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COVER STORY
CONTENTS Glulam: the choice for sustainability Glued laminated timber – or glulam – is one of the most sustainable building products available. Our front cover this issue shows its use in a project for North Leamington Schools by Technical Timber Services, a leading member of the Glued Laminated Timber Association. In fact, glulam structures have been around for over a century and Christopher Mettem, chairman of the GLTA, examines its many properties and uses in construction projects today. read more from p6
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Constructive Comment
NEWS 8 8 9 9 10 11
New NHBC Standards BRE appoint new director Greenbuild Award deadline extended Innovative Cornbrook praised GSHPs now able to compete fairly MPs urge retention of sustainable homes policy
CONSTRUCTION LAW 12 12 13
A specialist industry requires a specialist court with specialist practitioners Call upon contracts expertise for business support When sub-contractors claim self- employed status is a sham
WORKING AT HEIGHT 15 16 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 22
New president and new guidance mark NASC AGM XERVON Palmers scoops award – and contract extension CISRS clarifies its position on scaffolding system brands What goes up? TG20:13 Technical Guidance Yearbook is packed with scaffolding essentials NASC health and safety winners New president lays down gauntlet Extra funding leads to increased training numbers Firm fined for scaffolding collapse Launch of safest mobile scaffold
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TRAINING
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Helping thousands succeed worldwide CITB acts to counter skills gap threat
HEALTH & SAFETY 26 26 27 28
Firms urged to prioritise health and safety in 2014 Revised asbestos guidance issued Safety in construction Workplace drug testing
AVA™ LED products ensure greener railway stations Product Acceptance for Axis network video (IP) cameras Funding programme announced for South East’s railways Network Rail approval for GSM-R solar powered telephone A festive frenzy of upgrades
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SECURITY 29 30 31 32 33 35
Plant security scheme hailed Site security can even involve protecting trespassers Rapid deployment CCTV leads to detection and prevention of crime CCTV verses manned guarding JCB offer the solution to protect its own products! Manage the risk of commercial property crime
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DRAINS & SEWERS 42 43 44 45 45
A challenging Torquay lining project Sewer improvements in the pipeline Septicity control Plumbing quality schemes Promoting sustainable drainage
CE MARKING 47
CE Marking is standard practice for this old hand in the fastener industry
FINANCE 48 50 50 52
Save £’000’s on tax by carefully planning plant purchases Funding help for housebuilding Cashflow solutions for construction Make the most of tax allowances – before it’s too late!
COMMUNICATIONS 36
Reichle & De Massari bring ‘Swiss Precision’ to the UK
PRODUCT SHOWCASE 54
New products on show
LIGHTING
CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES
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Boxing clever with LEDs How many National Trust volunteers does it take to change a lightbulb? Make your lighting choice LED
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BOOK REVIEW 58
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For all other enquiries: Tel: 0161 710 3880 Fax: 0161 710 3879 Email: editorial@dmmonline.co.uk Suite 2, 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3AW Editor: Chris Stokes Copyright Construction National. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Construction National. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.
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CHY
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Constructive ‹ YOU WOULD HAVE HAD to be on holiday on Mars not to have noticed the fact that the
housebuilding industry is starting cautiously to haul itself out of the doldrums. Whether that will result in the overheating of the market is an argument for elsewhere. The main issue for the construction industry itself is to make sure the finance is available to tend those green shoots. To that end a number of initiatives have been put in place. George Osborne has promised loans to unlock ‘stalled’ developments, while in this issue of Construction National Neil Lloyd of Lombard and Nigel Greenaway of JCB Finance explain how to take advantage of the increased Annual Investment Allowance for the purchase of plant and other assets. • JCB also feature in the pages dealing with security issues. The fluid nature of construction sites makes them difficult for traditional security systems to adapt to, so the mobile CCTV tower provides a flexible way to protect all those big yellow things. Construction sites are also horribly inviting to smaller hands with a penchant for mischief and keeping them safe from harm is as much part of the security effort as keeping thieves off your plant. • Safety of workers is the other major issue for the construction industry. HSE is pushing the theme in its New Year message, while the scaffolding industry has given out its Health and Safety Awards at its AGM. Injuries while working at height are the major danger in the industry, so promoting safety among scaffolders is paramount. The NASC also launched its new technical guidance, with innovations allowing erectors to check scaffolds easily for safety conformity. It also allows different designs to be compared without the need for ‘bespoke designs’. • What happens when the rules are not followed is demonstrated on a depressingly frequent basis by a glance at the list of prosecutions brought by HSE against firms for a wide range of lapses. As well as health and safety law the construction industry is wound about with its own web of specialist regulations and contract law, which is the subject of a new regular feature in Construction National. • The HS2 rail link is continuing to make headlines, with a group of MPs recently recommending to the government that the building of the northern and southern sections should begin at the same time. Elsewhere rail network upgrades have been the subject of a flurry of activity over the Christmas and New Year period. Infrastructure projects are the lifeblood of any economy, acting as the forerunner to any other development. • Mention has to be made of the strange and wonderful structures that adorn the front cover and cover story of this issue. They are made possible because of the flexibility of glulam technology, giving timber – that most sustainable of building materials – the structural ability to support these marvellous buildings. They prove that technological advance can go hand-in-hand with artistic endeavour. q
Chris Stokes Editor, Construction National
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Glulam: the choice for sustainability By CHRISTOPHER METTEM, Chairman, Glued Laminated Timber Association
‹ GLULAM IS WELL-ESTABLISHED, examples having been standing for
more than a century, and nowadays it is recognised as considerably more sustainable than building with steel or reinforced concrete. This is because of its true renewable nature – owing to the wonders of photosynthesis and forestry – and its low mass with comparably high strength and stiffness, as well as its low embodied energy in manufacture, transportation and in service. Designing with glulam from sustainably managed forests is the finest way to begin lowering a building’s carbon footprint. By extending the range of sawn structural timber, it provides alternatives to the other higher energy and nonrenewable materials, not just for small spans and one- or two-storey buildings, but for medium and long spans as well as for taller buildings and bridges. Glued laminated timber – glulam – is manufactured by bonding together individual laminations of strength graded solid timber to produce members that are larger and longer than may be obtained simply by sawing a normal log. ‘Horizontal glulam’, generally of rectangular cross-section, is the usual product but additional operations lead to a variety of cross-sections, curved shapes and structural axes. A glulam project in Malaysia – image At an early stage in the design,
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important decisions should be made. The adaptability of glulam, and the variety of its shapes and forms, are amongst its major advantages – but this makes it even more important to define the principal characteristics, demands and constraints. The correct decision varies according to functional, aesthetic and budgetary requirements. Some of the principal choices are summarised below – of necessity, very briefly – but at the end of this article, a new on-line resource is recommended where many more details are given. Pre-fabricated semi-standard components are worth considering for their good economics combined with short delivery times. Examples include pitched and shaped beams and portals. Such types of ‘bespoke’ glulam may not be greatly more expensive that standard stock items. The cost factors include size (both cross-sectional and length), the timber species, any required curvature and whether special adhesives will be necessary for external or exposed situations. A unique feature of glulam is that it is possible to obtain threedimensional curves. However, it is important to understand that curved glulam is made differently to straight material. The laminations are bent cold into jigs, whose radius and courtesy of Rotafix Ltd clamping throat is varied according
to the nature of the project, entailing a setting-up cost. The overall shape controls the thickness of the individual laminations and it is usually necessary for this to be less than for straight beams. The wise designer keeps costs within acceptable bounds – for example, by restricting the radius of curvature to a single value, reducing the setting up cost and also keeping the lamination thickness consistent within each job. European whitewood is the most commonly used species, although there are other options. The main softwood alternatives in the UK include European redwood, larch and Douglas fir. Temperate hardwoods include European oak and sweet chestnut and a relatively small selection of tropical timbers is also offered. The parameters to consider include acceptable cost, capability of being bonded and at least a degree of evidence for sustainability and chain of custody accreditation. The BS EN standards for structural adhesives classify moisture and temperature resistance as well as origins that may be traced back more than seventy years. Alternatives exist for special service conditions, including what timber engineers designate as ‘Service Class 3’ situations. Very wide gapfilling adhesives – principally epoxy systems – are recommended for bonding connections and for making repairs. Guidance on available dimensional ranges is available through manufacturers’ tables of normal cross-sections and their descriptions of the larger dimensions, special shapes and other options for columns and posts. Compared with standard stock items, much larger cross-sections, built-up shapes and round sections are possible, but these should be carefully investigated with regard to economy and the building programme. It is also important that decisions on the general nature of the connections are made at the concept or architectural design stage and not left entirely to the later engineering calculations. Because options for timber connections are much more varied than those for structural steel their selection influences, positively or negatively, not only the overall appearance and neatness of the design but also the costs – which may be greatly affected. Appearance and surface finishing are frequent topics of enquiry but again the manufacturers’ recommended options nearly always prove acceptable. Some form of surface finish is nearly always recommended since bare glulam in the finished work is hardly ever a good idea, both in respect of long-term durability and the retention of good aesthetics. However, just because the semifinished raw material from which glulam is made is sawn timber, why simply contemplate wood shades? A range of tints and opaque colours is offered over a wide spectrum of colours and so, on further consideration, it may be realised that red, green or blue shades – or even a white tint – would both serve well and be aesthetically pleasing. The new website of the Glued Laminated Timber Association (GLTA) contains
Earth Centre by Constructional Timber Limited sections on all aspects of sustainability – both in the wood chain and in service. Sections such as More about glulam provide helpful advice on choices more closely related to concept (architectural) and structural design. Special shapes are described and illustrated, for example elements that are both round in crosssection and curved. Semi-standard components, such as pitched and cambered roof beams and portals, are also explained. A series of contemporary case studies is included, all categorised by structural form. There are details on the history and performance record, which stretches back for more than a century and a half, making glulam a considerably older and – dare we say – more durable material than reinforced concrete! • For further information visit www.glulam.co.uk.
North Leamington Schools
This new build project – which features on the front cover of this issue – was constructed by Hampshire based Technical Timber Services. It consists of three separate glulam structures at third storey level and was completed over a three week period. www.constructionnational.co.uk
New NHBC Standards come into force ‹ THE 2014 EDITION OF the NHBC Standards, which provide the
technical benchmark for all newly-built homes registered with NHBC, now applies to homes whose foundations are begun on or after 1 January. The main change to the Standards, as announced by NHBC earlier in the year, will be the introduction of a new standard for mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems. Research by the NHBC Foundation found that the move to create more energy-efficient homes and improve airtightness has led to around a quarter of new homes being fitted with MVHR systems. The new technical guidance, Chapter 3.2: Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery will cover issues such as system design, correct specification and installation of ductwork, location of the fan unit and prevention of condensation. NHBC standards manager Paul Cribbens said: “The new Chapter 3.2 was distributed in October, which should have given sufficient time for NHBC registered builders to digest, understand and implement the key changes. This new chapter is a significant step forward in understanding how to get the best performance from this new technology, which we hope will greatly benefit both homeowners and the industry.” To help industry adapt to the changes, NHBC has produced a video which is available free at www.nhbc.co.uk/nhbcstandards. q
BRE appoint new Business Development Director ‹ DR MILES WATKINS HAS
joined BRE to take up the key new position of Group Business Development Director. Dr Watkins (pictured) will lead on formulating commercial strategies for the organisation that will further strengthen its presence in the UK and in its core overseas markets. A professional environmentalist with an outstanding career, Dr Watkins spent 17 years at Aggregate Industries before joining BRE. His final role was as Director of Sustainable Construction, where his responsibilities included marketing, safety, innovation and external and internal communications. In his new role, his focus will be on enhancing ways of supporting customers, with an emphasis on meeting their needs and adding further value across all services. He will also be helping to grow BRE’s international portfolio by providing high construction growth countries with the tools and support they need to achieve enduring commercial, social and environmental sustainability in the built environment. Dr Watkins is a founding member of the UK Green Building Council and continues to be an Ambassador. He is also Chairman of the Institute of Quarrying and Non-executive Chairman at Care for the Wild International. Commenting on the appointment BRE CEO Dr Peter Bonfield said: “Miles brings with him a wealth of knowledge across all areas of the construction supply chain as well as invaluable experience of leading on sustainability work. He is a well known and much respected name in the sector, and he will be a great asset to BRE.” q
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Greenbuild Award deadline extended ‹ THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES in the 2014 Greenbuild Awards has
been extended to the end of January. The awards have been created to celebrate truly green buildings that show the project teams are serious about sustainability. Each entry should have in-use energy performance data proving that the building lives up to design expectations. In addition to the established categories of new build and retrofit in the domestic, education, leisure, workplace and retail sectors, there are three new categories: • Breakthrough award – for any person or project that has raised the bar and done something different to achieve a low-energy and sustainable building
• Behavioural change award – for any project that can demonstrate the impact behavioural change has had on its performance • New retrofit product award – this is in association with Salford University, to recognise product innovations for retrofit solutions The Greenbuild Awards judging panel of Paul Ruyssevelt (UCL and Ruyssevelt Consulting), Liz Reason (Green Gauge Trust) and Kerry Mashford (National Energy Foundation) is joined for 2014 by Zero Carbon Hub's Rob Pannell. All the shortlisted entries will be showcased at Greenbuild Expo in Manchester on 7-8 May, with the winners announced at a celebratory dinner at Manchester's Radisson Hotel on 7 May. Entries can be made up to 31 January at www.greenbuildawards.co.uk. q
Innovative Cornbrook praised for its digital growth strategy ‹ A DIGITAL MANAGEMENT system
developed by SME builder Cornbrook Construction to help it ride out the recession is now playing a key role in driving the company’s growth as the economy recovers. Cornbrook, based at Cleobury Mortimer, near Kidderminster, has teamed up with Telfordbased software development and integration company BlueHub Solutions to create the new system. The bespoke software has already impressed one potential major new client so much that Cornbrook is in line to win new contracts that would result in the company creating dozens of new jobs. The new client is also considering adopting the system itself. The software allows Cornbrook to track and manage its operations in real-time, significantly improving its ability to plan the best use of resources and guarantee a high quality service. Matt Breakwell, managing director of Cornbrook, which employs 30 full-time staff on residential and commercial projects across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire, said: “We knew this would be a useful tool, but it’s already proving to be a revelation. “It’s helping us to control client costs, manage budgets and track project delivery. This is cutting out waste in materials, equipment and staff time, which is improving our competitiveness and the service we provide for our customers. “We started development nearly 12 months ago because the recession made maximising efficiency a major priority for us. Now that the construction sector is picking up, we’re hoping it will accelerate our growth.” BlueHub Solutions director Matt Flanagan said: “We have developed bespoke management systems within other commercial sectors, such as logistics and manufacturing, but this technology is quite new in the construction sector.
