News - Saema

SAEMA News

Important message on NVQ Assessment

Due to circumstances outside SAEMA’s control, the industry has a temporary shortage of NVQ Assessors for Suspended Access Equipment. Please be assured that SAEMA is working hard to resolve this temporary problem. We will update our news and social media

SAEMA User Training (Part 1) – 250th card issued

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering & Maintenance Association – is proud to announce that 250 people have now been issued with a virtual card, signifying they have passed Part 1 of SAEMA User Training. SAEMA User Training, which was launched

FASET and SAEMA manager Tony Seddon on becoming PASMA trained

An interview with Tony Seddon, Company Secretary of SAEMA (Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association) by PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association) has given a refreshing insight into the approach taken to height safety – both from the beginner’s

SAEMA is delighted to welcome Eurosafe Solutions Ltd as a new member. SAEMA has over 20 member organisations working in the temporary and permanent suspended access industry. Each enjoys peace of mind that their business is fully safe and compliant,

SAEMA welcomes new member, Introland

SAEMA is delighted to welcome Introland (EHS) as a new member. SAEMA has over 20 member organisations working in the temporary and permanent suspended access industry. Each enjoys peace of mind that their business is fully safe and compliant, playing

SAEMA welcomes Power Climber as a new member SAEMA is delighted to welcome another new member organisation – Power Climber. Power Climber has been designing, engineering and manufacturing hoists, platforms, rigging equipment, safety gear and accessories for the suspended access

Industry News

COVID-19 WORKER FLOWCHART ON WHEN TO SELF-ISOLATE

With a long history in delivering the best training and guidance in the temporary and permanent suspended access industry, SAEMA monitors the latest developments in the construction sector, particularly regarding worker health and safety, sustainability and equality. We are pleased

Impact of Covid-19 on work under NEC4 Contracts Guidance

COVID-19 and the construction sector

CONSTRUCTION PRODUCT AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

LEXiCON Methodology Consultation

COVID-19 SITE OPERATING PROCEDURES ‘NO LONGER CURRENT’

Government confirms Roadmap will proceed on 19th July

Following final review of the data, the Prime Minister has confirmed that Step 4 of the Roadmap will proceed as planned on 19 July. On this date, most legal restrictions will end, removing social distancing and social contact restrictions and

HSE releases annual workplace fatality figures for 2020/21

UK manufacturing: a lack of carbon understanding is undermining progress to net zero

74% of C-suite executives have an incomplete understanding of their company’s carbon footprint A third of C-suite executives have yet to appoint a head of sustainability (35%) or implement a green sourcing strategy (34%) 69% of C-suite executives said they

Introduction of the Building Safety Bill

The Building Safety Bill was introduced to Parliament yesterday by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). The Building Safety Bill will implement recommendations made in Dame Judith Hackitt’s ‘Building a Safer Future’ report, which highlighted a need

Brexit and the UK Adequacy Decision

Applications for the EU Settlement Scheme close today (30 June)

There is a pack for employers containing a range of resources that can be shared with employees to help them apply, which is hosted by Build UK – the leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry: https://builduk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/EU-Settlement-Scheme-Employers-Guide.pdf The EU

Construction and flexible working

The effects of the pandemic have been far-reaching and it has prompted a lot of workplaces to look again at flexible working. SAEMA monitors the latest developments in the construction sector, particularly regarding worker health and safety, sustainability and equality.

Britain builds back: Construction will need 216,800 new workers by 2025 to meet demand

Commitment to achieving NetZero by 2050

CLC reminds businesses: Get Ready to Ensure Data Flows from the EU continue after 30 June 2021

Construction businesses are being encouraged by the CLC to ensure that they have adequate mitigation measures so that they may continue to transfer personal data between the EU and the UK after 30 June 2021 – whatever the case, the

NHS Trust fined following failures to manage environmental risks

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

Delay to Roadmap out of Lockdown

‘No jab, no job’

CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT FELL 2.0% IN APRIL 2021

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has reported that construction output fell 2.0% in April 2021 following a particularly strong increase in March (5.8%): output now stands above its pre-pandemic February level. New work continues to be subdued but the level

