Apprenticeships are high on the agenda for display specialist Octink, as the company puts a lot of emphasis on support for school and college leavers as they start out in their careers. Keen to give young people work experience and employability skills, and develop staff both for themselves and for the benefit of the company, it is an area of significant focus, and has been for many years. The company also backs local initiatives like Spark! to prepare people for working life and to enhance their employability through practical, accredited and inspiring work-related experiences. Mike Freely, Managing Director at Octink, comments: “The skills shortage and what industry can do about it has been very visible in recent months, and as a company we pride ourselves on being active in supporting young people and staff in their progression. We believe that everyone should have development plans, and embarking on an apprenticeship is a great way to kick start those plans, while also bringing talent and skills into the company.” Recent examples of where Octink has encouraged staff to develop include a school leaver who has just completed a signmaking apprenticeship, and an office junior who showed such initiative that Octink had no hesitation in enrolling her as an apprentice to complete an NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration. And it’s not just for young people – long standing staff member Mike Bains is embarking on a higher apprenticeship in construction operations management. Mike has worked at Octink for 15 years, and in this timeframe he has been given opportunities for development in nearly every area of the business. “As a long term employee, I can honestly say that Octink puts people at the heart of how it conducts business. Since I started out in the sign workshop all those years ago, whenever I have shown interest or an aptitude for a certain area of the business then the company has supported me and encouraged me to pursue those skills and obtain qualifications in that area. The higher apprenticeship that I am just starting will really help my career leap forward, with the option to extend it in 2016 to convert it to a full construction management degree,” says Mike. Mike Freely concludes, “We hope that our efforts to develop our staff and young people within our local community not only help them in their career paths, but also set a good example for all companies of our size. With more apprenticeship opportunities opening up in industry then hopefully the skills shortage will start to resolve.”

The Construction Industry’s Latest Health and Safety Statistics We know that work related injuries can occur in any commercial sector, and that companies should adhere to health and safety regulations to decrease the amount of accidents occurring. This 2014-2015 health and safety report indicates that:   While 3% of workers suffered injuries that they believed to be work related: 15% were from other illnesses. 20% were from stress, depression and anxiety. 64% were musculoskeletal disorders. Annually around 69,000 construction workers in Great Britain were suffering from an illness which they believed to be caused or made worse by their work. A breakdown of this is: 45,000 were cases of musculoskeletal disorders. 14,000 were cases of stress, depression or anxiety. 10,000 were cases of other illnesses. Other illnesses include; respiratory disease, occupational asthma, silicosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Other health conditions that can affect construction workers include occupational cancer and skin disease. The report however, also shows that over the last decade the rate of work-related illnesses have had a downward drift. The annual average rate for 2013/2014 is around a quarter less than from 2003/2004. From this musculoskeletal disorders have also decreased, whereas depression and anxiety have remained level. Further information on this report can be found at hse.gov.uk. Building maintenance is essential in making sure employers are compliant with health and safety regulations. For PAT testing, drainage solutions, or for anything else contact Chequers Contract Services.