Going for digital growth. From the left: Matt Breakwell, MD of Cornbrook Construction, and Matt Flanagan, Director of BlueHub Solutions “Certainly, for this size of company, it makes Cornbrook an innovator on a national scale. I haven’t come across any similar companies doing this. It’s to their credit that they’ve had this level of forethought, and it’s already paying dividends.” At its heart is a digital scheduling system, supported by mobile technology, which allows Cornbrook’s managers to plan projects and allocate work much more efficiently. Once work has been scheduled, all staff are sent automatic text alerts about where they are working and who is in their team. They can also be advised about what tools they need and what materials they need to collect. Site supervisors monitor the schedule on iPads, which also give them access to project documentation and allows them to order materials – all in real-time. Plans for future functionality include
integrating vehicle tracking, full HR management and customer satisfaction feedback systems. Matt Breakwell said: “The previous paperbased system was as efficient as we could make it, but we were operating in the dark compared with what we have now. “We are already seeing significant commercial benefits. We are in talks with a potential national client who was very impressed with the software and the performance guarantees it helped us provide. “If we win the contract, which we are hopeful of, I believe this digital management system will have been a key factor. “We haven’t given the system a name yet because we’re still finding out new things it can do. It will become absolutely central to the way we manage our business. You never know, one day we might get it to make builder’s tea!” q www.constructionnational.co.uk
GSHPs now able to compete fairly ‹ THE GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP (GSHP) sector has suffered
for several years as a result of uncertainty over the level of Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) support – and the fact that biomass has attracted a relatively higher RHI tariff. With recent confirmation of an increased level of RHI support for commercial GSHP systems, the sector is confident of a marked increase in interest and uptake of the technology. Designers can now predict with greater certainty the costs and payback of heat pump schemes at an early stage in project development. This is excellent news as GSHPs have been unable to compete fairly with biomass – until now. Over the last 12 months, the Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA) has been busy working on installation standard documents for horizontal closed loop, open loop and thermal pile systems. These will join the existing vertical closed loop borehole standard. Together, these standards will provide a vital resource for sustainable system design for existing installers and the many companies expected to join the growing GSHP sector. Rutland based Carbon Zero Consulting is actively involved with the GSHPA in drafting the horizontal and open loop standard documents. The company has for nearly 10 years provided high level design expertise across the entire range of GSHP installations. This input includes domestic closed loop borehole Georeports through to large open loop viability assessment, thermal response testing, soil thermal conductivity surveys, regulatory compliance services and closed loop borehole array modelling. q
Company Profile
‹ ELITE SYSTEMS GB LTD provides a range of made to order
permenant and temporary modular buildings for various industry sectors across the UK from their base in west Yorkshire. The company supports environmental directives and works hard to create a sustainable future. Says Technical Director Marcus Sutcliffe: “Our policy is to design products and select materials that minimise maintenance and facilitate energy efficient decommissioning and recycling. Our goal is to use the minimum amount of non recyclable components and to recycle whatever we can to reduce carbon output. Our employees are environmentally aware and have taken great strides to reduce non recyclable materials in the work place. Our management team take environmental sustainability very seriously and also work to reduce the consumption of energy and materials whenever possible. “We support companies and countries that also share our commitment to the environment and have an established replanting programme for timber resources.” Elite Systems encourages their employees and suppliers to apply their full commitment in carrying out the company’s environmental policy through continuous awareness, policy updates and by monitoring their use of energy consumption. Marcus adds: “This is our commitment to our clients, our planet and to ourselves.” q
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MPs urge retention of sustainable homes policy ‹ THE DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES and Local Government
(DCLG) has been urged by a committee of MPs to reconsider plans to axe the Code for Sustainable Homes, describing it as ‘a policy that has driven up home building standards and helped to create a thriving sustainable building industry in the UK.’ The chair of the Commons Environmental Audit Committee, Joan Walley MP, said: “The Secretary of State should think again before demolishing the Code for Sustainable Homes. The policy has been a big success in driving up home building standards, delivering local choice and supporting green exports. Building materials manufacturers in the UK told us that they use the code as a green kitemark when they sell their products abroad.” The cross-party committee criticised the Department for its decision to remove local authorities’ discretion to set high standards on energy and water saving – using the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) – in favour of a lowestcommon-denominator national standard. Ms Walley pointed out: “The Coalition Agreement promised that the Government would ‘return decisionmaking powers on housing and planning to local councils’, but this decision bulldozes local choice in favour of a onesize-fits-all approach designed to benefit developers who want to build homes on the cheap.” In its report the Committee said that the CSH is a proven policy mechanism for driving incremental improvements in sustainable home building. Oncedifficult-to-achieve lower-level CSH standards on energy use have been successfully embedded in Building Regulations over the six years since the policy was introduced. DCLG has not set out a replacement mechanism to drive sustainability in the future. The Committee recommended that the DCLG examine the latest research on the decreasing cost of clean energy technologies, maintain and refresh the CSH as a tool for local authorities to lever in sustainability and retain CSH standards on sustainable construction materials to support green exports and green growth. Joan Walley concluded: “Hundreds of thousands of homes have to be built in the coming decades. Smart energy and water saving measures – which will
The chair of the Commons Environmental Audit Committee, Joan Walley MP
ultimately save homeowners money on their bills – must become the norm if we want our homes to be fit for the future. “The Code for Sustainable Homes incentivises developers and designers to think about sustainability from the outset of a project and throughout the development process. It is a proven and flexible way of pushing up home building standards and should not be dropped.” q
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A specialist industry requires a specialist court with specialist practitioners In this first in a series of articles examining areas of construction law, we look at what distinguishes the industry from other areas of commercial law.
‹ ONE EFFECT OF the depth of the recession
in the construction industry was an increased willingness to take disputes to the courts. In the year 2010-2011 the number of cases heard by the specialist Technology and Construction Court (TCC) rose to a high of 512, according to the court’s annual report, following a rise the previous year to 502 cases. Only now is that figure starting to drop off, with 457 new claims brought last year. Construction law is a complex area of law, requiring such a specialist court and specialist lawyers and judges to administer it. The TCC deals with areas of law including traditional building cases, as well as professional negligence claims, claims regarding development, dilapidation claims and so forth.
Like all areas of law, construction law has felt the effects of the Jackson reforms – the TCC was the court chosen to trial so-called ‘hot-tubbing’ of expert witnesses – and there have been recent amendments to the Construction Act regarding payments and contracts. A further area where the construction industry appears to be leading the way is in the increasing use of adjudication and arbitration. The use of non-litigious methods for settling disputes has been progressively enshrined in various pieces of legislation, culminating in the Construction Act. The Act made arbitration easier by removing the clause in the Housing Grants, Construction & Regeneration Act (HGCRA) for a contract to be in writing in order to qualify. Writing at the time of the Act becoming law
in 2009, John Wright of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, said: “Adjudication has proved effective in helping construction parties to resolve their disputes swiftly and cost-effectively, which has allowed projects to be completed without wasted cost and time in litigation. The HGCRA 1996 has been effective in providing a statutory right for parties to refer a dispute to adjudication but changes were necessary to the original legislation to improve the process and increase access to adjudication. Many of the changes in the new Act are to be welcomed, although questions still remain about some aspects.” In future issues, Construction National will be taking a look at some of the issues the subject throws up, as well as reporting on cases that hit the headlines. R
Call upon construction contracts expertise when your business needs support ‹ WHILST THE CONSTRUCTION industry is at last showing
promising signs of recovery, there is no doubt that payment problems continue to be suffered by many subcontract businesses and regional contractors alike. Established 6 years ago, York based consultancy RJH Commercial Consulting Ltd have recovered over £12 million of clients’ money. Their fees over this period therefore represent just a small proportion of the cash which clients have recovered, and which they could not put their hands on until they made contact with RJH. According to managing director Richard Hildrick: “RJH Commercial Consulting’s mission is to proactively address such payment issues by providing construction specialists and regional contractors with a superior level of contractual and construction law knowledge, to that retained in-house by their much larger contractor/employer clients. By buying in our expertise when a project becomes contractual or payments are unfair or late, our clients are able to safeguard their slender margins and address any unfairly stifled cashflow.” “Our client testimonials speak for themselves. RJH always works closely with a client’s in-house team – and we get results. Being from a major contractor background, our consultants are well versed with the modus operandi of such corporations. We guarantee that your business will benefit from working with us.” R • For further information call Richard Hildrick on 01347 811155 or e-mail richard@rjhconsulting.co.uk.
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What happens when sub-contractors claim their self-employed status is a sham? By ANDREW WILSON, consultant director of THSP
‹ IMAGINE THE SITUATION – J, a ‘self-employed’ electrician, has
worked for ABC Services Ltd for five years consecutively, other than for the odd week or two when on holiday or ill. In that time J has worked on a number of sites for ABC and has always completed the work himself. When he has been unable to work, ie on holiday or ill, then ABC have typically not engaged anyone else but used their in-house electricians to do the work. When the work is available J has always done the work himself. Although J is registered through the CIS Scheme as a selfemployed operative, they do not always provide records such as invoices or timesheets. Here is the sting. After five years of reasonably consistent work provided by ABC to J, the opportunities for new work become fewer and subsequently J is not given any work for a substantial period of time. ABC are under the belief that they have to make sure their employed operatives are kept busy. One evening J is talking about the predicament to a friend who suggests he may be entitled to some money from ABC under something called a ‘worker’ status. The next day J calls ACAS and the Citizens Advice Bureau. They both suggest ‘J’ appears to look like the definition of a ‘worker’ under section 230(3) of the Employment Rights Act 1996. So, what does this mean? Well, J could be entitled to similar statutory rights as an employee. Potentially, this could amount to five years’ worth of holidays, pay at the national minimum wage, the right to be fairly dismissed, protection from less favourable treatment and whistle-blowing and redundancy pay, among
a number of other rights. Is this what ABC Services intended when they first gave work to J some five years ago? Probably not. There has been great Parliamentary reform recently in terms of employment rights, but there have been no such discussions in terms of status. With more and more case law building the case for the ‘worker’, business owners will be well advised to review the manner in which they engage self-employed operatives. It is not uncommon to find some form of contractual arrangement in place. However, the authoritative case law that is coming from upon high is scrutinising the relationship in practice and not necessarily the proposed intent contained within an agreement. There may well be provision in an agreement where there is ‘no mutual obligation to accept or provide work’ and there may also be opportunity to provide a ‘substitute if unavailable and unwilling to undertake the work’ but the test comes of what happens in reality and if the arrangement is effectively a sham. In today’s litigious world don’t think the worker needs to prove they have to work under a sham contract for a specific period of time. There are no ‘two-year windows’ of continuous employment needed to claim holidays or the national minimum wage, as defined in Regulation 2 of the Working Time Regulations 1998 and section 54 of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 respectively. Equally, the protection from discrimination and whistle-blowing exists from the outset! So what are the options? Taking the worker on as an employee is not always seen as a viable option. After all, the reason for taking on a selfemployed operative in the first instance was often to avoid employment liabilities and offer greater flexibility. Therefore some legal protection and distance should be sought, namely through an agency or bureau or by engaging legally formed companies to undertake the task. The construction sector is, as with many other industries, built up and dependent on flexible labour models. Will the decisions in recent case law change the way self-employed operatives are engaged? With the so called claims culture still firmly out there, business owners are well advised to consider their liabilities with self-employed contractors, operatives and consultants. q • THSP can help businesses understand their risks and then put pragmatic solutions in place. For more information tel 08456 122144 or visit www.thsp.co.uk. www.constructionnational.co.uk
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New president and new guidance mark NASC AGM ‹ THE AGM OF THE National Access and Scaffolding
Confederation took place on 22 November at the Bristol Marriott City Centre Hotel. The meeting formally elected a new president, saw the announcement of changes to the NASC council and witnessed the launch of the TG20:13 Technical Guidance. It was also the venue for the presentation of the biennial NASC Health and Safety Awards. Kevin Ward of Scaffold Erection Services Ltd took over as president of the confederation for two years – to 2015. Kevin was vice president during the two year tenure of Rob Lynch of Lyndon Scaffolding plc as president. In his address following his election, Kevin Ward said: “Coming from a smaller sized member company I was very honoured and truly humbled to be asked by my peers to take over the presidency of the NASC. It really does clearly demonstrate that we are an inclusive trade association. “I will always endeavour to put forward a viewpoint that I consider first and foremost to be both representative of and beneficial to the whole UK scaffolding industry, while also being ever mindful of the best interests of the membership, whom I represent.” The new technical guidance document TG20:13 would be a priority. “The launch, promotion and ultimately successful integration of TG20:13 into our industry will no doubt take up much of my own time, as well as that of the hardworking NASC staff,” he said. The AGM witnessed the launch of the new TG20:13 Technical Guidance “My message to members
New president Kevin Ward
is that they must get to grips quickly with this new version of TG20, embrace it and utilise it to their advantage. Make the most of this window of opportunity and get ahead of the game and, ultimately, your competitors.” In addition to formally electing the new president, a number of other changes to the NASC council were announced. Alan Lilley of Commercial Scaffolding Ltd became the new vice president, while Kevin Mouatt of D+R Group plc will chair the technical committee, with Trevor Clarke of Amber Scaffolding Ltd taking the chair of the contracts committee. The NASC also has its first female regional chair in Lynn Way of Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd, who is appointed for the South West and South Wales region. On other confederation matters, NASC MD Robin James reported on the recent publication of the NASC Yearbook 2014 and provided a review of 2013 with updates on membership, training, health and safety, technical, hire, sales and manufacturing, contractual and employment affairs. q www.constructionnational.co.uk
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XERVON Palmers scoops AstraZeneca Safety Award – and contract extension ‹ PREMIER SCAFFOLDING CONTRACTOR
XERVON Palmers has received a prestigious gold award and the coveted AstraZeneca Construction Award for Safety at the annual AstraZeneca awards – and has negotiated a contract extension for scaffolding and access work at the company’s Avlon site, near Bristol. XERVON Palmers has been providing scaffolding and access solutions at the AstraZeneca pharmaceutical production facility in the Avon region for over three decades, and will continue to provide services for at least another two years. The contracted work has led to the XERVON Palmers team being recognised in the annual AstraZeneca awards for their ‘contribution to Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) improvements throughout 2012.’ A coveted gold award was presented to XERVON Palmers’ Tony Collier and the scaffolding and access team at Avlon in recognition of the company’s scaffolding and access services. A XERVON Palmers spokesman from the Avlon team said: “I believe the key to our successful long term partnership with Astra Zeneca is the fact we share the same goals
– we work closely with them exchanging innovations, which in turn helps both companies achieve a high Key Performance Indicator (KPI) success rate. I also believe you don’t maintain a long term contract with a worldwide market leader, without being a team player, like we are.” Donald Morrison, CEO of XERVON Palmers added: “The board congratulates Tony Collier and his team for achieving this award in
CISRS clarifies its position on scaffolding system brands ‹ THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Scaffolders Record Scheme
