| Date |
Topics |
| Safety Plus move - 7 September 2009 | Safety Plus have moved offices. Our new details are:
Suite 7, Enterprise Court,
Oakham Business Pk,
Hamilton Way
Mansfield
NG18 5BU
01623 622642 | | | Newsletter - May 09 | Ian Whittingham MBE.
Health and safety campaigner and friend passed away on 9th April 2009, aged 41.
“We only get one life so let’s live it to the full, and make sure we don’t injure
anybody”
That was Ian Whittinghams’ favourite quote.
He was working on a roof in 1993, when he fell and broke his back and lost the use of his legs. Back then when he was roofing he described
himself as a “rough tough scally roofer”
Following his accident he had to become a lot tougher and thankfully for us he did.
He dedicated the rest of his life visiting construction sites talking, telling
anybody who would listen about how his accident affected him, his life and the life of his family and how his accident and so many other
accidents could be avoided by ensuring safety procedures are
implemented, followed and maintained.
He believed very strongly in worker participation, getting everybody
involved from the beginning. The workers had to do the work so why
accept that somebody in a suit knows everything he would say.
We would travel around the East Midlands area in conjunction with the East Midlands Working Well Together Group, carrying out SHAD DAYS and safety health and awareness days, doing talks on working at height. I would inform groups of safe working procedures when working at height and they would be informed if they chose to ignore the guidance to enter the room opposite and find out the consequences. Ian would be sitting there in his wheelchair ready to tell them of his experiences following his fall.
Ian was always the consummate speaker but talking in a way that anybody could understand. He would speak to
everybody in the room but you always felt as though he was speaking to you. He would always find time later to talk to people of their concerns. One such concern was when we had a SHAD day at a live construction site in the centre of Nottingham and the lift engineers were concerned about their method of works and PPE equipment, following a talk with Ian and the HSE the company listened and changed their whole procedures. That is Ian’s legacy, he fought for the worker and on most occasions Ian won.
Ian was determined to make changes for the better of the worker and he did. His enthusiasm for health and safety was inspirational, his dedication was not surpassed.
As a final thought from Ian;
A challenge
Change the circumstances or the circumstances will change you?’ FOR EVER
Gary Briggs, Health and Safety Advisor for Keyclad Ltd
| | | Newsletter - May 09 | Prince of Wales visits West Nottinghamshire College Training Academy.
Both Allan Gregory and David Howard were presented to the Prince of Wales when he visited the Academy in
February. Allan was introduced as an employer who has given 25 years to the College in all aspects, training courses, the Merlane trophy and also hosting College lecturers in his company.
Allan also talked about being a member of CAGE and the Prince thought it was a very good action group and that he wished there was more such groups around the Country,
taking particular interest in training. The Prince asked how the recession was effecting the construction industry and Allan said he felt particularly sad for the College who had
invested in good times to create the skills academy and its opening was now during such a difficult period.
The Prince wished Allan well for the future and added “keep up the good work”.
| | | Newsletter - May 09 | Bricklaying student to go on to National Guild of Bricklaying finals.
Two West Nottinghamshire College bricklaying students built up their bricklaying skills last week at the National Guild of Bricklayers’ Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and
Lincolnshire regional competitions held at the Institute of Further and Higher
Education in Grimsby.
Bricklaying student Matt Tebbett (19) bagged himself a winning entry in the seniors’ competition which sees him going forward to the national finals in October, being held in Walsall. It is there he will go through a 3-day series of bricklaying
competitions to try to win the Guild of Bricklayers trophy and to get the chance to be put forward to the World Finals.
Matt Tebbett (19) and Tom Caunt (16) were both entered into the competitions by tutor Tim Bond for their dedication and skills. Tim said: “We knew Matt would excel in the competitions after his tremendous efforts last year in the College’s internal bricklaying competition last year and we’re so proud of what he achieved in Grimsby.
“Tom did outstandingly well also and we have seen this young man achieve such
results on his course and his progress and quality of work has been inspirational.”
Winner Matt also impressed the judges in Grimsby with his highest score of the day. Matt said: “I also walked away with the Olney Cup which is awarded to the highest scoring competitor of the day. I am looking forward to competing in Walsall and want to do the College proud.”
| | | Chairs report - May 09 | Chairs Report - Summer 20009
I want this report to focus on positive issues and ways in which we can “Thrive, rather than Survive” in the current economic climate.
Many companies are using the slow down to invest in staff training, using the spare time they have and the abundance of funding that is now available for secondary NVQ’s etc. Everyone should use this
opportunity to ensure that the high quality staff they still have in position will have some loyalty to them when times improve. Consider training agreements to protect your investment but remember that staff will kick back if they feel too restricted or bound by terms and conditions.
This is an important time to look to the future and ensure that as a company and as an industry as a whole we have the high levels of skill we need to exceed that of our competitors. There has never been a better time to recruit highly skilled workers at a competitive salary package. There is also a huge amount of young talent in the apprentice pool currently held by Construction Skills and the Government. Upskilling existing staff is also great value for money presently.
To enable us to move forward it is important that CAGE North Nott’s update our members on funding and grant opportunities. Too often we only tap into those provided by Construction Skills but there are many other sources out there. In the forthcoming months I propose to formalise a plan to obtain strategic
alliances directly with the funding providers to receive prompt and precise information on upcoming and current funding. This information will be then distributed to the membership so that use can be made of it before “the pot runs out”, a saying we hear too often from advisors etc.
Current initiatives you should be aware of are “Leaders First” – up to £1000 of funding, “Business
Turnaround Grant” - £1500 fully funded projects, “Business Transformation Grant” – up to £10,500 of match funding. Please contact you current advisors who should be able to guide you on these. If you, like me, get little or no response then please contact me directly and I will gladly point you in the right
direction.
Finally, I would like to make a plea for additional members to sit on the Steering Group. I understand the pressures of time etc. and as such our meetings are now held bi-monthly. If you would like to hear more about CAGE, our activities, raise your Company Profile and to see how you can make a difference to your industry in the local area please come along to one of our meetings or call our co-ordinator for more
information.
Simon Meadows
Sterling Services/Chair
| | |
