Facilities Services Group Undergoes MBO
The management team at national property maintenance provider Facilities Services Group (FSG) has successfully completed a management buyout of the business from Spice Limited.
The buyout has been led by David Simons, the Chairman of FSG and the company’s Managing Director, George Lilley, with the support of NBGI Private Equity, a leading UK and European private equity firm.
FSG specialises in integrated facilities management services across the retail, leisure and property sectors and was formed as a brand in 2008 through the merger of leading retail and leisure companies including Circle Britannia, Serviceline and Atlanta Facilities.
From its head office at Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire FSG provides a nationwide service including reactive maintenance, compliance and managed services solutions.
The company’s service is delivered by 250 directly employed tradespeople and backed up by 20 field service managers.
George Lilley said: “FSG Group was non core to Spice’s ongoing operations.  This deal represents a marvelous opportunity for us.  We have great confidence in the business and its people and are well-positioned for future growth.”
David Simons added: “We are delighted to have completed this transaction.  The management team at FSG has a strong understanding of our customers’ needs and the many strengths that exist within our business. With the support of our funder, the MBO allows us to invest in developing our services even further.”
David Simons and George Lilley are seasoned facilities management  professionals with a combined 44 years’ experience with companies including GSH Group, WS Atkins, Broadgate Estates and Middleton Maintenance.
Find out more about FSG Group at www.facilities-services-group.co.uk

IMC wins two ‘Green Oscars’ for Innovation in Food Waste Recycling
IMC’s pioneering ‘Compod’ is twice honoured at the 2011 Rushlight Awards
IMC, one of Europe’s leading innovators in food waste management and recycling, is celebrating the honour of scooping two prestigious Rushlight Awards in recognition of its pioneering ‘Compod’ recycling unit; one of the safest, most cost effective and most eco-friendly methods of managing the 4 million plus tonnes of commercial food waste disposed of in the UK every year. 
The Rushlight Awards – often referred to as the ‘Green Oscars’ - celebrate the technology and innovation achievements of UK organisations in providing new and innovative solutions to address global warming and climate change and represent the pinnacle of industry recognition. This year’s submissions were arguably the strongest in its 20-year history but despite the strong competition IMC not only scooped the ‘Organic Waste Award’ but also beat off four other Award Winners to take the overall ‘Waste Innovation Award’.
Collecting the Award at the ceremony at which Professor Sir John Beddington, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, was guest speaker, Dennis Moore, Business Development Manager at IMC, commented "It is absolutely wonderful to have our food waste recycling solution acknowledged in this way by such a distinguished panel of leading experts. We are looking forward to assisting commercial catering establishments, from hotels and restaurants to hospitals and universities, to address the increasingly difficult, safe disposal of food waste and its diversion from landfill."
 IMC’s ‘Compod’ is a stand-alone modular unit designed to be a flexible solution to the treatment and processing of food waste into quality compost in a cost effective way. The food waste is macerated and dewatered before being blended with wood pellets and loaded into an In-Vessel Composter from which high quality compost emerges around 8 weeks later. The system can be used within a variety of catering establishments such as restaurants, hotels, shopping centres, universities, hospitals and stadia.
Imperial College London is already reaping the benefits from the ‘Compod’ which is recycling the 50-plus tonnes per year of food waste produced at Imperial’s largest, South Kensington campus into re-usable compost. In the spirit of ‘Landscape not Landfill’, this odourless compost is already being used as fertilizer on the College’s gardens. As a consequence the University has been able to replace more expensive equipment and is expecting to make savings of more than £100,000 in its first year of operation, thereby delivering a Return on Investment (ROI) for the ‘Compod’ of just 19 months. This installation has captured the attention of companies and governments from around the world and, in March last year, Imperial College hosted a visit by delegates at the C40 “World Climate Change” conference led by the Mayor of London. ‘Compod’ systems have since been specified for use as far afield as Brazil and the Middle East.
For further information regarding IMC, please visit us at www.imco.co.uk or contact us direct on 01978 661155