(CISRS) has issued a statement ‘confirming its position’ concerning the Systems Scaffold Product Training Scheme (SSPTS) – specifically with regard to those wishing to use different brands of similar types of product. The statement is designed to remind the industry that scaffolders holding a valid CISRS card with ‘Systems Products Training’ endorsement for one type of system (eg Cuplok) are not required to complete a second two-day SSPTS course for a similar brand (eg Genlok). However, scaffolding operatives are still required to attend a full two-day CISRS SSPTS for different types of systems product such as Cuplok (cup) and Layher (rosette/ring) and the operative’s card should be endorsed accordingly. The same principle is extended to those who have completed CISRS Part 1 or Part 2 training in systems scaffolding. Furthermore, the CISRS has pointed out that it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that all relevant systems scaffold product information is passed on to the card-holding scaffolding operative – so they are aware of any differences in product capability, loadings, bracing and tie patterns prior to using that product. Employers must retain recorded evidence that the relevant knowledge has been passed on to the operative via user guide, toolbox talk or in-house demonstration – as this may need to be produced to satisfy clients, HSE and NASC auditors at a later date. A list is displayed in the ‘Training’ section of the CISRS website at www. cisrs.org.uk showing the different brands within each product category. q
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addition to the well-deserved gold standard and construction safety award. Well done to all, and we look forward to our long and fruitful relationship with AstraZeneca continuing for many more decades – meeting their scaffolding and access needs, safely, professionally and efficiently.” And Ian McFarlane, Director for Business and Project Development at XERVON Palmers said: “Congratulations to Tony Lysons and Tony Collier from our South West Industrial region who have successfully negotiated the further extension to the scaffolding maintenance contract with Astra Zeneca at their Avlon plant near Bristol. The Avlon plant’s current main function is the production of some of AstraZeneca’s leading Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) drugs – like Quetiapine (Seroquel) which is used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder treatment. The Avlon site also incorporates its own effluent treatment plant and generates most of its heat and power needs through its CHP energy plant. It employs around 250 people, and XERVON Palmers provide a variety of access products for the firm on site. q
What goes up? ‹ THERE IS A SAYING that
suggests ‘What goes up, must come down’ and this is generally true. However, according to Rick Statham, joint managing director of Safety & Access Ltd (pictured), the on-going challenge for businesses worldwide is to ensure that this is done in safety. Statistics associated with accidents involving falls from height are startling as they are still the biggest cause of workplace fatal accidents and, with a large percentage of all injuries associated with falls from below 2m, they break the myth that the ‘higher you go, the greater the risk.’ “The definition of work at height is also one for consideration, ” said Rick. “As well as the risk of falling from height from a roof, ladder or scaffold whilst undertaking work, people are also at risk from falls at work in any place from which a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury – this includes access to and egress from work at height such as using a ladder to access a roof. Additionally, if you stand on a table to change a light bulb in an office, this would also constitute work at height because a fall could cause injury!” With a key focus of industry at the moment on TG20:13, Safety & Access Ltd specialise in scaffolding related safety and training issues and offer accredited CISRS courses from their training centres in Humberside and Nottingham. q
New TG20:13 Technical Guidance makes the headlines ‹ ONE OF THE FEATURES of the NASC AGM
was the launch of TG20:13, the new technical guidance for tube and fitting scaffolding. One of its innovations is the new computer software known as the eGuide – making it easier to check scaffolds for TG20 compliance and avoiding the need for costly design with many types of basic scaffold. NASC managing director Robin James said in his announcement marking the launch: “We are all very excited about the launch of TG20:13. It is a hugely improved, more user-friendly and modernised guidance. We believe the new TG20:13 eGuide will be an essential tool for every site manager and every safety consultant, providing an accessible and reliable reference point for assessing the safety and compliance of scaffolds.” TG20:13 is designed to raise standards in scaffolding across the industry and eliminate the requirement for bespoke design across a range of basic scaffold structures. The suite of TG20 publications has been greatly enhanced, making it much more user-friendly and reducing the need for additional design work. The TG20:13 takes the form of four distinctive sections:
• A full-colour, 224-page Operational Guide • A new, 166-page Design Guide • A full-colour, pocket-sized User Guide • The innovative software eGuide. Prior to its launch, the NASC’s incoming president Kevin Ward stated: “I know that members are eagerly awaiting the publication of the latest version of TG20, as are other interested parties such as the HSE, UKCG members and scaffold designers. Those who have seen the document have been amazed by the quality of the work. TG20:13 is not a rewrite or a revision, it is a completely new suite of documents which will be published simultaneously. The size and breadth of the documents have meant that it has taken longer to complete
than initially hoped. It will though be worth the wait – the new version of TG20 will see a step change in our industry with regard to the design of tube and fitting scaffolds.” q
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Yearbook is packed with scaffolding essentials ‹ IN THE PERIOD LEADING up to its AGM, the NASC published its
Yearbook 2014, featuring 90 pages of news, a TG20:13 launch update, project reports by NASC members, an industry statement from incoming president Kevin Ward, CISRS training information, committee reports and other detail about the NASC. Robin James, the NASC managing director, said: “The Yearbook has been given a makeover this year and is a vital annual publication for the confederation. It showcases the amazing variety and quality of contracts of our members, the hard work of our committees and CISRS, the industry training organisation, as well as publicising the key role the NASC plays in the industry, driving up standards in scaffolding.” The all-new TG20:13 is the headline news and the Yearbook contains a double page spread précis of the new technical guidance for tube and fitting scaffolding. Speaking of the role of the NASC, Kevin Ward says in his industry statement: “My own company, Scaffold Erection Services Ltd (SES), joined the NASC some 20 years ago and at the time we employed fewer than 10 scaffolders. Since then the NASC has been a great reference source for safety, technical, security and contractual guidance. “It came as a surprise to me that it has also given us the opportunity to have our opinions considered and included within industry guidance produced by the NASC. Even a smaller company such as SES can help set the benchmark for good practice for the entire scaffolding and access industry in the UK. “The stringent membership criteria all members must adhere to helped us refine and shape our business into a more professional outfit and ultimately was a valuable aid in successfully growing the business.” The NASC Yearbook 2014 also includes news and project reports with
images from a number of member companies – highlighting the depth, range and quality of work carried out by NASC members. Dave Francis, chairman of the Access and Scaffolding Industry Training Organisation (ASITO), gives an overview of scaffold-related training in the UK. Topics covered include the NASC’s continued support of apprenticeships, the on-going review of both the basic and advanced CISRS Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme (SITS) courses in line with the new TG20 document and the introduction of the CISRS Operative Training Scheme (COTS), aimed at both new entrant trainees and scaffolding labourers. The NASC Yearbook 2014 also includes further detailed reports from the NASC’s hire, sales and manufacturing, health and safety, audit and technical committees, reflecting changes in the industry in 2013 and looking forward to 2014. In addition, it is packed with useful information about the NASC, how to become a member, the Code of Conduct for members and a directory of NASC member head offices and regional depots. R
• To obtain a hard copy or for further details about becoming an NASC member visit www.nasc.org.uk or email: enquiries@nasc.org.uk. An e-reader version is available to view at headley.co.uk/headturner/nasc2014.
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NASC unveils its biennial
health and safety winners ‹ AT ITS AGM in November the National
Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) announced the winners of its biennial Health and Safety Awards. The winners with presented with trophies and certificates by newly-elected NASC president Kevin Ward. The companies are also entitled to use a bespoke NASC 2013 Health and Safety Award (Winners or Highly Commended) logo on their corporate literature and company website for a period of two years. Winners in the larger company (more than 100 employees) category were Deborah Services Ltd (DSL), with TRAD Scaffolding Co Ltd named highly commended runners-up. Connect Scaffolding Ltd took the award in the smaller company (fewer than 100 employees) category, with SYS Scaffolding Contractors Ltd taking the prize for highly commended runners-up. Neill Moffat, group safety, health, environment and quality manager of Deborah Services, said: “I am proud and pleased as this award recognises a company-wide approach and a consistent application in a variety of environments. The importance of safety is clear and constant to and for everyone in DSL and I congratulate all the support teams, site teams and delivery teams for their hard work, dedication and achievements. This is a genuine team success.” Oliver Cave, a director of Connect Scaffolding, commented: “Health and safety is the top priority in our business so we are delighted to have received this award. It recognises our commitment to involve all our staff in the development of our health and safety policies.” Des Moore, group managing director of TRAD Scaffolding Co, added: “TRAD are very pleased to have been awarded the ‘highly commended’ health and safety award from the NASC in recognition of our innovative Play it Safe campaign and TRAD's continuous safety drive, which reflects the efforts directors, staff and employees have made to improve safety. As longstanding members of the NASC, we are also very proud to be part of an organisation that actively drives, supports and encourages safety in our industry.” Joe Pearce, managing director of SYS Scaffolding Contractors, declared: “We are thrilled to have received this award in recognition of our dedication to safety from a scaffold confederation which is recognised by the HSE, construction companies nationally and indeed member scaffolding companies.” The judging panel for the awards consisted of members of the NASC Health and Safety Committee, including its chairman Adrian Rooney, Justine Lee of the HSE, Steve Moore of Lyndon Scaffolding and the NASC’s technical and health and safety officer Ken Johnson. They set six
NASC president Kevin Ward presented the winning companies with their trophies and certificates. Above (left) Deborah Services Ltd for the larger company category and (right) Connect Scaffolding Ltd who won the award in the smaller company category health and safety questions to member companies and the winners were selected based on their responses. Ken Johnson said: “Judging highlighted many special features among the shortlisted applicants, all of whom had excellent submissions. DSL presented their approach and its implementation to the highest standard, richly deserving the win. But a special mention should also go to TRAD, who were highly commended for their entry in the one hundred-plus category. Finally, congratulations also go to Connect Scaffolding for their health and safety record and attitude for the smaller company category.”
The NASC’s managing director Robin James added: “Many thanks go to all those companies who participated and, of course, to the judges. The standard of entries was extremely high and the event is now well-established in the NASC calendar, with a real incentive now being the ability to carry the NASC H&S Award Winners or Highly Commended branding on their company literature, website and vehicles. q • To obtain details about the biennial Health and Safety Awards or about becoming an NASC member visit www.nasc.org.uk or email enquiries@nasc.org.uk.
The Health and Safety Award questions were: 1 Describe and supply two examples of how your directors and senior management
demonstrate their commitment in leading health and safety through your organisation.
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Describe and supply two examples of how your organisation works in accordance with the guidance outlined in SG4:10 and TG20:08. The examples must show how you promote this in your workplace and how you check that the guide is followed.
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Describe and supply two examples of how your organisation demonstrates compliance with HSG65 Successful Health and Safety Management as a minimum standard to ensure that planning for health and safety is integrated effectively. The examples must show how you promote this in your workplace and how you check that the guide is followed.
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How does your organisation ensure that health and safety information is communicated effectively within and beyond the organisation? Give two examples of how you have disseminated information to the benefit of your employees and that of other NASC members or our industry as a whole.
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How does your company ensure that it investigates health and safety issues and implements any lessons learned? Please supply two examples of how you achieved this and action any resulting requirements.
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Which feature of your organisation’s approach to health and safety are you particularly proud of and why? Please supply two examples of this, along with supporting documents. www.constructionnational.co.uk
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New president lays down apprenticeships gauntlet ‹ NEW PRESIDENT OF THE National Access and Scaffolding
Confederation, Kevin Ward, has challenged NASC members to create a minimum of 400 new scaffolding apprentices during his two-year term as president. A former scaffolding apprentice himself, he unveiled his ambitious scheme at the organisation’s AGM in November. He later revealed that Teenage Cancer Trust would be a beneficiary of his challenge, as each new apprentice will generate a £100 donation from participating NASC member companies. Assuming the target is met, that will mean the charity will receive a minimum donation of £40,000 from NASC members, through the two-year apprenticeship challenge. Kevin Ward said: “Apprentices are the life blood of our industry and we must lead from the front by setting the right example for others to follow, both within the scaffolding industry and also for the wider construction sector. As a former apprentice myself, I know we will be creating superb career opportunities for at the very least 400 young people, whilst also raising funds for an incredibly worthy charity in Teenage Cancer Trust. It is a win/win for all – a real no-brainer! “The creation of at least 400 new scaffolding apprentices during the next two year period should be a straightforward commitment for NASC members to fulfil – after all, the members themselves will ultimately be long-term beneficiaries. CISRS scheme manager Dave Mosley and I would like to hear from any member company which struggles to find a placement with a suitable approved training provider for any of its new apprentices and we will do whatever we can to help them out.” Robin James, the NASC’s managing director, declared: “We are very excited about the president’s bold apprenticeship scheme and will be working hard with our members to assist them, so we can reach the goal of over 400 new scaffolding apprentices in two years and raise over £40,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust.” Dave Mosley added: “Introducing young people to a career in scaffolding is at the core of the work of the CISRS and we are happy to support the new president’s initiative, which will benefit the industry and a fabulous charity in equal measure.” The scheme also has the backing of the Minister for Skills and Enterprise, Matthew Hancock MP, after Kevin Ward wrote to the Prime Minister to inform him of the challenge. Mr Hancock said: “I am delighted that you are announcing your commitment to apprenticeships at the beginning of your presidency. Apprentices are at the heart of the government’s drive to equip people of all ages with the skills employers need to grow and compete. Research shows apprenticeships are good for people, good for the economy
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and help employers build a loyal and competent workforce. We rely on employers offering opportunities, so I welcome your support of the apprenticeships programme in making this new commitment.” Michelle Aucott, regional fundraiser for Teenage Cancer Trust, added: “We are very excited with the plan you have proposed. We would like to thank you and the NASC membership for supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust. “That amount of money will make such a difference to the lives of teenagers and young adults that have been affected by cancer. We rely on donations like yours to fund our vital work and help transform the lives of young people with cancer.” The NASC reminded its members of the Government’s Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE 16-24) – £1,500 for small businesses of up to 1,000 employees – to take on their first apprentice aged 16-24. q
Extra funding leads to increased training numbers
‹ MORE THAN 90 EMPLOYEES from over 30 member companies
of the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation are expected to have completed training for the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) systems scaffold product training scheme (SSPTS) in the final quarter of last year: all fully funded thanks to additional financial support obtained by the Access and Scaffolding Industry Training Organisation via CITB, in conjunction with CISRS. Funding of £25,000 has been split over the five NASC regions – Scotland and Northern Ireland, Northern and North Wales, Midlands, South West and South Wales and London and the South East – boosting training numbers for system scaffolding across the UK. Following negotiations with training providers NCC, Safety and Access, LTC, Haki, Simian and Layher, the CISRS agreed a ‘budget price’ for the systems scaffolding training, allowing two courses to run in each of the five NASC regions. CISRS training manager Dave Mosley said: “This is excellent news for systems training, reflecting a growing demand for this type of scaffolding across the UK. The numbers of scaffolding operatives attending CISRS systems scaffold training is steadily beginning to increase, especially outside the traditional systems-rich region of Scotland. “We realise there is both the financial cost and the possibility of a decline in productivity whilst scaffolding operatives are attending these courses, so being offered this extra funding – which
effectively means the course costs nothing – is a great bonus for NASC members. “Special thanks should go to Layher, who due to extra demand ran additional courses at their own expense.” R • Further information on systems scaffolding and other CISRS courses is available at www.cisrs.org.uk, where there are also further details about the new CISRS COTS courses and information on new cards and dates of available courses. Alternatively, email enquiries@cisrs.org.uk.
