Forty Years of the Institute of Construction Management

The celebration to mark the milestone 40th anniversary of the Institute of Construction Management, is fast approaching. Alongside former Past President of the Institute of Demolition Engineers, John Woodward, there will be speakers from The Association of Project Safety, Spillards Safety Systems, the Construction Industry Training Board, and even an ex-footballer.

All with a 40 years theme, Philip Baker from the APS will be talking about the new CDM regulations whilst Craig Spillard will be explaining how Vehicle safety systems have improved. Seamus Hanna from the CITB will talking Building Information Modelling and ex-professional footballer Mel Eves will be talking about motivational management.

It promises to be an informative and enjoyable event, so if you can join us on the 16th October at the Four Pillars Hotel at the Cotswold Water Park near Cirencester, you will be most welcome.

Further information can be found at the Institute's website or by contacting Eric Richards, 29 Park Lane, Cowplain, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO8 8AD who os also available via email at eric.richards@virginmedia.com

Just how risky is construction dust? The IOSH and CITB reveal all

The IOSH and CITB have jointly released a new survey covering the risks of on-site dust and how to control them.

The key findings of the survey are as follows:

- a lack of priority given to this issue by companies
- poor awareness of the risks among workers
- little attempt to design out dust risks
- a poor understanding and use of on-tool extraction
- an over-reliance on respiratory protective equipment as the main form of control
- a lack of awareness about face-fit testing
- inadequate management arrangements to control dust
- poor worker compliance with the arrangements that are in place
- a lack of worker consultation

The 52-page survey entitled "Construction dust" is available to download and read from the CITB website.

Envirocare has also written an excellent article summarising the survey and the controlling of risks on a day-to-day basis. It's well worth your time to read.

The future of demolition training

This morning, on the Demolition Training website, our very own Stuart Carter has highlighted a great new initiative in the city of Wolverhampton that will transform an old brewery into a centre of excellence for construction training.

It's great news, but where's the mention of demolition? Isn't it time demolition training got the same level of investment and publicity? Read how he argues it might be time for a university of demolition.

NVQ Level 6 Manager Course for the CITB Specialists Sector announcement

C&D deliver Level 6 NVQ Demolition Manager courses for NDTG and now we deliver Level 6 NVQ Manager courses for CITB Specialist Skills Sector.

Why not click through to our sister site www.demolitiontraining.com to take a look at the course.

C&D customer Safedem is first UK demolition firm with Be Fair Accredition

We have to say congratulations to Safedem for managing to become the first demolition company in the UK to be awarded Be Fair Accredition. But what exactly does that mean?

The Be Fair Framework was created by the CITB, which is committed to promoting Equality and Diversity within the industry. The framework is an industry specific standard which provides a structure for employers to address fairness, inclusion and respect within their organisation. Benefits include:

• Creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported
• Creating an opportunity for an organisation to become a preferred employer and supplier of choice
• Helping an organisation achieve corporate social responsibility gains and promoting the business within communities
• Strengthening tender offers and helping win contractsIncreasing business benefits such as improving work-life balance for employees, reducing staff turnover, helping address skills shortages and attracting new recruits
• Promoting public recognition as a quality organisation.

Commenting on achieving accredition, Safedem managing director William Sinclair said:

"Be Fair Accreditation demonstrates fairness, inclusion and respect to all – values that everyone at Safedem endorse and can take pride in "

Source: NFDC

Director's Role for Health & Safety in Conjunction with Webbs Training

Construction Skills is set to run a new course aimed at Company Directors called Director's Role for Health & Safety.

The course will provide a summary of how to promote a positive organisational culture for health & safety. Workshop exercises throughout the day will give delegates the opportunity to discuss their thoughts about health & safety in an open forum. The day concludes with delegates preparing an action plan for use when they return to the workplace. This will include a check list to utilise within their organisations that will help to ensure compliance with legislation.

• Accountability of Directors
• HASWA 74
• Turnbull Report
• Criminal Offences Act
• Corporate Homicide & Manslaughter Act
• Achieving Best Practice
• Managing Health & Safety
• Outlines of specific regulations
• CDM Regulations
• Putting people to work safely

Course assessment is through multiple choice questions given at the end, but participation during the course is also expected.

If you are interested in attending the cost will be £165 + VAT with the following days available in Birmingham:

• 03/03/2014
• 02/04/2014
• 02/05/2014
• 28/05/2014

For further information get in touch with Construction Skills directly.

CITB training grants deadline fast approaches

The time you have left to put in a claim for the 2012/2013 Grants Scheme can now be counted in days. The closing date is Thursday, October 31st.

Louise Calam of the NFDC sent through the following guidance:

"All eligible employers who are registered with CITB will have until Thursday, October 31st to put in their claims for training carried out or for the achievement of approved qualifications between August 1st 2012 to July 31st 2013. In addition to the existing grant available, those that have made and had a grant claim accepted during the 2012/2013 Grants Scheme year will be eligible for the Exceptional Training Grant (ETG) – a scheme launched earlier this year to incentivise training.

The ETG, a £30m incentivisation scheme agreed by CITB’s Training Committee, will be based on a percentage of all grants claimed by employers and will be paid automatically to eligible claimants (normal Grants Scheme rules apply) in December 2013. The ETG will also apply to training taken in the 2013/2014 Grants Scheme year and will be paid December 2014."

If you need more information, then please visit the grant page on the CITB website.

CITB Supported Free Training dates announced

Three new training course dates have been announced by the NDTG. Those dates and courses are:

- Asbestos & Demolition Awareness, Birmingham, 23/10/2012 at 09:00
- Non-Licensed Asbestos Removal, Wednesbury, 24/10/2012 at 09:00
- Asbestos & Demolition Awareness, Hemel Hempstead, 29/10/2012 at 09:00

NFDC/NDTG Members who are CITB-ConstructionSkills registered will be entitled to free training places on the specified dates above. Places will be issued on a first come first serve basis and will initially be limited to 3 places per company per course. Candidate names must be confirmed on booking.

To book a course please visit the NDTG link below and download the booking form.

Source: NDTG