by Clair Mooney | Aug 6, 2021 | CSCS, Skills
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is to formally recognise the NEBOSH Health & Safety Management for Construction (UK) qualification for its Academically Qualified Person (AQP) card, effective immediately. CSCS, the UK’s leading skills certification scheme within the construction industry, will accept the qualification alongside a range of already recognised NEBOSH courses, with applicants required to supply a copy of their qualification while also passing the CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment Test.
The course will replace the NEBOSH Construction Certificate, although both will run in tandem until 21 July 2023 to allow existing learners to complete their final assessment. The new course is primarily intended for construction site managers, contract managers, site workers with health and safety responsibilities and construction health and safety advisors. It centres on areas including workplace injuries and illness, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, employee wellbeing and demonstrating, as well as strengthening, health and safety culture.
Applicants can apply for their AQP card online via CSCS’s online service, with the card valid for five years from issue. The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) is a leading global organisation, which provides health, safety and environmental qualifications. Their internationally recognised qualifications help to raise the competence of safety and environmental professionals as well as individuals at all levels in the workplace.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 5, 2021 | Main News Feed
There will be an additional bank holiday next year to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022. The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) Working Rule Agreement formally recognises eight bank holidays each year, and the CIJC is proposing that this is increased to nine next year, as was the case in 2011 and 2012 for other royal milestones. It is proposed that double pay for working the additional day would not apply but time off in lieu would be granted.
The CIJC has launched a new website making it easier to access the Working Rule Agreement and guidance on terms and conditions of employment, including minimum pay rates as well as holiday dates, for those working in the industry.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 2, 2021 | Building Safety Act, Main News Feed
The Scottish Government has issued a consultation “Building Standards (Fire Safety) – A consultation on external wall systems”. They are looking to address issues in relation to the design and construction of buildings and the safety of persons in and around buildings in the event of fire spread onto external wall cladding systems.
The consultation papers can be viewed here. Members are invited to send their comments by Friday 1 October 2021 to iainmcilwee@thefis.org so that we can respond collectively to the consultation.
The issues under consideration are covered in seven questions relating to:
- The wording in the Building Technical Handbooks for domestic and non-domestic buildings of mandatory clause 2.7 relating to fire spread on external walls
- Consideration on a definition and ban of the highest risk metal composite material cladding panels
- Options to improving standards and guidance on cladding systems, including the role of the large scale fire test, BS 8414
- Consequential matters such as exemptions for certain penetrations and openings
- Impact assessment.
These proposed changes aim to improve fire safety for the design and construction stages of all buildings in relation to external wall cladding systems making them safe for those in and around buildings in the event of a fire.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 2, 2021 | Main News Feed
Build UK has worked with market intelligence provider Tussell to analyse the delivery of the IPA’s National Infrastructure and Construction Procurement Pipeline 2020/21. The analysis, which looks at whether the top 50 projects were tendered in line with the target dates in the pipeline, reveals how difficult it was to reconcile information due to inconsistent terminology and a lack of detail across projects and programmes, as well as little open data for some sectors due to procurement rules and publishing standards. Overall Tussell was able to confirm the status of just 50% of projects and put forward a number of recommendations to improve future pipelines and make them more valuable for the industry, which is a key policy in the Construction Playbook.
The Construction Procurement Pipeline 2021/22 is due to be published shortly and will include further information on contracts, including if they are part of a framework and whether they are a contracting or consulting opportunity
by Clair Mooney | Aug 2, 2021 | Main News Feed
The latest results published under the Duty to Report on Payment Practices and Performance show that the payment performance of Build UK members has improved again over the last six months, despite the ongoing challenges presented by COVID‐19 and Brexit. Contractor members are now reporting an average of 34 days to pay invoices, down from 35 days six months ago and 45 days when the Build UK table was first published in July 2018. On average, they now pay 94% of invoices within 60 days, up from 82% three years ago, and 79% of their invoices are paid within terms, compared to 61% in 2018.
Build UK’s table features more than 100 of the industry’s largest companies to provide a comprehensive picture of payment practices in construction. This increased transparency has resulted in significant changes in behaviour over the last three years, and a third of Build UK Contractor members now pay in an average of 30 days or less, with two thirds paying in 35 days or less.
by Clair Mooney | Jul 22, 2021 | Technical
FIS Technical Director Joe Cilia, presented the Specifiers’ Guide to SFS External Wall Systems at Clerkenwell Design Week focussing on the importance of early collaboration with manufacturers when specifying Steel Framing Systems.