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Firm fined following scaffolding collapse ‹ A SCAFFOLDING FIRM HAS been fined £16,000 with £4,678 costs for breaches of breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 following a collapse in Corby town centre in 2012. The company was prosecuted on 16 December at Northampton Magistrates Court after an HSE investigation found the scaffolding was structurally unsound. The court was told that debris netting had been fitted to the scaffolding tubes, but in high winds on the day it acted as a sail and caused the structure to pull away and apart – sending metal poles and other materials raining to the ground below. The HSE investigation found the scaffold had not been erected in a way
to ensure it would remain stable, and had not been designed by a competent person to ensure it had adequate strength and rigidity for the purpose and environment it was to be used in. Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Sam Russell said: “It was sheer luck that no-one was seriously injured or killed as a result of this totally preventable incident. Scaffolding erected to an approved design by competent persons should be able to withstand high wind loads without failing. “This case highlights the requirement of following prescribed industry designs and manufacturers’ instructions. The company’s failure to do so put innocent workers and members of the public at significant risk.” R
Launch of the safest mobile scaffold for all heights ‹ THE SAFETOWER MOBILE SCAFFOLD with the revolutionary QuiXSafe is your guarantee
for safe and fast assembly. To meet the growing need for safe working at heights, XSPlatforms has developed the QuiXSafe, a unique system with a folding, ergonomic brace that enables the mobile scaffold to be assembled from the inside while standing on a lower platform. R
Safety above all The patented QuiXSafe provides a ledger that encloses both sides of the platform above, creating a safe working environment on the next level before accessing. The assembly method, mounting the QuiXSafe under a 20 degree angle, makes it impossible to unlock it from the level the user is working on. This makes the QuiXSafe safer to assemble than conventional scaffolds.
The ultimate solution The SafeTower is the best solution for both interior and exterior use. It provides greater stability with fewer parts and is recognised as the most rigid lightweight frame ever tested. With the QuiXSafe, diagonal braces are a thing of the past – the SafeTower is designed to use just four horizontal braces, regardless of the working height. • The SafeTower is fully TüV certified and exceeds safety standard EN 1004:2005. For further information, videos and 3D images visit safescaffold.com.
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Helping thousands of people succeed worldwide
‹ THE COLLEGE OF ESTATE MANAGEMENT (CEM) has over 90
years’ experience in providing the highest quality learning opportunities for the Construction and Real Estate professions. A CEM qualification is an internationally recognised demonstration of knowledge and skills, which can help a student on to their personal career ladder. Their qualifications are recognised and accredited by leading professional bodies, providing a route to professional membership. Since their foundation, CEM have helped thousands of people to succeed in their careers, with over 150,000 alumni worldwide. Many are now in senior positions in government, property administration and private practice or have started their own companies. Their students are from a wide range of backgrounds, some coming straight from A-levels, whilst others are returning to study as mature students. For some students, studying with the CEM is a stepping stone in their career, some are studying having worked in the Construction and Real Estate sectors for many years, whilst others are looking to make a career change. Wherever you are in your career, you’ll find like minded students studying alongside you. Studying online allows students to continue working whilst they learn. CEM courses are taught by a team of academics and industry practitioners, many of whom are prominent experts in their field. The online guidance from experienced tutors helps make the most of a learning experience and dedicated course administrators provide regular discussion and support. Jesse Meek, Operations Manager at Sovereign Housing, graduated last year with the BSc (Hons) Construction and shares his experience: “I initially wanted to study with CEM as their degree is accredited with the CIOB. This said to me that they were a reputable organisation and trusted within the construction industry,” he explained. “After studying for my BSc in Construction Management the College lived up to the high expectations placed upon them. So much so, that I am now half way through an MBA with them. The course tutors have a high level of experience in the construction and real estate industry which makes the learning real and current. “Being able to learn something new and then immediately implement it in the work place was great, the course doesn’t just teach, it allows you to practice at the same time to solidify learning for the future. “The CEM studies helped me to take on and achieve what at first seemed an incredibly difficult challenge to balance both work and study. The quality of the course materials, the tutoring and the student support services which offered advice and support, all really helped me to improve my personal effectiveness and in turn, succeed in my studies as well as experience rapid promotion in my career.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk
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CITB acts to counter skills gap threat to jobs ‹ A LACK OF YOUNG talent coming into the construction
industry is threatening more than 62,000 jobs, according to research released by CITB in December. The study shows that 42% of construction firms are struggling to recruit workers with the right skills – alarmingly, around one in 20 businesses claim that a lack of talent is putting them at risk of going under. A further 18% of employers said that a skills gap has hampered their growth over the past two years, while over a tenth has lost out on work due to their competitors having a more skilled workforce. In response to the findings, CITB has teamed up with JCB to launch the Construction4Growth Skills Drive across England and Wales, to encourage a new generation of talented youngsters to explore career options in the sector. The urgent need for new talent is further highlighted by figures from the Office of National Statistics, showing that 19% of construction workers – over 400,000 people – are due to retire in the next decade. James Wates, chairman of CITB, said: “Our report clearly shows that more needs to be done to address construction’s skills ‘time bomb’, to safeguard jobs and ensure that growth is possible. “With major projects such as the new nuclear build programme coming online in the next five years, now is the time to start sparking the imagination of young people and harnessing their talent for the future of the industry – any delay now could be putting the industry’s growth on hold. “We need to show that construction is a high-tech, world-class industry with outstanding career prospects.” Dan Thompstone, UK and Ireland sales director of JCB, added: “The operation of a successful business requires a diverse range of skills and capabilities at all levels. Apprenticeships provide a key contribution to the development of entry level skills, particularly in engineering and business operations.” Further results from CITB’s research found that two-thirds (66%) felt that they should be incentivised more to take on youngsters as part of their workforce. In addition, 52% said that more careers advice was needed to inform young people of the opportunities available to them in the sector. q
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Firms urged to prioritise health and safety in 2014 ‹ THE HEALTH AND Safety Executive (HSE)
has begun the New Year with a reminder to firms of their legal responsibilities to ensure lives are not put at risk and is urging them to make the safety of workers their top priority for 2014. Provisional figures show that the number of deaths at work across Great Britain decreased in the past year, with 148 people killed compared to 171 deaths during 2011/12. More than 20,600 workers also suffered a major injury in 2012/13, representing a 10.8% drop on the previous year. Five in every million workers were killed while at work between April 2012 and March 2013. The construction industry continues to suffer the most deaths, with 39 people killed last year. That compares with other high-risk industries such as agriculture with 29 deaths, manufacturing with 20 deaths and waste and recycling with 10 deaths. Together those four industries accounted for over two-thirds of all workplace deaths in Great Britain during 2012/13. A spokesperson for the HSE said: “While the number of workplace deaths and major injuries has decreased nationally, these statistics highlight
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why we still need good health and safety in workplaces. I therefore urge employers to spend their time tackling the real dangers that workers face and stop worrying about trivial matters or pointless paperwork.
“It’s important to remember that while we still have one of the lowest rates of workplace deaths in Europe, one death is still one too many. I would urge businesses to focus on helping to cut the number of deaths further in 2014.” q
Revised asbestos guidance issued ‹ IN DECEMBER THE HSE issued revised guidance to help businesses understand how to work
safely with asbestos. The Approved Codes of Practice L127 The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises and L143 Work with materials containing asbestos have been consolidated into one single revised ACOP – L143 Managing and working with asbestos. L143 has been revised to make it easier for businesses and employers to understand and meet their legal obligations. It also reflects the changes introduced in The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) on the notification of non-licensed work with asbestos and consequent arrangements for employee medical examinations and record keeping. Kären Clayton, director of HSE’s Long Latency Health Risks division, said: “The two ACOPs have been updated and brought together to help employers find the information they need quickly and easily and understand how to protect their workers from dangers of working with asbestos.” q
Safety in construction Ted Goddard, director of the Guild of Builders and Contractors, looks at the implications of the forthcoming changes to the CDM Regulations
‹ RECENTLY THE HEALTH and Safety Executive commented: “There
have been significant reductions in the number and rate of injury over the last 20 years or more. Nevertheless, construction remains a high risk industry. Although it accounts for only about 5% of the employees in Britain it still accounts for 22% of fatal injuries to employees and 10% of reported major injuries.” From research carried out by the Guild of Builders and Contractors it was found that the annual rate of fatalities on construction sites has reduced by 62% since the introduction of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994. Over the same period the rate of major injuries on construction sites has reduced by 38%. In the light of these facts, why is the Government about to make fundamental changes to the CDM Regulations? The proposed changes certainly have some very sensible and positive additions that will address areas of weakness. In particular, for the first time, domestic projects will be included in the Regulations. With many major refurbishment projects being undertaken to very large houses, including installing basements, it seemed irresponsible not to include them in ‘notifiable projects’, especially in view of the number of fatal and serious accidents that occur in these types of projects. However it is undoubtedly a grave error to remove the ‘competence’ requirement from the Regulations. There is overwhelming evidence that the lack of training and experience and pure incompetence is the root cause of the majority of accidents.
The CDM Regulations were originally introduced in 1994 and created the role of Planning Supervisor. The Regulations were then redrafted in 2007 and these changed the Planning Supervisor’s role into the current role of the CDM Co-ordinator that is a familiar part of the construction industry today. The CDM Co-ordinator is a trained and competent health and safety professional and who is the principal advisor on health and safety matters to the entire design and construction team. The proposals are to remove this role and incorporate the responsibilities in the lead designer’s and the principal contractor’s roles. This will mean removing the independent and professional role in health and safety planning along with the continuity of responsibility from initial planning to practical completion of the construction process. The construction industry has worked hard to reduce its appalling rate of accidents and we hope that Government does not pressure the Health and Safety Executive when re-evaluating the CDM Regulations 2007 to remove vital parts of the legislation and set the construction industry back 30 years in terms of the number of fatal and serious injuries. We owe it to the hardworking men and women working on construction sites to do all in our power to keep them from preventable and sometimes fatal accidents. Removing the CDM Co-ordinator’s role, or the competence requirements, will be a disaster and will be seen as throwing the baby out with the bath water. q
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The need for both narrow and wide window drug testing ‚ ALL EMPLOYERS NEED to engage a varied approach to substance, drugs and
alcohol abuse. Specifically with drugs there is no single answer to all problems which confront employers. Based in Sedgefield, Co. Durham, CSI Drug & Alcohol Testing have identified that fact and have developed a process that allows employers to use any of the three main mediums of oral fluid, hair and urine at the same price. The only areas an employer need consider is what the specific need for the test is and which is the best medium for the circumstances? Outlined opposite is CSI’s opinion as to some areas of thought with regard to all mediums. CSI recommends the use of breath analysis devices that show a specific reading so that employers can examine whether an employee is drinking while at work, whether the breath alcohol content is rising or falling and ultimately whether or not the employee is fit for work. CSI laboratories will screen samples the same day they are received at the lab for any bespoke panel of drugs. They will further confirm samples that are positive within 24 hours of the screen. This process eliminates, in most cases, the need for a point of care/instant test device that misses so many drugs which are illegal but catches too many over the counter drugs which are not illegal. The rapid turnaround process also eliminates, in most cases, the need for suspending staff unnecessarily. For instant test results CSI has at its disposal an electronic screening device that can detect a set panel of drugs, including heroin, as opposed to the general opiate group that causes so many problems on the instant throwaway devices, discouraged as not fit for purpose by the Australian National Association of Testing Authorities. R
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Plant security scheme hailed at INTERPOL conference ‹ THE UK’S SECURITY and registration
scheme for construction and agricultural equipment, CESAR, was the subject of an address when experts from law enforcement and the private sector gathered at INTERPOL’s headquarters in December to discuss ways to combat the growing problem of vehicle crime. The three-day INTERPOL Global Conference on Vehicle Crime brought together nearly 200 participants from 55 countries, 40 private entities and six international organisations to share expertise and best practices on preventing vehicle theft, recovering stolen vehicles and ensuring stolen vehicles are not used in other crimes. They included Chris Harrison, the sales director of Datatag, whose identification system is at the heart of the scheme, who delivered the address. Launched in 2007, CESAR now protects over 130,000 pieces of equipment. Mr Harrison explained the ‘CESAR effect’, stating that CESAR has reduced overall equipment theft in the UK, increased the rate of recovery of stolen equipment by a factor of six, and help reduce
insurance premiums on equipment. CESAR is fitted on production lines in Germany, the USA, and the UK by leading international manufacturers, including John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Manitou and JCB. It works by giving each piece of equipment a unique and permanent identity that thieves cannot remove. The Datatag supplied security system, used on CESAR registered machines,
includes tamper evident registration plates, RFID tags, liquid DNA and microscopic Datadots. INTERPOL secretary general Ronald K Noble said INTERPOL has long believed that, with many stakeholders involved, law enforcement alone cannot successfully combat transnational vehicle crime. “The gamut of this transnational crime is, as we all know, well beyond just vehicles from one country being stolen and then sold in another,” he said. “From acts of terrorism to trafficking in human beings, weapons or drugs, vehicle crime touches nearly all forms of serious crime. “We need to partner with the private sector and the success of our Project INVEX, which is being conducted in partnership with just four private sector manufacturers, has reinforced our belief.” A number of European countries are on the brink of adopting CESAR to reduce equipment theft and increase recovery rates and the insurance giant Zurich strongly encourages use of the scheme for plant in its Best Practice Guidance for Construction Companies. q
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Site security can even involve protecting trespassers ‹ MAINTAINING ADEQUATE SECURITY AT a construction site is vital – not only to
protect the site itself, any plant stored on it and other materials from theft or damage, but also to ensure the safety of people, particularly children, who may be trespassing for no particular reason. In its Best Practice Guidance for Construction Companies, Zurich Insurance states: “Every year construction site workers, children and other members of the public are killed or injured because construction activities have not been adequately controlled.” The legislation governing the duties of site operators to those who are on a site without authorisation is the Occupiers Liability Act 1984. The Zurich guidance has this to say of trespassers: “It is important for an occupier of a site to understand that they do have a duty of care to people who trespass on their premises. Although that can seem unjust in some circumstances an occupier cannot ignore it. This is especially true where there is a hazard that might be attractive to trespassers and in particular, attractive to children. “In assessing whether any liability should attach to an occupier, the Court will consider the following three factors: Was the danger known to the occupier? Does the occupier have reasonable grounds to believe there are trespassers? Was the risk one against which the trespasser should be afforded protection – ie should the occupier protect the trespasser from his own stupidity? These factors need to be borne in mind at all times when assessing site security.” Trespass is a constant threat to building sites, resulting in damage to equipment and the building itself and possible injury to the trespassers. It is dealt with in detail by the British Security Industry Association in its document Construction Site Security – A Guide, available to download free from the publications section of the BSIA website at www.bsia.co.uk as form number 123. R
Secure your site with OnGarde OnGarde THE solution for today’s on site security – Highly visible CCTV deterrent – Deployed in only 1 hour – Automatically connected to our approved monitoring service
– Video Contents Analysis Software HQT CEEWTCVG CNCTO PQVKƧECVKQP – Live Audio Warning – Security lights supplied as standard
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– Reduce the risk of harm to site security personnel – OnGarde CCTV never sleeps
Rapid deployment CCTV leads to detection and prevention of crime ‹ ACTS OF THEFT and vandalism
have an immediate negative impact on construction site costs due to loss and damage of valuable assets, interruption to work or, in extreme cases, the halting of all site operations. As a result, the impact of these crimes is huge and is costing the UK construction industry well over £1m per day. Using a manned guarding security service is one option to protect a site but this can be costly and potentially puts personnel at risk of attack. Closed circuit television (CCTV) is therefore an alternative solution, however the temporary nature of construction sites means that permanent CCTV can be expensive – it provides fixed views and often results in false alarms and unnecessary call outs. As a result the construction industry is moving towards self-contained rapid deployment CCTV units that can be quickly and easily erected in specific areas of a site. They provide a wide coverage area and use technology originally developed for military applications. The key to these systems is that they are not just passive cameras but instead they actively monitor a site, detect unusual activity and communicate via the latest wireless technology to a monitoring centre within seconds. Another key factor is that these systems can be hired for less than £30 per day resulting in substantial savings compared with the cost of manned guarding. Mike Fleck, of Dorset based OnGarde Ltd, believes that effective CCTV solutions on construction sites should be based around two key principals – prevention and detection. He told Construction National:“Preventing crime is by far and away the most important element of any security system. If detection alone is relied on then significant theft or damage could already have taken place by the time action is taken.
