It’s been a long time coming but we hope it’s been worth the wait.
In our first issue we’ve tried to provide a variety of content.
Naturally it is focused on First Response but we have made the effort to include topical content and a few light hearted moments along the way.
Please pass it around and if you are viewing this as a digital version, via our website, please feel free to share it with friends and colleagues.
We hope you enjoy our First attempt at communicating in this way. Your feedback would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
Convenience
The platform is accessible 24/7, allowing users to manage their needs at any time, even during commuting or site vists.
Off-Hire Remotely
First Click users have flexibility to save money by promptly off hiring unwanted equipment or extending hire periods directly through the platform. Off-hiring items or entire contracts takes just a few clicks.
Save time ordering
Create favourite items and easily call up previous orders.
Hire equipment and order site supplies simultaneously, saving valuable time. We can often combine deliveries minimising deliveries & handling on site.
Control
Use permissions to build teams and implement control.
Contacts can have a different set of permissions relative to their role and responsibility.
For example back office staff may simply need to be able to view documentation to resolve disputes.
Spending limits
Site teams may need to be notified of deliveries and collections, whereas others may need to be able to hire or buy supplies.
Being able to apply spending limits to buyers & site teams may not be for you. However, it is an example of the flexibility of the First Click system & how it can be tailored to meet your own needs.
Responsive design for your smartphone
A responsive web based system is one that will adjust the size of the screen the user is using.
In other words, you can use the system on any device including a tablet or smartphone.
Did you know?
The term responsive is a construction related term, taken from ‘responsive architectural design’.
This is where a room or space is created to automatically adjust to the number and flow of people within it.
Wish you could delegate more?
Building orders and sourcing products can be a time consuming task.
As First Response can provide most of the things you need, it make sense to delegate the order process to your site managers.
The worry can often be controlling the spending and making sure your budget is adhered to.
So how can First Click help?
With First Click you can create a contact hierarchy, each contact with their own permissions and agreed spending limits. When a spending limit is exceeded the ability to place the order is replaced with an approval button.
Alternatively, you can set all your contacts with a zero limit, and implement a simple requisition system.
Teams can still build their orders, but the ability to buy is replaced with an approval button. The order is then sent up the chain for approval.
At this stage the order can be declined, amended or an online conversation started.
As all communications are added to every order, you have an audit trail to quickly resolve queries; or identify areas for improvement.
Delegation with full control.
If you hire equipment then you will probably wish you had Nelly on your site team. Not just to reduce the number of breakers you need on site but to make sure you off-hire them when the job is finished
Or you could just sign into your First Click account. You can off-hire individual items or entire contracts with just a few clicks; & the only thing that needs picking up after is your hire kit.
PS: If you get hire equipment stuck up a tree, it’s your job to get it back down again.
Those of us old enough will remember this catchphrase from the BT adverts of 30 years ago. It was Bob Hoskins who uttered the phrase, ‘It’s good to tallk’.
Well Mr. Hoskins wasn’t on a noisy construction site...!!
First Click includes the ability for you to communicate with your site teams or First Response, during the order stage, without the need to make a call nobody can hear
If you’ve forgot to include chisels with your breaker, we’ll send a prompt via First Click.
If your site team or buyer has made an error with their order, or have included something you weren’t aware was needed, you can message them.
So it’s good to talk but it’s often quicker to communicate online with the benefit of creating an order trail.
Find out more
To find out more about our unique online system, First Click, speak to your account manager or visit our website.
If you need a rise, always think First..!
Asking for a rise isn’t always easy; unless it’s a scissor lift you need.
Designed for low level indoor work our new fleet of Snorkel lifts will easily pass through a standard doorway and raise you up to 5 metres. The ideal choice for your next fit-out project.
With an auto brake, tilt sensor, saloon door entry gates & an emergency lowering system, safety is high on the agenda.
The Snorkel Scissor Lifts also include an integrated battery charger & forklift pockets.
The generous working height of five metres makes these push along, powered lifts the perfect choice.
Interested? Please call the hire desk or speak to your usual contact.
The largest tunnelling machines ever used on a UK rail project have completed their 10-mile journey after nearly three years.
The two enormous 2,000 tonne machines were delivered to their launch site at the Chiltern Tunnel South Portal, next to the M25 in Buckinghamshire.
They were assembled, tested and commissioned by an expert team of tunnelling engineers. The Chiltern Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the HS2 route between London and Crewe.