Office Furniture Experts Launch First Classroom Chair  
Steelcase, global leaders in the office interiors industry has launched a ground breaking educational chair - their first classroom and seating product, ‘node’.
The ‘node’ chair has been designed to transform classrooms and learning environments.
Mark Spragg, Managing Director of Steelcase UK, said:  “Many traditional classrooms can inhibit current teaching methods by creating physical and social barriers between students and teachers. They have been designed for one-way learning with tight rows of desks and chairs that inhibit movement and interaction.  Students are confined to chairs that are secured to the floor or are difficult to move, forcing them to struggle to adjust their position.” 
Steelcase carried out extensive research into the methods of teaching in today’s classrooms.  There has been a significant shift towards multiple teaching modes to support multiple learning styles, for example more discussions and team collaborations are taking place.   The classrooms themselves are not designed to support multiple activities and the transitions required to employ them efficiently.
Node classroom chair provides key features like its swivel seat to maintain open sightlines, castors for mobility and quick mode change, backpack storage and a large adjustable work surface that supports laptops, textbooks and notebooks.
The contoured seat shell will also help students maintain comfort over a long period of time. Additionally, the node chair’s large work surface supports laptops and additional mobile devices, along with a variety of textbooks and notebooks. It is fully adjustable and articulates to provide comfort and to accommodate both right and left-handed students equally. When used in groups, it merges with other chairs to create a group table dynamic.

Green Planet Solutions joins 1% for the planet
Green Planet Solutions, a leading supplier of environmentally friendly cleaning, hygiene and water products, has joined ‘1% for the Planet’, a charity which coordinates global companies committed to donating 1% of their sales to help protect the Earth’s future. The funds raised goes to environmental charities around the world that are focused on campaigns for clean air, pure water, safe food and wild places.
Green Planet Solutions has chosen two charities to donate 1% of its sales to. The first is ‘Fresh2o’, a charity which aims to reduce poverty and prevent death by enabling the provision of clean water for drinking and sanitation globally. The second is ‘Waste Watch’, an environmental organisation that advises, educates and supports people in making changes to their lives that will reduce their environmental impact.
Shaun Chatterton, Chief Executive of Green Planet Solutions, takes up the story: “The 1% for the Planet message fits perfectly with our ethos that if everybody makes a small change to the way they run their business, it can make a huge difference to our environment and the future. We strongly believe that businesses should be leading the way when it comes to increased recycling, reducing carbon footprints and safeguarding our natural resources. We need to be part of the solution – not the problem.
“Our ‘Green Planet Solutions’ name describes perfectly what we are about – finding green solutions to protect our planet. This is why we are constantly looking for new ways to help our clients reduce their impact on the environment – by using eco-friendly cleaning products, recycled toilet tissue and energy efficient water coolers. We are also currently undertaking some exciting research into developing a biodegradable polymer that will revolutionise packaging in the future.”
Sam Jarvis, Head of Communications for Waste Watch explains how Green Planet Solutions’ donation will help to support their work: “We’d like to thank Green Planet Solutions for their generous offer to donate a proportion of profits to support our work. The donations will help us continue to support communities to become more sustainable, show children and teachers what they can do to protect the environment, advise businesses on waste and resource use and campaign for change. 
“We are a practical charity inspiring and helping individuals, communities and organisations to waste less. For us, it’s about showing what we can all do to change the way we produce, buy, use and dispose of things. It’s about how we can encourage, support and challenge each other to do things differently. It’s about bringing people together to share more, to learn new skills, and to build strong communities. We want to transform the way we live so that we – and future generations – can enjoy life without costing the earth.  Our association with Green Planet Solutions and the 1% for the planet initiative will provide much needed support.”
Candice Farmer, founder of Fresh2o comments: "Fresh2o is proud to be involved in the 1% for the Planet cause with Green Planet Solutions, so that we can jointly help to save the lives of some of the 5,000 children dying each day from dirty water."
1% for the Planet was established in 2001 with a mission to build up a group of companies committed to creating a healthy planet. The scheme is growing and last year, 1,250 companies around the world collectively raised $15M for hundreds of organisations. The scheme is supported by many musical artists too, including Jack Johnson, and the recently released ‘1% for the Planet: The Music’ digital album reached number 1 in Amazon’s mp3 download chart.
The eco aware Green Planet Solutions range features an extensive mix of cleaning chemicals, water products and industrial solutions.  These include concentrated cleaners that can be used throughout all areas of a business, hand wash, hand dryers, toilet tissue and natural mineral water.
The products have a reduced impact upon aquatic life and perform as effectively as conventional products. The products are Vegan Society approved and the company is a member of the Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA).
www.greenplanetsolutions.co.uk
http://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/en/
www.fresh2o.org
www.wastewatch.org.uk

