Fernhill Stone, the professional stone cladding providers show you how to apply stone cladding to walls, so that you can do it yourself in a few easy steps. Learn something new and save money at the same time! Choose your stone cladding and ensure you have the correct materials for
Incidents within confined spaces all too frequently result in fatalities. Working within confined spaces is common in many industries, posing a real issue for managers and others responsible for health and safety in the workplace, prompting the launch of a new report from specialist training provider Develop Training Limited (DTL).
Whether it is a commercial, industrial or residential building, the importance of getting lifts serviced should never be disregarded. In commercial and business properties, lifts are meant for visitors, clients and potential clients. Imagine the impression it would create if the lifts break down or work intermittently? They may associate
MODERN BUILDER is bringing an exciting new campaign to Ireland – giving architects, builders and the Irish construction industry in general a unique triple opportunity to win the recognition you deserve. Modern Builder(published by UB Media)are previous winners of prestigious International Green Apple Environment Awards, and they are now sponsoring
Considerate Constructors Scheme launches new Monitoring Checklist New Checklist helps tackle key issues: Ensuring the legitimacy of the workforce Attracting and retaining skills The Considerate Constructors Scheme – the national Scheme to improve the image of the construction industry – has launched a new Monitors’ Checklist. The
From 1 February 2016, the Health and Safety Offences and Corporate Manslaughter Offences Guidelines could mean higher (and potentially unlimited) fines for companies and public sector bodies thar fall short of complying with health and safety law. The new guidelines say that in the event of a health and safety
Gooee is using the Frankfurt Light + Building 2016 exhibition for the European preview of the world’s first ‘full-stack’ lighting ecosystem. An interactive demonstration on its stand will offer delegates the chance to fully experience the key end-user benefits of luminaire products that feature ‘Gooee Inside’, including Environmental Intelligence, Human
A campaign promoting the use of NICEIC and ELECSA registered contractors reached a record amount of people. The Stay Safe at Christmas campaign, launched during the festive period last year, warned about the additional electrical dangers that can arise at Christmas time and urged householders to call an NICEIC or
The focus on home maintenance and improvement is continuing apace, according to TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme for tradespeople, which has announced that it has recorded another bumper year of helping homeowners. More than 8.1 million search results were provided to homeowners who used TrustMark’s website and telephone helpline to find
The Department for Social Development’s (DSD) Review of the Role and Regulation of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) will close on 5 February. So, the charity Electrical Safety First is urging interested stakeholders to respond, if they haven’t already done so. From 2014 to 2015, over two-thirds (67%) of accidental
Fernhill Stone, the professional stone cladding providers show you how to apply stone cladding to walls, so that you can do it yourself in a few easy steps. Learn something new and save money at the same time! Choose your stone cladding and ensure you have the correct materials for the installation process. The tools you need include; Hand grinder Hatchet Wide mouth nippers Pointing gun Metal stick Brush Mason’s trowel Hammer Spirit level Wheel barrow Wood/ metal strike tool Tuck pointer Electric mortar mixer You must also wear the following protective equipment for healthy and safety reasons; Steel toecap boots Hi visibility clothing Hard hat Work gloves Goggles The video now shows you the step by step process. Prepare the surface with water resistant barriers from the bottom up smoothly, making sure that upper layer laps lower at least four inches. Then apply the corrosion resistant metal lath using galvanized fasteners. It then shows you how to install the mortar to the walls and clean excess mortar from the edges. Don’t forget to clean the wall with detergent and water. For detailed information on how to apply stone cladding to walls take a look at this YouTube video: Visit Fernhill Stone for more information