The two TBMs that successfully created the ‘twin bore’ Chiltern Tunnel were launched in the summer of 2021.
TBM Florence (named after Florence Nightingdale) completed her drive in February 2024. TBM Cecilia completed her drive in March 2024.
TBM Cecilia completed her drive in March 2024.
If you’ve ever wondered how these incredible machines work and the highy skilled construction teams operate them, watch the video here:
First Response invest
£1 Million
The company has invested in new equipment & to develop the welding division to support the increased demand from the WTE industry.
This investment has enabled the company to expand its hire fleet adding a large number of new products.
In keeping with our promise to provide a total solution for customers, we have also extended our welding consumable range, which includes our own branded welding wire.
If you want to find out more, call us on 03301 280860
What is Waste to energy
[WtE] ?
This is the process of generating energy in the form of electricity and/ or heat from the primary treatment of waste, or the processing of waste into a fuel source. WtE is a form of energy recovery.
Most WtE processes generate electricity and/or heat directly through combustion, or produce a combustible fuel commodity, such as methane, methanol, ethanol or synthetic fuels, often derived from the product syngas.
In a nutshell, Waste-to-Energy plants burn municipal solid waste (MSW), our rubbish, to produce steam in a boiler.
The steam is then used to power an electric generator turbine.
The Seven Step Process
1. Waste is dumped from rubbish trucks into a large pit.
2. A crane picks up the waste and dumps it into a combustion chamber.
3. The waste (fuel) is burned, releasing heat.
4. The heat turns water into steam in a boiler.
5. The high-pressure steam turns the blades of a turbine generator to produce electricity.
6. An air-pollution control system removes pollutants from the combustion gas before it is then released through a smoke stack.
7.Ash is collected from the boiler and the air-pollution control system.
What is MSW?
MSW stands for Municipal Solid Waste.
This is a mixture of materials that are considered energy rich.This would include paper, plastics, garden waste, etc
It is estimated that around 85% of waste that ends up in landfill can be transformed into fuel to generate electricity.
The most common waste-to-energy system is the mass-burn system.
However, there are many other technologies being utilised to reduce the demand on landfill.
Below is an image of how MSW is transformed into energy by a WtE Plant.
8 companies in the ISG group entered administration on 20 September 2024. Their companies included:-
ISG Central Services Limited, ISG Interior Services Group UK Limited, ISG Fit Out Limited , ISG Engineering Services Limited , ISG UK Retail Limited , ISG Retail Limited , ISG Construction Limited, ISG Jackson Limited. The successful fit out division turned over more than £500m in the last reported accounts & made a £24m profit.
Subcontractors at risk of closure
The collapse of ISG will impact large numbers of the UK’s subcontractors, building firms, and suppliers.
Many have been left with unpaid bills after months of uncertainty regarding the company’s financial stability.
When Carillion ceased trading, their total debt was £7 billion, causing the failure of many successful subcontractors.
It is therefore likely there will be job losses & closures to good profitable businesses that supplied ISG in good faith.
Subcontractors & suppliers have expressed anger & frustration, claiming they had been constantly misled with promises of payments that ISG knew were never going to be made.
Had payment for services been made more promptly by ISG, then the exposure some sub-contrators had may have been manageable.
The BIG clientis it worth it?
The late payment culture within the construction sector exerts significant pressure on SMEs.
Many sub-contractors are wary of working with major contractors, nervous about the financial strain caused by payment delays & the lack of security that often a ccompanies high-profile clients.
Relying on a single contractor only intensifies this risk, as lucrative opportunities can quickly turn into costly missteps.
Scaffolding Firms are vulnerable
Small & medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in scaffolding and access services, are among the most vulnerable, as many have equipment and payments tied up in ISG’s stalled projects.
Late & non-payment in construction.
Late payment is a persistent issue in the UK construction industry, often affecting the financial stability of contractors and subcontractors. When you add retensions into the mix, the sub contractor is at considerable risk when a major client ceases to trade, as is the case with Carillion & ISG.
Average Payment Delays
In the UK construction sector, payments are delayed by an average of 50 days.
According to the FSB, 74% of construction SMEs experienced serious cash flow problems due to late payments.
Retentions Exacerbate the problem
Retentions are a hotly-contested issue, leaving subcontractors vulnerable to disputes, late payment & potential insolvency caused by non-payment or withholding of the retention sum.