Tensar foundation mattress helps ring road construction
The 2010 opening of the A7 motorway extension on the southern ring road of the city of Sneek, Netherlands, is at last bringing an end to local traffic misery. By using innovative Tensar Geocell Foundation Mattress technology over weak estuarine clay, MNO-Vervat Noord, the main contractor, was able to construct a key junction and its slip roads in weeks instead of months, with considerable cost savings.
Filled with aggregate, the Tensar Foundation Mattress was installed in 13 working days to provide a stiff layer for the foundations, which not only allowed access for plant but, also, facilitated drainage from the road construction above. In addition, the Geocell Mattress structure provided the ideal base for Tensartech TR2 steel mesh-faced reinforced soil retaining walls to the motorway embankments.
www.tensar.co.uk

Kier Aquires Renewable Energy Company
Kier Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kier Group plc, has completed the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Beco Limited ("Beco") from directors Nigel Brunton-Reed and Hilary White, and Finance South West Growth Fund Limited Partnership. Beco designs and installs renewable energy sources, principally using photovoltaic (PV) technology to produce CO2-free energy. One of the first organisations to become a government-approved installer of PV cells, Beco assists households, businesses and communities to reduce emissions, to become more self-sufficient in relation to their energy requirements and to limit the impact of rising electricity costs.
Beco will become the delivery arm of Kier Group's newly formed business unit, Kier Energy Innovations (KEI) and will strategically position Kier to respond to the government's drive to substantially reduce CO2 in the next decade and beyond. Beco managing director Nigel Brunton-Reed joins the board of KEI.
Kier Group plc chief executive, Paul Sheffield, said: "We are delighted to complete this acquisition which gives us the capability to design and deliver PV installations across our wide network of businesses across the country. It will accelerate our access to a growing opportunity and enable us to respond to the needs of our customers to provide energy saving solutions to their commercial and domestic premises."

Lanes lines chamber to keep Lincolnshire watertight
Lanes for Drains has used Ultracoat, a revolutionary waterproofing rehabilitation system, to help a Drainage Board keep its patch of Lincolnshire free from flooding for another 50 years.
The Upper Witham Internal Drainage Board (IDB) is one of 130 such organisations across the country which, together, look after water levels in over 1.2 million hectares of low-lying areas. Their job is to ensure that the excess water, which drains off the land and into the ditches, is directed into the rivers - and ultimately, out to sea. For Upper Witham IDB, that means keeping the rainwater that falls on 20,000 hectares of land flowing through 319 kilometres of maintained drains.
Kenneth Pratt, Engineer to the Board, explains: "It is not always possible to rely on gravity to do that, so where the land level is lower than the water level, we operate 15 pumping stations in and around the Lincoln area to get the water out of the ditches and into the river."
It was at one of these stations - at North Hykeham - that Lanes was called in to tackle a problem with a leaking chamber. The pumping station was built in 1959, following serious flooding in 1958, to serve a catchment area of 540 hectares. But the 10-cubic metre, brick head chamber, into which the water is pumped before outfalling into the River Witham, had begun to leak. The walls were coated with a render which had lifted away, in parts, from the brick surface; and the water was seeping into the pump room itself, near to some electrical appliances.
“If left untreated, the leak would begin to threaten the integrity of the structure itself," adds Ken.
IDBs are single interest Local Authorities, so the work was subject to a tender process, but the contractor who was awarded the work was unable to fulfil the project as tendered.
Says Lanes' Tim Horsley: "Fortunately, we were able to step in with our Ultracoat system when the Board ran into difficulties with the original contractor."
A date was agreed to coincide with a forecast of dry weather, and preparation began. The pump was isolated, and the chamber outputs bunged up. Any remaining water and silt was removed using one of Lanes' super jetvac units, before the team went in to hack off and remove all the loose render from the surface. That had to be completed by hand and taken away before the internal surfaces were coated with Ultracoat, a two-part, 100% solid, structured, epoxy lining which is applied hot using special spraying equipment to the required thickness.
The whole project took just three days, and the result is a smooth and flawless waterproof surface which should keep the chamber leak-free for at least another 50 years.
Ken was pleased: "The Lanes team worked very hard to complete the work in the shortest time possible, always aware that downtime for the pumping station had to be kept to a minimum. They were very professional, and willing and able to do exactly what they said they would do. Thanks to their efforts, we were able to re-commission the chamber almost immediately. And, as it turned out, Lanes' cost was substantially less than the original contractor would have charged us to complete the job."
For further information contact: Michelle Ringland, marketing manager Lanes Group plc t: 0161 788 2266 e: michelle.ringland@lanesgroup.co.uk

