Insight Issue 26

Good health and safety… is no accident

Attention to health and safety is about more than just being responsible, it also makes good business sense.

The business case for improving health and safety is very simple: accidents at work can impose heavy costs on your business. No one wants something serious to happen on their watch so having the systems, equipment and training in place to reduce risk and provide a safe working environment makes great business sense. It will not only help your business run smoother and reduce costs in the long run, it also conveys a professional image that customers can trust.

In this issue of INSIGHT we’ve got information on some of the latest products on the market that can help you ensure site safety. We also cover the regulations you need to be aware of and how they affect what you need to do on site. This is especially important in roofing as in 2013/14 falls from height were the most common cause of fatalities, accounting for nearly three in ten (29%) of fatal injuries to workers (RIDDOR).

Making sites as safe as possible means recognising that health and safety is everyone’s responsibility, from individuals right up to large manufacturers. The fact there are now more products with safety built in to the design than ever before, combined with clearer and tighter regulations and best practice is definitely taking us in the right direction. Prevention is better than cure and you’ll find lots of information in this issue to help you stop accidents before they happen.

There are detailed case studies showing how using Hydrostop EU AH-25 and SIGnature Torch on Felt helped enable safe re-roofing of commercial buildings – where shutting down operations wasn’t an option. We also highlight product options for reducing exposure to silica dust to help avoid respiratory problems further down the line. And, you can see how Marley Alutec’s lightweight systems contribute to safe installation by reducing the risk of contractors unbalancing.

Fire is undoubtedly one of the biggest risks on construction sites. There are around 11 fires every day and the costs can be serious both financially and personally. We’ve included some hints and tips to help keep you in line with regulations and avoid on site fires that take £400m from the industry each year.

In addition to all that you’ll find details of trade association initiatives driven by organisations such as CompetentRoofer, TrustMark and the NFRC. These are helping roofers get paid safely, comply with regulations and share knowledge – all vital parts of creating a safer working environment for everyone.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

• ONE Warranty now includes even more industry leading products
• NFRC spread technical knowledge and best practice with their free library
• SIGnature Clay Tiles share their three ranges to suit all budgets
• Reduce the risk of harmful dust with MarleyEternit’s fibre cement slates
• Cembrit explains why ventilation is essential for tight fitting roof coverings
• SMARTPLY introduces their new and improved OSB

COMPETITION WINNER
Congratulations to our reader Andrew Saint of SAS Property Services who is our latest competition winner!

Andrew entered our INSIGHT issue 25 Sudoku competition to win a MarcO-Grill BBQ worth £100!
We asked Andrew why he reads INSIGHT he told us: “I’ve been subscribed to the magazine now for five years. It helps me to keep up to-date with the latest news within the roofing industry and I can find out what new products are available to me.”

 

News in Brief

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Industry View

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Pitched Roofing

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Roofline Products

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Flat Roofing

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Industrial Roofing

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Contributors

Industry View

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Pitched Roofing

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Roofline Products

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Flat Roofing

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Industrial Roofing