There have been several unsuccessful attempts to change the law regarding retentions, including a House of Lords Private Members Bill in 2022 and a proposed clause in the 2023 Procurement Bill. The previous government said they would prefer the use of retensions to diminish but was reluctant to legislate.
Construction Insolvencies
In the year to June 2024, the total number of construction firms becoming insolvent was 4,690.
This was a 2.1% increase on the 4,595 insolvencies which were recorded in the year to June 2023, and a 53.3% increase on the 3,060 in in the year to June 2020.
When Carillion ceased trading, their total debt was £7 billion, caysing the failure of many successful subcontractors.
A VANITY PROJECT?
The iconic Car brand that threw away it’s iconic status for social progessiveness.
Once upon a time, Jaguar Cars was the king of the automotive jungle; a brand with a roar as bold as the big cat on its bonnet. But inow it seems the iconic Jaguar has traded its claws for pink mittens and a litter tray.
Their new campaign has nothing to do with cars. In fact, no cars, no roaring engine, just abstract visuals and a heavy focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. They might be important issues but not exactly what you expect when you’re thinking about horsepower & precision engineering. It’s left many of us wondering if Jaguar’s new motto should be, “the customer is always wrong.”
Rebranding can go one of two ways: it either drives a business to new heights or straight into a ditch. Sadly, Jaguar is in the ditch with a broken axle.
The driving force behind this strange move is their CEO, Adrian Mardell. Hailed as a diversity champion he recently won an award at some LGBT+ ceremony for his contributions to inclusivity or exclusivity depending on your view point.
He proudly marched at the last Pride parade, waving the flag for progress and perhaps, some would argue, for himself. Is the rebrand an ego trip based on his desire to be a renowned DEI champion, some are asking. Is this why Jaguar’s latest campaign feels more suited to a fashion show than a car showroom?
There’s nothing wrong with supporting important causes, social values are important to all of us, but when it starts to look like your company is more about you & your social progressiveness than the product, questions arise.
This type of progressiveness is losing popularity and is becoming counter productive. Budweiser fired their brand manager when they decided to ignore ther customer base to appeal to one a fraction of the size. Why would you even think that is a goiod idea, it is like buiding a room in the loft when the customer wants one in the basement.
So now potential customers are left wondering whether the next time they pop into a showroom they will be buying a car or an expensive perfume or handbag.
A lesson for the construction trade
By all means, champion inclusivity, open doors for underrepresented groups & create fairer opportunities. But don’t lose sight of what your business is really all about.
Your customers want breakers that break, drills that drill and tools that don’t quit at the sight of a tough piece of reinforced concrete. They need to trust you’ll deliver on those promises first and foremost.
For the construction industry, where practicality and results reign supreme, this kind of branding could not be more disconnected.
Imagine a tool hire company advertising not the durability of their equipment, but their commitment to abstract values.
In construction, as in any industry, success lies in balance but it all starts with that first spade in the soil as you build your foundations. The day you forget what makes you indispensable to your customers is the day you go broke.
Construction is tough enough already.
Jaguar E-Type
The Jaguar E-Type was famously called “the most beautiful car ever made” by Enzo Ferrari. High praise indeed.
Designed by Malcolm Sayer, an aeronautical engineer, the E-Type’s sleek, aerodynamic curves were ahead of their time. Its long bonnet, low stance, and flowing lines gave it a timeless look that remains a benchmark for automotive design.
Launched in 1961, the E-Type featured a 3.8 litre inline-six engine, capable of 150 mph. It had independent rear suspension for better handling & advanced disc brakes as standard. It inherited much of its engineering from the D-Type, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans 3 times in the ‘50s.
Compared to rivals like Ferrari and Aston Martin, the E-Type offered high-performance at an affordable price, around £2,250 (approximately £50,000 in today’s money). This made it much cheaper than Ferraris & Aston Martins with similar performance, putting a high-performance sports car within reach of a wider audience. Coveted by celbrities it became an icon of the swinging sixties.
The E-Type’s blend of performance, beauty, and innovation cemented its place as a true automotive legend. Even the Jaguar rebrand that seems to want to forget the past, it will always remain one of the greatest and most beautiful cars ever made.
In the world of construction and demolition, choosing the right tool will significantly impact efficiency, safety, and overall job quality.
The safety advantages of cordless over electric and fuel powered tools is self-evident,after all there are no cables to trip over or flammable fuel to store.
In situations where power is compromised or where indoor work is being completed, the cordless breaker is the obvious choice. But does a battery powered breaker have the guts to do the same job as a corded one?
