News
Bid To Stop Misuse Of CSCS Cards
A SIGNIFICANT change has been made to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) following an industry consultant. CSCS now recognises various construction-related academic qualifications in addition to vocational qualifications including degrees; HNC and HND; NEBOSH construction certificates and national diplomas; and CIOB certificates. Applicants holding these academic qualifications who pass the managers’ and professionals’ health, safety and environment test will be issued with an Academically Qualified Person (AQP) card,...
read moreHealth & Safety Abuses
CONTRACTORS were fined a total of £3.4m for health & safety breaches in 2010, a rise of 22% (up from £2.8m) the year before, according to new figures from the Health and Safety Executive. The HSE launched 214 cases in 2010/11, 197 resulting in convictions. The average fine was £17,283. HSE prosecuted 362 offences, with 300 convictions and average fines of £11,349. HSE chief construction inspector Philip White explains: ‘The courts set fines at a level that reflects the seriousness of the health & safety failures the...
read moreCreate 100,000 New Jobs By Slashing VAT
OVER 100,000 new jobs could be created in the UK this year if VAT is reduced from 20% to 5% for all domestic repair, maintenance and improvement works, according to new research commissioned by the Federation of Master Builders. The report by Experien for the FMB states that 26,600 construction jobs would be generated over the next 12 months, alongside a further 34,400 positions in the wider economy simply by slashing the rate of VAT. The move would also boost the economy by £1.7bn in 2012, rising to over £20bn by 2020. Brian...
read moreFlooring Show Broadens Its Appeal
THE 2014 Flooring Show with new dates (September 21-23) is reportedly to be attracting fresh interest from potential exhibitors as the organisers broaden the appeal of the event. ‘We are confident that the exhibition is on course for expansion as the economy recovers. The change of dates is also helping to enhance the appeal of the show to a wider range of exhibitors and visitors, in particular the contract and commercial sector, and other key groups such as facilities managers, architects and designers’ says Wendy Adams, even director....
read moreSurface Solutions On Show
The 2014 Surface Design Show at the Business Design Centre London (February 4-6) is designed for architects, interior designers and specifiers looking for innovative surface solutions for the built environment. The exhibition attracts over 100 companies showcasing pioneering natural stone, wood, tiles, recyclable materials, metal, living materials, paint, illuminated surfaces and coatings that can be used as flooring, cladding, ceiling, wall coverings and more. The event also features a programme of talks, seminars, live demonstrations and...
read moreCFA Members Offered Help To Face The Upturn
THE National Specialist Contractors’ Council (NSCC), to which the CFA is affiliated, has launched a new new training programme for flooring and other specialist contractors which is designed to build on their existing business skills and prepare them for the upturn. With research showing that more companies go out of business as the economy recovers from a recession, NSCC is working with key partners to deliver a bespoke training programme to equip its members (including those in the CFA) with the skills they need to look ahead and make...
read moreGreen Light For Research
FLOOR preparation materials manufacturer KERAKOLL has completed the building of its GreenLab, a new eco-sustainable research and innovation institute. The project won Legambiente’s prestigious GreenLife Award and was included in the 13th Venice Architecture Biennale. This is the first service sector building in Italy to be constructed solely from sustainable solutions and materials and was completed with an investment of about €15m (£12m). All research and development for the Kerakoll Group will be carried out in the 6,857sq m...
read moreJane Gardner Honoured For Waste Presentation
AXION Consulting’s Jane Gardner has been presented with the 2013 Ben Heath Certificate for Outstanding Presentations from the Chartered Institute of Waste Management. Jane received her accolade for a presentation on ‘plastic carpet and vinyl flooring recycling’, covering innovation and progress in flooring recycling and re-use initiatives, which was delivered at a CIWM East Anglia Centre event. She collected her certificate from TV presenter Michaela Strachan at a ceremony held at the London Marriott, Grosvenor Square hotel. This...
read moreMassive Rise In Carpet Diverted From Landfill
A RECORD-breaking 107,000 tonnes of waste carpet were reused, recycled and recovered in the UK during 2013, a rise of 21% (22,000 tonnes) on the previous year, according to new figures by Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK). This landfill diversion rate of 27% means that CRUK has exceeded its original target of 25% by 2015 two years early. This target was set in 2008 when the industry’s award-winning not-for-profit organisation was launched to tackle the 400,000 tonnes of waste carpet arising annually in the UK. Increased volumes have been helped...
read moreSafety Failures Found At Many Building Sites
THE Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found failures at nearly half of sites it inspected during just one month. Enforcement action was required at 644 sites to protect workers. HSE visited 2,607 sites and served 539 prohibition notices which ordered workers to stop work immediately. Over 1,100 sites failed basic safety standards. The HSE blitz was aimed at refurbishment or repair work sites, primarily being carried out by SMEs, where unsafe practices were seen to be taking place. HSE inspectors found basic safety standards not being met on...
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