Steelcase promotes workplace health at physio's annual congress in Liverpool
Steelcase, global leaders in office furniture and workplace knowledge, will be highlighting wellbeing problems people are facing at work - and what their employees are doing about it - at the annual Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Congress at the BT Convention Centre in Liverpool on 7th and 8th October.
According to Steelcase, every week one million people take time off work due to illness, meaning 200 million lost days a year, which costs businesses several billion pounds in lost work time. (1)
At the CSP’s Congress, Steelcase will be tackling this growing problem as part of a worldwide trend now underway to address wellbeing in the workplace. They will be showcasing a range of products specifically designed to increase the wellbeing of users and will also be aiming to educate visitors on why it is so important to take care of ourselves and our employees.
In Great Britain, physical ailments such as back pain account for nearly a third of the total time taken off sick from work (2). A UK wide survey of more than 2000 employees by the CSP (3) found that:
• one in four people (25%) regularly work all day without taking a break
• 31% experience physical pain at least once a week
• 46% of workers say their physical pains are due to working in the same position for a long time
• 53% cent of workers said they ‘always or usually’ go to work when they feel physically unwell.
Mental health is also at risk; some of the most common causes of ill-health in the workplace stem from feeling anxious, stressed out, and in a low mood, all of which can be prevented with small changes to our daily routines.
Steelcase’s research has shown that one of the most important factors in improving health and wellbeing at work is to stay active and take regular breaks.  In order to achieve this, Steelcase is pioneering the use of office furniture which enables staff to sit, stand and move while working. Movement throughout the day helps increase blood flow to the brain and body, keeping you refreshed and energised, as well as giving you a chance to engage your muscles in different ways.
You can see Steelcase’s products on Stand 22-23 on 7th and 8th of October at the BT Convention Centre. Further resources on reducing injury at work can be found on the Steelcase website (www.steelcase.com/uk).  Information providing advice for employers on how to keep staff healthy and leaflets for employees about how to stay fit for work are available for free at www.csp.org.uk/moveforhealth

FSG and British Waterways Join Forces to Deliver New Online Health and Safety Initiative
Facilities Services Group (FSG) and British Waterways have developed a joint online training programme - offering a consistent and innovative approach to the delivery of health and safety training.
FSG carries out reactive and planned maintenance works for British Waterways across England, Wales and Scotland.
Both companies wanted to show a joint commitment to the importance of health and safety standards across British Waterway's unique portfolio of properties and sites.
The training initiative comprises of an online video and accompanying questionnaire, which viewers - vetted sub-contractors and FSG operatives - need to answer to complete the programme.
This questionnaire is designed to test that key messages reinforced in the video are understood and retained - providing a highly effective training method.
George Lilley, managing director of FSG, said: "We wanted to cover British Waterway's health and safety induction and their view of hazards and our best working practices relating to the specific tasks we undertake within the contract.
"We were able to create a bespoke training video, which is visually engaging and completely relevant to our operatives in their work within British Waterways' environments.
"The training package is now being rolled out to our select list of vetted sub-contractors and our direct employees to give all parties a consistent message on health and safety.
"The end result is the delivery of a consistent, accountable and professional approach to health and safety within this particular working environment.
"The training also communicates an important message to ensure the environmental impact of our business is kept to a minimum as we go about our work."
http://www.facilities-serices-group.co.uk

SAS Direct launches comprehensive new partitioning price guide
SAS Direct has published its new price guide which offers the industry’s most comprehensive series of partitioning and door systems. The range of products meets performance demands of acoustics, fire, strength and stability.
Containing the most up-to-date products and information the guide illustrates SAS Direct’s price competitiveness and highlights the extensive and ever-expanding range of partitioning systems for contractors. Direct from the manufacturer, the price guide will be available at all SAS Direct depots and for download at  www.sasdirect.co.uk.
A nationwide network of depots offers substantial stock for immediate purchase for pick up or next day delivery throughout the UK. All SAS Direct depots have onsite dedicated staff with years of experience who can offer advice, practical assistance and technical support of the highest standard.
Established in 2010, SAS Direct offers SAS International manufactured products and associated products for a range of interior fit-out solutions at competitive prices. The full product portfolio consists of ceiling systems, partitioning and doors along with associated ranges including plasterboard and drylining products.
SAS Direct depots are located in Barking, Birmingham, Burgess Hill, Leeds and Reading. To download the brochure and for more information on SAS Direct visit www.sasdirect.co.uk

