Mecsafe Limited

Health & Safety Training

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01302 775900
Unit 9 Snape Lane Industrial Estate, Harworth, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN11 8SP

It’s been ages!

We’ve been very busy at MECsafe over the last few months, hence no blog! Primarily, improving our NVQ portfolio has been taking up a lot of our time, but it has been worth it, as we are now able to offer you the following NVQ’s:

Level 2
– Construction Operations
– Decorative Finishing and Painting
– Formwork
– Interior Systems (Dry Lining Fixing)
– Cranes & Specialist Lifting
– Forklift Trucks
– Plastering (Solid)
– Steelfixing Occupations
– Trowel Occupations (Bricklaying)
– Wood Occupations (Site Carpentry)

Level 3
– Decorative Finishing and Painting
– Occupational Work Supervision
– Plastering (Solid)

Level 4
– Site Supervision

Level 6
– Construction Contracting Ops
– Site Management

Level 7
– Construction Senior Management

 

We’ve also been scheduling lots of courses at Doncaster, including:

UKATA Asbestos Awareness – 1st Oct

CCNSG – 1st & 2nd Oct

IPAF scissor lift & cherry picker – 1st Oct

If you need an NVQ for a CSCS card or simply just for CPD etc.  or would like to book on a training course, please contact us 01302 775900 ext 1.

 

Anyway, enough about us, let’s talk about general news this week:

The NHS to save ‘hundreds of millions’ in landmark drug ruling. Novartis and Bayer were trying to stop NHS doctors from prescribing a cheaper treatment for a serious eye condition. Health bosses said the judgement in the High Court may reduce the power of companies to set prices. Drug company Novartis said they were “disappointed” because patients were being asked to accept an unlicensed treatment to save the NHS money. The case centred on the treatment of patients with the common eye condition, wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Facebook will no longer send employees to work at the offices of political campaigns during elections, the company has announced. The social network used to offer dedicated staff to political campaigns to help them develop their online advertising campaigns. Donald Trump’s digital director for the 2016 presidential election has said Facebook’s assistance helped him win. Facebook said rival Hillary Clinton was offered the same support, but declined. The social network is the second largest online advertising broker, behind Google.

In construction news this week…

Are safety fines are getting out of control? Galliford Try and Costain were fined £1.4m each this week after a worker lost three toes at a water treatment plant.

Caddick takes workforce plastic-free. Caddick Construction is pushing to become a single-use plastic free workforce by handing out reusable water bottles across the Yorkshire company.

 

That’s all for now folks!

 

Britain’s biggest rail timetable shake-up

More than four million trains have been rescheduled in what’s been touted as the biggest timetable alteration in UK railway history.
The timetable changes came in on Sunday with the aim to improve rail efficiency – affecting Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink.
Some travel experts say the overhaul will benefit passengers and make journey times 15 minutes faster. But passengers in a number of smaller locations have complained, saying they will be served with fewer or slower services.

Just incase you have been hiding under a rock this weekend (or have been for the last 6 months) – Harry & Megan have now been pronounced husband and wife at their wedding ceremony in front of the Royal family, celebrities and the eyes of millions from around the world. For those of you who did watch it there may have been some moments you missed!

 

In construction news this week…

Homes for England launches consultants framework. Homes England launches the procurement of its new multidisciplinary and technical services frameworks at the end of this month.

Contractor saved after being sunk by the “Carillion effect”. A Telford based contractor sunk by the collapse of Carillion has been bought out of administration by its directors.

Wates Living Space looking for new subcontractors. Wates Living Space is looking to add new subcontractors to its supply chain.

 

In MECsafe news this week…

We still have plenty of availability on the following courses:

Emergency First Aid – 29th May 2018

Health & Safety Awareness – 30th May 2018 (ask us about completing your CSCS test after the course)!

PASMA (Mobile Tower Scaffolding) – 30th May 2018

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

First Blog in a while!

