Mecsafe Limited

Health & Safety Training

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

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.

Finally Allowed – Poppies on the Pitch

FIFA will allow football players to wear poppies and remove it from its forbidden list. Once the new rules are agreed, players will be allowed to wear poppies on the pitch, but only on the conditions that the opposing team agree.

Donald Trump has been heavily criticised after calling NFL fans to boycott games if the players kneel during the American national anthem. At Sunday’s NFL game in London at Wembley stadium, a high number of players from both teams went down on one knee in an apparent response to Mr Trump’s comments. Players have been taking the stance in protest of perceived racial injustice and police brutality in America.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has won for a fourth term as the general election exit polls showed her party (Christian Democrat Union) took the largest share of the vote. The results also revealed the far right anti-nationalist party is set to become the third largest party in Germany’s parliament.

 

In construction news this week…

Scaffold inspectors caught faking safety certificates. Pair sentenced after worker fractures spine falling through signed-off scaffold.

Caddick launches £300m Leeds SOYO district plan. Wetherby-based construction and property giant Caddick Group has unveiled ambitious plans for a £300m scheme to create a new neighbourhood in central Leeds.

Bidding to begin on £165m Edinburgh tram extension. Edinburgh City Council is to start bidding for its £165m tram extension project after approving the outline business case last week.

 

In MECsafe news this week…

We still have plenty of availability on the following courses:

SSSTS Refresher – 29th September

SSSTS – 5th & 6th September

IPAF 3a & 3b – 6th September

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

Keeping Shtum on their Sausages!

People are left worried after reports of (own brand) pork products being sold at a leading UK supermarket may have infected thousands of people with a potentially deadly virus. According to the Public Health England, studies have found ham and sausages from a ‘specific’ supermarket was a recurring feature in the investigated 60 people who are already infected with the virus. The study does not name the retailer and so far the press have failed to identify the ‘leading UK Supermarket’ (however, some are pointing the blame at Tesco).

Barcelona players and fans held a minute’s silence prior to their football match against Real Betis last night. The Catalans had ‘Barcelona’ embossed onto the back of their shirts, rather than having the players names in tribute to those who lost their lives during the terror attack.

Most will be pleased to hear that courts have been told to get tough on social media hate crime. Prosecutors have been told to treat hate crime that is committed online the same as offences committed offline. In new guidance, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) states: “The internet and social media in particular have provided new platforms for offending behaviour.”

 

In construction news this week…

Chinese firm buys cladding giant Permasteelisa for £426m. Leading Chinese construction giant Grandland has bought loss-making cladding manufacturer Permasteelisa for £426m.

Engineers probe multi-storey car park collapse. Structural engineers are investigating how a large front-end section of concrete deck at a Notttingham multi-storey car park suddenly collapsed.

In MECsafe news this week…

We still have plenty of availability on the following courses:

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

CCNSG Refresher – 1st September

IPAF 3a & 3b – 1st September

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.

Ready for a break from all the politics?

With just two more sleeps until the election, all the politicians and media are going crazy. With Jeremy Corbyn calling for Theresa May to resign as Prime Minister over cuts to police numbers, last night the media was going mad over the car crash interview with Diane Abbott, this morning it’s the car crash interview with Boris Johnson – It’s all we are hearing about at the moment, politics, politics, politics… So if you’re ready for a break, you’ve come to the right place!

This weekend saw the Manchester One Love concert in aid of the Manchester terror attack. Which was a great gesture and an entertaining evening. Since the concert, drama has unfolded between the Gallagher brothers (again) and Piers Morgan has issued an APOLOGY to Ariana Grande (who would have ever thought Piers would have got it wrong?!).

This morning bosses have confirmed that the tiger that killed Rosa King, a keeper at a Cambridgeshire zoo, will not be put down. Rosa King was attacked by the animal at Hamerton Zoo on 29 May, after it entered an enclosure she was in.
The decision not to destroy the animal has been “fully supported” by her family.

 

In construction news this week…

Telford Homes signs luxury Battersea build to rent deal. Telford Homes has signed a pre-construction development agreement with property investor Greystar to deliver 894 build to rent homes at Nine Elms in Battersea.

Speller Metcalfe workers to lead fight on safety. Speller Metcalfe is encouraging site operatives to highlight unsafe working practices.

Race starts for £25m Birmingham Uni phase 2. University College Birmingham has invited bids for phase two of the redevelopment of its site within the Jewellery Quarter.

In MECsafe news this week…

We still have plenty of availability on the following courses:

SMSTS – 12, 19, 26 Jun, 3 & 10 Jul 2017 (day release)

PASMA (Mobile Towers) – 12 June 2017

SSSTS – 15 & 16 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.

Will Russia’s absence spoil Ukraine’s Eurovision party?

Performers from 42 countries strode down a long red carpet near Ukraine’s parliament this week, as a curtain-raiser to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

But one nation, Russia, was missing.

For the first time in Eurovision history, the host nation barred another country’s singer!

In 2015, in violation of Ukrainian border rules, Russia’s Julia Samoilova performed in Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia a year earlier.

Russian MP Vitaly Milonov has said “I think it’s a stupid reaction. They’re even afraid of such a small girl to enter Kiev.”

You can follow coverage of Eurovision here and find out more on the Ukraine/Russia stand off here.

 

In construction news this week…

Cemex drivers vote for strike action over pay. Major projects like Mersey Gateway and Heathrow could be hit by shortages of construction materials after HGV drivers at Cemex UK voted for industrial action in a dispute over pay.

Small contractors have 15% of turnover tied-up in late payments. A shock survey of SME contractors shows construction companies have an average of 15.4% of their annual turnover hit by late payment.

Race starts for £20m Silverstone motor racing museum. Contractors are being called to the grid to bid for a £20m motor racing museum at Silverstone race track in Northampton.

In MECsafe news this week…

We still have plenty of availability on the following courses:

  • Health & Safety Awareness – 16th May (ask us about completing your CSCS test after the course)!
  • UKATA Asbestos Awareness – 18th May

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