OnGarde’s CCTV tower is easily transported
“Any system should be highly visible to put off the majority of would be opportunist criminals. In the case of the OnGarde CCTV tower this is achieved by using a 3 metre high tamper proof cabinet with highly visible decals and a 6 metre high column with a multifunctional camera and floodlights on top. Should the sight of the CCTV system not be enough to put off the criminal, then once detected the intruder should receive a clear, live audible warning from a speaker on the CCTV tower that they have been detected. “Once an intruder is detected then it is also very important that a monitoring centre or video receiving centre can evaluate the situation quickly, rule out any false alarms and then take the appropriate action within seconds of an alarm being raised. “To achieve this, advanced technology such as Video Content Analytics (VCA) is now available to accurately identify intruders. Using VCA the system becomes aware of any changes in the detection area and will automatically report these changes to the staff monitoring the site. The activity is captured on a short 30 second video and will then be evaluated by the staff within seconds so that they can take the appropriate action in line with the customer’s instructions. “The use of VCA also means that a CCTV tower can be installed to the specific needs of
Floodlights are fitted as standard
An OnGarde CCTV tower the customer’s site. For example, a customer may wish to monitor activity in certain high security areas of the site but ignore other areas within the same camera view. This feature is particularly useful if the perimeter of a site is close to a public highway or the monitoring requirements change depending upon the time of day. “Rapid deployment CCTV towers can be installed in as little as one hour and can easily be moved around your site as needs change. The result is significant savings in both normal manned guarding costs and call outs due to false alarms.” q
Example of an alarm area using VCA www.constructionnational.co.uk
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CCTV verses manned guarding – and the cost effect ‹ ACCORDING TO The National Plant and Equipment Register an
average of 3,545 items of construction equipment are stolen every year from building sites throughout the UK at a cost of £31.5 million. Theft is a huge concern for all businesses, especially in the construction industry, where theft of tools and metals – including high cost copper and lead – or from people just using your site as the local builders merchants for a new ‘Combi boiler’ right up to organised gangs stealing large amounts of expensive machinery costs the industry millions every year in replacement equipment and down time. Robowatch remote monitored CCTV provides the total security solution to minimise the risk of theft on your premises and is a powerful deterrent that has stopped hundreds of intruders in their tracks and helped to secure the convictions of many others. Unlike traditional manned security guards, which can be expensive and unreliable, remotely monitored CCTV reduces the risk of human error and can be extremely good value for money. CCTV cameras cannot be threatened or be intimidated, they do not require any welfare facilities such as rest rooms or power for the TV to watch I’m a celebrity – get me out of here or radios and telephones. Not to mention the misuse of clients’ phones, equipment or vehicles – nor does it ever fall asleep on the job! CCTV can constantly monitor premises in all areas to provide total
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security, whereas a traditional guard or patrolman can only be in one place at a time. Overall, CCTV has been proven to be far more efficient and cost effective than mobile patrols which provide little and offer limited coverage. Health and safety on construction sites also raises major issues on single man working – CCTV removes this issue. One way in which companies still using traditional manned security guards and mobile patrols can actually increase security 24/7 and reduce costs and save money is by switching to remotely monitored CCTV systems. Robowatch CCTV security systems can protect any type of premises 24-7 at low cost. All types of closed locations can be protected – from construction sites, depots and factories to offices, schools and colleges. The Robowatch advanced technology used in these systems means they can be adapted for use on any site and, when designing the system, the client’s needs are always assessed and incorporated into the final product. q
JCB offer the solution to protect its own products! ‹ ONE OF THE most ubiquitous names in
building site plant is also one of the foremost when it comes to protecting that plant. Introduced in 2009, when it won a CIOB Innovation Award, the JCB Site Security Mobile CCTV Tower combines the construction experience of JCB with the extensive expertise of leading CCTV operator Camwatch. The fully integrated rapid-deployment unit uses heat and movement sensors to detect intruders. Video footage is transmitted live via 3G wireless network to the Camwatch central control room. With a transport weight of just 290kg, the CCTV tower offers a 7m working height, providing 100m radius of coverage during the day and up to 60m at night without the need for additional illumination. The unit runs on a 110V power supply from mains electricity or on-site generators.
Chris Wright, director of JCB Consumer Products, said at the time of the launch: “It is well known that theft from construction sites increases during economic climates of the sort we’re currently experiencing. Traditional fixed CCTV technology is not effective at protecting areas where the footprint is constantly evolving, such as construction sites and quarries. “The JCB Mobile CCTV Tower is perfect for these areas and is a highly effective and proven method of protecting sites and equipment.” Designed for ease of installation and relocation as a site develops, the units make maximum use of wireless communications technology, minimising disruptive cable runs and virtually eliminating any groundworks requirements. An uninterruptible power supply ensures the system remains functional in the event of a power failure.
The motion detectors, operating over 360o, will be alerted should anyone access the site without authorisation and the camera will tilt-pan-zoom to view the intrusion. If the intrusion is at night, the infra-red sensor will activate to ensure crystal clear visuals, even in the dark, at considerable distances. The tower allows a site to be monitored 24/7, ensuring that each and every corner of a site is covered at all times. Where a guard may only walk the site once every hour, the JCB Site Security Tower monitors continuously on multiple sites. It also offers a safer alternative – it cannot be threatened, coerced or bribed – and it will never fall asleep on the job or phone in sick! q
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Manage the risk of commercial property crime: looking after your vacant facility ‹ VACANT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY can easily become a liability
rather than an asset if not properly managed. Landlords with vacant properties risk losing significant rental income, not to mention their property being a target for squatters, vandals, arson, graffiti and flytipping. According to insurance company Aviva, £2bn of damage is done to property in the UK through vandalism and arson, with 25 per cent of this relating to empty properties. Your insurance premiums will also likely be affected. And if the property is broken into and vandalised, you may be faced with a substantial repair bill. You might think that the fault lies with the intruder. This may be so, but a landlord’s statutory obligations and duty of care remain, even when a property is vacant – empty buildings are covered under the Defective Premises Act and Occupiers Liability Act – and failure to comply can prove costly. Your organisation could face prosecution if a trespasser injures themselves on your premises. One trespasser injured in a vacant commercial property received almost £600,000 in compensation. Vacant property management expert SitexOrbis has produced some top tips for keeping your commercial properties safe:
• Conduct a risk assessment and take precautions Carry out a risk assessment looking at both how squatters or intruders could access the property and other potential sources of damage. Your insurance policy will detail the basic requirements for vacant property management. Disconnect services to the property to prevent water damage (especially as a result of frozen pipes in winter) or fire and check protective installations such as fire detection and alarm systems. Property owners may be liable if a squatter or intruder injures himself within the property so it needs to comply with health and safety legislation.
• Remove items of value If the building will likely remain empty for an extended period then you should remove all waste and any fixtures that are combustible such as furniture and floor coverings.
You do not have to make your property as secure as Fort Knox, but you must have strong enough measures in place to deter an intruder. Each property is different, and will need a mix of security measures depending on its location and building type. The most popular security measures for empty properties include: mains-fed alarms, CCTV, manned guarding and security screens/boarding.
• Inform those who matter If you know a property in your portfolio is going to become empty, tell your insurance firm so that you are covered in the event of an intrusion. Regular inspections with a full audit trail are often necessary to remain compliant with insurance requirements and health and safety regulations. You may also need, or choose, to inform your landlord, local authority and neighbours. Failing to tell your insurance firm that your property has, or is to become, vacant puts you in breach of your ‘change of occupancy clause’, and you may not be covered in the event of a problem. And even then, you will likely have to conduct regular inspections with a full audit trail to remain compliant with your insurance policy. Requirements vary depending on the insurer so it’s vital to know what’s required of you to remain compliant and covered. Property insurers continue to have a poor experience with empty buildings and tend to apply higher rates, reduced cover (for example for perils and/or basis of settlement), higher excesses and at least an annual review (sometimes three monthly). SitexOrbis has written the British Institute of Facilities Management Guide to Vacant Property Management. The guide looks at why buildings can become vacant; the risks of vacant buildings; managing a building’s closure; the principles of managing an empty building; and getting a building ready for reoccupation or demolition. It can be accessed online at http://www.bifm.org.uk/bifm/knowledge/resources/goodpracticeguides. q • For more information visit www.sitexorbis.com.
• Keeping up appearances Don’t advertise the fact that the property is empty. A pile of post by the front door is a dead giveaway and is a fire hazard, so consider asking your contractor to clear it while the property is empty. Lights which never come on, no people activity, unkempt plants and locked doors and gates are all signs of an empty property.
• Secure your building Before you close up a building, make sure that any window locks are in use, doors are shut and locked and alarms are set (but don’t forget to give the combination or key to anyone who is looking after the property).
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Reichle & De Massari bring ‘Swiss Precision’ to the UK Premium cabling specialist introduces new UK managing director Pete Gough, an extensive range of integrated products and WARP technology for 10GBase-T
‹ REICHLE & DE-MASSARI AG develops
and manufactures passive wiring solutions for communication networks. High-end copper and fibre optic cable products have brought R&M a reputation as a quality leader. Two thirds of sales come from outside R&M’s home in Switzerland and the company has established marketing organisations in more than 30 countries, grouped into eight sales regions. R&M has a strong position in systems for data centres, office cabling and FTTx, offering optimum shielded and unshielded integrated solutions which last through several generations of active equipment. Currently, they are rolling out ambitious growth plans, with the UK as an important focal point. After years of success in Great Britain, the company is further intensifying its presence in one of the largest and most dynamic cabling markets in Europe. “The UK is a competitive market, in which most of our competitors are highly active,” says managing director Western Europe Edgar van Essen. “However, we aim to specifically address the growing market for best-in-class quality solutions, for example mission-critical networks where failure is not an option, with high end products. The UK is also home to many key influencers and decision makers and a gateway to global business opportunities. Our new managing director for the UK, Pete Gough, brings us in-depth knowledge and experience of UK office cabling and data centre markets and solutions. Pete has been in the datacom industry for the past 21 years and worked as a network support engineer, product support manager and regional business director on different continents. Pete will work with our current customers and channels, but will also look at alternative propositions, alliances and more.”
New: WARP solution for unshielded 10GBase-T The newly introduced WAve Reduction Pattern (WARP) technology accommodates the demands resulting from the rapid uptake of 10GBase-T data transmission. Transmitting at
New managing director for the UK, Pete Gough (left) and managing director Western Europe, Edgar van Essen allows ANEXT reserves that were previously only possible with shielding. This means there is no need for follow-up measurements of this parameter in the installation. Measurements are guaranteed by the layout of individual components. WARP cables also offer further advantages for Power over Ethernet (PoE) integration. q 7mm cable – 46% more capacity 10 Gbit/s involves the use of a sensitive, high frequency coding method, which also increases susceptibility to interference increases by a factor of 100. In order for 10GBase-T to work correctly, it is crucial to control and suppress interference from outside the cables. Innovative WARP technology uniquely combines the superior protection of shielded cable with the convenience of unshielded cable. Used in system, WARP technology
R&M WARP Installation cable (7mm) – the thinnest Cat.6A Installation cable on the market
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• For more information please visit www.rdm.com.
Boxing clever with LEDs ‹ A LEADING INDEPENDENT corrugated
box manufacturer is revolutionising its factory with British made LED lighting. Corrugated Case Company (CCC) is set to save over £60,000 on its lighting bills and over
140 tonnes of Co2 by switching to LED units from Greater Manchester-based MHA Lighting. The savings will be achieved over the 29-year lifespan of the lighting, giving average annual cost savings of £2,360.
How many National Trust volunteers does it take to change a lightbulb? ‹ VISITORS TO THE NATIONAL Trust’s Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire will be surprised to find that the 18th-century chandelier in the sumptuous drawing room contains an array of energysaving LED lightbulbs. Indeed, throughout the property, big changes have been made to the lights of all shapes and sizes that adorn the walls and ceilings of the showrooms. These varying lightbulbs are not only a way to see the property’s splendour, they are a part of its splendour. But with more than 400 of the things, it used to cost around £4,000 a year to power them all. The carefully selected LED bulbs were installed last year, thanks to funding from Arts Council England. The change has led to annual savings of around £3,600 and reduced energy use by 36,000kWh – that’s the equivalent of 1.2 million cups of tea. Charis Fowler, the NT’s environmental practices advisor, said: “While changing lightbulbs sounds like an easy task, each of our showrooms has very different needs in terms of character and brightness. It took us a while to get it right, but it was definitely worth it because it means we’re now better able to look after Kedleston and its collection, even if fuel prices rise dramatically.” q
Mark Wilcockson, managing director of CCC said: “Having recently invested well over £500,000 in new printing and die-cutting machinery at our factory, we also undertook a complete revision of our machinery layout. With more space and thanks to the greatly enhanced lighting, we are now looking to increase our production capacity by some 20%.” After trialling various fittings to find luminaires that would deliver significant reductions in lighting energy costs, while providing optimal light colour and uniformity, low energy LED luminaires from MHA Lighting’s CLite range were chosen that supplied 85CRI and 4500 kelvin colour temperature. That particular combination can significantly enhance the working environment, which also aids precision working and contributes to a greater feeling of wellbeing in the staff. q
Make your lighting choice LED ‹ BUILDING LIGHTING represents 15 to
19 per cent of total global energy consumption – and so is clearly big business – and LEDs are fast becoming the first choice due to their well-documented energy saving properties and affordability.