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY REMAINS STEADY – MAY 2021

Build UK, the leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry, has released the latest information from the Builders’ Conference, which shows that the number of contracts awarded in May was above the monthly average for the last year, whilst

CLC UPDATE ON BUILDING SAFETY

The Construction Leadership Council has issued a four-point bulletin on building safety. 1: Residential Property Developer Tax – Consultation opens Earlier this year the Government announced that it would introduce a new Residential Property Developer Tax as part of its Building Safety

APPG REPORT

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Working at Height was delighted to welcome Sarah Newton, chair of the HSE, and Dr Helen Bamforth, project director for the HSE’s Discovering Safety campaign, to its April meeting. This article was written

UK & US COLLABORATE TO IMPROVE THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been announced between representatives for the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (U.S.) cementing a pledge to work together on the development of the US National Building Information Management (BIM) Program.

FALL FROM HEIGHT LEADS TO FINE

APPRENTICESHIP TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION FUNDING ‘TRAVEL TO TRAIN’

The CITB is the Industry Training Board for the construction industry and a partner in ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council. Its job is help the construction industry attract talent and to support skills development, to build a better Britain. We

LEARNING THE LESSONS FROM ACCIDENTS

We are pleased to share the following insight from Ray Cooke, Health and Safety Advisor for the No Falls Foundation. Ray spent 35 years with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and has a wealth of valuable experience to share

CONSTRUCTION PRODUCT AVAILABILITY CONCERNS

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association – is sharing this story, which is likely to have an impact to a certain degree on most companies in the construction sector and its supply chain. A statement from John Newcomb,

Women in construction offer perspective on markets in UK and Sweden

CONTRACTORS FINED AFTER WORKER INJURED BY DROPPED LOAD

With a long history in delivering the best training and guidance in the temporary and permanent suspended access industry, SAEMA is keen to share the following story about two construction companies that have been fined after a worker was seriously

COVID SPOT CHECKS AND INSPECTIONS ON BUSINESSES CONTINUE AS LOCKDOWN MEASURES EASE

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering & Maintenance Association – has a long history in delivering the best training and guidance in the temporary and permanent suspended access industry. Through our commitment to advancing safety through the raising of standards and

ANNE-MARIE TREVELYAN MP’S KEYNOTE SPEECH AT UK CONSTRUCTION WEEK

Workers left without edge protection on fifth floor roof

With a long history in delivering the best training and guidance in the temporary and permanent suspended access industry, SAEMA is keen to share the following story from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A Blackpool contractor has been fined

Help Inside the Hard Hat

The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity is the only charity that provides emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families – and has been doing so since 1956. The charity has launched its Help Inside the Hard

HSE reports of custodial sentence for failure to report incident

Construction on track to reach its green targets

A report by the Climate Change Committee has set out a host of ambitious carbon reduction targets and points to where resources should be focused. In a bid to boost Britain’s sustainability credentials ahead of the COP26 conference in November

The last year has presented some of the toughest challenges in a generation. The threat of COVID to our physical health and the toll on our mental health as a consequence of the adjustments we’ve all had to make have

CLC & HSE – IT’S TIME FOR US ALL TO TALK ABOUT WORK-RELATED STRESS

The Health & Safety Executive has joined forces with the Construction Leadership Council to encourage the whole industry to start a conversation about employee stress. The past 12 months have placed unprecedented strains on workers as companies have adopted new

The future of tall buildings in question

Skyscrapers and tall buildings are a fundamental part of the construction sector and their increasing presence in cities is a reliable indicator of the health of the industry and the economy as a whole. Therefore, with the COVID-19 pandemic changing

Surge in height safety breaches is cause for concern

With a long history in delivering the best training and guidance in the temporary and permanent suspended access industry, SAEMA is keen to circulate the story that the Building Safety Group (BSG) has reported an 84% increase in the number

CLC NEWS RELEASE REVEALS BACKING OF VALUE TOOLKIT

With a long history in delivering the best training and guidance in the temporary and permanent suspended access industry, SAEMA keeps up to date with the latest news within the construction industry – particularly regarding COVID, Brexit and sustainability. We

