Bury, Lancashire-based steel fabrication specialists, Wm. Hare Group has taken delivery of its first-ever Volvo truck – a brand-new FM-460 6×2 tractor unit with Globetrotter cab – which will be used for inter-depot and site deliveries across a large part of the UK. Paul McNicholas, Customer Solutions Manager at Thomas
Benoy has completed its first development with e-commerce giant Alibaba – the new Ali Centre in Hongqiao, Shanghai. Benoy was appointed as the Interior Designer, Signage and Wayfinding Designer and Retail Planner for the development. Located in the business district of Hongqiao, Shanghai, the new Ali Centre covers three plots and
The independent hire firm, Alide Hire, has invested in two, award winning, X-Splash wash bays supplied by Trime UK. X-Splash is an ecological, flexible cleaning system for plant and machinery. The system prevents soil pollution and contamination of drains, from oil, grease, and similar chemical contaminants. It features a modular
Hiab, part of Cargotec, is proud to introduce the next generation of hooklifts, the MULTILIFT Ultima, with several industry-first innovations that will enhance productivity, ease of use and operational safety. Hiab is the market leader with its MULTILIFT XR range, the predecessor of the now launched MULTILIFT Ultima. “The Terho
Viridian Solar announces that its Clearline Fusion BIPV roofing system has completed the full suite of European fire testing for external spread of flame and has been accredited to have the highest fire resilience in all tests: Broof (T1), Broof (T2), Broof (T3) and Broof (T4) The solar panels and
A leading trade body event will be charting the changing perspectives, current challenges and emerging issues in the UK’s professional invasive weed control sector. The Property Care Association’s 2018 International Invasive Weed Conference takes place at The Slate, University of Warwick, on 22 November. This year’s event has attracted high-profile
Abtec Building Technologies (Abtec BT) has recently completed a project to install a connected lighting system at a newly constructed brick factory in the East Midlands. Ibstock Brick, an Ibstock PLC company, has built a new factory capable of producing 100 million bricks a year, helping to address the UK’s housing shortage.
Boon Brown is celebrating being granted planning permission and conservation area consent for a challenging development in Battersea which will create five residential apartments whilst reinstating a local Victorian public house. The former Queens Arms public house was closed and then converted to a small shop with vacant premises above
FENSA, the largest and longest established Competent Person Scheme (CPS) within the replacement window and door industry, is pleased to announce that it has appointed CMDi –built environment brand specialists, to explore the ‘grey’ market. The scale and form of the ‘grey’ market is one the construction industry’s great unknowns
If you have workers on the books with temporary visas or restricted rights to work in the UK, your business is exposed to additional immigration compliance risks, as immigration solicitor Anne Morris explains. To comply with your duties to prevent illegal working, every employee should be onboarded in line with
Bury, Lancashire-based steel fabrication specialists, Wm. Hare Group has taken delivery of its first-ever Volvo truck – a brand-new FM-460 6×2 tractor unit with Globetrotter cab – which will be used for inter-depot and site deliveries across a large part of the UK. Paul McNicholas, Customer Solutions Manager at Thomas Hardie Commercials Ltd, supplied Wm. Hare Group’s inaugural Volvo prime mover, which features a 3,900mm wheelbase and a 7.5 tonne fixed pusher axle. Powered by Volvo’s D13K 13-litre engine rated at 460hp, the truck also features Volvo’s award-winning, I-Shift automated transmission system, with Long Haul gear changing software. Rear air suspension, a Jost JSK37 cast iron fixed fifth wheel and a drive axle with a ratio of 2.64:1 completes the business end. The FM also comes with the top option, Volvo Gold Service contract for 36 months, which delivers carefree operation and complete peace of mind to operators, like Wm. Hare Group, wishing to focus solely on their own core business and customers. “Before purchasing a new truck, we asked some of our sub-contractors for feedback on truck makes and performance standards,” notes Amie Smith, Transport and Logistics Manager at Wm. Hare Group. “Volvo came back as the top choice for reliability and durability, so we were happy to proceed with the order for an FM-460 with Thomas Hardie Commercials.” Amie adds. “We needed a workhorse to haul steel and fabrications between our network of depots across England. The Volvo FM has been in service since early July and it works mostly night shifts. I’m happy with its performance and so far its fuel returns across the M62 Motorway are impressive and a real improvement on our other two trucks.” Wm. Hare Group’s new Volvo is also proving popular with its driver. “He really loves the FM Globetrotter Cab’s comfort levels and it has proved an easy truck to work with. We’ll definitely consider Volvo again for future fleet purchases,” Amie concludes.