eFIG webinar Powerful Planting for World Green Building Week
eFIG, the industry association for Interior landscapers, is presenting a webinar called Powerful Planting for World Green Building Week.
The Green Building Council aim to radically improve the sustainability of the built environment, by transforming the way it is planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated which eFIG is pleased to support.
Interior and exterior planting can have a radical impact on our buildings and us of course. The webinar will show just how interior planting can really help to reduce impact and costs whilst improving the working space for the occupants.
As well as interior planting the Powerful Planting webinar will also comment on the effects of green walls and roofs.
The webinar will be presented by Thomas Palfreyman who is the MD of Urban Planters Franchise and is the out-going chairman of eFIG Ltd.
To attend the Powerful Planting webinar please register at www.brighttalk.com; then go to their Cleantech > Green Building section and click ‘attend’ on the Powerful Planting which is listed as an upcoming event for 23rd September.

New British Product Set to Reduce Back Injuries in the Relocation Industry
A British company has announced the launch of a revolutionary product set to dramatically reduce back injuries to workers in the relocation industry. WeightCrate®, designed and manufactured by Essex-based Consortia Products Ltd, is an industry standard relocation crate that incorporates a unique thermometer style weight indicator allowing operatives and client staff to see how heavy a crate is before attempting to lift it and to ensure the heaviest crates are placed at the bottom when being stacked.
The WeightCrate® retains all the nesting and stacking characteristics of a standard crate and the weighing mechanism can even be retro fitted into older crates without difficulty. It has no electrical components and does not require servicing.
In 2010 the UK lost 4.9 million working days through back injury and HSE records show that more than a third of injuries resulting in absence of over three days are caused by incorrect manual handling. About 45% of handling injuries affect the back and the annual cost to UK industry is estimated to be in excess of £100,000,000. Add to this the cost of personal injury claims from workers and it is clear that the WeightCrate® has the potential to make a significant difference to the corporate balance sheet and the health of the UK’s workforce.
John Mitchell, Managing Director of leading crate rental specialist Pluscrates said, “We were bowled over by the WeightCrate® product. It was difficult to see how the design of crates could be improved but Consortia have really come up with a winner. Like most of the very best ideas WeightCrate® is simple in its concept and construction and the fact that the weight measuring component can be retro fitted to our existing rental pool makes the business case for us very compelling.”
Although the WeightCrate® was designed primarily with the relocation industry in mind Consortia expects to attract interest from other areas of industry including the retail and food sectors.
For more information and to view a demonstration video visit www.weightcrate.com.

Topscan welcomes NHS Estates manager into their team
Marc Watson joins Topscan from NHS South of Tyne & Wear
Marc was Estates Manager for NHS South of Tyne and Wear with particular responsibility for management of the Trust’s building portfolio and took overall charge of the implementation and running of their comprehensive MICAD Internet Property Register.  Marc joins Topscan to add his in depth skills to the team and assist with the company’s strategy to continually develop and deliver the most effective range of services available to the industry.
As a practical user and Administrator of the Micad IPR within his previous role, Marc will lead on project management, implementation and training in relation to clients’ installations to ensure that they get the very best from their system and enhance their investment from an early stage. 
As a Solicitor he has an extensive understanding of the legalities surrounding property occupancy with invaluable recent experience in the public sector and applies this knowledge in a practical manner via our now completely in house Lease & License audit and review services, proven to deliver considerable savings and economical benefits.

