New study reveals Cambridge as the worst area for tool thefts in the UK South, West and North Yorkshire also appear in the top ten Experts reveal why you should review business assets and sell unused equipment The rising cost of living and trading has put businesses under immense pressure.
The Camp Lejeune water contamination scandal was a major issue and affected nearly a million people over several decades. For those who were affected by the toxic contamination at Camp Lejeune, or have a loved one who was affected, the passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is a massive
More than three quarters (78%) of tradespeople have struggled to source materials this year New research reveals the 10 materials that workers have found hardest to source Plasterers, surveyors and joiners are the worst affected trades The materials shortage has plagued the UK trade industry for two years, and now
A checklist of key actions has been published to help building owners and operators prepare for the radical health and safety changes contained in the Building Safety Act. New legislation, which came into force last month, is set to transform the current culture across construction and introduce the most dramatic
The way businesses file Value Added Tax (VAT) returns has now changed, as part of Making Tax Digital (MTD). HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging businesses in your sector to join over 1.7 million taxpayers who are already benefitting from MTD to make the change. From 1 April 2022,
As the Building Safety Act 2022 comes into force, a leading provider of building management services is urging facilities and building managers to ensure their emergency lighting systems are ‘fit for purpose.’ The call for action from Abtec Building Technologies (Abtec BT) comes following a number of fires in high
Responding to measures in the Building Safety Act coming into force today where many leaseholders will be legally protected from unfair bills to make their homes safe, Cllr Darren Rodwell, Local Government Association housing spokesperson, said: “The LGA has long argued that blameless leaseholders should not have to pay for
Incoming changes to Part L of the Building Regulations are likely to intensify testing demand in the run up to the December 31 deadline for UKCA certification. The warning, from Element Materials Technology – one of the UK’s leading testing and certification service providers to the construction industry – comes
Knauf Insulation has launched its new online ‘Housebuilders Hub’, providing tools and guidance to help housebuilders comply with the updated Approved Document L (ADL) building regulations. The Hub is accessible via Knauf Insulation’s website, where housebuilders and their suppliers will find a range of free, practical resources, including example ADL-compliant
Revisions to Part L of the building regulations, which come into force in June, are the subject of a new CPD devised by insulation specialist Actis which is due to be launched to the industry in a few weeks’ time. Tomorrow’s Insulation Solutions for Future Homes Standards is currently awaiting
New study reveals Cambridge as the worst area for tool thefts in the UK South, West and North Yorkshire also appear in the top ten Experts reveal why you should review business assets and sell unused equipment The rising cost of living and trading has put businesses under immense pressure. Whilst stolen tools could seem a minor inconvenience, losing tools and large-scale equipment could be disastrous for a business already suffering in the current economic climate. Commercial tool thefts are a growing concern for businesses across the country, with search interest for ‘tools stolen’ increasing by 117%¹ from January 2020 to July this year. Whilst tool thefts can happen anywhere in the country, online auction specialist BPI Auctions has used Freedom of Information data² from local councils across the UK to identify which areas suffered the most commercial tool thefts since January 2020. Analysing the data, the top ten areas for tool thefts are: Cambridgeshire (9,433) South Yorkshire (6,123) Lancashire (5,818) Essex (4,196) Hertfordshire (3,675) West Yorkshire (3,097) North Yorkshire (2,229) Humberside (1,129) Northamptonshire (1,013) Bedfordshire (858) Cambridgeshire took the top spot with 9,433 total thefts, a significant lead ahead of South Yorkshire in second place with 6,123 thefts. Yorkshire appeared in the top ten twice more, with West Yorkshire in 6th place (3,097) and North Yorkshire in 7th (2,229). Whilst Northern regions were prominent in the top ten, Southern areas also made the list, with Essex coming 4th (4,196) and Hertfordshire being 5th (3,675). Looking further into the data, in Cambridgeshire, the number of ‘thefts from a motor vehicle’ (6,581) was over twice as common as a ‘burglary from a business’ (2,837). This is a regular occurrence in tool thefts. Whilst business owners will often invest in security for premises and buildings, vehicles are often forgotten and become a perfect target for thieves. Whilst you can’t guarantee the protection of your vehicle from tool thefts, making small changes like storing tools inside or investing in a sticker that states ‘no tools are left in the vehicle overnight’ can deter prospective thieves. Despite having the most thefts overall, Cambridgeshire’s stolen value totalled £4,816,806, whilst South Yorkshire was valued at over double with £9,289,954 of stolen goods between January 2020 and July 2022. The data shows that smaller handheld tools such as drills and saws were much more at risk than larger, expensive items like fort lift trucks or platform lifts. These items are more convenient for thieves as they are smaller and likely have no serial numbers that owners or police could identify them with. Speaking on the data, Henry Spencer, Chief Operating Officer at BPI Auctions, summarises: “As a Yorkshire-based business, it is shocking to see our region rank so high on the list. However safe or crime-free you believe your area to be, you could still be at threat from tool thefts. Making changes or investing in security or storage may seem unnecessary, but it could save your business thousands of pounds and stress down the line.” “Business owners in these areas may also benefit from reviewing their business assets and selling any tools or equipment they no longer need. Reduced tool collections can also be easier to store and keep in secure locations on an evening or weekend.” For a full breakdown of the areas with the highest tool thefts and which tools are most likely to be stolen, visit BPI Auctions.
