An Aberdeenshire painting and decorating firm is committed to supporting the younger workforce of today, having taken on a total of 15 apprentices in only three years.   R Davidson Painters & Decorators, based in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, has enrolled the youngsters, aged between 16 and 21 years from Aberdeen city and shire, in a bid to continually support the local economy, as well as the firm’s rapid growth in both private and commercial markets.   The painting and decorating firm has partnered with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to deliver the apprenticeships, with all 15 employees attending North East Scotland College as part of the scheme.   With 15 currently being the highest number of apprentices for R Davidson Painters & Decorators at any one time, the firm plans to exceed this figure next year, proposing to take on an additional six apprentices to support its growing portfolio.   Managing director and owner of R Davidson Painters & Decorators, Trevor Mutch, said: “Although we have taken on apprentices for many years now, this has been highest number we’ve had at the firm, with each at various stages of their apprentice programme, ranging from first to fourth year.   “It is important for us to train our painters and decorators up to the standard we maintain across all our services, and with the current skills shortage, it is becoming harder and harder to source highly skilled workers. Therefore it’s crucial we invest both time and money in supporting the younger generation, to help boost the local economy, as well as sustain the future of our business.”   Ryan Neish, a fully-qualified tradesman at R Davidson Painters & Decorators, said: “I completed my painting and decorating apprenticeship with R Davidson last year, after undergoing a four-year programme that helped me to enhance my knowledge and skills in this field. I found the programme very valuable, particularly when developing my trade skills and picking up tips from my mentors whilst on the job. I am very grateful for the opportunity that R Davidson has given me.”   With a current headcount of 100, the decorating firm, which specialises in delivering bespoke painting, decorating and ames taping services for the private domestic and commercial markets, relocated to larger offices at the start of the year to support its ever-increasing staff numbers, occupying the ground floor of the Banchory Business Centre 2 (BBC2).   With a range of major commercial clients, R Davidson Painters & Decorators has worked on some of Aberdeen’s most prestigious developments, including the renovation of the city’s Marischal College.   For more information about R Davidson Painters & Decorators, please visit www.rdbanchory.co.uk, or call 01330 824877.

An apprentice from a leading specialist-engineering contractor with its headquarters in Inverness has been awarded a top accolade by the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC) at a special ceremony held at Scottish Parliament. Steven Reid, 22, who works as an apprentice plant maintenance fitter at Daviot Group, was named Scottish Civil Engineering Apprentice of the Year in the prestigious awards. He travelled to Edinburgh on Wednesday 9 December 2015 to collect the award from the Scottish Parliament. Daviot Group nominated Steven in recognition of his high standards of work, attention to detail and consistent dedication to his on-site and college work. Daviot Group, which recently rebranded from Daviot Farms Ltd, employed Steven in 2012 as part of their strategy to support the development of young people in theHighlands and to build a team of homegrown plant maintenance experts. Steven, who comes from Avoch, attends the NCC College in Glasgow in four-week blocks, spending the rest of his time learning his trade at Daviot’s base in Inverness. He has now completed his SVQ III in Construction, Plant Maintenance and Repairs. Now in their 16th year, the SBATC Apprenticeship Awards are organised by the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC) to recognise the considerable talents, skills and abilities of construction apprentices working across Scotland. The awards assess candidates according to their practical and academic ability alongside other important skills such as organisation, communication and the ability to perform in a team. It rounds up a successful 12 months for Steven, who was the Scottish regional winner in the UK wide “Stars of the Future” awards from the National Construction College (NCC) earlier this year.  He also went on to be named best second year plant maintenance student for the NCC in Scotland. Steven said: “I was delighted to attend the ceremony at the Scottish Parliament, and to win the award was the icing on the cake. “I would just like to thank Daviot Group who have supported me through my practical and education learning. It’s a real honor to be recognised in this way.” Charlie Veitch, Chief Operating Officer at Daviot Group, said: “We are very proud of Steven, who has really made the best of every opportunity that has been put in front of him. “Steven works on a huge variety of jobs from vans, jeeps and heavy goods vehicles to a whole range of small and large pieces of plant, and the effort he puts intocompleting every job to a high standard is commendable. “Investing in apprenticeships is a key strategy for Daviot Group as with over eight million pounds worth of plant based projects across the UK, it is vital that Daviot Group has strong, highly trained maintenance crew both here at our depot in Inverness and available to go on the road and attend vehicles and plant where necessary. “We currently have a number apprentices working for Daviot Group and we are looking to expand that further in 2016 to support our continued growth as a leadingspecialist engineer company.”