The answer is a a resounding yes. The Nuron battery from Hilti is a game-changer in cordless tool innovation, offering corded-equivalent power, and performance that matches the output of, let’s say, the electric TE2000.
You have around 25 minutes of trigger time with two of the largest Nuron batteries installed, the B 22-255, enough power to demolish half a ton of concrete. With the C8-22 Nuron Battery Charger, you can fully recharge each battery in around 30 minutes; so two of these chargers on site will limit your downtime to just 30 minutes.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to leave behind the limitations of cables & the hassle of petrol, the Hilti TE2000-22 cordless breaker offers a solution that’s safer, cleaner and just as powerful as traditional corded breakers.
To avoid recharge downtime & to achieve continuous breaking, you will need four B 22-255 batteries & two C8-22 Nuron Ultimate Chargers. These Nuron batteries can be used with other Hilti products like the cordless DSH-600-22 Cut Off Saw (below left).
Interested?
If you would like more information or to attend a demonstration of the Hilti TE2000-22 breaker, please let us know by emailing: marketing@firstrss.co.uk
Putting an end to back strain
HILTI EXO-T-22
Zero gravity tool balancer
What is it?
The EXO-T-22 is a game changer for those involved in heavy wall demolition and drilling.
The EXO-T-22’s innovative suspension & ergonomic design make it a powerful ally for those involved in heavy wall demolition and drilling.
By reducing the physical burden of heavy tools, it enables the operators to work more safely, promoting better health and productivity on the job site. It will also help your mental health initiatives.
Study into benefits of Hilti EXO-T
POWER GENERATION SPECIALIST
Generators
up to 1250kVA
This partnership arrangement means we can expand our range of generators to meet the demands of our clients.
As well as expanding our GENERATOR offering, we can now provide added value with FREE 24/7 breakdown cover, included on all equipment supplied by our partners.
Power Specialists
In the past, our cross hire arrangements met our customers demands. However, in combination with the needs of our growing welding division, we required a wider range and a more flexible and competitive solution. If you have power needs please call: 03301 280860
We are proud to announce our partnership with OLEC Training, a respected leader in delivering exceptional Overhead Line Electrification Competence training. Along with specialist rail related training programs, our partners also offer additional training courses, as shown bottom right.
Essex Facility
This partnership means we can provide local training/certification to our existing rail customers, at a state of the art training facility in the South of Essex.
On Site Training
If you have on-site training needs please speak with us and we will put you in touch with the training team directly.
Competitive Pricing
Our partnership arrangement ensures you pay a competitive price, no more than you would see advertised elsewhere.
TRAINING COURSES
PTS | COSS | LXA | PO | ES |
SW | PC | NSCD
OLEC 1–2–3 | Elements 1 – 6
Level B Strapping & Switching
Level A Procedure A & B
NP | AP | SA125
Assessments
COSS | ES
NP | AP
Other
CAT Scanner
If you are interested in finding out more please speak with your usual contact at First Response or call us on 03301 280860.
COSHH
Emergency First Aid Fire Awareness/Warden
Manual Handling
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with OLEC Training, a respected leader in in delivering exceptional OLEC (Overhead Line Electrification Competence) training solutions.
This partnership allows us to provide added value to our rail customers and expand our rail offering, by providing the convenience of Essex based training.
HOW IT WORKS
Place your enquiry with us, including the numbers you would like to attend and the course you require and we will set the ball rolling.
Local Availability
The courses take part in Brentwood, Essex which is a welcome relief to those who usually expect to travel to the North of the country for OLEC trainiung.
On Site Training
If you have on-site training needs please speak with us and we will put you in touch with the training team directly.
Competitive Pricing
Our partnership arrangement ensures you pay a competitive price no more than you may see advertised elsewhere.
Training completion will be added to your Sentinel cards.
OLEC TRAINING COURSES
PTS | COSS | LXA | PO | ES | SW | PC | NSCD
OLEC 1 – 2 – 3 | Elements 1 – 6
Level B Strapping & Switching
Level A Procedure A & B
NP | AP | SA125
Assessments
COSS | ES
NP | AP
Location
Essex
Class Sizes
Up to 12 people
On
Site Training
Yes. Subject to conditions training can be arranged at your prefered location.
TOP CLASS FACILITIES
• Training Rooms of various sizes
• All writing materials provided
• Refreshments
• On - Site Parking
• Full track set-up
Other Training Courses
As well as providing OLEC Courses a range of other courses are available.
