Construction National Winter 2020/21

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COVER STORY

Site security pervades all areas of activity

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Construction site security is high on everyone’s agenda these days, as illustrated by this issue’s front cover. The COVID-19 lockdown in March led to an explosion of thefts from sites and the associated damage – not to mention the attraction of empty sites to vandals. We therefore offer a timely overview of what site operators should be looking at in their security effort, plus the growing importance of data and process security to a project.

The special feature starts on page 13

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NEWS 9

Brexit deal welcome, but more needed to help construction industry

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NFB hails EU trade deal

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Concrete specialist launches new high-performance admixtures

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National Retrofit Strategy goes out for consultation

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Planning reforms get cautious welcome from architects

SITE SECURITY

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Site security: nowadays it pervades all areas of activity

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Don’t let thieves in by the front door

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Project data security can be of national importance

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How do you assess what measures are needed?

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Plant thieves take advantage of lockdown site closures

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Make your site COVID-criminal secure

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IFSEC: the show goes on in 2021

BRICKS 26

York Handmade plays pivotal role in stunning Mayfair development

CONSTRUCTION LAW

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Take care when Zooming into online dispute resolution, says lawyer

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Unqualified people are signing off cladding forms, claims RICS

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Grenfell inquiry suspends hearings and starts to move online

For all other enquiries: Tel: 0161 710 3880 Fax: 0161 710 3879 Email: editorial@dmmonline.co.uk Suite 2, 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3AW Editor: Chris Stokes Copyright Construction National.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Construction National. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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CONTENTS WORKING AT HEIGHT 30

TG20:21 to go on sale in the spring

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NASC secures fleet resource gold

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NASC pays out £50,000 in training fund payments to members

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CISRS CPD: have your say

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New system apprenticeship announced

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Extension plans discussed at accreditation audit

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Top notch access tower riggers have a new name

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ROOFING 34

Metal roofing awards go ahead online

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Green roof industry comes of age

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Yorkshire gem sees roofing work continue despite pandemic

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Free fixings, hat and fleece with rainwater and soil orders in January

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Institute rebrands in Chartered status bid

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TRAINING, APPRENTICESHIPS AND EDUCATION 36

Flesh goes on the bones of lifetime skills scheme

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Plasterers learn to learn online

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CITB expands apprenticeship support

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CSCS updates its apprenticeship requirements

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HEALTH & SAFETY 39

Rescheduled expo will showcase the latest in safety and health

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Pipe-laying incident brings fine for MK company

HERITAGE 40

Grant will support training in traditional skills

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Scotland’s infrastructure relies on traditional skills

HEAT PUMPS 41

Green energy plan welcomed by heat pump industry

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Heat pumps form core of energy centre plans

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comment

[A SUBJECT THAT has been exercising construction site managers more than ever recently has been the security of

their site. Site security has always been a stand-out issue – whether the issue be that of thefts from sites, vandalism or even the safety of trespassers – but the confusion over whether sites could stay open during the initial lockdown in March caught many site operators on the hop, some leaving their sites open to criminals. The subsequent lockdowns have provided clearer guidance from government, but the painful months last spring have brought a real and enduring issue to the fore. In a special feature on the subject a number of experts in the field give us the benefit of their expertise. There is advice on perimeter security and a reminder to check to see if the site has moved away from its protected areas.

• A major development in the way security issues of today are addressed is that security encompasses the entire construction process, from design to hand-over and including the modern buzz word data security. It starts with a risk assessment and progresses to inform a manager’s whole role.

• A lesson to be learned from the modern approach to security is that the COVID-19 pandemic is exposing weaknesses even where we thought we had found strengths. The move to doing business online has included the whole gamut of legal processes, including dispute resolution. A leading practitioner of the art urges caution when Zooming, but also offers tips for the right approach.

• A major success story of the move to virtual activity is the business of training. Although some face-to-face training was able to take place later last year, the great majority of courses were taught online. Following the trend, a number of organisations have boosted their CPD offer and ramped up the health and safety aspects of their requirement. That applies particularly to the scaffolding and general access industry, who have become standard bearers.

• While the government’s handling of the COVID pandemic has come in for a great deal of criticism, it has been making some friends in the construction industry. The announcement of the details of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee scheme was welcomed by training providers and the CITB alike. Free training is promised for all adults who do not hold a Level 3 qualification, with a whole raft of courses in the construction industry included.

• The much-revised planning reforms, allowing more extensive expansion of hospitals, schools and other educational establishments – as well as prisons – in a fast-tracked system, have been welcomed by architects. Proposals to allow conversion of unused commercial premises to homes met with less approval.

• Another government initiative that has met with approval from an industry source was Boris Johnson’s plan for a ‘green industrial revolution’. That source was the heat pumps sector, in the form of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association and the Heat Pump Federation. The fact that Boris pinched the term from Labour’s 2019 Manifesto may have muddied the waters.

• The Construction Leadership Council – the joint government-industry think tank – has come up with its own green way of retrofitting an ageing housing stock. Its consultation document, Greening Our Existing Homes, calls for a national drive to bring as many homes as possible up to the EPC ‘C’ standard by 2035. It is also seen as a part of the overall strategy to ‘build back better’.

• Which brings us to – you guessed it – Brexit. The deal negotiated by the government has been met with relief generally, although the FMB is at pains to warn the government not to lose sight of the fact that the industry will still need support and the NFB cautions builders to be aware of the end of free movement. q

Chris Stokes Editor, Construction National

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Brexit deal welcome, but more needed to help construction industry [

AFTER YEARS of uncertainty, the announcement of a UK-EU trade deal on Christmas Eve brings reassurance to the construction industry, but Britain’s small builders are already suffering the impacts of the delay. That is according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

FMB chief executive Brian Berry commented: “After the toughest of years, Britain’s builders will welcome the certainty that this deal appears to offer. Unfortunately, however, the deal will have come too late for many already feeling the effects of prolonged indecision.”

He pointed to the results of a survey carried out by the FMB and published in December.

The results concluded that 87% reported rising material costs – up from 78% in the summer.

Berry continued: “Nine in ten builders already face risings costs due to supply chain disruptions and higher product demand. We will wait to digest the detail, but this trade deal must deliver for builders by removing the barriers in their path to building back better and greener, be those access to products or skilled labour.”

The survey also showed that only 39% reported a rise in workloads (down from 47% in Q2), and while employment edged into positive territory for the first time since Q4 in 2019, 29% of SME builders struggled to hire bricklayers and 25% struggled to hire carpenters.

Brian Berry concluded: “In the face of rising unemployment and continued economic uncertainty, my members are reporting that homeowners are holding off planning home improvements in 2021. Builders in the new build and industrial or commercial sectors

are also reporting contracting workloads. By investing in a long-term plan to green our existing homes, and by ramping up funding for local authority planning departments, the government can help support recovery and job retention in construction.” q

NFB hails EU trade deal [ THE National Federation of Builders (NFB) was upbeat about the prospects for the industry

following the EU-UK trade deal.

In a statement the NFB said: “The deal will mean widespread market access with no tariffs, quotas or customs duties now or in the future and will provide the construction industry with much-needed reassurance in respect of the cost and availability of products and materials in a time of high uncertainty.”

Its head of policy James Butcher, who is also chair of the Construction Leadership Council’s BREXIT working group commented: “The UK and EU’s announcement of a trade deal will come as welcome relief, not just to the construction industry but to the global economy. The agreements reached will enable construction companies to continue to reliably forecast the cost and availability of products and materials imported from the EU or comprising components made in the EU. “The mutual co-operation in respect of reducing technical trade barriers and co-operation at the border will also undoubtedly help to avoid some of the risks of delay and disruption. What this means is that in January we will not see the inflationary shock of tariff and quota introductions or the expected currency depreciation associated with a no-deal. This deal delivers certainty at a time when it is needed most and represents a good day for British construction.”

The NFB warned, however, that construction businesses should still ensure they are ready for the end of the transition period, as the UK is still due to leave the Customs Union and is implementing its own points-based immigration system, bringing to an end the freedom of movement. q

Concrete specialist launches new high-performance admixtures [ OSCRETE CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS has announced the

launch of its new range of admixtures that prolong the workability of concrete, providing improved flexibility for contractors on site.

The Optomize X-Tend range is based on new generation PCE superplasticisers that offer high consistency retention, suitable for precast, ready-mixed concrete and flowing screeds.

“Advancements in technology are expanding horizons in the versatility and usage of concrete,” said Dean Clarke, the company’s national technical and development manager. “Admixtures such as the Optomize X-Tend range offer solutions to difficult conditions and reduce the need for on-site adjustments by providing increased workability of the concrete for longer periods of time.”

The new products have been developed at the firm’s plant in Bradford and are now available in bulk across the UK and Ireland.

Oscrete’s range of quality, innovative products makes it one of the UK’s leading specialist construction chemical suppliers, providing highvalue technical solutions for clients across the concrete industry. q

• For further information call 01274 393 286, email info@oscrete.co.uk or visit the website at www.oscrete.com

Flowing concrete using Optomize-X-Tend www.constructionnational.co.uk

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National Retrofit Strategy goes out for consultation [ THE Construction Leadership Council

(CLC) has adopted a National Retrofit Strategy, to be issued for consultation. The document, Greening Our Existing Homes, will form part of its work implementing the Roadmap to Recovery plan.

