OCS `Crowns’ OCS Young Sportsperson 2008
Leading property support services provider OCS was proud to name 15 year old gymnast Sam Oldham from Nottingham as the OCS Young Sports Person 2008 at the star-studded annual awards ceremony hosted by TV presenter and sports journalist Clare Balding on 27 November at the Brit Oval in London. Sam received his award from Beijing Olympic Gold Medallist kayaker Tim Brabants. OCS Young Sports Person Awards regional winner for the Midlands, Sam, was named overall winner for 2008 beating off stiff competition from 8 other regional finalists and a Disabled Athlete and Young Star category winner. In partnership with charity SportsAid, the Awards aim to give financial assistance and encouragement to young British sporting talent.
Through the partnership with SportsAid, OCS has been able to increase the number of awards it makes through the awards scheme from 11 to 31. “Whilst helping young athletes through financial support and encouragement will always be the main aim of the awards, our support for the event and our new partnership with SportsAid is a clear demonstration that we are keenly aware of the responsibilities to the wider communities within which we operate. This is very important to us and fits in with our strong family values,” said OCS Chief Executive Chris Cracknell.
The OCS Young Sports Person Awards is now in its 11th year and has made some £250,000 awards benefiting over 100 young sports people in the early stages of their career. Eight previous winners of the OCS Young Sports Person Awards were part of Team GB competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
SportsAid, the charity responsible for funding emerging sporting talent for over 30 years, supports in excess of 1,500 able bodied and disabled young sports people every year and is at the heart of the talented athlete sponsorship scheme (TASS). Tim Lawler, Chief Executive of SportsAid, commented, “This is the first year SportsAid is joining forces with OCS, a company already committed to funding talented youngsters through the Young Sports Person Awards. We are delighted that by working together we can offer even more awards to talented young athletes.”
Award winner Sam began gymnastics at the age of 7 on his school teacher’s recommendation as a way of channelling his hyperactivity. He is the British Men’s U14 Gymnastic Championship, English All Round Junior Champion and a member of the British World Class 2010 Squad. Sam visited Beijing as part of the Olympic Ambitions initiative run by the British Olympic Association, fuelling his ambition to be part of the 2012 Olympic Team GB in London. Home schooled so that he can carry out a minimum 26 hour a week training regime, Sam still finds time to play golf as a hobby. Sam prides himself on his strong mental ability to focus on his sport through difficult times. He takes part in pommel horse, rings, parallel bar and high bar and most enjoys artistic floor work. “Winning this award will really help with all the travel I have to do,” says Sam, “and it will also help to put my sport into the spotlight. Over a number of years, Sam balanced gymnastics with football and was a registered player with Notts FC Centre of Excellence until its closure. www.ocsyoungsportsperson.co.uk

Belzona Technosol Provides Protection against Storage Disasters
Above ground industrial storage tanks and their contents are valuable assets that need to be protected. Due to adverse weather conditions or condensation, moisture can accumulate at the chine angle and track under the base of the tank eventually leading to corrosion problems, leakage and ultimately, catastrophic tank failure.
The financial implications of this are not restricted to the cost of the tank and its contents, but also include the costs associated with potential damage to the environment such as high clean-up and disposal costs together with the huge financial losses that unplanned downtime can incur.
Belzona Polymerics Ltd, responding to client needs, have developed the perfect solution; SEALATANK. The SEALATANK system provides complete protection by encapsulating the circumference of the tank base whilst allowing any residual moisture under the tank to permeate through the material’s microporous structure. Unlike many conventional sealants the system is weatherproof being both flexible and UV resistant. In addition the product is durable and tough, which combined with high adhesion properties ensures a long service life.
Belzona Polymerics contracting division, Belzona Technosol Ltd, can offer a complete solution from free initial site survey through to execution of the SEALATANK application. With many years experience in providing industrial maintenance solutions Belzona Technosol has a proven track record and is renowned for its quality workmanship and professional approach. Together with its network of fully trained partner contractors Belzona Technosol can provide both a nationwide and international service.
Your local Belzona sales engineer will co-ordinate arrangements for the site survey and once this has been completed Belzona Technosol will submit a detailed quote, including a risk assessment, method statement and plan of works, taking into account any health and safety issues. The application can then be planned and undertaken with minimal disturbance of day to day operations.
By way of example, one of Belzona Technosol’s authorised contractors has recently successfully completed SEALATANK applications to five 7m diameter aviation fuel tanks for an Oil & Gas super major.
The application itself was carried out under Belzona Technosol supervision. Gordon Allan, Contracts Manager for Belzona Technosol explained, “There was a problem with the asphalt berm breaking up on three of the tanks. On advice from the Belzona Technical Department I instructed the contractor to stabilise the berm using hot bitumen. The contractor, with assistance, successfully applied it using a hired tar boiler and a keg of roofing bitumen. Once the berm had been stabilised the Belzona SEALATANK solution could then be applied to provide long lasting protection to the tank base and chine.
The site manager was extremely pleased with the application and has passed the details on to his colleagues at other sites who have also been looking for a solution to this problem.”

