The campaigning trade body for Scotland’s electro-technical industry, Select, has re-appointed Eric Rae as its president. Rae has had a great influence in Select activity in the North East and Aberdeen for a number of years and was first elected to the post last year, now entering his second year in office. He will maintain his full schedule of strategy discussions and branch involvement, along with a focus on areas of interest such as public sector procurement, health and safety, employment affairs and training. Rae said that he is delighted to extend his time in the role of president and will seek to carry on the body’s mission of influencing legislation that will benefit the industry in the long term. He continued: “Select has done, and continues to do, sterling work to create industry conditions which enable member firms to both provide a quality service to their clients and to maintain the high standards that characterise electrical installation in Scotland and, of course, Select.” Select’s Managing Director, Newell McGuinness, said that Eric has proved his ability as a conscientious and able president and has always put the interests of the industry first. McGuinness added: “We are very pleased that he will be in post for another successful year, directing his energies to seeking and securing outcomes which create the infrastructure for a sustainable future not only for the industry but for the Scottish economy as a whole.” Meanwhile, Select’s Head of External Affairs, David Wright, also welcomed the news as he stated that Rae has brought experience and influence to the role of president. Wright believes that Rae will continue to serve the interests of the industry and the body looks to carry on its campaign for statutory regulation of the industry in order to protect Scottish householders from poor quality work carried out by those who are not qualified to do so.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has elected Ben Derbyshire as its next President. Derbyshire will take over from incumbent President Jane Duncan at the start of September next year for a two year presidential term, which means that he will be the official RIBA President-Elect from the start of next month. RIBA established a President position in 1835 which has previously been held by renowned architects such as Sir Basil Spence, Alfred Waterhouse and Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Derbyshire is currently chair of HTA Design LLP, which is a 150 strong multi-disciplinary practice based primarily in Edinburgh and London. He has been a partner of the company since 1987. He also holds several other board positions, including at RIBA Enterprises, Design for Homes and he is also a trustee of The London Society. Speaking on his appointment, Derbyshire said that he is conscious of the great responsibility he will have to architects both in the UK and overseas as President of RIBA during such a turbulent time for the industry. Derbyshire added: “Jane Duncan has laid the foundations for change at the RIBA that I look forward to driving forward, when I take up the role of President. “My primary goal is to champion architects so that they, our sister professions and clients, can advance architecture as the cornerstone of the well-designed and more sustainable built environment society desperately needs.” He believes that RIBA needs to work for all architects regardless of how and where they practice. Meanwhile, the current President of RIBA, Duncan congratulated Derbyshire on his successful election. She added that during her final year of Presidency, she will play her part in implementing RIBA’s new five year strategy which distilled the collective views of the group’s members, while she is also going to make sure that the profession retains its strong voice.

Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions has been appointed by infrastructure and utility service provider Amey to look after its fleet of over 8,500 vehicles. The exclusive six year vehicle leasing deal will see Hitachi provide Amey with vehicle management and funding for its whole fleet of over 8,500 vehicles and specialist assets. Including the utilities, waste management and highways sectors, Amey has over 300 contracts, many of which call for a fleet of specialist vehicles that must always be available. Amey’s Fleet and Plant Director, Tom Lawless, commented: “We need a fleet of specialist vehicles that are provided and managed to the standards of operational safety, compliance adherence and optimum availability that are also fit for purpose when considering required customer outcomes.” Lawless believes that Hitachi is “uniquely placed” to deliver the full support for Amey’s operations, adding that the new partnership will mean its business can make better use of its fleet of dedicated assets which will result in a better service for its customers. Meanwhile, Managing Director of Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, Jon Lawes, said that the appointment shows the company’s ability to manage and fund the most complex and mission critical fleets that operate in the UK. The deal came into effect last month and will run until 2022. Meanwhile, last month it was confirmed that Atkins has been awarded with the contract to supply Hitachi in the delivery of Network Rail’s Thameslink programme. Atkins will conduct several assessments which are designed to make sure that the TMS meets the standards set by Network Rail for being compatible with the rail network in the UK. Practice Director of Transportation at Atkins, Conor Linnell, commented: “It is very exciting for Atkins to be able to bring its extensive experience in the delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects to bear on a ground-breaking programme such as TMS for Thameslink, which marks the beginning of the digital age of the UK railway.”