HR Services Scotland, the rapidly-growing HR services consultancy, has been appointed as HR and Health & Safety advisers to Moodiesburn-based building contractor McEwan Osborne.   The brief from McEwan Osborne encompasses unlimited telephone and email advice to the company on all HR and Health & Safety matters, on-site crisis call-out, legal representation, site inspections and the production of regular audit reports.   In addition, HR Services Scotland will furnish its client with an ongoing, detailed review of all its employment contracts and health & safety policies.   MD of McEwan Osborne, Ian Osbourne, said: “As a growing business whose employees are engaged on a daily basis on construction sites we have to be fully aware of health & safety issues.   “Our relationship with HR Services Scotland means that we have unrestricted access to a high-quality, reliable advisory service which keeps us right on a pro-active basis. In addition, as we grow, so too do the numbers of HR issues we need to address, and again, HR Services Scotland’s consistent expert input means we never step out of line.”   McEwan Osborne provides a fully-integrated design and construction package for homeowners planning full builds, extensions, basement conversions, sun rooms, loft conversions and kitchen and bathroom installations.   With Quantity Surveying and architectural expertise as well as a full complement of quality tradesmen, it offers one point of contact from initial consultation, through design and construction to completion and handover.   Andy Purdon, managing director of HR Services Scotland said: “We are very pleased to have won this vote of confidence from a respected and well-managed business like McEwan Osborne. Our contribution will be to relieve the company of having to worry about its HR and Health & Safety issues and instead get on with the job of continuing to build a highly successful business.”   Lanarkshire-based HR Services Scotland has more than 150 clients and operates in England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as well as the Central Belt of Scotland. It employs 11 people and is actively recruiting as it continues to expand. It specialises in HR, H&S, employment law and profiling, and has a small, but fast-growing training business.   It differentiates itself from competitors by allocating individual account managers to clients. This account manager is a fully trained and highly qualified professional with wide experience who already knows the client’s business and is in a position to spot HR and other problems before they become unmanageable.   For further information, contact Lesley McBennett, Business Development Manager, HR Services Scotland, Third Floor, Brandon House, Brandon Street, Hamilton ML3 6DA. Tel: 0800 652 2610. info@hrservicesscotland.co.uk. www.hrservicesscotland.co.uk