Working from height remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries in the UK. In the first of a four-part series, David Thomas reflects on 40 years of progress.   “Those who work at height should never forget that gravity is no respecter of persons. It affects everyone; too many times with disastrous consequences resulting in serious, permanent injuries or death…” So declares the foreword to BS 8437. [1] Gravity is a part of nature that will never change and its consequences have affected countless individuals since the dawn of time. Much has been published over the last 40 years to catalogue the toll of misery. Much has been undertaken to improve the planning of work at height; new products have come to market and new techniques adopted to help make work easier, safer and more cost-effective. New regulations have also acted as both a catalyst and a driver in requiring, and promoting, suitable and sufficient measures to be taken. A number of historical reports provide essential reading for all construction and safety professionals. The four that are reviewed below all include ‘work at height’. The past Construction [1978] [2] was published to place the 1976 accident statistics in an historical context and, “… focuses attention on relatively simple measures which, if tackled nationally, could dramatically reduce the toll of accidents in the construction industry…”. In an interesting review of the development of legislation in construction the report concludes, “… whereas legislation has applied to an ever wider range of building and construction activities, the causes of fatal and serious accidents have generally remained the same for the last 60 or 70 years; falls of persons, particularly from ladders, roofs and scaffolds…”. There were 154 fatal accidents in building operations (117) and engineering construction (37) in 1976. The “… somewhat gloomy, if predictable, message… is that although overall accident levels may vary from year to year, the construction industry continued … to be unable to cope with a large number of well-known and well documented problems…”. The incidence rate of fatal accidents was 15.7. Falls of persons accounted for 30 per cent of all reported accidents in construction processes and 48.1 per cent of fatal accidents. Accidents from ladders and stepladders were consistently the highest category of falls, with the principal cause of ladder accidents being the failure to tie or to satisfactorily foot the ladder. The second highest category of falls was of persons and materials from working platforms, in particular during the erection, alteration and dismantling of scaffolds. It was noted that, “Techniques and equipment should be developed for the scaffolding industry …”. The similarity in the rate of accidents from platforms less than 6 ft 6 inches above the ground and those from platforms above this was noted. Examples of prohibition notices against steelwork erectors were given. It was suggested that, “Further research by the industry is necessary into methods of securing the safety of persons laying roof sheets at exposed edges… consideration should be given to… the proper use of safety nets …”. In terms of fragile roofs, “… All too often, inspectors find that no precautions have been taken or that they were wholly inadequate. Although the provision of suitable crawling boards, crawling ladders and duck boards is quite simple, too often little attention is paid to preventing them slipping, tipping or otherwise being displaced.” Opinion is expressed that, “One of the basic problems is that serious accidents are regarded as happening only to other people. Hazards seen on site are not connected with the accidents which they could cause …”. Safety in Steel Erection [1979] [3] stated, “The incidence rate for injury and death for steel erection workers present a particularly serious problem…” Investigation of accidents revealed, “…a widespread belief that a pre-requisite for the task of fixing steelwork at heights is a state of mind which consciously accepts risks which would be unacceptable to most construction workers… although safety belts and harnesses are often available, they are seldom used and the provision of safety nets is rare…”. Between 1961 and 1969 there were 253 fatalities of steel erectors, equating to 21 per annum (a rate of 1 in 60). With very few exceptions the facilities provided for steel erectors to gain access to their working places was, “…exceptionally poor…”. In terms of working platforms, in the majority of cases little or nothing was done and erectors were, “… left to fend for themselves…”. Very few safety nets were used on steel erection sites and safety belts, although usually available, were, “… seldom worn …”. There was, “…no doubt that steel erectors are prejudiced against the use of safety belts and harnesses and it is likely that only a few have even tied to use them…”; a multiplicity of objections being cited. Used correctly, “…safety belts and harnesses can save lives or prevent serious injury …”. It was noted that where it was possible to the drop to exceed 2 ft the shock of the arrest of the fall should be distributed by the use of a safety harness as distinct from a belt only. Roofs, a study of fatal accidents at work [1985] [4] – part of the series Deadly Maintenance – outlined the dangers to which people are exposed while engaged in maintenance work on roofs, based on information contained in reports of fatal accidents in 1980, 1981 and 1982 and with the aim of promulgating the lessons learnt first-hand by some people at the cost of the life of a colleague or friend. A detailed analysis is made of fatal accidents on roofs (63), with the largest number being falls through fragile roofs (30). It is reported, “… It is clear that over 80 per cent of the accidents could have been prevented. Management and workforce alike seem unable to appreciate, or chose to ignore, the obvious and ever present risk of falling during roof work…”. It was determined that absence or failure in system of work (26) and absent or unsafe equipment, working

A near-doubling in office starts will help to drive a 6 per cent increase in total project starts in 2016, according to new forecasts. The data from construction intelligence unit Glenigan points to total growth of 6 per cent in the value of starts during 2016 compared with 2015, driven by a 49 per cent increase in office starts. Offices is expected to be by far the strongest performing sector, its growth rate significantly ahead of second-placed private housing, which is forecast to see starts increase by 11 per cent. Other areas forecast to see robust growth in 2016 include community & amenity (10 per cent) and health (6 per cent), with the latter recovering from a low base, having contracted by 21 per cent in 2015. Retail (5 per cent), civil engineering (5 per cent) and hotel & leisure (3 per cent) are expected to record more modest growth in starts during 2016 compared with the previous year. Only three of the major sectors are forecast to see a fall in project starts during 2016: education (-2 per cent), industrial (-3 per cent) and social housing (-17 per cent). The industrial sector is nevertheless declining from a high base, with starts having grown 49 per cent in 2014, and a further 10 per cent rise expected in 2015. However, next year’s predicted fall in social housing represents the third consecutive decline in the sector, following a 1 per cent fall in starts in both 2014 and 2015. Wales is forecast to see the fastest growth in project starts of any UK region during 2016, with an increase of nearly 30 per cent. However, this is from a low base, after starts in Wales declined by an estimated 18 per cent during 2015. Elsewhere, Scotland, the South-west and London are forecast to see significant growth in starts next year, with modest increases expected for the South-east and the North-west. The East Midlands and the East of England are both expected to see a dip in starts during 2016 compared with a year earlier, owing to a decline in industrial starts.

