by Clair Mooney | Aug 27, 2021 | Main News Feed
Tuesday this week saw FIS relationship with Barbour ABI take on a new level with #TakeoverTuesday, a social media event which saw the FIS take over the Barbour ABI social channels. The initiative enabled FIS to promote new Specifiers Guides, the Acoustic Verification Scheme, Annual Conference and showcase our core values and vetted membership to the Barbour ABI community of designers and specifiers.
FIS and Barbour ABI have developed a partnership approach based on knowledge sharing between the two communities with a particular emphasis on legislative compliance, best practice and innovation. Other aspects to this collaborative partnership have seen Barbour ABI develop a specialist Finishes and Interiors Hub on their website, sharing of Barbour ABI market data with the FIS Membership and discounts for FIS Members on core Barbour ABI services. Barbour ABI are also running a session on sustainability as part of the FIS Annual Conference this year – plans are to follow this up with a series of white papers exploring sustainability in the finishes and interiors sector.
Simon Mahoney, Group Director at Barbour ABI said
“Our work with FIS reflects the importance of this sector and our ethos of building bridges across the supply chain to join up the various actors and information streams to help deliver transformation. We appreciate the FIS is a dynamic community and a key source of knowledge. Helping to draw attention to this through our social channels is a great way to engage our network in this and emphasise the importance of collaboration and delivering transformation through a networked industry.”
Iain McIlwee FIS CEO said
“Core to our ethos as a community is collaboration. FIS exists to provide a voice, but also eyes and ears for the sector, scanning the horizon for challenges and opportunities and understanding. Barbour ABI are one of the key sources of authoritative information and have a great network and platform that supports all parts of construction – it is great to be working with them in such a proactive way to help share best practice and ensure the wider market are aware of what we as a community can do to support them and help deliver transformation.”
You can see the content from our #TakeoverTuesday here
Register for the FIS Virtual Conference – every Wednesday in September
Visit the FIS Interior Design Hub on the Barbour ABI platform here
Members receive 15% discount off any products within the Barbour ABI portfolio – access your discount here
by Clair Mooney | Aug 26, 2021 | Skills
There are places available on the Interior Systems Installer Dryliner Fixer Boarder Apprenticeship training course starting Monday 27 September 2021 at Leeds College of Building North Street Campus.
This is a block release course. If you are interested contact the college for full details. Applicants must be over 16 years of age (there is no upper age limit), employed and have their employers permission. To apply, visit https://www.lcb.ac.uk/apply-apprenticeship/ and complete the form. If you need more information give the College Apprenticeship team a call on 0113 222 6041.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 26, 2021 | CSCS
CSCS and Build UK have published a six-page guidance document on ‘How to be a Smart Site’ to help realise the benefits of using Smart Technology to check cards carrying the CSCS logo. It covers how to check cards that are already using Smart Technology, how to identify those which are not yet smart, and what to do in the event of finding a fraudulent card. There is also a handy poster for use on site.
The guidance follows the update to the CLC Industry Card Schemes Recommendation in December 2020 to include a requirement that all cards displaying the CSCS logo must use Smart Technology by 31 March 2022, in order to provide the industry with a consistent means of recognising that individuals working on construction sites have the required qualifications and training for their occupation.
George Swann FIS Skills and Training Lead said:
“The use of smart technology supports the governments demand for proof of competence at all levels. Don’t leave it to late get your workforce qualified and registered, we know a proportion of the sector are working without qualifications or card registration or are using the wrong cards. Times are changing it will be embarrassing to have operative turned away at site gates. FIS Approved Training Providers have a number of free of charge and discounted offers, take a look at: https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/memberbenefits/member-benefits-training/ or give us a call on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org”.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 26, 2021 | Labour
The Department for Transport and Cabinet Office are seeking input for an urgent review of the HGV driver shortage. DfT and Cabinet Office are asking all operators who employ HGV drivers to complete the following DfT haulier survey https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/JW0TW8/ (A Word document with the questions is available here to allow you to review the questions in advance of answering them online).
The survey closes on Friday 27 August 2021.
