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Private members Bill to overhaul the hated cash retentions system has been pushed back seven weeks. “The industry loses around £1m for each working day, mostly from SMEs. There have been proposals to stop the abuse of retentions before, but this time there is the largest coalition on fair payments ever.” Peter Aldous 76 trade bodies turned out in force to support ... more
Trade magazine Vertikal has added another dishonourable entry to its Death Wish series. One of their readers sent in this story after they spotted a man in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, pressure washing moss from a steep roof with questionable fall protection. Their reader said: “I Came across this joker working in Pontefract West Yorkshire yesterday Jet washing a roof, no fall protecti ... more
The principal contractor involved in the construction of a dormer extension was last month sentenced for safety breaches after a self-employed worker suffered life threatening injuries. Leeds Crown Court heard how, in 2015, the operative was working on the roof at the side of the dormer when he fell approximately eight metres on to a paved floor. Adverse weather meant there was a need ... more
This time four years ago, Facelift was helping to liven up the landcape in Bristol by providing the necessary vantage point for a reproduction of famous Bristolian graffiti artist Banksy’s ‘Kissing Coppers’ on the front of the derelict Astoria cinema. Created just a few days after same sex marriage was legalised in the UK, many people wondered if the reproduction was mea ... more
A company and the boss of a firm it subcontracted to carry out work have been fined after a worker fell through a fragile roof. Brighton Crown Court heard how a farmer had contacted Southern Solar Ltd to fit 100 solar panels. The company subcontracted the fitting of the panels to a rope access company, Sky High Rope Access Ltd, run by Sonya French. During the installation, two operatives ... more
An asbestos removal company, and two of its managers, have today been prosecuted after forging documents in order to obtain an asbestos licence from HSE. Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how, between 16 March 2012 and 10 March 2016, Excavation and Contracting (UK) Ltd used both forged medical certificates and forged asbestos training certificates for their asbestos removal op ... more
Ever fancied a career as an IPAF instructor? If so, get in touch with us. Demand for our IPAF courses is at an all-time high, so we’re on the look-out for new talent to add to our team. In order to be eligible to train as an IPAF instructor, you will need: · At least 36 months of MEWP operating experience · &nbs ... more
The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has completed a major research project to examine the supply and demand of plant operatives across the construction industry. A key purpose of the report was to gain clarity over the number of plant operators in UK construction and to challenge the published figure of around 40,000 as detailed in CITB’s Construction Skills Network Foreca ... more
When koala was stuck up a power pole for two days without food, shade or water during a heatwave in Darling Downs, Queensland, Australia, it was a cherry picker that eventually came to its rescue. WWF-Australia released video of the animal being rescued and released back into the wild, with a warning that excessive tree-clearing were pushing koalas into developed areas. They said the y ... more
On the 3 April 2018 the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) will launch its new Construction Training Directory, Construction Training Register and Grants Scheme. As part of the new Construction Training Register, employers will be able to see the qualifications that each construction worker holds in an industry register. To find out more about how these new schemes may affect you and yo ... more
