CABLEtalk February/March 2018

February/March 2018 £4.50

Perfect fit

How we can improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace PAGES 14-17

IONF W 50 £

S VOUCH4E2R PAGE

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We put inspection and testing in the spotlight

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Find your nearest Toolbox Talk 2018

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Carillion collapse shows the true cost of retention

CONTENTS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 OPINION

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MD Newell McGuiness: Why 2018 should be the year that we deliver

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Alan Wilson explains the many benefits of ‘velocity of money’

NEWS

COVER STORY

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Inclusion, diversity and equality is a key part of modern business

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Editor’s introduction and newest Members from across Scotland

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Catch up with the latest from SELECT and the wider industry

FEATURES

TOOLBOX TALKS

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Find out where our popular free advice sessions will be this year

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Business leader interview with notable architect Richard Saxon

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Bob Cairney’s technical update looks at inspecting and verifying Be on your guard against on-site asbestos danger, by Jim Cornwall

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New training courses add to our wealth of advice and information

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What are the real implications of Lot 20? Dimplex’s experts explain

FOCUS

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Len Bunton: Why showing the red card is often the only option

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Carillion collapse shows the price of retentions for the supply chain

TRAINING

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We catch up with Apprentice of the Year finalist Jordan Gilchrist It’s going to be another busy year for SECTT – here’s a small taster

PRODUCT SHOWCASE ELECTRIC SHOCKER

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Our new column puts the dangers of unqualified tradespeople in the spotlight

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The latest solutions from Harting, Martindale, Manrose and more

DIARY

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Meet a Member, catch up on new events and enter our wordsearch

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COMMENT

The time for talking is well and truly over

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s is often the case in January, I was drawn to reflecting on SELECT’s involvements over the year just passed. My reflective mood was triggered by reading a serendipitous reference to an organisation called the Select Society.

The Select Society was an exclusive intellectual debating club, formed in Edinburgh in 1754. It was one of many such discussion clubs in mid-18th century Edinburgh, but stood out from the rest because of the prominence of its members, which included such luminaries as David Hume, Adam Smith, Allan Ramsey and many other interesting characters.

Its main purpose was to discuss matters of importance to members and the public within the limits of its constitution, which stressed “the importance of participation without financial or coercive pressures, restricting functions to only one or two formal objectives, the limited nature of the organisation, with a general absence of a regulatory role”.

Sound anything like another SELECT organisation?

As if to emphasise the similarity, SELECT has recently been focusing on a very important objective that has serious ramifications for both electrical businesses and the Scottish public: Protection of Title for Electricians.

And like our ancient namesake, we have been trying to persuade

“Let’s be bold and do something positive that will make a difference ...let’s all just stop prevaricating and make 2018 the year we deliver protection of title for the profession of electrician”

those that do have regulatory powers to step up to the mark and make a difference.

We remain frustrated, however, that, even though everyone we meet is astonished to learn anyone can call themselves an electrician and put businesses and householders at serious risk, no one in government seems prepared to really do anything about it.

Surely in this day and age it is a travesty that a forward-thinking nation like Scotland will not recognise that only properly qualified, experienced and registered electricians should be allowed to trade, as is the case in most civilised countries around the world?

SELECT has been working with Scottish Government for more than two years making the case for Protection of Title for Electricians. We feel we have met every demand placed on us and have presented evidence and solutions every step of the way, all of which suggests it could be done easily, with no cost to the public purse and would deliver the significant prospect of improved electrical safety for all.

We are, however, rapidly running out of patience, and it is time for the endless talking to stop and time for action.

SELECT Members, their constituents and the wider public expect change as it is simply no longer acceptable that the unqualified, inexperienced and rogues can tout themselves as electricians and put lives and property at risk.

Let’s be bold and do something positive that will make a difference. Let’s stop prevaricating and make 2018 the year we deliver protection of title for the profession of electrician – it may not cure all the ills of the industry but it would be a massive and positive step forward in protecting consumers.

By Newell McGuiness Managing Director, SELECT CABLEtalk

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EDITOR’S NOTE DEAR MEMBERS

CABLEtalk MANAGING EDITOR Alan Wilson alan.wilson@select.org.uk PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR Demi Armstrong demi.armstrong@select.org.uk EDITOR Iain Mason iain@connectcommunications.co.uk 0141 560 3022 PUBLISHER Connect Publications DESIGN & PRODUCTION Ryan Swinney ryan@connectcommunications.co.uk ADVERTISING David Hughes davidh@connectcommunications.co.uk 0131 561 0022 Jane Deane jane@connectcommunications.co.uk 0131 561 0020 CABLEtalk is produced by Connect Publications on behalf of SELECT

Connect Publications Studio 2001, Mile End 12 Seedhill Road Paisley PA1 1JS Tel: 0141 561 0300

The Walled Garden Bush Estate Midlothian EH26 0SB Tel: 0131 445 5577 CABLEtalk is the official magazine of SELECT and is distributed free to qualifying readers.

ISSN 1365-3288 SELECT is the trading style of the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland. The SELECT logo is a registered Collective Mark.

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very warm welcome to the first CABLEtalk of 2018. The new year brings a new feature to our pages as we launch our Electric Shocker column. The idea was sparked – no pun intended – after attending a recent Electrical Awareness Course, where Senior Technical Adviser Malcolm Duncan showed off some examples of bad practice that no doubt many of you will have seen first-hand.

Malcolm will now showcase similar horror stories each issue, highlighting the dangers of unqualified tradespeople and the very real need to make electrician a recognised profession. You can read his first column on page 36 – and if you’ve come across any similar shockers, we’d like to hear about them.

Speaking of shocks, the huge supply chain losses caused by the collapse of Carillion served as a painful reminder of why retentions can be a disaster for sub-contractors. As usual, Professor Rudi Klein pulls no punches on the chaos – read his verdict on page 34 and find out how you can help to smash this unfair and oft-abused system.

Elsewhere this issue, we focus on inclusion, diversity and equality, with Fiona Harper and Elaine Ellis explaining why a level playing field is vital, and how SELECT is playing its part. Read their thoughts on pages 14

to 17. With electric vehicle installation and maintenance becoming ever more relevant in the industry, Jenny Cryans also reveals how SELECT has responded with a new training course – plus details of two others being launched this year – on page 26.

Keeping up to date with today’s technology is also the theme of this issue’s business leader interview. It was a real pleasure to speak to noted architect Richard Saxon about building information modelling (BIM) and the Internet of Things. His thoughts could have filled all 44 pages alone, but alas we have to settle for just three, starting on page 18. You can read his interview in full at www.cabletalk.com – it makes for a fascinating glimpse into the future.

And finally, we’ve also given the Diary section a new look for the new year, with an expanded list of events that now includes electrical exhibitions and trade fairs around the UK. On the subject of expanding, we’ve also made the Getting To Know You column longer and thrown in some new questions, so you can find out even more about your colleagues.

First up in the new format is Gordon Paterson, Chairman of the Dumfries & Galloway Branch.

Turn to page 42 to discover his favourite TV show and why he’s a dab hand with a broom...

Iain Mason Editor, CABLEtalk

l MORE NEWS & UPDATES l MORE EVENTS & PICTURES l MORE TO READ & DISCOVER www.cabletalkmagazine.com NEW MEMBERS

Six firms have become SELECT Members since December 2017

J K Electrical – Cardonald, Glasgow JOR Property Ltd – Aberdeen Martin Electrical Inverness – Inverness

PoweredUp365 Ltd – Elderslie, Renfrewshire Sterner Aquatech UK Ltd –Inverness TMC Electrical Services Ltd – Aberdeen

NEWS SELECT

Darrell: I can’t wait to begin new role

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ew SELECT Managing Director Darrell Mathews says he can’t wait to get started at the Walled Garden – and has vowed to help take us “to the next level”.

The experienced businessman has been chosen to replace current MD Newell McGuiness when he stands down this summer after more than 13 years in the post.

And Darrell said: “I am genuinely delighted to be the next MD of SELECT. “I know this is a successful, wellresourced and effective trade association and I look forward to working with Members, staff and the wider industry to take SELECT to the next level.

“Newell has done a tremendous job and filling his shoes won’t be easy.

“But I know this is an organisation that is keen to grow and to promote its Members and create a safer and better regulated industry.”

Darrell has a wide range of commercial experience gained in representational organisations in several sectors. His most recent roles have been as a director with the Institute of Directors (IoD), the manufacturers’ organisation EEF, and the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Darrell will join SELECT as MD designate in March, after which he will

Darrell Mathews

progressively take over from Newell.

SELECT President Kevin Griffin “ I look forward welcomed his appointment, saying: “Darrell was the outstanding candidate to working with from a long list of applicants and I am sure he will build on the excellent progress that’s been Members, made by SELECT under Newell’s guidance. staff and the “He has the full support of the Central Board and Newell I am sure all our Members wider industry McGuiness everywhere will likewise support Darrell and provide him with a warm to take SELECT Scottish welcome.”

Newell said: “I have every confidence in Darrell and know he will do a fine to the next level” job. SELECT is a great organisation

Darrell Mathews

and I am proud to have played my part in its development.”

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NEWS SELECT

After 1,500 comments, the 18th Edition is nearly ready

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convened at the end of the same month. industry to become familiar with the This has now led to a final version being new version of the standard, and it is produced for proof reading and for the intended that BS 7671:2018 will come committee to agree on any necessary into effect on 1 January 2019. editorial corrections before it is signed Members should note that off for publication by 28 June. installations designed after 31 December 2018 must comply with The 18th Edition to the Wiring BS 7671:2018. This may be of particular Regulations should therefore be relevance to those agreeing on the available to buy from 1 July, subject conditions of contract for work likely to the work continuing to meet the to be undertaken from that date.

JPEL/64 programme.

SELECT’s technical The new regulation book 18th EDI ● services team will provide will be identifiable by its TIO E AT further updates and distinctive blue cover. As technical information usual, there will be a sixon any significant month period changes nearer the for the publication date of the new regulations.

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The 18th Edition should be available for Members to buy from 1 July onwards

ELECTRIC SHOCKER

Our great new best practice column with Senior Technical Adviser Malcolm Duncan IEng MIET 8

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DATE ● 18t hE UP

h EDITION UP 18t D

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early 1,500 comments were received on the draft of BS 7671:2018 produced for the public consultation process, which ended last August.

JPEL/64, the joint British Standards Institution (BSI) and Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) committee responsible for the development of BS 7671, subsequently allocated all the comments to four sub-committees for consideration, with work completed in early November.

The proposed technical changes arising from the review process were then agreed at a special meeting of JPEL/64

Image courtesy of The Institution of Engineering and Technology

Read it now on page 36

Your committee still needs you...

Our plea for Members to join the new Training and Skills Development Committee has had an “encouraging” response – but we still need more people to come forward and have their say.

As revealed in the last edition of CABLEtalk, SELECT is looking for at least six Members to join and help shape the future of the electrical industry.

Head of Employment Affairs Fiona Harper said: “Following the article, we have already had some interest, which is very encouraging. However, I would still like more Members – both male and female – to come forward. This really is an excellent opportunity to make your

voice heard and help shape our future.” Meeting three times a year, the committee will monitor and review all aspects of training and skills development, reporting to the SELECT Central Board.