This information will allow the government to analyse the scale of the problem in greater detail, as well as consider any mitigations that might be needed. If you have any questions, please email pamela.dennison@dft.gov.uk in the first instance.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 26, 2021 | Technical
The Construction Products Association (CPA) has released the results of its industry-wide consultation on the new Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI). The 65 page report – downloadable at www.buildingsafely.co.uk – details feedback from 35 trade associations representing the views of many thousands of member firms across the supply chain, and 180 individual provider and user organisations of construction product information, including most of the largest companies in the industry.
The new Code was developed to prevent some of the issues raised in Dame Judith Hackitt’s report ‘Building A Safer Future’, following the tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire. The CPA was tasked by Dame Judith Hackitt and the Government with tackling the shortcomings identified in Chapter 7 of the report relating to product information, specifically addressing the way information is presented and marketed by manufacturers.
The consultation opened on the 1 February 2021 with an official closing date of the 31 March 2021. This was extended to the end of May to urge everyone who had a view to submit them, and to encourage the widest representation from across the industry. The highly-publicised consultation was undertaken for the CPA by MRA Research. It invited trade associations and other organisations, manufacturers, distributors, specifiers and users of product information to comment on the proposed new CCPI and its 11 Clauses.
The CPA set up the Marketing Integrity Group (MIG) in 2018 to work on this particular area of building safety. The MIG’s work represents over two years of open debate and discussion, face-to-face interviews and focus groups across the construction supply chain. It includes detailed analysis from its Call For Evidence survey in 2019, which confirmed that for product and performance information to be trusted, it must be Clear, Accurate, Up-to-date, Accessible and Unambiguous – the five acid tests. The MIG collated this extensive input and developed the CCPI.
The Code was then put out to consultation for a final sense check. A key requirement was that respondents read the new Code before completing their respective questionnaire or providing feedback. A number of additional and insightful comments were also submitted to MRA Research by provider and user organisations alongside their completed questionnaires. Feedback from the trade associations was detailed, expert and extensive, providing in-depth comments and suggestions on behalf of their members.
The findings confirm that the industry welcomes and supports the Code, and considers it a crucial step in the right direction. The MIG spent a further two months analysing and working through the Code so it reflects the massive amount of expert feedback from the consultation.
While the Code is likely to impact differently on different types of business, it was clear that many companies have a keen interest, and strong opinions, on what should be done to address the availability, consistency, quality and reliability of construction product information.
Comments confirmed that more clarity was needed in some areas of the Code, particularly around the training and competence requirements, and on what exactly was required to comply with the different Clauses. More clarity was also sought on how the scheme will be assessed, audited and ‘policed’, as well as practical guidance on its implementation within organisations.
Adam Turk, Chair of the CPA’s Marketing Integrity Group and CEO of Siderise says:
“We are delighted with the breadth and depth of response received. The published results are slightly later than planned but given the importance of the Code, we wanted to make sure all responses were included in the analysis. Strenuous efforts were also made in reaching out to organisations directly to ensure everyone across the industry had the opportunity to comment.
“The overwhelming support and constructive feedback has reassured us that the Code is absolutely the right step forward for the industry while also giving us a lot of insightful input to enable the MIG to review the wording of the Clauses in line with these detailed responses,” continues Adam. “Whilst changes have been made around the clarity and detail within the Code, I can confirm that the eleven Clauses remain principally close to those presented in the report.”
Chief Executive of the CPA, Peter Caplehorn, adds:
“We are extremely pleased with the progress that has been made with the CCPI and the enormous efforts of the MIG in driving it through. I truly believe the Code will achieve meaningful and permanent change in our industry, providing users of construction products with accurate information they can trust.
“The CPA is incredibly focussed on improving building safety and driving cultural change in our industry. We are involved in a wide range of initiatives to ensure tragedies like Grenfell never happen again, and the CCPI is just one of those. An essential counterpart to the Code is the activity of the Working Group 12 (WG12) – a sub-group of the IRG’s Competence Steering Group (CSG), led by the CPA. WG12 focuses specifically on the competency of those interacting with products and accessing construction product information. The CSG recognises that good product information on its own is not enough; those that use it must be competent to do so, to understand what they are reading and to be able to apply the performance information appropriately.”