Benoy has completed its first development with e-commerce giant Alibaba – the new Ali Centre in Hongqiao, Shanghai. Benoy was appointed as the Interior Designer, Signage and Wayfinding Designer and Retail Planner for the development. Located in the business district of Hongqiao, Shanghai, the new Ali Centre covers three plots and includes retail, commercial offices and two central squares. The development consists of four buildings covering a gross floor area of over 140,000m2. The lower floors of each will house new online and offline retail businesses which will be accessible to the public, while the upper floors are given to international Grade-A office spaces. The design philosophy behind the Ali Centre was to create an open and interconnected complex conscious of innovation and reflecting the characteristics of mid-to-high-end commercial needs. The overall concept looks at space maximisation, comfortable pedestrian flow and open-air spaces. As the Interior Designer, Benoy brought together simple elegance with science and technology to inform the interior style across each of the buildings. Through the logical division of indoor space, material use, lighting effects, colour application and furniture selection, Benoy’s team reflects a subtle, harmonious, comfortable and modern interior environment in line with Alibaba’s brand. Benoy also worked closely with Alibaba to ensure the retail and commercial office spaces would have their own identity and visibility yet still be united within the Ali Centre development. “Creating a sense of belonging from the outset was critical to our design approach. We wanted to reflect the Alibaba brand as a destination through colour and identifiable design elements from the moment a visitor, guest or worker enters the development,” said Simon Wong, Director at Benoy. Adhering to the design requirements outlined by Alibaba, Benoy created a strong arrival experience across the building’s lobbies – ensuring consistency for the e-commerce brand. The ‘Ali orange’ has been integrated throughout Benoy’s design, with the signature colour applied throughout the reception areas, information desks and elevator halls. Benoy has also introduced playful and eye-catching environmental graphics throughout the development. Such highlights include the oversized building numbering which can be found on the lobby glass curtain walls, the outdoor structural columns as well as the building entrances. The outdoor spatial design has also benefited from Benoy’s applications with the concept of the ‘Orange Ribbon’ applied to the two sunken courtyards which form focal points within the scheme. Extending from the first basement level to the fourth floor, the design connects across the series of interior and exterior spaces, and plays on the notion of brand consistency and visual connection. “The orange ribbon represents Alibaba as a brand which places connectivity at the heart of its approach and has revolutionised the online marketplace for business networks,” said Simon Wong. The Ali Centre in Hongqiao is the first project to be completed by Benoy for Alibaba and sets the foundation for future successful collaborations for the two companies. With the vision to attract top talent and develop an ‘intelligent business district’ within the Greater Hongqiao region, Ali Centre is set to establish itself as an engine for economic and commercial development for this growing area of Shanghai.