  Siemens Building Technologies has just been awarded the British Safety Council Sword of Honour, which represents the pinnacle of achievement in the world of health and safety management. Each year, only businesses that have achieved a five star outcome following the BSC Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit are eligible for the Sword of Honour award, in recognition of commitment to excellent health and safety management standards. There are only 61 Sword of Honour winning companies from around the world, and each has demonstrated to an independent adjudication panel a proven track record of excellence in managing risks to workers’ health and safety, or to the environment, within the company’s activities. Siemens Building Technologies is a specialist division of Siemens that designs, manufactures, installs, commissions and offers lifecycle support for advanced fire safety, security and building management solutions. The company operates in multiple challenging environments where adherence to stringent health and safety management standards is vital; these include power, water, transport, property, pharmaceutical, data centres, retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, police and the public sector. Siemens places great importance on health and safety; one of its core values is ‘Zero Harm’, which means no accidents, no complacency and no injuries. To support this objective Siemens has introduced a series of programmes and initiatives aimed at all employees regardless of whether they are office-based, home-based or site-based. Zero Harm aims to keep all employees, customers, suppliers and contractors safe. The programme has three simple principles: Think Safe. Act Safe. Be Safe. Paul King, UK Head of Health, Safety, Quality and Environment for Siemens Building Technologies, explains: “Our vision is to provide a safe and healthy work environment for everyone, with the belief that all accidents and incidents are preventable. Furthermore the culture of proactive EHS management is a mindset that is practised by all employees, both at work and at home. We aim to encourage and drive our people to do the right thing, first time, for the right reason and for positive health and safety practice to become part of everyone’s personal DNA profile.” Siemens Building Technologies has strengthened its approach to health and safety management standards via the introduction of briefing packs for the business leaders to disseminate through their teams, by defining and setting personal objectives with each employee to enable an improved contribution and the setting up of senior management engagement tours to discuss health, safety and wellbeing with the workforce on both a team and individual basis. Paul concludes, “The safety and health of all is an integral part of all our processes and the number one value within Siemens. We see it as a fundamental right to work in an environment where risks to health, safety and wellbeing are rigorously controlled.” The 2015 Sword of Honour was presented to Siemens at the winners’ award ceremony on Friday 27 November 2015 at the historic City of London venue, Drapers Hall.   Paul King of Siemens (right) being presented by Mike Robinson FCA, Chief Executive, British Safety Council (left)

Job Worth Doing Ltd, has entered into a national partnership with B&Q Homefit for the surveying and installation of windows and doors to B&Q’s customers in the UK. The collaboration brings together Job Worth Doing’s fully qualified and approved local tradesmen with B&Q Homefit’s growing list of customers. Job Worth Doing Ltd will conduct surveys and send installation teams to fit B&Q Homefit’s range of windows and doors, whilst the customer service will stay in B&Q Homefit’s helpful hands. Andy Corless, Managing Director of Entu Energy Services, expressed his delight at winning the contract with B&Q Homefit. “A partnership with B&Q Homefit is a great match for Job Worth Doing. Combining our business expertise opens up new opportunities for the consumer when it comes to the home improvement marketplace, all delivered at a great price and with exceptional quality. This is an important relationship to us which we plan to develop over the long term.” The collaboration is part of Entu’s ongoing strategy for growth and a key example of how the organisation’s Own Label Energy Efficiency (OLEE) services are able to successfully sit alongside major brands.

Buildbase has once again been crowned National Builders’ Merchant of the Year at the prestigious annual Builders Merchants Awards for Excellence. Actor and comedian Tim Vine presented Buildbase with the top award at a glittering ceremony at the Lancaster London Hotel, marking the fourth time the company has won the award in the past six years. Buildbase was up against finalists Selco Builders Warehouse and Gibbs and Dandy in the National Builders’ Merchant of the Year category, which recognises and rewards the merchant that has excelled in all areas of its business over the last year. The judges commended Buildbase for its “coherent and integrated approach alongside strong initiatives that led to a verified increased in market share”. The merchant continued to develop its one-stop-shop service, with Buildbase opening electrical merchants, Electricbase, nationwide and undertaking a Paintbase pilot programme. Buildbase also extended its Hirebase offering, working together with the national Hirebase operation. Kate Tinsley, Managing Director of Buildbase said: “We’re delighted to be awarded National Builders’ Merchant of the Year, which recognises our committed and continued focus on delivering exceptional customer service whilst remaining competitive in the market. “Buildbase is all about our people and our customers, responding to their needs and building a strong local reputation. It’s been another brilliant year for us and we are looking forward to 2016.”