The Code has now been finalised, based on the extensive feedback from the Consultation, and is in the process of being handed to Construction Product Information Ltd (CPI Ltd) – a not-for-profit organisation with independent governance and management being set-up to administer the CCPI when it is launched later this year. Prior to the Code’s formal launch, the CPI Ltd will be carrying out pilot test cases and will also be recruiting a new Non-Executive Board of Directors to develop an independent governance structure. The industry can stay abreast of the Code and its launch at www.cpicode.org.uk.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 24, 2021 | Building Safety Act, Technical
The Gypsum Products Development Association (GPDA) has been investigating the noise phenomena of cracking noises from residential timber floor structures constructed with engineered ‘I’ joists spanning between solid masonry walls lined with plasterboard on gypsum adhesive.
Guidance has now been updated with this version. GPDA-Guidance-cracking-noises-from-residential-timber-floor-structures.pdf
by Clair Mooney | Aug 22, 2021 | Skills
From 26 August 2021, employers or their training providers must add a unique email address when adding an apprentice record to the apprenticeship service.
Without a unique apprentice email address, employers or their training providers will not be able to save or approve the apprentice record, so funding cannot be allocated. Once the email address is added to the account, the apprentice will receive an email invitation to create a ‘My apprenticeship’ account.
What is a ‘My apprenticeship’ account?
‘My apprenticeship’ accounts are a new service that will improve the onboarding process for apprentices. An account will allow apprentices to:
- confirm their apprenticeship details are correct as the apprenticeship starts
- access guidance on what is expected of them, their training provider and their employer
- access additional support
- access and review their apprenticeship details throughout the apprenticeship
It will not impact the apprentice’s start date or apprenticeship funding if the apprentice does not create an account or confirm their apprenticeship details. However, employers and their training providers should encourage their apprentices to complete these tasks to ensure a quality apprenticeship experience.
Key actions
Employers and their training providers need to collect a unique email address for each apprentice they will be adding to the apprenticeship service from 26 August 2021.
Access support
If employers require support using the apprenticeship service, they can watch the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) how-to videos, check the advice on apprenticeships.gov.uk or visit the ESFA help portal. From the help portal they can access help articles, webchat with an adviser, call (08000 150 600) or text (07588 690018) the helpline, or email the ESFA helpdesk.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 19, 2021 | Skills
Talentview is a platform for talented people to find first jobs, apprenticeships and work experience in construction.
FIS members can now advertise all their opportunities for new entrants, including apprenticeships and work experience, on Talentview Construction, a new dedicated online platform for those looking to secure their first role in construction. Talentview sits alongside the Construction Talent Retention Scheme providing a ‘one stop shop’ for the recruitment and retention of skills across the industry. After calling for an apprentice matching service for a number of years FIS is delighted to welcome the launch of Talentview which should make it much easier for young people to join the industry. Members can register for Talentview now and upload all their ‘first job’ vacancies ready for its full and formal launch in September 2021. This service is free of charge.
Members can also use the FIS JobSpot https://www.thefis.org/jobspot/ to advertise vacancies free of charge.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 19, 2021 | Labour, Skills
Being conscious of the ever-shrinking labour pool available to the finishes and interiors sector, there have been reports of up to 60% labour not being available by some FIS members. FIS is running two projects specifically designed to attract people into the finishes and interiors sector.
FIS BuildBack accepts individuals from a range of backgrounds including HM Forces Career Progression candidates and clients put forward by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP). To help prepare the candidates for work, each learner receives training in Drylining Fixer, Boarder and are supplied with Personal Protective Equipment, a set of tools and a CSCS Provisional Card. The candidates just need an opportunity to show employers what they can do during a work placement. This may ultimately lead to a full-time work opportunity and will also add new talent to your workforce. All of this is free of charge to employers.