The Prime Minister is expected to face fierce criticism in the Commons today as she defends her decision to bomb Syria without consulting MPs. Theresa May will reiterate her belief that the overnight strikes on chemical weapons plants was in Britain’s “national interest”. Opposition members, including Jeremy Corbyn, have questioned why Mrs May gave the go-ahead to the strikes without Parliamentary approval.

On a slightly different note – Is drinking wine good or bad for you?
Bon viveurs have been left reeling by reports that drinking ten glasses of wine a week can shorten life expectancy by two years.
Or to put it another way, you lose “15 minutes of life for each unit above the safe amount, the equivalent of smoking a cigarette”, says The Daily Telegraph’s science editor Sarah Knapton.
The warning comes in a study led by the University of Cambridge and the British Heart Foundation that makes for sobering reading.
In construction news this week…

BAM wins £90m King’s Cross office deal for Argent. Bam Construction has secured another major office scheme for developer Argent in the wake of Carillion’s collapse.

Carillion collapse hits 2018 commercial property lending. The collapse of Carillion is being blamed for a unexpected 4% fall in lending to the commercial property sector in January to £4.1bn.

SME contractors agree 3.1% pay rise deal. Employers and unions have agreed a one-year pay rise deal of 3.1% under the Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) agreement.

In MECsafe news this week…

We still have plenty of availability on the following courses:

H&S Awareness (required for the green Labourers CSCS card) – 25th April 2018

SSSTS Refresher – 27th April 2018

UKATA Asbestos Awareness – 30th April 2018

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

We’re winning!

England’s under-17 football team won the World Cup after coming back from two goals down to win 5-2 in the final. Steve Cooper’s side completed the sensational victory to join England’s World Cup-winning under 20’s side, who won the competition in June.

The mental health response following the Grenfell Tower fire is the biggest operation of its kind in Europe, a doctor has said, with numbers affected likely to exceed 11,000. More than 1,300 people have been seen by Central and North West London NHS Trust and GPs after the fire, either for post-traumatic stress disorder screening or Grenfell-related physical health concerns.

In construction news this week…

Track repair team in 125mph train near miss. Rail safety experts have launched an investigation after a team of track workers narrowly avoided being hit by a 125mph passenger train.

Edinburgh tram extension race starts. Edinburgh City Council has started the hunt for two contractors to deliver its tram extension project from York Place to Newhaven.

Plans for 1,200 London homes on ex-Tesco land. The Meyer Homes development business set up by a former Redrow London MD has submitted plans for two London schemes totalling nearly 1,200 apartments.

In MECsafe news this week…

We still have plenty of availability on the following courses:

SSSTS (Supervisors) – 2nd & 3rd November

Health & Safety Awareness – 8th November (ask us about completing your CSCS test after the course)!

SMSTS Refresher – 9th & 10th November

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Time is running out to spend your old pound coins

Prince Harry is set to team up with the Ministry of Defence to promote a new mental health strategy for those in the military, including veterans. The joint initiative is the latest in a series of Royal efforts to highlight mental health issues in the armed forces.

Dove has apologised after their brand was accused of racism in their online marketing campaign where it showed a black woman turning white. Dove responded to the huge social media backlash with the following tweet: “An image we recently posted on Facebook missed the mark in representing women of color thoughtfully. We deeply regret the offense it caused.”

Time is running out to spend your old pound coins – we have just under a week before the coins cease to be a legal tender. Check down the back of your sofa, coat pockets, bags and piggy banks to make sure you don’t have any old pounds in your possession.

England finished the World Cup Qualifiers with three points as they beat Lithuania 1-0 thanks to a Harry Kane penalty. Northern Ireland are through to the play-offs, meanwhile, Scotland’s World Cup hopes were dashed after drawing with Slovenia 2 2.

 

In construction news this week…

Scaffolder loses hands and feet after hitting power line. A scaffolding company and its director have been sentenced after a worker lost his hands and feet in a horrific site accident.

