
Act now on safety or face shutdown, says BESA
FASET – Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training – is pleased to share the following content from Heating & Ventilation Review. FASET is the established trade association and training body for the safety netting and temporary safety systems industry. FASET has
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Letter issued to the construction industry regarding lockdown
Andy Mitchell CBE, Chief Executive Officer of Tideway and Council Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), has written to the construction industry regarding the recent lockdown. Mr Mtchell’s letter referenced the letter sent by the Right Honourable Kwasi Kwarteng
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FASTER HOUSE-BUILDING BOOSTS UK CONSTRUCTION GROWTH IN DECEMBER
FASET (Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training), as the established trade association and training body for this industry sector, is keen to share the latest positive news from Builders Merchants Journal on the house building sector. While the UK is currently
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Construction industry upbeat about EU trading deal
FASET exists to promote safe working at height in the construction industry through quality training and guidance. Monitoring the latest news that affect companies and individuals is something we do in our own news section. The construction sector is getting
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Construction to continue throughout third lockdown
Construction sites can stay open as and continue to operate during the latest lockdown. The prime minister’s announcement on 4th January 2020 informed the nation that there will be a lockdown until mid-February. It will be similar in nature to
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Trade Credit Insurance Reinsurance Scheme extended and guidance updated
The Construction Leadership Council guidance on trade credit insurance during COVID-19 has been updated to reflect the latest reinsurance scheme information. The Scheme has been extended by 6 months to 30 June 2021 and approved under relevant state aid rules.
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EU Exit Business Readiness: Final Checklist
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has published a final checklist for construction businesses ahead of the end of the transition period within the EU. This one page checklist summarises the key changes that UK construction businesses will face at the
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The importance of safety nets when working at height
In the construction industry, employers have a duty to ensure their teams are safe on site and that safety measures are ALWAYS in place before undertaking work at height. FASET – Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training – is the established
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Sixth carbon budget published by Climate on Committee Change
FASET – Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training – is the established trade association and training body for the safety netting and temporary safety systems industry. FASET has long been a foundation in supporting its members with expert quality guidance, dedicated
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Brexit uncertainty frustrates Construction
FASET – Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training – has keenly followed developments regarding both the coronavirus pandemic and how it impacts the construction sector, as well as Brexit and how decisions from the negotiating table will affect construction now and
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ONS reports rise in construction output
Construction output saw a monthly increase of 1% in October, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is due to increases in both new workup (+0.3%) and repair and maintenance (+2.3%). The data shows that this is the
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Construction Playbook launched to bring together best practice
Construction Leadership Council (CLC), in collaboration with the Cabinet Office and Infrastructure & Projects Authority, and with input from across the public sector, has developed and published the Construction Playbook. As the description on gov.uk says, the Construction Playbook captures
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Construction sector grows at fastest rate for six years
FASET (Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training) exists to promote safety and best practice within the at-height sector for operatives using safety netting, stair towers and other safety equipment. It is vital to the construction supply chain, which is why we
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NFB’s Decarbonisation Initiative
The National Federation of Builders’ (NFB) Major Contractors Group (MCG) is arming the construction industry with practical tools for main contractors to start or accelerate their journey towards achieving net zero carbon with a new decarbonisation handbook. Launched by Mark
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A life shattered by a fall from height
FASET – Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Testing – exists to offer a foundation of support for its members with expert guidance, dedicated working at height training and exclusive membership benefit schemes for all, with the intention of promoting a safer
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HSE releases 2019/20 UK accident statistics
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released the latest statistics (2019/20) relating to workplace accidents. The HSE is a UK government agency responsible for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare, and for research into occupational risks in Great Britain.