These includes:
• CAT Scanning
• COSHH
• Manual Handling
• Emergency First Aid
• Fire Awareness/ Fire Warden
• Manual Handling
Interested?
To find out more or for a quotation, please email the team on training@firstrss.co.uk or speak to your usual FR contact.
Everyone
lies on their CV, don’t they?
We all know the temptation to fluff up a CV. Maybe you “optimized workflows” by moving a few chairs out of the office or “collaborated on key strategic goals” by taking notes in a meeting. It’s all harmless, right?
Well, not so much when you’re the Chancellor of the Exchequer, a position responsible for an entire nation’s economy. Claiming to be an economist when your closest brush with economic theory was balancing the cash drawer at HBOS is, shall we say, a bit of a problem.
Some might say that’s like handing Dangerous Dave a detonator only to hear him say, “What’s this button do again?” just before the lights go out and a cloud of dust fills the air.
Risk assessment anyone?
Rachel Reeves vs the Farmers
The ignorance of how farming works and the envious eyes aimed at the value of an asset has caused as much damage as Dave and his detonator let loose in the London Docklands.
In Farming, the value of the land may be high but the cash is low. These aren’t cash rich people. Not considering BPR with IHT, let alone capital gains tax, is why the numbers do not add up.
By being blissfully unaware of the disaster their attempted land grab is causing the farming community, the Treasury could easily be mistaken for performers at Billy Smart’s Circus. Perhaps Rachel is the only one that can put their circus tent back in the bag?
Nobody would be surprised if a Treasury minister’s car pulled up outside Downing Street, only for the doors to fall off, the bonnet to explode & confetti to fill the air.
BPR: The cornerstone of agricultural funding
Ignoring Business Property Relief, is like forgetting to use concrete for your foundations.
Agricultural Property Relief covers land & farm buildings, but BPR applies to livestock, machinery like tractors or harvesters, and assets developed to diversify income; cottages converted to short-term lets, or farm shops.
Now the pigs are revolting, farmers are sharpening their pitchforks, and plant hire firms are pondering the implications of this envy based tax grab. Everyone is knee deep in dung.
Anyone needing machinery to dig ditches or sow fields, are all left wondering if Rachel’s next bold move will be banning tractors or excavators, because a shovel is not as posh as a harvester. These are not ‘Smart’ people, despite being able to put tents back in a bag.
Eco-Friendly Cows
In a world that grows crazier by the day, our ever-inventive mad scientists have found a new climate change scapegoat; cows.
Yes, the gentle creatures that give us milk and cheese are now accused of destroying the planet, one bottom burp at a time.
But fear not, Big Pharma has stepped in with a solution: Bovaer, a feed additive designed to silence the bovine orchestra of methane emissions. Made from a curious mix of silicon dioxide, propylene glycol, and the tongue-twisting 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), it makes Utterly Buttery look appertising.
Bovaer claims to cut cow methane emissions by up to 30% by reducing flatulence. Impressive, right? If you scratch your head wondering who dreams up these ideas, don’t waste your time.
Maybe we should stock a bag or two in our Janitorial & Canteen range; just in case someone decides human flatulence is next on the climate hit list.
Still, if it sorts out Barry in the sales office what’s not to like?
Don’t steak your life on that being meat
Billionaires and tech companies are busy engaging the mad scientists to develop fake beef, well sort of.
Lab-grown or cultured meat is real animal meat produced by cultivating animal cells in a controlled lab environment
Scientists extract a small sample of cells, usually muscle or stem cells, from a living animal, & vplaced in a nutrient-rich solution containing proteins, vitamins, and minerals to help them grow and multiply. They form them form muscle fibers and tissue. when the “meat” is harvested and prepared for consumption.
Irony as thick as a T-Bone steak
Bill Gates & Government Ministers tell us how to save the world by cutting out cows, seizing farmland, eating fake beef, & banning diesel & petrol engines.
Is that rumbling sound the stomach of a methane-laden cow about to explode? No, it’s the roar of a private jet, ready for the next climate jolly-up to some distant, tropical locale, where they will be chomping on steak and working out how to make our lives even more miserable.
As ultured meat requires a growth medium, often containing synthetic additives, there are c oncerns about health effects.
The cost of production is still high, and the use of animal cells or fetal bovine serum (in some processes) raises ethical questions.
