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IN TREND THIS SEASON. Welcome from TFS
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TRAIN Emergency First Aid at Work VS 3 Day First Aid at Work
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Modern Apprenticeships: Health, Safety & Environment Style
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RESEARCH Sustainability in the Construction Industry
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CITB and the Environment
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E-Learning VS Classroom
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EDUCATE An Insight to Face Fit Testing Reasonably Practicable: What Does It Mean?
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NURTURE Why Bother With Mental Health in Your Workplace?
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DEVELOP Developing a Positive Safety Culture
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IPAF PAL+ Virtual Reality (VR) Simulators
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Backing Your Business
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Meet the Team
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Dates for Your Diary
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HEY EVERYONE! First off, Happy New Year! I hope you all had a lovely break and are now back ready to seize 2021! Welcome to our first ever edition of TREND! We have been working hard behind the scenes to pull together this industry insight for you, and I am so excited to be able to share it with you now. We are going to focus on 5 main topics – Train, Research, Educate, Nurture and Develop – see what we did there? ;-) This edition couldn’t have come at a better time, as we celebrate the first birthday of TFS. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that when we launched last year we would be walking straight into a global pandemic. To say it was a challenge would be an understatement, but we made it work. I don’t think I have ever appreciated the phrase “Blood, Sweat and Tears” as much as I do now.
We got our heads down and we dug deep, really deep, and we finished off the year better than I could’ve ever imagined - pandemic or not. With so many resources and ways to access news out there I wanted to create a hub of information. Every quarter, TREND will bring you industry news and insights written by experts who have a passion for the industry. We have reached out to more experts in the Health and Safety community to line up some insightful perspectives for future editions, but we would love to hear from you too! Let us know what’s going on, what your organisation has been up to, or even just a wee snippet of good news for us to build on our new TREND community. Speak soon,
Jenny McIntyre | Managing Director 4
Train Emergency First Aid at Work v 3 Day First Aid at Work Under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 employers must provide adequate and appropriate equipment and facilities for the immediate attention of employees who become injured or ill at work. However, in addition to this, they must also ensure appropriate and adequately trained personnel are in place to handle situations where employees require immediate medical care.
What are your options? So, you have your First Aid provisions in place. You know your policies and procedures. Now it’s time to get the right people trained up to do the job.
There are generally two options for First Aid training. Emergency First Aid at Work (1 Day) is a course designed for lower risk work activities such as officebased roles. Alternatively, it can act as an additional support for your 3 Day qualified First Aider. 3 Day First Aid at Work is a course designed for higher risk work activities such as engineering, construction, manufacturing and chemicals. The course that is right for you will really come down to the results of your company’s First Aid Needs Assessment. Asking yourself questions like the examples below will help to identify what first aid provisions you should have in place. 1. What level of risk is our work? 2. How many employees am I responsible for? 3. What are the shift patterns of my employees? 4. How many employees are on shift at any given time? 5. Are any of my employees lone working? 6. Where is the nearest hospital to where my employees are working? 7. What is my company’s history of accidents? 8.What is the nature of the work we are carrying out?
140,000 people die each year in the UK from incidents where first aid could of possibly saved their lives.
Who are your First Aiders? These examples are just a few of what should be considered. It’s not just what course you need to think about but also who is best suited for the role of first aider? Choosing your first aider can be a task in itself. When doing so, you must consider if they are suitably competent to perform the task? Can they cope well under the stress and pressure of an emergency? Are they able to communicate well? How well can they retain and learn new information? Pick somebody who you trust, is reliable and most importantly can stay CALM. A change to the previously mentioned First Aid Regulations in 2013 means that the HSE no longer approve first aid training and qualifications. They still police it though. There is an array of advice and guidance available on their website to help you ensure you are complying with the law and doing everything you can to keep your employees safe. 5 2
Train Modern Apprenticeships, Health Safety and Environment Style The first ever Health, Safety and Environment Apprenticeship has recently launched!