With existing homes using 35% of all the energy in the UK, and responsible for 20% of carbon dioxide emissions, the National Retrofit Strategy puts forward a plan for upgrades that are vital if the country is to meet its net zero target, the CLC says. The plan will help make homes greener and more energy and water efficient, warmer and cheaper to run.

The CLC says its strategy is in line with the UK Government’s target to upgrade as many homes as possible to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C by 2035. It will aid recovery in the repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) sector and provide opportunities for a joined-up approach to tackling climate change by all parts of the construction industry.

The strategy calls for partnership working between industry and government, leading to three key deliverables: • Creating a ‘building passport’ for every home • Developing skills training modules • Creating delivery programmes in trial areas to enable a grassroots • approach

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The strategy has been developed by participants in the Domestic RMI Workstream, one of the CLC’s four sector-specific workstreams looking at COVID recovery, and brings together specialists and the supply chain to address sector priorities.

In its Executive Summary, the document points out that, while the industry is able to deliver the strategy, there are ‘critical elements’ that can only be delivered by government.

“While industry can mobilise the majority of the capital that is needed, the government must also invest to instil confidence in the sector,” it reads.

CLC steering co-ordination group member Mark Reynolds said: “This strategy puts forward an ambitious plan for tackling climate change and creating jobs. It is fantastic to see the high level of support for the strategy from our industry. The CLC looks forward to working with BEIS and the Treasury to determine how the government can adopt the strategy’s recommendations.

“Retrofit promises a great deal for the sector, including a long-term pipeline of work. Not limited to this, retrofit brings opportunities for upskilling, digitisation and innovation, all in line with the Construction Sector Deal.”

The consultative document can be downloaded from the website at www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk. q

Planning reforms get cautious welcome from architects

[ REFORMS TO SPEED UP the delivery of schools, colleges, hospitals

and other NHS buildings have been given a cautious welcome by architects. The reforms were announced by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick on 3 December.

The new, fast-track for public service buildings – including schools, colleges, universities, prisons and hospitals – will be delivered via a faster, more streamlined planning process.

Currently those buildings can have small extensions without the need for a full planning application. The new proposals help to deliver more classrooms and hospital space by enabling them to extend further, faster.

Where a full planning application remains required – such as to build entirely new schools and hospitals – the process will be streamlined to speed up local decision-making so that work can continue at pace to deliver public services for the community.

Councils will need to make decisions on important buildings as a priority and have a legal duty to decide major public service development applications within 10 weeks. Currently, some planning applications are left for many months without a decision.

Robert Jenrick MP said: “The new fast-track for public services makes it simpler and quicker to deliver the schools and hospitals we promised to build in our manifesto. We expect these vital buildings to be approved in weeks, not months and are reforming the planning system so it works for the NHS, our schools and other vital public services.

“Like the rest of the planning reforms, these changes will also help to protect and create thousands of jobs in the construction industry.”

The RIBA responded to the proposals with a cautious welcome.

Its president Alan Jones commented: “We’ve been long calling for a more flexible, streamlined planning system – these proposals could therefore have potential. But we have also been clear that any simplifications to ‘fast track’ projects cannot be made at the expense of quality, safety or sustainability.

“Poor quality schools, hospitals and homes underprovide to communities, can be more costly to the taxpayer over the long term and waste the huge benefits that well considered design brings to society.”

The proposals also aim to help tackle the housing shortage by enabling commercial premises to be converted into new homes while giving high streets a new lease of life – removing eyesores and transforming unused and derelict buildings.

The RIBA was less enthusiastic to that aspect of the proposals.

Alan Jones continued: “We will be responding to the consultation on supporting housing delivery and look forward to working with the government to ensure we end up with a reformed planning system that works for everyone.”

The government was at pains to point out that the right to convert commercial premises to homes does not apply to certain buildings, including pubs, theatres and live music venues – recognising the important role they play in communities and their contribution to local heritage. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Site security: nowadays it pervades all areas of activity [NEVER HAS THE construction industry

been more security conscious – and never has it needed to be! The complexity and value of assets on a construction site provide an unprecedented Aladdin’s cave for would-be thieves. Moreover, wanton vandalism seems to be an ever-increasing facet of society and in recent years the explosion in new technology has offered rich pickings for a new type of criminal, the cyber-criminal.

New technology has also spawned a threat no-one could have foreseen. As we reported a year ago, a new urban ‘sport’ has seen highlyskilled individuals breaking into construction sites and climbing buildings and plant, then posting video of themselves doing it on the web. As was pointed out, not only were they potentially damaging the plant and equipment they were climbing on, but the liability for any potential harm they came to could have been laid at the door of the contractor.

So, how do building companies protect themselves against this plethora of threats, both old and new?

Most security companies will point to two basic types of security activity: those involving human staff and those carried out by physical objects. Human staff can be guards, monitoring staff, information analysts or anyone involved with the implementation of a site’s security policy. Physical objects can be fences, barriers, cameras, intruder detectors or other technology.

The threats can take many forms, but there are three categories generally identifiable as the main areas of concern. They are threats to property, threats to life and threats to the operation of the site.

There are in turn three main causes of those threats: theft, vandalism or social/political causes. Theft is perhaps the cause most people are familiar with. The value of assets on construction sites is an obvious temptation for thieves. More recently, theft via electronic means is becoming more common, ranging from hacking of company computers on site to ransomware attacks demanding money in return for freeing up critical data.

Vandalism is becoming more common on sites. Mostly it is carried out by people with no particular axe to grind, but merely a desire to cause damage. It may also involve attacks on personnel, either employees on the site or the security personnel guarding the site.

Attacks on sites for political or social reasons are less common, but can range from blocking access to a site to terrorist activity – fortunately rare. More common is activity by people with an objection to the site’s existence. Again, although most activity is low level, it can disrupt site activity and may stretch to vandalism.

Sites that may attract terrorist attack are more likely to be highprofile, high-status projects with government or international significance. The security systems and risk assessments needed on those projects are of their nature sensitive and beyond the scope of a generalist feature.

Whatever the nature of the site and the level of threat it experiences, the security system and its implementation now has to form part of the management ethos of the project.

The Chartered Institute of Building – the professional body for managers in the industry – introduces its guidance on the issue thus: “Security within the construction sector is becoming increasingly

important. This is not just in terms of the physical controls and guarding, or security-minded behaviour by personnel, but also in respect of how we manage risks arising from unauthorised access to, and manipulation or sharing of, data, information and systems.

The consequences of poor security should not be underestimated and could affect project financial margins, the construction programme, business reputation, the built asset itself and, worst of all, the lives of personnel.”

The institute promulgates a set of six-principles for managers to adopt a security-conscious approach. They are: • To adopt a security-minded approach to personal and professional life • Apply responsible judgement and take a leadership role • Comply with legislation and codes and seek ways to improve them • Ensure security-minded communications • Understand and comply with systems for security governance and • seek to improve them • Contribute to public and professional awareness of security In the following pages we address some of those issues and carry comment from some experts in the field. q

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Don’t let thieves in by the front door According to research carried out by the Chartered Institute of Building, 21% of construction sites are robbed on a weekly basis. And even though theft and vandalism cost the UK construction sector as much as £800m in one year alone, site operators still need help in understanding how they can lock down their building sites – and why they should. The first step in preventing such crime is to identify the most common entry points for intruders. Perimeter security experts Sicuro have some advice.

[ MOST CONSTRUCTION SITES have a clearly defined perimeter, to

safeguard the public as much as workers on the project. But the perimeter fencing can often be scaled too easily, allowing easy access for anyone who is good at climbing or has access to a ladder. By using flat sided hoardings, you have a better chance of preventing climbers. The height should be a minimum of 2.4m, and preferably 3m, which would offer added security – particularly if you add intrusion detection and a video verification alarm system.

Existing buildings Remember that not all construction sites are based around new development works, and the project may be taking place on an existing property with an adjacent building attached. In that case, thieves may be able to gain entry from the neighbouring premises, through an open window or fire escape.

Scaffolding Not only is scaffolding of value to thieves, but it also makes a fantastic entry and exit route into an unsecured construction site. Scaffolding protection beams are an effective way to prevent climbers, as is the chaining of planks alongside ladders to stop the use of rungs.

The front gate All too often, thieves are able to wander onto a construction site right through the front gate. Unauthorised personnel – namely your determined thief – can pose as a construction worker and gain access to tools, machinery and construction vehicles. Access control systems can be used which use token-based access and identity management to ensure that only those with a legitimate right to be there are allowed entry to the site.

Dark spots Depending on the layout of your construction site, you might end up with some dark areas around the perimeter that suffer from a lack of visibility. When planning your building site security, walk around the outside of your site and take note of any spots that are overshadowed by trees or back onto a dark alleyway, both of which would make great places for criminals to lurk and gain access.

If there are any black spots which aren’t being picked up on your CCTV cameras, then this also needs to be addressed by adding an extra camera angle to your setup.