Contractors will be challenged to prove they are not using illegal or slave workers after the Considerate Constructors Scheme issued a new checklist. A revised set of questions, which will come into force in February, will ask how sites “assess and monitor the legitimacy and competency of the workforce”. CCS chief executive Edward Hardy said the question had been prompted by growing concerns over the use of illegal workers and modern slavery in construction. In 2013, the government identified 53 “potential victims of modern slavery” in the industry. The National Crime Agency’s latest strategic assessment listed construction as the sixth most prevalent sector for labour exploitation reports. Mr Hardy said introducing the question would encourage main contractors and their supply chains to take greater responsibility for the way they recruit their workforce. “It’s a challenge for them, as currently what they do is assume all those working in the supply chain are ensuring [eligibility to work],” he told. “By asking this question, it will put a structure in place for everyone in the supply chain to provide evidence that they, as subcontractors, are making sure.” He added: “Let’s make an assumption that there are illegal workers in construction: surely we should make sure at the very least that they’re not on sites registered with us.” Mr Hardy said sites should establish a culture whereby workers feel able to highlight to management when they have concerns over colleagues. He also suggested that contractors introduce spot testing, as is currently done in relation to drug and alcohol use. The CCS leadership is due to meet Home Office officials next week. In October, the Home Office published guidance on supply chain transparency in the wake of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which became law in March. In the foreword to the guidelines, home secretary Theresa May said: “I want to support, motivate and incentivise organisations to understand the complex issue of modern slavery and how they can tackle it. It is simply not acceptable for any organisation to say, in the 21st century, that they did not know.” The updated CCS checklist will also include a question asking site managers what they are doing “to improve the overall image of the industry to attract and retain the workforce necessary for the future of construction”. Mr Hardy said the question was included as a response to fears that there will not be sufficient workers to meet the pipeline of future work. He said: “We need to dispel this myth that it’s a filthy, dirty horrible place to work, or that you’re not looked after, or it’s dangerous. Ten years ago, the reality was there were still [these] issues. But what we see now is that the vast majority of sites do look after their workforce incredibly well and far better than most would realise.” Karen Bradley, minister for preventing abuse and exploitation, said: “Modern slavery is an abhorrent form of exploitation, with ruthless criminals targeting society’s most vulnerable people for monetary gain. “Earlier this year, we brought in the Modern Slavery Act – the first act of its kind in Europe – to give protection to victims and hand down harsh penalties on offenders, who now face up to life imprisonment if they are convicted of slavery offences. “Regardless of a businesses being large or small, they can all play a role. Whether that is developing initiatives to respond to the potential threat of modern slavery, or everyone on a construction site simply looking out for a colleague or group of employees, and if they’re concerned acting immediately.”  

The mayor of London Boris Johnson has given the green light for PLP’s replacement for KPF’s half-built Pinnacle Tower. The 278m-tall proposal, which was granted planning permission by the City of London last month, will be 10m shorter than the abandoned scheme – dubbed the Helter Skelter – but will have 30 per cent more floor space. The new 62-storey building will provide 185,000m2 of office space for about 12,000 people in 100 companies. The high-rise office tower will also feature a restaurant and bar, retail space and a public viewing gallery. The design of 22 Bishopsgate is being led by Karen Cook, who co-founded PLP following her exit from KPF in the summer of 2009. Johnson, said: ”After lying abandoned for four years, 22 Bishopsgate will now get off the ground, providing much needed office space for thousands of city workers and a positive addition to the world-class architecture of the capital’s skyline. ”There will be more than 800,000 new jobs created in London over the next 20 years and there is no doubt that tall buildings that are sensitively managed, well designed and in the right place will continue to create the new office space the city needs to retain its place as one of the business capitals of the world.” Developer, Stuart Lipton of Lipton Rogers, added: “The mayor has recognised 22 Bishopsgate as a major contribution to the on-going vitality of the City of London with a distinguished and interesting building that includes a number of new innovations designed to put the health and wellness of people first and which aims to be the first building in London to adopt the new Delos WELL building standard.” The scheme is set to complete in 2019.

