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Click this link to get to the FeRFA home page www.ferfa.org.uk |
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FeRFA e-news April/May 2011 |
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As a member of the NSCC (National Specialist Contractor Council), FeRFA contractor members are participating in the NSCC Annual Accident Survey launched each April, where accident statistics for the previous 12 month period are submitted. The term “Accident Survey”, should perhaps be renamed as a “Safety Survey” as the positive results generated clearly demonstrate to clients, specifiers, main contractors and insurance bodies, the excellent health and safety record of our members. FeRFA contractors are specialists in resin flooring and surface preparation, and operate within the FeRFA Code of Practice. Health & Safety awareness and the implementation of best practice are a priority for all of our members, and form an essential part of FeRFA’s apprentice training programmes, which provide the most cost effective way to attract and train newcomers to our industry. Helen McGachie, FeRFA CEO IN THIS ISSUE:
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THE 2010/11 NSCC ACCIDENT SURVEY - HELP US TO HELP YOUThe 2010/11 NSCC Accident Survey is now ‘live’ and NSCC Specialist Contractors are requested to submit their company’s accident figures for the period 1 April 2010 – 31 March 2011. The online survey is easy to use and should take less than five minutes with your Accident Book to hand. Even if your company has not had any accidents during the last year, NSCC still wants to hear from you and the survey is designed so that you can skip the sections that don’t apply. All information submitted is treated in confidence and no company names will be mentioned in any reports. The results of the NSCC Accident Survey will be used by NSCC to:
Enter your company’s accident figures and help us to prove that NSCC members have a better safety record by clicking here. |
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THE FeRFA RETENTION BONDIn a move that will save FeRFA members time, trouble and money dealing with retentions, COBRA Insurance Brokers have come up with a solution to help you manage contracts more efficiently by offering a retention bond. This is a facility developed by Cobra exclusively for members of FeRFA and taking advantage of this offer in place of cash retentions will result in significant cost savings for your company. The money that would have been held in cash retention remains with you - greatly improving cash flow. Also, the retention bond will normally contain an expiry date so there can be no confusion about when you have been released from your obligations. This also avoids the need to chase for the release of the cash retention at the end of the works, reducing administration costs. The usual process for bonds is for a separate application to be made each time a bond is required - this involves the applicant providing latest filed accounts, management accounts and a proposal form, this then has to be approved by an underwriter before the bond can be offered. To reduce the administrative burden to you - and give a guaranteed bond fund for twelve months (subject to approval) - COBRA have developed a pre-approved facility in conjunction with an underwriter.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A BROCHURE ON THE SCHEME Find our how you can save time and money by utilising this exclusive new scheme, |
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FeRFA TRAINING NEWSNEW CONSTRUCTION SKILLS SPECIALIST ADVISOR FOR FeRFA We have a new Construction Skills Specialist Advisor for FeRFA training matters following Clive Mitchell's departure last month. The new contact is Gerald Kelly and his mobile is 07720 353412. Do contact him if you have queries on training and grants as he is available to assist FeRFA members get the correct information. |
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IN SITU RESIN APPRENTICES CONTINUE THEIR PROGRESS ON FeRFA SCHEMEThe eight candidates on programmes 5 and 6 of the in situ resin apprenticeship scheme continue to make good progress with their training. The latest module – on self smoothing screeds took place at Flowcrete’s new purpose built training facilities in Sandbach. Following the course, Terry said: “The facilities at Flowcrete were first class and gave the candidates the opportunity to practice their skills in a clean and well equipped environment. This was an excellent two day session which allowed the apprentices to put their classroom knowledge into practice and learn from the experience.” The support FeRFA receives from its member companies in running the schemes allows it to offer training at an affordable cost, which is matched by CITB grant funding. There are two more modules to complete, on Screeds and Coving at Sika Ltd and Flowable Screeds at Instarmac, following which the apprentices will continue to gain experience through on site supervised training with their employers leading to an NVQ level 2 in In Situ Resin Flooring. Alan McAlinden (IRL Group), Lloyd Thomas (TPS360) Terry Foxley (FeRFA Trainer) |
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FLOORING MAGAZINEWe are delighted to announce that as from this month Flooring magazine will be running a full page of FeRFA news in each edition. As part of this arrangement, FeRFA members will all receive a copy of the magazine as well. To read the on-line version of the magazine click on this link. If you have any items of news to include in the FeRFA page then please send them to the FeRFA office. The magazine also has a new editor: Alistair Puddick, who can be contacted on 020 8298 6490. |
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NSCC NO RETENTION POLICYFeRFA supports the NSCC’s No Retention Policy and recommends that Specialist Contractors do not accept cash retention. It believes that the withholding of retention is an outdated practice which is unnecessary in the modern construction industry. The best guarantee of quality lies in the choice of a competent and qualified supply chain and FeRFA Contractors are committed to seeking to attain the highest applicable standards in health and safety, training and technical performance. You can implement a 'no retention' policy within your business and improve your cash flow by undertaking the following:
The new Fair Payment Campaign website has a dedicated section on retentions at www.no-retention.co.uk packed with helpful guidance and tools designed to help businesses say ‘No’ to cash retentions. |
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FeRFA MEMBER BENEFITS - DISCOUNTED H&S CONSULTANCY SERVICESThe Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to appoint one or more competent persons to assist in H&S management. By appointing a consultant to do this you have access to expertise as required and can designate them as your Competent Person when completing pre-qualification questionnaires, etc. Health and Safety Consultants – SAFETY SERVICES (UK) LTD - offer FeRFA members a substantial discount on their Safetynet services. Their Bronze Package is discounted from £1200 to £800 per annum – less than £2.20 per day. For details of the packages available and the range of services click on this link: Safety Net Services. |
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FeRFA RECYCLING SCHEME & ON LINE GUIDANCEFollowing the recent launch of the FeRFA Recycling Scheme, we are pleased to say that we have seen a huge amount of interest, with nearly 20% of members contacting Countrywide Waste Management within the first two weeks. Steve Hatton, of CWM says: 'As landfill tax increases again and with fuel costs escalating, total cost waste management should form part of any procurement and commercial team’s objectives. By being involved in the recycling scheme, CWM can offer to help you improve the impact your business has on the environment and reduce your overall waste management costs.' The FeRFA Recycling Scheme brings together contractors and manufacturers in a recycling programme for waste packaging (hazardous and non hazardous) in which it is collected, decontaminated and reprocessed for future use, with up to 100% of waste being recycled.
There is a dedicated section of the website at www.ferfa.org.uk/html/recycling.htm where you can download more documents and information on recycling and waste management. Signing up to the scheme will enable you to provide your clients with clear evidence of your environmental performance and commitment to sustainable practices. It can also form an important part of any pre-qualification process.
FeRFA PARTNERS IN THE RECYCLING SCHEME
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TRAINING COURSES, SEMINARS AND EXHIBITIONSTHE FACILITIES SHOW: 17-19 May, NEC Birmingham |
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FeRFA MEMBERS NEWSUse the following links for more COMPANY NEWS or you can go to specific CASE STUDIES and the NEW FeRFA GALLERY |
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SPE GROUP INVESTS IN THE FUTUREThe SPE Group has recently completed a further extension to their Lincoln UK Head Office. The 350m² purpose built facility represents a £250k investment in the existing site to ensure the company remains in a strong position as the economy begins to improve. The new build provides additional storage for machinery, fabricated components and a dedicated practical area. This facility will be used for new equipment demonstration and for practical modules as part of a number of training courses.
The main walkways were again prepared using dust free shotblasting, primed and Resdev’s Pumadur RT Polyurethane system applied. The combination of steel, concrete and screeded practical demonstration pads together with a stunning decorative display and viewing areas have provided the company with a state of art facility for use by visitors from around the world. SPE Group / www.spe-int.com / 01673 860709 |
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RESIN SURFACES LTD CELEBRATE SUCCESSFUL YEARFlooring manufacturer Resin Surfaces today posted record annual sales for 2010 despite the continuing troubles in the construction sector. Stockport-based Resin Surfaces, which employs 20 staff, specialises in providing hard-wearing seamless flooring to shops, factories and other businesses. The family-owned company had sales of £4m in the 12 months to the end of December, up from £3.5m in the previous year.