30,000 Christmas covers for 7 Day Catering
As we move towards the festive season, thoughts turn to shopping lists and festive food, yet for contract caterers 7 Day Catering, the list is a little longer, as they prepare to serve up 30,000 Christmas meals!
With over 12,000 kg of turkey, 8,000 kg of carrots and 15,000 kg of potatoes on the menu, Chefs in the companies 150 contracts are busy preparing for the deluge of customers over the festive period.
Mark Johnson, Sales Director at 7 Day Catering comments: “Looking at the numbers, it can seem rather daunting - the sheer volume and quantity of ingredients is incredible. Our 1300 employees throughout the UK really enter into the spirit each year and keeping abreast of current eating trends is something the team sees as crucial.”
Leading up to Christmas 7 Day Catering offer customers a variety of alternative festive foods as well as the traditional full fayre. There are Grab ‘n’ Go options such as turkey and cranberry slices, roast gammon sandwiches and of course homemade mince pies. This offers something quick and convenient to those customers who may not have time to sit down to a three course lunch.
Seasonal specials take traditional ingredients and add a modern twist to make them contemporary and appealing. For example sausage, sage and onion plait, or chestnut and roast vegetable wraps. Those looking for a little spice are also catered for with turkey curry served with saffron rice and poppadoms.
However, tradition still prevails and the full three-course Christmas menu continues to be a popular choice. Mark continued: “In terms of looking after our customers, they can expect more in terms of ambience, service and product quality for their money. People want to celebrate the festive season and our menus offer a really hearty warming treat, not just a basic turkey dinner.
“Honey roast gammon and roasted vegetable wellington also make an appearance so there really is something for everyone. Not forgetting the humble Brussels sprout, of course – love them or hate them, we shall be serving up 8,000 kg!”
For further information visit: www.7daycatering.co.uk

Philips LEDs breathe new life into Spirit of Wigan monument
Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE:PHG, AEX:PHI) has installed an LED lighting solution illuminating the stunning “ Spirit of Wigan” sculpture providing a sustainable, maintenance free solution which can be enjoyed by passers by for years to come.
Rising 30ft tall, the sculpture creates a dramatic entrance for visitors arriving from the M6 motorway at Junction 25. The impressive steel sculpture is now once again illuminated to full effect using energy efficient Philips LED ground recessed modules.
Developed from an idea by pupils at local schools, the stunning sculpture was created in 2005 by the artist Clare Bigger. Although a landmark for the local community, the sculpture has not been lit for the last few years.
Working to ensure the monument was once more just as resplendent at night as by day, is the result of the co-operation between Wigan Council and Philips Lighting. As Wigan Council’s Street Lighting Manager Keith Benson explains, “The Spirit is a contemporary sculpture. Its central archway with three figures depicts a celebration of life and spontaneity of movement. Sponsored by Totesport it reflects Wigan’s strong sporting heritage and the positive effect sport can have on people’s lives in the community.”
Keith continues: “Our main objective was to relight the sculpture unobtrusively using the latest energy efficient products. Choosing LEDs gave us the best of all worlds, an eye-catching visual effect, a small footprint, and an extremely long life time making it practically maintenance free.”
To replace the inefficient high pressure discharge luminaires, Philips LED recessed modules were incorporated into the landscaping utilising a combination of blue, green and white Luxeon LEDs. Each of the LEDs is fitted with high efficiency collimating optics, ensuring precise light distribution over long distances making it ideal for the sweeping curves of the Spirit. Since the optics can be aimed accurately to follow the lines of the steel frame it can be admired by passers by without fear of potential glare on nearby roads fitting in well within its urban landscape. Introduction of blue and green
LEDs gave added interest washing different elements of the steel structure with colour helping to liven up a formerly bleak skyline and create a visual stimulus for commuters and pedestrians. In addition, the white LEDs provide uniform illumination for the Tote signage erected on behalf of the sponsors of the artwork.
Having discreetly installed the modules there is no need to touch them again since with a life time of around 25 years they offer “a fit and forget” solution.
Thus, the Spirit has been given new life. Its clear silhouette against the urban backdrop once again reflects Wigan’s evolution, representing the borough’s new energy and direction. The borough is seen as a key investment opportunity, and regularly wins environmental awards for its innovative street scene.
For further information, please contact: Barbara Neate, Philips Lighting UK, Tel: +44 (0) 1483 293 071,
E-mail:Barbara.neate@philips.com