A report by the CITB recently stated:
IOSH have been involved in the development of the first
42% of employers have turned down work in last 12 months because of a lack of skilled workers .
in its kind of Health, Safety & Environment Apprenticeships. The programme, built by a group of employers, has subsequently been approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education. The 18-month development process was used to ensure the apprenticeship will be delivering the relevant skills,
knowledge and behaviours required to obtain a Although employers will continue to steer and
Technical Membership with IOSH.
develop the apprenticeship IOSH will act as the single point of contact and aid in facilitating its continuous development and updates. Each apprenticeship will typically last around 2 years and will be assessed through
A report by the CITB recently stated:
examinations, projects and portfolio work with
“experience and knowledge� is the most frequently mentio ned scarce resource amongst
and over and, although no previous experience
a final professional discussion on these. Apprenticeships are available to those aged 16
is required, there is a pre-requisite of Maths and English. Could this be the way forward for new practitioners coming into the field? Full details for both apprentices and employers are available on the IOSH website. https://iosh.com/training-and-skills/level-3she-apprenticeship/ 3
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Research Sustainability in the Construction Industry As part of the government’s Industrial Strategy, there have been clear aspirations set out for the construction industry under the “Construction 2025” project. One of these goals is sustainability with aims to be “an industry that leads the world in low-carbon and green construction exports.” The detailed vision summarises that partnerships throughout the industry, including the Government Construction Board, will allow focus on efficiency of procurement as well as exploration of options for further efficiency. Organisations such as Anglian Water have already committed to robust sustainability policies which have seen them establish long term relationships with their supply chain, establishing a commonality in their goals and strategies. An exciting initiative, that is set to be complete by the end of 2020, is that within Scottish timber. Funding has been secured from Innovate UK’s Innovation Fund, to “prove the business case for using Scottish timber to create the structural elements of buildings.” This initiative will see the manufacturing of the first Scottish sourced cross laminated timber and nail laminated timber housing unit. The project could be considered one of the first major steps leading to a boost in the Scottish economy as well as the environmental impact throughout the industry. According to Jason Hubert, Head of Business Development at Scottish Forestry; the Scottish government not only “recognises the importance of increasing Scottish timber in construction as a means of storing carbon for the long term,” but they are also “committed to getting more Scottish timber into construction and aims to increase the current 2.2 million cubic metres to 2.6 million cubic metres each year by 2021/2022.”
CITB and the Environment Sustainability is an issue which not only has an impact upon the environment, but also has a direct impact on your company’s profitability, productivity and reputation. An understanding of best practice in sustainable construction can also open up many opportunities to grow your business. Courses in this area can qualify you to benefit from the additional work generated as a result of Government initiatives such as the Green Deal. CITB have added another string to their Site Safety Plus bow by launching a new Site Management Environmental Scheme e-learning course. Designed to help site managers, and aspiring site managers, who are looking to improve their overall knowledge of environmental management and legislation as it applies to UK construction sites. There are 10 key areas: •
Energy Management
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Statutory Nuisance
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Archaeology & Heritage
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Ecology & Biodiversity
Water Protection & Management
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Environmental Management Systems
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Resource Efficiency
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Waste Management
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Sustainable Construction & the Environment
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Oil Management & Contamination Control
For more info on completing this course check out https://ecourses.citb.co.uk/learningprograms/ viewprogram/id,8 7
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Research |
E-Learning vs Classroom
In the world of training, it can be difficult to know what will work for your delegates, what Learning through e-learning typically requires 40-60% less employee time than learning the same material in a traditional classroom setting
will meet your site’s legislative needs, while also pursuing the most cost and time effective options. The two most common methods used
within our industry could arguably be e-learning and classroom/practical based learning. E-learning can be utilised when training a large group, is cost effective and allows for learning to be done at an individual's own pace. E-learning platforms aid the tracking of all training data, and therefore enables organisations to focus on legislative objectives. For example, the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA ’74) requires you to provide the necessary instruction, training and supervision, to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of your employees .