The sector now needs employers to provide a 2 week work placement for these BuildBack candidates. If the individual fits your organisation’s needs, and they are eligible (claiming universal credit) you could transfer them to the governments KickStart Scheme. The scheme provides a grant of £1500 to employers willing to take on individuals for a 6 month work placement and includes payment of the national minimum wage for 25 hours per week.
There are currently 140 people available for work placement including candidates from HM Force Career Progression and the YouthBuild charity. All have received introductory training as Dry Liner Fixer Boarder, a set of tools, PPE, a CSCS Provisional card. Please contact Marie on 07799 903103 or email marieflinter@thefis.org. or Catherine on 07900 083325 or email catherinebullough@thefis.org for details. If you employ any of these people FIS can help their advancement by providing further training as an apprentice or to the achievement of a vocational qualification, all free of charge to the employer.
To find out more about BuildBack click here.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 19, 2021 | Skills
Employers in England who pay the apprenticeship levy (those with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million) will be able to pledge unspent levy funds (up to their 25% transfer allowance) to support apprenticeships in other businesses. All businesses will be able to see these pledges on a public website and apply for funding to pay for 100% of their apprenticeship training and assessment costs (up to the funding band maximum).
If you wish to re-appraise yourself on the existing arrangements for transfers please take a look here: Transferring unused apprenticeship funds to other employers – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Transferred funds will be used to pay for the training and assessment cost of the apprenticeships agreed with the receiving employer.
Sending and receiving employers need to know that:
- funds are paid monthly for the duration of the apprenticeship
- only levy-paying employers can make a transfer
- any employer can receive, and use transferred funds
- sending and receiving employers have to be registered on the apprenticeship service: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/manage-apprenticeship-funds
- a transfer can only be used to pay for training and assessment for apprenticeship standards
- transfers can only be used for new starts, except where the apprentice is changing employer and an agreement to continue their apprenticeship with their new employer is through a transfer of levy funds
The latest document on Apprenticeship funding (not the funding rules) can be found here and on page 4 there is mention of the new pledge functionality Apprenticeship funding – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You can catch up with Education and Skills Funding Agency apprenticeship related webinars you can find a recording here on the ‘you tube’ site in the apprenticeship service – webinar recordings playlist: esfagovuk – YouTube
George Swann FIS Skills and Training Lead said:
“This allows large apprenticeship levy paying organisations to give direct support to micro and small businesses and provides an opportunity to keep the apprenticeship funding in the finishes and interiors sector. As young people consider their future options now is a great time to investigate taking on an apprentice or pledge unspent apprenticeship levy funds for smaller organisations to utilise”.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 19, 2021 | Skills
In order to show more young people the wide range of opportunities available in construction, the industry needs STEM Ambassadors STEM Construction and Built Environment Ambassadors play an essential role in inspiring young people to think about a career in construction through a range of activities, including school presentations, careers talks and mentoring.
The CLC’s Industry Skills Plan includes a commitment to recruit 7,000 Construction STEM Ambassadors, and with the new school year approaching it is the perfect time for FIS members to register by email as a STEM Employer and encourage your teams to sign up online to become STEM Ambassadors. Further information on how to get involved can be found in this short film. If you like to have a chat about what is involved before committing please call FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org we will be happy to help.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 19, 2021 | Skills
Recruiting the next generation is vital if we are to maintain the pipeline of talent coming into the industry and one of the best ways to show young people the fantastic work we do is through Open Doors!
This year’s event will run from Monday 4 ‐ Saturday 9 October and there will be a combination of site visits and ‘live’ virtual events on offer. Bookings open to the public on Monday 23 August.
Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol has highlighted the unique appeal of Open Doors in Building Magazine saying: “The words ‘Fancy a site visit?’ ‐ whether it is to a major infrastructure project or a local housing development covered in scaffolding ‐ almost always ignites a positive response.”
A huge thank you to those members that have already signed up. If the last 18 months have taught us anything, it is that we are so much more effective when we work together, and we would encourage all of you to upload as many events as possible to help us showcase the diverse range of opportunities that our sector has to offer.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 19, 2021 | Main News Feed
All members are invited to consider nominating themselves to join the Board. By joining, you have the chance to use your knowledge and experience in the finishes and interiors sector to influence the direction of the Association and support our mission to improve safety and quality, minimise risk, enhance productivity and drive innovation in the sector, ultimately ensuring that membership and guidance are reflected in all relevant specifications.
