A report setting out the learning and assessment experiences of more than 1,000 apprentices has been published today.  The 27 members of the Institute’s panel of apprentices, who represent the views of learners to apprenticeship policy makers, have reported on the responses and published recommendations for change. This is accompanied by the Institute’s analytical data report and tables.

The documents show that even with the COVID-19 outbreak, 87% of apprentices surveyed said they would recommend their apprenticeship to other people wanting to train in their occupation.  Most also believe (81%) they have been equipped with skills enabling them to adapt to future developments within their industry, while 82% felt satisfied their apprenticeship had laid the foundation for a successful career.  For more information please see Institute for Apprenticeships Survey.

In light of new guidance across the UK, FIS provides some vital updates below:

Contact Tracing App Launched

The NHS COVID‐19 app has been launched in England and Wales to help control the spread of coronavirus. Although not legally required to do so, construction sites can create a unique NHS QR code and posters to display at each site entrance. Sites can also play their part by encouraging their workforce to download and use the app outside of work

Face Coverings (England)

This week we have seen the increased requirements for the wearing of face coverings in specified places announced this week.

There are no additional specific requirements for construction sites however the requirement for face coverings to be worn in premises providing hospitality (bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes), except when seated at a table to eat or drink applies to canteens.

The CLC has reviewed its guidance on The Use of Face Coverings in Construction and is proposing to update its position as below.

CLC position

Where workers on site are not required to wear Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and their workplace (which may include welfare and changing facilities, site offices or site meeting rooms) meets all of the criteria below, their employer should make face coverings available and they should be worn:

• • an enclosed space;
  • where social distancing isn’t always possible; and
  • where they come into contact with others they do not normally meet.

In line with Government guidance on premises providing hospitality, face coverings must be worn in canteens except when seated at a table to eat or drink.

This document will remain as guidance for employers with the objective of achieving a consistent approach across the industry.

Further information on use of face coverings and guidance for the Finishes and Interiors Sector is available in the FIS H&S Toolkit

Car Sharing (Scotland)

In her update this week the First Minister stated:

“The last new restriction I want to cover today relates to travelling by car. It may seem minor but it is important.  We know, again from Test & Protect data, that sharing car journeys presents a significant risk of transmission.  We are therefore advising against car sharing with people outside your own household.  We are therefore advising against car sharing with people outside your own household.”

This has been reviewed through the CICV in Scotland H&S working group and the conclusion is that there is no need change to the advice previously issued is required.

It remains the official advice from Transport Scotland:

There remains occasions when there is no alternative but to travel with people from out with your household. This should be limited as much as possible.  On such occasions, you should:

• keep to small groups of people, up to 6 at any one time
• keep your distance and take care entering and exiting the vehicle
• sit as far apart as possible in the vehicle, avoiding face-to-face
• maintain good ventilation by keeping the car windows open
• wear a face-covering, unless you are exempt
• clean your hands before and after your journey
• if the vehicle is your responsibility, clean the door handles and other areas that people touch.
• If you regularly share transport whether it is a car or minibus or other private vehicle, try and share with the same people each time

Full details from Transport Scotland here

Guidance on complying with restrictions in Scotland is available in the Finishes and Interiors Sector is available in the FIS H&S Toolkit

Coronavirus Testing

If a member of the workforce shows any of the three main COVID‐19 symptoms, they should get a test within five days and self‐isolate until they have received their test result. In accordance with Government guidance, colleagues who were in close contact do not need to self‐isolate, unless requested to do so by NHS Test and Trace. They should be informed that a colleague (who should remain anonymous) may have COVID‐19 and they should take extra care in practising social distancing and good hygiene.

Employers who are informed of more than one confirmed case should contact their local Public Health England Health Protection Team

Despite spending weeks encouraging employers to bring employess back into COVID-secure workplaces, the Government last night announced a dramatic 180-degree turnaround.

The advice now is to work from home wherever possible, in an attempt to curb an increase in COVID cases.

There are however still many businesses for whom homeworking is not an option. For them, creating a COVID-secure workplace has never been more important. COVID-compliance is now a legal obligation and not meeting these standards in your workplace will result in fines of up to £10,000 and being forced to close your doors.

Wondering if your business is up-to-scratch and could confidently pass an inspection?