Business Stream has named Derek Hendry as its new director of strategy, strengthening of its senior team ahead of the English water market opening in 2017. Hendry will report to the company’s Chief Executive, Johanna Dow, and will be based in the firm’s head office in Edinburgh. He will take responsibility for about 30 staff and a £4 million operational budget across transformational change, business strategy, people management and technology. Hendry will join the company from Standard Life, where his role in the company was to lead change and transformation programmes on international assignments in Hong Kong, China and Canada. Previously, he held a number of leadership roles with the firm in a number of IT and business change schemes throughout its group functions, operations and pensions. Prior to joining Standard Life, Derek worked in a number of project management and leadership roles with Abbey National/Banco Santander and Aegon. Dow commented: “Derek joins us at a pivotal time for the business and the industry as a whole. Our recent acquisition from Southern Water doubles our customer base and gives us a strong foothold in the English market ahead of the market opening for next year.” He added that Hendry will be the head of the company’s transformation activities as it prepares for market entry and continues to invest in processes and systems that will deliver excellent service for its customers throughout the UK. Hendry said: “I’m looking forward to using my extensive change and project management experience to help Business Stream maximise the potential of the exciting opportunities ahead. “The company has a bold strategy and a culture of ambitious continuous improvement, both of which will be critical in meeting the competitive challenges ahead.” In May, the company announced that it had appointed Jo Mayes as its new Director of Customer Operations.

An independent construction commissioner has been appointed to referee any complaints and disputes that may arise from the public during construction work of the HS2 project. Gareth Epps been appointed construction commissioner of the HS2 project on an interim basis and he will now investigate any matters that cannot be resolved by the complaints process of HS2 Ltd. The appointment of Epps is on an interim basis pending the passage of the enabling legislation and after royal assent, an independent body of project stakeholders will determine the full terms of reference and agree on a permanent appointment. Epps had previously worked in community relations on the Crossrail project for nine years and has also led the Liberal Democrat group on Reading Borough Council. The general election of 2015 saw him stand as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Keighley, in which he came fifth with 2.7% of the vote, while the 2001 general election saw him stand against David Cameron in Witney. In his role of HS2 construction commissioner, Epps’ main roles will be: to monitor complaints and providing reports marking trends and providing advice on how to reduce the instance of complaints where possible, to make sure that people affected by HS2 know he exists and what he does and to mediate in unresolved disputes between HS2 Ltd and individuals or bodies, including claims under the Small Claims Scheme. Simon Kirby, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, commented: “We recognise that people will be affected by the construction of the line and are thoroughly committed to ensuring that those people are treated fairly and all practicable measures are taken to minimise disruption. “Improving our approach to affected communities is at the very top of our priority list. We are continuously striving to refine our complaints handling and improve community engagement. The appointment of a Construction Commissioner is a key part of that process.”

National steel firm Tata Steel has been fined £1.98 million for safety failings after two of its employees suffered hand injuries in two separate machinery related incidents. Northampton Crown Court heard how one of the firm’s employees, 26, lost most of his left hand and two of his fingers when attempting to clear a steel tube manufacturing line blockage which had not been guarded properly. While in a separate incident, one of the firm’s team leaders, 52, lost part of a finger when he caught his left hand, also on a machine that was inadequately guarded, while he was receiving refresher training. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out an investigation into the incidents that took place on September 12, 2014, and February 19, 2015, and discovered that the company had failed to properly guard and manage the risks associated with the dangerous parts found in these items of machinery. Based in Millbank, London, Tata UK Limited pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was subsequently handed a total fine of £1.98 million (£1.8 million for the second offence and £185,000 for the first offence), as well as being ordered to pay £22,500 in costs. Following the hearing, Mark Austin, HSE inspector, commented: “Guarding of dangerous parts of machinery is a fundamental of ensuring workers safety, HSE will not hesitate to hold those accountable who do not fulfil their legal obligations, especially if that results in someone receiving life changing injuries.” The HSE says that any decisions to prosecute a company is always conducted in line with the established principles of the published Enforcement Policy Statement, while the severity of the fine imposed is always to be decided by the courts.

A home brewing kit manufacturer based in Ellesmere Port has been fined after one of its employees lost a hand when cleaning a blending machine. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted SPL International Ltd after the incident at Poole Hall Industrial Estate in Ellesmere Port on October 21, 2014. Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard how the injuries sustained by the worker led to his right hand below the thumb and fingers being severed and he has since been unable to return to work. On the day that the incident occurred, the employee was asked by his supervisor to carry out a task that he had done before – cleaning the ‘Ritchie blender’, a Kek Gardner horizontal cantilever mixer. He turned the blender off at the mains before cleaning and drying the inside of the blender and then turned the power back on. However, sometime after water was seen dripping from the rim of the outlet hole underneath and as he attempted to dry the rim he placed his hand into the access hole which made contact with the blades. With the machine still running, there was nothing in place in the machine to prevent his hand from making contact with the blades. SPL International Ltd, of Poole Hall Industrial Estate, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 as the firm had failed to carry out a risk assessment relating to the risks associated with the cleaning of the blender. As a result of the incident, the company was hit with an £8,000 fine and ordered to pay just over £7,000 in prosecution costs. Jane Carroll, HSE Inspector, said after the hearing: “This case is a stark reminder of the consequences of a failure to adequately guard machinery and implement safe systems of work for cleaning and maintenance activities.”