Premier Estates Celebrates National Award Success
North West company voted Regional Property Management Company of the Year in the national Property Management Awards
Premier Estates has won Regional Property Management Company of the Year at the prestigious national Property Management Awards, beating off competition from over 100 companies.
Premier Estates, which manages over 11,000 properties across the UK, works with many of the country’s top ten house builders and developers, as well as individual property owners, delivering tailored management solutions covering all aspects of residential leasehold management.
Held at Lords Cricket Ground on 6 December, the Property Management Awards, now in their second year, recognise the excellence and professionalism of companies and individuals within the industry, with the 2010 event hosted by News on the Block.
Ben Jordan, Managing Director of Premier Estates, said: “We are very proud to win this national award, which is recognition for the high levels of service and professionalism we deliver to all our clients.  Key to our success is our commitment to customer service, with every member of our team focused on delivering the best possible support and advice to our clients across the country.
“Since we started in 1998 our goal has been to become the leading company in the competitive property management industry, and therefore it is especially pleasing to have our achievements recognised by this prestigious national award.  It is the commitment and professionalism of our team that has made this possible, and our aim now is to continue delivering the highest quality service to a growing portfolio of customers.”
The Regional Property Management Company of the Year award category received entries from over 100 companies across the UK, with six shortlisted for the award.  The judges assessed criteria including strategic vision; new instructions; building management; demonstrable quality of service; efficient handling of enquiries; leaseholder communications; marketing and innovation in property management; and staff development.
Premier Estates was shortlisted for the award in 2009, and the success in 2010 underlines the on-going investment the company has made in developing its range of management solutions for clients.
Premier Estates impressed the judges by their proactive transparency in avoiding conflicts of interest. An RMC director, commented: “they (customers) are made to feel confident that all issues are in the hands of professionals” and another complimented Premier Estates’ good communication: “you respond to voice mails/emails promptly, politely, and with a sensible degree of common sense”.
For more information visit  www.premierestateslimited.com

Crate hire charges: Is there a better way?
Pluscrates’ perspective
There are few experienced facilities managers who, at some time or another, have not had their fingers burned and their budgets blown by lengthy extended crate rental charges and unforeseen loss charges. John Mitchelll, Managing Director of Pluscrates, wants to see these charges made a thing of the past in favour of a fairer costing system.
The rental charges for crate hire is one of the few things that have remained constant over the past 20 years or so. In fact, in some cases, the cost has reduced. In 1987 Eurocrate - then London’s largest independent crate hire company - charged 54 pence per week for a standard un-lidded A3 crate, plus 12 pence per week for a lid to fit. John said that there are few facilities managers paying as much as 66 pence per week for a standard lidded crate nowadays. “With raw material and production costs, vehicle running, staffing and overhead costs all increasing significantly over the last 20 years, it is only the hidden costs in equipment replacement charges, consumables and transport charges which have enabled crate rental companies to continue trading.”
As all facilities managers will know, the physical move of a business to a new premises is far from the end of the story. The unpacking and re-organising can continue for months after the move itself. In fact, many crates may never get unpacked and are simply stored instead. This generates further crate rental hire charges for unreturned crates - charges which can continue for years until the crate is returned. Also to be considered and built into the budget are transport charges, any equipment replacement charges and charges generated by the purchase of consumables for the move such as security seals or IT bubble bags.
With all of these unpredictable costs to take into consideration, it is little wonder that facilities managers find themselves tearing their hair out over unexpected charges that have built up over and beyond the period of the move. John believes that this is neither a fair nor constructive way of charging and would like to see a change in the system based on building these things into the initial. “I would like to see an open, fairer and more realistic rental charge for the standard lidded crate in the planned hire period,” he said. “This might be three times what is currently being charged but it would facilitate much fairer extended crate rental charges and a discounted and reducing replacement charge for equipment not ultimately returned. It would be a far more honest, fair and up front billing platform with no sting in the tail.”
This alternative way of charging would mean facilities managers could base their budget on far more predictable charges leaving them 100% in control of their crate rental charges.
Pluscrates is the fastest growing provider of returnable transit packaging (RTP), containers and packaging consumables in the United Kingdom, providing a premium crate rental service to the commercial relocation and facilities management markets, as well as to the domestic removals market.
Enquiries to: John Mitchell, Pluscrates Ltd. Tel: 020 8900 0321,  E-mail: JohnM@pluscrates.com, Web: www.pluscrates.com