FIS Associate Member Citation has put together an extensive checklist of all the considerations you need to make to get your workplace inspection-ready and safe for your people. You can access the checklist here. Further guidance can be found in our H&S Toolkit

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 our call-back form and we’ll get right back to you.
FIS members are entitled to preferential rates on Citation’s services. Quote ‘Finishes & Interior Sector’ when enquiring to access your member benefit.

CITB is recruiting members for its Levy Strategy Committee which represents the views of the construction industry across England, Scotland and Wales on the development of the 2022 Levy Proposals and the longer term strategy for the Levy.  You can find out more

The deadline for applications is 25 September 2020.

BLOG: Joe Cilia – FIS Technical Director

In a follow-up to his last blog ‘Addressing fire proof, no proof and value engineering’, Joe Cilia turns his attention to the ‘I have always done it that way’ argument.

This particular “old chestnut” is often brought out in defence to justify work, process or decisions based on past experiences, how the individual was trained (or shown) or what was in the last copy of a guide that was read – the assumption is that it should be ok based on experience: but here is the nub, things change, and often that change is brought about from new information, scientific research or an event.

It isn’t hard to think of some examples that we wouldn’t countenance now, but may have been considered normal back in the day:
Lead was used in in a huge range of products until people realised the harmful effects it could have when it was used in toy soldiers, paint, and petrol, all now banned.

Asbestos was billed as the “magic mineral” and used commonly in construction applications such as pipe lagging, tiles and insulation, now banned because of the risk to health.

So as our understanding improves, as innovation drives improvement, new testing, scientific research or worst case, an unfortunate event informs us, it is not unreasonable that the way we design and build evolves too.

A huge catalyst for change is that we live in a digital age. This has both upside and downside risks. Up until recently the only way we could see what was up to date and current was to wait for the revised guide to be printed or go to the source. In the information age and with mobile phone in hand, online up to-date information is far more readily available and accessible – this is great, but it also throws up new risks – information needs to be contextualised and validated.

Anyone who has seen the recordings of the BBC blog of the Grenfell inquiry where individuals are being cross examined, will quickly realise the importance of questioning and having evidence of compliancy. As competent people (who rely on our skill, evolving knowledge, ethics and experience) it is our responsibility to check, as its clear that saying ‘I thought’ does not stand up to cross examination.

In the world of fit-out, where building interfaces differ, build height, environment, compatibility with other specified elements, where ultimately there is more choice, it is vital to ensure that all of the details are carefully considered. All to often the term “contractors choice” leaves a contractor assuming design responsibility and impossible decisions rushed through because of late appointment, a lack of foresight, poor planning and pressure on programme. FIS advice is always to:

• Stop – Don’t Assume
• Check
• Confirm

I cannot stress enough how crucial this last stage “confirm” is. Even where assumptions are checked, decisions must be validated. This risk is that without thorough and robust assessment, where the implications of size, interface, compatibility of abutting materials, loadings and fittings are considered, performance may differ drastically from what was intended. In my work I have seen many examples where the performance of a product is assumed yet the installation has been altered in a seemingly small way, but that ultimately renders all proof of performance invalid and makes the
body who added the new material the ‘Manufacturer’, without the protection of warranty and liable for ensuring the safety and producing test evidence against any claims.

Suppliers too are more cognisant of the challenge and reporting that they are seeing instances of trying to “prove designs” or develop “workable solutions” based on test evidence that had been developed to manage bespoke installations, but now is being employed erroneously as if a standard
detail. This practice, coupled with the concept of extended producer responsibility and tightening regulation is driving suppliers to become more risk adverse in the publication of information and even withdrawing information that they fear could be misleading, out-dated or open to misuse.

The challenge to the market is that in a world of ultimate design freedom we create a myriad of solutions. Whilst manufacturers and contractors will continue to work with designers to overcome individual challenges, we may start to see choice constrained by compliance and the practicality of
testing and bespoke solutions, better planned, properly costed and evidence more clearly contextualised and marked for use within the constraints of that specific project.

So don’t assume that what was used on a previous job would apply to the next job or that ‘Standard details’ are still current, check with the system owner/ supplier before designing and ask for confirmation in writing and add it to the project file in case you are asked.

Joe Cilia
Technical Director FIS
September 2020