If you want to save money and reduce project delays, then it’s time to deter criminals from your building site. Contact professional construction security specialists such as Sicuro to help you lock down your perimeter. q

Project data security can be of national importance [

IN COMMON WITH all other areas of business and personal life, the construction sector is becoming increasingly aware of the security implications of the data involved in the construction process.

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) encourages its members to be mindful of the security implications of their handling of data – whether in their work or personal lives. For example, managers should keep a clear separation between their personal and work devices and messaging.

The advice applies to such varied areas as social media, emails and even the posting of photographs of the site.

The implications for security breaches become increasingly serious with the significance of the project, with many infrastructure projects being of national or even international importance.

Modern design processes also involve considerations of the impact of construction on a building’s life.

According to the CIOB: “Further, a construction manager should appreciate that the way they undertake their role impacts not only on the security of the construction activity taking place, but on the security of the completed built asset and therefore the personnel using it and the services delivered from or by it, as well as the project and asset data and information.”

The institute recommends members to use the PAS 1192-5 specification for security-minded building information modelling, digital built environments and smart asset management – whether they are working to BIM Level 2 compliance or not.

PAS 1192-5 was published in 2015 by BSI and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI). According to CPNI, the PAS goes beyond the ISO 27001 standard for information security management in that it recognises the broad range of organisations and the large amount of data and information involved in BIM or smart asset management.

Echoing the broader application of the specification identified by CIOB, the CPNI states: “PAS 1192-5 deals specifically with the security-minded approach to building information modelling, digital built environments and smart asset management. However, the policies, processes and procedures it specifies should, where appropriate, be cross-referenced to the other security management policies and plans which the employer or asset owner has in place, as well as relevant government guidance and codes of practice on wider security issues.”

So, while the security the public sees regarding a building project normally relates to the physical presence of measures on site, in reality the security system is implemented well before a spade goes into the ground. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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How do you assess what measures are needed?

Central to any comprehensive security policy on a site is an assessment of the risk and threats. Here, Kingdom Systems explain some of the key elements of that assessment.

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IN ORDER FOR EVERYONE involved to be aware of the potential risks on a construction site, and therefore be able to determine the level of protection and security needed, it is recommended that a register is created. This should contain a list of all of the potential threats and hazards which could impact the construction site, and details of actions taken to combat those risks.

The register should include two distinct parts – a raw risk register and a residual risk register. The raw risk register outlines the risks, the chance of them happening and what impact they would have before any action has been taken. Measures are then put in place to mitigate the risk.

The residual risk register then looks at those measures taken to see if they have reduced the level of risk to below an acceptable level. Because of the constantly changing nature of the construction site, it is important that these are reviewed frequently and throughout the duration of the construction project.

In order to calculate the risk to the construction site you need to multiply the likelihood of the risk happening by the impact of the risk: 5 is usually used as high likelihood or impact, with 1 usually used as low likelihood or impact. Each risk score should fall into a different category – for example, a score of over 10 being a high risk and should be mitigated, whereas a score of 0 or 1 being of no significant risk.

Depending on the scores, you can then decide what to do about the risk. You can either ignore or accept it, you can export or transfer it, or you can address it. There will be a number somewhere along the scale whereby if the risk is below that number action does not need to be taken, but if the risk is above that number something needs to be done. This is known as the ‘risk appetite’.

Risks can be ignored if the cost of mitigating it is greater than the impact, but only after careful consideration; and just because you are not taking action to combat a risk does not mean that you forget about it. You should still review it when reviewing your entire risk assessment in case the nature of the risk changes.

Exporting or transferring a risk involves taking out insurance or contracting a third party, such as a security company, to mitigate the risk.

The third option is addressing the risk, which means using technology, people or processes in order to reduce the likelihood, impact or both of a risk, so that the risk appetite is below the acceptable level.

Changing risk Because a construction site can be in a constant state of change, the risks can also change very quickly, and therefore it is vital to regularly reassess the risks and threats to the site. So, before work begins on the site, a risk might be that travellers move on to the empty land and occupy it.

However, once work has started, that risk decreases but the risk of theft of materials and equipment escalates.

Combating risks In order to reduce the risk to the construction site you need to increase the risk to the potential criminal.

Security solutions should be used in combination to do four things: deter, detect, delay and respond to criminal activity. Most security solutions will provide more than one of these functions.

• Deterrence – there are many ways to deter a criminal. Whereas an • open, unprotected site looks welcoming to a potential criminal, a site • with fences, locks, CCTV and security guards will discourage them.

• Detection – identifying a threat, either at the time to protect • vulnerable people and property, or afterwards to identify who • carried out the crime.

• Delay – any method that can slow the action of the criminal, • increasing the chance of them being caught.

• Response – for example, the arrival of security guards or the police.

There are six key ways to provide these functions on a construction site, and most sites will use some or all of these: • Restrict access to the site • Protect site assets • Surveillance of people on site • Provide site safety • Provide controlled and monitored site evacuation • Liaise with police, local authorities and other stakeholders It is worth noting that whether a construction site is a greenfield site or a brownfield site will impact on what measures can be used and to what effect in order to combat risk. Greenfield sites are in effect a blank canvas and provide maximum flexibility when putting in place security. With brownfield sites there are often restraints depending on the layout of the existing site. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Plant thieves take advantage of lockdown site closures [THE START of the first national

‘lockdown’ in March saw a marked increase in thefts of plant and tools from sites across the country. The Construction Equipment Association (CEA), owner of the CESAR plant marking and registration initiative – which utilises Datatag identification technology – saw the increase as being largely due to construction firms and contractors temporarily scaling down work and shutting job sites due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Nick Mayell, Datatag's CESAR police training and liaison officer, commented at the time: “The coronavirus ‘lockdown' has meant that it's currently open season for criminal gangs who target construction plant. The abrupt abandonment of work sites has left machinery unsecured and vulnerable. Whereas a company would normally wind down for seasonal closures by ‘off-hiring’ kit and moving their own machines, sites have closed overnight – in the blink of an eye – and the thieves are having a field day.”

Perversely, the lack of traffic on the roads made it easier for thieves to move stolen plant around.

Nick Mayell explained: “The shifting of kit has also become much easier as trucks and vans are moving freely during the lockdown, whereas car travel is restricted to ‘essential'.”

David Smith, chairman of Combined Industries Theft Solutions (CITS), concurred with the view of the cause of the theft explosion.

“As a result of the coronavirus situation,” he said, “some construction sites have been forced to close and personnel, including on-site security, have left. Under these circumstances, organised criminal gangs may try to exploit the situation.

“Where construction plant and equipment has been left on site, it is hoped that the police will be as vigilant as ever. Any unusual activity, on or near construction sites which have closed, needs to be investigated. This also applies to any unusual transport movements for construction plant, for example during an unusual time, or if the vehicle is moving numerous items of plant belonging to different companies.

“For owners of construction plant, it may be useful, for example, to ensure that tracking companies are alerted to the plant’s location.”

With the second wave of coronavirus leading to another lockdown, the New Year may bring with it a further

heightening of the plant theft threat level and the advice offered in March may come in good stead once more.

At the time, Ian Elliott, group head of security at Clancy Docwra and CITS vice chair, advised: “Firms should be aiming at removing the majority of tools and plant away from site compounds.

“Where traditionally companies would perhaps have used plant containers, during these challenging times companies are advised to leave these almost empty and remove plant and tools to

a head office where possible, or placing the tools and small kit within brick or concrete buildings well out of sight of the criminals. For sites where a company can't physically remove kit, then the machinery should be placed within containers and the containers should be blocked in by placing large concrete blocks or vehicles in front of the containers, blocking the doors. Keys for the vehicles must not be left on site!”

All experts advise the marking and registering of all plant with a scheme such as CESAR. q

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Make your site COVID-criminal secure [

WE ALL LIKE to think that the COVID-19 crisis has brought out the best in society. In the vast majority of people it has done, but unfortunately, as we are having to look at the way we live and work, the criminal minority is being forced to do the same – and in some cases the situation may actually be seen as an opportunity.

There is an argument that some crime will diminish as free movement has become harder and opportunities for petty theft become fewer. However the team at Compound Security Specialists, which supplies the RaiderVision temporary alarm system, are concerned that some theft activities will move from, say shoplifting and home burglary, to locations that are less well protected. That could potentially be construction sites.

An incident during the national lockdown gave them rise to concern. A civils compound was penetrated and an attempt was made on the digger.

When the alarm went off the perpetrators ran; however, they also attacked the school next door you tell them, they will do their best to check on them regularly. and HD images showed that one intruder had a “If your site alarm system is armed at night automatically at a set knife and blood was subsequently found on the digger. time, do not leave the site two hours early as it will not be protected.

Compound Security continued the story in their blog: Change the automatic arm time or use a keypad.

