre Silverwood’s Business Park mixed use development in Kidderminster. The land is to be utilised to build new manufacturing, testing, warehouse and office facilities for Barton Firtop, a world leading manufacturer of filtration products, that will enable three existing sites to merge into a purpose built, ‘state of the art’ plant. It is anticipated that the Phase 1 development shall provide 40,000 sq. ft. of facilities and employment for up to 100 people with a Phase 2 expansion planned to follow to increase this to 60,000 sq. ft. and potentially an additional 50 employees. Commenting on the deal St Francis Development Director Gareth Williams said: “We are very happy to welcome Barton Firtop to our premier Silverwood’s Business Park development and to support their next phase of growth and expansion needs This deal follows several other land-sales during 2018 which now brings the park to practically 90% occupancy with only a few plots remaining. Silverwood’s is a real success story locally, creating much needed new housing, community facilities, leisure attractions and retail space in the process creating several hundred new jobs from the local community” Kevin Troughton, Managing Director at Barton Firtop said “This is a really exciting time for the Company enabling our current level of growth to progress to the next stage. Our company currently has space limitations and this problem is compounded by operating between three separate sites, so this new-build will enhance our capabilities and enable us to meet ever increasing capacity requirements, ultimately resulting in further increases in turnover and staffing levels. Over the last decade the company has more than doubled its staff base and with this acquisition it remains on course to expand further, based on the increasing demand for our World Leading Filtration® products that are supplied to prestigious clients around the globe.” John Dillon of GJS Dillon Commercial Property Consultants advised Barton Firtop on their acquisition. John Dillon explained that “Finding sites and existing warehouse / industrial facilities in Worcestershire is practically impossible at the moment without the help of an experienced Chartered Surveyor with local connections with Landowners, Property Owners, Pension Funds and Commercial agents. Working with Kevin Troughton at Barton Firtop and the professional team made up of Gavin Vickers from One Creative and Clare Regan at Whatley Weston & Fox was an absolute pleasure”.
Having just some uncertain ideas and a logo of your company is not enough to say that it is a brand strategy. To succeed one should have a written plan in details to gain results and understand what should be taken. 3 questions each brand should ask itself before planning any activity: Who are your clients? What is the message of your brand? How do you understand “success” in long-term perspective for your brand? Answering these questions, this initial step, will help you to define your goals, needs of your clients, methods of talking to them and the tools you will use to estimate your success. There is no one and only definition of brand strategy but generally it covers the following aspects: meaning of your brand; its promises; type of personality your brand broadcasts. So, to boost your revenue and promote your brand try online advertising network as example https://polus.media/ These moments are hardly trackable, but, nevertheless, very important. It becomes more evident when we start talking about brand’s mood. If we talk about big companies it is an often case to invite two different teams to develop each side of the brand, we don’t know why, but they do not often meet together and we may have contradicting results at the end. In some sense, one can say that brand strategy is relying on your intuition. We could add that it should be based on some data as well. Slogan of Rolex describes the situation most of all: it doesn’t tell time, it tells history. There is some history, brand developing in the video. Think what you can show in terms of: then and now. To discuss this example more, you may notice that there is a certain message from this brand. This part is very important to call correct motivation from your customers. Only after understanding the strategy of your brand you can make any marketing activities. However, we recommend waiting for a while and study your target audience. Here we mean to catch who your audience actually is. To draw a portrait of your customer you should include such factors like demography, marital status, type of work, where they go shopping, where they get news, which skills are necessary for work etc. After coming to conclusion you should think where these people mess around. We mean using online and offline areas. Sometimes, different location implies different means of communication. Of course, there is nothing better than to check what your competitors do. And here it is important not to copy them, but to show that you are different and why it is beneficial for your customers. Reasons why some brands may fail No seeing for long-term perspectives; Lack of work on brad’s uniqueness and its message; Lack of understanding the perfect clients; Incoherence in creativity; Obsolete methods or calls to such markets. All the things we discussed are so simple, but mystically so difficult. Anyway, the best thing you can do before working on your brand is thinking and analyzing and only after it some actions can be taken.