The Camp Lejeune water contamination scandal was a major issue and affected nearly a million people over several decades. For those who were affected by the toxic contamination at Camp Lejeune, or have a loved one who was affected, the passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is a massive deal. To ensure you make the most of this act’s passage, here are some important updates and information to catch you up on the Camp Lejeune Justice Act: The Camp Lejeune Justice Act Passes Congress Congress has finally passed the Honoring Our PACT Act, which covers a massive range of cases where veterans and family members were exposed to toxic burn pits and other sources of toxic contamination. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was a key part of the larger PACT legislation and was created to oversee lawsuits regarding the toxic water contamination that occurred for decades at Camp Lejeune. Nearly a million people have been estimated to have suffered life-altering medical conditions due to the toxic exposure they experienced at Camp Lejeune during their residencies. Additionally, TruLaw has information on the Camp Lejeune lawsuit. Are You Eligible to File a Camp Lejeune Justice Act Lawsuit? Under the text of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, anywho who “resided, worked, or was otherwise exposed” to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or longer (between August 1st, 1953 and December 31st, 1987) could be eligible to file a damages claim. Military members, their family members, non-military workers, civilian contractors, and other long-term residents who lived at Camp Lejeune are all eligible to file a lawsuit under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. For those uncertain about their eligibility status, talking to a knowledgeable attorney about Camp Lejeune lawsuit representation is highly recommended. Can the Family Members of Deceased Loved Ones File Lawsuits as Well? The text of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows relatives (or legal representatives) to file claims on behalf of people both living and deceased, as long as they were exposed to the toxic, contaminated water at Camp Lejeune Justice during the qualifying period. In addition to legal representatives, the individuals that can file for living or deceased folk include an exposed individual’s child, spouse, parent, or sibling. What Illnesses are Linked to the Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune? A large list of illnesses, many of them life-long or life-altering, have been connected to toxic exposure linked to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. These illnesses have been put together by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), which is a public health agency. More action is needed to keep similar water contamination issues from happening around the country. Other studies were combined with the ATSDR’s initial study to compile the following list of Camp Lejeune-connected illnesses: -Soft Tissue Cancer -Rectal Cancer -Pancreatic Cancer -Ovarian Cancer -Prostate Cancer -Lung Cancer -Liver Cancer -Multiple Myeloma –Breast Cancer -Bladder Cancer -Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma -Leukemia -Kidney Cancer -Esophageal Cancer -Brain Cancer -Cardiac Birth Defects -Neural Tube Defects -Fetal Death -Low Birth Weight -Female Infertility -Choanal Atresia -Miscarriage -Major Malformations -Oral Cleft Defects -Liver Cirrhosis -Scleroderma -Parkinson Disease -End-Stage Renal Disease Differences Between VA Disability Benefits and Lawsuits Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act There was already legislation passed to help those exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune gain VA benefits in 2012 – the Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. The act provided needed health care benefits to veterans stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, as well as their family members, as long as they suffered from any of these 15 health conditions: -Esophageal Cancer -Breast Cancer -Bladder Cancer -Lung Cancer -Kidney Cancer -Scleroderma -Leukemia -Miscarriage -Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma -Renal Toxicity -Myelodysplastic Syndromes -Hepatic Steatosis -Female Infertility -Neurobehavioral Effects -Multiple Myeloma The History of Camp Lejeune’s Water Contamination The Camp Lejeune water contamination scandal is one of the most prominent in U.S. history. From the 1950s to the 1980s, two toxic wells contaminated all water on the base and led to health issues for an estimated 750,000+ people. The contamination occurred due to a large multitude of volatile organic compounds finding their way into the water: including benzene, vinyl chloride, tetrachloroethylene, and others. The toxic contamination originated from several sources, including industrial spills, underground storage tank leaks, waste disposal sites, and other mismanagement. When Should I File a Lawsuit Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act? Now that Congress has passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, you should act immediately to file a lawsuit. Hundreds of millions of dollars are expected to be paid out in settlements in the first year of these lawsuits alone, so it is finally time for you to receive the restitution you deserve from the United States government.