“We have concerns that this may be more than just a one-off incident “If you normally respond to intruder alerts yourself or your staff attend, and are advising all our alarm response partners to take every precaution it may be time to consider contracting an SIA-certified keyholding when responding to alarm events. Their safety is paramount.” service provider to respond for you, especially with the prospect of free They then offered a series of points to consider to maximise security: movement being curtailed in the months ahead. Such providers can be “Check all perimeter fences. If the entire site is not fenced off or found by typing in ‘keyholding services’ and the name of your town into bounded by natural barriers, take action to rectify this immediately.

Google. On average, charges are £1 per day for holding your keys and “If your site has evolved significantly since the cameras/alarm system then a charge if they are called to respond to a confirmed alarm. was installed, it is possible that the wrong parts of your site are being “Above all, stay vigilant in these unprecedented times and most protected now. Walk around your site and consider where your cameras importantly look out for your own safety and the safety of others.” q are looking. If you feel there are key areas where there is no cover call your provider and get them moved to correct locations. Ensure cameras are not obscured by building materials that will shield an intruder.

“Remove any loose rubbish, paper, plastic sheeting, plastic wrapping etc that can blow around in the wind. These can cause large volumes of false activations during daylight hours and that clogs up the control rooms monitoring many of the alarm systems, meaning real alarm activations take longer to IFSEC INTERNATIONAL – the security industry’s major exhibition and networking event – is be acted on, giving thieves more time. Plus, now rescheduled to take place at ExCeL London on 12–14 July. The 2020 event was postponed have a thought for the operators who have to from September last year. Organiser Informa Markets made the decision in consultation with its watch thousands of these videos every day. exhibitors and event partners.

“Ensure whenever possible that plant and The rescheduling also covers a number of associated events, including FIREX International, machinery is parked in range of a camera – in Safety & Health Expo, Facilities Show, Intelligent Building Europe and Workplace Wellbeing most cases within 20 meters. If one machine Show. Counter Terror Expo, Ambition, Forensics Expo Europe and World Counter Terror Congress, is more vulnerable than others, make it the all organised by Clarion, are also part of the rescheduling. hardest one to get to.

Chris Edwards, Informa Markets’ group director for IFSEC International, said at the time of “Ensure fuel bowsers are covered by a the announcement: “We know how important our events are as a forum where our communities camera. This is the biggest target on your site! come together to learn, network and meet suppliers. We have a proud track record of hosting Park heavy plant in front of the doors of cabins the largest gatherings of any event in our industry in the UK – and often beyond – and no one is containing valuable items. more disappointed in this decision than us, but after much deliberation we are sure that this is “Make contact with your neighbours and absolutely the right thing to do in the circumstances. ask them to keep an eye on the site and “After carefully considering the options and following discussions with exhibitors and event report anything suspicious to someone. You partners it became clear that postponement is the most sensible option. could provide them with the contact details “As each of our communities look to rebuild and recover in 2021 our team will also be of whichever provider responds to your working hard to ensure we return next year with an event that brings people back together for alarm and offer a small reward such as a gift the reunion everyone will be crying out for. Details on how our events will continue to evolve and certificate. develop for next year will be forthcoming over the summer.” q “Contact the local police. In most cases they have no idea where building sites are and if

IFSEC: the show goes on in 2021 [

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York Handmade plays pivotal role in stunning Mayfair development [

THE AWARD-WINNING York Handmade Brick Company has played a significant role in a stunning development in the heart of London’s West End. The Easingwold-based firm, one of the leading independent brick makers in the country, has supplied thousands of speciallymanufactured bricks for the contemporary development in Mount Row, Mayfair – opposite the iconic Connaught Hotel.

The state-of-the-art, five-storey building, which will be completed next autumn, comprises a brand new commercial art gallery and four luxury apartments.

Martin Wells, director of Studio Mackereth, the building’s architects, described York Handmade’s contribution as ‘pivotal to the look of a very important new building in Old Mayfair.’

York Handmade founder and chairman David Armitage commented: “This was an incredibly prestigious project for us, worth £60,000, and it was a great honour to provide our bricks for such a landmark mixed-use building in the heart of London.

“Our long thin Maxima bricks were perfect for this development, while their bespoke colour, a dark red, fits in perfectly with the other distinctive buildings in Mount Row and nearby Carlos Place.

“More generally, we are extremely proud to have played a key role in the reshaping of modern London over the past 10 years with a series of acclaimed commissions. It is wonderful to have a little bit of Yorkshire in the heart of the capital.

“These high-profile, award-winning commissions have led to new prestigious projects elsewhere in the city, which will further strengthen our position as the independent brick supplier of choice for London architects and developers.”

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He added: “It is humbling to be part of a rich tradition in London, where brick continues to be the material that helps both residential and commercial buildings to bridge the divide between the traditional and the contemporary, as well as giving them a unique and individual look.”

Martin Wells explained that the new building presented its challenges: “The relatively small scale of the existing two-storey building at No. 30 Mount Row was out of context with the rest of the street which consists predominantly of five and six-storey buildings.

“So this was an opportunity to replace this building with one of more suitable scale which would not be dwarfed by the two adjacent buildings and which would address this gap, stitching the streetscape together into a more coherent whole. We therefore had to design a facade which would respond to the heritage setting of Old Mayfair, whilst remaining unashamedly modern.

“The range of colours provided by York Handmade seem to effortlessly echo those of heritage buildings in the area, so we were able to make a selection which ultimately provided us with a brick combining the rich tones, texture and form that we had been looking for.

We were also drawn to the fact that they were

handmade in the UK, as so much of Britishmade manufacturing is either moving towards mechanisation or sadly disappearing entirely.

“Everyone at York Handmade has been a pleasure to work with from the start – always very can-do – and throughout the process up to the delivery of the bricks on site. They have been part of the team working to make the brickwork package on this project a success. We will definitely be working with York Handmade again and would thoroughly recommend their products and team.”

Other key players in the Mount Row project were the development manager Glebe, the main contractor Forcia Ltd and the brickwork sub-contractor Macai Projects Ltd. Apart from Mount Row, the Easingwoldbased manufacturer has supplied bespoke bricks for the iconic Shard, London Bridge Station, London Bridge Place, Highgate School, Carmelite House on the Victoria Embankment, Lancer Square, a multi-million pound mixedused development close to Kensington Palace, the redeveloped Highbury Stadium and One Molyneux Street in Marylebone. q • For further information call 01347 838 881, email sales@yorkhandmade.co.uk or visit the website at www.yorkhandmade.co.uk

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Take care when Zooming into online dispute resolution, says lawyer [

ORGANISATIONS THAT ARE looking to use mediation as a way to resolve a dispute without the need for costly litigation need to be aware of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the process in the coming months, and the potential pitfalls and challenges.

That is according to Ian Timlin, a specialist dispute resolution and commercial litigation lawyer at Conexus Law. Ian cautions that the new process may not be as effective, and is also less secure unless certain measures are put in place.

Ian explained: “From a practical point of view it has been relatively straightforward to bring mediation online, with Zoom for example being used as the facility for secure separate breakout rooms for separate parties, and for bringing the parties together in a plenary session. The mediator can then speak to each party separately or with the parties together, virtually switching online from room to room.

“However, that does mean that things are not necessarily as secure as in a physical situation. As a result, we are advising that there is an online mediation protocol in the mediation agreement to be signed by the parties, which governs the terms of how the virtual mediation progresses and the rules that are to be adhered to. It should cover areas such as not recording the sessions, or sharing of the mediation meeting ID other than

to participants involved, to ensure no one ‘sits in’ unannounced.

“Also, each party should agree that, if for any technical reason they can see and/ or hear a private conversation between the mediator and/or any other party – including error on the mediator's part in moving parties correctly to the breakout rooms – they must terminate the session at once and call or text the mediator.”

However, Ian goes on to say that the biggest challenge remains the fact that it is much more difficult to establish a genuine rapport across a screen with the mediator and other parties, and this is key in mediation to gain a party’s trust and confidence.

“Before people are willing to settle, they must feel that their interests are truly understood, and only then can a mediator reframe problems and float creative solutions,” he explained. “Eye contact with the other side can be difficult if they are sitting well back from their screens and not in the same room, and therefore it is vital that participants show their faces and do not hide behind their name on a black screen or stock photo of themselves.

That way each party and the mediator can see how they are reacting to the points being made.” q

Grenfell inquiry Unqualified people are suspends hearings and signing off cladding starts to move online

forms, claims RICS [

THE Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) says it has been made aware that unqualified people may be signing off EWS1 forms – the form used by a building owner to confirm to valuers and lenders that an external cladding system on a residential building has been assessed by a suitable expert, in line with the latest government advice.

The EWS1 form must be completed by a fully-qualified member of a relevant professional body within the construction industry, with sufficient expertise to identify the relevant materials within the external wall cladding and attachments – including whether fire resisting cavity barriers and fire stopping have been installed correctly.

UK banks and building societies have robust measures in place to protect people against fraud, which would pick up any EWS1 form that is suspicious; however, RICS is encouraging everyone to check the signatory on a form with their profession’s institution.

In a statement, the RICS said: “RICS, UK Finance and BSA [the bodies representing banks and building societies] do not approve individual persons who can deliver the EWS1 and cannot advise on who can and cannot complete the EWS1 form/process. However, we would anticipate only qualified chartered members of the relevant professional bodies such as IFE [Institute of Fire Engineers] and RICS will have the necessary selfassessed competence and professional indemnity insurance to carry out this work.” q

[

THE LATEST LOCKDOWN in England has forced the Grenfell Tower Inquiry to suspend hearings.