The Guide was produced by the FIS SFS working group made up of manufacturers and installers of SFS external wall systems in conjunction with the Steel Construction Institute (SCI), which provide an independent source of information and engineering expertise in steel construction. It is intended to guide architects, engineers, designers and installers through the stages in designing, selecting and specifying steel framed systems to form the external envelope for steel and concrete framed buildings.
The guide includes 23 questions relating to ‘critical building information’, a further 15 questions to check that they are all addressed, a list of 10 questions on risk and how to avoid them and a further 10 questions on writing a smart specification to ensure a safe, compliant and complete specification can be written. All of which is crucial to ensure that the specification is not open to misinterpretation, and that any alternatives can be assessed and checked as equal, before approving them.
The guide sits alongside other FIS best practice guides that relate to SFS:
Design and Installation of Light Steel External Wall Systems
Recommendations for the Safe Ingress of Plasterboard
Health and safety handbook
You can watch FIS Technical Director Joe Cilia as he summarises the key leaning points in the guide here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cSElFKJuhQ
by Clair Mooney | Jul 22, 2021 | Skills
A consultation has launched (16 July) on proposals to improve how degree apprenticeships are developed, approved, and work in practice for employers and apprentices. A key aim is to better capitalise on the prestige that degrees and graduate status carry with employers and the wider labour market, to ensure that level 6 and 7 apprenticeships better meet employers’ skills needs and support apprentices to progress in their careers. The proposals would create more opportunities for degrees to be included in level 6 and 7 apprenticeships, where employers can demonstrate that graduate status is generally required for an individual to be employed in a particular occupation or sector. Additionally, degree apprenticeships would only be approved where the end-point assessment (EPA) integrates with the final assessment of the degree. EPA would need to involve people with appropriate industry expertise.
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) would also ensure that degree apprenticeships are distinct from other higher education programmes and support further integration of on and off the job training, which is a key principle of all apprenticeships. The idea is to rule out degree apprenticeships that amount to no more than rebadging of existing full-time or part-time degree programmes.
You can visit the Institute’s website to take part in the consultation that will close at midnight on 16 September.
IfATE will be running a series of stakeholder events to provide an opportunity for people to discuss the proposals in more detail on:
5 August 2021:
- Employers: 09:30-10:30, sign up here
- Higher education institutions and training providers: 10:30-11:30, sign up here
- Professional, statutory, and regulatory bodies and end-point assessment organisations: 15:30-16:30, sign up here
2 September 2021:
- Employers: 09:30-10:30, sign up here
- Higher education institutions and training providers: 11:00-12:00, sign up here
- Professional, statutory, and regulatory bodies and end-point assessment organisations: 15:30-16:30, sign up here
If you have any further questions please email: Enquiries.IFA@education.gov.uk
by Clair Mooney | Jul 22, 2021 | Material Shortages
Yesterday, Richard Waterhouse from NBS hosted a panel discussion with industry experts on the UK construction materials shortage.
Due to a global rise in demand and a tight supply of construction materials, the shortage of construction materials in the UK continues to impact the industry, which includes vital products such as bricks, steel, cement, timber, and paint. This has led to delayed projects and increased costs, compounded by other factors such as the blockage of the Suez Canal and the ongoing effects of Brexit.
The panel covered what’s causing the shortages, its impact on the construction industry, and how to manage the barriers it’s creating, especially for manufacturers and specifiers.
The panel consisted of
- Iain Mcilwee, CEO at Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS)
- Charmaine Dean, Marketing Manager at Catnic
- George Mokhtar, Director – Technology Business Lead at Turner & Townsend
- Lee Jones, Head of Manufacturer Solutions at NBS
The session is now available as on-demand here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5341225594095062539
by Clair Mooney | Jul 22, 2021 | Main News Feed
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has prepared this industry update in relation to COVID-19 and self-isolation. Following the relaxation of COVID-19 rules on 19 July 2021, and with awareness of the growth in cases of COVID-19, the CLC wants to support construction businesses to understand the rules and UK Government policy in this area
When must a worker self-isolate?