It will also monitor external organisations, draw up action plans and review a range of training materials and initiatives.

For more details about the committee, call Fiona on 0131 445 5577 or email fiona.harper@select.org.uk

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NEWS SELECT / INDUSTRY

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trio of senior SELECT Members will head to Frankfurt next month to represent the association at the prestigious Light + Building 2018.

President Kevin Griffin, Vice President Kenny Duncan and Head of Technical Services Dave Forrester will fly the flag for SELECT in Germany at the world’s largest trade fair for lighting and building services technology.

The trio are part of a 30-strong visiting delegation led by the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA), the UK trade body that represents electrotechnical wholesalers.

Representing billions of pounds in purchasing power, the delegation will also include senior executives from around 20 wholesaling companies, plus representatives from the presidential team at the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA).

Dave said: “We are really looking forward to joining the EDA-led delegation on one of the most important dates in the electrical calendar.

“The fast-moving technology of today means it’s essential to keep in touch with the latest developments.

“Our presence will ensure we can help Members keep abreast of the latest innovations in the increasingly hi-tech electrotechnical sector.”

Held every two years, and stretching across 11 exhibition halls, the massive show sees the world’s market leaders showcasing their innovative products, many as world-firsts.

The important fields of lighting, electrotechnology, home and building automation and securing technology are all represented, with many EDA affiliated manufacturers exhibiting.

Margaret Fitzsimons, EDA CEO, said: “For our sector, Light + Building is the world’s leading trade fair.

“That’s why it is vitally important to support our affiliated manufacturers who make a significant investment to Left to right: Kenny Duncan, Vice President, SELECT, Kevin Griffin, President, SELECT, and Dave Forrester, Head of Technical Services, SELECT 10

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The Light + Building exhibition

Trio to trip the light fantastic showcase their latest technologies at the show.”

The EDA has collaborated with the Lighting Industry Association (LIA) to develop the itinerary and bring together Members from SELECT and the ECA, as well as from the world of contracting.

Steve Davies, LIA CEO, said: “Exhibition space at Light + Building is very sought after but, luckily, this year the LIA has secured a substantial stand presence for LIA members, thanks in part to funding from the Department for International Trade. It means we are well placed to create and facilitate

networking and business development opportunities for the EDA delegation.”

The EDA hopes this first visit will lead to Light + Building becoming a regular date in the diary for the UK sector.

Margaret added: “In addition to the LIA presence, around 25 of our affiliates are exhibiting and we’ll ensure that our wholesalers get the opportunity to visit as many of their stands as possible.

“It will be a packed itinerary as we are attending for just two of the six days that the fair is open, but given the demand for places this year, we hope to expand the opportunity for our members in 2020 and beyond.”

Find out more about Light + Building 2018 at bit.ly/expo_2018

Established business is put up for sale A long-established electrical business is up for sale in Paisley. The sale includes: ●● two company vans ●● materials ●● tools ●● scaffolding ●● ladders ●● steps.

Although the business premises are not included in the sale, they would be available for rent by any new owner. For more information and to register an interest, email memberservices@ select.org.uk

Federation backs our call for PBAs The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has backed the ongoing bid by SELECT and the SEC Group to introduce more project bank accounts (PBAs).

The Federation has written to Business Secretary Greg Clark, urging the government to use PBAs on public sector projects.

PBAs would enable anyone delivering infrastructure and services to be paid out of one ring-fenced bank account. If they’d been used on contracts by collapsed construction giant Carillion, the resulting supply chain losses would have been significantly less.

The SEC Group’s CEO, Professor Rudi Klein, said he was delighted the FSB had

come on board. He added: “I would now like to see the UK government introduce legislation requiring PBAs to be used on all construction works over £1million.”

PBAs are currently mandated for public projects over £4million in Scotland and £2million in Northern Ireland and Wales.

There is no mandate in England, only a “strong recommendation”.

Professor Klein gives his verdict on the Carillion calamity – and reveals how you can help smash the system. See pages 34 & 35

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NEWS ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIES CHARITY Fund-raisers will enjoy spectacular scenery along the Great Wall of China

Put your best foot forward

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he Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) is appealing for brave volunteers to tackle two fund-raising adventures in aid of a former electrical worker.

The charity is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the wonders of the Great Wall of China and Machu Picchu later this year.

Both exotic odysseys will raise money for former electrical wholesale worker Caz Dickinson, who requires round-the-clock care following a fall at her home in 2009.

Machu Picchu

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The Great Wall of China trek takes her a specially-adapted home and place between 13-22 September. Walkers work with industry partners to carry will journey along part of this famous out necessary renovations.

3,889-mile-long ancient wonder, The EIC also offers invaluable trekking through woodland and terraced support for the needy in the electrical farmland, following the contours of sector through its Employee the hills and mountains in Assistance Programme. remote areas north of Beijing.

Only 10 places are Find ou Tackling the Inca Trail to available on each of the tm about t Machu Picchu in Peru will challenges, so it’s vital he Dickore inson to book early. Potential famil take place between 27 plight b y and their October-5 November. participants will need yv EIC webisiting the The 10-day challenge will to raise a minimum of bit.ly/E site at include trekking through £3,150 for the Great Wall IC_2018 Inca-paved paths and steps, of China trek. Permits for including the demanding the Machu Picchu challenge 4,200m-high Dead Woman’s are restricted Pass and the Sun Gate that overlooks and must be secured Machu Picchu itself. months in advance, Both challenges are part of the EIC’s with a pre-fundraising Challenge for a Cause campaign, which target of £4,000. is aiming to raise £250,000 to secure a home for Caz and her family.

As we revealed in the last edition of For further information about CABLEtalk, mum-of-three Caz was left both the fund-raisers, email with irreversible brain damage and spent Charlotte Laurent at charlotte. seven years in hospital after her accident. laurent@electricalcharity.org The EIC is now raising funds to buy

COMMENT

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elocity of money is an expression I first heard from one of Scotland’s most respected businessmen, Ken Lewandowski. Simply put, it means that the quicker payments are made the more positive impact they have on the economy as a whole.

A former chairman of the Clydesdale Bank in Scotland, Ken is a ferocious supporter of small businesses and of improving payment terms, especially in the construction sector. His views on payment guidance are also well known.

Voluntary codes, guidance or any other form of non-legislative procedure to improve payment are doomed as almost no-one pays attention to them. The only sure way of making people pay on time is introducing a legal requirement, which already exists in most countries across the world.

The model he often cites is the one that operates in Germany. If payment is not made within the legislated 28-day period, then the debt is passed to the equivalent of our HMRC. They then automatically double the VAT element of the debt and the debtor is given a very short time to pay the original sum in full and the revised VAT amount.

Unsurprisingly, almost 97 per cent of payments are made on time.

Delays in payment cascade from clients down the contractual chain and affect almost everyone on the way. Even if a client does pay on time, the chances of a sub-sub-contractor being paid at or around the same time is slim to none – and slim just left town.

A recent survey by the Scottish branch of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group highlighted that late payment of over 61 days was experienced by 77 per cent of survey respondents as follows: ●●The majority of these occurrences were in the private sector (95 per cent) ●●There were similar instances in the public sector (33 per cent), of which 20 percent were with local authorities and 13 per cent with the NHS and police ●●There were slightly more instances in the public sector (40 per cent) where the payment was delayed more than 30 days but less than 61.

In the same survey, 77 per cent of respondents also identified issues of

When it comes to payment, it’s simple really… late release of their cash retentions.

Of these respondents: ●●68 per cent said they had retentions withheld for more than six months from due date ●●60 per cent said they had retentions withheld for more 12 months from due date ●●44 per cent said they had retentions withheld for more than 24 months from due date.

More than 90 per cent of these retentions delayed instances occurred in the private sector. However, some public

“In a perfect world, we’d pay bills on time and, if we wanted to hold retentions, pay them when they are due too. There’s no reason not to” sector contracts also withheld retentions beyond due date: ●●29 per cent for over 6 months ●●18 per cent for over 12 months ●●15 per cent for over 24 months.

After Carillion went into liquidation, it’s a sobering thought that 84 per cent

of respondents had lost monies due to insolvencies: ●●The majority (31 per cent) said their losses were on the scale of £1k- £5k ●●Some 23 per cent were on the scale of £5-£10k ●●Some 18 per cent had losses on the scale of over £20k ●●About 10 per cent identified these losses as mainly retentions ●●The majority (36 per cent) said retentions were a fifth of the total monies lost to insolvencies.

In a perfect world, we would pay our bills on time and, if we really wanted to hold retentions, then pay them when they are due too. There is no reason not to. Instant payment processes already exist in the form of BACS and project bank accounts (PBAs) among others.

Changes have to start somewhere and I would encourage everyone reading this article to try and adopt a ‘velocity of cash’ regime.

By Alan Wilson Head of Membership and Communications, SELECT CABLEtalk

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FEATURES INCLUSION, DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY Our Head of Employment Affairs Fiona Harper reveals why SELECT wants to use this year to create a more level playing field

A time for change

By Iain Mason Hello Fiona. Why is it important to improve inclusion, diversity and equality in the industry?

By its very nature, our sector is pretty white and male-centric. However, this year we’ll be trying to broaden people’s horizons and hopefully get them thinking differently when it comes to recruitment. We’re not talking about positive discrimination – we’re just saying that everyone should be looked at as equal. So it’s not a case of saying: “The challenge this year is to employ women or ethnic minorities or whoever.” It’s just to be more open to the concept of it. It’s also about educating other groups and saying: “You can be an electrician – we’re a welcoming industry and you will be supported, no matter your gender, race, age, sexual orientation or beliefs.”

We’re aiming for a cultural shift that will ultimately bring positive results for individuals and the industry alike.

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So what will SELECT be doing?

We’re currently finalising the exact details, but overall we’ll be trying to raise awareness and open people’s minds to see that there are different ways of doing things and involving different people.

It’s not problematic or something to be frightened of; it’s something that we should embrace. Different people bring different thinking and different values, and we all benefit from that widening of our thought process. That’s what we’re really aiming to achieve.

Are people’s attitudes the biggest obstacle?

Absolutely. It’s a learning process, which is why our aim is to open people’s minds to the thought of equality and diversity. The more you talk about it, the more people get Fiona Harper

used to it and, with a bit of luck, put it into practice. It’s about thinking outside your usual comfort zone.

Is the electrical industry lagging behind other industries?

I’m not sure about that. I do think it’s steeped in its own tradition and culture, but that’s not unique to our particular sector. I think electricians love their work and are thoughtful people. But on the other hand, they also tend to think: “Well that’s the way we’ve always done it.” So again, we’ll be trying to encourage people to be more accepting by taking the fear out of change.

Taking gender as an example, have you experienced inequality in the industry yourself?

When I started on-site as an industrial relations officer, the site manager said: “If you last two weeks, I’ll take my hat off to you.” I had to tolerate all sorts of stuff to survive – if I’d been one of those guys’ daughters they’d have been horrified. But that was the 1980s and hopefully things have moved on – although there are still pockets clinging to that ingrained behaviour.