Sarnafil airport roof still going strong after 20 Years
When British Airways asked construction consultant Turner & Townsend to examine the condition of an ageing Sarnafil roof at Heathrow Airport, BA expected it to recommend its extensive refurbishment or even replacement. However, such extensive work was not required thanks to the longevity of the Sarnafil system.
Owner BA wanted to ascertain whether the condition of Technical Building C’s 19-year-old roof could lead to future problems as well as ensure the safety of anyone working atop the 30-metre high building – the tallest on the Heathrow site – by installing a fall arrest system.
However, thorough testing of the original Sarnafil membrane by the British Board of Agrément (BBA), revealed that the roof required only remedial works to ensure continued water integrity and bring the building, which is home to BA’s aircraft maintenance staff, in line with current health and safety regulations. Turner & Townsend commissioned Robseal Roofing, who installed the original roof, to carry out the work.
In addition, on site testing confirmed that the fall arrest system – the Sarnafil Constant Force post, developed in conjunction with Latchways Plc – could be fitted without wholesale replacement of the roof and unimpeded by compatibility or safety issues.
Roof Management area manager, Neil Smith, who oversaw the project for Sarnafil, says of the existing roof’s performance: “A building of this height is subject to significant wind loadings. Heathrow Airport is a very exposed, harsh environment and there aren’t many buildings around Technical Building C to protect it from the wind. So the roof performed well over the previous 19 years in the most exacting conditions.”
Neil believes that the need for only minimal work to the 1,500sq m roof also offered BA substantial financial and practical benefits. “To replace a roof of this size in its entirety would cost well over £1million,” he says. “Instead, the continued durability of the Sarnafil membrane and its ability to cater for building and regulatory changes meant that this remedial work cost only a fraction of that, offering vast savings for the client.”
And with health, safety and security paramount to today’s building owners, avoiding the practical challenges of installing a new roof, such as transporting materials up and down such a tall building, in an aviation setting also proved advantageous.
“BA require exacting method statements of work to be carried out, which have to be agreed by all before a project can commence,” Neil continues. “This is because it is not only the building occupants that have to be considered, but also the operation of the entire airport, with aircraft landing and taking off only a few hundred metres away. So the building’s sheer location meant minimised works were preferable.”
But having benefited the client, the Heathrow roof then went on to benefit its creator – by helping Sarnafil extend its BBA certified life expectancy from in excess of 30 to in excess of 40 years.
“A 2sq m sample of the original roof was passed on to the BBA along with several other Sarnafil samples to be thoroughly tested against an un-aged material,” says Neil. “The results have since enabled the BBA to increase the Sarnafil system’s life expectancy for the membrane to a life in excess of 40 years with periodic maintenance.”
Neil concludes: “People always assume a 20-year-old roof has had its day, but now – with appropriate maintenance and even under extreme conditions of usage – Sarnafil can say with confidence that this is not the case.”