Workers must self-isolate immediately if:
- they have any symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste);
- they have tested positive for COVID-19;
- someone they live with has symptoms or tested positive;
- they have been told by NHS Track and Trace that they have been in contact with someone who tested positive;
- they have arrived in England from abroad from a ‘red list’ country, or from an ‘amber list’ country and not been fully vaccinated.
What does it mean to be a ‘contact’?
A contact is a person who has been close to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. You can be a contact any time from two days before the person who tested positive developed their symptoms (or, if they did not have any symptoms, from two days before the date their positive test was taken), and up to 10 days after, as this is when they can pass the infection on to others. A risk assessment may be undertaken to determine this, but a contact can be:
- anyone who lives in the same household as another person who has COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19;
- anyone who has had any of the following types of contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19:
o face-to-face contact including being coughed on or having a face-to-face conversation within one metre
o been within one metre for one minute or longer without face-to-face contact
o been within 2 metres of someone for more than 15 minutes (either as a one-off contact, or added up together over one day)
A person may also be a close contact if they have travelled in the same vehicle or plane as a person who has tested positive for COVID-19
What must workers do if they are told to self-isolate by NHS Test & Trace or a contact tracer?
Workers must self-isolate if told to do so by NHS Test and Trace. This remains the law, regardless of vaccination status.
What must workers do if they receive an alert from the NHS COVID-19 app?
If a worker receives an alert telling them they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, there is no legal requirement to isolate as the app is advisory rather than mandatory.
However the NHS and Government guidance is that individuals should self-isolate, as outlined above and that businesses should support workers to do so.
In some cases, NHS Test & Trace will advise on an isolation period and a worker will receive an alert on the NHS COVID-19 app, with the app recommending a longer period of isolation. NHS Test & Trace self-isolation periods are legally mandatory, any additional length of isolation recommended by the app is advisory.
What changes are expected on 16 August 2021?
From 16 August, if a worker has been fully vaccinated they will be exempt from the requirement to self-isolate if they are a contact of a positive case. They will instead be advised to take a PCR test as soon as possible.
Workers will also be exempt from self-isolation from 16 August if they are under 18 and a contact of a positive case. As with adults, they will be advised whether a PCR test needs to be taken. Those who are not fully vaccinated will still be required to self-isolate.
If workers test positive they will still need to self-isolate regardless of their vaccination status or age.
Are there any exemptions from self-isolation for construction workers?
There are some limited and exceptional circumstances whereby some critical workers may still work even if they are a close contact of someone that has tested positive for Covid-19.
These exemptions only apply to workers:
- Who, if they could not work, would lead to major detrimental impact on the availability, integrity or delivery of essential services – including those services whose integrity, if compromised, could result in significant loss of life or casualties, and/or where there is an immediate risk to defence or security.
- who are fully vaccinated (defined as someone who is 14 days post-final dose) and will be solely so that they can attend work. They will otherwise need to continue to
self-isolate as directed by NHS Test and Trace. It applies to asymptomatic contacts only and not individuals who have tested positive or who have COVID-19 symptoms.
The exemption is highly limited and focused to prevent public harm from disruption to critical services. It will only apply to named individuals from a specific set of organisations. Employers covered by this process will receive a letter from a government department setting out the designated critical workers and telling employers what steps they and those critical workers must follow.
What is Government policy on workplace testing and home testing?
Businesses who introduced workplace testing (under the Government scheme) were able to order free rapid flow tests until midnight on 19 July 2021. The Government funded element of the workplace testing scheme has now come to an end, and businesses who had introduced this scheme will have to engage a private provider or ask employees to use home-based testing.
Currently, employees are able to order free rapid flow tests for themselves and their household on GOV.UK. It is also possible to pick up free rapid flow tests at pharmacies and other community organised locations and test sites (see here). The Government has announced that funding for free rapid testing at home will continue until at least the end of August 2021.
by Clair Mooney | Jul 22, 2021 | Main News Feed
As Scotland moves towards further easing of restrictions, the CICV Forum has issued more timely guidance and sounded a cautionary note, urging the sector to keep its focus on health and safety to protect colleagues, customers and families.
The unique collaboration says the sector is “not out of the woods yet” and, with COVID-19 still a very real threat, insists each worker has a vitally important role to play in continuing to maintain good hygiene.
With Scotland set to follow England with its own so-called “Freedom Day” on August 9, the Forum has stressed that companies should continue to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOP) to ensure maximum focus on health and safety.