The independent hire firm, Alide Hire, has invested in two, award winning, X-Splash wash bays supplied by Trime UK. X-Splash is an ecological, flexible cleaning system for plant and machinery. The system prevents soil pollution and contamination of drains, from oil, grease, and similar chemical contaminants. It features a modular section drainage base with a micro-switch in the rear solids collection tank set to activate the drainage pump when the water reaches a pre-set level. The surrounding area is kept safe from over spray via its large side panels and the anti-slip diamond tread ramp ensures operator safety when loading plant on and off the wash bay work area. The unit comes complete with separation tanks for oil, water and solids. The X-Splash’s ecological qualities have been formally recognised by the internationally respected campaigners, The Green Organisation. Brett Thompson, Alide Hire’s managing director said, “We are a responsible company and take the care of our environment very seriously. So when we decided to upgrade our plant washing facilities at our Bath and Bristol depots, we were immediately drawn to sustainable and recycling attributes of the X-Splash. The X-Splash is well-built, robust and the people at Trime are knowledgeable and gave us a good service.” Alide Hire Services is an independent tool; toilet and small plant hire company with depots in Bristol, Bath and Keynsham. Established in 1981 Alide Hire Services provides a hire service to both the public and private sectors. They have a large fleet of vehicles and range of equipment and deliver throughout the South West area. Alide Hire Services display the strapline “where quality and service still count…” Trime UK believe that installing an X-Splash Wash Bay will work towards eliminating accidental discharge of contaminated water and cut-down on the overall water consumption. This brings together environmental benefits to the wider society and costs savings to the operators. In addition, the Hire Association Europe (HAE) , a leading hire trade association, have confirmed that the anti-pollution features and recycling capabilities, means that the use of an X-Splash Wash Bay will demonstrate a hire firm’s commitment to eliminating water contamination. This is one of elements needed to achieve HAE SafeHire Certification. Trime UK is extending its line of equipment to encompass a range of environmentally biased equipment built specifically for the hire markets. The X-Splash is one of the first products in this expanding range.
Hiab, part of Cargotec, is proud to introduce the next generation of hooklifts, the MULTILIFT Ultima, with several industry-first innovations that will enhance productivity, ease of use and operational safety. Hiab is the market leader with its MULTILIFT XR range, the predecessor of the now launched MULTILIFT Ultima. “The Terho brothers from Raisio, Finland, developed the demountable system in 1947 and turned it into a commercial product in 1949. Ever since this time, the MULTILIFT brand has been the industry leader. With the MULTILIFT Ultima, we reinforce our long tradition of innovation. The MULTILIFT Ultima makes use of state-of-the-art technologies such as cameras, smart sensors, and advanced connectivity features, to make operating the hooklift easier and safer than ever before”, says Henri Janhonen, Director, Sales and Product Business Management at MULTILIFT product line, Hiab. The MULTILIFT Ultima features a number of industry-first innovations that will help operators in every type of loading task: HookliftAssist(TM) offers operators three different levels of camera-based assistance, guiding the load-handling operation. SafePositioning(TM) is a detection system designed to safely slide containers into a pre-set position based on their length. The system automatically stops containers from dropping off rear rollers and prevents damage to other equipment such as truck cranes. Integrated Load Weighing (patent pending) is available with MULTILIFT Ultima ensuring everything required to maximize your payload while avoiding the risk of overload charges. This unique system calculates weight during the loading process, replacing the need to use an auxiliary indicative weighing system with a more cost-effective solution that lets the operator work more efficiently than ever before. FutureTouch(TM) display is an advanced all-in-one interface that lets the operator control every aspect of the hooklift and other on-truck equipment. With the FutureTouch(TM) display, the operator has easy access to diagnostic messages, load indicator and weight information, the Integrated Weighing System, and more, from a single, convenient interface. uControl represents a new era of hooklift control, thanks to the three different control system options that form part of Hiab’s revolutionary uControl platform. uControl Base, Flex and Pro lets Hiab’s customers choose exactly the right level of control for a wide range of modern loading tasks. The MULTILIFT Ultima can be ordered with HiConnect(TM), a connected service for Hiab customers to enhance productivity, efficiency and the safety of their business and the connected Hiab equipment. Clear and simple