News

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

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