INDUSTRY NEWS
INDUSTRY NEWS
MARSHALL-TUFFLEX MARKS 75 YEARS WITH A SUMMER OF CELEBRATIONS
Marshall-Tufflex is celebrating 75 years of innovation with a programme of events planned for the coming months .
From a summer party in the company ’ s home town of Hastings , East Sussex , to the burial of a Time Capsule for retrieval in another 75 years and donating 75 days for staff to carry out charity work , the aim is to involve the whole business in the celebrations and benefit others .
The Marshall-Tufflex story began on 28th May 1942 , when founder Harold Cirket registered the company name . He had just the idea of developing the then unknown potential of plastic extrusion and a £ 394 War Loan behind him . Marshall- Tufflex is now a multi-million pound business trading in more than 40 countries and employing more than 170 people across its manufacturing base and HQ in Hastings , East Sussex , together with depots in London and Manchester .
To celebrate the anniversary the company will hold a summer party in Hastings for all past and present employees , their families and company shareholders . A time capsule will be buried on the Marshall-Tufflex premises during the week of the anniversary for retrieval in 75 years and company book ‘ The First 50 years and On To the Millennium ’ is being updated for release later this year .
The company is also donating time for employees to undertake 75 days of charity work by volunteering for charities including St Michael ’ s Hospice , Chestnut Tree House and The Tressell Trust . This initiative reflects the company ’ s commitment to the Hastings area and the willingness of its
workforce to give something back to organisations which are such an important part of their community .
‘ We are delighted to be celebrating Marshall-Tufflex ’ s 75th birthday ,’ commented Mr Hetherington . “ Harold Cirket established the business during the austere war time years , pioneering the UK ’ s plastic extrusion market . Little could he have known that 75 years later the company would be a market leader . We are justifiably proud of his achievements and of those of all employees , past and present .’
Marshall-Tufflex staff at the HQ and manufacturing base in Hastings , East Sussex .
ONE IN FOUR CONTRACTORS RISKS FINES AND FALLING FOUL OF HSE
ECIC is urging contractors to scrutinise their health and safety procedures to ensure they have documented evidence of health and safety assessments for every worker employed on site – whether directly or indirectly via labour only or bona fide subcontractors .
In a survey of over 350 contractors , ECIC found that while the majority ( 75 per cent ) ensure their workers sign site specific health and safety assessments at the start of every job , 13 per cent do not make workers sign the relevant documents and 12 per cent are unsure . The survey also found that nearly a third of contractors think that Brexit will have an impact on health and safety legislation .
The findings were revealed in support of World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28th April 2017 .
In 2014 / 2015 there were 258 prosecution cases in the construction sector by the Health and Safety Executive , 243 ( 94 per cent ) of which resulted in a guilty verdict for at least one offence . Aside from serious impact this has on workers suffering work related ill health or injury , changes to the Sentencing Guidelines last year have seen fines for breaches of Health and Safety law rise significantly .
Ian Hollingworth , head of claims for ECIC , said , ‘ We would urge the minority of contracting firms who are failing to compile and provide to all workers , relevant risk assessments and method statements , to address the issue without delay . The documents demonstrate risk identification and mitigation by the employer and is evidence that the worker has understood and accepted the risk of the tasks they are undertaking and the measures to be used to reduce any risks to the lowest possible level . These signed documents will support the contractor if an accident occurs resulting in an HSE investigation and help defend a related insurance claim .’
ECS TO EMBRACE THE 18TH EDITION
Plans are underway to incorporate the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations into the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme ( ECS ) in England , Wales and Northern Ireland , to allow ECS cardholders to demonstrate their continuing professional development .
The JIB National Board , which comprises representatives of the Electrical Contractors ’ Association and Unite the Union , supported the move in principle at its meeting on 6th April and has asked the JIB Employee Relations Committee to develop a delivery plan for the Board to consider in September .
The ECS scheme has been in operation for over 45 years and currently 105,000 electricians and other workers in the electrotechnical industry hold an ECS card as proof of their qualifications and occupational status .
By including the 18th Edition within the ECS scheme , gold cardholders will be able to show clients and employers that they not only meet the industry required NVQ Level 3 standard , but also that their work adheres to the latest British Standard for electrical installation .
The Board also supported the development of the ECS as a future Licence to Practice and further work will take place to achieve this objective .
Steve Brawley , JIB chief executive , said , ‘ The significance of the decision to align the ECS with the IET Wiring Regulations should not be underestimated , because it will formalise the existing strong links between the scheme and the industry ’ s standard .
‘ We will now work to develop proposals to introduce the 18th Edition for skilled cards , taking full account of existing cardholders ’ interests and the need to adopt an inclusive approach , to ensure a smooth transition takes place . The ECS has the potential to form the basis of a Licence to Practice for the industry in the future and this decision will move that aspiration forward .’
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