Double-digit growth forecast for this year but risks remain

CLC on decarbonising infrastructure: good progress but not fast enough

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has issued a press release and a ‘Carbon Review 7 Years On’ report. The Infrastructure Carbon Review was published in November 2013 with the call to action to ‘reduce carbon, reduce cost’. Seven years on,

HSE reports on fines for safety breaches

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a news item with details that the clients and principal contractor of a construction project have been sentenced following numerous serious health and safety failings. Basildon Crown Court heard how London and

HSE advises employers to review stress in the workplace

A statement from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has urged employers to review the stress-causing factors in their workplaces and the work that their employees do. Stress, depression or anxiety account for 51% of all work-related ill health cases

Construction regrowth continues with 1.6% increase

Construction, as with the majority of sectors, suffered a considerable decrease in activity since the advent of COVID-19 in March 2020. The adoption of stringent safety measures combined with sheer hard work throughout the industry saw an admirable recovery towards

TG20:21 scaffolding software now on sale

The updated and expanded scaffolding compliance software from the National Access & Scaffolding Federation (NASC) is now on sale. TG20:21 builds on TG20:13, the NASC’s innovative, user-friendly and widely-adopted eGuide software, which enables users to produce a wide range of

Construction Product Availability Statement

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association – has read with interest the statement issued this week about the availability of construction products, from prominent figures within the construction industry. Statement from John Newcomb, CEO Builders Merchants Federation and

COLLABORATIVE REPORTING ON SAFER STRUCTURES

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association – is pleased to share this press release from the Construction Leadership Council (CLC). Following the tragedy at Grenfell and subsequent government review of Building Regulations led by Dame Judith Hackitt, a

The Official HSE Health and Safety app for SMEs

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association – is pleased to share news of the release of a bespoke mobile app from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The new app is designed to help organisations understand the law,

Taking the lead on net zero training

It has been widely reported in the construction press that businesses need to step up their eco training to avoid placing the UK’s net zero targets in jeopardy. Reports by the CITB and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)

Improved Pre-Qualification System Goes Live

SAEMA (Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association) is pleased to share this press release from Build UK about how major contractors are now adopting the Common Assessment Standard. Build UK is the leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry.

CLC’s MID-TERM STRATEGY

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has set out its mid-term strategy. It includes one-year and three-year plans against its priority themes, focused particularly on building safety and the race to net zero carbon. The CLC’s three priorities are: Industry recovery

Fire safety regulation breaches could lead to unlimited fines, according to new regulations

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering & Maintenance Association – is pleased to share this important story from the Safety and Health Practitioner. The Government has announced new regulations to boost building safety and £16 million for fire and rescue authorities.

CONSTRUCTION SECTOR BACKS CLC NATIONAL RETROFIT STRATEGY SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering & Maintenance Association – is pleased to share this ‘good news story’ from the Construction Leadership Council (CLC). 50 organisations including representatives of the energy and water sectors

Landmark construction skills plan backed by industry and government

SAEMA (Specialist Access Engineering & Maintenance Association) is pleased to share this announcement from the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), which has published the first sector-wide skills plan for construction, developed by industry. The Industry Skills Plan for the UK Construction Sector

GOVERNMENT BANKS ON INFRASTRUCTURE GROWTH

The government’s budget announcement confirmed plans for the setting up of a national infrastructure bank. While the establishment of a national infrastructure bank (NIB) is not necessarily news as it has been trailed for quite some time, it is expected

THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR’S RESPONSE TO THE PRIME MINISTER’S NET ZERO CHALLENGE

The following press release was issued by Andy Mitchell, Co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council. SAEMA is pleased to share this important message which affects everyone within the construction industry. The construction industry must come to terms with the impact

What Budget 2021 means for construction

Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon chancellor Rishi Sunak made several announcements that are sure to impact construction. A summary is included below. COVID-19 job support Sunak confirmed the furlough scheme will be extended until the end of

Minister’s open letter reminds construction sector to follow COVID-19 guidance

Scotland’s housing minister has written an open letter to the construction industry to thank them for their hard work, and for complying with the lockdown restrictions. Nicola Sturgeon’s plan will see Scotland ease restrictions every three weeks until April 26

