arca news
ARCA HOLDS
30AGM th
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Supporting Charities A
RCA members have supported many charities such as Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Havens Hospice, Sick Childrens Trust, Mesothelioma UK and Alzheimer’s Society. Funds have been raised from donations and fundraising events – from teams taking on challenging events like tough mudder and marathons to fun runs and quizzes. Thank you for all who have taken part, as over the last few years over £80,000 has been raised for charity. This year ARCA will be supporting: w The Association’s charity is Mesothelioma UK - a national resource dedicated to supporting people with this asbestos cancer, providing specialist Mesothelioma information, support & improved care and treatment. w The Chairman’s charity of choice is the Indee Rose Trust - this charity helps children, and their families, who have been diagnosed with a brain or spinal tumour, by providing support such as, treasure boxes full of treats a child and holiday accommodation for their families. Good luck to those who are planning fundraising events to support these charities. Have fun knowing that your efforts will help others.
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ARCA & ATaC NEWS
t the London Zoo Conference Centre on the 2nd October ARCA held the Association’s 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM). Following a welcome from the Chairman, Grant Beglan, the meeting departed from the usual format as a guest speaker was invited to address ARCA members. Clive Johnson, Group Head of Health and Safety for Land Securities, gave a presentation which outlined Land Securities approach to Health and Safety, and what they expect in terms of health and safety management from contractors working on their sites. Clive’s presentation highlighted the thought processes necessary to design effective solutions to health and safety problems. After Clive’s presentation the Chairman introduced various ARCA staff members and Committee Chairmen. They in turn reported on the activities of the Association over the past 12 months and outlined plans for the future. These presentations focused on the Association’s strategy and what had been done in relation to the strategy to achieve the Association’s objectives. Members at the AGM heard that it had been a successful year for the Association. Membership numbers for Full Contracting Members were at a record high - 190 Full Contracting Members - and a further seven companies currently undergoing the membership process. In addition, the training department and training committee have been very active this year. Members were informed that ARCA was able to meet the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) requirements to become a registered centre for the delivery of their qualifications. Also, that ARCA had developed and delivered some of the ILM Level 4 Certificate in Leadership and Management units at ARCA training centres around the country. Feedback from candidates has been excellent. Also, members were informed that ARCA has begun offering the Level 2 NVQ in Hazardous Waste Removal - Licensed Asbestos, so that ARCA members paying the CITB Levy can now take advantage of the grants that are available for this qualification. The members present at the meeting were informed that Marketing of both ARCA and its members featured heavily in the Association’s Strategic Plan. The first major action within the marketing plan was to appoint a Marketing
Manager, and in February 2015 Sarah Haslam joined ARCA as the Marketing Manager. Members heard that Sarah is an excellent addition to the ARCA team, and has been busy overhauling ARCA’s corporate identity and publications, as well as enhancing ARCA’s presence on the web and other social media. Sarah has also taken over complete responsibility for the production of the ARCA News magazine. Members were reminded that Colin Seditas has now been with ARCA for over a year as the Association’s Technical and Development Manager. In this time Colin has given valuable input into the ARCA Guidance Notes, Training Syllabi, and is working with Geoff Silver in reviewing and revising the ARCA Site Audit Scheme. Also, many members have benefitted from Colin’s knowledge and experience gained within the HSE Asbestos Licensing Unit, with Colin reviewing and revising management systems, and supporting member’s preparation for asbestos licence assessments. Members availing themselves of these services have reported back on how extremely useful Colin’s input has been to their businesses. The ATaC division have continued their work with the Royal Society for Public Health to develop alternative qualifications for the asbestos testing and consulting industry. The bulk sampling, the air testing and clearance, and the surveying qualifications are already in place. Many members are already taking advantage of these courses which are fully accepted by UKAS as alternatives to the BOHS P Modules. ATaC are currently developing a Lab Managers qualification and plan to develop a Diploma in the near future to provide alternatives to all the BOHS qualifications currently accepted by UKAS as part of their accreditation process. The introduction of the first RSPH courses for the analytical industry has shown the benefits of competition within the market. Following the AGM members enjoyed a three course silver service lunch in the Prince Albert Room at the London Zoo Conference Centre. Thank you to all Members who attended. 31st AGM - the ARCA AGM is always held on the first Friday of October, so 7th October 2016 is a date for your diary. We are delighted that Archie Mitchell, Head of the HSE Asbestos Licensing Unit, has agreed to be the guest speaker.