Industry NewsBIG FINE FOR “LIFECHANGING” FALLA construction firm has been fined after a17-year-old worker fell more than threemetres through an opening for a rooflight.Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court heard that,on 20 August 2018, an employee of MarkHolland Group fell through a sheet ofinsulation covering a skylight when walkingacross an unmarked and unguarded area onthe first floor of a construction site inSouthgate Street, Gloucester. He sufferedmultiple broken bones in his right leg and footand, after two operations, was advised it wasunlikely he could work in construction again.An investigation by the Health and SafetyExecutive (HSE) found that the inexperiencedyoung employee was not supervised properlyand was unaware of the risks on site. Therewere no physical warnings that there was ahole or a fragile surface, and no verbalwarning had been circulated to workers onsite. There were also no physical barriers tostop anyone walking from the scaffold ontothe flat roof. The company failed to ensurethat work at height was properly planned andappropriately supervised. Despite thisincident, the company continued to fail toensure work at height was planned andmanaged on site. Numerous failings wereidentified by HSE during later visits to theconstruction site.Mark Holland Group Limited of Cheltenhampleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1)of the Construction (Design andManagement) Regulations 2015 and hasbeen fined £55,620.Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspectorLaura Banks said: “This worker’s injurieswere life changing and he could have easilybeen killed. This serious incident anddevastation could have been avoided if basicsafeguards had been put in place.”More news, updates and interviews at www.total-contractor.co.ukBMI APPRENTICE AWARDS: ENTRIES OPEN!The BMI Apprentice of the Year 2020competition officially opened on 2nd March,and entries are encouraged from all thoserecognised as an apprentice by their employer,or those working towards qualified status.Two prestigious titles of pitched and flat roofingBMI Apprentice of the Year 2020 are up for thetaking. The awards naturally come with a trophyand prize package, not to mention ongoing supportfrom the team at the BMI Academy.This year’s theme is ‘influence’. Those wishing toenter will be asked three questions:• How do you feel you influence your peers orteam members as part of your apprenticeship?• If you won the BMI Apprentice of the Year, howwould you influence others?• Can you tell us about someone in your life whohas had a positive influence on your work andstudies?Entry is via a written submission or video whichcan be submitted online at either:https://redland.co.uk/young-roofers/apprenticeof-the-year-2020orEverlast, a Leeds-based roofing and claddinggroup that provides specialist services acrossthe construction, property and rail sectors, iscelebrating 20 years in business.Founded by Chief Executive Terry Deighton in2000, in the last 12 months the firm has created20 new jobs with further hires planned for 2020.http://www.icopal.co.uk/Support/Roofers/youngroofers/apprentice-of-the-year-2020.aspxSupporting material can be uploaded, or emailedto AOY@BMIGroup.com.The closing date for entries is 4th May. Entrantswill then be selected for the final, which takesplace on 1st and 2nd July 2020 at the BMIAcademy in Gloucestershire. Finalists will receiveprofessional coaching on a range of topicsincluding presentation skills, health and safetyand making technical assessments.Mat Woodyatt, BMI Technical Training Manager,explained: “These awards are part of ourcommitment to recognise and reward thosecoming into the sector. BMI UK & Ireland wants toraise the appeal of roofing and motivate moreschool-leavers and career-changers to getinvolved.” More on BMI Awards p38EVERLAST CELEBRATES 20 YEARSFrom left: Everlast Directors Scott Deighton, DamianMaclean, Jason Cross, Terry Deighton, Mike Hunter.With divisions including roofing and cladding, railinfrastructure works, scaffolding, facilitiesmanagement and specialist surveys, Everlastcarried out more than 1,500 projects ranging from£500 to £3m across the UK and Europe in 2019.Michael Hunter, Everlast Group MD, added: “Thelast two decades have seen the firm go fromstrength to strength as we have diversified into newareas such as schools and colleges, where we havecarried out several re-roofing projects. Everlast areall about improving buildings, and using innovativesolutions to make them safer and more comfortableplaces to live and work in. It’s a testament to ourteam of professional and dedicated staff that wecontinue to grow, with some exciting and high profileprojects lined up for the year ahead.”12 TC MARCH 2020
Coming soon...Another new product from Kestrel Aluminium Systems.We are continually developing our range of quality aluminium profiles and accessories for thefabrication of shopfronts, commercial doors, curtain walling, windows and glazed roofs.We have a great new system we’d like to show you, look out for details in the press andonline or call on 0121 333 3575 or email info@kestrelaluminium.co.ukWINDOWS DOORS ROOFING SHOPFRONT CURTAIN WALLBIRMINGHAM’S BEST KEPT SECRETwww.kestrelaluminium.co.ukTel: 0121 333 3575
Change language