Clearview National January 2020 - Issue 218 | Page 20

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INDUSTRY NEWS
INDUSTRYNEWS
One of the first
FENSA assessors,
Peter Claxton, retires
after 17 years
» LONG-STANDING FENSA
assessor Peter Claxton retired
at the end of November, GGF
Group has announced. Peter
joined RISA in 2016 when it
became the sole provider of
inspection services for FENSA,
the Fenestration Self-Assessment
Scheme, having previously
worked for BBA and D&H
since the introduction of
the government-authorised
competent person scheme in
2002.
“Peter’s knowledge of the
glazing industry and building
regulations is fantastic and
I know I speak for everyone
when I say how much he will
be missed,” said Dave Mechem,
RISA’s Director of Operations.
“He has been part of FENSA
in one way or another for the
past 17 years and his dedication
to helping installers improve,
and remain compliant, has been
second to none.”
RISA offer independent
and impartial inspection and
auditing services to the glazing
and construction industries in
line with relevant legislation
and standards. Together, RISA’s
team has over 400 years of
combined experience in the
glazing industry, and carry
out over 1,000 inspections a
month for FENSA, as well as
working with other membership
schemes within the construction
industry, such as the Federation
of Master Builders (FMB).
FENSA’s mission is to
improve window and door
replacements across the UK, by
professionalising installers and
protecting homeowners.
“We’re incredibly
fortunate that our team of
FENSA assessors have an
unparalleled knowledge of
building regulations and the
glazing industry,” said Chris
Beedel, FENSA’s Director of
Membership, “and Peter is
no exception. He’s been an
incredibly valuable part of
FENSA and he deserves a huge
thank you for his service.”
Peter, who is a keen
photographer and model maker
as well as being a lifelong
West Ham fan, is looking
forward to spending more time
with his grandchildren. His
colleagues wish him well and
will miss him greatly: “Peter
has a passion for our industry
with an undying dedication
to ensuring that standards are
met and that FENSA members
and their customers get the
best inspection experience
possible,” said Lee Galley, Senior
Assessor. “He has been part of
the team from day one and we
all wish him a long and happy
retirement.”
20 » JAN 2020 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
TOP THREE THREATS
TO A TRADEPERSON’S
WELLBEING REVEALED
» TOO MUCH WORK, TIME
pressures and unprepared
customers – these are the top
three causes of stress at work,
according to a new survey of
almost 600 tradespeople by
IronmongeryDirect.
Work-related stress and mental
illness now account for over
half of all lost work days in the
UK*. However, despite this, the
survey found that only 11% of
tradespeople have taken any time
off work in the last year because
of mental ill-health. With over a
third (34%) reporting regularly
feeling stressed, this research
paints a worrying picture.
Almost half of the 587
respondents (43%) also believe
there is still a stigma in the trades
surrounding mental health, with
respondents citing a ‘macho
culture’, embarrassment, weakness
and pressure to ‘get the job done’
as some of the contributing
factors.
The survey also revealed some
generational differences, with
tradespeople aged 18 to 30 being
20% more likely to talk about their
mental health at work than their
peers in the 50 plus age group.
Despite the pressures of the
day job, over half (56%) still feel
that they have a good work/
life balance, which is significantly
higher than the national average of
33%** for all working people. The
most commonly reported ways
to relax when off the job include
watching TV, walking the dog, and
spending time with friends and
family.
Commenting on the survey
findings, Marco Verdonkschot,
Managing Director of
IronmongeryDirect, said: “This
survey has revealed an interesting
insight into the physical and
mental wellbeing of people
working in the trades. Although
great progress has been made
across the sector when it comes
to talking about workplace mental
illness, it is clear that there is
still a way to go and it’s vital
that employers spot the signs of
mental ill-health and create the
right environment where staff feel
they can speak up.
“It is very positive, however,
to see that despite working
in a demanding industry, many
tradespeople still have a high level
of job satisfaction and feel that
their employer cares about their
general wellbeing.”
IronmongeryDirect.com
IronmongeryDirect has released the results of a new
survey which looks at the wellbeing of tradespeople
*www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/11/01/work-related-stress-
mental-illness-now-accounts-half-work-absences/
** www.independent.co.uk/news/health/uk-employees-work-life-
balance-happy-third-pressure-sleep-loss-impacts-a8387546.html