In a statement issued on 6 January, the inquiry panel said: “This was a difficult decision, but the increase in transmissibility of the new variant of coronavirus means that there is a significant increase in the risk of infection facing anyone who travels to and works at the inquiry’s premises, notwithstanding the robustness of the arrangements in place. In the current circumstances it is unreasonable to ask witnesses and inquiry team staff to travel into a particularly high-risk area to attend the inquiry.”

In order to maintain the momentum of its Phase 2 hearings the panel made the decision to move to remote hearings as soon as possible – a move it had resisted hitherto. It decided however that remote hearings are better than no hearings at all, so is in the process of moving to that option.

The statement continued: “The inquiry is working with its supplier to make urgent preparations for remote hearings, including safely distributing equipment to witnesses and testing it to ensure that hearings proceed smoothly. The inquiry hopes to start remote hearings as early as possible in February, and will write to core participants as soon as possible to confirm the resumption date and any other details, including how bereaved, survivor and resident core participants will be able to follow the proceedings remotely.”

There is no indication of when the inquiry expects to resume hearings in person. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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TG20:21 to go on sale in the spring [ THE NASC’S eagerly-anticipated scaffolding design software

update and expansion eGuide – TG20:21 – will go on sale from March.

TG20:21 builds on TG20:13, the NASC’s innovative, user-friendly and widely-adopted eGuide software, with a number of revisions to make the process of producing a compliant scaffolding design even simpler and additions to make the software even more useful.

These additions include exterior birdcages, tube and fitting mobile towers, tube and fitting loading bays without beams, and tied independent scaffolds with three inside boards.

The TG20 compliance sheet will now be double sided with the illustration and principal compliance criteria on the front side and the detailed compliance criteria listed on the reverse in landscape format.

Users will be able to access TG20:21 – and the associated and updated operational and design guides – via a link from the NASC website using a unique serial number and login credentials rather than via a file download or CD.

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It will cost NASC members £75 per eGuide subscription per year and non-members £300 per eGuide subscription per year. To ensure the transition for existing users from TG20:13 to TG20:21 is as fair as possible, there will be a short period of free use of the new software.

All TG20:13 users will have three months of TG20:21 free, while those that purchased TG20:13 in 2019 will receive nine months of the new software free. Those that purchased TG20:13 in 2020 will be entitled to use TG20:21 for free for 15 months before subscription fees apply.

NASC president Lynn Way said: “TG20:13 was a huge step forward for the scaffolding industry, revolutionising the way scaffolding contractors produce day-to-day scaffolding designs and ensure their scaffolding projects are safe and compliant.

“TG20:21 is another step forward.

Not only has the scope of TG20 been expanded but it’s also been further simplified – making it easier than ever to use and covering a broader range of scaffold designs.

“On top of this, the TG20:21 suite will be accessible via a dedicated digital portal, again, making it much more user friendly.

“I’d like to thank all the NASC committees that played a part in working on TG20:21 as well as our long-standing software developers CADS for their efforts in bringing it to life.

“Of course, the work doesn’t stop here and we’ll continue to innovate and improve in any way we can to make the scaffolding industry safer for all.” q

NASC secures fleet resource gold [

NASC MEMBERS can now gain free access to a broad range of transport-related resources and discounts from Logistics UK. Through the NASC’s Gold Affiliate Membership of Logistics UK, formerly known as the Freight Transport Association, full members will be able to pick and choose from 35 different services offered via the website.

These include discounted rates on training, vehicle inspection services, tacho analysis services, shop, van and truck excellence (leading to lower insurance premiums), vehicle recovery, fuel cards and transport manager seminars.

NASC members will also be given access to Logistic UK’s member to member portal to discuss any transport-related issues they may have.

The NASC will receive regular briefings on the latest developments in transport legislation and policy, which will be issued to members and added to the members’ area on the NASC website. The NASC will also be able to access Logistics UK’s Member Advice Centre, through which it can seek specific support and advice on behalf of members.

NASC managing director Robin James said: “Through our Gold Affiliate Membership, the NASC has ensured that members have free

access to a wide range of fleet resources, information and discounts – providing them with invaluable transport knowledge and cost savings.

“We are the first construction industry trade body to take up this membership and are proud to be leading the way. Our close association with Logistics UK adds yet another benefit of NASC membership to scaffolding contractors and suppliers, building on a list that includes access to work, technical and health & safety support, the opportunity to secure a share of £280,000 in NASC training funds, and discounts on a range of ancillary products and services provided by NASC Information members.”

“Safe and efficient transport of goods and people is vital to the success of the nation’s economy as it recovers from the effects of COVID-19,” said Al Richardson, head of membership at Logistics UK. “Our partnership with NASC will allow us to reinforce and build compliance in vehicle operation across the construction industry and provide vital support and guidance for the businesses charged with building back after the pandemic.

“We look forward to a long and beneficial partnership for both parties.” q

NASC pays out £50,000 in training fund payments to members [NASC MEMBERS RECEIVED more than £50,000 from the NASC’s four training funds during 2020, it has been revealed.

Full members collectively claimed £25,500 in Continual Professional Development (CPD) funding – paying for 204 experienced operatives to complete the two-day refresher course – and £16,500 in CISRS Operatives Training Scheme (COTS) payments – bringing 132 new recruits into the scaffolding industry.

Members also made 58 applications to receive funding through the NASC’s Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training fund, receiving £7,250 in total.

There were also three £1,000 claims made to the NASC’s Armed Forces training fund, dedicated to the training and upskilling of exservices personnel.

Robin James, NASC managing director, said: “The NASC is passionate about safety, training and recruitment and committed to helping its members succeed in these areas.

“The established CPD and COTS funding pots, through which members can claim payments of £125 for employees at the start of their scaffolding industry career and those renewing their CISRS Scaffolder or Advanced Scaffolder cards, remain extremely popular among members.

“We are delighted to see that members continue to take advantage of the MHFA training fund, making more than a claim per week during 2020 collectively. Mental health and wellbeing is a huge issue in the construction industry, evidenced by the fact that every working day two construction workers take their own life.

“This fund aims to help break down the stigma surrounding mental health and promote the importance of focusing on employee wellbeing in the workplace, giving members a payment of up to £125 to pay for mental health first aid training.

“The Armed Forces fund, through which NASC members can claim up to £1,000 towards the training of an ex-forces employee or employees, has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re sure that once normality returns, they will make as much use of this fund as they have the other three.” q

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CISRS CPD: have your say [IT’S BEEN over three years since

the requirement for completion of CPD for CISRS Scaffolder and Advanced Card renewal was formally introduced on 1 July 2017. It had been an issue that the sector had avoided and ‘knocked into the long grass’ for several years.

Following a request from the HSE to incorporate a more thorough card renewal process, a working party was set up to discuss and agree proposed content, duration and method of delivery, based upon previous discussions with the Access and Scaffolding Industry Training Organisation (ASITO), NASC membership and third parties such as CITB, CSCS and the unions.

Despite initial reluctance to its introduction, the two-day course has proved very popular and the feedback collected from delegates upon completion of the course has been overwhelmingly positive. Having now passed the halfway point in the five-year CPD cycle, with over 60% of those required to attend the CPD programme having now undertaken it, CISRS would be very interested in hearing their views now that they have had time to reflect.

Dave Mosley, CISRS scheme manager, said: “We would like to gauge the views not only of delegates, but also of employers and the wider industry in regard to CISRS Scaffolder CPD, both in its current form and suggestions for what it may look like for future programmes.”

These responses will assist CISRS when reviewing Scaffolder CPD and their short CPD survey can be found at cisrs.org.uk/cpd-survey/. The CPD survey will remain open until 28 February 2021.

Dave Mosley added: “CPD/refresher training as a scheme requirement caused quite a bit of controversy at the time of its introduction, but most in the sector now accept that as a safety critical trade it makes sense to ensure that scaffolders are kept up to date with changes within their industry.

“We want people to be honest in their responses, and as such the survey is anonymous. We do however want the comments to be constructive, remarks like ‘its rubbish’ will not help us identify areas that require consideration. If there are specific elements of the programme that someone has concerns with, we want them to let us know and if they can offer solutions to these issues they would be welcomed.” q

New system apprenticeship announced [CISRS-ACCREDITED training provider Simian has launched a new

system scaffolding apprenticeship scheme in collaboration with Layher.

The Layher Allround Scheme will start early next year with candidates progressing to become qualified Layher Scaffolders two years later.

The assessment days will be used to provide information on how the scheme works, on what the various parties can expect from one another, and to assess the suitability of candidates to enter the apprenticeship programme including an assessment of their ability in English and Maths.

Speaking of the new scheme, Simian MD Simon Hughes said: “We’re really

pleased that our proposed Layher apprenticeship programme is starting to gain traction and it’s another very exciting addition to the scaffolding training courses that we deliver.