Rebecca Crosland, Chair of the Forum’s Health and Safety group, and Head of Health & Safety at the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), said: “The past 15 months have been an extremely difficult period for everyone, and we have only come this far by pulling together and following the rules.
“This spirit of collaboration and cooperation must now continue over the coming weeks as we prepare for restrictions to be eased further, both in our professional and personal lives.
“Make no mistake – COVID-19 is still a very real threat and we are not out of the woods yet. Vaccinations can only help so much and it is vital that the sector continues to be careful when it comes to health and safety.
“We will still have one-metre distancing and businesses should continue to follow the SOP and domestic guidance issued by CICV Forum until at least 9 August when we will be among those meeting with Scottish Government to discuss what action will be taken next.
“Everyone in the sector has done well and played their part over the course of the pandemic and we shouldn’t relax too soon.”
To help further, the Forum has produced a secure site risk assessment template that can be downloaded to help contractors plan COVID-safe working practices.
It has also produced a close working checklist to help construction professionals plan for projects that involve close contact in enclosed conditions.
Rebecca added: “These two new pieces of guidance will help operatives carry out COVID-19 risk assessments for a range of projects, including where close working is required, and help them consider the safest way for those tasks to continue.
“They also make it clear that, during such activities, appropriate mitigation methods should be put into place including lateral flow testing, increased hand washing and environmental cleaning, face covering, adequate ventilation and keeping any close activity as brief as possible.”
The guidance follows a range of other information which is still available on the Forum site, including advice on working from home, preparing for HSE spot checks and an overview of the current professional indemnity insurance market.
Fiona Hodgson, CEO of SNIPEF, another leading member of the Forum, said: “Once again, we are keen to do all we can to ensure the sector follows correct protocols to stay safe at this crucial time, and this new guidance will help provide clarity and essential advice.
“During the pandemic, construction has risen to the challenge, protecting staff and providing the bedrock of the UK economy throughout the year. However, it is vital that we continue to protect against the very real threat that remains.
“Our message is clear – workers should still observe hygiene rules and keep health and safety procedures front of mind to protect themselves, their colleagues, their customers and their families.”
The CICV Forum is made up of 29 trade associations, professional services bodies and companies. Since its inception in March 2020, 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.
by Clair Mooney | Jul 22, 2021 | Sustainability
Construction leaders have agreed clear targets for the industry to unite behind in its mission to drive carbon out of the sector.
On 20 July the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) published its Construct Zero Performance Framework. For the first time the framework sets out headline commitments for carbon reduction at a sector level, along with a series of measures and metrics to show how progress is being made.
The development of the framework draws on the extensive and detailed work undertaken across the sector by specialist groups and representative bodies to understand their emissions and develop their own plans. The framework seeks to draw these detailed plans together to provide Government and Industry with a comprehensive view at a sector level on progress.
Measures include tracking the number of domestic retrofits achieved, changes in the amount of non-diesel plant in use, and reductions in the amount of energy used to produce key products.
The Performance Framework has been developed in consultation with industry, with more than 2,500 comments received from industry to shape the framework. The commitments map to the nine priorities for carbon reduction outlined by the CLC in March 2021 and is the start of a conversation which will be refined and iterated over time to align with industry and workforce changes.
The headline commitments are:
• 78% of diesel plants to be eliminated from construction sites by 2035
• Close the productivity gap between construction and economy average output per worker by 2035
• From 2025, planning applications from the sector must connect to public/ active transport and include EV charging where parking is provided
• Working with Government to deliver retrofitting to 27 million homes by 2040
• From 2025, all new buildings will be designed with low carbon heating solutions
• From 2025, we will deliver new homes and buildings which will minimise energy demand and reduce emissions in operation by 75% (dwellings) and at least 27% (commercial buildings) compared to current standards
• Every person buying from the sector (business or member of the public) will be provided with carbon data by 2030 to make informed lower carbon choices
• From 2022, we will give all our clients the chance to become net zero by offering alternative Net Zero design options to clients, even if not scoped
• By 2035 we will have reduced construction product emissions by 66% from 2018
• We will target 1,500 of the sector’s businesses and clients to sign up to a measurable carbon reduction plan (including Race to Zero, Science based Targets or Climate Hub) by 2025
Beneath each of these headline commitments are a series of metrics termed ‘measures of success’, these will be used by the CLC in three ways:-
- To report the sector’s progress on Net Zero to Government, including to provide evidence of where Government intervention could accelerate or is essential to enable the sector’s Net Zero commitments
- To keep the industry informed on progress and areas where further effort is required
- By the CZ Programme Board as they seek the deliver the industry wide change programme to deliver Net Zero.