Incidents within confined spaces all too frequently result in fatalities. Working within confined spaces is common in many industries, posing a real issue for managers and others responsible for health and safety in the workplace, prompting the launch of a new report from specialist training provider Develop Training Limited (DTL). The report highlights a chronic lack of awareness of the dangers of working in confined spaces, or even what constitutes a confined space. This means managers can expose workers to hazards without realising it or putting adequate safeguards in place, heightening the chances an accident will happen. Employers, managers and responsible persons may face prosecution if they put lives at risk through failure to comply with current regulations. A confined space is one which is either fully or partially enclosed, and has a foreseeable risk of fire, explosion or loss of consciousness or suffocation to the entrant. Accidents like this can occur in a range of industries including construction, manufacturing, utilities and marine work, and it is estimated that between 15 and 30 deaths occur in confined spaces accidents every year. The white paper Confined Spaces: Training and Compliance for Safe Working looks in detail at the topic, considering everything from the definition and the risks associated with them, to employers’ duties and training requirements as set out in UK legislation. It concludes that greater awareness of the problem and appropriate investment in training and procedures are overdue across UK industry. Chris Wood, CEO at DTL, explains: “Companies have a responsibility to protect those working in confined spaces, and training is essential to this. Our state-of-the-art confined spaces units train delegates on how to navigate the obstacles that arise from working in dark, cramped spaces, while providing procedural guidance to help reduce the risks of the work.” The introduction of new confined spaces legislation has made this type of training more important than ever – companies including TATA global beverages, Rolls-Royce Aerospace, BMW Mini and Northumbrian Water have already taken up training. To download a free copy of the whitepaper, please click here: http://tinyurl.com/zxdr38g DTL can provide specialist confined spaces training at any one of its five training bases nationwide, and can also deliver on-site solutions through its mobile confined space training unit, which is immensely popular with clients. Visit www.developtraining.co.uk for more information.
Whether it is a commercial, industrial or residential building, the importance of getting lifts serviced should never be disregarded. In commercial and business properties, lifts are meant for visitors, clients and potential clients. Imagine the impression it would create if the lifts break down or work intermittently? They may associate the poor service of the lift with the overall service of your commercial or business establishment. In an industrial setting, such as a warehouse where large lifts are used to transport goods from one point to another, a broken lift can result in serious injuries or even lead to fatalities. This could result in claims and high medical expenses, something that businesses are looking to avoid. It also is important to note that, when faults and problems are neglected, they can quickly worsen. As a result, repairs will cost more. It is best to address even the smallest lift issues immediately to prevent costly repairs later on, or avoid accidents and fatalities. Regular Lift Servicing When lifts are serviced regularly, minor faults and problems can be addressed before they cause more serious problems. This ensures that the lift works seamlessly and reduces breakdowns. Lift service is an investment and not an expense as it can help with the transportation of both people and materials, will prevent large repair costs, and ensure that no accidents or deaths occur due to lift accidents. Making the Right Choice The company handyman is not the person to call upon for lift repairs and service. This requires specialised knowledge and skill and only a professional, who has experience and knowledge of lift repairs and services, will be able to do it correctly A handyman will not necessarily have the knowledge or skill to understand the sophisticated parts and systems of a lift, which could cause more harm than good. If cost is a factor, then getting the services of a qualified technician will offset this cost in the long run. It is important to get an experienced company that specialises in servicing and repairing lifts, and does not believe in cutting corners when making repairs or completing servicing. Calling on the services of experts, such as RJ Lift Services, will ensure the lift works seamlessly for years to come.