A school in Essex has been fined after school staff and others were exposed to asbestos during poorly managed and planned maintenance and refurbishment activities. Last week, Chelmsford Crown Court head how managers at The Boswells School in Chelmsford were in the process of converting an old boiler room at the school into a cleaning store. While this work was being carried out, asbestos residue on the room walls was disturbed and caretakers swept the contaminated debris from the floors. The poorly managed work was only exposed after an asbestos survey was carried out in the area. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident and also found materials containing asbestos in other areas. For many years school caretaking staff and contractors disturbed the school buildings’ fabric without knowing about the presence of asbestos, while the school also failed to make sure that the spread of asbestos was reduced or prevented. Anyone who entered the potentially contaminated areas was put at risk of developing serious health problems due to the exposure to airborne respirable asbestos fibres. The Boswells Academy Trust, of Burnham Road, Chelmsford, Essex, pleaded guilty to a breach of Sections 2 (1) and 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, resulting in the trust being fined £26,000 and made to pay £20,000 in costs. Glyn Davies, HSE inspector said that the trust should have identified the type, condition and location of any materials containing asbestos throughout the school to ensure that the potentially lethal risk was controlled. Davies added: “It should then have ensured that such information was shared with anyone liable to disturb this fabric. It may also have arranged for a licensed asbestos contractor to remove any dangerous asbestos safely before commencement of any work.” He also commented that this prosecution should be seen as an example to others about planning work more thoroughly in future.

A plumber from Torbay and the company who contracted him have been prosecuted after it was found that they had left their work in a dangerous condition at a Torquay home. Exeter Crown Court heard that the illegal gas fitter, Mark Baker, who was also an unregistered plumber, was contracted by Marc Robertson, who is the Director of 1st Maintenance, to fit a gas boiler at a Coker Avenue property where the firm was carrying out home improvement work. After the installation of the gas boiler at the property, Mr Baker told the homeowner that he had commissioned the boiler but failed to register the gas boiler with the Local Authority and issued no paperwork, both of which are required by law. Once installed, the homeowner complained about several problems with the gas boiler and things came to a head when a fully qualified gas engineer visited the property on another matter. When at the property, the properly qualified engineer raised concerns about the installation of the gas boiler and as a result the homeowner contacted the Gas Safe Register. An inspector from the Gas Safe Register came across a number of major faults with the work that Mr Baker had carried out and listed the boiler as being in the ‘At Risk’ category, which means it could pose a potential threat to life. Mr Baker, of Daison Crescent, Torquay, pleaded guilty to two gas safety regulation breaches and was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, along with over £4,000 in costs. Meanwhile, 1st Maintenance Ltd, of Grange Road, Allacombe, Torquay, also pleaded guilty to one breach of the gas safety regulations and was fined £6,000, along with £640 in costs. Simon Jones, HSE inspector, said: “Mr Baker put lives at risk by undertaking gaswork which he was neither qualified nor registered to undertake, work which put the homeowner’s life at risk.”

The new president of the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) has focussed on lobbying activities and building regulations in his first speech. In his inaugural address as APHC national president, Brian Silvester discussed the two key activities that he believes will improve trade conditions for the quality heating and plumbing contractor. Silvester commented: “Over the next year I would like to promote and support the lobbying work that we are engaged in; which I am quite passionate about, and personally believe will bring about much needed change for the betterment of our industry.” Speaking at last Saturday’s annual APHC President’s Dinner, Silvester started his speech by discussing the independent research which is currently being carried out into the lack of enforcement of Building Regulations in the heating and plumbing industry. The new APHC boss also spoke about how the research hopes to both qualify the experiences of heating and plumbing contractors  in this area around on site workmanship standards and the issues they face when applying regulations and competing for work and quantify levels of enforcement activity taking place with relation to Building Regulations work. Silvester emphasised that the principal aim of the research is to quantify the implications of the existing enforcement strategies on the heating and plumbing industry and he explained that the findings, which are set to be publicised by the APHC next month, will form the basis of new solutions in the industry which will be presented later in the year to the government. He added that the group will aim to lobby the government for the much needed regulatory change in this area, along with fellow industry bodies. The new president also touched on the work of APHC in collaboration with several partners in the industry and bigger gas contracting firms, in refining the ACS gas reassessment requirements.