Manchester-based LED manufacturer MHA Lighting has built up a portfolio of blue chip commercial clients and public sector organisations which have been delighted with energy savings of between 70 and 80 per cent and equivalent Co2 reductions. The award-winning company is uniquely positioned to offer this through its robust British design and manufacture, patented waveguide technology and extensive independent test data.
Offices switch to LED With the help of MHA Lighting, three companies with offices in Douglas on the Isle of Man, are significantly reducing their lighting energy consumption – with savings estimated to exceed £300,000 and 850 Tonnes of Co2. With its low energy luminaires and proven
ability to design bespoke, precision lighting solutions – MHA Lighting was chosen to replace all the existing fluorescent fittings in the St. Mary’s Court offices and lobby areas of Charlemagne Capital (IOM) Ltd, Nedbank Private Wealth Ltd and Tristao Services Ltd. After meticulously investigating and researching various fittings from different suppliers to find the optimal light solution, MHA Lighting’s TiLites were chosen and supplied 80 CRI and 4000 kelvin colour temperature. This particular combination can significantly enhance the working environment, which is also known to aid concentration – contributing to a greater feeling of wellbeing amongst the staff. q
St Mary’s Court, Isle of Man www.constructionnational.co.uk
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AVA™ LED products are chosen by Virgin to ensure greener railway stations ‹ VIRGIN TRAINS HAS INVESTED in revolutionary LED lighting
technology at Birmingham International Railway Station which will significantly reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs. In a bid to create more energy efficient railway stations, Virgin Trains has tasked Lorne Stewart’s Facilities Services Division plc to find innovative ways to reduce energy consumption at stations maintained by Virgin. In the latest phase of this project, Lorne Stewart has used AVA™ branded LED lighting products to light up parts of Birmingham International Railway Station. Lighting accounts for a significant amount of energy usage and AVA™ LED technology was specifically chosen by Lorne Stewart as a cost effective route in achieving 90% reductions in power consumption, when compared to outdated lighting technologies. AVA™ branded T8 tube lights, lamps and panel lamps were chosen for this project, as well as the AVA™ intelligent lighting solutions, which includes microwave dimming technology in both tubes and panels for improved on-site safety. This will also contribute to further savings and extended product life. Other AVA™ products used during the Birmingham Station project include the LED Downlight which was developed and designed on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change in Whitehall. Virgin Trains are looking to roll out this energy saving initiative to several other railway stations over the coming months, which now includes the recent refurbishment of Stafford Station car park. Over the course of their operational lifetime, AVA™ products will pay for their upfront investment cost via large energy and maintenance savings.
AVA™ LED lights in situ at Birmingham International Craig Lewis, chief executive of Novah Ltd, which manufactures AVA™ LED lights, commented: “We’re delighted to be working alongside Virgin Trains and our long-term operational partner, Lorne Stewart, in a bid to significantly reduce energy consumption across train stations nationally. At Novah we’re determined that our clients are receiving the very best LED products to ensure they’re seeing real cost-saving results.” q • For further information visit www.novah.co.uk or www.avalights.co.uk.
AVA™ branded T8 tube lights, lamps and panel lamps
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Axis network video (IP) cameras awarded Network Rail Product Acceptance ‹ A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE of network
video (IP) cameras from Axis are the first to be awarded Product Acceptance status by Network Rail. Reading Station is the first station in the UK to benefit from HD quality IP-based surveillance. Network Rail selected a range of IP cameras from Axis to significantly improve coverage at the station in order to provide a safer environment for rail staff and customers. As one of the busiest stations in the UK outside of London, Network Rail was keen to improve the overall coverage of the entire site by using high definition cameras to enable larger scenes to be monitored than had previously been possible with analogue solutions. To achieve this, Network Rail invited a number of manufacturers to take part in a trial to assess a range of IP cameras. Explaining Network Rail’s reasons for selecting Axis cameras following the trial, Raul Marquez, a senior project engineer for Network Rail said: “Axis worked closely with us throughout and the cameras provide excellent image quality and a breadth of coverage that analogue cameras are just unable to achieve.
Crystal clear surveillance video in real-time HDTV quality along with the higher resolutions offer the option of reducing the number of cameras required to cover a particular scene. “Axis cameras are also extremely easy to install which in a station is a real plus point as cameras can be relocated very quickly and easily if the need arises, especially as Power over Ethernet (PoE) precludes the need for power supplies adjacent to each camera. These cameras are also a greener option as they use less power than analogue cameras and are simpler to maintain.”
Any lighting conditions Bright light, even blinding light, has always
been problematic for cameras – until now! Axis’ Wide Dynamic Range – Dynamic Capture (WDR-DC) cameras produce perfectly exposed images in scenes with extreme contrast in light levels. Axis has also developed a revolutionary technology called Lightfinder, which enables the camera to give clear colour images in near complete darkness conditions without using any additional lighting, allowing effective security when the lights are switched off.
More than just security As network video cameras can be viewed from any authorised location simultaneously, the same cameras can be used by various organisations for their own specific needs. As well as for security, the same cameras can be utilised for business intelligence such as people counting, passenger flows and crowd density. q • For more information contact David Thomasson, Business Development Manager for Transport at david.thomasson@axis.com or on 07834 518951.
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Funding programme announced for South East’s railways ‹ NETWORK RAIL HAS kickstarted its infrastructure investment
plans for London and the South East for the next five years by nominating four preferred suppliers for contracts worth a total of £1.2bn. The framework agreements, which will come into force on 1 April, will cover almost half of Network Rail’s £2.5bn workbank for the 2014-19 funding period in the region, delivering longer platforms for longer trains on key commuter routes, station enhancements, new footbridges to improve accessibility and upgrades to bridges, embankments and tunnels to increase the resilience of the infrastructure in some of the most intensely-used parts of Britain’s rail network. VolkerFitzpatrick, Costain, BAM Nuttall and Geoffrey Osborne
are the four suppliers who will work with Network Rail’s regional infrastructure projects business to build a bigger, better railway on the Anglia, Kent, Sussex and Wessex routes. Nick Elliott, southern regional director for infrastructure projects at Network Rail, said: “The number of people travelling by rail has more than doubled in the past decade and is predicted to grow by a further 400 million by 2020. “To help meet this growth in demand, our plans for the next five years will help deliver a 20% increase in the number of seats into London at the busiest times of day. We’ll do this not only through big, high-profile schemes, but also by targeted investment to lengthen platforms, improve stations, increase accessibility and make our infrastructure more reliable across London and the South East.” q
Network Rail approval for GSM-R solar powered telephone ‹ THE GAI-TRONICS TITAN GSM/GSM-R solar powered
telephone has been certified by Network Rail for use at user worked crossings and other similar applications where there are no fixed
communications available. The vandal and weather resistant telephones will be used on the GSM-R network, where there is currently no cable infrastructure or means for users to contact the signaller safely before crossing the railway. The approved phones can be sited anywhere on the GSM-R network using a tamper resistant 10W solar panel mounted on top of a free-standing post. The modular design could reduce the cost of installation.
Titan GSM-R The Titan GSM-R range has the option of yellow or grey casing, with 0 button (lift handset to dial) or 15 button keypad. The phones are available with a No.1 key lock for additional security if required. GAI-Tronics’ rail telephone products are protected against dust and water ingress to IP66. With operating temperatures of -20°C to +60°C, they are robust and weather resistant, perfectly suited for a life outdoors. The PADS numbers relating to the above product range are 087/038232 to 087/038242 on certificate PA05/04888.
Connectivity GAI-Tronics telephones are available in analogue, SIP-VoIP and GSM (GSM-R) and are open protocol, giving telecoms designers the flexibility to furnish an entire estate with the same hardware, with a choice of connectivity. This allows projects to be deployed efficiently and cost effectively, giving seamless integration into existing or new infrastructure. q • GAI-Tronics provides critical telecommunication devices to the UK rail transportation network for trackside and for customer information applications on stations and platforms. For more information contact Harry Kaur, Sales Manager, GAI-Tronics (a division of Hubbell Limited) on 01283 703387 or email hkaur@gai-tronics.co.uk.
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Network Rail engages in a festive frenzy of upgrades ‹ A RECORD-BREAKING programme
of upgrades to Britain’s rail network was successfully completed over the Christmas and New Year period, providing new tracks, new and longer platforms, new lifts and footbridges at stations, upgraded signalling equipment and electrification equipment to allow cleaner, faster electric trains to run. At more than £100m, the festive investment programme was the biggest ever carried out by Network Rail and was planned in conjunction with train operators to minimise the impact on passengers during what is traditionally one of the quietest periods for rail travel. Hundreds of engineers from Network Rail and its suppliers worked the equivalent of more than 600,000 hours at more than 100 locations across Britain over the period, often in extremely difficult weather conditions. Highlights of the work completed included: • A new platform, track and signalling equipment at Gatwick Airport station. Around 1,300m of track was laid, a 50m footbridge was renewed and a new 250m platform, complete with a new lift, escalators and highlevel walkway to the station, was completed.
• Commissioning of new signalling equipment at Peterborough – part of a wider project to relieve a major bottleneck on the East Coast Main Line which includes a new track layout, longer platforms, station bridges, extensions and new lifts, due for completion in March. • Electrification work at Manchester Victoria (pictured), which saw 400m of track lowered and 1,300 tonnes of spoil removed to create additional headroom for overhead power lines so electric trains can run from Manchester to Liverpool starting in December. • Installation of a new rail bridge in Ipswich, part of a 1.1km stretch of new railway
connecting the East Suffolk Line and Great Eastern Main Line to increase rail capacity to the port of Felixstowe, also due for completion in March. A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Passengers and businesses are really seeing the benefits of sustained investment in the railway, with new and longer platforms, better stations and more capacity for extra passenger and freight services. The work carried out this Christmas and New Year period is part of our plan for a bigger, better railway and means the industry can cater for the continuing growth in demand for rail travel.” q
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BRAWOLINER® eliminates excavation on a challenging Torquay lining project ‹ THE BRAWOLINER
® 3D lining system was recently utilised on a very challenging sewer rehabilitation project which was part of the ongoing £1 million Torbay Sewer Rehabilitation Program being undertaken by South West Water (SWW) in association with its consulting engineer AECOM. The main contractor for the works was Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Ltd (BBUSL).
Challenging rehabilitation In an ‘old town’ area of Torquay on the English Riviera, a section of clayware sewer pipeline running beneath steep steps connecting Melville Street and Rock Road was found to be in need of renovation after CCTV inspection and analysis. These steps – 85 in total – are believed to be the steepest in the town. Originally, the proposed solution was to replace the sewer using the traditional ‘open cut’ technique. The steps are a maximum of 2m in width and run adjacent to dwellings on the one side and a substantial retaining wall on the other. The sewer is at a depth of between 2m and 2.5m. An inspection of the site showed that to open cut the section would require structural surveys to be undertaken on the properties and wall adjacent to these steps together with specialist designed excavation and shoring techniques to safeguard the structure’s stability during the excavation operation. Therefore, the client sought a trenchless rehabilitation solution that would eliminate the need to open cut the pipeline. Whilst this might sound an easy option given the number of renovation systems currently available, practically this was far from the truth. Over its 42m length, the fall from one end of the sewer to the other was 13m. This gave an average gradient of 1 in 3.23 making it an extremely steep lining. If this was not enough to make the project challenging, within the run length there were two diameter changes in the pipeline, one from 225mm to 150mm and then a second from the 150mm back to 225mm. To further add to the complications, the sewer also had over its length several relatively sharp bends at various locations and 6 lateral connections, two of which lay within the pipe’s narrow diameter section.
The liner launch manhole at the top of the steps
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BBUSL called upon Exjet Services, a regular sewer renovation services provider to SWW, to develop a no-dig option. Having inspected the site and noted the access difficulties at either end of the pipeline, it was decided to utilise the BRAWOLINER® 3D lining system to complete the work. Exjet has used BRAWOLINER® systems for many years and was confident that the 3D lining system could be utilised to handle the diameter changes as well as providing a high standard of liner for the future life of the pipeline. As well as having to surmount the difficulties within the pipeline itself, Exjet also had to accommodate the fact that, whilst manhole access was available at both ends of the pipeline, the local highway authority would not allow closure of both Melville Street and Rock Road at the same time. This was because the works were being undertaken at the height of the tourist season in Torbay. Not being able to close both roads added to the complications of the liner installation operation. Initially Exjet completed a pre-installation survey of the pipeline to ensure that it was suitable for lining. This survey showed some significant root ingress that had to be cleaned out using a rotary head high-pressure jetting system before lining could commence.
BRAWOLINER® 3D The BRAWOLINER® 3D liner system was developed especially to meet the demands of pipelines with varying dimension changes or situations where several diameter jumps occur over one pipe length. Over dimensions from DN 100 to DN 225, the seamless textile liner adjusts itself to every pipe diameter during the installation process without operator intervention. This ensures a crease free finish to the cured liner. The technology behind the liner’s ability to achieve such an installation is unique to BRAWOLINER®. The liner material comprises of an extremely flexible polyester-loop construction which allows a huge lateral stretch without compromising the final liner structure. In addition to the multi-diameter capability, just like the
The reception manhole at the base of the steps
The steep steps in Torquay beneath which the newly lined sewer runs proven BRAWOLINER®, the outstanding winner of the IKT product test, the new 3D-liner is still capable of lining bends of up to 90 degrees without folds or wrinkles. This means that it is an ideal renovation solution for difficult sewer systems and is available in lengths of 25m, 50m or 100m.