Online learning can be used in conjunction with classroom based training to promote peer stimulation in a learning environment. A classroom setting not
only supports the human element of training, but also creates a safe space that promotes learning at all levels. Classroom based sessions support group interaction which allows for learning beyond the ability of the practitioner and assists meeting objectives of student led training.
Having said that, at a time when social interaction is now limited or non existent, we are finding more and According to Fosway:
more courses that require interaction with an
Only 5% of those surveyed believed their learning strategy, investment and resourcing will go back to what is was before the COVID-19 pandemic started
instructor moving online. Technologies like Zoom have allowed many (but not all) courses to be accessible from anywhere. CITB, for example, are now offering some of their Site Safety Plus courses remotely. By reducing travel needs for both instructor and delegate, the new virtual classroom could allow for classroom based training to be considered both cost and time effective. Maybe we will see a time where traditional classroom learning is a thing of the past? Let us know what you think! 5
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Educate An Insight to Face Fit Testing Do I Need a Face Fit Test? Well, if you wear a dust mask AKA close fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE) such as a P3 or FFP3 mask then simply put, yes, you need a face fit test! This is true of all close fitting RPE whether it be reusable or disposable, full face or half face, offering particulate or gas / vapour filtration.
Is it a Legal Requirement to Have a Face Fit Test? Again, the short answer is yes. The COSHH Regulations 2002, supported by HSG53 and INDG479 (formerly OC282/28) detail that close fitting RPE such as disposable or reusable dust masks must be both adequate and suitable; the only accepted method to
There are approximately 12,000 deaths in the UK associated with work related respiratory diseases each year
demonstrate that RPE is suitable is to undertake a face fit test.
What is a Face Fit Test? There are two common methods of undertaking a test: the Qualitative Method and the Quantitative Method. The Qualitative Method, also recognised as the Taste Test, is ideally suited to both reusable and disposable half face RPE offering particulate protection. The Taste Test is a quick, simple and cost effective way to demonstrate that RPE creates an effective seal to the wearers face. The Quantitative method, on the other hand, is much more accurate but much more expensive. This is often reserved for testing of full face RPE or where larger numbers of face fit tests are required.
What Type of Mask Needs Face Fit Testing? The answer is ANY close-fitting respirator. This could be a dust mask such as FFP3 or a reusable half or full-face respirator. If a risk assessment identifies the need for close fitting RPE then a test should be undertaken. The COSHH, CAR and PPE Regulations all specify the need for suitable and adequate RPE. Currently the only way of demonstrating that RPE is suitable is to undertake a face fit test.
Must I Be Clean Shaven to Have a Face Fit Test? Yes; any stubble, beards, goatees or moustaches that contact the face seal area will significantly reduce the protection offered by tight fitting RPE. It is therefore essential that RPE wearers are not only clean shaven for the test, but also when the mask is put into use. 6
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Educate An Insight to Face Fit Testing Who Can Undertake a Face Fit Test? A competent person should undertake a face fit test. INDG479 stipulates that a competent person should be trained, knowledgeable and experienced. The British
Safety Industry Federation (BSIF), supported by HSE, recognises that selecting a “fit2fit� accredited face fit
It is estimated that 50% of RPE is not worn or fitted correctly, allowing the inhalation of dangerous dust particles and gasses
tester is one way that competence can be demonstrated. We can also train you how to fit test, information can be Why Have the NHS Been so Heavily Reliant on Face Fit Testing? Once COVID-19 hit our shores at the beginning of 2020, it was quickly realized that a main mode of transmission was by aerosol or airborne droplets. One of the most effective control measures was the implementation of FFP2/FFP3 masks amongst clinical, medical and care workers. To ensure that the device properly fits & protects the wearers, the NHS was required to test large volumes of people in a relatively short space of time. NHS Trusts also looked to upskill their workers by training them how to test as opposed to calling in external testers.