Details of each measure are available on the Construction Leadership Council’s Construct Zero web hub. Data will be gathered on a quarterly basis and published as an industry carbon ‘dashboard’. The first update is due to take place in Autumn 2021.
In addition to the sector level measures of success, the CLC has also today published a suite of aligned metrics to support businesses and projects to understand and set in place their own plans to meet Net Zero. These are purely a resource for the industry and are expected to help businesses and clients to take consistent action, although the CLC will not be measuring their delivery.
Construction Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan welcomed the publication of the framework. She said:
“The Performance Framework provides Government and Industry with a sector-level dashboard on progress towards net zero, aimed at enabling businesses to action progress and encouraging those outside the sector to take the key steps on the broader journey to net zero. It’s important that the sector holds itself to account for the commitments it has made; the Performance Framework will enable the industry to do this, reporting progress on a quarterly basis, building on existing publicly available data”
Construction Leadership Council co-chair Andy Mitchell said:
“We are seeing huge demand from across the sector to push forward towards Net Zero, and this has been reflected in the level of consultation feedback we received when we tested these metrics with industry. We can have confidence that these measures will help guide us towards a lower carbon future, and I look forward to seeing progress”.
UK Net Zero Business Champion, Andrew Griffith said:
“The new Construct Zero framework will give environmentally-conscious industry leaders the tools they need to make a difference.
By setting clear targets and measures for the construction sector, this framework will help this vital sector take the actions we need to help end its contribution to climate change”
Mott MacDonald Carbon Management Discipline Lead, Mark Crouch said:
“Delivering net zero is an urgent priority for our business and decarbonising infrastructure is an agenda we have been leading on for many years. The construction sector must take a leading role in delivering the infrastructure required to transform our economy to net zero, and in ensuring that this infrastructure is planned, designed and delivered in a low or zero carbon way.
Having measurable metrics for the construction sector and a clear direction of travel is crucial, so we believe the new Construct Zero Performance Framework will be an important tool for decarbonising the sector”
Find out more about the Construct Zero Performance Framework here
Visit the FIS Sustainability Hub here
by Clair Mooney | Jul 22, 2021 | Skills
The National Construction College in Bircham Newton (Norfolk) have scheduled two courses to train apprentices in Dry Lining Fixer Boarder, Interior Systems Installer. These are block release courses and although the employer will lose apprentices for up to three weeks, when they return to the workplace they will have been trained in tasks applicable to employers needs. The courses are scheduled to start:
- Week commencing Monday 20 September 2021
- Week Commencing Monday 25 October 2021
For more details contact the National Construction College Enquiries and Bookings by calling 0344 994 4433 or email ncc@citb.co.uk
Find and book courses online
Find out more about accommodation at NCC East
CITB now provide a grant to assist with subsistence costs for apprentices, the grant can cover up to 80% of the costs for details please see Apprenticeship travel and accommodation
Helen Tapper of Tapper Interiors says
“We have sent apprentices to Bircham Newton for training in previous years and been very happy with the results, these apprentices are still with us and continue to contribute at a high standard to the work of Tapper Interiors. We have two places booked on these courses and recommend the National Construction College as an apprenticeship training provider.”
For more information about apprenticeships or to identify a training delivering organisation visit https://www.thefis.org/skills-hub/apprenticeships-and-qualifications/ On this page you will find a downloadable document ‘Apprentice – Guidance for Employers’ which is full of information on the process for taking on an apprentice. If you require more information please don’t hesitate to contact FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org we will be happy to help.
by Clair Mooney | Jul 20, 2021 | Main News Feed
It is predicted the UK could face 2 million* cases of COVID-19 during the summer months. With the end of COVID restrictions and work from home guidance, there’s huge challenges for employers to keep their workplaces and people safe as cases continue to rise.
With testing previously described as the potential difference between a business having to close because of an outbreak and remaining open, you might be considering implementing a testing policy in your business. But how confident are you when it comes to consulting on, creating and communicating a testing policy and do you know your legal obligations?