“In terms of Layher, there will now be three routes to becoming qualified, and the apprenticeship programme will add to the existing traditional Part One and Part Two routes and the System Scaffold Product Training Scheme (SSPTS) route.

“It’s vital that we get the support of Layher users for this initiative, so I’d like to personally ask Layher-using employers and would-be apprentices to consider this route. We’re very hopeful that the Government apprentice incentive scheme grant of up to £2,000 per employee, in addition to any other grants that are payable, will encourage sign ups.

“This means that in addition to the financial benefit, employers will also receive the benefit of an upskilled workforce.”

Dave Mosley, NASC director for training and CISRS managing director, added: “It’s great to see Simian and Layher, both CISRS accredited training providers and NASC members, come together on this course.

“This apprenticeship provides scaffolding contractors across the country with another CISRS-approved scaffolder training option and as such we’re delighted it will soon be offered.” q • For more information and to register your interest call 0345 602 2418, email hello@simian-risk.com or visit the website at www.simian-risk.com.

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Extension plans discussed at accreditation audit

[CISRS HAS CARRIED OUT its first

accreditation audit at Walsall College’s Midlands scaffolding training centre in Birmingham.

The audit – conducted at what was formerly operated by CITB as National Construction College (NCC) Midlands – was completed without incident.

During the visit, CISRS managing director Dave Mosley got the chance to meet Walsall College’s head of curriculum cluster – construction, engineering and science, Neil Sambrook, to discuss the college’s plans, which could include extending the training areas and changes to the locations of the inspection and roof scaffold structures.

Dave Mosley said: “The accreditation visit went very well. It was a great opportunity to meet with Neil and discuss future plans for the centre.

NCC Midlands has always had a large, regular customer base and a good set of staff so Walsall will be building on a solid foundation. We wish them all the best in their new venture.”

Neil Sambrook added: “We were originally due to take over in February so we were really pleased to finally be here, it’s a positive end to a very strange year.

“Adding scaffolding training to our portfolio has been a goal of ours for some time so we are really looking forward to working with CISRS and continuing to deliver a quality training experience for the access industry.”

CITB agreed to sell NCC Midlands to Walsall College in November under its Vision 2020 programme, which has seen the body hand over the management of its training centres to alternative providers. q

Top notch access tower riggers [ have a new name

PASMA – the Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association – has relaunched its training scheme for complex aluminium access towers. With the relaunch comes a new name for those who complete the challenging programme: they’re now known as ‘access tower specialists’ and are able to build all types of towers, including bespoke structures designed to meet the needs of a particular site – however tall, wide or awkward it may be.

The new qualification is the highest qualification available for access towers, aimed at those with considerable experience under their belts. They are already trained on all standard configuration towers, but the Access Tower Specialist course takes them to the next level, quite literally. Those who pass all the theory and practical assessments are qualified to use prefabricated aluminium components in surprisingly complex configurations that can go to much greater heights than standard towers.

The role of an access tower specialist The structures that access tower specialists build allow others to work safely at height in sectors such as construction and the built environment, maintenance, facilities management and aerospace.

Their service is known as ‘hire and assembly’ and it covers equipment rental, consultation, specification, design, assembly and dismantling. Although they’re competent on all standard configuration towers – mobile access towers, cantilever towers, towers on bridges, towers on stairways, large deck towers and linked towers – it is bespoke structures that truly showcase their abilities.

Bespoke towers can go tall and wide; around, over and under obstacles. They give access to various levels or stairwells, provide large and mobile deck areas, squeeze into tight spaces and can be adapted as requirements evolve. Doing all of this with lightweight, prefabricated aluminium components is a specialist skill that is not taught anywhere else. q • From January PASMA has joined with the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) as a partner card. Access Tower Specialist cards will carry the CSCS logo, providing a familiar and reliable way for clients, employers and contractors to verify qualifications and training. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Metal roofing awards go ahead online [

ON 5 NOVEMBER the Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors held its first awards ceremony online. The Hard Metals Awards were to be presented at the FTMRC’s inaugural conference; but as chairman Chris Salmon candidly explained in his introduction: “COVID-19 sadly put a stop to that.”

Chris went on to thank the awards sponsors before Jonathan Lowy, operational marketing manager of VM Zinc, introduced the first award – the FTMRC Commercial Award, which VM Zinc sponsored. A series of photographs of the entries were presented, after which Jonathan announced that the winner was Salmon Solutions for Charterhouse School (pictured). Their entry pipped finalists H L Metals Ltd for The Engine Shed, Stirling, and Norman & Underwood Ltd for Durham University.

Next came the FTMRC Cladding Award, sponsored

by ALM. The firm’s hard metal sales manager Michael Staff introduced the award, after which photos of the entries were shown. Michael then announced the winners: Zinc-It (Norwich) Ltd for the University of East Anglia in Norwich. They shaded Architectural Metal Roofing Ltd’s Driftwood Project in Salcombe and All Metal Roofing Ltd for the RAM Quarter in London.

The FTMRC Small Project Award was sponsored by Metal Solutions.

Its Southern sales manager Vijay Singh introduced the award and the photos of the entries. He then announced the winner: Just Hard Metals Ltd for Ravenswick Hall in Yorkshire. The other finalists were H L Metals Ltd for Usan Tower in Montrose and Salmon Solutions for a residential property in Bromley.

The final award was the Ian Harvey Architectural Award, sponsored

by Metra Metals Ltd. Ian Harvey – Ambassador for the FTMRC and its chief technical officer – introduced the award himself, after which the entries were showcased. Ian announced the winner: H L Metals Ltd for The Invisible House on the Isle of Skye. The other finalists were All Metal Roofing Ltd for Islington Square in London and Peters Roofing

Green roof industry comes of age [

LAST YEAR SAW a big step forward for green roofs in the UK with the transformation of the Green Roof Organisation (GRO), from a special interest group within the roofing industry into a recognised trade association and not-for-profit legal entity. A 12-person board was elected by its membership and that board elected Mark Harris of Radmat Building Products Ltd as chairman, with Chris Bridgman of Bridgman & Bridgman as vice-chair and Chris Roddick of Bauder as company secretary. Despite the restrictions created by the coronavirus pandemic it is an exciting time for GRO and green roofs generally.

Mark Harris explained: “This is an exciting time for the green roof sector and we recognise that as a trade association we are in a stronger position to further progress the needs of the sector, our members and the supply chain. Phase one of green roof training is currently available with phase two launched in April. Combined, these two phases facilitate the achievement of a CSCS card in green roofing.” q

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Contractors Ltd for canopies in Launceston Place in London.

It is hoped that next year’s awards can be held in person at the FTMRC’s conference. q

Yorkshire gem sees roofing work continue despite pandemic [

ONE OF THE country’s lesser-known treasures is seeing its lead roofing replaced despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Work is well underway to renew the lead on the eastern end of the nave of Beverley Minster in East Yorkshire. Scaffolding is being erected on both sides of the Minster and a temporary roof cover installed to protect the building as the roof’s boarding, gutters and lead are all renewed. Essential repairs will also be carried out to the oak timbers, lightning protection and fall arrest system.

The project cost of £875,000 is being assisted by a grant of £600,724 from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage. The grant is being administered by Historic England and the Church of England and is part of the government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund.

Match funding of £152,000 is being supplied by the Friends of Beverley Minster, with £42,000 coming from Beverley Minster Old Fund, £42,000 from the PCC and £38,000 from Beverley’s Two Churches One Town charity.

The main contractor for the work is Messenger Construction Ltd and the work is due to be complete by the end of March.

Although not formally a cathedral, Beverley Minster is recognised as one of the most important churches in the York Archbishopric. It was established as the monastery church of St John of Beverley, who died 1,300 years ago this year. q

Free fixings, hat and fleece with rainwater and soil orders in January [

THIS JANUARY Rainclear Systems, the UK’s leading stockist and online retailer of metal rainwater, roofline and drainage solutions, is including free fixings with every gutter, downpipe and soil pipe order. Plus, while stocks last, on orders over £500 customers will receive a Rainclear winter hat and with orders over £1,000 a Rainclear fleece.

Rainclear’s sales support administrator Freya Cottell said: “We’ll calculate all the screws, nuts, bolts, nails and, where relevant, silicone sealant or our patented gutter sealing packs, based on the size and content of the order, and include them in the delivery – saving the customer having to work all of that out for themselves as well as the cost of the fixings.

“Everything needed to get on and install the system they’ve bought will be delivered in one go.

A winter hat and fleece are also pretty essential right now whether you’re doing an installation on a roofline or just getting outside for a socially distanced catch-up.” q • Visit www.rainclear.co.uk to browse and buy the metal rainwater, roofline and drainage ranges online or, if you have any questions, call 0800 644 44 26 or email sales@rainclear.co.uk.

Rainclear’s sales support administrator, Freya Cottell, wearing the winter hat and fleece and holding an example of fittings customers can expect to receive for free with orders placed in January 2021

Institute rebrands in Chartered status bid [

IN SEPTEMBER the Institute of Roofing (IoR) launched a new brand identity as part of its commitment to modernise and revitalise, following the appointment of its new CEO Stuart Hicks.