Infrastructure 'survival pack' launched for asset owners
Details of a three-part survival pack - the IAM Toolkit - designed to help the owners of major public and private-sector assets cope with the double onslaught of unprecedented economic and environmental risks were announced in London in November.
Initiated by the Institute of Asset Management (IAM), the pack is being launched at a time when many of the UK’s critical physical assets – including vital national infrastructure, public utilities, manufacturing systems, transport networks and all kinds of valuable assets – face significant renewal and investment requirements at a time of turmoil in global financial markets and growing concerns about the threat from extreme weather events.
The pack contains three elements:
· BSI PAS 55:2008 - the only available world-wide standard for the integrated, life cycle management of physical assets.
· A competences framework for asset management, revised and aligned to the PAS 55 standard, enabling training and competence to be assessed and developed in a structured way
· A maturity assessment tool to help asset owners to determine their current strengths and weaknesses, and plan appropriate improvement programmes.
“This is the first time a complete toolkit has been available for organisations to use in developing and taking forward a systematic and joined-up approach to their asset management,” said David McKeown, Chief Executive of the IAM.
“Organisations which implement PAS 55:2008 will be able to optimise the increasingly complex balance between capital and operating / maintenance costs as well as between performance, availability, risks and costs across the whole life-cycle of physical assets.
The IAM first launched PAS 55 in 2004, as the first worldwide standard for asset management. It has since been adopted by many public and private sector organisations – all the major operating units in the UK electricity and gas networks have now been certified as compliant.

Rolling over spray painting myths
Dulux Decorator Centres, the UK’s leading decorating specialist and Mears Group, the UK’s leading social housing repairs and maintenance provider, have joined forces to dispel the misconceptions around spray painting by putting it to the test at Mears’ new offices in Welwyn Garden City.
Dulux Decorator Centres, along with its suppliers Graco Limited and 3M, worked with contractors at Mears Group for a week to train the team on using the airless spray machine and the latest masking system. Mears was keen to take part in the spray painting training as it is commited to developing the skills of its people and embracing innovative methods of working.
After two days of intense training, a one man trial was conducted to compare spray painting against a traditional brush and roller application. Working on identical projects, on the first and second floors of the building, each man was measured on the time it took to completely repaint the whole 530sqm floor and how much material was used in the process.
Dulux Decorator Centres wanted to conduct a trial to showcase the benefits of spray painting for the industry and to dispel many of the myths associated with the technique.
“Paint application by spray is by no means a new process, but it still isn’t being widely used by many”, according to Nigel Keegan, head of business development at Dulux Decorator Centres who project managed the trial. “There are many misconceptions about spraying in the industry, and many still regard it as being messy, using too much paint and being time consuming to prepare for.
“Spray painting is often also looked upon as a substitute for the brush; something which will make the traditional tool of the painter entirely obsolete.
“However, the brush and spray should be regarded, not as rivals but as complementary to each other, each serving a useful purpose. Even the greatest spray enthusiast can’t deny that there are occasions when it is definitely uneconomical to use the spray machine on small surfaces.
One of the key challenges for spray painting is masking up as total coverage of all the windows is required so as not to ‘overspray’ the glass, while those rollering just need to mask the edges of each window. Surprising and thanks to the revolutionary new 3M™ Hand-Masker™ Masking System, both contractors finished the preparation work in one hour. The 3M™ Hand-Masker™ Masking System can be bought in a kit and comes pre-assembled with a roll of pre-folded masking film and a roll of Scotch Blue™ Painter’s Masking tape at the Dulux Decorator Centres. As the masking tape runs along the edge of the windows and come to the end, a layer of film underneath the tape can then be pulled down over the glass window and secured with ordinary masking tape at the bottom to give full protection in a matter of minutes.
Once the preparation was completed, both contractors turned their attentions to the painting. Ready and loaded with the paint, the Graco ST Max II 490 machine, which is available exclusively from Dulux Decorator Centres, swung into action. Likewise, the contractor working with the roller and brush method started on the task in hand. Five hours and 20 minutes later the whole floor had been painted using the spray machine. Meanwhile, the roller and brush technique was only 1/5 the way through the job. Two and a half working days (18 hours and 40 minutes) after the completion of the first floor, the second floor, which required a second coat of paint, was finished.
In total, the trial demonstrated that even on the small scale of an area of 530sqm, a 26% saving can be achieved. Most of the cost saved was against labour time on the spray option, with a difference of two and a half days. In the long term, this saving would mean that the contractor would be free to move on to another job, whilst his competitor was still completing the first.
For more information on the products used in this case study please contact Nigel Keegan, head of business development at Dulux Decorator Centres on 0161 968 3141 or email nigel_keegan@ici.com