While lab-grown meat ‘might’ reduce emissions, the energy intensive production process will leave a significant carbon footprint.
Still Bill Gates has invested billions in developing this and he’s been travelling the world convincing governments it’s alll about saving the planet.
We need saving from them.
Huge cost to Construction
Meanwhile construction related businesses face huge costs to replace their diesel trucks & diesel equipment with BPR changes adding further risks.
Our farmland is at risk of being seized, reducing food production, while cows are to be replaced with fake beef. Did we vote for this?
If Ermentrude is to be scientifically replaced, are we next on the chopping board?
When beef is as fake as that burberry handbag on an auction website, or someones CV *cough*, surely we have a right to demand to know who actually voted for this. Phhp..!
FOCUS ON:
EV Vehicles
Second-hand EV prices have plummeted, reflecting a lack of demand.
This decline in popularity has also led to warnings of higher leasing costs for EVs, due to the huge depreciation.
The challenges facing electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly evident.
Company car drives are incentived through the taxation system, EV’s are a no brainer if you want to reduce the value of the benefit in kind.
Were they rushed to market too quickly and is the technology really as green as has been claimed?
The challenges
1. Poor EV Infrastructure:
Limited charging points make EVs impractical for many, particularly in rural or remote areas. People with on street parking don’t have the capacity for home charging points. In addition, the National Grid cannot supporrt the planned implementation, it will cause power cuts.
2. Lengthy Charging Times:
The convenience of rapid refueling offered by traditional vehicles is unmatched by the hours-long charging process for many EVs.
3. Increased Running Costs
Higher repair costs and risk of fire incidents drive up insurance premiums for EV owners. Parts and labour are more expensive due to the shortage of skilled labour. There is also the excessive tyre wear due to the weight of the batteries.
4. Replacement Batteries
Replacing an EV battery can cost tens of thousands, making repairs uneconomical.
Safety concerns
Rescue Challenges:
EVs have high-voltage batteries that often exceed 400 volts!
This poses a risk of electrocution to rescuers. Identifying and then isolating these systems requires specialised training and tools.
Reinforced battery enclosures, make cutting through the vehicle more difficult too.
Fire Risks:
Lithium-ion batteries are prone to thermal runaway, meaning they can reignite even AFTER the fire has been extinguished.
Extinguishing Fires:
EV battery fires burn at very high temperatures and often require tens of thousands of liters of water to cool the cells sufficiently. Traditional fire extinguishers are often ineffective.
Reignition Risk:
A damaged battery can reignite hours or even days after an accident, posing ongoing risks for emergency services.
Lack of Standardization:
The EV manufacturers use various battery placements, wiring systems, and safety mechanisms.
This lack of standardization makes it harder for emergency personnel to quickly and safely navigate rescue procedures. It also puts a huge burden on training programs.
Are they really green?
The claim that electric vehicles (EVs) offer clear environmental benefits is increasingly under scrutiny.
While EVs do not emit tailpipe emissions, a deeper look at their life cycle reveals a more complex picture.
Battery Mining Impact:
The extraction of materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel for EV batteries is energy-intensive and environmentally destructive.
Mining these minerals often involves deforestation, water pollution, and significant carbon emissions.
Manufacturing Emissions:
Studies show that producing an EV, especially its battery, generates substantially more CO₂ than manufacturing an internal combustion engine (ICE) .
Long Mileage Break-Even
Analyses suggest that an EV needs to be driven up to 80,000 miles before its lower operational emissions offset hemissions from its production.
If the vehicle’s battery or some components require replacement during this time, the benefit diminishes further.
Electricity Generation: EVs rely on the energy grid, and in many regions, electricity is still predominantly generated from fossil fuels. This means the “clean” energy powering EVs often has a significant carbon footprint.
Battery Disposal / Recycling:
The end-of-life phase of EV batteries is an environmental challenge. Recycling technologies are still developing, and improper disposal can result in hazardous waste.
A long way to go....
While EVs can contribute to reduced urban air pollution and noise levels, they are not the environmental benefit claimed.
Depreciation is huge: range anxiety, charging times, the cost of electricity due to net zero policies, risk of fire and replacement battery costs.
Insurance for EV’s is often more expensive, due to the cost of repairs and the instant torque can cause unwanted acceleration increasing the risk of an accident.
The huge depreciation is a problem for the Governments around the world who want to force people into EV vehicles.