The rebrand included a new logo in new colours, following on from a relaunch of the IoR website.

The institute celebrated its 40th anniversary last year and the new look followed a wave of developments that underpinned its goal of achieving Chartered status.

Stuart Hicks said: “I made it clear at our AGM in 2019 that we needed to make some big changes to help cement our place within the UK roofing sector. This new, graphic identity will not only give us a new logo, but ensure a more professionally presented organisation to the outside world.”

Last year the IoR also relaunched its associate course, as well as providing a comprehensive set of updated online training courses. Six of those have also now been recognised as part of the NFRC’s RoofCERT accreditation programme.

Stuart continued: “Alongside the new training courses, revamped website and fresh brand identity, we are also making headway in our goal to achieving Chartered status in what is a measured, step-by-step process.

We have changed the management structure of the IoR, modernised our constitution and rules, updated our membership criteria and improved our member benefits.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Flesh goes on the bones of lifetime skills scheme [

IN DECEMBER the government set out the details of its Lifetime Skills Guarantee scheme, first announced by Prime Minister Johnson in September.

The scheme is designed to help boost skills and the economy as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will include almost 400 free courses from April – more than 60 of which will be in construction and associated trades. The courses will be available to adults without a full qualification at Level 3 (A-level equivalent) to help them gain indemand skills and open up further job opportunities.

The details of the scheme were set out in an announcement from Gillian Keegan, Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills, on 9 December.

According to the announcement: “Designed to help our country build back better after the pandemic, the qualifications in this offer have been carefully chosen to help adults improve their career prospects and meet the needs of the economy. They will be reviewed regularly so the courses offered can be updated as the economy changes.”

The scheme is backed by £95m from the National Skills Fund. A proportion will be used to support education and training providers to scale up their provision to deliver the courses and meet the needs of learners.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson commented: “As we recover from the pandemic, we are focused on making sure that individuals and businesses can build back better than before.

“Throughout our lives we may all need to boost our skills – or gain new ones. These free qualifications will help open doors to better employment opportunities for thousands of adults and support

businesses to access the workforce they need to grow.”

The announcement was welcomed by the CITB, which described it as ‘timely’. CITB particularly welcomed the increased support for adults hoping to join the construction industry, which despite the pandemic has incredible potential for career progression.

Its head of policy and external affairs Mike Hobday said: “Today’s commitment by the government to inject funding into tertiary education to ensure the country can bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic is great news for the construction industry.

Construction is one of the sectors that will benefit most from the Lifetime Skills Guarantee and the courses that will receive funding cover a wide range of trades.

“This new support will help young people to continue to progress their learning in FE. The challenge will be to ensure that learners on FE courses are work-ready to enter industry. To bridge this gap, CITB is working with government and partners to develop new construction traineeships to be launched next year.

“In order to meet government ambitions on infrastructure and housing it’s essential the sector attracts the right workforce and arms them with the skills they need. This funding makes a significant contribution towards ensuring construction can recruit and train the skilled workers we need to rebuild the economy.”

The construction-related courses range from traditional trades such as plumbing, carpentry and plastering to those reflecting the new technologies, such as diplomas in the digital built environment and building information modelling (BIM). The full list can be found at www.gov.uk. q

Plasterers learn to learn online [

THE FIRST NATIONAL LOCKDOWN in March was a challenge for the plastering department at Kirklees College in West Yorkshire, as it is a practical trade – so the team had to implement digital technologies into teaching, learning and assessment to help learners progress online.

The plastering tutors created an engaging and

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innovative curriculum to aid in the delivery of the theory side of the qualification and the results were fantastic, with class attendance increasing by 14%. Lessons became enjoyable for staff and learners alike.

The team also worked in partnership with industry employers such as British Gypsum, who offered their support and resources via an online learning hub. That allowed learners to build a broader knowledge and made learning from home interactive. By using online tools including Quizziz and Microsoft Teams, the tutors were able to record lessons to which learners responded well.

Nick Taylor, curriculum area manager for construction at Kirklees College explained: “A couple of months into lockdown we hosted a masterclass on modern renders and their benefits, with Rob Speake from Weber Saint Gobain.

That has now been delivered across college to our other cohorts, allowing all learners to gain expert knowledge on modern technologies in the industry. Working remotely has made that type of learning possible. We now welcome online learning and can incorporate talks from industry

professionals into our lessons more frequently – which provides our learners with invaluable learning experiences.” q

CITB expands CSCS updates its apprenticeship support apprenticeship requirements [ALL LEVY-REGISTERED construction employers will be eligible to benefit from an

[

expanded CITB apprenticeships support service, to be phased in throughout the coming year. At present, CITB offers employer and apprentice support for 7,000 contracted apprenticeships – about a third of the total marketplace.

Under the new plans CITB will offer a support service to all employers with apprentices, on an employer demand-led basis. To facilitate that CITB will migrate direct, funded delivery of apprenticeships in England to existing providers. While support for current funded apprenticeships will continue in Scotland and Wales, the wider, demandled offer will also apply in those nations.

Support for employers will include help accessing grants, choosing the right apprenticeship standard and the right training provider, guidance through the government’s online apprenticeships system and building partnerships with colleges and training providers. CITB will also continue to offer some recruitment services to employers who recruit large numbers of apprentices each year, along with advice, guidance and support materials for all employers.

Deborah Madden, CITB’s head of apprenticeships, said: “In 2017 the government and industry made clear that the way CITB provided services had to change, and these changes deliver on that commitment. The aim is to make it as easy as possible for construction employers, particularly SMEs, to take on and manage apprentices, and to improve the chances of those young people achieving their qualification.”

CITB will no longer actively recruit for new starts beyond April, with prospective candidates and their employers instead referred to alternative training providers. All current CITB apprentices will continue to be supported through to completion.

As part of that switch from direct provision, in November CITB announced the sale of its NCC King’s Norton facility in Birmingham to Walsall College. q

THE Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has updated its requirements relating to the acceptance of apprenticeships by CSCS and its partner card schemes. CSCS cards have traditionally been issued on the basis of achieving N/SVQ Level 2 or higher. However, many newer apprenticeships have dropped the requirement to attain N/SVQ, which meant that CSCS could not recognise them.

The updated requirement issued by the CLC now allows CSCS to accept nationally recognised apprenticeships from all four UK nations, whether or not they include an N/SVQ. The updated requirement from the CLC reads: “Nationally recognised apprenticeships in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be accepted as meeting the minimum standard. This includes: • Relevant English Apprenticeships approved under Specification for Apprenticeship Standards in England (Pre 2020) or by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (2014 onwards) • Relevant Welsh Apprenticeships approved under Specification for Apprenticeship Standards in Wales • Relevant Scottish Modern Apprenticeships approved by the Apprenticeship Approvals Group.”

This will ensure that apprentices on more recently created apprenticeships courses, such as Trailblazers, will be eligible for a CSCS Apprentice card and once they have completed the apprenticeship, the relevant Skilled CSCS card. q

Construction training courses and/ or apprenticeships are available at the following colleges:

CCG Training Apprenticeships ccgtraining.ac.uk

Accrington and Rossendale College

Dundee & Angus College

T: 01254 389933 F: 01254 354001 E: info@accross.ac.uk W: www.accross.ac.uk

crawley.ac.uk 01293 442333

chichester.ac.uk 01293 812948

Tel: 0300 123 1036 W: www.dundeeandangus.ac.uk E: heretohelp@dundeeandangus.ac.uk Arbroath Campus, Keptie Road, Arbroath DD11 3EA

Broad Oak Campus, Broad Oak Road, Accrington BB5 2AS

Kingsway Campus, Old Glamis Road, Dundee DD3 8LE

Bath College T: 01225 312 191

Kirklees College

W: www.bathcollege.ac.uk E: apprenticeships@bathcollege.ac.uk

City Centre Campus, Avon Street, Bath BA1 1UP

Tel: 01484 437000 E: info@kirkleescollege.ac.uk W: www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk

Somer Valley Campus, Wells Road, Radstock BA3 3RW

Brunel Construction Centre, Old Fieldhouse Ln, Leeds Rd, Huddersfield HD2 1AG

Bradford College

Leeds College of Building

Great Horton Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1AY

North Street, Leeds LS2 7QT

City College Southampton

New College Durham

St Mary Street, Southampton SO14 1AR

New College Durham, Framwellgate Moor Campus, Durham DH1 5ES

Tel: 01274 088088 E: information@bradfordcollege.ac.uk W: www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk

Tel: 023 8048 4848 E: enquiries@southampton-city.ac.uk W: www.southampton-city.ac.uk

T: 0113 222 6041 E: info@lcb.ac.uk W: www.lcb.ac.uk

T: 0191 375 4000 E: help@newdur.ac.uk W: www.newcollegedurham.ac.uk

www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Rescheduled expo will showcase the latest in safety and health [ONE OF THE suite of exhibitions

that has been rescheduled to July this year is Safety & Health Expo. The leading occupational health and safety event, organised by Informa Markets, will be running alongside IFSEC International, FIREX International, Facilities Show, Intelligent Building Europe and the Workplace Wellbeing Show – with a single ticket giving access to all of them.