overviews and graphs help customers monitor status, plan maintenance and improve the operation of each unit and operator. As with all Hiab equipment, the new MULTILIFT Ultima also comes with the option of Hiab ProCare(TM), a flexible service contract designed to secure the uptime of the equipment. Scheduled and preventive maintenance helps retain the same high quality the customer has invested in. Using original spare parts and the highest standards, our global service network takes professional care of every piece of Hiab equipment, reducing the risk of costly breakdowns and unexpected downtime. The MULTILIFT Ultima is ready to receive orders at the IAA exhibition and the first deliveries will start during the fourth quarter of 2018. Please visit us to learn more about the MULTILIFT Ultima at our stand P35 at the IAA exhibition in Hannover, Germany from 20-27 September and join our launch event at the outdoor stand on Thursday 20 September at 12.30 CEST. The event will be also live streamed and available here: https://www.hiab.com/en/multilift/highlights/multilift-ultima/
Viridian Solar announces that its Clearline Fusion BIPV roofing system has completed the full suite of European fire testing for external spread of flame and has been accredited to have the highest fire resilience in all tests: Broof (T1), Broof (T2), Broof (T3) and Broof (T4) The solar panels and roofing kits underwent a battery of different fire-related tests to assess resistance to the spread of flame and roof penetration by a fire that originates externally to the building. “European fire tests are harmonised into one document, but there is no standard single test. For roofing there are four annexes (T1 to 4) describing four different tests. T1 is for Germany and Netherlands, T2 for Scandinavia, T3 for France and T4 the UK and Eire. Building control regulations in different countries will accept different tests. Clearline fusion is the first roof integrated solar system to be tested against all four tests and it has achieved the top rating ‘Broof’ in all of them,” explains KT Tan, Chief Technical Officer at Viridian Solar. Stuart Elmes, CEO at Viridian added: “Our investment in accreditation gives solar installers and housebuilders confidence that Clearline fusion meets building regulations for external spread of flame, wherever they are installing. Because the product is a proprietary system, there are no grey areas and no concerns about whether what is installed is the same as what was accredited. Fire is an area that regulators in many localities are starting to look at very seriously, especially as solar installation volumes increase.”
A leading trade body event will be charting the changing perspectives, current challenges and emerging issues in the UK’s professional invasive weed control sector. The Property Care Association’s 2018 International Invasive Weed Conference takes place at The Slate, University of Warwick, on 22 November. This year’s event has attracted high-profile speakers from across the public and private sector, including the legal field, utilities and local authorities, as well as finance and mortgaging. The focus is on three key themes, identification, assessment and response, with representatives from the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat, the Environment Agency and CABI chairing the sessions. And, as well as looking at invasive plants often on the radar, such as Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed, the focus will also include the emerging issue of other plants including buddleia and bamboo and how to deal with them. The full conference programme, including booking details, can be viewed at https://www.property-care.org/conferences/international-invasive-weed-conference-identification-assessment-response/ ‘Identification,’ the first session of the day, includes input from Ben Aston, of Yorkshire Water, who discusses the most challenging weeds for the water industry, and Dr Johan van Valkenburg, who will present an overview of the invasive, non-native weeds of concern in those countries just over the Channel from us and their potential to impact on the UK. The ‘assessment’ session includes information on mortgaging and finance from Robert Stevens of Nationwide, and health and safety best practice from Colin Liptrot of the Environment Agency. Finally, our ‘response’ to these issues includes Rodger Burnett of Charles Lyndon outlining the Court of Appeal’s take on matters, and details of land remediation tax relief and Japanese knotweed being covered by Alun Oliver of E3 Consulting. A panel debate, ‘Local Authorities and Invasive Weeds,’ concludes the event. Dr Peter Fitzsimons, the PCA’s Invasive Weed Control Group Technical Manager, said: “The conference is seen as a major event for decision makers and those influencing and tackling the issues related to invasive weeds to gain the latest knowledge and insight on the issue. “The content this year is engaging, informative and highly topical, offering a valuable opportunity for delegates including contractors, surveyors, lawyers, public authorities and academics to join with PCA members and share industry-leading insight and best practice.”
