News
Construction activity holds steady
The latest information from Builders’ Conference shows that 451 contracts worth £6.1 billion were awarded in February. Whilst the number of contracts increased again, the value dipped slightly, although it was consistent with the monthly average over the last year...
PPE Regulations to be extended to all workers
In November 2020, a court judgment found that the UK had failed to adequately transpose aspects of two EU Directives into domestic law with respect to worker safety. In reaction HSE has confirmed that the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations will be...
New CSCS app set to simplify site skills card checks
The CLC stated that, “By 31 March 2022, all card schemes must use smart technology which has the capability to electronically check agreed information relevant to a cardholder, using a common interface, without the need to manually enter data.” In March 2021 the...
£3000 funding available for taking on an apprentice
Employers must apply for the £3,000 incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice If you hired a new apprentices between 1 October 2021 and 31 January 2022 and these apprentices have an apprenticeship start date between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022, employers...
Scottish apprenticeships bounce back
Construction apprenticeships come out on top in Scotland, despite pandemic challenges. Figures recently released by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) indicate construction apprenticeships have bounced back from the pandemic, stronger than ever. The Modern...
Registration open for UK SkillBuild
The largest and longest-running construction skills competition in the UK returns, as registration opens for SkillBuild 2022. SkillBuild is delivered by CITB and forms a part of WorldSkills UK, often dubbed the ‘skills Olympics.’ As preparations for another year get...
Timber from Russia and Belarus considered ‘conflict timber’
All timber originating from Russia and Belarus is ‘conflict timber’ and therefore cannot be used in PEFC-certified products, the Board of PEFC International clarified today. PEFC is extremely concerned about the Russian government's attack on Ukraine. The military...
Industry bodies launch labels to warn of the dangers of passing cables and pipes through compartment walls
The leading trade bodies representing fire protection, the fit-out and interiors sector and plasterboard manufacturers have come together to warn of the dangers in passing cables and pipes through firewalls used for compartments in buildings. FIS joined forces with...
Managing sickness absence within a business
Managing sickness absence within a business has always posed a large obstacle for employers. FIS Associate Member Citation has received a surge in sickness absence concerns from employers over the last few weeks, ranging from employees testing positive with COVID-19...