The government is being accused of “Gross underestimation” Due to the new tax changes which are to be implemented for construction workers employed via umberella companies. A recent HMRC policy document costed out the plan to ban workers employed via umbrella companies from receiving tax relief on their expenses.
Merry Christmas From us all at MECsafe
Another year we reach the festive period, enjoy the times with your friends and family an cherish the time spent over the Christmas period. From us all at MECsafe we wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy new year.
Skills & experience of older workers in construction wasted
According to a Damning report skills and experiances of older construction workers are being wasted. The Chartered Institute of Building has released results, The research found that construction companies are missing a trick when it comes to passing skills down to the next generation of workers.
“We should take this opportunity to use older workers to tap into their skills and knowledge and ensure they are passed onto the next generation.”
The most dramatic change in health and safety enforcement since 1974
The new sentencing guidelines apply to health and safety offences committed by organisations and individuals, as well as to corporate manslaughter and food safety/hygiene offences. They introduce a structured nine step approach that the Court. This involves plugging culpability and harm factors into a series of tables to reach recommended starting point fines, as well as ranges of fines above and below the starting points.
Click Link below to read more
CSCS take action after recent Fraud expsosure
After the recent exposure of fraudlent activity, CITB has taken steps to suspend the offending companies and will accelerate plans to introduce new anti-fraud measures. All CSCS cards issued as a result of tests completed at the Found centres will be withdrawn and all cardholders will be required to retake the test.
In relation to the training providers identified in the programme (WEP and Training 4 Jobs), both CITB and the British Safety Council have withdrawn accreditation to deliver qualifications together with the Health, Safety and Environmental test with immediate effect.
This is a high concern for project and site managers as they highly rely on CSCS Cards as a genuine form of confirming a qualification. No one wants unqualified operatives on site so it is vital that this is uncovered and action is taken immediatly.
MECsafe Health & Safety Training Schedule
Schedule for the next 6 Months Oct 15 – Feb 16. For any information on courses please call us on 01302 775900 
Site Environmental Awareness Training Scheme
MECsafe now Deliver SEATS Courses at our head office in Doncaster!
The Next course will be:
7th December – £145 + VAT Per Person
The SEATS (Site Environmental Awareness Training Scheme) training course wil provide delegagates with an introductions to environmental issues on constructions sites. The course has been designed to provide the basic environmental knowledge that sub-contractors are required to know and demonstrate to major contractors.
For further details please get in touch on Tel:01302 775900
CSCS CRO Card Changes
From 1st October 2015 the following changes to the CRO card will be introduced:
- All CRO cards issued from 1st October 2015 will expire on 30th September 2017* and are not renewable
- You will be expected to register for a nationally recognised construction related qualification before the card expires
- Only one occupation will be displayed on your CRO card from 1st October 2015
- CSCS will stop issuing CRO cards from 31st March 2017
Construction death rates fell sharply in 2014/2015
Despite strongly recovering workloads the latest figures show fatalities are 22% down on the average of 45 over the last five years. Fatality rates among construction workers improved from 1.62 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to 1.98 last year and a five-year average of 2.07.
Falling glass kills worker on Wates tower
A falling pane of glass from a water tower has killed a 51 Year old man working for a sub-contractor on a wates refurbishment job. It is understood that the victim was working on the top floor eastbourne terrace where wates is renovating the 18 storey Block. Click Here to read more.