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Announcements provide indication on zero carbon effect on FM
This week has seen a number of government announcements confirming its commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Included within these have been its 10-point plan, confirming investment and the main areas of concentration, providing more clarity and
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Plans revealed for new autism-friendly housing development in Gateshead
FASET – Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Testing – is delighted to share this news story from Bdaily, which demonstrates real progress in the way the construction industry is now directly catering for people with particular health requirements. A North East
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ACE resource on coronavirus
The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has produced an online resource to ensure its members stay up to date with the latest information regarding the coronavirus. ACE champions infrastructure to government and other stakeholders, representing the views of around
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Business secretary says thank you to all construction workers
Business secretary Alok Sharma has written an open letter addressed “to everyone working in the construction sector” to express his gratitude for the work being done. “Thank you to everyone operating in the UK construction sector,” he writes. “You are
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FASET delivers first industry webinar on platform decking
On 4th November, Tony Seddon, Managing Director of FASET (Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training) delivered a webinar to give industry practitioners a comprehensive overview of platform decking, including the benefits, the do’s and don’ts and introduce FASET’s supply partners of
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The latest advice on self-employment income support and self-isolation
Following the announcement of the new national restrictions in place from 5th November 2020 regarding COVID-19, Build UK has issued a flowchart showing what to do if a worker has contracted the virus or has to self-isolate. The flowchart can
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LONDON BOROUGHS SEEK SUPPORT FOR GREEN RETROFIT WORK
London boroughs have identified 375 shovel-ready projects, representing a £1.35bn pipeline of work – including the retrofitting of 18 large public buildings, 29 schools and thousands of homes across the capital. The councils have found £950m for the work but
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CONSTRUCTION AIMS TO MAKE WORKING CONDITIONS AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE DURING SECOND LOCKDOWN
Feedback on how to keep construction sites going safely on the eve of England’s second national lockdown on Thursday is being called for by the Construction Leadership Council, CLC. In a public letter, it flagged up its guidance on safe operation
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Number of new homes registered this year so far ‘is down by 30%’
Much has been made of the downturn in new build after the start of the coronavirus pandemic in late March. There are very few industry sectors that haven’t been severely affected – travel and tourism and catering, for example, have
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COVID-19 has made workplace sustainability goals clearer
The coronavirus pandemic has made 2020 one of the most memorable years for all the wrong reasons – or nearly all. The death toll both in the west and in developing countries has been terrifying, with the elderly and those
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More women building careers in construction during COVID-19
Women looking for work during the coronavirus pandemic have told how a training programme has helped them secure new careers in the construction industry. Fifteen women have been trained by Capital City College Training (CCCT) and have been undertaking work
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Job applications in the construction sector grow by 44.5% in Q3 as end of Job Retention Scheme looms
According to the latest quarterly job market report from CV-Library, job applications in the construction sector grew by 44.5% in Q3 2020 and by 21.2% year-on-year. The report looks at job market data throughout Q3 2020 and compares this with findings from the previous
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RIBA publishes results of COVID-19 student survey
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published findings of its COVID-19 student survey, focusing on how architecture students have been affected by the pandemic. Architects are, of course, absolutely crucial in the construction supply chain, which is why
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No Falls Foundation appoints its first Health and Safety Advisor
Following his retirement from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at the end of September, Ray Cooke has kindly agreed to lend his invaluable and extensive experience to the No Falls Foundation, serving as its Health and Safety Advisor. The
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Construction workers’ wages hit hardest during pandemic
Figures just released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that the wages of construction workers have fallen more than in any other sector of the economy. The coronavirus has devastated economic output throughout the world, with many sectors
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UK concrete and cement sector sets out net zero roadmap
The UK concrete and cement industry has launched a roadmap to become net negative by 2050, removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits each year. UK Concrete, part of the Mineral Products Association (MPA), has identified that
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Promoting mental health in construction
The importance of sustaining the workforce, making sure there is a constant stream of upcoming skilled talent, is well-documented in the construction industry. It is pleasing to see that a growing number of organisations believe that hand in hand with
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Cautious welcome for September’s construction boost
As we reach the latter stages of arguably the most turbulent year in living memory, construction industry leaders have cautiously welcomed the quickest rise in new business since lockdown. However, fears linger that construction is currently in the ‘calm before
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Scotland publishes construction recovery plan
Scotland’s Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) has published a plan aimed at steering the sector’s recovery from the impact of Covid-19. The plan focuses on the joint action required between the industry and the public sector to respond to the pandemic.