How Has 1974 Rapport Helped Clients Before and During the Pandemic? Historically, face fit testing has been utilised in sectors where dust, fume, gasses and vapours are
encountered. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, testing has become an essential part of infection prevention and control practices. At 1974 Rapport we are fit2fit accredited and able to provide the following services: Face Fit Testing (Qualitative and Quantitative) and Train the Tester courses for the Qualitative Method. We are also able to supply face fit test kits, consumable parts and respiratory protective requirement‌ or simply offer some free, common sense advice on any of the above!
For further reading, contact details, social links, client
testimonials and blogs please visit www.1974rapport.co.uk.
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Educate Reasonably Practicable—What Does it Mean? We are all familiar with the term “so far as reasonably practicable” but what does it actually mean? Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states: “It shall be the duty of all employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the
health safety and welfare of all their employees whilst they are at work”.
Edwards vs National Coal Board (1949) is a famous case in law which first established the Cost v Risk analogy which, as employers, managers, supervisors and health & safety professionals we should be adhering to determine what is “reasonably practicable.” Mr Edwards was killed when an unsupported section of a road in a mine collapsed. The company argued that it was not feasible to shore up every road
in every single mine, and only shored up those that “needed it”.
The judge stated. “Reasonably practicable” is a narrower term than physically possible and implies that a computation must be made in which the quantum of risk is placed on one side of the scale and the sacrifice involved in carrying out the measures necessary for averting the risk is placed on the other side. If it can be shown that there is gross disproportion between the above factors, i.e the risk is insignificant in relation to the sacrifice, then a defendant discharges the onus on themselves”. Carrying out a Cost v Risk exercise allows employers to identify and put into place suitable protective measures to ensure the safety of his/her employees at all times. It should not be seen as an exercise to identify what bear minimum measures you can get away with. At the end of the day our workers are our responsibility, it is not just a legal obligation we have to them, but a moral one too.
Taking pride in keeping our work force safe creates a more productive team and a
better safety culture, which ultimately reduces the risk of accidents and lost time. I suppose, with that said, it begs the question, are you doing enough to keep your work force safe?
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Nurture Why Bother With Mental Health In Your Workplace? It’s a really simple question isn’t it? I mean why should we really bother about how our staff are feeling? They’re paid to do a job so why not just do it. How are you as a busy employer meant to care, let alone see, how your staff are feeling during a pandemic…. If you’re reading those questions above and agree with them then unfortunately my friend you may be part of the problem and not the solution. The days of seeing your staff as just performers and employees are now gone.
Evidence suggests that 12.7% of all sickness absence days in the UK can be attributed to mental health conditions There are many statistics out there that show that £b’s are lost every year due to both Presenteeism and sickness as a result of poor mental health of employees. So in relation to that, how much does your business lose either through lost
Michael Byrne: Founder of LET’s
productivity or sickness and absence due to the poor mental health of your staff? Better mental health support in the workplace can save UK businesses up to £8 billion per year.
Before establishing my business, Lived Experience Trauma Support, LETs for short I had a 33 year career in the Corporate World culminating in the final 10 years as a Director for a large housing organisation in Glasgow. During that 33 year career I had to deal with many ‘Real Life’ traumas including the murder of my father, the loss of twins to miscarriage, The Clutha Disaster, a potentially cancerous throat tumour, a suspected stroke and finally a Mental Health Breakdown in 2017. Despite all of the above traumatic events I never took a day off work! I couldn’t, I had built up this persona of a confident, successful man who turned up for work every day and looked the part in a suit, shirt, tie, clean shaven and with a smile…and no-one looked beyond what the saw. Not even when I turned up for work the day after The Clutha Disaster. 9
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Nurture However, the reality was that I was broken, I needed help but I just couldn’t ask for it and none of my employers offered it. You may ask at this point why? The why is simple, they seem a man turn up for work and perform day after day despite the worst tragedies imaginable with the view that if he needs help he’ll ask. When my breakdown began in 2017 my performance suffered, my personality changed and I needed help. At this point in time a simple offer of help from my employer would’ve made the world of a difference to both me and ultimately to my employer but it never came.