Something will have to give as the plan to eradicate diesel & petrol engines while pushing net zero policies is going to create real hardship.
Scan the code below to find out more; or speak with your usual contact at First Response.
Neglecting mental health in construction has serious consequences.
Employees experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression can compromise safety on construction sites, resulting in accidents and injuries.
Untreated mental health issues will lead to absenteeism, a reduction in productivity, and high turnover rates, resulting in significant costs to the industry and companies alike.
It is crucial to address the mental health challenges in construction and prioritise the well-being of workers.”
SPORTS BASED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
We are main sponsors and founding members of the Mental Health charity, Construction Sport.
Members of the charity gain access to a range of sporting events where they can paerticipate, watch or provide sponsorship.
Sports programs are a proactive approach to the issue of mental health. These activities offer a great way for individuals to “let off steam” while engaging in a membersship community dedicated to raising awareness about the pressing issue of mental illness.
This is a fantastic way of addressing the stigma of mental health and lets people know that it’s okay to talk about how they feel. Which is so important.
MARATHON WALKS
It’s true. The BBC followed us on our walk through London to open UK Construction week, search ‘Coping in Construction’ an episoode included in their This is England series.
We started at midnight from Twickenham Stadium to open UKCW at the Excel Centre and walked just over 26 miles.
If you take part, bring your sense of humour with you; it’s a fun time watching your fellow construction workers in their lycra (it’s true). Don’t forget those blister plasters!
RUGBY & FOOTBALL
A number of football and rugby events have been arranged.
The Construction Srort team is always looking for opponents.
Football matches have taken part at Braintree Town, Billericay and Heybridge Swift stadiums.
Several rugby matches have been held at the Stone X stadium, home of Saracens Rugby Club. The Fire Service vs Construction Sport (see pic top right) and Irish Construction vs English Construction the latest to be held.
GOLF DAYS
There are several golf days every year to support mental health initiates or fundraising.
They are arranged t a variety of loal Essex course as well as further afield.
The Orange Army fundraiser was held at the famous Forest of Arden championship course and raised much needed funds for a worthy cause.
Great fun, Usually includes breakfast, a comedian and a few handicap bandits.
We proudly sponsor
The DT38 Foundation was set up in memory of Dylan James Tombides.
Dylan was a West Ham United and Australian International Footballer who passed away aged 20 in April 2014. He had endured a 3 year battle with testicular cancer.
The West Ham Family thought so highly of Dylan that they retired his number 38 and made DT38 one of their principal charities.
Former players & legends give up their time to support the charity and always attend the charity golf days. First Response are proud to support this charity and to raise awareness of this cancer.
The 123 campaign has saved lives already and will continue to do so.
Please help spread the message and if you can, donate to this fantastic charity set up by Dylans Mother, Tracy Tombides (below) and supported by West Ham United FC & First Response.
Finally, check your balls.
“100% of donations received by the DT38 Foundation go towards raising awareness of testicular cancer.
If you would like to help the DT38 Foundation, they would be forever grateful and so would the families who would otherwise be affected by this terrible disease. “
Tracy Tombides
To donate scan the QR CODE
Team Curbishley
Having the former manager of the club you support in your four ball must be special.
Alan Curbishley did ask half way round, if he could make any substitutions.
First Response was honoured to be invited to participate in the HS2 Family Fun Day, held on Sunday, 14th July 2024.
Organized by the Skanska Costain Strabag JV (SCS), the event aimed to recognize and show appreciation to all the dedicated workers contributing to the HS2 project, as well as their families.
The high turnout highlighted the importance of events like this in fostering community spirit and supporting team morale. The weather played its part perfectly, remaining warm throughout the day, which helped attract a large number of attendees.
We had a prime spot beneath the largest temporary scaffolding in Europe; which added to the unique atmosphere of the event.
Tomorrows future operatives?
The construction sector knows it has a problem recruiting young people. But it really shouldn’t be that way.
Initiatives like the Family Day, demonstrate how much kids enjoy ‘playing’ with a wide range of construction related equipment. Not just boys, girls too. If they can hit it, drive it or work out how to fix it, they seem as happy as Larry; whoever he is...!
So perhaps it’s time we all put our heads together & considered ways in which we can encourage kids to view jobs in construction in a more positive light.
Our interactive activities were a standout feature of the day. The inflatable baseball and football equipment captured the interest of many attendees, particularly families and children.