London Mayor doubles affordable housing at Barratt scheme. London mayor Sadiq Khan has approved an application for 460 homes on a green belt site in north-west London after developer Barratt doubled the number of affordable homes.

Mace tipped for Mitsubishi London skyscraper. Developers Mitsubishi Estate London and Stanhope are understood to be in talks with contractor Mace to build their planned London tower project at 150 Leadenhall Street.

 

In MECsafe news this week…

We still have plenty of availability on the following courses:

UKATA Asbestos Awareness – 16th October

Health & Safety Awareness – 17th October

SSSTS (Supervisors) – 19th & 20th October

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

She’s back!

After her three week holiday, Theresa May makes her return to Downing Street this week as ministers prepare to amplify their negotiating position on Brexit.

In the final evening of the World Championships, Great Britain picked up a silver and bronze medal in the women and men’s 4x400m relays. Their medals take team GB’s total medal tally to six.

Four time Olympic champion Mo Farah has accused the media of trying to “destroy” his legacy over allegations his coach breached anti-doping regulations. On Sunday, the 34-year-old insisted his achievements throughout his career has come from hard work.

 

In construction news this week…

Big Ben to fall silent for building works. On Monday 21st August at noon, the bongs of Big Ben will sound for the last time for a four-year conservation programme.

First ACM cladding passes fire tests. The first aluminium composite panel cladding system has passed the Government’s fresh round of stringent fire tests in the in the wake of London’s Grenfell disaster.

Google gets green light for £1bn King’s Cross HQ. Internet giant Google has been given the green light by planners to build its new £1bn headquarters at King’s Cross in London.

 

In MECsafe news this week…

We still have plenty of availability on the following courses:

SMSTS Refresher – 17th & 18th August

UKATA Asbestos Awareness – 21st August (AM)

Manual Handling / Working at Height / Abrasive Wheel – 25th August

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Microchipping humans??

Would YOU let your company implant a microchip in your hand if it meant you could log into your computer, open doors, buy snacks and more with just the wave of your hand? A company (the first to action this in the states) is offering the procedure to employees – and some are taking them up on it! Last year, a report found that a third of Brits say they would be microchipped at work if their privacy was 100% guaranteed.

The Duke of Cambridge will today begin his last shift as an air ambulance pilot before moving on to life as a full-time member of the royal family, carrying out more public engagements and charity work. Prince William announced in January he would be ending his career with the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA). Next week his grandad, the Duke of Edinburgh, completes his last official engagement for the Royal Family.

And, we couldn’t submit a blog without mentioning Trump!…
Donald Trump has announced transgender people will not be accepted or allowed in the US military “in any capacity”. In a series of tweets, the US president said that he had consulted with military experts and cited “tremendous medical costs and disruption”. The Obama administration decided last year to allow transgender people to serve openly in the military.

 

In construction news this week…

Balfour and subcontractors hit with £1.27m in asbestos fines. Balfour Beatty and two of its subcontractors have been fined a total of £1.27m after workers were exposed to asbestos while refurbishing a school in Waltham Forest.

Green light for London ‘Jenga tower’. Plans to build a 53-storey landmark tower near to Blackfriars Bridge in London have gained planning.

Shopping centre giant confirms £679m construction plans. Retail giant intu has confirmed development plans worth £679m up to 2020.

 

In MECsafe news this week…

We still have plenty of availability on the following courses:

SSSTS (Supervisors) – 10th & 11th August

CCNSG Refresher – 11th August

Emergency First Aid – 14th August

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Time flies when you’re having fun!

Our first blog of July 2017! Can you believe we are in JULY already (and we are halfway through it)?!
Here’s a few random findings of this month so far:

The London black cab is turning green, with an all-new electric taxi set to launch. The cab maker ditches diesel to produce a petrol and electric-powered taxi that will be rolled out in November.

Astronomers have just discovered the smallest star ever known to science… But it is the size of Saturn!