MODERN BUILDER is bringing an exciting new campaign to Ireland – giving architects, builders and the Irish construction industry in general a unique triple opportunity to win the recognition you deserve. Modern Builder(published by UB Media)are previous winners of prestigious International Green Apple Environment Awards, and they are now sponsoring the campaign to establish an Ireland-only sector. And it is free! The Modern Builder Green Apple Awards for the Built Environment (Ireland) are open to anyone in the construction industry across the whole of Ireland. If you have any projects that benefit the built environment, we want to hear about them – and we will reward the best ones. There are three chances of Irish glory, as you can win Gold, Silver or Bronze awards. But your chance of success does not end there! Your projects will also be entered into the International Green Apple Awards, where more Gold, Silver and Bronze trophies are waiting to be won. And if you are one of the highest scorers, you could be chosen to represent your country in the European Business Awards for the Environment, as the Green Apple Awards is one of the few accredited campaigns that acts as an automatic feeder scheme into this Brussels-led initiative. If you go to Green Apple Awards at www.thegreenorganisation.info you will find a category to suit you – or you might prefer simply to submit photos to be considered in the Beautiful Buildings section. Every organisation is entitled to submit a free entry before February 28 (online, by post or email) and you can compete in more than one category if you choose to pay the Additional Entry Fee of £100 + VAT for each. Full details can be found on the website and the Green Apple Awards were initially launched in 1994 by The Green Organisation – an international, independent, non-political, non-activist, non-profit environment group, dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world. The entry form tells you what the judges are looking for and it gives you a wide selection of categories to enter. All winners will be invited to collect their trophies at a glittering presentation ceremony in Ireland, and further ceremonies will be held in London and Europe for companies who go on to further achievement at those levels. Speaking at the launch of the Modern Builder Green Apple Awards, Jasen Uprichard (Partner) said: “We are devoted to helping the Irish construction industry, and by creating an Ireland-only sector within one of the world’s leading environment awards schemes, we are giving everyone the chance to showcase their favourite projects and top achievements. “We know the value of winning a Green Apple Award and we want our readers to enjoy the publicity, increased awareness and greater business opportunities that go hand-in-hand with success at this level. “We wish them all the very best of luck.”
Considerate Constructors Scheme launches new Monitoring Checklist New Checklist helps tackle key issues: Ensuring the legitimacy of the workforce Attracting and retaining skills The Considerate Constructors Scheme – the national Scheme to improve the image of the construction industry – has launched a new Monitors’ Checklist. The Checklist is the key method which Scheme Monitors use to assess and score sites, companies and suppliers’ performance against the Code of Considerate Practice. It comes into effect from 1 February 2016, but there will be a three month transition period until 1 May 2016, to ensure all Scheme registered members have sufficient time to familiarise themselves with the new requirements before any changes affect their scores. As the Scheme carries out around 18,000 sites, companies and supplier visits every year, the information gathered within the Monitors’ Checklist provides an essential barometer of how the industry is improving and the key issues it must tackle. Whilst the 2016 Checklist has undergone changes in all five sections of the Code, the most significant changes are within the ‘Value their Workforce’ section. A number of new questions have been introduced to help the industry tackle the critical issues such as combatting illegal workers and modern slavery on site and in supply chains, as well as attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce. New questions include: How does the site assess and monitor the legitimacy and competency of the workforce? What is the site doing to improve its image and the overall image of the industry to attract and retain the workforce necessary for the future of construction? Commenting on the new Checklist, Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said: “Our work to stamp out illegal working involves close collaborative working with lead industry bodies. We are fully supportive of genuine efforts, such as this scheme, to drive compliance with the rules. “Employers within the construction sector have a crucial and ongoing part to play in helping to combat illegal working by ensuring they carry out the straightforward ‘Right to Work’ checks on potential employees.” Chief Executive Edward Hardy said: “Scheme registered sites, companies, suppliers and their clients are demonstrating a continued eagerness to keep raising the bar of considerate construction and improve industry standards across the UK. The new Checklist will be a significant driver in helping to achieve this goal. Mr Hardy added: “The Checklist is reviewed annually to ensure it remains current, relevant and challenging. The new questions including those around the legitimacy of the workforce and attracting and retaining skills are clearly crucial issues for the future of the industry. The Considerate Constructors Scheme is delighted to be at the forefront of challenging the sector to improve performance in these areas”. Find out more about the new Checklist here
From 1 February 2016, the Health and Safety Offences and Corporate Manslaughter Offences Guidelines could mean higher (and potentially unlimited) fines for companies and public sector bodies thar fall short of complying with health and safety law. The new guidelines say that in the event of a health and safety prosecution a fine “must be sufficiently substantial to have a real economic impact, which will bring home to management…the need to comply with health and safety legislation”. According to Paul Reeve, director of business services at the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), the new guidelines underline the need for contractors, of any size, to have an effective approach to complying with health and safety law. Reeve said, “Key legislation for contractors includes the CDM 2015 and Management of Health and Safety at Work 1999 Regulations. The ECA is working closely with the BESA to ensure that building services contractors know what they need to do, and to help them comply. “A key message to contractors is to have sensible and effective, but also proportionate, arrangements for ensuring health and safety, and to have access to competent health and safety advice. These measures need to cover what you actually do at work, no more and no less.” When sentencing for health and safety offences the guidelines now require the courts to consider factors such as: ‘culpability’ – ranging from ‘low’ (the company did not fall far short of the appropriate standard) to ‘very high’ (a deliberate breach of, or flagrant disregard for the law) the organisation’s annual turnover, or equivalent any aggravating factors, such as cost-cutting at the expense of safety, or mitigating factors, such as a good health and safety record. Reeve concludes: “Two ways for contractors to show basic health and safety capability are to meet the technical and safety requirements of their sector trade association and to meet the assessment criteria applied by schemes operating under the SSIP banner.”