Liner installation Given the complications of this lining and the road closure restriction at the site, Exjet planned the lining operation, including the reopening of the laterals, to be completed within a two-day time frame with a road closure being implemented at the reception (Rock Road) end of the site only. On the first day, after finalising the cleaning process, the liner installation including the liner impregnation was completed in just 8 hours. This may sound a somewhat simple task but according to Darryl Pass, site foreman for Exjet: “This was probably the most challenging liner installation
The new liner in place in the sewer showing the types of bends that needed to be negotiated when inserting the line
I have ever undertaken. Furthermore, it is probably just as true to say that this job took the BRAWOLINER® 3D to the edge of its capabilities and yet was still completed successfully.” The careful installation started by inverting the liner material with minimal water usage and pressure. Just enough water was utilised to get the liner to invert into the host pipe using an inversion unit. Once inversion was completed, this water was released from the downstream end of the run and the liner was allowed to deflate. The liner was then re-inflated with a calibration hose using compressed air pressurised to just the point where the liner contact pressure was achieved so as to hold the liner against the inner wall of the host pipe. This meant that there was not a high pressure from the head of water in the liner that would normally have existed using ‘full bore’ water inversion. A valve was installed at the downstream end of the liner to allow the lining crew to monitor and adjust the internal pressure at all times. To cure the liner, instead of heating a full pipe bore of water to the cure temperature and holding this temperature for approximately two hours, hot water was introduced at the upstream end of the liner via the inversion drum. Only a small amount was introduced so as not to over pressurise the liner at the lateral connections, which may have caused excessive stretching or even a burst. The hot water was ‘trickled’ through the liner calibration hose combination. This was to ensure that the internal air temperature reached the cure
temperature required by the impregnated liner. To ensure a full liner cure, the air temperature was then held at the cure temperature for a period longer than that normally recommended by BRAWOLINER® for its liners, but it does mean that a full cure is achieved even in the most difficult and challenging circumstances. Once the liner had cured, the supply of hot water was closed and the calibration hose was removed. According to Robin Dowell, senior manager at Exjet: “The liner is very flexible and easy to install but it usually has a relatively low burst strength. When we install it, the liner has to be handled with care so as not to exceed the manufacturer’s recommended 0.3 bar installation pressure which is why we developed the above technique.” It was not possible in the time frame of the project for Exjet to look at reopening the laterals from the customer side as this would have meant extensive CCTV work within the residential properties to track the lateral pipes and SWW did not wish to inconvenience its customers with such works unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, on day two of the project Exjet used its IMS cutter to reopen the four lateral connections that lay outside of the 150 mm diameter restricted area of the pipe. For the remaining two lateral connections within the 150 mm diameter section, and knowing their location within the system, Exjet sourced a Springbok cutter system which was successfully applied for the final re-opening cuts.
Robin said of the project: “Given the complications we encountered and the difficulties that this gave us on this project, we have been surprised at just how well the work went and how well the BRAWOLINER® 3D has performed in the circumstances. It must be said in recognition of the crew’s efforts that it is only their experience after having spent many years working with BRAWOLINER® that enabled them to generate such a successful outcome for our clients in such demanding circumstances.” For the main contractor BBUSL, Geoff Willcocks, infrastructure project manager, said: “The Brawoliner is a versatile solution successfully employed to mitigate the difficulty of having an inaccessible pipeline of varied diameter where open cut was not a safe or economic option. The completion of this scheme was an excellent example of innovative thinking and skilled delivery to provide the required scheme output”. For CJ Kelly Associates, John Kelly, senior partner said: “BRAWOLINER® 3D has once again stepped up to meet the demands of a complex and difficult lining operation. It is with innovations like this and the experience of contractors like Exjet that increasingly difficult rehabilitation projects can now be undertaken instead of highly disruptive and costly excavations.” q • For more information call CJ Kelly Associates on 01832 293030, email john@cjkelly.com or visit www.cjkelly.com.
Sewer improvements in the pipeline for Exmouth ‹ WORK WAS DUE TO start on 6 January 2014 to improve Exmouth’s sewer network. South
West Water is investing £467,000 in the eight-week project. Together with its H5O partners, the company will be refurbishing 1.4km of sewer in the Colonies area. The announcement comes at a time when the drainage and sewer network in the South West is coming under renewed pressure from the extreme weather in the region. Project manager Andy Young said: “We will be lining the pipes to stop salt water from getting into the sewerage system. These improvements will help alleviate the flooding problems experienced in this area. “We will be working hard to minimise disruption to the public and businesses as far as possible while completing these essential improvements.” The scheme is part of a £17 million investment over 25 years to renovate sewers and manholes in priority coastal catchments to reduce the amount of seawater infiltrating the sewer network. Seawater infiltration reduces capacity, increases deterioration of our pumping and treatment assets and increases the risk of odours. Using the latest technology, South West Water’s contractors will employ ‘no dig’ techniques wherever possible to minimise disruption to traffic, however some temporary traffic lights will be needed. At the same time, 500m of water supply pipes will be replaced around Salisbury Road, Rosebery Road and Egremont Road in Exmouth, to improve drinking water quality. No road closures are anticipated for this work but service alleyways will be closed and then reinstated during the water pipe upgrades. The project follows major investment earlier in the year in Torrington and Brixham. q www.constructionnational.co.uk
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Septicity control ‹ ROUGHLY 96% OF the UK population
is connected by sewers leading to sewage treatment works, small private treatment works, cesspits or septic tanks. Sewage is generated by residential, institutional, commercial and industrial establishments. It includes household waste liquid from toilets, baths, showers, kitchens, sinks and so forth that is disposed of via sewers. In many areas, sewage also includes liquid waste from industry and commerce. Without suitable treatment, this sewage and wastewater can damage the environment and create public health problems. One of the problems associated with municipal sewage is odour. This is caused when bacteria in the wastewater utilise all the available oxygen and start to reduce any sulphates present into sulphides. These sulphides produce the characteristically unpleasant ‘rotten egg’ smell. The lack of air supply, stagnant areas and warm temperatures all promote undesirable biological activity, which also results in severe acid corrosion causing significant damage to sewers.
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Norfolk based Omex Environmental has introduced Anomex to prevent this undesirable scenario. Both Anomex 64 and Anomex 76 are non-hazardous liquids designed to prevent sulphide gas build-up by substituting nitrogen in the microbial respiratory process. Anomex 64 is a sodium nitrate product and Anomex 76 is a new calcium nitrate solution manufactured at the company’s Lincolnshire factory, where Omex have invested in a production plant specifically for this product. Both products are proven to be extremely cost effective and efficient septicity control agents, tested, used and approved by UK water companies. As well as the liquid solutions, Omex provide the dosing system units needed to dose Anomex. These come in a range of sizes from 2,500 litres to 15,000 litres and are custom designed for septicity dosing. These units can also be made to specific requirements. Omex Environmental project engineers can visit any site and ascertain dosing requirements in order to provide the optimum dosing system. Dosing units are
manufactured at the Kings Lynn factory. Anomex dosing units can be supplied with telemetry or the solution can be delivered on a predictive delivery system to guarantee a unit never runs out of product. q • Visit the website for further information www.omex.co.uk, email environmental@ omex.com or call 01553 770092.
Plumbing quality schemes come together ‹ THE FIRST UK-WIDE plumbing assurance scheme, designed to
raise standards within the UK plumbing sector, has been launched. As the first plumbing standard and online resource of its kind, WaterSafe provides consumers with an easy way to find competent local plumbers to carry out work to water supply pipes – by logging on to watersafe.org.uk and entering their postcode.
WaterSafe brings together under one recognisable standard all the separate approved contractor schemes in the UK that have been operated by water companies and trade associations. WaterSafe is now the ‘marque’ to look out for when searching for a plumber who is fully qualified to carry out water supply work in your home or business. q
New animation promotes sustainable drainage ‹ IN OCTOBER, SUSDRAIN – the division of the Construction Industry
Research and Information Association (CIRIA) that promotes sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) – launched a new youtube animation on SuDS that provides an engaging and digestible overview. Ever wondered where the rain goes? demonstrates how changes to the natural water cycle caused by development can be positively managed and how SuDS turns this challenge into an exciting opportunity contributing to better place making. The animation explains how SuDS replicate natural drainage by managing rainfall close to where it falls, and illustrates how components of the systems, such as rain gardens and permeable paving, can be used. It also celebrates the multiple benefits of SuDS, including managing local flood risk, treating pollution from surface water runoff,
Image courtesy of youtube.com enhancing biodiversity and providing great places for wildlife, people and communities. Paul Shaffer, CIRIA associate and susdrain project manager, said: “While sustainable drainage is a relatively simple concept, it is often communicated using technical jargon. This animation helps promote sustainable drainage by communicating the drivers, opportunities and benefits in an engaging way.” Together with its partners and supporters, susdrain commissioned the animation to promote the concept and the benefits of SuDS to a wider audience. It can be viewed at www.youtube.com/susdrain.
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CE Marking is standard practice for this old hand in the fastener industry
‹ ONE COMPANY THAT HAS no worries
about the impending Construction Products Regulation is leading fastener supplier Bapp Group. Bapp Group’s range of structural ‘CE’ Marked Fastener Assemblies, specifically for the structural engineering sector, have been approved since 2011. Bapp are renowned as a market leader in quality assurance measures that continue to provide the highest levels of confidence throughout its worldwide customer base. Bapp Group was founded in 1972 as a family business and has continued to grow steadily over the ensuing four decades to become the UK’s largest independent supplier of fasteners into the structural engineering, construction, general engineering, renewable energy and offshore sectors. The company is fully approved by Lloyds Register to supply ‘CE’ Marked products to BS EN 15048 Non Pre-Load and BS EN 14399 Pre-Load Structural Bolting Assemblies to the European Harmonised Standards. In addition to the requirements of ‘CE’ Marking, Bapp Group continues to apply its own stringent quality standards to all its products throughout the range. Bapp Group Chairman Mr Dean Cook writes: “Our manufacturing philosophy is a major facet of our business that continues to differentiate us from our competitors. All of our partner factories are annually audited, supplying components only in strict compliance with our 136 page Purchasing Handbook which details everything from the stringent testing requirements we demand to the world class packaging and documentation for which we are well known”.
One of the major benefits of dealing with Bapp Group is the packaging and marking of ‘CE’ assemblies, which is simple, clear and above all identifiable. Because of the packaging and documentation this assures full traceability to the client ensuring that the goods and paperwork arrive in pristine condition. All of Bapp’s extensive systems provide further evidence that traceability is 100% assured throughout its supply chain. This constant attention to detail has been the hallmark of the company for many years and allows Bapp to offer valuable advice to both designers and buyers alike. Bapp’s technical team are available 24/7 to offer clients advice not just on fastener standards, but also on tightening procedures and coating finishes best suited to prevent corrosion in difficult and testing environments. As a quality orientated company, Bapp Group has a number of approvals, apart from Lloyd’s Register approval for its ‘FPC’ and ‘CE’ Marking Structural Assemblies. They are also Highways Agency Sector Scheme 3 and Link-Up Rail approved. Bapp Group products are to be found in a myriad of different environments, but its main expertise is within the structural steelwork sector and as such they are represented on many industrial bodies helping to both shape and drive innovation. Following the company’s foundation by a highly qualified mining engineer, Bapp also have a major involvement in both the civil engineering and tunnelling sectors which also
provide major markets within which the group has unparalleled experience. Bapp also play a major part in supplying the UK’s rail industry which like the structural engineering sector, is a very demanding environment. Bapp Group supply a wide and varied range of standard rail parts and also offer bespoke solutions as part of its Link-Up approval. Another market in which Bapp have become heavily involved is renewable energy where wind turbine manufacture is very closely linked to structural engineering. This too is an extremely demanding market due to the constant new innovations and the aggressive environment that these projects require. Bapp have seen both the onshore and offshore wind sectors as an extension of its standard offshore business, where it has been highly successful for many years in supplying safety critical parts on a daily basis. With such a range of demanding structural applications that require comprehensive support and advice, Bapp have now proved they are the team to trust with all of your demanding requirements. q
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Save £’000’s
by carefully planning plant purchases before Nigel Greenaway, of JCB Finance Ltd, explains the significance of changes in the tax rules and how the size and timing of any investment in plant and machinery requires careful planning in order to maximise on the potential tax relief that is now available.
‹ ONE OF THE SURPRISES in the 5th December Autumn Statement was a tenfold increase in the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) from £25,000 to £250,000 from 1st January 2013. The devil was in the detail and 15 pages of explanatory notes left many heads reeling! Unfortunately it seems that some financial advisors have been slow in coming to terms with the new rules and some tax saving opportunities have already been lost. In addition there seems to be some confusion in the plant hire sector, with many plant hire businesses being advised that they are not eligible for the AIA. The seeds of this confusion may have been sown in April 2008 when First Year Allowances (FYA) were replaced by the AIA. Before 2008 many
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on Tax 1st January 2015
accountants had been caught out by HMRC disallowing FYA claims made on behalf of plant hirers because the business was supplying non-operated plant (plant supplied with an operator could claim the full FYA). This ruling was not carried over to the AIA so all businesses, including plant hire businesses, can claim the AIA – the only exceptions are Mixed Partnerships or Trusts (i.e. those in which a company is a member) – this has been verified by HMRC.
What is the AIA? The AIA is designed to encourage new investment in new or used plant and machinery against taxable profits in the year in which the qualifying expenditure is made. The same rules apply to all businesses, large or small, incorporated or not, for expenditure incurred from 1st January 2013 and before 1st January 2015. The first £250,000 of expenditure is 100% allowable against tax, with any excess attracting the 18% annual Writing Down Allowance in the first year. This all sounds very good but what does it mean? Imagine the following scenario: a plant hire business (a partnership of a father and his two sons) is rapidly approaching the end of its tax year and the accountant fears that a big income tax bill is looming. Even after claiming all available business expenses, a profit of £250,000 remains, which would attract the 40% income tax rate. The partnership’s financial year matches the tax year. The accountant explains that, if the partnership invests £250,000 in replacement plant, from the 6th April 2013 onwards, then the full £250,000 AIA will apply. Paying a 10% deposit (£25,000) and borrowing £225,000 over three years on a hire purchase agreement equates to a £100,000 outlay in the first year, followed by £75,000 in each of the subsequent years (net of interest charges). The £100,000 expenditure in the first year equals the £100,000 tax bill saved, so HM Revenue & Customs has effectively paid for the partnership’s deposit and its first year’s HP payments. Not only that, but the partnership has managed its cash flow in an exemplary fashion – claiming the maximum £250,000 AIA but with an outlay of only £100,000 in the same tax year. Paying £250,000 in cash on day one would only net the same tax benefit. However, be warned because the above scenario is relatively simple to interpret. Different financial years that straddle the tax year and/ or the 1st January 2013 and 2015 will result in very complicated calculations that will result in a lesser AIA being granted in that financial year. The chart on the right illustrates this by showing four different financial year end companies and how vital it is to spend the right amount within the right periods in order to maximise the tax benefits. Other factors being equal, if your business is contemplating purchasing plant in the near future, there are some strong tax-based and cash flow arguments to carefully plan plant purchases before 1st January 2015, so that you can maximise on the available £500,000 tax relief. q • JCB Finance is not a tax or financial advisor – always seek advice from your accountant or finance director, because every business’ circumstances are different. Businesses should not make investment decisions purely on a tax basis – there should be a compelling business case for the investment.