Between 2013 and 2014, 1.2 million people in Britain were suffering from a work-related illness. There were 629,000 injuries at work and 27.3 million working days lost. Of these injuries, 142 workers were killed. 2,538 people died from mesothelioma in 2013 too, underlining the dangers of working in industrial environments. Of all the industries, construction, agriculture, forestry and manufacturing had a significantly higher rate of injury than others. Slingsby, a workplace equipment supplier, has provided a guide to some of the most common injuries workers may experience and how to avoid them. Asbestos-related disease 5,500 cases of work-related cancer are estimated each year in the construction industry. Of these cancers, lung and mesothelioma are the most common. The leading cause of death is exposure to asbestos. Solution: Your employer should have rules regarding asbestos. If you suspect there’s asbestos present, stop working and speak to the building owner or your employer. Ensure you have the correct protective equipment and a proactive policy around washing and cleaning to avoid contamination. Avoid methods that will throw up dust such as power tool usage. Avoid smoking or reusing disposable clothing. Slips, Trips and Falls If you’re stationed in an office, don’t think you’re out of danger — far from it, in fact! The most common workplace injuries come from trips and falls on slippery flooring. In 2007 to 2008, four of every 10 injuries at work were due to slips and trips. Solution: Slippery flooring should be marked with signage or protected with carpet or anti-slip tape. Muscle Strains Every time you’re required to lift something, you should take the right precautions. One of the highest percentages of injuries comes from manual handling, as lifting with incorrect form can strain your back or neck, so take care when lifting even trivial items like boxes. Solution: Lift from your legs rather than your back and ask for proper training if it’s going to be a frequent part of your job. Make sure your back is straight when lifting and ask a colleague to help if it feels too heavy. Falling objects Depending on your workplace, falling objects can be extremely dangerous. On building sites especially, a dropped object can become a fatal projectile. Solutions: Wear your protective equipment whenever you’re on site. Always be aware of people working above you and know the risk. Repetitive strain injury Even if you’re involved with construction but don’t spend much time on site, you’ll have to be aware of the risk of RSI. The problem can grow if left unchecked, so mention to your employer. Solutions: RSI can be prevented with regular breaks, so make sure you take time away from your desk to reinvigorate yourself and prevent injury. You can also ask your employer to bring in ergonomic workstations. Cuts and lacerations When you’re handling any equipment with a bladed edge you should be extra careful. Often this is a case of common sense, but you should always wear gloves and eye protectors when you need to handle bladed equipment such as circular saws. Solutions: A first aid kit or qualified first aider should be near any cutting equipment. Sound pollution If you work in a factory or near loud machinery, you need to be aware of industrial deafness. 130 claims were made in 2014for industrial deafness, a rise on figures in 2012 and 2013 but still an overall fall from figures in 2003 and 2004. Solutions: Ear protectors should be worn if working close to machinery. Frequent breaks should be permitted. With the right precautions, you’ll be protected from the most common injuries in the workplace. You can read more about other injuries here.

Snorkel, the global manufacturer of aerial work platforms, is pleased to announce that effective 1st September 2015, all new Snorkel boom lifts with platform heights of 40-feet (12.1m) and above, will be fitted with Snorkel Guard™ as standard. Unveiled at The Rental Show 2015, Snorkel Guard™ is the company’s secondary guarding solution. Designed in-house by Snorkel’s engineering team, the simple, mechanical system features a spring-loaded rail that sits above the upper control panel which cuts out machine operations when compressed, for example, in the case of the operator being involuntarily pushed against the controls. The operator can override Snorkel Guard™ using a switch in the platform, in the event that the system is activated in error. Additionally, when Snorkel Guard™ is activated, the lift can be operated from the lower control panel. Snorkel Guard™ has undergone extensive field-testing and has already received high praise from a major global contractor, who favors the simplicity of Snorkel’s design over other more complex systems on the market. Matthew Elvin, Snorkel CEO, said “Snorkel Guard™ is a robust and simple design which does not add any complexity to the lift, yet offers an additional level of protection for the operator. Operator safety is paramount, which is why we have rolled out the system as a standard feature globally, as well as offering it as a retrofit solution.” All new-build Snorkel boom lifts with platform heights of 40-feet (12.1m) and above will be fitted with Snorkel Guard™ as standard from 1st September 2015. In addition, the Snorkel Guard™ system can be easily retrofitted to most Snorkel booms in the field. Available globally, the retrofit kit can be ordered via Snorkel Customer Services or official Snorkel distributors. For regional contact details, visit www.snorkellifts.com.