The Board is key to ensuring FIS delivers for our community and ensuring our activity is aligned to your needs. I am particularly keen to use my last 12 months as President to encourage new applicants for the board from all sections of the membership, however big or small their companies.
We need the next generation to be coming through and I can promise you that the Board is an open, progressive and inclusive group – fresh views, challenging the status quo and your unique insight will be welcome and valued.
We know many are reticent to come forward as they are caught up in the ‘day to day’ particularly in the smaller businesses.
Like any commitment, joining the FIS Board it is not without challenge, but it is rewarding, allows your voice to be heard and, with modern methods of communication, it has never been easier to engage and support the leadership of our association.”
Operations Director, Tapper Interiors
The role of a Board Member offers the chance to influence the direction of the Association and share your knowledge and experience of the fit out sector.
The Board’s focus is on strategic issues, and ensuring the delivery of agreed targets.
If you would like to stand for election please complete the nomination form. Nominations must be received by 17 September 2021. Election results will be announced at our AGM in November.
Any questions about the process or the role, please don’t hesitate in contacting FIS CEO on 07792 959 481 or email iainmcilwee@thefis.org
To find out who is currently on the Board click here
by Clair Mooney | Aug 18, 2021 | Main News Feed
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is continuing to carry out spot checks and inspections by calling, visiting and inspecting all types of businesses as Scotland moved beyond level 0 on 9 August.
The spot check programme provides expert advice during the calls and visits, on keeping workplaces safe and to help assess the risks and continue to reduce COVID-19 transmission. The guidance also provides advice on sensible precautions employers can take to manage risk and support their staff and customers. Health and safety legislation continues to apply and the legal duty for businesses to follow the advice to stop the spread of COVID-19 remains.
The following workplace controls remain unchanged:
Businesses must also take account of requirements that remain in public health regulations and guidance for Scotland and continue to consult their workforce on health and safety. Talking to workers and their representatives helps identify how to reduce risk.
Failure to follow current health and safety guidance could lead to enforcement action. So, if you receive a call from HSE, it is important to act upon it.
View further information on the spot check programme.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 17, 2021 | Skills
Following a vote of the FIS membership on the level of money proposed to be collected for the construction industry levy by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), FIS has voted against the CITB proposal.
The Construction Industry Levy is collected and distributed by CITB in a process governed by the Industrial Training Act. FIS, as a CITB Prescribed Organisation according to the Act, are required to consult with Levy paying members of FIS through the defined process and respond collectively on their behalf.
The future collection levels proposed by CITB were:
- 0.35% on PAYE staff
- 1.25% on Net paid (taxable) CIS sub-contractors
Commenting on the vote FIS CEO Iain McIlwee stated:
“The vote in 2021 was closer than in the 2017 FIS consensus vote, which will be related to the significant increase of FIS members engagement in training and qualifications. However, we still cannot give our support to the CITB proposal as the response shows that there remains widespread frustration with the performance of CITB. The sector received grants for approximately 53% of levy paid between April 2019 and April 2020, which is a rise of approximately 20% on previous years, but it still means that a significant proportion of the levy collected is not utilised by or supporting those that are paying it.
We will await the final verdict in October and in the meantime will continue focus all of our efforts on working to support members in utilising levy paid through our one to one clinics and working collectively to address the profound skills shortage that is impacting our sector.”
Paul Leach Chair of the FIS Skills Board said:
“FIS has pulled out the stops to give everyone eligible a chance to have their say on this years consensus vote. It was a close vote, within single figures and the views of members have been reported as stated. It is testament to the support provided by FIS that there is a clear increase in the engagement of all members in skills, training and qualifications.”
Across the wider sector, Build UK has confirmed that after surveying its members, a majority confirmed their support for the continuation of the CITB Levy.