4-PAGE SPECIAL

What about the women who work in the industry today?

We hear some amazing stories. For example, I met one girl who works in the Highlands, helping an electrician in a lighthouse. She told me there were 50 batteries and she had to carry each one up about 100 steps, then bring the dead ones down again. But she said it with a smile on her face and told me how much she enjoyed her job. It shows that women can make it in this industry.

And the thing is, they’re amazing because they know they’ve made a difficult choice and not taken the easy option, yet they’ve done incredibly well.

And that’s the kind of example we should be showing to everyone.

So how can CABLEtalk readers help get the ball rolling?

By raising awareness, challenging ideas, and reading up on what diversity and inclusion really means. A big thing is ensuring your HR practices are inclusive and up to date. So you might have the policies and ticked all the right boxes when it comes to the theory, but do you really put them into practice on a daily basis? That’s the issue.

And what about the future?

I’d like us to connect better with schools and educate younger children and their families. Again, Do you find that people giving the example of BENE FITS O INCLU say that girls can’t do gender, if a young girl F SION, it because it’s a says she wants to be an & EQU DIVERSITY A ● Gre ater m LITY physical job? electrician, I think most expe ix of People do think it’s parents would say: ● Red riences and skills, uced r dirty and wonder why “Why? What for?” But isk of ideas d a a girl would want to it’s a good trade with ● Imp nd tribuna isputes ls roved be crawling about. But good opportunities for and pr performan ce ofitab if a girl wants to do that, earning and progression ility it’s her choice. There are – no matter your gender, plenty of girls out there your ethnicity or your who won’t mind – just as religion or belief. So it’s about there’s plenty of boys who will. Changing communicating that message and that mindset is tough, but if someone building more pathways into the out there rises to the challenge and industry for everyone. Getting the thinks: “Oh, a girl has applied, I’ll message across to parents, to colleges interview her” instead of automatically and to employers is key to its success – ruling her out, that would be a victory. but we know it’ll be a challenge.

WHAT IS EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE?

Equality does not necessarily mean treating everyone the same – it is about taking into account differences appropriately.

In October 2010, the Equality Act came into force, combining and strengthening existing equality laws. It also introduced the nine protected characteristics: ●●Age ●●Disability ●●Gender reassignment ●●Maternity and pregnancy ●●Marriage and civil partnership ●●Race ●●Religion and belief ●●Sex ●●Sexual orientation.

This ruling now prohibits both direct and indirect discrimination because of any of these characteristics.

As an employer, you have a legal obligation to comply with the Equality Act and stamp out discrimination from your workplace.

It means developing policies and practices that guarantee people are treated according to their needs.

WEALTH OF BENEFITS: Pages 16 & 17 >>> CABLEtalk

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FEATURES INCLUSION, DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY

A wealth of diversity pays off for everyone There are many reasons why having an inclusive, diverse and equal workplace is important – but one of the strongest is that it makes sound business sense

By Elaine Ellis Qualifications and Skills Development Manager, SELECT

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here’s a wealth of evidence that shows a clear positive correlation between an organisation’s profitability and the diversity within the workplace.

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Therefore, there is a clear business case for actively working towards increasing diversity that goes beyond meeting legal and moral requirements.

A study by Utrecht University in Amsterdam that covered 20,000 companies in 91 countries found that firms with a greater level of racial and gender diversity were more profitable.

Study after study has reached the same conclusion: Organisations who are more diverse tend to be more innovative, introduce a higher number of new products to market, and are more profitable than similar companies in their sector.

It’s good to challenge

If we focus on the success of individual teams within the workplace, there is plenty of research that supports the assertion that teams that are more diverse work differently than those which are not. This diversity includes characteristics such as gender or race, but also includes factors such as culture and background.

What exactly is workplace inclusion?

Policies alone are not enough to build an inclusive workplace. It’s not a box-ticking exercise and there is no one-size-fits-all. Instead, inclusion is about ensuring no one feels left out and people are allowed to be themselves.

However, it also brings many challenges, so to promote inclusion, consider how your staff work together on a daily basis.

Ask yourself the following questions: ●● Are the salaries and benefits you’re offering accessible to all of your employees, or just a select few? ●● Do your employees feel comfortable expressing their needs? Do you work together to create solutions that benefit you both? ●● Are you letting employees express their ideas which create innovative business solutions? ●● Are your training sessions structured so everyone gets involved?

4-PAGE SPECIAL In general, teams that are more diverse: ●●Are better at problem solving ●●Are more innovative and creative ●●Work more accurately ●●Tend to make decisions based on facts.

This plays on basic human nature.

When people are alike or unchallenged, acceptance is common within the team, and situations are looked at from a narrow range of viewpoints. People tend to agree with the obvious solution or follow the established approach, ie ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’.

Teams and organisations can become complacent and satisfied with what’s being achieved, when in reality they’re missing an opportunity to do so much more. The old

adage is true: “Do what you always do and you’ll get the same results.”

Is that approach good enough for today’s competitive, fast-changing world?

When teams are diverse, problems and opportunities are looked at from different angles. Unconscious biases

become less of a factor. The traditional approach can be challenged and different and better ways of doing things examined and embraced.

Another linked benefit is that work will be based on more accurate information. Research suggests that when diverse teams work together, people tend to check their own assumptions and there’s a better focus on fact finding. It’s human nature to prepare better when there’s a perception that your viewpoint may be challenged.

“Organisations who are more diverse tend to be more innovative, introduce a higher number of new products and are more profitable” Leading from the front

Capitalising on the benefits of a diverse team and workplace takes good leadership. Encouraging everyone in the team to actively voice and act upon different perspectives is a challenge, as differences can be an underlining reason Better inclusion can mean better profits

What is diversity in the workplace? ●● Achieving diversity is about ensuring the people who work within and throughout your business are representative of wider society. ●● Diversity is the mix of people who make your business unique.

The goal is not to put people in boxes – treat them as people, not categories. ●● The key diversity characteristics are age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership and support to pregnant staff and new parents or other factors such as social background.

for conflict if not managed correctly.

Respecting and valuing different perspectives and acknowledging that there may be better and different ways to do things is an active choice.

Established recruitment practices, working terms and conditions, or a focus on interviewing that places ‘team fit’ as an important quality can inadvertently exclude people who do not fit the traditional mould. To build a different team takes a conscious choice to think and act differently.

Leaders and managers need to also ensure that their team works to common goals and vision. All team members need to understand how their team and their own personal role fits in with the organisation. Diversity is not at odds with a sense of belonging – all team members should feel valued and included.

Leading teams successfully is a skill that managers can learn and improve on and, like all skills, takes time and effort to develop to a high level.

Looking at options for leadership and management training is one way to support managers as they develop these key skills.

Reviewing working practices to ensure that your organisation makes the most of the opportunities that diversity can bring is a worthwhile exercise.

Not only can it impact positively on the profitability of your organisation, it can also help build an inclusive society for everyone – so it really is a win-win scenario.

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FEATURES BUSINESS LEADER INTERVIEW

Joined-up thinking Richard Saxon is a notable architect and one of the foremost thinkers in the construction industry. A former chairman of the Building Design Partnership and vice-president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, he was awarded the CBE for services to architecture and construction in 2001. Richard is also a keen advocate of building information modelling (BIM) and the Internet of Things (IoT). Here, he explains why both are so important in today’s industry – and how they could help shape the future for us all

By Iain Mason Hello Richard. Can you give us a bit of background about BIM? In April 2016, the UK Government mandated that it would use BIM on all central government projects. Other industries like retail, automotive or aircraft went digital long ago, and anyone who wanted to work with them or supply them had to change. But nothing like that happened in construction, so we’re a

whole generation behind. It’s gradually beginning to spread out from central government and be picked up by local authorities and developers, with many contractors now using it as their default method of working, although it’s still spreading too slowly in the specialist contractor area. So although you have a consistent standard of information for designers and contractors on a certain project, the same standard hasn’t yet emerged for the actual products being

specified for that building. However, that could change during the next 12 months as draft standards are currently being agreed. So we will have a clearly defined and consistent method of defining information about a product – but just not yet.

Is reluctance to change common?

Oh yes, but particularly in the product industry, where people still can’t make a single investment to create standard

So what is building information modelling (BIM)?

BIM is an intelligent 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering, and construction professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and their infrastructure.

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What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

The IoT is a giant network of devices all connected to the internet and/or each other. These include everything from mobiles and washing machines to coffee makers, headphones, lamps, pumps and fans…and almost anything else you can think of. It also applies to components of machines, for example within an aeroplane jet engine or oil rig drill.

data about their components. Instead, they still do it slightly differently for everyone who wants to specify. The Holy Grail is to be able to download information about any component, with every detail of installation, operation and maintenance provided.

But we can’t do that until the manufacturers and suppliers upload that information – and they’re saying: “Until we know how you want it, we can’t do it.” So it’s a Catch-22. The good news is that a common template is in the final stages of being approved, with the Construction Products Association leading the charge and the British Standards Institute close behind. Once it’s agreed, there can be no more excuses.

So what are the benefits to installers of using BIM? Well firstly, detailed information will no longer just be available on paper, but on screen for any mobile device. So you can take it with you and Richard Saxon

call it up onsite when you need it – and it’ll never be out of date because there’s only one standard version. Secondly, if you want to see a detail in the design, you can rotate the model, magnify it, and see how one thing interacts in relation to another. Plus, if you’re in the building itself, it can show you things in situ from every angle, which is more helpful than 2D drawings. You can also project a full-size model onto the floor, ceiling or wall instead of having to measure out settings. And you can go through the installation sequence, see how you’ll access the location and identify any safety issues – essentially, rehearsing it before you do it.

So are we behind other nations?

No, we’re ahead – the only people we might be behind are the Scandinavians. The Public Available Specifications (PAS) have increased the detail of how you can use BIM for

initial design, construction, operation and maintenance, cyber safety and health and safety. We’ve overtaken the USA because they’ve drawn up protocols for the geometry of the design, but not the data attached to individual installations and products. They were very much capital project-focused, where we’re whole life-focused. But this fixation with first costs and on-time completion is an industry-wide issue, and we need to change it to a focus on best value over the whole life cycle. BIM is trying to identify best value rather than lowest cost. It tells you exactly what products were used, how they were installed and the recommended maintenance approach.

So it reduces the cost of operation and maintenance – and the Internet of Things (IoT) will help save even more.

That brings us to our next question: Why should we embrace IoT? I liken BIM and IoT to the tortoise and the hare. BIM is the tortoise – it’s been coming along for more than 20 years, Continued on page 20 CABLEtalk

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Continued from page 19

slowly gaining ground. IoT is really only about five years old and is easier to install and understand. So it’s shooting past BIM as people buy gadgets to help run their houses. But IoT and the artificial intelligence inside it need BIM to actually operate the building successfully. It’s like a self-driving car that doesn’t have a map – BIM acts as the route finder that enables the sensors to make sense of what they’re seeing. So a building will have a mass of sensors, usually driven by the lighting system, that let it know if it’s performing to set standards.

things like air quality, traffic density and security issues.