In addition to these, our Tool Hunt and Guess the Weight competitions sparked great enthusiasm and were highly relevant and enjoyable for our many visitors, parents and children alike.
Kim Jung II the King of Golf
Legend has it that on a sunny day in 1994, the now deceased 52-year-old Kim Jung II decided to step onto a golf course & try this strange game for the very first time.
Despite having no golf lessors or practicing his swing, he set off to see what this game the dastardly Americans & British had mastered was all about.
With a swing as smooth as his chin he teed up at Pyongyang’s 7,700yard championship course, one of the longest in the world. What happened next is nothing short of miraculous.
Kim Jung II shot a mind-boggling 38 under par. He also managed to complete 11 hole-in-ones in a single round. Some would call it impossible. North Korean state media, however, just called it “Tuesday.”
Free gear and the freeze fear
The UK Prime Minister was caught trousering thousands of pounds worth of freebies, while cutting winter fuel allowance for pensioners, many of whom are disabled.
While grannies hope they won’t be shivering in their slippers & are still able to feed their only companions, two tier was enjoying FREE tickets to a Taylor Swift concert.
Wearing an expensive Jimmy Saville, I mean Saville Row suit, courtesy Lord Alli, he was seen guzzling ‘Free’ champers & caviar canapes with his equally greedy cabinet chums.
So while the rest of us spend years tweaking our swing, or fiddling our handicaps Kim showed just how easy it is.
How did he do it? With a little bit of help from his state media department......!
Making an attempt to ‘Shake It Off’, rumours suggest Two Tier is planning the “Granny Freeze Party.”
This initiative will show solidarity with pensioners who face a tough winter.
Guests will ‘bring a blanket’ and wear their coziest winter clothing, while the heating is switched off. There will be a disco and FREE alcoholic drinks donated by someone with absolutely no agenda.
“It’s about community,” he said, enjoying the free heating allowance in his second home while granny admired the warm winter coat someone else had bought for him...!
First Response launch new Referal Scheme
There is nothing better than a referal from a satisfied customer. Except a few extra pounds in your pocket of course.
This new scheme is win win for everyone. As well as receiving £150 for the introduction, your friend will be credited a further £150 to spend as he chooses.
We can’t say fairer than that.
How it works
Provide us with your friends details and we will contact them to discuss their needs & progress to opening a trade credit account.
When they place their first order, we will credit you both with £150.00 to spend as you choose.
You can introduce as many ‘friends’ as you choose, there is no limit.
When a ‘friend’ has placed an order, the credited amounts will be made.
Please speak with your usual First Response contact to find out more or to make your first referral & start earning...!
The A12 is a crucial artery for those traveling through Essex & Suffolk
It connects Ipswich to London and the M25 and leads to the ports of Harwich & Felixstowe.
The A12 links key towns like Chelmsford and Colchester, & provides access to Stansted Airport via the A120 to the west.
During the morning & evening commutes, the average speed is very slow in both directions between the major towns of Chelmsford & Colchester, for a dual carriageway of its kind.
Having just two lanes, causes regular chaos & bottlenecks, with slow-moving freight lorries, making the A12 notorious for congestion.
The proposal
The A12 is to be widened between junction 19 -25.
The four-lane carriageway will be widened to six lanes, with three in each direction. Two major bypasses will be created at Rivenhall End & to the north of Kelvedon, where fly through junctions & new bridges will be built, along with a new access road for the Essex Fire & Rescue HQ.
J21 will be remodelled while J22 and J24 will be moved. The existing A12 in the areas where the two new bypasses will be built, Rivenhall End and north of Kelvedon, will be converted into local roads.
At junction 20a, Hatfield Peverel, the southbound entry and northbound exit slip roads will be closed and Station Road and Bury Lane bridges will be replaced. Work is scheduled to be completed by 2027 but legal action by residents has already delayed progress
About Number & Word Puzzles
These number & word puzzles don’t rely on academic brilliance just an inquisitive mind.
Once you have worked out the answers to the clues, simply visit our website and enter. There is no catch, this is simply a quiz designed to test the smartest of brains in the construction world....!!
Challenge your colleagues
Everyone likes a challenge for bragging rights. Why not challenge your colleagues and see who can get the most right. Or compile teams.
Remember, using the internet to search for answers is not really good reasoning skills, it’s cheating
The below questions are actually type of word puzzle in which a phrase, quotation, date, or fact must be deduced from the numbers and abbreviated letters in the clue. It’s not as confusing as it seems once you get started.