Build UK acknowledged that the level of support during this Consensus process was significantly lower than in previous years and added that it is clear that construction needs an Industry Training Board that is fit for purpose, responsive and effective at delivering the services and support required to meet the industry’s skills needs, and that members are not prepared to wait another three years to see fundamental changes in CITB’s delivery in order to fulfil this role.
The overall outcome of the consensus process is expected to be communicated by CITB to the industry after consultation with government by October 2021.
For further information on how FIS is supporting the sector in skills, click here.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 16, 2021 | Health and Safety
The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum of which FIS is a key member, has issued another in its series of engaging advice videos, reminding workers how to keep themselves and others safe as the COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed.
The 90-second animation is the latest in a string of easy-to-follow Forum films designed to help construction workers protect themselves and their colleagues, customers and families after Scotland moved out of Level 0 last week.
It follows the Forum’s warning last month that the sector is “not out of the woods yet” and that each worker has a vitally important role to play in continuing to maintain good hygiene.
Among the practical advice, the animation reminds construction professionals to make sure they’re vaccinated, register with Test and Protect, take regular lateral flow tests and familiarise themselves with the rules around self-isolation.
While on-site, it also reminds them to carry out thorough risk assessments, keep work spaces ventilated, wash hands, tools and surfaces regularly, continue to observe physical distancing and wear appropriate face coverings where required.
Rebecca Crosland, Chair of the Forum’s Health and Safety group, and Head of Health & Safety at the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), said:
“With the recent relaxation of COVID-19 rules, we are now entering a new phase where it is still vitally important to be careful both in our professional and personal lives.
“This video is designed to remind construction professionals that it’s vital not to forget the lessons learned so far, and of the practical steps they should all keep taking to protect themselves and their customers, colleagues and loved ones.
“Make no mistake – COVID-19 is still a very real threat and we can’t afford to relax yet. However, hopefully this will serve as a practical reminder to familiarise themselves with the latest government advice and continue carrying out the safe working practices that have been adopted over the past 18 months.”
The new guidance follows a range of other informative Forum videos that have helped to steer the sector through the pandemic, including advice on face coverings, guidance on travel and information for those carrying out domestic work.
The video was developed by Iain Mason, Chair of the Forum’s Communications sub-group and Director of Membership & Communication at SELECT, another leading member of the Forum, he said:
“Since the CICV Forum began in March 2020, our animations have proved to be highly effective in delivering vial health and safety messaging, and we hope this new video will continue to get more important advice across to construction professional everywhere.
“It’s been heartening to see how people across the industry have pulled together to get us through the past 18 months, and as we enter this new phases we must ensure that we all continue with this level of cooperation and collaboration.
“This latest animation continues the Forum’s key message that we are all #InThis Together and the importance of workers taking personal responsibility to protect themselves, their colleagues and the wider community.”
The CICV Forum is made up of 29 trade associations, professional services bodies and companies. Since its inception, it has maintained a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, producing animations and posters, hosting webinars and speaking with government ministers.
Last month it issued a secure site risk assessment template and close working checklist to help construction professionals plan for projects, with both available to download for free from the Forum website.
- Watch the new video here.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 13, 2021 | Building Safety Act
The Government has launched a consultation on proposals for the new Building Safety Levy, which is expected to come into force in 2023. The levy will apply to new high‐rise residential buildings, care homes, and hospitals which are 18 metres or more in height or at least seven storeys, where building control approval is sought. It will sit alongside the Residential Property Developer Tax meaning some developers will pay both the levy on specific developments and the tax on their profits from these developments. The consultation closes on 15 October.
The BSI has published a consultation on the draft of PAS 8673 which sets out a framework for the competence of Building Safety Managers. It describes different levels of competence based on knowledge, experience and responsibility and provides guidance on how to assess the competency of individuals. The consultation closes on 15 September and responses can be submitted by logging into the BSI Standards Development website.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 13, 2021 | Main News Feed
From Monday 16 August, people who have received two doses of a covid vaccine or who are aged under 18 will no longer be legally required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive case. This means that fully vaccinated contacts will routinely be able to attend work if they do not have symptoms.