It suddenly makes the idea of a smart city idea possible.

So it’s an exciting time?

Of course, but it’s also challenging, particularly as we have a skills shortage.

So we still want productivity jumps but we’re also looking to stretch the existing technology to do more; make it quicker and easier and reduce the number of jobs that require human input.

It means a lot of retraining and updating.

Why is that?

Sub-contracting seemed like a great idea 20 or 30 years ago, but it practically destroyed training. The How about the electrical complaint is still: “What if and technical side? we train them and they It will tell you if leave?” But the reply is: anything is on the “What if we don’t point of train them and Read a breaking they stay?” So extend n version ed down, i.e. it’s a challenge is anything – constant intervieof this w at cableta showing upgrading and lkmaga z i distress? The updating is n e . com old approach vital, and those was to wait that do it will until it broke stay in business. down or just do preventative maintenance Does anything else need visits. Now you can actually to change? wait for the system to show Yes. The old model is to do distress, ask it what’s wrong the work and hand it over to and send out exactly what’s the building owner. Yet with required. So it will change IoT, who does it report to? what needs to be done in The building owner doesn’t terms of looking after a know what to do with the building; you’ll only need to information, but as the make one trip, you’ll know installer, you do. So maybe exactly what’s needed and what you should do is rent it you’ll get instant diagnostics. to the owner and guarantee to look after it and solve any What about retrofit and issues. People will be leasing the challenge of installing systems into the building in older properties? and only the dumb concrete IoT is not a physical problem bits will be bought and sold. and is actually a very We’re talking about whole uninvasive technology. So life now, rather than just first largely it operates without cost, which is a big change. wires, but where it needs to, it can make use of things like existing lighting circuitry.

Find out more For example, Glasgow is about Richard and replacing all its streetlights his work at www. with LED versions that also saxoncbe.com contain sensors to report on 20

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FEATURES TECHNICAL UPDATE

Testing times We focus on why skills in inspecting and verifying new installations are essential for every qualified electrician

By Bob Cairney I Eng MIET Technical Standards Adviser, SELECT

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ne of the many important skills that a qualified electrician should possess is the ability to verify that a new electrical installation is safe to use, functions correctly and meets the requirements of BS 7671:2008 (as amended) before it’s put into service.

BS 7671 requires the skilled person tasked with carrying out inspection and testing to be suitably competent and they must therefore possess a good working knowledge of BS 7671 together with practical experience of carrying out this type of work. They should also have a good understanding, knowledge and experience in relation to the design and construction of the particular type of electrical installation concerned.

Competency in the test process is a requirement for qualification

To put the importance of having this skill into some perspective, the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), which regulates the training and education of apprentices and adult trainees in the electrical contracting industry in Scotland, views inspection and testing as a key skill of a qualified electrician.

In order to complete the Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Electrical Installation and be graded by the SJIB as an Installation Electrician, all apprentices and adult trainees must complete the Final Integrated Competence Assessment (FICA).

The skills of third-stage apprentice or adult trainee electricians are assessed generally during the FICA. However, Continued on page 22 CABLEtalk

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FEATURES TECHNICAL UPDATE Continued from page 21

Section C of the assessment specifically requires the apprentice or adult trainee to demonstrate their occupational competency of the inspection and test process for new installations.

With this in mind, those preparing to undertake the assessment would be advised to closely study the requirements for Initial Verification (Inspection and Testing) contained in Chapter 61 of BS 7671 and other relevant guidance contained in the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET) publications Guidance Note 3 Inspection & Testing and On-Site Guide to ensure their knowledge of the subject is adequate to achieve a satisfactory outcome.

It would also be advisable for them to obtain relevant work-based experience of carrying out inspection and testing on a number of different types of new electrical installations while under the competent supervision provided by their employer.

SELECT, the SJIB and the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), which manages the apprentice and adult training schemes on behalf of the SJIB, are also good sources of support and advice for apprentices. Indeed, to enhance support to apprentices, the SJIB has recently commissioned a series of short online videos with the specific aim of refreshing an apprentice’s knowledge of the test sequence and the specific tests required for compliance with BS 7671.

“Those preparing to undertake the assessment would be advised to closely study the requirements for Initial Verification” Bob Cairney I Eng MIET 22

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This new learning resource will be available early in 2018 and in the next few editions of CABLEtalk, I will provide information specifically on the test sequence and testing to supplement the information contained in these videos.

Inspection

While focusing on testing, it is important to remember that inspection also needs to be carried out on new electrical installations and is at least of equal importance to the testing. This should be carried out before any tests are performed.

Prior to undertaking inspection the inspector should be given or obtain information on the general characteristics of the installation to be verified including: ●●The type of earthing system ●● The nominal voltage ●● The nature of the current and frequency ●● The prospective short circuit current at the origin of the installation ●● The earth fault loop impedance of that part of the system external to the installation (Ze).

Information will also be required to identify the type and composition of each circuit (conductor type and size etc), the methods used for protection (eg basic and fault) and to identify devices provided for protection, isolation and switching including their location and also any circuit or equipment vulnerable to tests.

This information should normally be obtainable from the installation layout drawings, circuit charts and cable schedules and will be particularly important to the inspector to establish whether or not the installation is compliant, when comparing the results obtained from the inspection and testing against the various criteria in BS 7671.

Regulation 611.1 of BS 7671 requires that the inspection is normally carried out with the supply disconnected during installation as well as on completion, to verify that all equipment has been selected and erected in accordance with BS 7671, takes account of manufacturer’s instructions, and is not visibly damaged or defective so as to impair safety. The

list of items provided in Regulation 611.3 should be checked, where relevant, including as appropriate, all particular requirements for any special installations or locations, eg a location containing a bath or shower, and the outcome of the inspection recorded on a schedule of inspections based on the model provided in Appendix 6 of BS 7671.

This should be recorded as either satisfactory by inserting a tick (✓) in the relevant outcome box or inserting not applicable (N/A) for those items not applicable to the particular installation.

It is also very important to remember that any defects or omissions revealed during the inspection and subsequent tests will have to be made good before the necessary documentation is issued on completion of the verification process.

for subsequent test purposes during this process.

The Test Sequence

Inspection in most installations may be relatively straightforward if the inspector is also the person who has constructed the installation. However, it may not be so straightforward a task on large construction projects.

As mentioned previously, Regulation 611.1 requires inspection during construction and on completion.

Therefore, in this situation the inspector will need to carry out inspection at various stages of the construction process, ie at first fix stage (before work is covered over or buried within the fabric of the building), at second fix stage (while electrical accessories and other equipment are being installed) and finally on completion of work to ensure the installation is ready for testing.

It is also worth trying to identify the furthest point of each individual circuit

Regulation 612.1 in BS 7671 requires that the tests listed where relevant should be carried out and the test results to be compared with relevant criteria.

The tests for a new installation should be carried out in the order given and initial tests are carried out before the supply is connected.

These so called ‘Power – off’ tests will normally include: ●●Tests to verify the continuity of protective conductors and main and supplementary equipotential bonding ●●Tests which verify the continuity of ring final circuit conductors ●●Tests which verify that insulation resistance is satisfactory ●●Tests which verify correct polarity at single pole protective and switching devices and at all socket outlets.

These are then followed by tests carried out with the supply connected and ‘Power – on’ tests will normally include: ●●Verification of the effectiveness of measures for fault protection by automatic disconnection of the supply including tests to determine earth

fault loop impedances ●●Tests to verify the effectiveness of additional protection provided by residual current devices ●●Tests to determine the prospective fault current ●●A check of phase sequence ●●Functional testing.

On completion of each test, the inspector will, as mentioned earlier in this article, need to use their knowledge to determine if the test results obtained are satisfactory.

If any test indicates a failure during the testing process, that particular test and any previous test which may have been influenced by the fault should be repeated after the fault has been rectified.

On completion of each test, the results obtained should be recorded in the relevant column of the schedule of test results, which should be based on the model provided in Appendix 6 of BS 7671.

In the next edition of CABLEtalk we will start looking at specific tests, starting with initial continuity tests.

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FEATURES HEALTH & SAFETY

A disturbing problem In the first of two articles, Jim Cornwall outlines the consequences of not assessing the dangers of asbestos disturbance during refurbishments

By Jim Cornwall Technical & Safety Adviser, SELECT

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efore starting work in existing non-domestic buildings, contractors should be informed of the possibility of disturbing asbestos.

But can you assume that any information provided is accurate and will ensure the safety of you, your employees and any others?

Two court cases in 2017, both of which resulted in the prosecution of the contractors concerned, clearly demonstrate the contrary. In both instances, an asbestos survey was carried out before work started, but failed to identify the presence of asbestos which was subsequently disturbed.

One of the cases concerned a utility services contractor based in Scotland, who rewired the distribution system in a tower block in 2014. An asbestos survey was carried out, but panels at the entrance doors

to individual flats were not checked.

Electricians employed by the contractor subsequently drilled holes in the panels to route cables – but it was only later, when a resident raised concerns, that the panels were tested and found to contain asbestos.

The residents then had to be decanted to allow decontamination of the flats. In November 2017, the contractor was prosecuted of breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by exposing their electricians to airborne asbestos fibres.

The asbestos legacy

Large amounts of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were used for a wide range of purposes in new and refurbished buildings until 1999, when all use of ACMs was banned in the UK. Asbestos was also extensively used in domestic properties between 1930 and 1980 and around 500,000 non-domestic buildings in the UK still contain ACMs. Although unlikely to present a risk to the public if undamaged, tradesmen are potentially at risk if they disturb them; as are persons living or working nearby.

Legislation

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) set minimum standards for the protection of employees from risks related to exposure to asbestos.

Employers should also take account of people not directly employed by them but who could be affected by the work being done on asbestos, including employees of other employers, people occupying buildings and members of the public.

Requirements of wider health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, mean that certain organisations have legal duties to ensure the health and safety of their staff (and others) in domestic premises 24

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used as a place of work. Such organisations include local authorities, housing associations and social housing management companies who own, or are responsible for, domestic premises.

Where construction, refurbishment or demolition work is being carried out, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) also requires the CDM client to provide designers and contractors bidding for work with project-specific information about the presence of asbestos so risks can be assessed.

The duty to manage asbestos

Regulation 4 of CAR 2012 places a duty Asbestos surveys on those in control of non-domestic Asbestos: The Survey Guide published by premises to assess and manage the risks the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) from the presence of asbestos. sets out the roles of surveys in ensuring The duty to manage does not apply that builders and maintenance workers to domestic premises such as private have all the information they need to houses; however the requirements minimise their risk of exposure to asbestos do apply to common parts of multiand put the right precautions in place. occupancy domestic premises such as The guidance is primarily aimed at blocks of flats. Such common parts would those who carry out asbestos surveys include foyers, corridors, lift shafts, risers, and those who commission them, eg staircases and boiler houses. clients and other duty holders, but will The requirements do not place any also be useful to building professionals direct duties on such as architects landlords for and contractors. The Control of individual houses heavily illustrated Asbestos or flats, nor do publication includes Regulations 2012 guidance on survey they apply to Approved Code rooms within a strategies for both of Practice and private residence domestic and guidance (L143) which are shared non-domestic and Asbestos: by more than one properties and The Survey household, such pre-survey planning Guide (HSG264) as bathrooms, involving the duty can now be downloaded, kitchens etc, in holder and the along with other houses in surveyor(s). guidance, at www.hse.gov.uk multiple Two types of occupation survey are described in the guide: (HMOs).

