News
22 | JUNE 2018
News
Read online at www. proinstaller. co. uk
GGF OUTLINES PLANS FOR FIREX 2018
The GGF Fire Resistant Glazing Group( FRGG) is raising its profile with an increased presence at the FIREX show that’ s taking place on 19th to 21st June 2018 at London Excel on stand A475.
At FIREX the Glass and Glazing Federation( GGF) will be highlighting to the Construction Industry the importance of Fire Resistant Glazing and why building contractors, designers, architects and specifiers should ensure they are using trusted qualified companies such as, GGF Members to carry out the supply and installation of fire resistant glazing.
At the show, GGF will have a video presentation which shows how fire-resistant glazing installed correctly can provide valuable time in event of a fire.
The GGF will also deliver a presentation on“ Fire-rated Glazing – Getting It Right, Getting it Wrong” which discusses the importance of how glass plays its part in the fire strategy of a building.
The GGF will also be giving away a free hard copy of the newly launched Fire Resistant Glazing Guide( RRP £ 150) to the first 20 visitors to the GGF stand A475 at the show.
Register for your free ticket here( https:// registration. n200. com / survey / 2vzavm59auqsv? actioncode = FIRE19)
Government to launch review into carbon monoxide alarms
A government review into rules that require carbon monoxide alarms to be fitted in homes across England has been announced) by Housing Minister Dominic Raab.
Around 8 million carbon monoxide alarms are currently installed in homes across England – a requirement when solid fuel appliances such as wood burning stoves and boilers are installed, as well as in private rental properties that feature a solid fuel appliance.
Launching later this year, the review will examine the regulations closely to establish whether they remain fit for purpose.
This will include whether there should be a blanket requirement to install alarms for all methods of heating, including gas and oil.
The review will also consider whether the cost of alarms is affecting installation rates and will look at new research into the number of carbon monoxide poisonings.
The announcement follows on-going discussions between ministers at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Eddie Hughes MP, who has called for extending the regulations to cover all social housing tenants and all combustion appliance types.
Any future changes would take account of the outcome of the government’ s consultation on the operation of private rented alarm regulations and the Dame Judith Hackitt independent review into building regulations and fire safety.
Further details of the review’ s terms of reference will be announced by the government in due course later this year.
https:// www. gov. uk / government / organisations / ministry-ofhousing-communities-andlocal-government
British and migrant workers at risk of exploitation on UK construction sites
The Chartered Institute of Building( CIOB) is urging UK contractors to face up to the significant human rights risks in their supply chains, with the launch of a new report that finds both British and foreign workers at risk of exploitation.
Construction and the Modern Slavery Act, tackling exploitation in the UK is published as the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority( GLAA) and National Crime Agency( NCA) jointly lead a national enforcement campaign involving police forces and other agencies aimed at tackling labour exploitation. NCA analysis has identified construction as one of the most common sectors for labour exploitation in the UK.
Criticising the industry’ s slow response to the Modern Slavery Act, CIOB’ s report highlights the aggressive business models that are creating an environment for unethical procurement and recruitment practices, and the systemic auditing failures that are allowing criminals to infiltrate major projects undetected.
Problems are set at the top of supply chains with lowest cost tendering, abuse of the retentions system and late payment pricing out ethical practice. The situation is creating an imbalance of power that leaves all nationalities vulnerable to exploitation. Illegal activities such as blacklisting are also believed to be continuing, despite recent high-profile court cases.
Major contractors in construction typically have long and fragmented supply chains, with little visibility beyond tiers one or two. They are also heavily reliant on temporary migrant labour, a significant indicator of risk. Nevertheless, the report found examples of complacency and disbelief that major projects were vulnerable to criminal infiltration and human trafficking. This contrasted with incidents of modern slavery being found on major UK infrastructure programmes, PFI hospital projects, power plants, recycling centres, renovation projects, demolition sites and local authority schemes.
The report explores the legal, investor and social pressures for driving change. It also highlights examples of industry best practice as well as platforms for information sharing, such as the GLAA’ s construction forum. Strategies for rehabilitating survivors of slavery are included through the Co-op Group’ s Bright Future programme.