Pro Installer November 2014 - Issue 20 | Page 30

30 NOVEMBER 2014 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS www.proinstaller.co.uk Health & Safety Poster Should Be A Must Large numbers of businesses throughout the UK are breaking the law and risk being fined after new legislation introduced earlier this year now requires all workplaces to display a new and updated ‘Health and Safety Law’ poster. However, many workplaces are unaware of the changes, which were introduced on 5th April 2014, and are still displaying the old poster which was first introduced and became a legal requirement in all workplaces in 1999. Leading workplace equipment supplier Slingsby began supplying the new posters in 2009 and has been inundated with orders for the posters since the start of the year, but believes there are thousands of workplaces that still need to make the change. Lee Wright, Marketing Director at Slingsby, which supplies more than 35,000 products across all industries, explains: “Workplaces have had a five year transition period to update these posters but despite this, you don’t have to look far to find an old style, text heavy, health and safety poster which still adorn the walls of lots of workplaces. “The new poster is designed to be much easier to read and sets out in simple terms, using numbered lists of basic points and pictures, what employers and their employees should know about health and safety and what to do in the event of an accident. Each poster also comes with a hologram and serial number to certify that it’s a legitimate product because even health and safety posters can fall victim to criminals who illegally copy and sell them.” Under the Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations (HSIER), employers are required to display the approved poster in a prominent position in all workplaces. In addition, employers should provide staff working remotely, or off-site with a copy of the HSE’s health and safety law leaflet or pocket card, which can be downloaded from the organisation’s website. Construction industry to reap the rewards of IOSH Working safely training Greater flexibility in how construction workers complete health and safety training can help boost the industry’s post-recession recovery, a leading health and safety body has claimed. This flexibility is the result of a new development between the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). IOSH’s one-day Working safely course, has now been recognised by CSCS as an equivalent to a Level 1 Award in health and safety in a construction environment. It means that delegates who successfully complete Working safely can apply for a CSCS green Labourer card once they have also passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Operatives Test. This news is likely to be welcomed by course delegates who have already successfully completed their Working safely training because it’ll give them an opportunity to apply for their green card. Paul Haxell, chair of the IOSH Construction Group, said: “Our industry is crying out for manpower and therefore options and alterna- Affordable Housing Development For Carmarthenshire County Council Completed Profile 22 Approved Commercial Manufacturer, Nolan Upvc, has helped to complete an innovative new build housing scheme for Carmarthenshire County Council, supplying casement windows for 12 two-bedroom bungalows built across two sites; Seaside, Llanelli and Morfa Maen, Kidwelly. The £1.5m scheme forms part of a wider development, which will see further affordable housing built across the county. Designed by architects, Lewis Partnership Ltd, the bungalows were built in accordance with the Code for Sustainable Homes, achieving a Code level 4. In-line with level 4 specification, the windows achieve a U-value of 1.6W/ m2K, with the disabled bungalow achieving 1.4W/m2K; contributing to the overall efficiency and thermal performance of each bungalow. Using Profile 22 FC60 in white, the casement windows are fitted with a single side opener. Nolan uPVC also supplied white composite doors, front and back. Andrew Collins, Construction Manager for WRW, heralded the supply chain partnership a great success, “This was the first time that I had worked with Nolan uPVC and Profile 22 and I am happy to say that the whole process was excellent.” The original homes provided sheltered accommodation for people over 50; these were demolished to make way for the brand new, energy efficient and well-insulated homes. Completed over a 12 month period, the development forms part of the County Council’s 10 year new build programme; aiding delivery of the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard Plus. Since completion, the bungalows have been well received locally, and the tenants are extremely happy with the improvements. To encourage community engagement the Council invited children from local primary schools to name the two sites. The winners were Heol Losin Du – relating to a local nursery rhyme, and Clos Y Gilfach, which translates as ‘by the sea’. tives that make it easier for people to become qualified at the first level have got to be in the interests of the industry. “For IOSH training providers, this opens up the opportunity to support the rebirth and growth of the construction industry. More people getting their CSCS Green Card, and knowing good standards as a result, is vitally important to the safe growth that the industry needs.” IOSH chief executive Jan Chmiel said: “We’re absolutely delighted with this new development as it’s something we’ve wanted to achieve on behalf of our training providers and members for some time. “We believe that training is relevant to everyone. Last year alone, more than 150,000 people were trained to our standards. Forward thinking organisations know that investing in a culture of care brings advanced performance through reputation, resilience and results.” Working safely is for people at any level, in any sector, needing a grounding in the essentials of health and safety. Tracey Wright, Commercial Development Manager at IOSH, sai C