Growing competition for land and natural resources saw a record number of environmental activists killed in 2016, says Global Witness. The green group’s report details at least 200 murders across 24 countries, up significantly from 2015. Disputes over mining were the cause of the greatest number of killings, followed by logging and agribusiness.

In construction news this week…

Carillion under pressure to inject funds amid growing pension concerns. Stricken building contractor Carillion is facing growing calls to launch an emergency fundraising as it threatens to plunge further into financial crisis.

HS2 contracts worth £6.6bn awarded by UK government. Contracts announced as transport secretary prepares to unveil changes to final Manchester and Leeds routes.

UK construction sector growth slows. UK construction sector growth slowed during June, as political uncertainty and concern about the economic outlook deterred new orders.

In MECsafe news this week…

We still have plenty of availability on the following courses:

SMSTS – 24th-28th July 2017 (block week)

SSSTS (Supervisors) – 27th & 28th July 2017

Fire Warden – 31st July 2017

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Testing Times?

What drama we saw last week with the election! One person who is certainly not pleased with the result is housing minister Gavin Barwell, who lost his seat in Croydon Central to Labour candidate Sarah Jones.

The result left construction uncertain about future policies as Theresa May’s promise of “strong and stable” government turned weak and wobbly.

Greg Hill, Deputy Chief Executive at house builder Hill said:  “No business likes uncertainty and housebuilders like it least of all.

“This hung parliament and the horse-trading that will take place over housing policy to get a coalition in place means that many housebuilders will hit the pause button on their investment decisions.

“This is the exact wrong moment for a construction slow down. The country needs new homes desperately.

“We hope that the negotiations are concluded rapidly so that the new government is in place and ready to work with the sector to go out and get building.”

 

In construction news this week…

Cricket chiefs plan major upgrade for the Oval. Surrey CCC is planning to make the Kia Oval the largest cricket stadium in the UK with a capacity of 40,000.

Fears grow over UK economy as manufacturing and construction stumble. Manufacturing and construction sectors performed poorly in April. 

London City office plan resurrected. Developer Fairplay Estates is seeking planning permission for a new 315,000 sq ft office building at the edge of the City of London high-rise cluster.

In MECsafe news this week…

We still have plenty of availability on the following courses:

SSSTS – 15th & 16th June 2017

UKATA Asbestos Awareness – 19th June 2017

SMSTS Refresher – 22nd & 23rd June 2017

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Click here to get the latest!

The head of Europol has warned that the threat from the cyber attack that crippled international services “will continue to grow” as people return to work on Monday. Since Friday’s breach more than 200,000 victims – including the NHS – across 150 countries have been infected by the Wanna Decryptor ransomware, also known as WannaCry.

 

Today, Labour will promise an extra 37 billion for the NHS and pledge to remove a million people from NHS waiting lists today. The Tories are talking about workers’ rights, including new rights for those who have to leave work to care for family members, or experience child bereavement, a greater stake for workers in their companies, and a commitment to continue increasing the National Living Wage. While the LibDems say they would get rid of the public sector pay cap.

 

Emmanuel Macron has promised to restore France’s global standing, as he was inaugurated as the country’s youngest president at the age of 39.

In construction news this week…

Nominate your construction heroes now. There is less than a month left to nominate potential winners of this year’s Construction Enquirer Awards.

Hunt for £250m London concert hall design team. City of London Corporation has started the search for a design team to work up concept plans for a world-class concert hall in London.

Hero Keltbray worker steps in to save commuter. A Keltbray machine driver turned have-a-go-hero this week when a raging commuter confronted a woman at London’s Liverpool Street Station.

In MECsafe news this week…

We still have plenty of availability on the following courses:

SSSTS (Supervisors) – 18th & 19th May

Health & Safety Awareness – 24th May (ask us about completing your CSCS test on the same day)!

CCNSG – 25th & 26th May

SSSTS Refresher – 26th May (book before your current cert expires to save time and money)!

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.