The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) acknowledges that cuts in government departmental spending are necessary to bring public finances back into surplus by 2019/20. What is of concern, however, is that the progress made to date by the landscaping and horticulture industry with Defra and the DCLG could be compromised as a result of the agreed 30 per cent cuts. BALI and other industry bodies are working in a collaborative manner with government departments through the All Party Parliamentary Gardening and Horticulture Group (APPGHG) on a number of key issues affecting our industry, including the chronic skills shortage, the implementation of the National Living Wage, and local authority contracts. Making savings in genuine back office areas is a positive step, assuming that valuable contacts made by the industry within these departments are not lost. This would mean that we struggle to obtain the level of support and recognition we need from government to ensure that landscaping and horticulture is kept at the top of the green infrastructure agenda. It is unclear from the Chancellor’s speech where precisely major cuts to spending will be made and how this will affect us. BALI hopes that his mention of focusing on ‘green jobs’ to grow the economy includes not only ‘green technologies’ but also the landscaping and horticulture industry, which does so much to deliver a sustainable and ‘green’ environment.

Family owned Heming Group, which has been trading for nearly 50 years from its Cotswolds base, has announced an expansion drive with a move into plumbing services and the creation of new jobs. The company in Willersey, near Broadway, has launched a domestic plumbing division in Major Building Services, one of four companies in the group. As well as Major Building Services, Heming Group comprises Heming Civil Engineering and Construction Contractors, Ford Electrical and Heming Agricultural and Plant Engineers. Heming Group, which has over 40 employees, has diversified into plumbing in response to a surge in demand for the service from new and existing clients. The company is also creating five new jobs for a plumber, project manager, administration assistant, estimator and air conditioning and refrigeration engineer. Peter Heming, Managing Director of Heming Group, which operates throughout the Midlands and Cotswolds, said: “We have a really hardworking and dedicated team and by recruiting new staff and adding our new domestic plumbing service we are building even firmer foundations for the future. “One of the trades we get asked about most is plumbing.  A lot of our customers will already know that for many years we have been responding to emergency situations involving private and mains water supplies. We are delighted to introduce plumbing services as another string to our bow.” www.heming-services.co.uk  

Leicester-based Jackpad has completed a series of prestigious contracts, including foundations for office units at Severn Trent Water’s Netheridge plant and at Willmott Dixon’s latest student flat building project  in Brighton. The company’s portable foundations are suitable for single, two and treble storey modular buildings and are growing in popularity due to their excellent environmental credentials.  Exhibiting at the Offsite Construction Show last month, Jackpad was delighted with the response from new potential customers.  Managing Director Kris Cartwright said: “We know how well the Jackpad system performs in practice, it’s just a case of ensuring that key customers know about us.  We’re finding that some projects that otherwise would not get past the feasibility stage discover that Jackpad is the solution that makes the difference. A recently completed project for Costain at Severn Trent’s Netheridge Treatment Works is a good example of where the Jackpad system made an otherwise difficult project quite straightforward.   Lloyd Maddon of Costain Natural Resources Division said: “We found the Jackpad system a really safe and efficient alternative to the traditional option of installing concrete pads to support temporary cabins/office units.  The system was easy to install, flexible and offered flexibility to the installation process.  It also mitigated the health and safety hazards (manual handling/Coshh) associated with the alternative concrete solution.  I would not hesitate to recommend it.” Willmott Dixon chose Jackpad for a block of flats in Brighton where it required site offices to be in place for a 52 week period.  “This comment from Kevin Moon, Senior Build Manager of Willmott Dixon Housing Limited (London and Southern Counties) outlines how operational improvements have been demonstrated: “Just to confirm that I was very pleased with the Jackpad installation all carried out in under one working day.  Before becoming aware of the Jackpad system we had planned a concrete slab solution to place the cabins on.  This has saved a large amount of work to install the slab and remove it when we leave site, and also our Environmental KPI’s will reflect a far more environmentally friendly solution.  Thanks for a job well done.” For more information about Jackpad visit www.jackpad.co.uk