Four exciting initiatives launched to stimulate business success

Our next Guest Speaker is Caron Kendall, Business Engagement and Marketing Officer for Central Bedfordshire Council. Caron is also involved with business investment & marketing and economic growth & regeneration.

Caron will give a brief overview of her responsibilities before talking in some detail about four Council initiatives:

• Business Timebank: A “bank” of mainly local professional service providers who are prepared to offer consultation, mentoring, training or coaching sessions on a range of business related areas such as financial planning, sales and marketing, cash flow forecasting, property and human resources.

• The Soft Landing Service (TimeBank Plus): Packages together highly attractive incentives and information. As with the TimeBank , this service will be provided at no cost to the end user. The service is targeted at companies that are looking at setting up or relocating to Central Bedfordshire and high growth businesses.

• Pilot 10: This involves 10 local companies with potential for high growth taking part in Central Bedfordshire’s High Growth programme. The idea is that these businesses will help create sustainable job growth in the area.

• “Lets talk business” Newsfeed: Businesses sign up to recieve Central Bedfordshire’s business news which keeps them in touch with the latest business opportunities on topics such as financing and funding opportunities, contracts and tenders, information on free seminars, workshops and opportunities for one to one advice, updates on key infrastructure, networking events and business news.

Don’t miss this important topic! Non-members can book this session for only £10 (which includes a full English or Continental breakfast) by emailing Will Lloyd: will@accalon.co.uk or Bob Chandler: hascat.safety@ntlworld.com

Hurry – spaces will be limited!

24 FEBRUARY @ 6.45am • The Ship, 90 Wing Road, LU7 2NN

The HSE is still proceeding with their fee for intervention and is expected to come into force in April. They have modified their original proposal by reducing the hourly rate from £133 per hour down to £124 per hour. They will publish a breakdown of how this figure is calculated based upon corporate services costs including information services, accommodation and payroll.

Guidance as to what a “material breach” is will also be issued.

They have also changed the appeal process for disputes over fees. This will now involve an independent adjudicator drawn from business as well as representatives from the HSE.

Local Authorities will still be excluded from the charging scheme, so can it be seen as a level playing field for businesses if it’s down to which enforcement authority you fall under?

DONATION GETS A BUZZ GOING!

A Leighton Buzzard based charity received a welcome boost this week after being presented with a cheque for well over £1,000 from local businesses.

LB Connect, the town’s newest business networking group, raised the money through social events, raffles and from its own non-profit policy whereby surplus funds are given to a local charity.

Buzzer Buses, which operates a fleet of eight brightly coloured vehicles throughout the area for the elderly and disabled community, was LB Connect’s inaugural chosen charity for its first year.

At LB Connect’s breakfast meeting held at The Ship Inn, Wing Road, chairman Bob Chandler handed a cheque worth £1,147.63 to Tony Betley, Treasurer for Buzzer Buses.

“It has been a particularly tough year for Buzzer Buses, especially since we took on our eighth vehicle but have had no additional funding from Central Beds Council,” said Mr Betley. “Donations like this are extremely welcome and we are very grateful to LB Connect for supporting us this year.”

In addition to the cheque, Buzzer Buses was given a cash box containing £65 raised by the customers of MK Tyres.

The group’s chosen charity for its second year will be announced shortly.

On 1 September, LB Connect recorded £140,000 worth of business by direct referrals within the group since its launch a year previously. This figure does not take into account second and third generation referrals, which would greatly add to this total.

For further information about this expanding business networking group, visit the LB Connect website: www.lbconnect.co.uk

Some of the LB Connect memebers with Buzzer Buses representative

IOSH Managing Safely 4 day course.

Module 1. Introducing managing safely

Some managers may see health and safety as an add-on to their role – even an intrusion. This module makes it clear that managers are accountable for their teams, and makes a persuasive case for managing safely.

Module 2. Assessing risks

Defines and demystifies ‘risk assessment’. Risk assessments and a simple scoring system are introduced, and delegates carry out a series of assessments.

Module 3. Controlling risks

The session tackles reducing risks, concentrating on the best techniques to control key risks, and how to choose the right method.

Module 4. Understanding your responsibilities

Looks at the demands of the law and how the legal system works. Introduces the basics of an health and safety management system.

Module 5. Identifying hazards

Entrances and exits, work traffic, fire, chemicals, electricity, physical and verbal abuse, bullying, stress, noise, housekeeping and the working environment, slips, trips and falls, working at height, computers and manual handling are discussed in this module.