Sky Homes Launches Communal TV Specifications for New Build Sector
Sky has developed new detailed specifications for communal TV systems aimed at helping new build developers. The specifications outline all elements needed to install a coaxial Integrated Reception System (IRS) and are in line with industry regulations. The specification PDF can be downloaded for free from www.sky.com/newbuild.
Offering entertainment options such as Sky TV can give a property added appeal, but it is critical to have the correct specifications in place to fully realise the marketing advantages. A major catalyst to developing the specification document was the need to ensure new build developers are installing a suitable TV system from the outset, in order to future proof their homes as much as possible.
Pascal Wharton, Head of Sky Communal TV Solutions explains: “Today’s tech savvy homebuyers expect new developments to have the latest in entertainment technology, so installing the correct TV system, aerial and wiring is essential. For example, to provide Sky+, with features such as the ability to pause live TV and record two programmes at the same time, requires a ‘5 cable IRS’ communal solution with two signal feeds for each satellite point in the home - rather than a single feed. The new specifications contain all the information new build developers need to ensure they install the correct system from the very beginning – avoiding costly re-wiring at a later date.”
Pascal continues: “Having access to Sky TV in properties can be a great selling point, as with Sky+ HD you get the very best TV experience with up to five times more detail and incredibly vibrant colours. If developers specify the correct wiring at the outset, buyers could also be able to sign up to services such as Sky Multi Room which allows them to watch Sky TV in different rooms.”
By using the document to specify the correct system at the planning stage, developers can also provide an infrastructure for local security and information systems. In addition the specification document describes the procedures required for planning the individual systems, for reporting and keeping records of work done, and for managing changes agreed while work is in progress.
Via just one communal satellite dish and aerial, Sky’s comprehensive Integrated Reception System provides the full range of entertainment options from Sky and other providers - including digital terrestrial (where available), DAB/FM radio and digital satellite TV from Sky (subscription required) or Freesat. Sky has a dedicated team of specialist installers who can help set up the system to make the process as hassle-free as possible.
To find out more and to download the specification document visit  www.sky.com/newbuild or call 08442 410331 to talk to one of Sky’s communal TV experts.

Asite announces five year agreement with Transport for London and Greater London Authority
Asite announces five year agreement with Transport for London and Greater London Authority for the use of its Contract Administration Management System
Asite signed a five-year enterprise agreement with Transport for London (TfL) for the use of its award winning collaborative Software as a Service technology (cSaaS). The deal sees TfL and the Greater London Authority (GLA) (including the Metropolitan Police, the London Development Agency and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority), implementing Asite’s Software.
Asite’s technology will provide TfL and the GLA with a single integrated data management solution for all aspects of the contract administration process across their significant on-going portfolio of construction and facilities management works. TfL staff as well as their entire construction supply chain will use Asite’s Contract Administration applications to manage contract change and to provide real-time visibility of their actual schedule and cost position against budget. This will assist each of the participants in the supply chain delivering the TfL public works programme by providing further transparency across the complexities of the gamut of forms of contract in use in the field.
Tony Ryan, CEO of Asite said “We will be providing TfL with a true SaaS Platform, with a government grade pedigree of security, compliance, and enterprise systems integration. Our Cloud Platform will give TfL the flexibility to deliver Contract Administration to their supply chain within their existing and proven processes. Asite cSaaS and AppBuilder offers TfL and every member of their supply chain the ability to interact with critical project information in their own way by providing each participant with the information they need when they need it."
Asite cSaaSplatform delivers the following benefits:
- State-of-the-art cloud-based global data centres
- Unparalleled compliance with UK, EU, and US governmental security     
     requirements
- Automating key contract administration tasks
- Offline working and enterprise systems connectors via Asite Navigator
- Configurable workflow management
- AppBuilder – implementing new forms of contract with unparalleled ease via the
     drag-and-drop application design interface
- The ability to easily report across the breadth of the public works programme
Asite cSaaS includes industry-leading support for all the NEC2 and NEC3 suite of contracts, as well as a range of other contract types, notably:
- Engineering Construction Contract (ECC) – All Options
- Term Services Contract (TSC)
- Professional Services Contract (PSC) – All Options
- NEC Framework contract
- Engineering & Construction Short Contract (ECSC)
- Secondary options (i.e. inflation adjustment, task orders, multiple currencies, etc.)
- Contract-specific bespoke Z clauses
- PFI & PPP contracts
- JCT contracts
- Bespoke forms of non-NEC contracts
For more information please call +44 (0) 207 749 7880 or send an email to: marketing@asite.com