Gooee is using the Frankfurt Light + Building 2016 exhibition for the European preview of the world’s first ‘full-stack’ lighting ecosystem. An interactive demonstration on its stand will offer delegates the chance to fully experience the key end-user benefits of luminaire products that feature ‘Gooee Inside’, including Environmental Intelligence, Human Engagement and Product/ Asset Tracking. Environmental Intelligence includes the ability to control and monitor energy data to support predictive maintenance and determine such factors as occupancy, ambient light levels, white colour-tuning and LED performance. Human Engagement provides the ability to personalise the user experience, engaging individuals within a dedicated environment. Product and Asset tracking, the final benefit, allows an asset to be managed and tracked throughout its total life cycle. Advances in technology have made it possible to print circuitry that encompasses power and communication capabilities. These so-called ‘smart labels’, containing RFID or Bluetooth, can be applied to products and assets and be identified within the Gooee ecosystem. Jan Kemeling, Gooee’s chief commercial officer, says that the reaction so far to Gooee Inside has been extraordinary. “There is a consistently high demand for an interoperable, scalable lighting system within the built environment and we are continuing to develop our technology to provide the full lighting solution,” he says. “Managing energy costs and meeting regulatory requirements regarding health and safety are just two of the critical issues for businesses today, and both can be addressed by harnessing the benefit of Gooee Inside.” At the start of 2016, Gooee announced a series of partnerships and working associations with seven Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) including Havells Sylvania, the Aurora Group, Gerard Lighting and John Cullen Lighting.
A campaign promoting the use of NICEIC and ELECSA registered contractors reached a record amount of people. The Stay Safe at Christmas campaign, launched during the festive period last year, warned about the additional electrical dangers that can arise at Christmas time and urged householders to call an NICEIC or ELECSA registered electrician if they had any concerns. The campaign featured on regional TV and radio. It also appeared in national and local newspapers across the UK, making it the most successful campaign by NICEIC and ELECSA to promote electrical contractors yet. In total, the campaign reached a potential audience of 55 million people. “Research carried out last year showed us that the NICEIC brand is the most recognised in the industry amongst consumers,” said Paul Collins, communications manager at Certsure, which operates the NICEIC and ELECSA brands. “It was important for us to build on this and to keep promoting the use of NICEIC and ELECSA registered contractors to homeowners. “This was the largest and most integrated campaign we have ever carried out, focussing not only on traditional media outlets, but social media also.” The Stay Safe at Christmas campaign launched with a series of radio interviews carried out by resident expert Tony Cable and DIY SOS Star Billy Byrne. The duo appeared on 57 national, regional and commercial radio stations – reaching in excess of 36 million potential listeners. A second radio day saw Darren Staniforth carry out 11 interviews on BBC regional radio stations – reaching another 1.3 million listeners. In addition, the story appeared on ITV Granada’s primetime news programme as well as being featured in the Daily Mirror and Daily Star. “Certsure is committed to promoting the use of its contractors to more and more people,” added Paul. “NICEIC and ELECSA registrants now carry out over 89% of all Part P jobs in England and Wales. That is an astonishing figure and one we are very proud of. “We know that these two brands win contractors more work and we will continue to promote our contractors and the benefits of using an NICEIC or ELECSA registered electrician to both specifiers and consumers.”