IIRSM’s new collaboration allows the organisation to lead the way overseas
The International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) is pleased to announce that it recently became a sustaining member of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) allowing it to further broaden its overseas profile. 
ICOH is the world’s leading international scientific society in the field of occupational health with a membership of 2,000 professionals, predominantly occupational physicians and nurses, from 93 countries. This international, non-governmental professional society aims to foster the scientific progress, knowledge and development of occupational health and safety in all aspects.
IIRSM Chair Keith Scott has been appointed Chairman of the Scientific Committee on Accident Prevention (SCAP) by ICOH President Dr Kazutaka Kogi.  Additionally, Dr Su Wang, IIRSM Director was named Secretary of the Committee. One of the main purposes of the SCAP is making links between different strands of research covering accident prevention in terms of occupational health and occupational safety.
One of Keith’s key aims as Chairman of SCAP is to address the balance of committee membership, ensuring that at least half of the members are safety professionals from across the globe, thereby allowing safety to be thoroughly addressed.
Keith Scott, IIRSM Chair, adds: “Another principle which SCAP has taken on board, is that our work should focus on three areas, valid academic research, identification of solutions and the means of implementation in the field. This way we won’t just discuss some problems and then all go home, we will actually try to provide solutions to problems through research, discussion and the identification of options for implementation.”
As part of IIRSM’s research and development strategy, the Committee’s first project is to produce a guidance note which is to be presented at the mid-term meeting in Milan in February. This guidance note will focus on how health interventions can drive down accident rates. The idea came from an exercise carried out by Royal Mail which focused on health and wellbeing.
Keith comments: “IIRSM is delighted to become a member of ICOH and having such a deep involvement in the SCAP.  By furthering our connections with worldwide organisations we are able to offer a truly global service to our members, as well as contribute to vital safety discussions and research. I’m very much looking forward to the next year and sharing our research findings.”
Additionally, the IIRSM has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Korea’s Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) and was delighted to attend ICAP 2010, which was co-hosted by the KOSHA and the Korean Society of Safety (KOSOS) and sponsored by ICOH’s SCAP. This event played an important role in preventing occupational accidents by exchanging knowledge on new prevention methods for occupational accidents and diseases with safety and health leaders and government officials.

First electrical vehicle charging point for Glasgow car parking
APT Technologies, distributors of the E-Volt range of electrical vehicle (EV) charging points, has won a significant contract to provide a series of products at a multi-storey car park in Glasgow.
Its systems are being installed on five levels: in the first four levels, which are all enclosed, its wall-mounted charging points are being used across four parking bays, one to each bay. On the fifth level, which is open to the elements, four single-outlet charging posts have been chosen.
All of the charging points feature their own intelligence, and are capable of delivering detailed management information to the host as regards the amount of energy consumed, time taken etc as well as the name and contact details of the user. Access for EV owners will be via RFID card.
Justin Meyer, Business Development Manager at APT Technologies, is delighted to have won such a significant contract so early in the new company’s life: “Although the product technology is well-proven on the continent with over 1350 charge points installed across Europe, this is its first endorsement in the UK,” he says, “and the customer has shown real leadership in recognising its potential.”
Justin says that to date APT Technologies has had an excellent response to its multipoint charging solution due to its ability to monitor energy consumption, assist with the billing process, and its user friendly features and smart design: “Due to the high level of interest we have seen for this product in such a short period of time, we are very optimistic about the future of all our electric vehicle charging products in the UK market,” he adds.
The E-Volt range comprises a number of product types: charging points for use in domestic, on-street or workplace applications, fast charging points, for use while undertaking daily routines (eg shopping, leisure activities etc) and with a charging time of sub 60-minutes; and rapid charging points when only a few minutes are required to recharge a vehicle mid-journey, perhaps at a motorway service station.
The charge points will be installed during the month of January 2011.