COVID update – news on roadmap

Many people will have seen the prime minister’s announcement on the roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions on 22nd February, but we’re pleased to share the following summary which has implications for everyone. The Prime Minister delivered a statement in the

With changes to BS EN 1004 taking full effect later this year, PASMA is urging all businesses using mobile access towers to use the transition period wisely. SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association – is pleased to share

Tragic accident highlights vital important of safety systems

The following story of the tragic death of a roofer in Kirkdale, Liverpool, is particularly sad as it could so easily have been prevented through the use of a temporary safety system. Liverpool Crown Court heard how on 22nd May

Welcoming the Expansion of the Building Safety Fund

SAEMA exists to promote safer practice in working at height through the provision of the best training and guidance available. It is vital that buildings are safe and that their occupants feel safe. We welcome the announcement made recently by the

Study reveals significant confusion over COVID-19 liabilities

SAEMA endeavours to keep its members up to date with the latest developments in the construction industry, including those regarding COVID-19. Research from quantity surveying firm Turner & Townsend claims that one in three construction contracts are not fit to

NASC members to give 290+ young people a start in scaffolding

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association – is pleased to share the following story, originally shown in the news section of the Access Industry Forum website. National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) members will provide more than 290

Charity publishes support pack for workers who fall from height At SAEMA our aim is to reduce and ultimately eliminate accidents that result from working at height. We co-operate with other organisations, specialist bodies and institutions involved in the provision and

Recovery continues for manufacturers despite increased concern over material and component supply

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association – is pleased to share the following story on the continued recovery in construction sales. Data from the Construction Product Association (CPA) suggests construction product manufacturers reported a second quarterly increase in

SITE ACCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY MEASURES

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association – as the national trade body for the permanent and temporary façade access equipment industry, is keen to share the following report of an accident that occurred on site due to lack

Act now on safety or face shutdown, says BESA

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association – is pleased to share the following content from Heating & Ventilation Review. SAEMA has a long history in delivering the best training and guidance in the temporary and permanent suspended access

FASTER HOUSE-BUILDING BOOSTS UK CONSTRUCTION GROWTH IN DECEMBER

SAEMA – Suspended Access Engineering & Maintenance Association – is keen to share the latest positive news from Builders Merchants Journal on the house building sector. While the UK is currently in the midst of the nation’s third lockdown, the

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY UPBEAT ABOUT EU TRADING DEAL

SAEMA exists to promote safety in the temporary and permanent suspended access 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

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

The changing face of the office

There has been a 19% increase in demand for smaller flexible workspaces, driven by distributed working and employee demand to work closer to home, according to figures from IWG, operator of Regus. Once employees are no longer at significant risk

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

Sixth carbon budget published by Climate on Committee Change

SAEMA (Specialist Access Engineering & Maintenance Association) delivers the best training and guidance in the temporary and permanent suspended access industry. Our aim is to advance safety through raising the standards in best practice amongst at-height workers. Our part of

Brexit uncertainty frustrates Construction

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering & Maintenance Association – has keenly followed developments both regarding 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

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

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

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.

PLANS REVEALED FOR NEW AUTISM-FRIENDLY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN GATESHEAD

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering & Maintenance Association – is pleased 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

Do you need help assessing work at height risks

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering & Maintenance Association – is pleased to share this blog from rams.or.uk (Risk Assessment Solutions Ltd.) Based in Stafford, West Midlands, Risk Assessment Solutions can help to identify potential problems and offer suitable solutions to

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

Safety warning regarding Skyclimber lightweight link units

SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering & Maintenance Association – has become aware of a recent incident when a fault occurred with a temporary suspended access system. SAEMA received a report that a spigot of a Skyclimber lightweight stage had sheared under load. No

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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. SAEMA – Specialist Access and Engineering Maintenance Association – has observed this development with

Re-evaluating training and certification for the “new normal”

As the national trade body for the permanent and temporary façade access equipment industry, SAEMA – Specialist Access and Engineering Maintenance Association – is a keen observer of the latest developments and initiatives from the government post-COVID-19. The advent of

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

Construction industry 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

Planning reforms to help government’s “build, build, build” campaign

SAEMA, as the national trade body for the permanent and temporary façade access equipment industry, 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

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

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

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,

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,