The focus on home maintenance and improvement is continuing apace, according to TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme for tradespeople, which has announced that it has recorded another bumper year of helping homeowners. More than 8.1 million search results were provided to homeowners who used TrustMark’s website and telephone helpline to find local firms and expert tradespeople to carry out their home improvements and repairs – an increase of 12% compared to the same period in 2014 and up 55% since 2013. Searches for interior designers, bedroom and kitchen specialists saw the biggest rises last year and have been among the most sought-after trades out of the 38 licensed trades offered by TrustMark. TrustMark is the only Government-backed quality scheme that covers all trades to do work in and around the home, from aerial installers to flood recovery specialists. Carpenters and joiners, followed closely by painters and decorators, have also seen increasing demand, indicating a continuing trend to improve rather than move. There was a 29% increase in search results provided for TrustMark-registered electricians, a 21% increase for plumbers and heating engineers, and similar demands for handymen. Search results provided for carpet and upholstery cleaners leapt by 58% in 2015. Following the major storms at the start of 2014, TrustMark-registered roofers and tree surgeons saw their busiest months during January and February. Unsurprisingly, homeowners began to focus on their gardens when the weather recovered, with fence installers (up 19%), garden landscapers (up 15%) and drive and patio contractors all seeing a significant increase on their searches during the spring and summer. Simon Ayers, chief executive of TrustMark, said, “Homeowners are increasingly understanding the importance of only using professional firms to do their home improvements and repair work, particularly at a time when people are concerned about their finances. TrustMark provides homeowners with extra security, the reassurances they are looking for and the confidence that they are working with tradespeople who are the best in the business. “We continue to work closely with our approved scheme operators and TrustMark-registered firms, as well as with influential consumer organisations such as Age UK, Citizens Advice and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. Together we are all signposting the public to TrustMark. By providing advice and a free list of reputable firms, we can guide people through finding the right tradespeople for jobs in their homes and be a trusted avenue for support as and when needed.” All TrustMark firms work to Government-endorsed standards and are uniquely checked for three cornerstones of quality – their trading practices, customer service and their technical competence. TrustMark continues to expand its database of over 13,000 individual firms in the UK, providing national coverage with more than 21,000 licenced trades searchable on its database. For further information and to stay up-to-date with developments at TrustMark, visit www.trustmark.org.uk
The Department for Social Development’s (DSD) Review of the Role and Regulation of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) will close on 5 February. So, the charity Electrical Safety First is urging interested stakeholders to respond, if they haven’t already done so. From 2014 to 2015, over two-thirds (67%) of accidental fires in Northern Ireland were linked to electricity, with some of the worst cases of landlord neglect relating to poor electrical safety. Northern Ireland’s PRS has expanded rapidly and now accounts for over 16% of all housing stock, with the percentage of households in the sector doubling in the last ten years. “We were extremely pleased that the DSD’s review includes questions around the issue of regular electrical safety checks,” explains Phil Buckle, director general of Electrical Safety First. “We believe this safeguard will not only protect private renters, but also their landlords, as it has been conservatively estimated that electricity causes £1 billion worth of damage to property in the UK. “We would urge all key stakeholders to respond to the review and help us ensure the safety of tenants and the protection of landlords’ property.” Electrical Safety First has been working with governments throughout the UK to develop legislation that will protect both landlords and tenants. It has called for mandatory, five yearly safety checks, by a registered electrician, of the electrical installation in all PRS properties – and any electrical appliance supplied with them. The Charity led a coalition of stakeholders to ensure regular electrical checks were included in last year’s Scottish Housing Act and it is hopeful that they will also be introduced in Wales via the new Renting Homes (Wales) Act, which has just received Royal Assent. Current regulations in Northern Ireland simply state that electrics in the PRS must be safe, but do not specify a regular safety review – unlike those governing gas, where an annual gas safety certificate is required.