To make sure you have everything covered and you’re on the right side of the law, FIS Associate Member and HR & Employment Law specialists Citation, has created a guide covering the essential considerations employers must make before implementing any testing policy in their business.
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE HERE
Some of the key questions the guide explores, include:
- Can you make testing mandatory?
- What’s the best way to communicate your stance on testing to your employees?
- Can you ask your employees to disclose their test results?
- What are the data protection implications of workplace testing?
FIS member benefit
If you’d like to chat about how Citation can help with the HR and Health & Safety side of your business, just give them a call on 0345 844 1111, or fill in their call-back form and they’ll get right back to you.
Quote FIS when enquiring to access your member benefit.
*Source: The Guardian
by Clair Mooney | Jul 20, 2021 | Building Safety Act, Health and Safety
A family – a woman and two children – were taken to hospital after panels from the ceiling fell on to them whilst in the supermarket in Ashton under Lyne on Thursday 15 July 2021.
It has not yet been confirmed what caused the collapse, but Asda said they are working with authorities while investigations are underway.
Shoppers were evacuated and an eye-witness said: “The aluminium panels landed on the baby in the seat on the trolley. The baby boy was around 4 weeks old”.
In a statement, an Asda spokesperson said: “A small section of the ceiling in our Ashton under Lyne store collapsed yesterday evening.
“Following the incident, a family was taken to hospital as a precaution, and we are pleased to hear they are all ok.
“The store reopened as normal this morning (Friday 16 July) and we are continuing to work with the relevant authorities on this matter.”
FIS Technical Director Joe Cilia said:
“Thankfully we see relatively few instances like this now as guidance and working practice has evolved.
There can be many reasons for a failure, commonly the fixing to the structure, but collapse can also be linked to moisture, incorrect access and replacement of panels above the ceiling during maintenance and ancillary works or simply using the ceiling to suspend additional weight that it was not designed to take.
It is vital that, when working in, on or around a suspended ceiling that building owners refer to the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manual and ensure that work is carried out by competent individuals and that they adhere to manufacturers guidance when to comes to maintaining the integrity and inspecting the ceiling.
FIS provides a range of guidance for specifiers and contractors to support safety in the sector, this is all backed by expert helplines that we encourage clients, contractors and specifiers to utilise. As with any instance of this nature we remain on hand to interrogate the particulars of this case and ensure that the sector continues to learn and that all future accidents are avoided.”
Image source: Mancheser Evening News
by Clair Mooney | Jul 16, 2021 | Skills
FIS is working working with the developed governments regulatory authorities to add a qualification route for the maintenance of operable partitions. Support from employers is needed to complete this work, if you agree a qualification is needed for this activity, please email georgeswann@thefis.org indicating your agreement of the need for a qualification in service, maintenance and repair of operable walls.
This work is supported by CITB. For details visit the Interior systems sectionf of the CITB website and look in ‘Reviews’ titled Operable Partition NOS – Service, maintain and repair operable partition wall systems.
by Clair Mooney | Jul 15, 2021 | Main News Feed
As England moves to Step 4 of the COVID‐19 Roadmap on Monday 19 July, the majority of restrictions will end, however the SOP will remain available and businesses may want to maintain elements of social distancing for the time-being.
The Scottish Government has confirmed that Scotland will move to Level 0 on 19 July but certain mitigations will remain in place, including the mandatory wearing of face coverings and working from home where possible. Wales will move fully to alert level one from 17 July and to a new alert level zero on 7 August and Northern Ireland is expected to outline its plans for easing restrictions shortly.
The Prime Minister confiemd that from Moday 19 July people will no longer be required to work from home; however, the Government is emphasising that the pandemic is not over and people should exercise caution and take personal responsibility. It is expected and recommended that face coverings are worn in crowded and enclosed spaces when mixing with people you don’t normally meet, and the Mayor of London has confirmed that they will remain mandatory on the London transport network. Guidance will be published for businesses on managing the return to the workplace and the current position will be reviewed in September.
The CLC has issued a statement confirming that the Site Operating Procedures will remain available as a reference document from Monday 19 July. Whilst they will no longer reflect the latest Government guidance, businesses across the supply chain have welcomed the consistency that the Site Operating Procedures have provided and they may wish to maintain elements of social distancing for the time being. The CLC also recommends that the good practices the industry has adopted over the last 18 months are retained.