1 in 6.8 people experience mental health problems in the workplace (14.7%).
**Not taking COVID-19 Pandemic into account
There are many reasons why employers Resources for implementing a support structure in your workplace can also be found:
don’t offer help or approach the subject of Mental Health in the Workplace, most employers don’t know how to begin the conversation and/or what help to provide. This is the very reason why I established my busi-
www.lighthouseclub.org
www.matesinmind.org
ness Lived Experience Trauma Support. We have the knowledge of what it’s like to run a business but we also
www.thecamzone.net
have the lived experience of being an employee strug-
www.samh.org.uk
gling with their mental health. This ideally places us at the forefront to provide our Mental Health Training & Support Services to businesses all over the U.K. So why bother about Mental Health in your Workplace….the answer is simple…it’s because it makes a
difference to someone’s life. You can be the change needed in your workplace to save someone.
Be The Change. 13
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Develop Developing a Positive Safety Culture The Health & Safety Culture within your organisation can and will have an enormous impact on the safety outcomes & accident rates in your workplace. High levels of accident rates within your organisation can have a detrimental effect on the productivity, efficiency and profitability of the business and that’s why it is vital that a positive Health & Safety culture is always promoted.
Disengaged workers have 37% higher absenteeism, 49% more accidents and 60% more errors and defects
In theory promoting a positive culture is simple, in reality – not always the case. So, let’s talk about what you can do to ensure employees are engaged in building and maintaining a safe working environment; It all starts from the top…It’s true, without the commitment of management and senior management your safety culture is doomed to fail. Employees who feel that their managers and superiors care about them and their welfare will always work better and are more likely to follow the policies and procedures that you are enforcing. So, get the top dogs on board! Get trained up…Investing in training your employees has a number of benefits. If they see you investing in them, then they are more likely to invest in you. Again, it shows you care about their safety and well-being. It also helps with building an understanding of workplace hazards, what to be looking out for, safe systems of work, why it is important to follow procedures procedures…the list is endless.
Involve your team…Communication is key. If employees know and understand what’s going on in their workplace then they are way more likely to respond well to it. If they understand why it is they have to do something, or follow a certain rule then it is more likely it will be adhered to. Employees who feel like part of something or part of a team feel more appreciated and more motivated. Be approachable…You want employees to be reporting issues and hazards, how are you going to improve things if they don’t? They are the ones on the front line and will likely be identifying these issues first and foremost. If they don’t feel comfortable approaching you it’s likely you won’t know what’s wrong until an accident has happened.
There’s so much more we could be talking about but hopefully you get the jist! Every workplace is different and will have different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to safety. What’s important is that you are keeping on top of it and always working to improve it. It costs nothing to show your team you care. Training yes, that will cost you, but sometimes you have to spend money to make money. To further this – IOSH and ISSA have recently partnered to promote and deliver the Vision Zero message. Centred around three core values; safety, health and well being, this exciting initiative’s objective is to “eradicate all work-related accidents & illnesses”. To read more, or to get involved, you can follow this link - https://iosh.com/training-and-skills/vision-zero-with-issa/ 14
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Develop IPAF PAL+ Virtual Reality (VR) Simulators A huge development in the industry has been made with the IPAF Council approving the use of VR Simulators in the assessment of Pal+ delegates. PAL+ is an optional, additional, one day of category -specific training aimed at operators working in higher risk or challenging environments, and can only be completed by those with a current PAL card. The simulators allow delegates to demonstrate their skills with intricate techniques that we are seeing necessary to construction more and more.
