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The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has released a statement regarding the changes to its Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) cards. As part of the Vision 2020 programme of reform, CITB is divesting its cards schemes to other suitable providers, including the CPCS scheme. It has recently announced that NOCN has been selected as the preferred bidder for the CPCS scheme. If the ... more
The Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA) has approved plans to develop an apprenticeship scheme for Construction Plant Operatives. The industry-led group who made the submission are now preparing to develop the relevant standards and assessment plan, with the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) providing administrative support to the programme. The working group will be developing a level 2 ... more
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said that the recent drop in EU net migration should sound alarm bells for the construction industry, saying that the fact that EU net migration is at its lowest level since 2012 is “deeply worrying”. Commenting on the Migration Statistics Quarterly Report for August 2018, published by the Office for National Statistics, Sarah McMona ... more
The CITB is inviting the industry to have their say on the future of apprenticeship grants. In April of this year, CITB announced that it was reforming and simplifying many of the processes around its grants scheme, including making two changes to apprenticeship grants. First, from 1 April 2018, apprenticeships must be in a construction-related discipline and aligned to the CITB Scope Order, so ... more
This time five years ago we were tasked with the sort of job that you certainly don’t see very often…installing a 4.7 metre blue cockerel on a plinth in Trafalgar Square. To complete the job, we used a Nifty Heightrider 17 4X4 lifting platform. Capable of lifting two men and their tools to a working height of over 17m and with an outreach of 9.6 metres, this machine is also lig ... more
A machining manufacturer has been fined after workers were exposed to asbestos fibres whilst demolishing an internal wall. Birmingham Magistrates’ Court heard how the workers were asked to remove the internal wall by their manager. There was no asbestos survey or an up to date asbestos management plan for the premises. An HSE investigation found that asbestos insulation sheets were rem ... more
A North Yorkshire-based company specialising in the installation of biomass heating systems and photovoltaic solar systems was sentenced this month after a worker suffered serious injury following a fall from height. Beverley Magistrates court heard how, on 27 March 2015, an operative was installing a flue system for a biomass heating system at a farm in North Yorkshire. He had attempted to work ... more
A cheese company based in Orkney has been fined £8,000 after an employee was seriously injured when he fell through a fragile roof. Kirkwall Sheriff Court heard how, on 30 October 2017, an employee of Orkney Cheese Company Limited was asked by the general manager to retrieve a dead mouse from an unfloored loft area. After doing this by crawling along ceiling battens, he then placed his fo ... more
So, Ray, how long have you been with Facelift and what is your role? I have only been with Facelift for a month as depot manager at Newcastle covering the North East area, up into Scotland and across to Carlisle. As well as overseeing the safe and efficient running of the branch, I will be looking to promote new business in the area as well as maintain the great relationships we have with our cur ... more
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a safety alert to the construction industry, scaffolding companies and scaffolding suppliers, urging immediate measures to prevent unauthorised access onto scaffolding and other work platforms to be taken – something that is especially important over the school summer holidays. The HSE recommends that relevant businesses carry out a full sit ... more