Derwent Living wins £1.65m contract with HMRC
Derwent Living and its facilities management company Derwent FM is one of the first to benefit following new Government guidelines into the way public services are outsourced.
Derwent Living won a £1.65 million contract with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to provide office support services at its Nottingham headquarters.
In its SME action plan, the Government aims to ensure each of its departments will do 25% of its business with SMEs.
Martin Corbett, Derwent FM managing director, said: “Derwent Living is a not-for-profit SME which won this contract despite being up against much larger competitors in a reverse auction ‘open’ procurement process.
“The win came directly after the Government’s changes to the way it buys in goods and services in future. We are delighted to be among the first businesses to win a contract in this manner, and to be mentioned on the Cabinet Office website as an example of how the process will work.”
In a two-year contract, Derwent FM will provide file storage, secretarial and postal services at the Castle Meadows site in Nottingham.

New range of structural screws launched by Simpson
2011 has seen industry leaders Simpson Strong-Tie introduce a number of new products to its portfolio and this autumn looks set to see the launch of another innovative new range - structural screws designed to meet the growing demands of the construction industry.
The screws are available in a number of lengths, from 40mm up to 400mm, designed for joining multiple timbers together to make stronger single structures. They can also be used to join trusses, I-joists and open web joists, glulam timbers, engineered wood panels and composite panels. These screws are particularly easy to use and feature a six lobe drive head.
Head of Simpson’s Engineered Timber Division, Jon Head, said: “Our expanded range of screws is a complimentary fit to our connectors, particularly the 200-400mm screws which are ideal for the Glulam, CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) and SIPS (Structurally Insulated Panel) sectors which require high performance fixings in lengths not always readily available.”
This new range is supported by a technical brochure, which includes performance data, safe working loads data and characteristic performance values to aid the designer. As ever, the range is backed by Simpson’s dedicated support service and technical support.
For further information visit www.strongtie.co.uk or call Simpson Strong-Tie on: 01827 255600.

Lanes for Drains engineers prove their worth – on the ocean floor
Lanes for Drains engineers have proved they have the technology to operate on the ocean floor – even when it’s on dry land.
The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth called in the leading drainage company when faced with the task of clearing four tons of dirty sand, gravel and sludge from the bottom of its Atlantic reef display tank.
The 550,000 litre tank had to be cleaned out before it could be refurbished.
Lanes for Drains engineers based at the Plymouth Depot in Plympton carried out the task using their truck-mounted JHL Super Jet Vac tanker which is powerful enough to extract 20,000 litres of fluid a minute.
Despite needing a 100 metre run of hose from the tank in the heart of the aquarium complex to the tanker outside, the sand and gravel was mixed with water and sucked out in just eight hours – much to the relief of the popular tourist attraction’s staff.
Jim Farley, the aquarium’s engineering manager, said: “We were faced with having to clear out the sand by hand in buckets. It would have meant hoisting each bucket up the side of the six metre deep tank.
“When we’ve done it that way in the past it’s taken two solid weeks. So I thought, let’s call Lanes for Drains and see what they can do. To have the job done in such a short time very impressive. It saved us a huge amount of time, effort and money.”
Andy Aldred, Sales Manager for Lanes for Drains in Plymouth, said: “It was a rather unusual request but we showed we had the flexibility and technology to get the job done.
“Our jet vac tanker is a very powerful piece of kit and is capable of doing a range of useful jobs – even on the ocean floor! We were very pleased to be able to help the National Marine Aquarium, and save them from all that hard labour.”
The display tank has now been renamed the Eddystone Reef – the name of a reef just off Plymouth Sound. It has also been refilled with fresh sand, water and fish for the public to enjoy once again. http://www.lanesfordrains.co.uk/about/news-in-brief.aspx?ID=45