Module 6. Investigating accidents and incidents

The session starts with why accidents should be investigated, and goes on to cover why things go wrong, and how to carry out an investigation when they do.

Module 7. Measuring performance

Explains how checking performance can help to improve health and safety. Delegates learn how to develop basic performance indicators. Also understand auditing and proactive and reactive measuring.

Module 8. Protecting our environment

A short introduction to waste and pollution looks at how organisations and individual managers can get involved in cutting down environmental impacts.

Delegates who successfully complete the written and practical assessments at the end of the course are awarded an IOSH certificate in Managing Safely.

Written assessment is “closed book” and consists of a mixture of multiple choice and short written answers – held on the last day of the course.

Practical assessment – Delegates chose an area in their organisation on which to conduct the assessment. They have 2 weeks from the last day of the course to submit their practical assessment.

Special Price of £550.00 plus VAT per person – No hidden extras!

Course venues and dates:

Leighton Buzzard – November 2^nd, 3^rd, 9^th and 10^th

Letchworth Garden City – November 4^th, 11^th, 18^th and 25^th

Please contact us for more details or a booking form

The HSE has revealed details of its plans to charge for serving enforcement notices and advice for a ‘material breach’ of the law.

It is expected to generate revenue of more than £43 million a year.

The proposal covers all businesses regulated by the HSE, excluding those in sectors such as chemicals and mining, where separate charging regimes are already in place.

The HSE proposes that if an inspector finds a material breach they would charge from the start of the visit and for time spent giving verbal advice, sending letters detailing the failing, completing Prohibition or Improvement Notices, plus any follow-up visits or phone calls to ensure fault has been remedied.

The HSE estimates these activities will typically cost £750 for a breach that necessitates sending a letter and £1500 for serving a notice. This is based on a provisional hourly rate of £133 which has been calculated to cover the inspectors’ time plus that of support staff along with office and facilities costs. Should specialist help be required then charges will be considerably higher.

If you believe you have been unfairly charged or that the charges were not properly explained to you will be able to dispute the bill. But where the judgment goes against you, they plan to charge you for the extra time spent on the dispute.

Is it fair for them to charge?

It can be argued that, like environmental law where the ‘polluter pays’, those who breach health and safety should pay. But at present there is not proposal for the Local Authorities to start charging, so only those look after by the HSE face paying.

What affect will this have on the way small businesses view a visit from an HSE inspector?

Will they distrust inspectors thinking they will be out to ‘make money’ out of them?

The HSE says charging could be introduced as early as next April.

A three-month consultation exercise was launched on 22 July calling for views on the scheme’s structure and level of charging.

The consultation document also notes that charging will not be discretionary and that inspectors will be obliged to bill for work to remedy material breaches once charging starts next year.

The consultation documents can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd235.htm

How many small business people realise that asbestos is still putting them and their workers at risk? Has it been forgotten about?

Asbestos is still in many buildings and as such anyone who may disturb asbestos containing materials MUST have training on the dangers and the need to avoid disturbing asbestos containing materials.

What’s the problem?

Working on or near damaged asbestos-containing materials or breathing in high levels of asbestos fibres could increase your chances of getting an asbestos-related disease. The single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK (approximately 4000 deaths per year)

There are four main diseases caused by asbestos: mesothelioma (which is always fatal), lung cancer (almost always fatal), asbestosis (not always fatal, but it can be very debilitating) and diffuse pleural thickening (not fatal).

Blue and Brown asbestor fibers have bards on them

Where can you find asbestos?

• Common in buildings build before 2000
  • Asbestos cement products ^[1]
  • Textured coatings^[2]
  • Floor tiles, textiles and composites^[3]
  • Sprayed coatings on ceilings, walls and beams/columns^[4]
  • Asbestos insulating board^[5]
  • Lagging^[6]
  • Loose asbestos in ceiling or floor cavity

Are you sure that you don’t come in to contact with asbestos?

If you work in any of the following occupations, and are working on a building built or refurbished before 2000, you may come in to contact with asbestos:

• Heating and ventilation engineers
• Carpenters, Joiners and Shop fitters
• Plumbers
• Roofing contractors
• Painters and decorators
• Plasterers 
• Construction workers, Demolition workers and Building surveyors
• Fire and burglar alarm installers
• Gas fitters
• Computer installers
• General maintenance staff e.g. caretakers
• Telecommunications engineers and Cable layers
• Electricians

This list does not include all occupations where you may come in to contact with asbestos.

