News
Van Drivers Warned Of Hidden Cost
VAN users are being reminded by The Fuelcard People that cost savings at the pump is not the only factor to consider when comparing fuel cards. Steve Clarke, group marketing manager, says: ‘The whole point of fuel cards is to save money and we can almost certainly beat any fuel card deal that a fleet already has. Some firms are missing out, though, by not looking beyond the cost per litre.’ He points out that companies can be vulnerable to hidden costs, with some suppliers levying network fees and transaction charges. He explains: ‘If...
read moreHSE Updates Guidance
INFORMATION on controlling substances that are hazardous to the health of workers has been updated to help businesses comply with legal requirements. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revised its Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) to clarify and simplify practical advice to help dutyholders comply with the requirements of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Contained within an updated document, the revised guidance is aimed at management, supervisory staff, safety representatives and technical specialists (e.g....
read moreStone Supplier Fined For Failing To Protect Staff
A NATURAL stone supplier has been fined for failing to protect workers from exposure to hazardous substances, despite a previous warning. Teesdale Architectural Stone (TASL) was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failings identified in an inspection of its Barnard Castle premises on October 16, 2012. Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard that TASL was not adequately controlling exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS), a substance that can cause fatal lung diseases. Inspectors also found that the company was not...
read moreConstruction Disputes At All-Time High
DISPUTES on UK construction projects reached an all-time high in 2013 and were worth £16.5m, says new research from EC Harris. Despite the rise in value of disputes, UK cases on average took five months less resolve at 7.9 months, down from 12.9 in 2012, and the value of disputes was less than the global average of £19.4m. The report found that construction dispute values were highest in Asia at £24.9m, followed by the Middle East at £24.3m. In the US, disputes values tripled to £20.3m and also rose in the UK to their highest value since...
read moreThree Workers Injured As New Floor Collapses
TWO building firms have been ordered to pay a total of £72,000 in fines and costs after a floor collapsed during the construction of a six-bedroom mansion in Trafford, injuring three workers. One of the men sustained major injuries when he was struck by a falling concrete beam. He was in hospital for five weeks and has been unable to return to work following the incident on November 11, 2011. Belmont Homes (Cheshire) and Sale-based Waymac were both prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation found that work...
read moreF Ball Marks Fifth Anniversary Of Loyalty Card
F BALL AND CO is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Loyalty Card which now has over 2,700 flooring contractor members. Loyalty benefits include 2.5% cashback on purchases of all F Ball products, as well as extra cashback on selected products. Since the card was launched, the company has paid over £1m in cashback to members. To commemorate the fifth anniversary F Ball is giving away prizes, including digital cameras, Makita Site Radios, and moisture measurement equipment to 50 randomly selected Loyalty Card members monthly until the...
read moreNew CFA President & Council Elected
THERE was a good attendance at Contract Flooring Association (CFA) annual general meeting held at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham, on June 3. Tony Mathe of Hillside Flooring was elected as new CFA president with outgoing president Alan Gayle having completed his two year term of office. Tony will lead a highly experienced council, whose members include former CFA presidents Alan Gayle, John Butler, Hamish MacGregor and David Hibbert. The meeting was addressed by Suzannah Nichol, ceo of the NSCC, on the progress for fair...
read moreEmployment Tribunals
Mark Stevens on dealing with an Employment Tribunal claim AS an employer, what do you do if you receive an Employment Tribunal claim (an ET1 form) from a disgruntled ex-employee? There are a number of steps employers should take, including: Diarise the deadline to respond to the claim: The priority is to check the initial action required by you. Employers have 28 days from receipt of the ET1 to respond to the claim by filing form ET3 with the appropriate employment tribunal. If you do not comply with the deadline, the employment tribunal...
read moreTackling Late Payment
Jo Eccles on the biggest single problem for small businesses LATE payment remains arguably the biggest single problem faced by many smaller businesses with a significant number of firms still folding simply because of their customers’ reluctance to pay what they owe. Despite positive news on the UK economy, the continuing culture of late payment remains a concern for many small businesses, with national business organisation the Forum of Private Business recently reporting that 23% of its members questioned in a recent finance survey had...
read moreEnsuring A Healthy Cashflow
Martin Hughes on how to ensure a healthy cashflow WHETHER you are a flooring contractor, manufacturer, distributor or consultant, it is vital that you have good, up-to-date terms and conditions to ensure healthy cashflow and prompt payment for the services you provide. Many large manufacturers and distributors have experienced credit control departments ensuring the business has well-drafted terms that provide certainty, clarity and importantly reduce the risk of misunderstanding and problems with their customers. Owners of small...
read more