KAREN Ryan who spent 15 years of her career at Stepnell has been crowned Mentor of the Year at an annual award ceremony which recognises the very best in construction excellence within the West Midlands. The award recognises an individual who has shown a commitment to developing the future leaders of the industry and has invested their time in nurturing people to help them reach their full potential. She was instrumental in implementing Stepnell’s top-performing trainee and apprenticeship scheme which has boosted Stepnell’s workforce to include 10 per cent of apprentices, trainees and graduates and she chaired the Midlands Construction Training Group, helping other firms to upskill and train their workforces. Before retiring in the same week that she was presented with the award, Karen’s construction career with Stepnell has seen several successful partnerships forged with the CITB and schools and colleges across the Midlands which has resulted in young people joining the industry and becoming award-winners themselves. She said: “It was a huge compliment to be nominated for this award by my colleagues and receiving the award is an honour. “We’ve had so many young people join the business 15 years ago who are still with us now. I’ve seen them progress into senior positions, grow as professionals and have their own families. “These people are the life blood of the business. It’s built on investing in the next generation and that’s what Stepnell is all about. When I started there was less than 100 people, now there’s around 450, but the ethos of supporting staff and helping them grow is still the same.” Mark Wakeford, joint managing director from Stepnell said this award was a testament to Karen’s passion and dedication to mentoring within the industry. “Karen’s infectious enthusiasm to develop individuals within the construction industry has reaped dividends. At Stepnell we are committed to investing in the next generation of young talent and Karen paved the way by developing a hugely successful trainee and apprenticeship scheme,” he said. “Her work has been instrumental in helping us to exceed the industry’s “five per cent club” and we are proud to have apprentices, trainees and graduates making up at least ten per cent of our workforce. “Employee experience is a vital part of our culture at Stepnell, we work to nurture talent and recognise the achievements of individuals at every level across all five regions we operate in. “We offer diverse training opportunities for people leaving school, graduates, ex-offender programmes or people who want to retrain and we have several positions we’re recruiting to across our offices now.” To find out more about Stepnell careers visit: https://www.stepnell.co.uk/careers/current-vacancies/ Join the conversation at @Stepnellltd.
The Environment Agency has announced a set of new supplier arrangements and partnerships which will increase efficiency, value for money and the green legacy of its £2.6 billion capital investment programme. The programme aims to better protect 300,000 homes from coastal erosion and flooding up to 2021 and beyond. Effective from April 2019, the Environment Agency’s Next Generation Supplier Arrangements (NGSA) will form the basis of new ways of working which will help better protect people and the environment whilst ensuring that sustainable development is at the core of Environment Agency projects. The new NGSA arrangements have been developed using the EA’s long experience in the Flood and Coastal Risk Management sector as well as learning from other leading public and private infrastructure providers. The new arrangements promote innovative ways of collaborative working with delivery partners and local communities from the initial planning stages of a project right through to its completion. The new supplier arrangements will also lead to longer term team working and new ways of engaging with local organisations and communities. This closer working will ensure that homes, communities and businesses are receiving the best possible flood and coastal management for the challenges facing their area. At the same time flood and coastal defence projects will promote economic growth, social wellbeing and will seek to enhance levels of natural capital within the local community, making sure that each scheme brings long-lasting benefits for future generations. Toby Willison, Executive Director of Operations at the Environment Agency, said: “This ambitious new framework will help us to continue to deliver our £2.6 billion flood and coastal defence programme in a way which ensures that sustainability, efficiency and value for money remain at the very heart of the work we do to protect people, homes and the environment.” “The Environment Agency continues to work closely with partners and communities from across the country to deliver our commitment of investing £2.6 billion to better protect 300,000 homes from flooding and coastal erosion over six years.” The new arrangements are also a major step forwards for delivering low carbon solutions for projects which will help the EA work towards the Government’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. The NGSA arrangements run through to 2023 with the opportunity to extend to 2027. The definitive list of new suppliers can be found below.