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Health and Safety Executive (HSE) cracks down on dust
Health and safety inspectors across Great Britain will be targeting construction firms to check that their health standards are up to scratch during a month-long inspection initiative, starting on Monday 5 October 2020. This is the fourth health-focused initiative of
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Government Announces £3bn Plan to Upgrade Buildings
Homeowners can sign up for big savings on upgrades to their homes under the government’s £2 billion Green Homes Grant, with an additional £1 billion announced to improve the energy efficiency of publicly owned buildings. The Green Homes Grant scheme
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CLC: Industry must lead the way in take-up of NHS COVID-19 App
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has reported that industry leaders have urged businesses of all sizes in UK construction to lead the way in ensuring the widest possible uptake of the NHS COVID-19 app, which launched in England and Wales
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Jenrick announces next steps to put beauty and design at heart of planning system
It was announced on Tuesday 22nd September that Nicholas Boys Smith has been appointed to establish a new design body, tasked with driving up design standards. He will lead an expert group advising the government on how to embed beauty
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Construction furlough figures revealed
New data released by HMRC and reported in a number of publications has revealed that construction industry companies claiming through the government’s job retention scheme reached £3.2bn at the end of July. This puts construction firms behind only the retail,
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2,000 residential buildings still awaiting safe cladding
The Grenfell disaster in 2017 was a tragedy that rightly prompted a greater emphasis on fire safety in buildings over a certain height. While there has been good progress in the public sector to replace dangerous cladding, many more “at
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New talent retention scheme for construction industry
The Construction Leadership Council has launched the Talent Retention Scheme (CLC TRS) to keep essential talent within the UK Construction industry. Sustainability of skilled personnel is one of the biggest issues facing the construction industry, and one which FASET is
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Draft Building Safety Bill Update
The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) is formulating its response to the draft Building Safety Bill, including a submission to the parliamentary pre-legislative inquiry on the Bill. FASET, Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training, has observed this development with interest. FASET has
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Re-evaluating training and certification for the “new normal”
FASET (Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training) has long been a foundation in supporting its members with expert quality guidance, dedicated training and exclusive membership benefit schemes all with the intention of promoting a safer way of working. We strive to
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FASET retains SSiP Registered Member status
FASET (Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training) is delighted and proud to have passed its audit and retained its SSiP Registered Member status. SSiP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) was founded in May 2009 following the government report on accelerating the SME
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Government campaign to encourage a return to the office
The Transport Minister has told a London radio station that: “Our central message is pretty straightforward: we are saying to people it is now safe to return to work.” Grant Shapps, in an interview with LBC radio, revealed that the
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UK Construction buoyed by third-quarter growth
The UK is reportedly on track for a record economic resurgence during the third quarter of the year, with the construction industry continuing to enjoy an impressive period of growth. City of London economists have predicted a 14.3% rise in GDP
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Debate over wearing face masks on site continues
The coronavirus pandemic has raised all kinds of new health and safety concerns and a raft of new guidance measures for organisations in all sectors. In the construction and FM sectors, where the vast majority of work is carried out
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Planning reforms to help government’s “build, build, build” campaign
FASET, as the construction industry’s not-for-profit organisation providing quality guidance and training amongst workers, has noted with interest the wholesale reform of the planning system in England announced by the Government. The planning system has been described as being prone
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Help for apprentices – the lifeblood of the industry
The construction industry needs a constant flow of new skilled workers coming through in order to meet demand and be sustainable. Therefore, the following announcement from the government is very welcome. In addition to the funding of £1,000 already available
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Green Homes Grants – green shoots of recovery?
The UK is now officially in a recession, with some speculating it could be the deepest for many years. The government’s commitment to “Build build build” offers some relief and hope for the construction and FM sectors and the Construction
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Construction contracting update
Secretary of State for Housing Robert Jenrick announced major changes to the planning system in an article for The Telegraph recently. The reforms will introduce simpler and faster processes to deliver the homes and places needed in areas designated for
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Further easing of COVID-19 restrictions good news for employers
The latest government update on the easing of lockdown restrictions in England, issued on 31st July and following a rise in the number of coronavirus cases, includes the following: whilst there are local restrictions on household contact in certain areas,
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Affordable Homes Scheme Will Support Construction Sector
The Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme 2020, approximated at £3 billion, will increase investment in providers of affordable housing and support the delivery of a significant number of new affordable homes. The contract for a delivery partner to operate the scheme
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Executive summary of the NICPP 2020/21 published
Build UK has published an executive summary of the National Infrastructure and Construction Procurement Pipeline 2020/21 to help the industry understand recent Government announcements on the delivery of £37 billion of economic and social infrastructure projects. Build UK is a
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FASET plans to secure worker safety for the new ‘workspace’
FASET plans to secure worker safety for the new ‘workspace’ With a mass shift to remote working since late March 2020, a number of FM experts and commentators are speculating that COVID-19 will bring an end to the office as
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Scotland moves to Phase 4 of Construction Restart Plan
Scotland moves to Phase 4 of Construction Restart Plan Construction sites in Scotland have been given the go ahead to progress to Phase 4 of the Construction Restart Plan, with physical distancing being maintained or controlled close working with PPE.
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CSCS introduces Prepaid Accounts Facility
CSCS introduces Prepaid Accounts Facility The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has launched a new Prepaid Accounts facility. Prepaid Accounts can be loaded with credit and then used to pay for CSCS card applications. This means that CSCS card applications
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“The biggest challenge to building safety for 40 years”
The government has finished drafting the Building Safety Bill, which it describes as containing the biggest changes to building safety for 40 years. The draft bill brings in new regulations in the wake of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire and
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CLC issues three new guidance documents for construction companies
CLC issues three new guidance documents for construction companies The Construction Leadership council (CLC) has published three new guidance documents to help companies in the construction sector to manage the impact of COVID-19 on their business. The first of these,
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New Government guidance on Apprenticeships
New government guidance on apprenticeships Apprenticeships are the lifeblood of the construction industry and it is vital that the next generation of workers has access to the latest skills, training and guidance to ensure they can perform all disciplines of
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Government publication indicates commitment to ‘Build Build Build’
Build, build, build Following the publication of the National Infrastructure and Construction Procurement Pipeline 2020/21, the government appears to have made a solid commitment to ‘Build Build Build’. This is obviously welcome news for the construction industry and supply chain,
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“Be Safe, Don’t Fall, Stay Alive”
“Be Safe, Don’t Fall, Stay Alive” The No Falls Foundation – the UK’s only charity devoted exclusively to the work at height sector – has launched a new initiative called ‘Be Safe, Don’t Fall, Stay Alive’. Despite the pressures to
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The HSE announces a fall in working at height fatalities
Last week, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) released its ‘Workplace Fatal Injuries in Great Britain 2020’ annual statistics. Headline figures from the report are: 111 workers were killed in 2019/20 RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations)
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The government announces new plans to get Britain building again
Measures to help the construction industry to boost building and return to work safely are being introduced this week (commencing 22nd June). The announcement from Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP stated that planning permission deadlines will be extended, planning appeals
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Easing of guidelines good news for safety systems industry
On 23rd June, Prime Minister Boris Johnson described Britain’s “long hibernation period” as edging towards its end. He was, of course, referring to the gradual relaxing of guidelines for living with the coronavirus over the last few weeks and in
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Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: a guide
The government has announced that from 1st July 2020, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing. The new document is available here: Claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: a step by step guide for employers
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