Paul Roddis, IPAF’s Training Manager, says: “Our trials showed that VR simulators are well suited for testing control, observation and decision-making required for conducting various advanced-level operations and working intensively with the precision required in applications such as manufacturing, complex construction projects and the like.
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of IPAF member firm Serious Labs, who have developed this sophisticated VR simulator and software platform, and with invaluable input from IPAF training providers, staff and members of the IPAF Training Committee, we are now fully satisfied that the simulated test was a fair and exact representation of an assessment using real machines under the watchful eye of a human instructor”. IPAF PAL+ training, like the PAL operator course, can be supported through the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) grant scheme so be sure to provide your CITB Levy number when booking!
Backing Your Business Training First Safety are delighted to have teamed up with Tala Training to offer a range of SVQs, and the great news is, they’re funded. Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) are work-based qualifications. They work as a guarantee that someone can do their job well and to the national standards for their sector. These qualifications put an emphasis on work-based activities and involve an assessor visiting site every 10-13 weeks to help the delegate with their portfolio and unit questions. Delegates study in the workplace while carrying out their normal day-to-day work. There are no formal written exams. People doing SVQs collect and submit evidence, usually from their own work….keep reading... 15
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The main eligibility criteria is that delegates must be in full time employment and have an employer contact who can sign off their paperwork. The evidence based qualification also requires the delegate to be working in a relevant role to allow them to complete the qualification. Education and training such as SVQs is a huge investment for businesses with more and more companies using these as an integral part of their strategy.
Courses available include: SVQ Level 5 – Construction Senior Site Management SVQ Level 4 Construction Site Management – Building and Civil Engineering SVQ Level 4 Construction Site Management – Residential Development SVQ Level 3 – Construction Site Supervision – Building and Civil Engineering SVQ Level 3 – Construction Site Supervision – Residential Development SVQ Level 3 – Occupational Works Supervision SVQ in Construction & Civil Engineering Operations
SVQ in Plant Operations (Forward Tipping Dumper, Ride on Roller, Excavator, Telehandler) On completion of any of these qualifications delegates will be bale to complete the CSCS Touchscreen Test and apply for the relevant CSCS Card. Delegates can achieve more than one of these qualifications with the funding, so long as they are always progressing. For example, you would not be able to complete a SVQ Level 3 and then a SVQ Level 2 in Plant Operations. An important point to note is that, in addition to these qualifications being fully funded, if you are a CITB Levy payer you are still able to claim back your grant for this training.
For further details speak with the team at TFS now – 01563 573785
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Meet the Team Hello, I am so happy to introduce myself as part of the team at Training First Safety (TFS). I started back in August 2020 with a focus on business development and brand awareness on a part time basis Having worked in the hospitality industry for 11 years, it is a major understatement to say the topic of Health and Safety training is a complete change of pace for me – and I have loved every minute of it! The last couple of years of my career, have focussed on my personal development in training and development resulting in my qualification in learning and development with the CIPD. This qualification has allowed me to strengthen my knowledge of the intricacies of training in an organisation, and my time so far at TFS I am learning to apply this knowledge in the context of health and safety in construction. I have spent the last 6 months getting to know existing and new clients and suppliers, and I can’t wait to build relationships with them and more! Speak soon
Sally McIntyre | Business Development 14
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Dates for Your Diary in 2021... January 6th January 2021: The Ups and Downs of Revit Stairs 12th January 2021: Case Study of Building Worker and Community Understanding of OHS 19th January 2021: Infrastructure: The Engineers Tool Sets 26th January 2021: Sustainability & Circular Economy and CPD/IPD Workshop
February 2nd February 2021: Future Proofing UK Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. Sponsored by ABB 8th February 2021: Future Development Plans—Edinburgh 9th February 2021: Sustainable Energy in Development 11th February 2021: Gender Bias in PPE
March 8th March 2021: Disruptor Series: Robotics in Construction 9th March 2021: Net Zero Housing 16th March 2021: Sustainable Infrastructure 24th March 2021: MEWP Masterclass
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