More than three quarters (78%) of tradespeople have struggled to source materials this year New research reveals the 10 materials that workers have found hardest to source Plasterers, surveyors and joiners are the worst affected trades The materials shortage has plagued the UK trade industry for two years, and now new research has revealed the stark impact this has had on workers in the sector. The study, conducted by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, found that more than three-quarters (78%) of tradespeople have struggled to source the materials they’ve needed in the last year. As a result, almost half (46%) have had to delay or turn down work, and nearly a fifth (19%) have been forced to let customers down after committing to jobs. When asked which specific materials they’ve found difficult to find, the most common replies were paint (21%), timber (19%) and steel (17%). The 10 materials that UK tradespeople have found hardest to source in the last year are: # Material % 1 Paint 21% 2 Timber 19% 3 Steel 17% 4 Blocks 14% 5 Bricks 13% 6 Coatings 13% 7 Semi-conductors 13% 8 Plasterboard 12% 9 Cement 12% 10 Microchips 12% Unfortunately, more than one in five (22%) respondents said that they can’t see the shortage easing anytime soon, and that they believe problems will continue into 2023. Inflation is the main factor they blame (20%), with record levels driving up prices across the board and affecting the supply chain. The impact of Coronavirus (17%), rising energy costs (15%) and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (15%) are also perceived to be responsible. While the shortage has been felt across the industry, some trades have struggled to source materials more than others. The study found that plasterers (92%), surveyors (88%) and joiners (87%) have been hit the hardest. Roofers, however, are the most likely workers to have had to turn down work (60%) as a result of the issue. Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said: “The materials shortage continues to be one of the industry’s main challenges, with workers across all trades finding it hard to source what they need to meet the demand for their services. “The impact is felt in many ways – financially, as many have had to refuse work as a result, but also personally, as our recent Mental Health in the Trades report found that the shortage is one of the main causes of stress for tradespeople in 2022. “In recent weeks, there have been signs of the situation easing slightly, so hopefully things will continue to improve as the year goes on.” To see which materials each individual trade has found difficult to source this year, and how prices have increased over time, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/how-is-the-materials-shortage-affecting-uk-tradespeople
A checklist of key actions has been published to help building owners and operators prepare for the radical health and safety changes contained in the Building Safety Act. New legislation, which came into force last month, is set to transform the current culture across construction and introduce the most dramatic change to building safety in almost half a century, according to the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA). While much of the national publicity around the Act focused on fire safety and standards of new building work, the implications for all aspects of safe operation of existing buildings are significant. This prompted the Association to prepare a simple five-point checklist that addresses the key responsibilities of those likely to be affected by the legislation. The Act requires a named individual for each in scope building who can be held legally accountable for actions and omissions in planning, procurement, and operation. The ‘accountable person’ must be competent to “plan, monitor and manage” work, according to the legislation. SFG20, part of the BESA group, produces the industry’s standard for planned service and maintenance work, and has examined the detail of the legislation and identified the specific implications for those responsible for maintenance. The checklist will help building operators prepare for the digital ‘golden thread’ of information needed to satisfy their new legal obligations. The new Building Safety Regulator, supported by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), will be carrying out in-depth reviews of 12,500 ‘high risk’ buildings over the next five years to look for safety breaches. He has the power to retrospectively punish past poor quality work making it important for those responsible to have clear records of all work already complete or currently underway – not just future projects.