Benchmark sets the standard for others to follow
A  Warwickshire landscaping and grounds maintenance company has won a national ‘best employer’ award.
Benchmark Grounds Maintenance, based in Snitterfield, near Stratford-upon-Avon, with seven regional service centres around Britain, landed ‘Employer of the Year’ at the annual British Association of Landscape Industries awards in Park Lane, London, last month.
Launched six years ago, Benchmark employs more than 30 full-time staff across Britain, servicing a wide range of corporate clients ranging from Cadbury World to Savills.
Founder and managing director Jeremy Rodway-Smith, who launched Benchmark in 2005, said he believed that investment in employees had been the key to year-on-year growth.  “We have grown every year between 10 and 30 per cent and expect turnover to exceed £2 million in 2011.
“The company’s vision is to continually improve and to set a benchmark for others to follow. To achieve this we knew that our staff had to be happy, involved, well trained, well rewarded and proud to be part of the team. We’re delighted that our approach has been recognised by the industry in this way,” said Mr Rodway-Smith, who believes in paying top dollar for the best people.
The judges said that Benchmark had ‘demonstrated commitment to its staff’s well-being and skills development and, in turn, the company exemplifies service excellence’.
Previously, Mr Rodway-Smith was centre manager at Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Brierley Hill, near Dudley, where he worked for 12 years leading a team of 250 people. Shaun Cross, who was operations manager at Merry Hill, has joined him as operations director at Benchmark.
“Having been on the other side of the fence, Shaun and I know what the clients want in terms of creating and maintaining an attractive and workable green space around their businesses and we set out to exceed their expectations,” said Mr Rodway-Smith, whose portfolio of clients stretches from the Isle of Wight to Aberdeen and includes telecommunications and petroleum companies, high street retailers, shopping centres, superstores and property agents.
“I always wanted to run my own company and, with my interest in gardening, this was the ideal. I was keen to bring big business principles to Benchmark, such as giving every support to the guys at the coalface. It’s all about being the best that you can be – and then giving that to the client.”
Benchmark has already gained an impressive list of accreditations for such a relatively new company, including Investors in People, the quality standard ISO 9001 and environmental standard ISO14001.

Chalmor wins the Recycling Award at the EMILAS Awards
In an award-winning project, Chalmor has supplied its ReFit T5 system which included OSRAM multi-wattage electronic control gear and GE WattMiser T5 lamps to help the University of Bedfordshire reduce the installed electrical load in 8 blocks at its Bedford campus by 45%.
As a result of these major savings, the project was submitted in the Indoor Workplace category of the 2010 EMILAS awards (Energy Management and Innovation in Lighting Award Scheme).
The judges were quick to identify the projects comprehensive recycling strategy and awarded the scheme the overall winner in the Recycling Award 2010 which was judged across all 6 EMILAS award categories, and sponsored by Lumicom and RecoLight.
Chalmor project managed the scheme and arranged all on site recycling. Lamp coffins were delivered to site for lamp recycling and a large skip was located at the campus for recycling of all metalwork. Lamp recycling was arranged by RecoLight and metal recycling by EMR. Copies of all licenses for contractors were provided to the University. Chalmor was awarded ISO14001 status in 2010 and therefore all recycling is externally audited.

New industry guidance for all scaffolding in the UK
In the Foreword to the new NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation) guidance ‘SG4:10 - Preventing Falls in Scaffolding’ Philip White (Head of Construction, HSE) states,
"This [SG4:10] revision represents a step change in the way scaffold contractors erect their scaffold structures. The guidance is straightforward and comprehensive and represents best practice within the industry"
SG4:10 details best scaffolding practice for the assembly, modification and dismantling of all scaffolding in the UK and is effective immediately.
Since its introduction in the mid-nineties Safety Guidance Number 4 (SG4) has become the established minimum standard for fall prevention in the scaffolding industry. SG4 rose to prominence following the major revision in 2000 (SG4:00) as it represented a significant change and challenge to the established methods of working that had been practiced for decades.
Since the introduction of the revised SG4 in 2005, the NASC members’ accident statistics show that no fatalities have been reported by their members and there has been a significant reduction in the number of falls recorded from a scaffold structure or working platform.
Revised and updated every 5 years in consultation with the HSE, the new guidance (SG4:10) gives more emphasis on the creation of a ‘Safe Zone’ by scaffolders covering a variety of safe collective protection methods. This revision will also see the removal of the practice of the ‘unprotected traversing element’ from the tunnelling principle.
The HSE support this principle stating, "The HSE will no longer accept the unprotected traversing element of the tunnelling principle that featured in the previous version of SG4” Philip White, Head of Construction, HSE
The NASC considers collective protection as passive protection, for example a guardrail will remain in place and provide protection should someone fall against it, whereas personal fall protection equipment (harnesses) is ‘personal’ or ‘active’ protection that must be attached to a suitable anchor point to afford any benefit to the user. A number of NASC Members are already routinely working with collective protection measures and report increased demand from Principal Contractors and Clients for the same.
The initial impact to the Industry to implement these new measures will be significant for those who have not yet embraced the systems of work promoted previously in SG4:05 and SG4:05 - Appendix A. However, the revised guidance will help to ensure scaffolders and their employers work more safely and comply with the law.
It is clear that it is not necessary to actually see scaffolders working to know whether they have even attempted to work to SG4. The NASC and HSE both acknowledge that there are scaffolders and contractors who still do not comply with the current guidance. This is evident in any town or city by the tell-tale signs scaffolders leave behind for example no scaffolder’s guardrail.
Designed to be suitable and practicable for both scaffolding contractors and their clients SG4:10 is available as a 72 page Management Guide.

