The RIDBA AGM took place on 15^th March which saw the re-election of Chairman Mike Hammond, and the Board, for a second year. Mike also reflected on the successes of the past year and his and the Board’s plan for RIDBA in the year ahead.

As part of proceedings, the Chairman highlighted the following successes from the 2017/2018 year:

• RIDBA recruited 10 new members: five frame manufacturers, two contractor members, two supplier members and one affiliate member.
• In line with RIDBA’s membership criteria, all steel frame manufacturers joining – and current membership – were compliant on CE Marking.
• Regular and quality communications with our members through our monthly e-newsletters and the quarterly RIDBA journal, and increased our distribution of the Journal to over 1,200 recipients
• We enhanced our member services, by launching a Responsible Welding Co-ordinator course, which we sought funding from CITB to support activity. We continue to deliver this with a further course running at the end of this month.
• Enhanced online presence through the new website, ensuring it was compatible across mobile devices, plus a “find a member” functionality, allowing potential clients to reach members.
• Three members’ meetings over the year: at the Bathurst Estate in October 2017 with 30 attendees, the AGM and Industry Day with over 70 attendees, and a meeting in Somerset in June 2018 attended by 28 members.
• Continuing the CE Marking campaign, with the launch of the Primary Authority Agreement with Dorset Trading Standards, allowing is a single reporting mechanism for members, to ensure we see compliance across the sector and level playing field for all companies.

Post re-election, Mike thanked the members for re-electing him for a further year and outlined his key priorities for the 2018/2019 year, saying:

“We will continue our CE Marking Campaign, taking into account the changes that may happen around Brexit, and we will hold a CE Marking Seminar on 5^th June. We’ll also continue to promote our Primary Authority Agreement, ensuring we get all of the industry operating legally.

We will be launching the new edition of the RIDBA Farm Buildings Handbook, which is currently in its final stages of development and is planned for launch in early May.

We want to continue to drive recruitment and provide membership services that deliver for our businesses, keep us informed, and allow us to develop as a sector.”

He also highlighted the RIDBA Awards which took place the same evening, and you can see the Winners here.

The following were duly elected at members of the Board for the 2018-2019 year:

Officers

1. Chairman — Mike Hammond (United Products)
2. Vice Chairman — Neil Fox (Steeltek Structural Steel)
3. Junior Vice Chairman — Wesley Baines (A C Bacon Engineering)
4. Immediate Past Chairman — James Anthony (M D Anthony)
5. Treasurer — Alex Shufflebottom (Shufflebottom)

Frame Manufacturers

6. Jim Rogerson (Farmplus Constructions)
7. Antony Lowther (A J Lowther & Son)

Suppliers

8. Paul Grimshaw (Kingspan)
9. Phil Cleaver (AJN Steelstock)
10. Steven Hopkins (Joseph Ash Galvanizing)

Other Contractors, Affiliates and Colleges

11. Andy Green (Industrial Building Solutions)

Post AGM the Board also co-opted two Honorary Members to the Board:

12. Geoff Simpson
13. Clive Mander

Research carried out by The British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) shows that many companies in the structural steelwork sector cannot gain access to apprenticeship training for core specialist roles, limiting the take-up of apprentices in small and medium sized companies.

In response, BCSA has launched a new apprenticeship training programme that allows companies in the structural steelwork supply chain, of all sizes and based in any location, to take on and train apprentices.

The CRAFT apprenticeships are based on the traditional methods of learning through workplace coaching and mentoring. The training has been developed by breaking down each role into separate elements, creating individual modules for each course. During and after completion of the modules, the apprentice is expected to gain further experience and workplace training.

Lantra Awards Corporate Provider

BCSA has achieved Lantra Corporate Training Provider Status for its CRAFT apprenticeships, meaning that CRAFT apprenticeships are delivered under the umbrella of the awarding body.

The CRAFT Process

Detailed written modules have been developed that describe and give pictorial evidence of the equipment used, or tools required, and how they are safely used. The apprentice commences each module by reading the appropriate materials, and referring back to them where necessary. Health & Safety is always the first module.

Workplace coaches are identified by the employer. They should be experienced tradespeople demonstrating good working practices to carry out the role. They will ensure the apprentice understands the tasks in each module, supervising the apprentice as they undertake these activities.

The employer also identifies a validator who has the role of coordinating the apprentice’s placement with different coaches for the training modules. The validators are accepted by Lantra based on their experience, knowledge and qualifications.

The validator assesses the knowledge and competence of the apprentice on completion of each module, including reviewing the evidence of their training, which is done against a standard assessment plan.

Available Apprenticeships

BCSA Craft Summary

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The Outcomes

Since the launch of CRAFT, 63 apprentices have been registered by BCSA member companies. Of these, 32 have completed and are employed in a permanent capacity with the company they trained with. Some companies have chosen to use CRAFT as supplementary training for apprentices that are enrolled in local colleges, and for upskilling existing employees.

Find Out More

Visit BCSA For information about the training outcomes and to sign up to CRAFT training. For further information email [email protected]

Peter Walker, BCSA Director of Health, Safety & Training

B&CE have been continuing to develop a new, simplified occupational health scheme that works for the construction industry.

This summer, they consulted with the industry on the proposed framework, a three-year plan that clarifies the complex health and safety legislation that employers need to comply with. The framework was developed in collaboration with an Occupational Health (OH) Steering Group made up of employers, occupational health professionals, regulators and Federations.

Through both face-to-face events and an online consultation, B&CE received valuable feedback from contractors, clients, occupational health service providers and individual workers.

Respondents commented that the framework provides a simple, clear and robust approach to managing workers’ health. The points which respondents challenged B&CE, such as the proposed framework cycle, legal compliance, availability and accessibility, are all being considered as they develop the next iteration of the framework.

A number of respondents asked why mental health is not included in the framework. Raising awareness of, and improving mental health outcomes, is vital for the industry, and B&CE will continue to work with the OH Steering Group to review developments in this area, and include them when appropriate.

Chief Executive Patrick Heath-Lay commented:

“The industry is eager for a solution, and we are working hard to make sure we get one that is absolutely right. Work has started on the digital platform, as harnessing the power of technology is vital to achieving our goal of an efficient, cost-effective solution. We’ve got a lot to do, and we will continue to collaborate with the industry as we make progress.”

B&CE are in the process of reviewing the feedback, revising and refining the framework, and will report back to the industry in due course.

You can keep up to date with developments on B&CE’s website.

It’s nearly 20 years since the Data Protection Act came into force and since then, we have moved into a digital and social media age, with significant increases in data use, processing and storage. It is with these changes in mind that the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) will be implemented in the UK on May 25th next year.

Personal data, business or consumer-related, comes under the scope of GDPR so every business in the UK will be affected. Fines for breaches could be up to 4% turnover.

Probably one of the biggest challenges surrounds proven consent to use the data in the way you intend. But GDPR is very far-ranging. For more information on this important new legislation, visit the Information Commissioner Office.

Through its membership of Build UK, RIDBA will be issuing further guidance to members on GDPR compliance.