The way businesses file Value Added Tax (VAT) returns has now changed, as part of Making Tax Digital (MTD). HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging businesses in your sector to join over 1.7 million taxpayers who are already benefitting from MTD to make the change. From 1 April 2022, MTD for VAT became mandatory for all VAT-registered businesses, regardless of turnover. This means businesses need to keep digital business records, sign up to MTD and file all their future VAT returns using MTD-compatible software. If they do not file their VAT returns through MTD, they may have to pay a penalty. Even if a business currently keeps digital records, they must check their software is MTD compatible and sign up for MTD. MTD’s aim is to help businesses get their tax right first time and to support the UK to go digital. More than 15 million returns have been successfully submitted through MTD, with businesses reporting that MTD has increased their confidence in managing their tax affairs and using technology. There is a range of compatible software products available for VAT, allowing businesses to choose which tools they use to run their business and tax affairs. A list of software compatible with Making Tax Digital for VAT, including low-cost options, is available on GOV.UK. HMRC has continued to work with smaller businesses below the £85,000 VAT threshold to ensure they are ready and to remind them of the actions they need to take. A range of accessible help is available online through GOV.UK, webinars and videos as well as through HMRC’s Extra Support Service. Giles McCallum, Director of Making Tax Digital at HMRC, said: “We continue to support those businesses who have yet to sign up and are encouraging traders in the construction sector to help them make the change to Making Tax Digital. Using MTD helps businesses reduce errors, making it faster to prepare and submit returns. “In order to gain benefit from MTD and to avoid any penalty as many others have already, we urge all businesses to sign up to MTD now.” Federation of Small Businesses National Chair Martin McTague said: “MTD software can improve productivity and open up opportunities to tighten internal processes beyond just the tax side of things. Even if you’re not obliged to be a part of MTD at the moment, it’s worth looking into different platforms, especially now Help To Grow Digital is live. If you’re an FSB member, we can help you get up to speed in this area.” To comply with MTD for VAT, businesses or an agent on a business’ behalf need to take three simple steps: If a business hasn’t signed up to MTD yet, they must do so before they submit their next VAT return otherwise they could receive a penalty. Find out how to sign up on GOV.UK. Agents can sign up on behalf of a business, although businesses remain responsible for meeting their VAT obligations. Details on how to avoid being charged a penalty can be found here.
As the Building Safety Act 2022 comes into force, a leading provider of building management services is urging facilities and building managers to ensure their emergency lighting systems are ‘fit for purpose.’ The call for action from Abtec Building Technologies (Abtec BT) comes following a number of fires in high rise buildings in recent months, and at a time when the call for the ‘stay put’ policy to be abandoned. Welcoming the new legislation, the company believes such incidents place a much-needed spotlight on the need for more integrated approaches secure, robust emergency lighting reporting solutions which allow occupants to safety exit the building. Abtec BT, who launched ARGOHub – a software as a service (SaaS) offering, believes too many buildings reman ill-equipped with outdated emergency lighting systems and testing practices. This means they are not fit for purpose and cannot be relied upon in the event of an incident. Fully supportive of the current industry standards, ARGOHub can be tested in accordance with BS EN 50172:2004/BS 5266-1:2016, which specify the minimum provision and testing of emergency lighting for different premises. “Emergency building services is about more than fire alarms,’ comments Dave Watkins, Director of Abtec Building Technologies. “As the focus on building safety continues to increase, it is absolutely vital that those with responsibility for building safety take a good look at their existing systems and ask whether they are truly fit for the purpose they were installed for?. “Building managers must be sure they can control, monitor and test their emergency lighting systems with ease and confidence. We know from experience that integrating technology such as ARGOHub into building management systems will enhance overall building safety and bring peace of mind to building owners, operators and users everywhere. For any building manager who remains unsure of how things can be improved or made more robust and reliable, we are here to help.” For more information and to download ARGOHub’s white paper visit www.argohub.com.
Responding to measures in the Building Safety Act coming into force today where many leaseholders will be legally protected from unfair bills to make their homes safe, Cllr Darren Rodwell, Local Government Association housing spokesperson, said: “The LGA has long argued that blameless leaseholders should not have to pay for fire safety defects resulting from 20 years of regulatory failure and industry malpractice. We are pleased the Government has listened, although we remain concerned that the measures announced today will be insufficient to protect all leaseholders who own the freeholds of their blocks. “Government is right to recognise that the regulatory system was inadequate and operating poorly before the Grenfell Tower fire. It now needs to take responsibility for that failure by ensuring social housing tenants have the same protection that it has offered homeowners. “If councils and housing associations are not protected from the cost of fixing dangerous cladding and other fire safety defects those costs will inevitably fall on rent-payers. The Government must also exempt social housing from the forthcoming levy.”