One Key fits all
Imagine having just 1 key to open all the doors to your house and shed and gates.
Imagine the convenience of using 1 key.
Now you can experience this with the One Key House solution from Mul-T-Lock - the solution that ends the need to carry separate keys.
The Garrison security range covers rim cylinders, euro cylinders and padlocks and is available in polished brass and nickel satin finishes. All products are fully serviceable.
The high security performance products are suitable for applications in the home and office. Each product has a key identification card which contains the combination for the lock and the unique code for the key.
A locksmith can cut the original key, and not copies of the original.
The unique and versatile 7 pin locking mechanism offers the flexibility to create convenient locking solutions without compromise to security, providing the reassurance and secure lifestyle you need to confidently go about your daily life.
Contact: Sarah Massey, sarahm@mul-t-lock.co.uk, Mul-T-Lock, Tel: 01536-461111

New contract Win in the North West
Powerminster Gleeson Services has won a major new contract with Manchester Methodist Housing Association, part of the Great Places Housing Group.
The contract involves both planned and reactive maintenance for 415 commercial dwellings with Powerminster Gleeson Services providing a fully managed service, including electrical and mechanical servicing, fire alarms, lifts and CCTV, M&E Planned and Reactive maintenance and Statutory testing duties. The contract covers the housing association’s properties across the North West and Yorkshire, which includes sheltered housing schemes in Blackpool, Manchester, Bury, Bradford and the High Peak Great Places Housing Group is a group of housing associations that together provide over 14,000 high-quality homes in 30 council areas.
John Hargreaves, Operations Director at Powerminster Gleeson Services explains: “This is a really exciting contract win. We already operate in many of these areas and can therefore offer a dedicated and extremely high standard of service. We expect the contract to create a number of new jobs in Yorkshire and the North West and we very much look forward to working with Manchester Methodist Housing Association to deliver a first class maintenance service.”
Manchester Methodist Housing Association provides supported housing for vulnerable people, including teenage parents and people with drug or alcohol problems or mental health issues. Projects tend to be made up of self contained flats around a central courtyard, with communal spaces for socializing, meeting and training sessions. Powerminster Gleeson Services is one of the subcontractors on the flagship Grove Village PFI regeneration project in Manchester and the large scale regeneration of the Stanhope Estate in Manchester.
Powerminster Gleeson Services was successful in the tender process after meeting all the selection criteria, including being the most competitive in meeting the housing association’s requirements and having the technical ability along with the experience to provide the service.
The contract includes a two hour reactive response, ensuring that any issues that arise are responded to within this timeframe. The aim is to keep all public buildings operating as smoothly as possible with the minimum of disruption to residents as well as normal services.
John Hargreaves, Operations Director at Powerminster Gleeson Services, said: “We are becoming really well known for providing a highly responsive service, which is saving local authorities and housing associations money and delivering a better service to tenants. An important part of the contract involves taking responsibility for fire alarms and CCTV security systems, which provides greater peace of mind for both our client and their tenants.”

Six swords for safety
Six G4S businesses in the UK have been awarded Swords of Honour by the British Safety Council, in recognition of their extremely high standards of health and safety.
The prestigious award means these G4S teams are amongst the top 40 performing companies in the world to have achieved this accolade this year:
HM Prison Wolds
HM Prison Altcourse
G4S Court Services
GCHQ Cheltenham
Manchester Magistrates Court
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
The Sword of Honour scheme recognises organisations which have implemented safety systems that are among the best in the world.
The award ceremony was held at the Goldsmiths’ Hall, London on 28th November.

Little known safety law could see property managers jailed from January
A new law which has received little media attention could see property managers jailed from January if one of their employees is hurt at work.
Company directors and managers are in the firing line thanks to the new Health and Safety Offences Act 2008, which will start on 16th January 2009.
Health and safety training company Pivotal Performance is warning businesses to act now to ensure there are no health and safety risks facing their employees.
The new law makes employers personally accountable for the safety of their employees.
Breaches could see managers or directors jailed, or face Magistrates Court fines of up to £20,000.
Jane Gillham is a director of Pivotal Performance.
She said: “This law changes everything. While an accident involving an employee can already be a disastrous event, the punishment of the leaders of the business under this new law could see the business be forced to shut down.
“It means that employers must carefully manage the risk from everything their employees do, including things such as driving on company business. If an employee had an accident because they had been working long hours, their manager could be blamed as well.”
Jane added: “There is an opportunity now for all property businesses to check they are properly up-to-date, have adequate staff trained and are leaving nothing to chance when it comes to health and safety at work.”