Abtec Building Technologies (Abtec BT) has recently completed a project to install a connected lighting system at a newly constructed brick factory in the East Midlands. Ibstock Brick, an Ibstock PLC company, has built a new factory capable of producing 100 million bricks a year, helping to address the UK’s housing shortage. With lighting such a fundamental part of any manufacturing facility, the company wanted to install the latest technologies to help save on costs, energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Ibstock Brick is the UK’s market leader in brick manufacture with 20 factories across the country and a total annual capacity in excess of 750 million bricks. In addition, the firm employs almost 1400 people, with a substantial number in the local Ibstock and Ellistown areas in Leicestershire. Despite the impressive output figures, the UK as a whole is suffering from a housing shortage that is not helped by a lack of bricks. To address the shortfall, it is estimated that a further 400 million bricks will be required annually; a demand that is currently met by imports from continental Europe. In response, Ibstock Brick is increasing its output by constructing one of the most modern brick factories in the world. In fact, the company estimates that the new £54 million facility will increase its production capacity by a further 100 million bricks per annum. Total connectivity All modern factories call for connectivity, and this includes services such as lighting, for which the company was keen to ensure the latest technologies were utilised. “We were introduced to the project by Siemens as we are a solutions partner for their building technologies division,” explains Dave Watkins, director of Abtec BT, a specialist in bringing cost-saving intelligence to buildings. “After an initial chat with Ibstock, at which we had the opportunity to put forward our ideas, we were asked to tender formally for the project, which we duly won.” The solution proposed by Abtec BT was based on a number of class-leading technologies, including LED sources, open platform functionality, sustainability and, of course, connectivity. This proposal contrasted notably to the original brief, which was based on fluorescent lighting. “We had to justify the technology and why Ibstock should go for it,” states Mr Watkins. “However, the advantages of the proposal were pretty apparent and the company soon placed the order.” Demonstrating the payback Abtec BT’s alternative to traditional lighting and controls facilitated the potential to build an energy-efficient building management system. Significant payback on the proposed solution was demonstrated, along with CO2 savings to match. In terms of the actual choice of lighting, the nature of the environment within the factory made this task especially challenging. Specialist conditions meant that the system not only had to be energy efficient, but had to be installed to a very specific standard, a factor that called for careful thought in the design of the concept, as well as consideration for future maintenance requirements. “We proposed DALi light fittings, which were rated to a high IP (ingress protection) with no metal exposed,” explains Mr Watkins. “This is important as a combination of brick dust and moisture in the atmosphere can cause incorrectly specified light fittings to corrode. In addition to their suitability for the operating environment, the use of DALi lighting would also provide the control and feedback needed at the management graphics end of the system.” 300 light fittings In total, Abtec BT calculated the need for 300 light fittings above the 295 x 86m factory floor in order to maintain the necessary lux levels. Contamination from the brickmaking process will of course affect lux levels over time, but the nature of the connected lighting solution proposed by Abtec BT means it is possible to account for this eventuality. “At installation, new lights can be dimmed to counter the fact that they will probably emit lux levels that are too high,” says Mr Watkins. “However, as time passes and the lights get contaminated from factory production processes, so we can dim up accordingly. Having a high understanding of issues such as these helped us to secure the Ibstock contract.” The installation undertaken by Abtec of the electrical elements such as the busbar also had to be carefully selected and installed. Due to the challenging height of the building (over 17m), the sensors used and the location required close scrutiny. Effective energy management Abtec BT’s system has all the elements necessary to provide effective energy management, including presence detection from sensors mounted throughout the factory, automated function and duration testing of emergency lighting, constant daylight control and some scene setting. “Constant light control means that we monitor natural light levels across the whole factory and adjust the DALi lighting accordingly,” says Mr Watkins. “For instance, if the sun comes out and natural light levels improve we can slowly dim the lights [not noticeable by the naked eye], thus generating savings.” In total, energy savings of around 50% are anticipated in comparison with a traditional lighting install, along with an annual CO2 reduction of 170,041 kg. When coupled with the automated emergency testing, further savings are expected, leading to an estimated project payback of less than two years. Open platform “The system installed is open in its approach to technology; KNX has been used for the field based sensors, BACnet for integration to heating and ventilation, and MODBUS to bring in the metering data,” explains Mr Watkins. Importantly, the entire system links to Abtec’s integrated building energy management system, HYDRA, which allows users to easily navigate and visualise logged events. Built on the latest vector graphics platform (HTML5), HYDRA helps users zoom in to the information they need, whether on a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. The HYDRA system, with its supervisor control and data acquisition functions, is a window into the heart of a building, as well as a proactive tool giving information to managers so they can make informed business decisions. HYDRA supports OPC, ModBus and BACnet, and allows integration with third-party systems. Data aggregation