In a move designed to enhance levels of efficiency, sustainability and quality, mechanical and electrical services specialists Mitton Group have entered into a new partnering agreement with modular and portable building company Enviro Building Solutions. The agreement will see Mitton provide mechanical and electrical services for buildings designed and constructed by Enviro Building Solutions across the UK. Enviro Building Solutions have been designing and constructing modular buildings for over 30 years, serving sectors including healthcare, education, retail and commercial. With the business seeing significant growth and projects becoming larger and more complex, the company was looking to partner with an established and responsive M&E specialist capable of designing and installing high quality, sustainable mechanical and electrical services to match customer requirements. Bespoke modular building solutions are continuing to increase in popularity, particularly for applications and environments where short lead times are an important consideration. They provide a real alternative to more traditional building methods, offering not just significant cost savings but also real benefits in terms of reduced time to occupation, minimal on-site disruption, a safer working environment and sustainability. The two companies are also geographically close, with Enviro Building Solutions operating as modular building manufacturers from their base in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and Mitton Group headquartered in Bradford. First fix will be completed in Halifax before Mitton teams attend on site to complete and commission each individual project. “Partnering with Mitton Group ensures we and our clients have access to the highest quality M&E services. The proximity of their head office to our manufacturing site is an added bonus, whilst we will benefit from the convenience of their operational depots across the UK when completing work on site,” stated Jonathan Collins for Enviro Building Solutions. “Our new partners produce a premium quality product designed to provide answers for a range of accommodation requirements. Their professional approach matches our own commitment to quality and performance at every stage of the project,” said Mitton director Jonny Knowles. PHOTOGRAPH ATTACHED Picture shows (left to right) Craig Ready and Jonathan Collins, Directors, Enviro Building Solutions, Jonny Knowles, Director, Mitton Group and Richard Shannon, Director, Enviro Building Solutions. For further information, please contact:- Mitton Mechanical Services Ltd info@mittongroup.com T: 01274 691177 (Editorial) Ann Horan pr@dmddesign.uk T: 01422 371633
Following significant growth in the use of Mobile Plant equipment in the UK, Bureau Veritas is warning firms to be vigilant when it comes to achieving compliance. It comes as the UK Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP) rental market increased by 4% year-on-year, with demand outstripping the rest of Europe by two to one[1]. Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998*, users of work equipment have a responsibility to ensure that the plant or asset is safe to use. Regulations state that regular inspections must be carried out by a competent person and documented. In some cases there are additional regulations to consider, such as the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998*, which covers all work equipment for lifting and lowering loads. According to Bureau Veritas, the rise of MEWP use and potential confusion around responsibility for the equipment could pose a compliance risk. Shaezar Karim, Director for the Statutory Inspection division for Bureau Veritas UK, explains: “The growth in MEWPs has led to inevitable compliance challenges, stemming from contractors hiring assets and being able to transport them around the UK. “Meeting statutory obligations for mobile plant and equipment can be a logistical nightmare – and that’s if users are even aware of their obligations. Many mistakenly believe it is the sole duty of the hire company to undertake PUWER and LOLER inspections but it is the user who must ensure that thorough examinations and inspections are carried out in line with the regulations. “Organisations that face difficulties in overcoming the logistical challenges of mobile equipment inspections and therefore meeting their obligations, are at risk of costly fines, so it’s critical they ensure that the location of an asset does not affect their compliance.” Bureau Veritas has a dedicated Mobile Plant Unit to deliver on-hire inspections; helping clients meet the logistical challenges of meeting statutory obligations for Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP), lifting and crane equipment when hired out to contractors. The unit enables Bureau Veritas industry-recognised specialists to meet the demands of clients across a wide range of sectors, including construction, insurance, aerospace, automotive and facilities management. For further details about Bureau Veritas and services for Mobile Plant, call 0345 600 1828 or visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk