Newsletter | September 2016

Carney Consultancy Limited Newsletter from September 2016

Unable to see the pictures? Try clicking the download / see images button above Carney Consultancy Limited Newsletter | September 2016   How to access CITB Funding   In last month’s newsletter it was identified that the larger construction companies were a lot more efficient at claiming back money from the CITB for training. We can help you claim back training grant money from the CITB. The next window for claiming back money is between the 18th October and the 14th November. The form will be available on the CITB website from the 18th October and must be completed within the 28 days for you to be able to claim the money back. We are therefore trying to for-warn our clients of the small window of opportunity.   If you are a construction company that employs less than 50 people you can benefit from a flexible fund to improve skills and training. To apply for funding you will need to follow the process detailed below.        So far half a million pounds has been allocated to companies employing less than 50 people. Further funds will be available in the next window. For more information or for help to apply please contact us.      Fire Safety During Construction    A Welsh construction company was fined £100,000 after an unannounced visit by the HSE during the construction of timber framed houses. The HSE found that measure to prevent a fire starting and getting out of control had not been taken. There was little fire protection on site, a lock of management control, insufficient means to detect and raise the alarm, poor control of ignition sources and a general lock of emergency planning. The HSE also stated that workers were also at risk of being struck by construction vehicles on site.   The HSE issued improvement notices for the issues relating to the fire and vehicle safety issues. During the court hearing the construction company pleaded guilty to the safety breaches and were fined £100,000. The HSE stated that “Stringent fire safety standards need to be in place well before the build starts, and then maintained and monitored”.     Grow Your Business With NBSL     Who are they?   They have been supporting enterprise since 2007 and in that time they have helped over 1,700 people to start their own business in Northumberland. They’ve also helped existing businesses across the North East to create over 1,000 jobs with their funding and support programmes.   How can they help?   Get up to £2800 of funding towards business improvement projects. Carney Consultancy has accessed funding for 45 of our clients. The funding received by each client has been between £500 and £2800. Their funding support programmes can cover up to 35% of the cost of work by external suppliers that could transform your business.   Contact [email protected] for further information.     Carney Consultancy Website News   The members section of our website is now live; please look out for your invitation to join. This allows our clients to Log In to a members’ area. Our clients may now access their own Health and Safety Policy & standard forms. Also they will be able to access safety memos, our newsletters, safety information sheets and all tool box talks.   Each company also has access to their individual page containing their personalised documents.   This area of the website is new and a work in progress, we would be very grateful of any feedback that you have regarding accessing and using the members section. If you have any comments or queries please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].     Construction Dust   We have created a safety information bulletin on construction dusts. This is focused on the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2013 (COSHH) and how to manage dust on site.   What is Construction dust? This is a term to describe the different types of dust that you may find on a construction site: Silica Dust – Silica dust is created when working on materials that contain silica such as concrete, mortar and stone, it will sometimes be referred to a Respirable Crystalline Silica Wood dust – Wood dust is created when working on softwood, hardwood and wood based products such as plywood and MDF Lower toxicity dusts – These are created when working on materials containing little silica. The most common materials are gypsum (plasterboard), limestone and dolomite   Health Risks There is 1.2 million days lost to ill health in the UK. Out of all the worker deaths, 99% are attributed to health, while 1% is attributed to safety. Anyone who breaths in these dusts must understand the damage they can do to their lungs and airway.   Remember, you (the Employer, Management, Supervisors) have a duty not only to protect your own health and safety and the health and safety of your workforce but you must also to ensure that your actions do not put others around you at risk.     FREE Training as part of Business Safety Week 5th to 11th September   County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and their trading arm VITAL Fire Solutions Ltd as part of their commitment to businesses across the region are delivering FREE training as part of Business Safety Week.   Fire can cause major disruption for businesses and they are committed to supporting businesses to reduce risks and make appropriate arrangements to prevent fires starting or to mitigate their impact. The FREE Fire Safety training event is:  Fire Safety Equipment in the workplace  - training on Portable Fire Extinguishers/ Practical Use of Fire Extinguishers using Live Fire trays / Alarm systems and Suppression systems in the workplace   This course is tailored around the needs of those staff who may have the cause to use a portable fire extinguisher. This course provides delegates with the skills to tackle a fire in its initial stages in the correct manner using the correct extinguisher medium.   Friday 9th September, 9am to 12noon Venue: Fire Service Training Centre, Bowburn, DH6 5AD Booking is essential and to book a place(s),  email them at:  [email protected] with: Name of attendee(s) to be booked on the event(s) Which course(s) you want to be booked on Business Name & Business Address   Join us on Facebook       Follow us on Twitter       Send us an Email   Upcoming Training Courses   Asbestos Awareness Refresher 16th September 11th October 25th November   Asbestos Awareness 16th September 27th September 11th October   Manual Handling 16th September 27th September 11th October 25th November   Abrasive Wheels 23rd September 10th November   Safe Working at Height 23rd September 10th November   CITB Site Managers Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) September 14th, 21st, 22nd, October 5th & 12th   CITB Site Managers Safety Training Refresher (SMSTS Ref) 24th & 25th October   CITB Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) 12th & 13th September 26th & 27th October   CITB Site Supervisor Safety Training Refresher (SSSTS Ref) 20th December   Health & Safety Awareness 15th September 22nd September 17th October   Directors Role for Health & Safety Dates to be confirmed   Emergency First Aid at Work 6th October