The main duty holder is required ●●management surveys – required under Regulation 4 of CAR 2012 to during the normal occupation and use of the building to ensure continued ensure that a written plan is prepared.

This should show where the ACM is management of ACMs. located and how it will be managed to ●●refurbishment and demolition surveys – necessary when the prevent exposure to asbestos, including to contractors and other workers who building (or part of it) is to be may carry out work that could disturb upgraded, refurbished or demolished. the ACM. The preparation of such a These can be more challenging as written plan – frequently referred to as their purpose is to identify all ACMs an asbestos register – will normally within a particular building area or require an asbestos survey to be carried within the whole premises and are out by a competent surveyor. therefore more invasive.

Architects and building surveyors need to be aware of the requirement to carry out asbestos surveys and can advise on the need for a survey before refurbishment and demolition projects.

They should also be aware of the types of surveys and be able to review them.

Identifying the presence of asbestos

While Regulation 4 of CAR 2012 appears to place the onus for asbestos surveys entirely on the duty holder, Regulation 5 of CAR 2012 requires employers to identify the presence of asbestos and its type and condition before any building, maintenance, demolition or other work (liable to expose employees to asbestos) begins. Contractors therefore need to be able to interpret asbestos surveys so that refurbishment work can be planned and carried out safely.

It needs to be recognised that where extensive maintenance or repair work is involved, there may be insufficient information in the management survey and that a localised refurbishment survey, specific to the work to be carried out, may be needed to identify any ACMs likely to be disturbed.

Regulation 5 also sets out the requirement to arrange a survey if existing information on the presence of asbestos in the premises is incomplete or unreliable. The moto is therefore: If in doubt – get it checked out.

In the next issue, Jim will look at the categories of work with asbestos and any training requirements.

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FEATURES TRAINING 2018

There’s a lot to learn Training Coordinator Jenny Cryans tells us about the wide range of SELECT courses on this year’s timetable

By Iain Mason Hello Jenny. How many SELECT training courses are now available?

We now have more than 20 different courses, covering topics such as BS 7671, health and safety, technical training, Scottish building standards and management training.

Any new courses for 2018?

We’re preparing to launch a Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Customised Award in Electrical Safety, which is a two-and-a-half day course for small businesses that covers regulations, risk assessment and environmental and waste management. We’re also planning

a half-day energy efficiency course that will include smart controls, battery storage and renewable energy, to help contractors advise householders on saving energy. We hope to run an electric vehicle charging point installation and maintenance course too. There’s been a growing demand for electric vehicle training, so we want to do something.

What about the 18th Edition?

When it’s published on 1 July, all our BS 7671 training courses will need to be updated to reflect any changes. We’ll then have to implement the information and get the courses up and running before it actually comes into effect on 1 January. It’s going to be a big change but we’ve been getting enquiries about it for over a year. As soon as people hear that there’s going to be a change in regulations they start getting itchy feet!

For Members, we’ll probably do a short seminar at the end of the year to provide a bit more information and detail, along with an attendance certificate.

Members concentrate on a SELECT training course 26

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JIM CORNWALL Technical and Safety Adviser

MARK McLAUGHLIN Technical Adviser

DARREN SWEENEY Technical Adviser

What’s the benefit of the courses?

We know it can be difficult to take time away from work so we try and make the courses flexible, so they’re practical and fit in with people’s schedules. Most are only one-day with an online part that people can do in their own time. They’re also good value for money as we try to keep the costs low for Members.

What are the most popular topics?

BS 7671 definitely, followed by health and safety and Scottish building standards. For BS 7671, we offer four different courses – one for regulations, two for inspection and testing, and a more advanced one that includes inspection and testing, the regulations and cable calculations.

And what’s the feedback like?

Very positive. We continually review things to try and improve. So over the years we’ve introduced more interaction, such as coursework books with discussion involved. The trainers always get good feedback as well, and people seems to like the in-depth detail and the practical examples they use.

SELECT TRAINING COURSES 2018 NEW FOR 2018 ● SQA Customised Award in Electrical Safety ● Energy Efficiency ● Electric Vehicle Charging Point Installation

DAVE FORRESTER Head of Technical Services

SQA CUSTOMISED AWARDS ● Tailored Award in Design & Verification of Electrical Installations (SQA Level 7) ● Customised Award in Initial Verification of Electrical Installations ● Customised Award in Inspection & Testing of Electrical Installations including Periodic Inspection (SQA Level 7) ● Customised Award in Requirements for Electrical Installations to BS 7671

MALCOLM DUNCAN Senior Technical Adviser

STUART McKELVIE Technical Adviser

SECURITY ● Intruder Alarm Workshop ● Fire Alarm Workshop ● CCTV Workshop

The SELECT training team

I think our team’s experience and electrical background also helps; people recognise that they’ve done these jobs in real life and really know their stuff, so we can really offer a practical grounding.

As well the standard courses, what other training do you offer?

Our in-house training is very popular as it means people further afield don’t have to come to the Walled Garden. For example, last year we did quite a lot of safe isolation and electrical awareness courses for one of our bigger member companies. We delivered training across Scotland throughout the year for them, and it was definitely worthwhile as it saved them travel time. It works the other way too – if a company is based in Edinburgh, they can use our facilities for in-house training at no extra cost.

So what does the future hold?

The new courses are part of our ongoing development programme, which aims to continually improve our training. So we’re basically looking at the demands and responding proactively to what is new in the industry, keeping it fresh and improving all the time. If there’s a demand for something, then we’re also more than happy to see what we can do.

Things like electric vehicles and energy efficiency are getting more popular so we’re responding accordingly to try and keep ahead of everything.

HEALTH & SAFETY ● ECS Health & Safety ● Asbestos Awareness ● Emergency First Aid at Work ● Managing Health & Safety ● Risk Assessment ● Safe Isolation OTHERS ● Scottish Building Standards ● Scottish Building Standards – Online ● In-service Inspection Testing ● Emergency Lighting

How can people find out more?

Drop me a line or give me a call and we can discuss the courses in more detail.

The SELECT website is also really informative – there’s a wee training section that has course synopses, dates and everything else we offer.

Jenny Cryans

MANAGEMENT TRAINING ● SELECT/Napier Graduate Cert. in Management Practice ● Site Supervisory Course PARTNER COURSES ● International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) ● Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ & Manufacturers’ Association Ltd (PASMA) ● Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS)

For further details about SELECT training courses, call 0131 445 5577 or email training@select.org.uk CABLEtalk

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FEATURES LOT 20 REGULATIONS

The heat is on for installers All local space heaters manufactured for sale in the EU must now comply with a minimum efficiency standard under Lot 20 of the Energy Efficiency Directive. Christian Hadley, Head of Product Marketing for Glen Dimplex Heating & Ventilation, examines the potential impact for installers

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number of “product lots” have already been rolled out as part of the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), covering everything from TVs, light bulbs and washing machines to machine tools and compressors.

Next is Lot 20, focusing on local space heaters – and when you consider that more than half of energy consumed in our homes is used to heat water and space, it is easy to see the difference it could make.

Lot 20 of the EED (2015/1188) states that all local space heaters manufactured for sale in the EU after 1 January 2018 that use electricity, gaseous or liquid fuels, must comply with a minimum efficiency standard. This includes electric radiators, electric underfloor heating and electric fires.

Local room (or space) heating products are defined as appliances that provide heat to indoor spaces by

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generating heat in the location within which they are situated. Like other product categories, the aim is to rule out inefficient technologies and reduce the energy used in our homes, helping to achieve our overall carbon reduction targets.

“This is a chance to add value to your installation and, more than anything else, spend time with your customers”

The new regulations are set to drive the biggest change in electric heating for decades. Many products sold in Scotland are being redesigned to include more advanced controls with smart features such as temperature control via presence detection or open window detection, distance control via an app, and even adaptive start control to suit the individual requirements of the user.

Other products already have this functionality included. Dimplex’s Q-Rad electric radiator, for example, includes Eco-Start, a delayed anticipatory control which sees the heater decide when to turn on to ensure target temperature is achieved at the selected time.

Entry-level products will also have integral controls such as mechanical and electrical temperature/timer controls to meet the requirements of the new regulations.

radiators throughout our vast range to ensure consistency and speed for installers.

Become a trusted partner

Dimplex heaters now include anticipatory controls for optimum heating performance

The emphasis on product redesigns, of course, lies with manufacturers. So what does this all mean for installers?

Set-up and installation

One of the areas where installers will see the biggest difference is with the set-up of devices at the point of installation. More sophisticated controls place greater responsibility on the installer – both setting up the controls and educating the customer.

However, it is not a responsibility you should dread.

This is a chance to add value to your installation and, more than anything else, spend time with your customers. Remind them of the benefits of Lot 20 from a product development point of view and explain the advantages of their new appliance with intelligent controls.

There is also an opportunity to revisit old customers, with a compelling reason

to make contact and sell them the efficiency and cost-cutting benefits of modern, Lot 20-compliant products.

Remember, intelligent controls with added features such as adaptive start can (and should) be set up at the point of installation to meet the specific usage requirements of the user, with greater individuality than ever before.

If set up correctly and matched to the lifestyle of the specific user, features like this can result in better comfort and lower costs – the two most commonly identified factors that people are looking for from any electric heating system.

There will be an element of time involved here, but once you get to grips with the functionality provided by your manufacturer of choice, it will not be an issue for any forwardthinking installer.

Dimplex, for example, has developed innovative control units which are consistent across different electric

Above all else, there is an opportunity here for installers in Scotland to demonstrate their expertise.

Keeping homeowners informed about the latest changes in EU legislation will help gain trust – especially when the resulting product redesigns could potentially save them money in the long term.

Show your customers what you know, not just about the new legislation but about smart controls, energy efficient usage, the automatic controller modes and, for that matter, whatever else you can glean from your chosen resources, whether that is industry magazines, manufacturers’ literature or the internet.

Become a trusted partner and you will have a customer for life. And this is especially important for electrically heated homes, the majority of which have no access to the gas grid because of geography or local restrictions and are unlikely to switch to a different fuel source.

Post-installation support

Another area set to be enhanced by intelligent controls is the ongoing repair and maintenance of electric heating appliances. Look for products that offer the potential for wireless connectivity like the Dimplex Q-Rad electric radiator and Dimplex Quantum off-peak heater, both smart-ready devices which can be connected to each other and to a central monitoring device.

This offers the potential for remote diagnostics and monitoring capabilities, thus saving time and money by identifying and analysing faults via sophisticated data records – sometimes without even stepping back into the customer’s home.