Burlington receives recognition at Natural Stone Awards
Cumbria-based stone engineers, Burlington, received further recognition recently, when two of the projects that the company has been involved in were acclaimed at the 2010 National Stone Awards, held annually by the Stone Federation of Great Britain. Whilst the new flagship Energus training centre located in neighbouring Workington in Cumbria was highly commended, the use of Burlington’s stone involved in the interior revitalisation of St Dunstan’s Church in Surrey was commended.
As Burlington’s Sales & Marketing Director, Nick Williams comments: “Burlington understandably has a long and successful association with the National Stone Awards and it is pleasing to see this continue in 2010. What is particularly satisfying this time around is the fact that the two projects represent quite different uses when it comes to our stone, the former involving random walling stone, cladding and paving, and St Dunstan’s intricately cut flooring.”
At Energus - the internationally  recognised training and education centre for nuclear, renewable energy and environmental restoration industries - approximately 450m 2 of Burlington’s Elterwater screened weathered random walling stone has been used to help create a dramatic focal point.

Deadline approaches for 2011 RoSPA Award
Businesses and organisations wishing to enter the 2011 RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards have just four weeks left in which to submit their entries.
Applicants need to return their RoSPA Awards USB keys, on which their award submissions should be saved, by Wednesday, February 9.
Organisations that have not yet registered to receive one of the USB keys should contact RoSPA’s awards department immediately, to give themselves enough time to compile their entry by the February 9 deadline*. They should visit www.rospa.com/awards/, call 0121 248 2090 or email awards@rospa.com. The USB keys are loaded with the required electronic forms, entry structure and simple guidelines with links to further online help.
This is the first time that RoSPA has used paperless entry for its prestigious awards programme, which dates back to 1956 and is one of the longest running schemes of its type. There is no change to the entry requirements and applicants must still provide the same information as before. However, it is now easier to enter, with savings for participants on printing, materials and courier costs.
More than 1,750 organisations won a RoSPA award in 2010.
Dave Rawlins, RoSPA’s awards manager, said: “RoSPA firmly believes that organisations that have demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety deserve recognition. Each year, many hundreds of businesses and organisations, of all sizes and types from across the UK and beyond, are honoured through our annual celebration of good practice in accident and ill health prevention at work. The RoSPA Awards look not only at accident records, but also entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, recognising important practices such as strong leadership and workforce involvement.”
The awards are sponsored by NEBOSH - the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health - and presentations will take place in Birmingham in May (alongside Safety and Health Expo) and Glasgow in September.
The majority of awards are non-competitive and mark achievement at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels. Gold medals, president’s awards and orders of distinction are presented to organisations maintaining high standards over time. Competitive awards are presented in more than 20 sectors and specialist awards recognise excellence in specific areas, such as the management of occupational road risk. For 2011, there is a new award sponsored by BHSF for the best contribution by a trade association or similar body assisting small and medium-sized firms with health and safety.
*The original closing date for registering to receive a RoSPA Awards USB key was December 10, although registrations are still being accepted. Please contact RoSPA’s awards department for a promotional entry code.