    Workers needing to carry out tasks at high levels have a number of solutions available to them but the most effective, particularly in crowded or tight areas, is for them to use scissor lifts. These unusual looking but effective lifts essentially power a platform to the required height so that the work can be carried out safely and efficiently. There are also useful for lifting heavy loads between heights. They are called scissor lifts because when they are fully extended they look like pairs of scissors one on top of the other and they are usually on a four wheeled base which is rugged and versatile. Many of these scissor lifts can be used on rough ground or in hard to reach areas. Use scissor lifts in difficult locations It also means that the workers don’t have to erect scaffolding since scissor lifts can reach up to 17 metres in height and with the outriggers fitted they can be levelled quickly to provide stability. Many of them are battery-powered and, because they are fume-free, these lifts are the safest to use indoors and with a variety of platform sizes they can be used to carry out a wide range of duties. One of the strongest reasons for using a scissor lift is that the worker is always in control, the controls for operating the lift are on the platform where the worker will be so there will not be any miscommunication between the worker and someone on the ground to operate it. Among the many uses apart from busy offices are in hotels, industrial sites and retail stores. They can be quickly and effectively put into place, the job carried out, and the scissor lift then removed without the need for expensive or time-consuming scaffolding or by using other types of lift. Scissor lifts are also particularly useful if there are several locations to be visited in the course of carrying out a job on the same site because this can be done quickly by the workers. Because employers are responsible for the safety of their workers on jobs anyone looking to hire or buy scissor lifts should be looking at the safety features. These include having political cut-outs to stop the lift working in an emergency, toe guards help protect the feet of the workers and, this is essential, total stop brakes to help prevent the entire lift from moving when work is being carried out or loads are being put onto it. It is also crucial that any scissor lift conforms to EN1570. How to choose the scissor lift you need Scissor lifts come in all shapes and sizes so the requirement for whatever job is needed will vary from user to user but they should be portable and easy-to-use and, where necessary, have non-marking tyres to help ensure there is no damage to floors and that the lowering speed can be controlled easily. As stated earlier, there is a wide variety of scissor lifts available and some are available in single or double scissors and the platform can be raised either hydraulically or with battery operation. The options for anyone wanting to buy or hire scissor lifts include having a second brake to help ensure safety and security, and there’s the option of using a safety skirt and rubber mat to help ensure the lift does not slip from its position. With so many options and a wide range available, anyone looking to buy or hire scissor lifts could be forgiven for being confused as to what is available though anyone looking to hire a scissor lift is probably in a much better position. There are lots of providers of scissor lifts around the UK who will be willing to give help and advice on which would be most suited to a client’s needs. For instance, CW Plant Hire in Liverpool have a strong reputation in delivering a top quality service with well looked after equipment. Their experience in providing powered access to difficult places is second-to-none and they have a wide range of scissor lifts for a number of different purposes. Like many of their fellow plant and tool hire providers, CW Engineers strive to provide an impressive service with equipment that is not only safe but is well maintained to ensure that the workers and the job that needs doing is done as safely and efficiently as is possible.  

British Sugar TOPSOIL, the UK’s largest supplier of topsoil to the construction, landscaping and amenity sectors, is ending 2015 on a high note having achieved a record increase in year on year sales of 8 per cent. This performance comes in the same year that the company was rated by 98 per cent of respondents to its annual customer survey as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’ for customer service, and its Landscape20 topsoil won Housebuilder magazine’s External Product of the Year Award. Commenting at the BALI National Landscape Awards on 4th December, where British Sugar TOPSOIL sponsored the Design & Build category, National TOPSOIL Manager Andy Spetch said: “This has been a terrific year for British Sugar TOPSOIL with our sales performance topping off a number of successes. We were the first topsoil manufacturer to be included in the NBS BIM Library; we won External Product of the Year at the Housebuilder Product Awards, and we have shown our support for the landscaping and amenity sectors by sponsoring the IOG, APL, SGD and BALI awards. The sales team has worked tremendously hard throughout the year to make sure we took full advantage of a buoyant housing market whilst continuing to meet demand from landscapers and our clients in the sports and amenity sectors. We’re looking forward with understandable optimism to 2016!” British Sugar TOPSOIL will continue its support for awards schemes in the landscape sector and has confirmed its sponsorship of the BALI National Landscape Awards in 2016, the 40th anniversary of the BALI Awards.   For information on TOPSOIL products visit www.bstopsoil.co.uk or call 0870 240 2314.