To find out more about Lot 20, visit www.lot20.co.uk or for more about Dimplex’s Lot 20-ready electric heating solutions, visit www.dimplex.co.uk CABLEtalk

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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FEATURES ADVICE Orkney Pickaquoy Centre Wednesday, 20 June

Shetland The Lerwick Hotel Thursday, 21 June Isle of Lewis Stornoway, Caladh Inn Thursday, 14 June

Boxing clever

Inverness Tulloch Caledonian Stadium Tuesday, 29 May

Aberdeen Pittodrie Stadium Wednesday, 30 May

Dundee Apex Hotel Tuesday, 15 May Oban The Wide Mouth Frog Wednesday, 13 June

Edinburgh The Walled Garden Tuesday, 8 May

Glasgow Hampden Park Wednesday, 16 May

Kilmarnock The Park Hotel Wednesday, 23 May

Borders Tweed Horizons Wednesday, 9 May Dumfries Cairndale Hotel Tuesday, 22 May

Our ever-popular Toolbox Talks hit the road again in May – catch them at a venue near you and enjoy free technical updates

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fter the success of last year’s Toolbox Talks, SELECT is again getting ready to hit the road and bring you a wealth of advice and guidance on a range of subjects – absolutely FREE. We were delighted by the impressive turnout and positive response last year, 30

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so this year’s Talks will be bigger and better than ever.

Our technical team is already busy with our industry partners, putting together presentations on current and relevant technical issues.

The full list of topics is still under wraps, but we’ll reveal all in the next edition of CABLEtalk. As always, we’ll be

joined by industry partners, including the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) and many more.

And of course, Talks are free to attend for all Members. Check the map for dates and venues and sign up now – registration has already started.

FIND OUT MORE

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Email: memberservices@ select.org.uk Phone: 0131 445 5577

FOCUS CONTRACTUAL UPDATE

Sometimes, suspension has to be on the cards In the second instalment of his payment advice, Len Buton explains that the right to stop play is a powerful sanction, but before you reach for the red, you need to have a sound game plan in place

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n recent articles, I’ve had the dancing shoes on and the magnifying glass out to read the small contractual print. This issue, it’s the turn of football terminology.

My article is a follow-up to recent articles about getting paid, or even worse not getting paid, and the question I keep getting asked by contractors: “What are the ultimate sanctions if we’re not getting paid?”

The answer in football terms is to pull out the yellow card, followed by the red card, and then suspend performance.

That all sounds nice and easy but this is the UK construction industry, where nothing is simple.

Over my years in the industry, it’s always been anathema to me that despite not getting paid, or being consistently underpaid, a contractor had few sanctions against an employer and has had to keep working on site.

So you end up with a cash flow problem, you keep working and generating costs and work in progress, and there is a strong possibility you

By Len Bunton

FRICS FCIArb, HON FRIAS

SEC Group Scotland might continue to be underpaid again. All madness I suggest, but in my experience that is what happens on many occasions in our industry.

Anyway, and thankfully, along came the Continued on page 32 CABLEtalk

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FOCUS CONTRACTUAL UPDATE Continued from page 31

Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act, 1996, [the 1996 Act ] and business for the manufacturers of the yellow and red cards had a boom time.

What does the Act mean?

Section 112 of the 1996 Act created a statutory right for a contractor or a subcontractor [a payee] to suspend performance for non-payment. Although anecdotal information about how often this remedy has been put into effect is very limited, nonetheless the right to suspend is considered to be a big incentive to deter most payers from failing to make timely payments.

Section 112 (1) provides that the right to suspend work is without prejudice to any other rights and remedies.

Accordingly, interest remains payable on late payment, either under the contract or pursuant to the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

When the 2009 Act came along (and this was a real mouthful – the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009) the right to suspend was broadened in order to deal with issues flowing from the 1996 Act. There are now express conditions necessary for exercising the right to suspend, which are set out in sections 112(1)-(4) of the 1996 or 2009 Act as follows: ●●A payment has become due ●●No effective withholding or pay-less notice has been served ●●The final date for payment has passed ●●Payment has not been made in full ●●The payee has given a valid sevenday notice of intention to suspend. This is the yellow card stage. What you are saying is: “You haven’t paid us so we are about to go off the park, unless you do.”

Readers should be familiar with the above payment stages, but I would like to elaborate on a few issues. In previous articles I have touched on the importance of getting all of the above payment dates right, and when it comes to suspension, this is even more critical.

Section 112 provides that the right to suspend may be exercised without first giving the party who has not paid “at least seven days’ notice”, stating the ground or 32

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grounds on which it is intended to suspend performance. I have never found this to be particularly clear, and the wording appears to give some discretion to stipulate a longer period of notice, so this is another issue that needs to be looked at in main or sub-contract conditions.

Additionally, you’d need to consider if Christmas Day, Good Friday and bank holidays should be excluded for the purposes of calculating time periods under the Act. All in all at this point, I would suggest that before you get to the red card stage that you take legal advice and you make sure all of your ducks are in a row, because suspension, while being a robust mechanism, is a serious step and you need to get the procedures absolutely right.

Section 112(1) of the 1996 Act refers to an unpaid party being able to “suspend performance of its obligations under the contract” – so what does that actually mean? In my opinion, having advised on a number of scenarios it can mean a complete departure from the site, or it can mean not working in certain areas, or it can mean impacting on regular progress etc.

The 2009 Act at Section 112(1) modified the 1996 wording to give an express right to the contractor to suspend “any or all” of its obligations under the contract. So you can see that can mean a complete walk-off, or suspending particular operations, sections or phases on the site.

As an example, let us consider a scenario, where a contractor is working on part of a project which is on the critical path. He says “I’m off” and deploys resources into other areas of the site, which has a significant impact on progress that would really hurt – so you can see that suspension is a powerful remedy for non-payment. In the services sector you might have a contractor about to carry out the commissioning on a major project and he issues the yellow card.

The right to down tools, of course, ceases when payment is made in full.

This in practice would mean that the contractor has to remobilise as soon as payment has been made, which might prove tricky if resources have been redeployed to other sites, or key plant has been taken off the site and moved elsewhere.

performance of any or all of his obligations under this contract.

One important point – the SBCC family of building contracts steps these suspension rights down through the supply chain as well, so my advice is for members to use them.

In conclusion

“The right to down tools ceases when payment is made...which proves tricky if resources have been redeployed” What are the other legislative impacts of a valid suspension?

Concentrating on the 2009 Act, in broad terms the contractor would be entitled to recover the financial consequences of suspension, and to have the period of suspension reflected in an extension of time award.

In relation to the 1996 Act, this in practice might cause some difficulties, as the period of suspension might not reflect the actual delay to the progress of the works. The amendments to the 2009 Act tidied this all up and the provisions therein are changed to read “any period during which performance is suspended in pursuance of or in consequence of the exercise of the right conferred”.

The general feeling in the industry is that the wording could have been, and should have been, much clearer. So the extension of time would be based on the period of suspension, remobilisation and any consequential knock-on delay periods.

It is worth commenting on the provisions for suspension as set out in the SBCC Forms of Contract 2016 Edition, and these reflect the legislation referred to above. Clause 4.13 is headed

Contractors Right of Suspension. Clause 4.13.2 states that if the contractor exercises his right of suspension under Clause 4.13.1 then the contractor shall be entitled to a reasonable amount in respect of costs and expenses reasonably incurred by him as result of the exercising the right.

Clearly it is absolutely essential that the contractor keeps very accurate records of the financial impact of suspension, and the impact on the critical path as well.

The conditions also provide that the contractor can apply to the architect/contract administrator for reimbursement of the applicable costs, Clause 4.14.2.2 refers, and this is where accurate records like timesheets, site diaries, photographic records etc can prove invaluable.

In relation to extension of time, suspension is a Relevant Event under Clause 2.29.6 – suspension by the contractor under Clause 4.13.1 of the

So there you have it – suspension is a powerful sanction, and so it should be.

However, looking at some of the practical issues I have a few suggestions to make.

When you pull out the yellow card you might want to let the payer know what the potential impact of suspension might be in terms of costs and time. That is something that needs to be worked out carefully as an indicative proposal, and that might just get the non-payer reaching for the cheque book. The payer gets a double whammy – he has to pay what is contractually due, he has to pay your loss and expense, and has to take the impact of delay to progress on the chin.

When it comes to the red card then you also need to give the consequences some very serious thought indeed. For example, if you were to move resources off the site, where do they go to? And if suddenly you get paid in full, are you able to put these resources back onto the site and re-commence operations?

There is also the issue of health and safety on the site which is a big consideration for all parties.

It is quite surprising how many contractors do not rely on these provisions when they are experiencing cash flow issues on a project. I think this is down to a long-standing attitude in the Scottish construction industry of just keeping working, and we will get paid eventually, or in Scottish football parlance: “Keep the heid doon and get on with the gemme.”

In 2018, I suggest you keep the yellow card and the red card in your back pocket as you might need both.

But my strong message to all contractors and sub-contractors is to keep talking and to try to resolve cash flow issues – and only use the ultimate sanction if you have to.

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FOCUS RETENTIONS UPDATE

Together, we can smash the system The collapse of construction giant Carillion has shown the painful reality of retentions. As supply chain losses keep rising, it’s clear we need to take a wrecking ball to the existing rules – so here’s how to pester your MP to ensure YOUR payments are protected

By Professor Rudi Klein SEC Group CEO and Barrister

T

he Carillion collapse vividly illustrates the lack of payment security in our industry and the devastating impact on small firms up and down the country.

Some of the losses we’ve all read about could have been avoided if measures had been in place to provide security of

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payment to Carillion’s supply chains.

If such payments had been routed through a project bank account (PBA), rather than Carillion’s pockets, firms would have received their monies.

Moreover, there would have been less disruption to the progress of works on public sector projects.

As it is, millions of pounds of retention monies have been lost; monies withheld – ostensibly as security in case of defects – to bolster Carillion’s working capital.

There are many in the construction industry who have been saying that Carillion is a game-changer and that we cannot go on as we are.

Carillion had a reputation in the industry as a commercial bully and extortionist. It was taking retentions from its supply chains when it wasn’t required by some of its clients to provide retentions.

For example, on contracts with the

Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), Carillion took retentions, even though the DIO didn’t ask them to.

The result is that Carillion had millions of pounds worth of retentions, withheld from its supply chain going back years. These monies are now lost forever.

It’s clear that change is needed.

But luckily, at the same as the Carillion chaos, the first reading of the Construction (Retention Deposit Schemes) Bill took place in the House of Commons.

This Private Member’s Bill was the result of some intense lobbying by SELECT and other trade bodies under the collective umbrella of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group.

As previously revealed in CABLEtalk, it was initiated by Peter Aldous MP. Introducing the Bill, he said: “No other industry puts so much cash at risk and places such a burden

“Some of the losses we’ve all read about could have been avoided if measures had been in place to provide security of payment to Carillion’s supply chains” Dear [name of MP] CONSTRUCTION (RETENTION DEPOSIT SCHEMES) BILL 2018

on small businesses.

“This restrictive and grossly unfair practice acts as a brake on activity in the sector. If we remove it, we can unleash investment in jobs, apprenticeships and technical innovation.”

The Bill – which has been drafted by SEC Group – will place an obligation on any party withholding retention monies to deposit them in a ring-fenced account.