EIC wins prestigious Mary Rose museum contract - M&E solution for national treasure
EIC has won the contract to provide mechanical and electrical services for the much anticipated Mary Rose Museum project at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The national building services provider will undertake installation of the critical environmental systems for this exciting new £35m project.
Working closely with the Mary Rose Trust, and alongside main contractor Warings and engineers from Gifford, EIC will be responsible for the precision heating, ventilation and humidity systems and controls that will maintain the correct environmental conditions for the conservation of one of the most famous ships in history, Henry VIII’s flagship, the Mary Rose.
The striking building, designed by Wilkinson Eyre, is being built around the 500 year old hull which is too delicate to be moved. For the last three decades, since she was raised from the seabed in 1982, the fragile hull has been housed at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, alongside the renowned flagship of Admiral Lord Nelson, HMS Victory.
The complex conservation programme employed since the Mary Rose was raised, has seen the constant spraying of a water based solution, polyethylene glycol. This will end in 2011 when the hull will enter its final conservation phase, controlled air drying. The new museum is scheduled to open in autumn 2012.
Darren Parrish, EIC South regional director, said: “Although we are always innovating, rarely do we get the chance to work on such an exciting scheme and be part of history in this way. The conservation of this historic ship is of huge national importance and the Mary Rose Museum project is incredibly prestigious, it is a genuine honour to be involved.
“We have an enormous responsibility to make sure the systems and controls we install are both accurate and robust, in order to protect this national treasure. The building’s striking external design is complemented by the technologically advanced internal systems which provide us with the opportunity to demonstrate the experience and expertise which was behind our being appointed to this scheme.”
EIC will undertake the installation of the Hanwell system which monitors the environmental conditions within the Ship Hall and other areas of close environmental control. The contractor will also be responsible for the general lighting, heating and ventilation requirements of the visitor areas and other exhibition zones.
Andy Owen, senior project manager for Warings Contractors, said: “We appointed EIC on the basis of their strong track record in delivering complex, multi service contracts, and also with the knowledge of the enabling works that was completed earlier this year, and are delighted to welcome them to this exciting project.”
The contract is being delivered by EIC’s South regional office, based in Lymington, Hampshire. Headquartered in Warwickshire, EIC offers both engineered facilities management and engineered building services which enables clients to access a package which is tailored to match their requirements. With a 24-hour “helpdesk” facility and a network of 13 regional offices - from Scotland to Cornwall - EIC can meet the needs of both local and national firms, wherever they are located.

Manchester companies open £3m Green Data Centre
Two MEN Business of The Year winners, Sudlows and UKFast, have teamed up to open a high-power data centre in Manchester in the first quarter of the year.
The new development, MaNOC3, will incorporate 12,000 servers to deliver entirely carbon neutral hosting to an impressive list of UK clients including HSBC, Barclays, T-mobile and JJB Sports.
John Collins, Managing Director of Sudlows says, “This is a great project for both of our highly successful businesses; that two local companies with complimentary expertise can work collectively to create a truly innovative and green data centre, serves to enhance Manchester’s growing reputation as the “Next Generation Digital City.”
Sudlows has been working on the UKFast project for the past 12 months and will incorporate the latest UPS and Free Cooling technology to increase energy efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Both companies take their environmental impact extremely seriously and as practicing members of The Green Grid consortium for energy efficient data centres, Sudlows has been ideally positioned to advise and support UKFast throughout this exciting new project.

Business owners would pay to simplify tax laws
Some small business owners are so frustrated with the complexity of the UK tax system that they would pay more just to see it simplified, new research has found.
Well over half of business owners surveyed by the FPB said they would be willing to pay more tax in exchange for a simplified system – providing the system led to greater rewards.
Meanwhile, 50% said they would be prepared to pay more under a simplified system if that system cut down on tax avoidance among their competitors. Tax avoidance is typically carried out by bigger businesses with the resources to exploit geographic loopholes.    
And 45% of business owners on the Forum’s Tax and Budget member panel said they would tolerate a higher tax bill under a simplified system if it was accompanied by a general reduction in legislative red tape.
The findings come after the Coalition Government announced the creation of the Office for Tax Simplification last summer. The Office is a Treasury department which is currently working on tax simplification proposals ahead of the March budget.   
Forum chief executive Phil Orford said: “The cost of complying with Britain’s hugely complex tax system is such that, if simplification and profitability result, most businesses believe a little more tax would be a price worth paying.
“Clearly, if the Government is serious about stimulating small business growth, streamlining tax administration must be a priority. In addition, small businesses are deeply concerned that the tax system favours large companies and is deeply unfair. Plans to clamp down on tax avoidance, for example, seem to fall short in several areas. How can the Government continue to allow major retailers to set up shop in the Channel Islands to deliberately undercut small shops and internet businesses by exploiting a VAT loophole that clearly distorts competition and leads to tax abuse?”
Mr Orford added: “Tax policy directly influences business behaviour. We desperately need reforms that incentivise small business growth by freeing up time and money to invest in future planning and expansion, rather than a system that impedes it, as the present one does.”