Incoming changes to Part L of the Building Regulations are likely to intensify testing demand in the run up to the December 31 deadline for UKCA certification. The warning, from Element Materials Technology – one of the UK’s leading testing and certification service providers to the construction industry – comes in advance of scheduled changes to Part L, which take effect from 15 June. As part of a shift towards lowering domestic CO2 production through the Future Building Standard, all new doors and windows entering the market from that date must meet new mandated U-values. However, any existing products currently on the market which meet the new mandated U-values must still achieve UKCA marking in order to be sold in the UK from 1 January 2023. The requirement is likely to affect hundreds of products manufactured outside of the UK, even if they have achieved CE marking in the country of manufacture. UKCA marking can only be issued by an approved body listed on the UK government’s database. As there are only a small number of approved bodies, manufacturers who have not yet started or completed the process could find themselves under pressure to secure laboratory space with just six months left until the UKCA marking requirements come into force. Chris Bryan, Senior Test Engineer at Element Materials Technology – Wednesbury, comments: “On the surface, the changes to minimum U-values set out in the updates to Part L are straightforward. Indeed, a sizeable majority of products currently in circulation are already compliant. “The real issue is that any product that has been CE-marked in another country – even if it meets the U-value requirements set out in the changes to Part L – will need to be re-tested in the UK to achieve UKCA marking to continue being sold here from the start of next year.” Chris continues: “The realisation is really starting to take effect amongst the international fabrication community. We have already seen a surge in demand in recent weeks and only expect that to increase as we get closer to the UKCA deadline. I would strongly urge any fabricators who either manufacture overseas or are looking to meet the new requirements to book UKCA testing now to ensure a smooth transition.” To find out more about UKCA testing, please visit: https://www.element.com/product-qualification-testing-services/ukca-mark-guidance.
Knauf Insulation has launched its new online ‘Housebuilders Hub’, providing tools and guidance to help housebuilders comply with the updated Approved Document L (ADL) building regulations. The Hub is accessible via Knauf Insulation’s website, where housebuilders and their suppliers will find a range of free, practical resources, including example ADL-compliant whole-house recipes*, a Part L Guide, a U-value calculator and advice on different approaches to achieving compliance. Further resources will be added to the Hub over the coming months and visitors have the option to register for alerts, as these become available. In the long-term, the business plans to develop the platform further, and provide expert insights and practical information around a range of key industry topics, such as innovation and sustainability. The Hub forms part of Knauf Insulation’s ‘partnership’ approach, which offers support services to housebuilders, alongside the products they know and trust. “With changes to the regulations now in force, housebuilders are under pressure to adapt quickly”, explains James Hulbert, Head of Housing for Knauf Insulation. “We understand that different projects have different needs, so we’ve taken the opportunity to extend our support, by offering compliance advice and solutions to suit a broad range of scenarios.” The Knauf Insulation Housebuilders Hub can be accessed at: https://www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/Housebuilders-hub
Revisions to Part L of the building regulations, which come into force in June, are the subject of a new CPD devised by insulation specialist Actis which is due to be launched to the industry in a few weeks’ time. Tomorrow’s Insulation Solutions for Future Homes Standards is currently awaiting certification by the Construction CPD Certification Service and will become the fourth in Actis’ series of popular professional CPD certified training programmes. Other sessions are the RIBA-approved CPD on addressing the performance gap with reflective insulation, a CPD module on building regulation compliance and a mini training course specially designed for use at LABC roadshows on the new SAP 10. The new CPD, aimed at architects, specifiers, builders and building control officers, looks at how the changes will impact the industry and how to ensure professionals meet the targets laid down in the revised building regulations. With new build homes obliged to see carbon emissions reduced by 31% over the current levels after June 15, the Actis CPD will explain the importance of focusing on ‘fabric first’ to help achieve this goal. There will be a one-year grace period for projects currently going through the planning process. Actis UK and Ireland technical director Thomas Wiedmer explained: “In order to achieve this 31 per cent uplift over current regulations we have to focus on ensuring the fabric of the building is the main driver of energy efficiency. This will need to be combined with more use of efficient building technologies. “Energy efficiency standards should always be based on reducing the need for energy first and in particular limiting the heat loss through thermal elements – that is through achieving excellent U-values, reducing thermal bridging and improving air tightness – the fabric first principle.” The CPD will look in detail at ways to improve U-values, reduce thermal bridging, address the performance gap and improve air tightness while ensuring there are no issues with overheating. Thomas added: “Ensuring insulation is continuous, with no gaps, plays a vital role in reducing thermal bridging – and this is one area in which the Actis Hybrid range excels, with its flexible nature and ease of cutting and moulding into corners, gaps and awkward junctions.” The CPD will also look at SAP 10, the latest update to the Standard Assessment Procedure, which is incorporated within the revised Part L regulations, and which is designed to ensure correct thermal modelling junctions are used. The Part L changes are a stepping stone towards the far more stringent energy efficiency requirements for new homes to be laid down under the forthcoming Future Homes Standard, which should be in place by 2025. That in turn will play a key role in enabling the UK to meet its 2050 net zero target. Building Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction & Property News