In previous CABLEtalk articles, we have explained that such an account would resemble the statutory tenancy deposit schemes; if a tenant is required to provide a deposit it must be placed in a retention deposit scheme approved by the Scottish Government.

In the event the retention is not

deposited in such a scheme, any clause permitting the withholding of cash retentions would be invalid – that is, it would be illegal to deduct cash retentions.

The Second Reading of the Bill is on 27 April 2018. To help it progress through Parliament, it requires that the UK Government either supports it or, at the very least, provides sufficient parliamentary time for it to be debated.

SELECT Members and firms are therefore invited to pester their Westminster MPs with the email provided on the right.

You can cut and paste it from www.cabletalkmagazine.com and send it to your local MP by finding their email address at bit.ly/MP_list So let’s get those emails flying – and work together even more to strengthen the fight to protect cash retentions.

Find your MP’s addr email es bit.ly s at MP_ / list

You will, no doubt, be aware of the massive losses incurred by small firms in the construction industry in the wake of the Carillion collapse. The losses will include millions of pounds worth of retention monies. These are monies which are withheld from due payments ostensibly as security in case a firm fails to return to rectify non-complying work. In practice they are withheld to bolster the working capital of companies such as Carillion.

Retentions held by Carillion have been owing for two, three and more years.

I would be grateful, therefore, if you wouldn’t mind writing to Greg Clark, Secretary of State to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. He should now be asked to support the Aldous Bill. The Construction (Retention Deposit Schemes) Bill requires that cash retentions are protected in a ringfence scheme. If such legislation had been in force two or three years earlier the millions of pounds worth of retentions lost in the wake of the Carillion collapse would have been protected.

Regards.

CABLEtalk

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35

ELECTRIC SHOCKER BAD PRACTICE

Adviser pulled the plug on bathroom blunder

By Malcolm Duncan IEng MIET Senior Technical Adviser, SELECT

In his first column, our Senior Technical Adviser gives a shocking example of how electrical work carried out by an unqualified tradesperson put one householder in very real danger

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recent call to the SELECT Technical Helpline was swiftly followed by an inspection on request from one of our technical advisers. This inspection identified a potentially dangerous electrical condition in a bathroom at a house in Ayrshire.

It became apparent after discussion between our technical adviser and the client that a plumber had recently replaced a power shower rated at 1KW, protected by a 5A circuit breaker, with an instantaneous electric shower rated at 8.5KW. The

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The householder was concerned about the wiring

plumber had agreed to return within the week to fit a 40A circuit breaker in the existing consumer unit.

The client did not think this was correct, hence the call to our helpline and the subsequent use of our inspection service.

A detailed inspection of the shower installation

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

subsequently revealed that the existing 1.5mm2 PVC sheathed cable used to supply the power shower was connected to a 6mm2 in the wall partition within the shower cubicle.

The plumber had intended to simply replace the 5A circuit breaker with a 40A device. Following the

inspection, SELECT’s technical adviser prepared a report highlighting the need to completely rewire the circuit from the consumer unit using a suitably rated cable and control switch.

The cable would require to be protected by a suitably rated protective device (circuit breaker) and have additional 30mA RCD protection installed.

An Electrical Installation Certificate complete with a schedule of inspection and schedule of test results would also be required on completion of the work.

Without these remedial works, a potential hazard of electrical shock and fire would exist.

This is just one of many examples of poor and dangerous work that the SELECT teams sees and hears about on an all-tooregular basis.

I’m sure readers of CABLEtalk will have seen similar examples of poor work – or maybe even more dangerous ones.

We’re keen to highlight these in Electric Shocker in the coming months, so please get in touch.

GET IN TOUCH

If you have any similar scare stories, please email the image, along with a brief description, to our website www.select.org.uk/ my-select/submit-dangerousinstallations or email them to memberservices@select.org.uk

TRAINING APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR FINALIST In our second chat with this year’s SELECT Industry Awards finalists, Jordan Gilchrist reveals how it felt to be runner-up in Apprentice of the Year – and how he managed to juggle FICA with fatherhood Making the final of Apprentice of the Year was a great feeling – and a big surprise. I got a letter through the door, then had to go to a couple of interviews, and suddenly I was there in the final. The night itself was brilliant. I went with my parents and girlfriend and some senior colleagues from Boston Networks. I didn’t even have a tuxedo, but luckily my bosses got me one for the night so I looked the part!

When I went back to work, a few guys were making jokes, but I think most of them were pretty chuffed.

Getting started

My mum always wanted me to get a trade. My dad’s a shop fitter and my uncle’s a plumber, but I wanted to do something different. I asked them what I should do and they said: “Try being a spark and see what happens.” So I did a pre-apprentice course at Clydebank College to get a feel for it and really enjoyed it – the tutors were great. The only tricky part was trying to juggle everything with a new baby. My daughter was born when I was in my second year, so trying to fit in college work, essays and nappies was a real challenge! I’d highly recommend the course to anyone though – it has a high success rate for getting a job afterwards.

A varied career

I started out with Mercury Engineering, working on the Southern General, then moved to Boston Networks, where I finished my apprenticeship. It was a

Jordan received his award from Jock Simpson, left, and Gary Mason from Edmundson

Every day is a school day good place to work and I was doing plenty of different things from day to day. I learned a lot at Boston and am probably most proud of the job I did with them in Edinburgh. There were about 900 bedrooms that had to be done in student accommodation in Holyrood, including full lighting, power and data.

I was there for a year and a bit, learning how to do fiber optics, which was great.

“You’re always going to learn something new, especially on-site”

After that, I decided I wanted to focus on the electrical side more, so I moved to AKD last November. I’m currently working just outside Irvine in Ayrshire, which isn’t too bad a drive as I live in Drumchapel in Glasgow.

FICA and the future

I studied and studied really hard for my FICA. I thought I’d failed because it’s hard – but it needs to be. Now I’ve passed and am working as an electrician, the main thing that I’ve learned is that I need to get out of bed and make money for my family! Every day is like a school day; you’re always going to learn something new, especially when you’re working on-site. I’m keen to try new things and get more experience under my belt so I can take that extra step up the ladder.

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TRAINING SECTT UPDATE

Building for a brighter future With apprenticeships playing an increasingly important role in Scotland, we preview the valuable work the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) is doing this year to train the next generation – and reveal why taking on an apprentice is good for business

By Anne Galbraith Chief Executive, SECTT

H

ere at SECTT, apprenticeships mean high-quality, value-for-money training and a well-structured and balanced journey between on-site and off-site learning.

Off-site training at an approved centre teaches all the underpinning knowledge required to understand electricity, taught by knowledgeable and enthusiastic lecturers.

Safety at all times is also key. SECTT is committed to ensuring that all apprentices qualifying as electricians can work safely and to the highest level while maintaining standards in the

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SELECT Managing Director Newell McGuiness with a Prince’s Trust graduate

ever-changing and more complex technical advances in installation work. It is our responsibility to ensure today’s apprentices will sustain public confidence in the industry’s electricians of tomorrow.

An apprenticeship ensures that the workforce has the practical skills and qualifications that employers need now and in the future. Electrical contractors appreciate and value an apprentice and see this as a compliment to the existing workforce and an investment to their companies.

It’s this relationship between employer and apprentice that is of the

utmost importance. Apprentices following the SJIB Training Scheme are shown to be skilled, loyal and motivated, and this gives employers the necessary workforce for now and the future.

Sustained and substantial training is at the core of the SJIB Training Scheme.

The journey takes four to five years for apprentices to complete, so there is no fast track to becoming an electrician.

Instead, they gain a maturity, safety, knowledge and understanding that only comes with experience.

Here, we outline the many ways we are helping to shape the electricians of tomorrow.

West of Scotland class of 2017

THe Prince’s Trust SECTT has been working with the Prince’s Trust for the past three years to deliver the Get Into Electrical Installation programme as an alternative

Adult Training Scheme

route into employment for scores of youngsters.

Funded by SELECT’s Electrical Engineering Training Foundation (EETF), this six-week intense

A modern apprenticeship is not just for young people. SECTT also manages the SJIB Adult Training Scheme for those already working within in the electrical industry but with no formal qualifications – a highly successful programme giving an opportunity to many. There is no dilution in the quality of training for the Adult Training Scheme, only the recognition that mature people learn and absorb information differently.

programme is offered in three areas – West of Scotland, Edinburgh and the Lothians, and Dundee and Angus – and includes a week’s work experience. With an excellent

complementing the existing centres in Cambuslang and Tullos Training Ltd, Aberdeen.

But FICA is just the first step. After completion, at least two years’ experience is needed to become an Approved Electrician by sitting the Advanced Competence Assessment (ACA).

Pre-apprenticeships

We’ve had a high degree of success in integrating those on the SECTT pre-apprenticeship courses for work experience and WHAT IS SECTT? Final Integrated progression into SECTT was established in Competence full-time employment 1990 as a registered charity Assessment on the modern with sole responsibility for the management of the Scottish Joint (FICA) apprenticeship.

Industry Board (SJIB) Apprentice and From feedback, it’s The preAdult Training Schemes. Today, it clear that there’s a apprenticeship works in close partnership with need for a test that course offers SELECT and Skills Development employers an demonstrates the Scotland (SDS), who provide a opportunity to assess apprentice can apply contribution to support the if the person will be their knowledge and delivery of modern suitable for their expertise in a real apprenticeships. business. It also offers world context. The FICA the pre-apprentice an does just that.

It’s the final step to become an opportunity to experience electrician and obtain an SJIB Grade Card, working life and then be in a position to showing something real and meaningful. make an informed decision on whether Employers are deeply involved in defining being an electrician is for them. its requirements, showing competence, confidence and ability.

Moving forward We were delighted to open a third SELECT, Unite the Union, the SJIB FICA centre at Edinburgh College, and SECTT continue dialogue with Sighthill Campus, in September 2017, the Scottish Government requesting

uptake and positive results, the programme has given plenty of 16-29 year olds an opportunity to gain basic electrical skills and work experience.

that “electrician” becomes a protected title. It was evident from recent SELECT surveys across Scotland that the public believe that this is already the case – but not so. Which is why the work goes on.

SECTT is currently in discussion with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) regarding the implementation of a fully electronic e-portfolio and review system. This would give employers the ability to see current and historical reviews, portfolio entries and at what stage the apprentice is. It has huge potential, which we are currently exploring.

Conclusion

Electrical contractors have always been highly supportive of apprenticeships, which is reflected in the 5 per cent increase in apprentice/ adult trainee numbers in 2017.

For companies to remain competitive and strong they require a fully skilled workforce. Now is the time to consider your requirements for the coming academic session – and to recruit an apprentice to support your business for the future.

i CABLEtalk

For further information on apprenticeships please visit www. sectt.org.uk, call 0131 445 5659 or email admin@sectt.org.uk FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE Our guide to the latest solutions on the market 1 WHEN THE HEAT IS ON, REACH FOR YOUR MARTINDALE THERMOMETERS From HVAC servicing to Legionella testing, two new models make it easy to take reliable temperature measurements wherever you are working. The DT173 single input and DT175 dual input K Type digital thermometers are new additions to Martindale Electric’s comprehensive thermometry range for contact and non-contact measurements and thermography.