The CLC has updated its guidance on the Use of facecoverings in construction in line with the latest Government guidance from 19 July.
On a call earlier this week, almost 90% of Build UK Contractor members indicated that they will be maintaining social distancing measures on some or all of their sites until at least 16 August, when the requirement for close contacts to self‐isolate will be revised for those who have had both doses of the vaccine or are under 18.
by Clair Mooney | Jul 13, 2021 | Main News Feed
To support self-employed people who have pension concerns or questions, or simply feel a bit lost when it comes to retirement planning, Money Helper has established a dedicated appointment service, called Midlife Pension Review. The service, which is free to access, covers four areas: work, health, family, and money. In these topics they will help you think about how they affect your pension, and what the best course of action for you might be.
The appointment will cover and explain:
- the pension options available to you
- what you’ll need to think about and the things you’ll need to ask
- your next steps, signposting to helpful organisations, should you need them.
An online guide is available here and you can book a free, full telephone appointment with one of the Money Helpers specialists by emailing virtual.appointments@maps.org.uk
MoneyHelper are an arm’s-length body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions and funded by levies on both the financial services industry and pension schemes, the organisation consolidates the previous work of the Money Advice Service, The Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.
by Clair Mooney | Jul 13, 2021 | Labour, Material Shortages
The construction industry is currently facing challenges on the availability and pricing volatility of labour and materials. This volatility could have a significant impact on the timeframes and delivery costs of many projects.
Most forms of construction contract have standard provisions for managing volatility, without the need to make contract amendments. These provisions, such as fluctuations provisions in JCT and NEC 4 Secondary X1, provide a means of collaboratively sharing the risks associated with this volatility.
In an open letter to the industry Andy Mitchell, Chair of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) is strongly urge those responsible for developing, agreeing and managing contracts, existing and new, to consider adopting these provisions in their contracts.
The contractual challenges created by lack of product availability and inability to access approved products are likely to mean design changes are necessary. Therefore, again, the CLC would encourage a collaborative approach to be taken to managing these risks.
Commenting on the statement FIS CEO Iain McIlwee stated:
“This is a welcome intervention from the Construction Leadership Council and I would personally like to thank Andy for picking up the mantel here. We have been vocal and remain concerned that clients and main contractors are still focussed on squeezing risks through the supply chain and we are getting to the point where fixed price contracts may not be tenable on certain works. We continue to urge members, before you sign a contract check the delay clauses and look at the fluctuation clauses too, if you cannot negotiate a shared risk approach with your client, you need to seriously consider pricing in risk moving forwards and ask yourself what could worse case scenario mean to your business if prices drifted or sourcing issues beyond your control delay the programme.”
Read the letter here.
by Clair Mooney | Jul 8, 2021 | Skills
FIS members who are likely to pay the Construction Industry Levy as proposed by CITB for 2021 to 2025 are invited to have their say by participating in the Consensus Survey
The proposed CITB Levy Rate for the period 2022-2025 is 0.35% for PAYE and 1.25% on Net paid (taxable) CIS sub-contractors. Those with a total wage bill between £0 – £119,999 will be exempt from paying Levy and those with a total wage bill between £120,000 – £399,999 will see a 50% reduction on their Levy.
FIS is a ‘Prescribed Organisation’ which means that we are required to formally consult members on the Levy proposals put forward by CITB and respond collectively on their behalf.
To this end, we are asking members to complete our short survey – it should only take 5 minutes to complete. Only the views of those employers who are likely to pay the construction levy under these proposals will be counted in the consensus vote.
The closing date for responses in 6 August 2021.
If you have any queries please call the office on 0121 707 0077.
by Clair Mooney | Jul 7, 2021 | Market data
The
latest information from Builders’ Conference shows that there were 516 contracts worth £7.2 billion awarded in June. Whilst the number was slightly lower than the previous month, it was still 3% higher than the monthly average over the past year and 24% higher than June 2020, indicating that construction has recovered more quickly from the most recent lockdown. The increase in value was largely due to three projects worth £1.3 billion awarded under the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) programme to provide repair and maintenance services across the UK defence estate. 26% of all the contracts awarded by value were housing (£1.9 billion) and 13% were rail projects (£925 million).
The number of tender opportunities was consistent with the previous month but remains 29% below the monthly average for the past year.