Registration is free and a must for anyone with a health, safety and wellbeing remit to source solutions across occupational health, wellbeing, PPE, site safety and more. It offers unique access to leading suppliers, as well as world-class education across the health and safety sector.

An estimated 14,000 health and safety professionals will be in attendance, with the largest range of health and safety and wellbeing solutions on offer – more than 250 exhibitors will be showcasing their products and services.

The exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive programme of over 60 seminars and meeting events taking place on six platforms.

The Workplace Wellbeing Theatre, sponsored by Elogbooks, will feature addresses from wellbeing leaders, including Mind, in an agenda that will focus on supporting mental health, improving productivity and forging an ethos of healthy, happy people.

Those attending the Leadership Forum will find the perfect place to network with like-minded professionals and practitioners, catch up with industry colleagues and build new relationships.

The Operational Excellence Theatre pinpoints safety management. It includes sessions dedicated to excellence in covering accident prevention, accident investigation, interviewing witnesses and crisis management. The popular fleet session will consider operational excellence on the road.

The Safety Tech & PPE Theatre will highlight the cutting edge of safety

technology and PPE. Seminars and demos will bring delegates up to date on the latest in hazard management, covering different areas of risk, and the use of technology and increasing automation in the field of health of safety.

The Networking Forum will see delegates doing it for themselves, with sessions led by experts in their field and opportunities to take part in the action.

Keynote addresses will be given in the Keynote Theatre. Each day will see a well-known personality telling their own story. This year the trio are former No10 press secretary Alastair Campbell, Winter Olympics Gold Medallist Amy Williams MBE and astronaut Major Tim Peake CMG. As a media partner of the event, Construction National will be on hand to offer free copies of the magazine and subscriptions.

For further information, and to register for free tickets, visit the website at www.safety-health-expo.co.uk. q

Pipe-laying incident brings fine for MK company [

A GROUNDWORKS COMPANY has been fined more than £50,000 following injury to an employee who was struck by a metal bow shackle while laying a sewer pipe.

Luton Magistrates’ Court heard that, on 19 July 2018, the employee – a machine cab operator – was laying a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) foul sewer pipe weighing 20 tonnes with three other plant operators, who were positioned along a 240m trench to lift and drag the pipe. One of the slings being used to pull the pipe failed catastrophically, causing a bow shackle linkage to be catapulted back towards the machine cab operator. The employee was hit in the leg by the solid metal shackle, which weighed 7.5kg, causing multiple fractures that needed extensive surgery.

An investigation by the HSE found that the company had failed to ensure that the operation was safely planned and carried out, with appropriate supervision in place.

Smith Construction Group Ltd of Milton Keynes pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £55,440 and ordered to pay costs of £971.80.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Rauf Ahmed said: “This incident could have been avoided if the dutyholders had assessed the risks of the load handling operation and put appropriate safety measures in place. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those who fall below the required standards.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Grant will support training in traditional skills [A £3.5M PLEDGE from the Hamish Ogston Foundation to Historic

England will fund a major in-work training and apprenticeships programme for the traditional craft and trade skills needed to repair and maintain historic buildings.

The programme aims to help address a long-standing and severe skills shortage in the construction industry, particularly in the heritage sector where expertise in essential crafts such as bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, painting and decorating, plastering, roofing and stonemasonry are at risk of being lost, with consequences for England’s pre-1919 historic buildings.

Research shows that around 90% of companies that carry out repairs and maintenance to historic buildings consider themselves ‘general construction’ firms. Yet evidence suggests that, due to a lack of traditional building skills in the construction industry, inappropriate and often more modern methods and materials are creating problems on pre-1919 properties.

The new programme will bring the public and private sectors together to provide training for craftspeople to learn their trade at critical points in their career, acquiring valuable skills and knowledge. Apprentices will also be given the opportunity to work on Heritage at Risk sites in the North of England, gaining solid practical experience while helping to rescue some of the country’s most valued historic buildings and places.

The Hamish Ogston Foundation’s funding is needed more than ever with the added pressures and uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specially-commissioned research is currently underway to understand the market for heritage apprenticeships in the North of England’s construction industry for those working on historic buildings, and will shape the nature

of the programme to ensure it achieves maximum positive impact.

Hamish Ogston said: “We are delighted to be partnering Historic England as funders on this major initiative. Our intention is to help create sustainable jobs at a time of great pressure and real need, both for people and buildings.

“I am confident that this significant investment will create a flow of highquality, hands-on apprenticeships that will lead to rewarding careers, help keep alive the skills needed to preserve our historic buildings and make a positive difference for heritage at risk.” q • Founded in 2019, the Hamish Ogston Foundation is committed to protecting the heritage of important sites in the UK and abroad. Its work aims to preserve those structures, their craftsmanships and many of the traditions they have cultivated over time.

Scotland’s infrastructure relies on traditional skills

[SUPPORTING TRADITIONAL building skills is one of the

priorities of Scotland’s heritage agency, Historic Environment Scotland. It is only by preserving those skills that heritage buildings and infrastructure can continue to be used into the future.

Writing on the agency’s blog, its director of heritage, Barbara Cummins, explained how its response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the £24bn Draft Infrastructure Investment Plan stressed the importance of maintaining and reusing existing infrastructure.

“Reusing what we already have promotes energy efficiency,” she wrote. “Buildings contribute to emissions throughout their whole lives: when we build, maintain, use and demolish them. Maintaining existing buildings is greener than building new, and will be crucial for Scotland’s net-zero targets.”

She went on to explain how repairing, restoring and reusing historic structures in historic places can help them to retain their character in a sustainable way, while also driving investment and creating jobs.

But that can only happen if traditional skills survive.

She explained: “But our historic places won’t survive on their own. We need to make sure we have the specialist skills required to maintain and repair our historic buildings and structures to make sure they last. At HES, we support traditional skills through our education, training and research programmes to ensure they are carried on for future generations. Traditional skills are also green skills, supporting good environmental practice. Through the use of traditional materials, they also promote a resource efficiency and can contribute significantly to reducing emissions in construction.” q

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Green energy plan welcomed by heat pump industry [ THE Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA) and the

Heat Pump Federation (HPF) have welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of a ‘green industrial revolution’, and in particular his wish to see 600,000 heat pumps installed every year from 2028.

The plan was revealed on 18 November and focuses on 10 key areas in order to mobilise £12bn of government investment – and potentially three times as much from the private sector – to create and support up to 250,000 green jobs.

Responding to the announcement, the heat pumps industry representatives pointed out that reducing carbon emissions through the electrification of heat is essential to the delivery of net zero carbon, and significantly improves urban air quality.

Laura Bishop, chair of the GSHPA, commented: “I am pleased to see ground source heat pumps figure prominently in the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan. Increased deployment of heat pumps in homes and businesses is vital if the UK is to deliver net zero. It will provide a major stimulus to job creation across the country. Working with the government, investment in training and skills development will be hugely necessary to achieve this massive change.”

It is widely accepted that UK will need to install at least one million heat pumps a year over the next 10-15 years if this country is to decarbonise heat and deliver on the net zero ambition. The 140 members of the GSHPA are primarily system designers, contractors and installers.

Bean Beanland of the Heat Pump Federation added his voice to those welcoming the plan. “The PM’s statement is excellent news for the heat pump sector,” he said. “However, a clear and stable long-term policy from the government will be required to ensure that private investment funds can be drawn into the industry.

“The heavy lifting must start now to ramp up the manufacture of heat pumps in the UK and their increased deployment in people’s homes up and down the country. Working in partnership with government, there is also a job to do to communicate the benefits of heat pumps to consumers.”

The Heat Pump Federation was formed earlier last year to assemble a broader energy sector coalition to support the electrification of heat and, notably, to engage with both the government and users. Business members include Centrica Business Solutions, Octopus Energy and Good Energy. q

Heat pumps form core of energy centre plans [ PLANS HAVE BEEN submitted to

develop an energy centre in Liverpool with renewable technologies, to help provide low-carbon heat and hot water to residents and businesses in the Liverpool Water and Stanley Docks area of the city.

The facility is expected to save around 4,200 tonnes of carbon per year, achieved through the primary use of water source heat pumps and thermal stores to help power Peel L&P’s Mersey Heat district heat network.

The application, made to Liverpool City Council, includes plans for two 3MW watersource heat pumps as its primary source, which would work on an ‘open loop’ system to take heat from water abstracted from the Leeds-Liverpool canal before pumping it back into the waterway.

Jonathan Burley, commercial director of Peel L&P Energy, said: “This new facility will use renewable technologies as the main energy source to help power the Mersey Heat network and connect homes and offices to low carbon heat and hot water.

“It supports the UK’s goal of becoming net zero by 2050 as well as Liverpool City Region’s climate emergency targets. As new technology develops, we hope to decarbonise the network further, making the city an even cleaner and greener place to live.”

It is hoped the energy centre will be ready to start on site in the middle of next year. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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ACCESS EQUIPMENT

ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT

DRILLING CONTRACTORS

HEATING ENGINEERS

RAINWATER SYSTEMS

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