Built for ease of use and performance, the new series of hand-held digital thermometers from Martindale Electric provides users with a range of enhanced features to meet the latest demands for temperature measurement in industrial, commercial and public premises. Supplied with bead thermocouples as standard, the new thermometers are also compatible with the full range of Martindale K Type probes, including air, penetration, clamp and surface probes, ensuring simple measurement solutions for every application.

The two new highperformance digital thermometers are supplied in a tough holster with built-in stand. The backlit display has large digits for easy viewing in all environments.

The Martindale DT175 is a dual input digital thermometer which allows users to take readings from two type K thermocouples at the same time, for example the input and output of heating equipment and other systems. For further information on the digital thermometers visit http://bit. ly/2mF5WAI

2 HARTING LAUNCHES METAL VERSION OF POPULAR PUSH-PULL CONNECTORS Harting is now offering its Han® PushPull Power L connectors in a robust metal format which allows more room for installation and simplifies the wiring process when the connectors are used with large conductor profiles. These PushPull connectors are typically used with PROFINET cabling as an integrated installation system for data and power transfer to production facilities in the automobile industry.

To minimise power loss, cables with a profile of 2.5mm² are finding increasing use for long cables carrying 24v supply voltage. Increased installation space makes field assembly with larger conductor profiles a lot simpler: a process that is aided by the userfriendly push-in spring-cage connection.

For further information visit www. harting.co.uk

3 SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE WITH VISION’S NEW MAGNIFIER Vision Engineering has launched Camß (CamBeta) - a new digital handheld magnifier for portable inspection and documentation.

The new inspection device is designed for electronics, mechanical inspection, automotive manufacture, watchmaking, plastics engineering, medical inspection and wherever rapid visual, digital documentation is needed. Camß provides magnification up to 20x, stores up to 20,000 images and uses grids and cursors for X&Y dimensioning, allowing objects to be inspected in situ and information to be recorded and shared.

With a high resolution colour display, easy button operation and image capture and download capability, Camß is ideal for roving inspection tasks, documenting faults and inspecting large or immobile subjects. The device is equipped with dual LED illumination with four settings, high contrast imaging and 30 frame video capture.

A live-view video output via micro HDMI allows images to be displayed on a larger screen. The Camß is well suited in production environments where mobile phones are not allowed. Find out more at www.visioneng.com

CONTACT OUR TEAM TO SHOWCASE YOUR GREAT NEW PRODUCTS HERE 40

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In association with

4 MANROSE’S QUIET BATHROOM FAN HUSHES ITS HIGH EXTRACTION RATE Manrose, the leading UK-based ventilation manufacturer, has launched its new IPX5 Quiet Fan. This latest bathroom fan combines a high extraction rate with an incredibly quiet running volume, with the additional flexibility of being IPX5 compliant. It also offers simple and flexible installation.

Offering an impressive extraction rate of 75m³/hr the IPX5 Quiet Fan maintains an incredibly quiet running volume of just 27dB(A), over 60 per cent quieter than a standard 4” (100mm) domestic fan.

This allows households to benefit from a bathroom free from mould and condensation without having to put up with the annoying drone associated with many bathroom fans. In addition, the fan’s IPX5 rating means it can be safely installed within Zone 1 without the need for a low voltage transformer, which is handy in a small bathroom or shower room where space is at a premium. The IPX5 Quiet Fan should prove popular with households and installers alike.

For further information telephone 01753 691399 or visit www.manrose.co.uk

5 SCOLMORE ADDS SMART DIMMER TO ITS ‘EVERYTHING IN ONE BOX’ RANGE Scolmore has added another “everything you need in one box” solution to its Click Smart range of intelligent wiring accessories with the launch of a new Click Smart Dimmer, which is designed to overcome the problems associated with flickering lights.

The solution to flickering rotary dimmers is to use a retractive switch instead of a rotary dimmer (wired). Everything required is contained in the box, including a dimming module, face plate and one retractive switch module. The components are compatible with traditional wiring and can be retrofitted to an existing circuit. Simply replace the rotary dimmer with the retractive switch supplied and add the dimming module to the light fitting. It dims up to 160W of dimmable LED and there is no need to ever worry about changing the dimmer if the LED light source is changed.

The Click Smart range can be seen at www.click-smart.com or contact Scolmore on 01827 63454 or www.scolmore.com

David Hughes: 0131 561 0022

davidh@connectcommunications.co.uk

The potential impact of the Construction Act

By David Wilson Partner, MacRoberts LLP Last month the Government closed its consultation on a proposed package of reforms to the construction provisions of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (‘the 1996 Act’).

In October 2011, the Government introduced a series of amendments to the 1996 Act with the objective of: ●●increasing transparency in the exchange of information relating to payments ●●encouraging parties to resolve disputes by adjudication, where appropriate ●●strengthening the right to suspend performance.

The Government undertook to review the amendments after five years, resulting in the recent consultation. The consultation related to the law and practices that apply in England. However, Scottish businesses should not dismiss it. The relevant law in Scotland does not differ significantly from that in England, and the results of the consultation will likely be a good indication of the issues in Scotland.

The construction industry, more than any other industry, has a tendency to transcend UK borders. We see a huge number of Scottish-based clients coming to us with disputes that have arisen under contracts governed by English law. Often contractors will have limited opportunity to negotiate the finer contract terms and if working for an CABLEtalk

English or England-based employer, will frequently find themselves tied to a contract governed by English law – and often not even realising that is the case!

The primary purpose of the consultation was to establish how effective the 2011 changes have been.

There is a focus on the clarity of payment provisions under the 1996 Act, which was a major aim of the legislation.

The consultation sets out questions in respect of the 1996 Act’s fitness for purpose, including the complexity of the existing payment framework.

It also looks at the effect of the suspension of performance provisions on payment and the effectiveness of adjudication as a means of resolving disputes.

Now that the consultation has closed, the Government will review the responses and decide whether there is a need or want for further reform.

Although change is unlikely to be immediate, especially as the Government has its hands full with all things Brexit, those in the industry should be alert to future changes in the law.

For more information, contact David or Rebecca Barrass in the MacRoberts Construction Department. See more at www.macroberts.com

l MacRoberts is an independent commercial law firm with more than 150 years of experience.

Find out more at www.macroberts.com FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

41

DIARY MEMBERS / EVENTS / COMPETITION GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Gordon Paterson Chairman. Dumfries & Galloway Branch Hello Gordon, how did you get started in the electrical industry?

Quickfire questions 1 Cheese or chocolate?

Both! But I’d sway to the chocolate...just Dog person or cat person?

Dog First job?

Aged 12, sweeping the floors in the Co-op over the road after school (and to think some other trades say that us sparks can’t use a brush). It’s an undertakers now, so I’ll probably end up back over there at some stage!

After working in the Co-op as a lad, I eventually moved onto an apprenticeship. However, at the end of my second year, there were big layoffs and redundancies. Luckily, I was picked up by Bell Electrical and I ended up staying there for 14 years.

How have you seen the industry change?

Because of documentation, a lot more testing happens these days – and a lot more issues are found as a result.

There’s also plenty more ongoing training and learning that’s required to keep pace.

What do you think the future holds?

More training definitely – and probably on products too, as most of today’s popular electrical goods are fitted with circuit boards.

BRANCH MEETINGS

AR 15 M

What’s the best thing about being a SELECT Member?

When you have an issue, you know you can always contact fellow contractors and SELECT staff and they’ll do their utmost help you out. The social side is also great.

First car owned?

Opel Manta coupe

What else would you like to see SELECT offering to Members?

Favourite TV show?

Mrs Brown’s Boys

A bit more on health and safety in draft documents would be helpful. I also miss some of the benefits we used to have, like holiday stamps.

How has SELECT helped you or your business?

When we went down the solar photovoltaic (PV) route seven years ago, SELECT guided us through the mountain of paperwork required for the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).We have to be paper-pushers as well as electricians these days!

Lanarkshire

EST &W OWTLAND G S CO GLA OF S

Tayside Invercarse Hotel, Dundee, 5.30pm for 5pm 1 March

Edinburgh & South East of Scotland Walled Garden,

SECTT Assessment Centre, Cambuslang, 5.30pm for 6pm 13 March

Glasgow & West of Scotland Garfield Hotel,

Penicuik, 5.30pm for 5pm 8 March

Glasgow, 5.30pm for 6pm 15 March

Dumfries & Galloway

Ayrshire

Station Hotel, Dumfries, 5.30pm for 6pm 8 March

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CABLEtalk

Glasgow

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

Quickfire questions 2

Gailes Hotel, Irvine, 6pm for 6.30pm 20 March

Favourite film?

Any good action movie.

I recently enjoyed Sicario

Favourite holiday spot?

Any ski slope with a pint, a deckchair and some sun Any nicknames?

‘GP’ (and probably a few that can’t be mentioned) Dream date?

Emma Willis; it’s the eyes Tell us one thing your fellow Members might not know about you: I used to navigate and organise motor sport

Aberdeen & North East of Scotland Tullos Training Centre, Aberdeen, 6pm for 6.30pm 21 March

Inverness & North of Scotland Craigmonie Hotel, Inverness, 5.30pm for 6pm 22 March

i

For a list of 2018 SELECT Toolbox Talks see page 30.

COMPETITION

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VOUCHERS

ABERDOUR BALMORAL BLACKNESS

Last issue’s answers:

BLAIR BOTHWELL BRAEMAR BRODIE CAERLAVEROCK

DIRLETON DOUNE EDINBURGH

GLAMIS HERMITAGE HORSBURGH HUNTLY

NEWARK STIRLING

Last issues’ winners: Congratulations to Tom Vaukins, Graphic Designer, Volution Ventilation Group, who won our October/November Scottish slang wordsearch. The winner of our Christmas puzzle for December/January was Stewart Todd, who is a Technical Engineer at RMD. They both win £50 Amazon vouchers.

In association with MacRoberts LLP, here’s the chance to win £50 of Amazon vouchers with our wordsearch. Find the place names, take a pic of your finished grid and email it to memberservices@select.org.uk by 16 March. Or cut it out and send it to: Wordsearch, SELECT, The Walled Garden, Bush Estate, Midlothian EH26 0SB. Winner drawn at random. T&Cs are online.

NATIONAL EVENTS London EDA Annual Awards Dinner 2018, InterContinental Hotel 8 March Glasgow All-Energy

Exhibition & Conference, SEC 2 - 3 May

Esher EI Live! Sandown Park

Racecourse 9 - 10 May

London

Exclusively Electrical Trade Show, Business Design Centre 12 - 13 June

Birmingham

12-13 JUNE

National Electronic Week, NEC 25 - 26 September

SIVELY EXCLU ICAL R T C E L E SHOW TRADE

Birmingham

Glasgow

UK Construction Week, NEC 9 - 11 October

Homebuilding & Renovating Show, SECC 16 - 17 June

Coventry

Birmingham The Electrical Design and Install Expo, NEC 12 - 13 September

Engineering Design Show, Ricoh Arena 17 - 18 October

London

CABLEtalk

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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