When am I at Risk?

• You are working on an unfamiliar site
• The building you are working on was built before the year 2000
• Asbestos-containing materials were not identified before the job was started
• Asbestos-containing materials were identified but this information was not passed on by the people in charge to the people doing the work
• You don’t know how to recognise and work safely with asbestos
• You know how to work safely with asbestos but you choose to put yourself at risk by not following proper precautions, perhaps to save time or because no one else is following proper procedures

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 require people that may come into contact with asbestos containing materials must be trained and supervised properly.

For more information on asbestos awareness training please contact us.

HASCAT Safety Ltd is proud to support Keech Hospice Care, what about you?

Keech Hospice Care

Calling all ladies – The Midnight Walk in Luton Saturday 3rd September 2011.

Once again it’s a chance to enjoy a fantastic all girls night – one that brings you and your friends together, has a great atmosphere and lets you out on the town in your comfy shoes – what more could a girl want!

Make it your reason to get fit, walk in memory of a loved one, step out in style in your best fancy dress outfit, or join them purely for the buzz and excitement on the night. Whatever you do, your sponsorship will help them continue the essential care and support they provide for local adults and children at Keech Hospice Care.

Entry is £15 and every walker will receive a special Midnight Walk t-shirt, refreshments and a well-deserved medal at the finishing line. Prior to the work, they will send you an event pack including their top training tips, ideas on how to raise sponsorship and those all important sponsor forms.

Volunteers needed

If you’d rather not walk, there’s still lots you can do to help on the night. Keech need volunteers (male and female) to help with setting, registration, serving refreshments and marshalling the route. If you or the man in your life can help please call Keech on 01582 707945.

Sign up today at www.keech.org.uk/midnightwalk

Support for Armed Forces Day 2011

On Saturday 25th June 2011 Buckinghamshire will be showing its support to the Armed Forces based in the county and beyond. Armed Forces Day, a national day of celebration, gives the chance to express thanks to Veterans, Regulars, Reserves, Cadets, War Widows, and their families. Buckinghamshire County Council, along with partners, will be hosting a family fun day with an evening concert.

The event takes place on Saturday 25th June at Aylesbury Rugby Club, 11am until 11pm will invite the Armed Forces and the general public to a day packed full of entertainment.

 Our arena and day stage will feature acts such as… The Wycombe Orpheus Choir, Fiona Harrison ‘A Voice in a Million’ and The Melton Mowbray Toy Soldier band.

 Our evening stage will feature such acts as… Our headline act is boyband, BLUE. Up and coming bands Two Spot Gobi and GoGoBot will perform alongside Gemma Aguilar, finalist of Open Mic UK 2009 and locals bands LeCarla, The Outcast band will be on stage.

Our live tent will feature…Live cookery demonstrations with a celebrity chef, BBC’s Lynne

The afternoon will also feature an Air Display with flyovers from a Battle of Britain Spitfire and a Hurricane amongst others.

“Several hundred of our trained Volunteer Reservists from the County have served in the front line in both Iraq and Afghanistan consistently since 2003.

• Why not sponsor an activity or entertainment: 

• Programme: We’ve had support offered to us by Geerings Print to provide a programme, to help develop it we are looking for businesses to place an advert to show their support whilst promoting their business?

• Volunteers: Everyone knows each event needs volunteers and we are looking for teams to join the event team for the day as stewards, raffle ticket sellers, etc.

• Other ways you can help: We understand not everyone is able to offer financial support to the event, there are other ways you can help… do you know any local suppliers or bands that may be able to add to the event..let us know! We’ll also be putting together a selection of raffel prizes and would appreciate any donations as a prize.

Contact Us

If you are able to support Armed Forces Day we’d love to hear from you

Contacts:

Hannah Ladlow & Joe Bradshaw  Tel: 01296 387836 

The Government is giving businesses and the public a say in the regulations that affect them. As part of this Government’s pledge to reduce unnecessary red tape they have launched a website to allow people to comment. There are 131 regulations that relate to health and safety. So to find out more and have your say go to: www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/health-and-safety

Some fire hazards I’ve come across.

Fire Extinguishers hard to get at.

Please check your workplace and ensure you don’t have any of these problems!