Orwak is celebrating 40 years
Ever since it was founded in 1971, Orwak has been a pioneer in developing high-performance waste handling systems, across the globe.
Orwak is this year celebrating 40 years of providing high quality waste handling equipment and helping customers achieve their waste management goals, cost effectively. With its headquarters and production facilities in Sweden, Orwak has an extensive network of business representatives and service partners in more than 40 countries, including Orwak Environmental Services (part of PHS Group) in the UK.
As an experienced market leader with global presence and a broad range of waste compactors and baling systems, Orwak can look back at a remarkable development during four successful decades.
In 1971 Orwak started out as the pioneer in the industry with a patented solution for effective waste compaction. The simple and ingenious idea was to compact waste safely and cleanly in a bag at a volume reduction of up to 10:1. The new innovation led to an early international success as Orwak established a strong network of distributors across Europe in the 1970s.
Orwak was riding the first recycling wave and marketed its unique multiple chamber concept in 1978. The new multi-chamber product had been constructed to enable and encourage sorting and compacting of recyclable material at source. The concept has since been developed into several new models that are still popular decades later.
The 1980s was a decade of major expansion. Orwak entered new geographic markets and conquered the supermarket business, as the company began supplying supermarket chains with thousands of machines. In 1985 Orwak took its first step into the North American market by establishing itself in the US through Orwak USA Inc.
By introducing vertical single chamber balers in the 1990s, Orwak was expanding the product range and with a variety of size options. The new baler series offered a solution for both small and large volumes of waste. Starting up a sales company in the promising new market in Poland as well as entering the Asian market by establishing a partnership in Japan were other highlights in the 1990s.
Orwak entered the 21st century, truly dedicated to environmental responsibility and at the forefront of innovation and technical development. To meet the demands of large-scale waste handling, Orwak introduced the fully automated Brickman briquetting machines to the product range.
The Norwegian company Tomra, a leading global provider of advanced solutions for recovery and recycling of materials, acquired Orwak in 2005, which was a significant milestone in Orwak’s 40 year history.
In more recent years, Orwak introduced “The Silent Family” - a whole new range of fast, flexible and quietly running balers. Due to new hydraulics the noise levels on this range of machines are as low as a domestic dishwasher. The quiet operation contributes significantly to a good working environment for employees, and plays an important role when the baler is placed in an environment close to the customer.
With environmental issues at the top of the agenda in many countries worldwide, the importance of Orwak’s product range is growing with each passing day. In a world of commerce that generates mountains of waste material, Orwak’s compaction and baling solutions represent an indispensable link at the very beginning of the waste management chain.
Since 1971 nearly 70,000 machines have been delivered worldwide to over 80 countries and based on this vast experience, Orwak is looking forward to future challenges in the decades to come.

‘Last Tower’ Scoops Top Prize in Art of Building Photography Contest
‘Surreal’ photo of lonely boat loader in Hungary wins out in public vote  
A Hungarian photographer has beaten-off tough competition to secure the top prize in the Chartered Institute of Building’s annual Art of Building international photography competition. Described by the judges as ‘surreal’ and ‘intriguing,’ The Last Tower by Zoltán Balogh was featured in The Metro newspaper during the ballot phase of the contest and achieved 26 per cent of the overall public vote cast on the competition website - 180 clear of its nearest rival.
“I captured the image on a cold and silent morning at the bend of the River Danube, in Esztergom, Hungary,” says Balogh. “I went there with my friend to see this old boat loader building and take some images. The subject is a well-known structure which has also captured the imagination of many other Hungarian photographers. I wanted to create my own take on it. What I like about the photograph is the environment and mood it creates, especially the loneliness of the tower in the water.”

Simpson launch new range of chemical anchors and fixings
Simpson Strong-Tie has launched an innovative new range of chemical anchors and fixings, adding to its impressive portfolio of revolutionary products and services.
Designed to meet the needs of a comprehensive set of applications, the range includes the Poly-GP - a styrene free resin ideal for medium duty use in hollow or solid block applications; from fixing timber to masonry to the installation of satellite dishes, the ETA approved AT-HP resin; specially formulated for high performance for fixing threaded rods or rebar into concrete and, completing the range for particularly high specifications is the SETXP - a pure epoxy resin.
Available in a variety of cartridge sizes the resins are complimented by Simpson’s extensive range of threaded rods alongside a full range of installation accessories.
Managing Director of Simpson Strong-Tie, Malcolm Paulson, said: “The launch of our chemical anchors range coincides with the expansion of our Anchor Support Division. Steve Canty is joined by Paul Cruickshank and Laurence Parker, forming a highly experienced team, providing technical support and engineering advice on site, where it's needed the most.”
For further information visit www.strongtie.co.uk or call Simpson Strong-Tie on: 01827 255600.