Boon Brown is celebrating being granted planning permission and conservation area consent for a challenging development in Battersea which will create five residential apartments whilst reinstating a local Victorian public house. The former Queens Arms public house was closed and then converted to a small shop with vacant premises above until Boon Brown’s successful design converted the building back into a 3590 sq ft pub/restaurant plus one studio and four two-bedroom residential units. In Boon Brown’s plan for client James Laurence Group, a public house with restaurant and back-of-house facilities will occupy the ground floor and basement, with an extension to the existing first and second floors helping provide space for four apartments. A new third floor will house one, two-bedroom flat. Explains Craig Jones of Boon Brown: “To bring back a regarded local asset as well as providing much needed housing has made the Queens Arms project a joy to work on. The Queens Arms had been a public house since it was built in 1865 but closed two years ago. Despite attempts by Wandsworth Council via Article 4 Directions, the pub was converted to a shop and now has planning permission to be converted back to pub use with integrated restaurant. An agreement with a successful local operator to take on the pub and restaurant post refurbishment should secure the future for the Queens Arms.” As the Queens Arms is in the Park Town Conservation Area and is included in Wandsworth Borough Council’s ‘local list’ of unlisted buildings of architectural or historic significance, Boon Brown’s design had to be sympathetic to the local heritage context. Boon Brown’s proposal retains the original built form, with its distinct two-tone ‘public house’ commercial façade, articulated pillasters and arched windows, and the local vernacular and irregular form of the set-back upper floors. An existing ground floor extension will be brought in line with the style of the pub façade, with larger arched openings to serve the apartments’ joint entrance. The simple, bespoke aluminium doors will follow the architectural language of the existing fabric with a contemporary touch. Above this, a new one storey extension retains the building‘s mellow character, matching the existing elevation as well as the existing brickwork type and colour to create a natural continuity. The original plaster and painted cornice and string courses are continued across the new structure and the windows match the proportions, colours and types of the existing sashes. At the second floor, a minimal full glass extension provides interesting perspectives for the studio apartment, while it is incorporated neatly within the dominant character of the building. The third-floor roof extension steps back from the existing parapet and is clad in zinc, with a simple plan form to avoid over-fussy lines. The external walling adopts a mansard arrangement to soften the visual edge. This success comes just four months after Boon Brown gained planning permission for a contemporary detached house in the yard of the Queens Arms. Work is expected to start on site in late October 2018.
FENSA, the largest and longest established Competent Person Scheme (CPS) within the replacement window and door industry, is pleased to announce that it has appointed CMDi –built environment brand specialists, to explore the ‘grey’ market. The scale and form of the ‘grey’ market is one the construction industry’s great unknowns but it is a recurring issue for many installers who are doing everything by the book only to find there are “competitors” who are winning business but are not operating legally or ethically. FENSA’s role is to enable member companies to self-certify compliance under the Building Regulations, without the need for a separate assessment from Building Control. In the past few years FENSA has been made aware of companies not registering window or door installations and in some cases installing windows that are not complying with Building Regulations. FENSA’s Managing Director, Anda Gregory, commented: “As the market leader, FENSA has a responsibility to ensure that our brand is well positioned to clearly communicate the role FENSA plays, not only to build value for our members, but to provide protection for homeowners. We have appointed CMDi to work with us as long-term partners to carry out a robust programme of research to establish the size and nature of the grey market.” Managing Director of CMDi, Dianne Lucas, said “We are looking forward to working with FENSA as it has a vital role to play in the industry. CMDi has a unique blend of sector focused business strategies including research, brand positioning and communications delivery.” CMDI’s initial task will be to establish the issues affecting the industry through extensive industry and consumer research. From there, the consultants will work on brand and communications strategies to further strengthen FENSA’s market leading position to ensure it meets the current and long term challenges facing by the industry.