Instead of self-isolating, those who are identified as close contacts of positive covid cases are advised to get a free PCR test as soon as possible. Anyone who tests positive following the PCR test will still be legally required to self-isolate, regardless of their vaccination status or age. Build UK has updated its COVID‐19 flowchart with the latest information on when to self‐isolate.
Vaccination
To encourage people to take up the vaccine when offered, NHS England is offering large employers access to local health professionals who staff can speak to confidentially to ask questions or raise concerns they may have about the vaccination. There is also a range of messages explaining the vaccine programme that employers can share with staff through internal staff communication networks.
If you would be interested in learning more about the offer from NHS England please contact Howard Wheeler at the Cabinet Office: howard.wheeler@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
by Clair Mooney | Aug 12, 2021 | Main News Feed
A new, free two-day ‘OPEN’ showroom trail event has been launched by the BCFA (British Contract Furnishing Association) and WOD (Women in Office Design) to celebrate the reopening of the Clerkenwell Furniture and Design showrooms.
The event, which is supported by FIS, takes place on 9 and 10 September and will see a host of leading brands showcasing their latest designs and products for the workplace and hospitality sector, with many running their own events during the two days.
It will also feature a seminar programme organised by WOD. Visit https://www.clerkenwell-open.co.uk/wod-seminars-workshops-programme-for-clerkenwell-open-2021/ to find out more about the seminar topics.
Clerkenwell Open will be attended by a wide-ranging audience of decision makers and influencers, including architects, designers, clients/end users and property professionals.
FIS Technical Director Joe Cilia, who will be giving a talk on office acoustics on Thursday 9 September at 1pm at Flokk‘s showroom said: ‘It is a honour to have been asked to help celebrate the reopening of the Clerkenwell showrooms. Acoustics are a complex subject. It’s easy to know when it’s not right because it’s too noisy or there is lack of privacy or too much disturbance from adjoining spaces. My talk will help explain the properties of sound and four ways of controlling it.
If you would like to find out more, or to register for a FREE ticket visit www.clerkenwell-open.co.uk
by Clair Mooney | Aug 12, 2021 | Health and Safety
The HSE formal consultation exercise on amendments to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (PPER) will close on Sunday 15 August.
The aim of the consultation is to understand the impact on stakeholders and businesses of extending the scope of employers’ duties under the PPE Regulations to workers and not just employees.
The consultation can be accessed here.
Background information
HSE is currently consulting on plans to extend the requirement of employers under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (PPER) to include the provision of relevant PPE to all workers, not just employees. This consultation is launching on Monday 19 July 2021 and running for 4 weeks and can be accessed via the HSE Consultation Hub from this date.
The aim of the consultation is to understand the impact on stakeholders and businesses of extending the scope of the employers’ duties under the PPER to workers and not only employees.
Why is the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) making changes to the regulations?
In November 2020, a judgment was handed down in a High Court case brought by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) against the Secretaries of State for Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department for Work and Pension (DWP), which decided that the government had failed to transpose elements of the EU’s Framework Directive (which sets out the minimum standards for health and safety through a series of general principles) and the EU’s Personal Protective Equipment Directive (which sets out the minimum health and safety requirements for the use of personal protective equipment in the workplace for workers) into UK law.
The UK implemented the PPE Directive through the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (“PPER”) which places duties on employers to their ‘employees’ in regard to PPE. The High Court found that the PPE Directive required these duties to be extended to ‘limb (b) workers’ and not only ‘employees’. Therefore, HSE is making amendments to the PPER in order to align with the court’s judgment.
“Limb (b) workers” are workers who do not work under an employment contract but work under any other contract whereby they undertake to personally perform work or services for the other party to the contract.
What does this mean?
Employers will have a duty to provide all workers with the same health and safety protections in respect of PPE as they do currently for employees.
Options on how to achieve the extension of the provisions to workers in the legislation will not be presented during the consultation as the key legislative changes are being made to align with the court decision.
FIS is gathering information from our membership on the impact of these changes via this survey here.
As part of the process we are asking your views and trying to understand what the cost implication may be on your business. Please submit your response by Friday 6 August so we can consolidate the information from our community and send it across to the HSE.