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Funding help for housebuilding welcomed ‹ THE DECISION BY Chancellor George
Osborne to focus on the housebuilding sector for government funding help in his Autumn Statement was broadly welcomed by the sector. In particular, there was a welcome for the promise of up to £1bn of help to unlock ‘stalled’ private sector developments. In a release following the statement, NHBC chief executive Mike Quinton said: “We welcome today’s Autumn Statement highlighting measures to support housebuilding in the UK. As our new home registration statistics show, the number of new homes being registered continues to improve on last year’s figures, with an overall 24% increase for the rolling quarter August to October compared to the same period in 2012, but this recovery has been from a very low base. “It is therefore crucial that the government delivers these policies, such as the £1bn loans to unblock stalled housing developments and continued support of Help to Buy, to help the UK get back to producing the volumes required to meet the demand for quality new homes.” Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at the RICS, commented: “As we’ve been saying
NHBC chief executive Mike Quinton welcomed the Autumn Statement for a long time, the lack of housing supply is crippling the property market. If Help to Buy is to remain, Right to Buy extended, and expensive social housing sold off then the government’s commitment to building houses simply must be extended. “The £1bn of loans to unblock housing development across the country will contribute towards housing need and will drive construction jobs. However, we still believe housing is not at the centre of a co-ordinated property-led growth that supports a balanced regional recovery where all can access the market.”
There was also satisfaction at the announcement that local authorities will be able to access up to £300m in loans by selling more expensive assets, although some thought it did not go far enough. The Chartered Institute of Housing’s chief executive Grainia Long declared: “We are pleased that the Chancellor has acknowledged the principle that councils should be allowed to borrow more so they can build more homes, which CIH has been calling for. But the steps announced today are far too modest and there is a risk that any gains could be offset by the requirement to sell high-value social housing and the expansion of Right to Buy. The finer details will be crucial – it is critical that the overall package results in a net increase in housing investment and new homes. “As George Osborne acknowledged, we need to build more homes – we are in the grip of a housing crisis, with millions of people being denied access to a decent home at a price they can afford. Increasing local authority borrowing caps by £7bn, rather than £300m, would allow councils to build 75,000 new homes over five years, creating 23,500 jobs and creating £5.6bn of economic activity.” q
Cashflow solutions for construction companies ‹ IT LOOKS LIKE CONSTRUCTION companies are going to be pretty
busy over the next few years – the National Infrastructure Plan, and the fact that there’s an urgent need for a huge programme of house building, suggests there will be no shortage of work. The bad news, however, is that many sub-contractors will struggle to capitalise on these opportunities due to lack of finance. Ultimate Finance, a leading independent provider of cashflow solutions to SMEs, has come up with a solution – they’ve created a team of experienced professionals with a specialised understanding of the construction industry, working in partnership with a long-established quantity surveyor, to help building firms overcome these challenges. Tim Wilkinson, sales director of Ultimate Construction Finance Limited, explains: “We are principally aiming to fund interim payments for first tier sub-contractors with a minimum turnover in excess of £1m and at least two years’ filed accounts. “We can provide something genuinely different. We will fund an
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application for payment, prior to certification. This takes a huge amount of financial pressure off contractors during the course of an extended project and gives them more working capital to take on fresh contracts. Our thorough understanding of the sector and the way the contracts work means that we can take a much more flexible approach than traditional financial institutions.” “The arrangement is fully confidential, while our fee and pricing structure is highly transparent and communicated upfront. Right from the outset our clients know what level of funding they will get, when they will receive it and what fees they will be charged, which truly sets us apart from existing players in the market.” q • Ultimate Construction Finance Limited is a leading provider of financial solutions to SMEs across the UK. The company is headquartered in Bristol with offices in London, Manchester, Norwich and Lutterworth. www.ultimatefinance.co.uk.
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Make the most of tax allowances – before it’s too late! By Neil Lloyd, Head of Sales Development, Lombard Business & Commercial In this month’s spotlight on asset finance we consider the significance of investment as the recovery takes hold, why the timing of the acquisition of equipment could result in an increased Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) and what you should think about when planning your capital expenditure.
‹ WE’VE SEEN SIGNIFICANT growth in
the house-building sector in the last year with 67,422 new homes registered in the first six months of 2013, the highest figures since 2008. In addition, on a general level, the messages from the Bank of England are noticeably more positive. Director General Mark Carney has commented that the economic recovery in the UK has ‘taken hold’ and observed that: “For the first time in a long time, you do not have to be an optimist to see the glass is half full.” However, if the construction sector is to maintain momentum and capitalise on the overall improvement in the economy, ongoing investment in the latest equipment and technology will be essential.
As we have commented previously, asset finance is one of the funding options available that can help facilitate this investment. It offers a flexible and accessible form of funding, while protecting valuable cash flow that is fundamental to any construction business. In addition, if you are considering hire purchase, loan finance or long funding lease as funding options, you could benefit from the temporary increase in the AIA announced in December 2012. This applies to capital equipment purchased up until 31 December 2014 and, depending on the accounting yearend, means that acquiring certain qualifying assets may result in a 100% allowance against taxable profits of up to £250,000.
The timing of the acquisition of equipment could result in an increased Annual Investment Allowance (AIA)
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Businesses across the construction sector suffered when the AIA was reduced from £100,000 to £25,000 in April 2012 as many essential capital items cost well in excess of this amount. Therefore we believe that the increased threshold is highly significant for the industry. Our own research has indicated that many businesses are not aware of the availability of the temporary increase. Less than a third of the 405 SMEs polled by Lombard in November 2013 indicated that they were aware of the increased allowance and only a fifth of these businesses had taken advantage of AIAs in the current tax year. Yet, nearly a half (43%) stated that AIAs have or would have influenced their decision to invest in new equipment. However, time is running out as this is a time-limited incentive. The specific significance at this point in the calendar is that there is less than a year to take
advantage of this increase. As a result, depending on your accounting year-end, the benefit may be reduced if you don’t act soon. We would encourage you to speak to your financial adviser to understand how you can benefit from the advantages that the enhanced allowance can offer. Given that the amount of tax that can be offset is calculated for each accounting year, there is a need to plan ahead. The decision to acquire new equipment is not necessarily a quick process, as time needs to be factored in for sign-off authorisation and to secure your line of funding. In addition, if you need to place orders that need to be made to specification, you should make an
allowance for this. In some instances our customers have arranged for us to sit down with their accountants to plan the timing of purchases, particularly when they are close to the end of their tax year. By linking asset finance with the increased AIA there may be a resounding case for businesses to bring forward investment decisions. So we recommend you take the time, sooner rather than later, to consider whether the availability of this temporary increase in AIA could help you support capital investment. Lombard’s guide to the AIA and the AIA tax calculator will give you an indication of your potential tax savings. Both are available
to you on the Lombard website: www. lombard.co.uk/our-expertise/aia-calculator. The Construction Projects Association (CPA) has recently revised forecasts for 2014 in an upwards direction with the new projection being 2.4%, largely due to a forecast expansion in private housing and the success of schemes like Help to Buy. In addition, growth in factory construction, as well as rail and energy infrastructure, is forecast for 2016/17. So if your business is to benefit from this new era in growth, it will be critical that you have your investment plans in place to put you in the competitive mix and to help secure your growth aspirations. R
1. EARLY ENGAGEMENT Engage with your financial provider at the earliest stage possible and ensure that you are fully prepared so that both parties are able to have a constructive dialogue. As well as helping to secure your funding, this information will ensure that your financial provider understands your business’ needs, and how they can best meet these. In addition, your financial provider will also be able to demonstrate how you can capitalise on Government schemes and initiatives such as the current temporary increase in the Annual Investment Allowance.
2. MATCH INVESTMENT TO BUSINESS OBJECTIVES Capital investment should be integral to your overall business plan so it’s important that you ensure that the asset’s functionality supports your organisation’s objectives and growth plans.
3. MEET THE NEEDS OF THE WHOLE BUSINESS Ensure that the investment meets the requirements of all parts of your business.
4. RECRUIT SPECIALIST IMPORT EXPERTISE If you are buying equipment from outside of the UK, does your financial provider have facilities to manage the import process securely? Or do you need specialist support? Capital Import Finance, a product offered by Lombard, can help you achieve this.
5. CONSIDER THE FULL COST OF OWNERSHIP To understand the full cost of ownership, you should consider additional expenditure such as ongoing maintenance, training and installation costs.
6. ENGAGE WITH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL AUDIENCES Make sure you have articulated the benefits of the investment to your internal audience, as well as to the financial provider you are approaching.
7. ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF POWER If you are considering installing renewable energy supplies, check that your funder has experience in this area and that they can support you in finding the right supplier, as well as in applying for relevant Government grants and also for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments.
8. UTILISE EXTERNAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES Engage with your financial advisers and accountants who will be able to help you create financial plans for larger investments and add strength to your application for funding.
9. UNDERSTAND THE RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT Ensure that you use the most appropriate investment appraisal system to provide a clear trajectory for return on capital outlay.
10. MEASURE SUCCESS TO SECURE FUTURE INVESTMENT Consider identifying critical success factors to be measured throughout the life of an asset. This may add weight to proposals for future investments.
top ten tips
Taking the decision to acquire new equipment and technology is a key decision for any construction business. Here are some top tips to help you get the most out of your investment.
DISCLAIMER: The content in this article was correct at time of going to print.
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Scaffolding system brings key gains to contractors
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LAYHER HAS LAUNCHED THE next generation of its highly successful Allround® scaffolding system into the UK market. The Layher Allround® Lightweight (LW) combines proven performance with key benefits – ranging from lower weight and enhanced load bearing capacity to an innovative ‘AutoLock Wedge-Head®’ function which will provide greater safety and speed during both erection and use. The system includes both standards and a choice of ledgers and transoms. The standards are a prime example of the new approach as they are now formed from a single forged piece rather than two components crimped together. Importantly, the same standards can now be used for both supported and suspended structures with no separate spigots required. This minimises the number of differing components needed, not only saving time, but also money. Another new feature is the reinforced, high tensile 1.57, 2.07, 2.57 and 3.07m U-transoms (pictured). These offer 100mm of additional head room when compared to existing U-bridging transoms – essential on large base-size structures or on multi-level decked birdcages. q
for more information: call 01462 475100 or visit www.layher.co.uk
Reelfix shows the way forward
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THE MULTI AWARD WINNING Reelfix Rapid System has been developed as a simple, low cost solution to the many health and safety issues associated with the use of loose coiled tying wire for Steel Fixing. Since the product’s launch in June 2005, Reelfix has revolutionised the way Steel Fixers work, making the process vastly more efficient, less wasteful and much safer. From simple problems such as the manual handling of 20kg coils of tying wire, to more serious concerns like wire trip hazards and flying end eye and face injuries, Reelfix delivers the solution simply and effectively by eliminating risk, reducing waste and facilitating a modern, proactive approach to hazard identification and management, as required in CDM regulations. q for more information: call 0845 638 0733, email info@reelfix.com or visit www.reelfix.com
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Network Rail approval for GSM-R solar powered telephone
‹ THE GAI-TRONICS TITAN GSM/GSM-R solar powered telephone has been certified by
Network Rail for use at user worked crossings and other similar applications where there are no fixed communications available. The vandal and weather resistant telephones will be used on the GSM-R network, where there is currently no cable infrastructure or means for users to contact the signaller safely before crossing the railway and can be sited anywhere on the GSM-R network using a tamper resistant 10W solar panel mounted on top of a free-standing post. The modular design could reduce the cost of installation. The Titan GSM-R range has the option of yellow or grey casing, with 0 button (lift handset to dial) or 15 button keypad. The phones are available with a No.1 key lock for additional security if required. GAI-Tronics’ rail telephone products are protected against dust and water ingress to IP66. With operating temperatures of -20°C to +60°C, they are robust and weather resistant, perfectly suited for a life outdoors. q
for more information: call 01283 703387 or visit www.gai-tronics.co.uk
New dual voltage Master heaters for UK market
‹ MASTER CLIMATE SOLUTIONS, a leading manufacturer of portable space heaters
and dehumidifiers, has expanded its heaters range with the launch of new dual voltage devices dedicated to British customers. Master Climate Solutions includes in the offer three new dual voltage indirect oil heaters: BV 77, BV 170 and BV 290. Additional improvements, like stronger cone or waterproof plastic box for electrical components, prove it is the most advanced range of indirect heaters now designed for professional users in many fields of the construction industry, logistics and others. The range also includes two bestsellers in the UK: B 150, a direct oil heater and BLP 103, a gas heater. In the new version of the oil heater some of the components have been replaced for easier maintenance and to be more responsive to the needs of users. The 103 kW gas heater is the result of long design work by Italian engineers who, tracking the current market demand, have created a device adapted to the UK market in the best way. q
for more information: call (0048) 61 65 44 000 or visit www.masterheaters.co.uk
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BUILDING CONTROL
DRILLING & SAWING
DUST MONITORING
ECOLOGICAL CONSULTANTS
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HEALTH & SAFETY
TRAINING & ASSESSMENT
JAPANESE KNOTWEED
LANDSCAPING
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BOOK REVIEW
Health and Safety Bluebook gets mobile and tablet platform ‹ THE ICONIC HEALTH and Safety
Manual from Construction Industry Publications (CIP) – the famous Bluebook – has taken another step forward with a completely revamped format for mobile or tablet. The information is exactly the same as for the original online version, which was reviewed here when it was published last year, but it enables health and safety topics to be researched on site, or indeed anywhere. The main difference is, of course, in the appearance of the screens. Upon login, the phone screen is filled with a number of icons offering various options – a download of the full manual, a list of pdfs of parts of the manual, a contact page and access to CIP publications. Above is the real feature of the format, though – a search box. Topics are listed and can be accessed direct from the manual. For example, if the keyword ‘drugs’ is entered into the search box, a two-page list of items relating to the topic is shown. They include definitions, disciplinary action, use of testing and implementation of a policy. There is even a link to a suggested policy for companies to download and use. The manual itself comprises 47 topics plus an introduction. The topics range from Health and Safety Management to Working on the Railways. Issues such as Drugs and Alcohol, Confined Spaces and Occupational Health are covered in depth, with the appropriate references to Acts of Parliament and other publications. Philip White, previous head of construction at the HSE is quoted in the publicity material. He said: “The Health and Safety Executive is committed to supporting the work of the construction industry in improving the availability and accessibility of health and safety information for all working in the industry. We recognise the contribution of the Construction Health and Safety Manual to this important aim.” The Bluebook has been written by a panel of 14 leading health and safety professionals
working in the construction industry. As an online resource it is intended to allow for regular updating as and when legislation or advice changes. For that reason, purchasers can be assured that once they have purchased their annual subscription they will have access to all updates within that year without further expense. In addition, pages can be downloaded or printed and there is even a
space for commenting on the issues covered. Single-user licences for the manual cost £315 per annum, or £360 to include amendments of either the CD-ROM or hard copy. Multi-user licences are also available. There is a free 30-day trial which can be accessed from the book’s own website at www.cip-bluebook.com where the full list of CIP titles can also be found and purchased. R
• Construction Industry Publications (CIP) publishes a range of construction, health and safety and environmental titles. As well as its own publications, including the comprehensive Construction Environmental Manual, CIP supplies a range of contracts from JCT and NEC, a range of HSE and ICE titles and a comprehensive range of other publications for construction companies, sub-contractors, architects, surveyors, civil engineers and health and safety professionals. All can be purchased from the CIP website, at www.cip-books.com, or ordered by phone on 0870 078 4400.
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