If you have workers on the books with temporary visas or restricted rights to work in the UK, your business is exposed to additional immigration compliance risks, as immigration solicitor Anne Morris explains. To comply with your duties to prevent illegal working, every employee should be onboarded in line with Home Office requirements to ‘Obtain, Check and Record’ appropriate Right to Work documents. This means checking and keeping copies of original, acceptable documents before someone starts working for you and – something which many employers are not always fully aware of – carrying out repeat checks if a person has a time limit on their work permission. If you’re found to be in breach of these duties, you could be liable for a hefty civil penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker, and could potentially face criminal prosecution. Ensuring compliance across a sizeable workforce and multiple sites is challenging in itself, but when your employees hold varying immigration status, requiring document checks to be run at different intervals – the risk to your business multiplies. But the legislation is clear – you must at any one time be able to accurately confirm the working status of every employee in your organisation. Your duties when employing immigration-restricted workers The Home Office sets out two definitive lists of ‘acceptable’ documents that individuals are to present to employers to prove their right to work in the UK. An individual’s immigration status determines which list they need to refer to and which documentation they must present to you to verify they have the relevant permission to carry out the work on offer. List A applies to those with permanent right to work, such as UK nationals or those with Indefinite Leave to Remain. Production of a valid, original List A document is sufficient to establish you as an employer have met your duty for checking an employee’s right to work for the duration of their employment with you. No further right to work checks will be needed for this employee. Employees with limited leave to remain or enter the UK, restricting the duration or type of activity permitted, are required to produce items from List B to evidence their identity and their employment authorisation. You will need to conduct compliance checks at least every 12 months on employees relying on List B documentation. The potential for List B employees’ working status to change during the course of employment creates an area of risk for employers, requiring close and careful management. A follow-up right to work check should result in one of the following: The employee presents items from List B confirming continued, limited right to work: the 12-month cycle starts again. Where an individual’s leave expires during the period of 12 months after the last check, you should carry out a check at the point of expiry to verify their continued right to work. If further List B documentation is provided, a repeat check will be required at 12 months. If you are presented with a List A document, you have met your duty for the duration of the person’s employment with you and you are no longer required to carry out annual checks on that employee. Employer Checking Service If an employee presents documents from ‘List B Group 2’, or the individual is unable to present any acceptable document from List 2 – because the individual is awaiting an application decision by the Home Office – contact the Employer Checking Service to receive a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office, confirming the continued eligibility of the individual to work for the duration that their application is outstanding and until their visa is approved. Loss of right to work If you establish that an employee no longer has the right to work in the UK and you continue to employ that person, you become liable for a civil penalty and the criminal offence of knowingly employing an illegal worker. It is best to seek advice as soon as you become aware of an employee’s loss of permission before taking action. Instant dismissal of an employee who no longer has the right to work can in some cases give rise to employment law issues, such as unfair dismissal or discrimination claims, which will require navigation. Managing compliance business risks What can employers do to effectively manage their List B employees, and reduce the risk of non-compliance and threat of civil penalty without onerous drain on resource? Automate your systems The most effective approach to managing List B documents is through an automated solution to prompts for HR teams to check on the progress of employees’ outstanding application. Compliant record keeping Repeat checks on List B personnel should be recorded as per UKVI guidelines and synced with the original record. An effective solution will sync the data into your HR or payroll system immediately. Personnel training Ensuring those in your organisation responsible for recruiting and onboarding understand, follow process. Through training can be effective to ensure Be clear on employees’ duties Ensure your employees are aware of their duty to notify you of any change in their circumstances or working status, and the wider requirements on them to manage their status appropriately. Anne Morris is an immigration solicitor and Managing Director at UK immigration law firm DavidsonMorris. specialists in all areas of business immigration including right to work compliance, PBS licences and challenging civil penalties.