Director Jeremy Waterhouse said the firm’s sales growth was helped by increased exporting and favourable exchange rates. “We intend to continue exporting in coming years and I see no reason why our growth should not continue. We’ve recently established a presence in Europe and Australia and have also undertaken work in Nigeria.” He added: “I believe that there could be good opportunities in Eastern Europe in the coming year.” The company was formed in 1982 and initially concentrated on developing durable flooring for factories – which remains its core business. As Resin Surfaces grew, it moved from its original premises at Styal, in south Manchester, to its current site, which is in Hazel Grove. It supplies resin flooring to businesses and organisations operating across the education, food, manufacturing and retail sectors. Resin Surfaces Limited / www.resinsurfaces.co.uk / 0161 483 1232 |
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DENHOLM INDUSTRIAL SERVICES SAFELY REACH FOR GOLDDenholm Industrial Services have added to their silver award success, following a first RoSPA Safety Award entry in 2010 by scooping a gold award in 2011. Denholm Managing Director, Dave Bonaccorsi, commented that “This RoSPA award is a significant milestone in the recognition of Denholm Industrial Services’ high standards of health and safety performance through management leadership, commitment, accountability and participation demonstrated within the organisation at all levels.” With a skilled and experienced workforce, Denholm provides a complete range of surface preparation, for substrates from concrete through to steel, including closed circuit track and vertical blasting, open abrasive blasting, hydro blasting, bead blasting, concrete grinding, scarifying and all methods of mechanical preparation. |
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PUUR FLOORS MAKE BIG CHANGES TO THEIR SERVICES AND WEBSITEWith many years of experience in the production of high quality poured floors, Puur's list of clients is testament to the quality and service they provide. Residential and commercial clients have benefited from Puur's poured flooring solutions. High end retailers that have benefited from our services include: Armani, DKNY, Ferrari, Georgio Kooples Nike and Selfidges. A range of additional services are also now available that include: | ||||||||||
PPC NEW DIAMOND PADS SET TO GO DOWN A STORMFor flooring contractors seeking a simple, cost effective and environmentally friendly solution for cleaning, maintaining and high shining polished floors, The Preparation Group's new Storm diamond pads are the answer.
The Storm Diamond Pad’s easy cleaning system involves removing any loose contaminants from the designated surface e.g. dust, sand or gravel, placing the pad under your machine and then adding water - you are then ready to start. No tools are required as there is no fixing involved, the weight of the machine holds the pad in place. The new Storm Diamond Pads produce optimum cleaning and polishing results on; resin floor surfaces, epoxy, terrazzo, marble, natural stone, concrete and vinyl. They are designed to fit The Preparation Group’s STG450 machine, along with most other types of surface texturing, auto scrubbing and polishing machines. Other benefits of the Storm Diamond Pads are that they adjust to irregularities in the floor, can be used dry as well as wet for a smooth finish and are ideal for small areas, even edgework. They are available in three grit sizes; 800, 1500 and 3000, the selection depending on the condition and type of surface. The Preparation Group / www.ppcgroup.co.uk / 01522 561 460 |
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E-news published by FeRFA: You are being sent this because you have subscribed to the FeRFA newsletter. To unsubscribe return the email with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. |
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Edition April/May 2011 / FeRFA The Resin Flooring Association. 16 Edward Road , Farnham,
Surrey GU9
8NP. T:
01252 714250 |
The course took place over two days and included both classroom and practical sessions. The apprentices were able to get hands-on experience in the installation of self smoothing systems and creating coving details under the expert guidance of FeRFA trainer, Terry Foxley.
Candidates (pictured left to right) are:
As part of this initiative in implementing sustainable practices, FeRFA has joined the Halving Waste to Landfill commitment. FeRFA members have been sent a recycling pack, which includes the Scheme Booklet, FeRFA Environmental Guide and Environmental Policy. 
FeRFA is delighted to be launching this scheme in association with its partners:
Protech Plastics Containers 
A decorative floor surface was required for equipment display purposes and the company opted for Resdev’s Pumazzo TZ epoxy terrazzo in mid grey. The concrete subfloor was shotblasted using an SPE9ES Autoblast Machine, primed and material applied all over a 2 day period. The terrazzo was then finished using the DFG700 planetary grinding system working through metal graded diamond tools to a 100grit resin tool. Edgework was also prepared and finished using SPE’s range of hand tools and diamond products. The area was then grouted, reground with 100grit tools and then sealed with Pumadur DD Gloss Clear. 
During 2010, the company has manufactured durable resin floors for the City of Manchester Stadium and the Greenwich Naval Academy. It also undertook work for high street retailer Fat Face and airline catering giant Gate Gourmet, among others.
Since 1956, RoSPA has organised its prestigious national award scheme to recognise excellence in work-related health and safety performance by private and public sector organisations. Based on assessment of a broad portfolio of evidence about the level of development and performance of Denholm’s occupational health and safety management system, the scheme also takes into account reportable accident rate and enforcement experience.
Recently developed, Puur's new HDX coating for poured floors is a huge breakthrough in resin flooring systems. It provides exceptional UV resistance (won't go yellow). Wear and scratch resistance that provides a silk matt sheen with the perfect compromise between slip resistance and durability and clean ability that top designers and architects are looking to achieve.
The new pads are prepared with billions of microscopic diamonds to hygienically clean and produce a high gloss finish on floors without the need for harsh chemicals, waxes and polishes and unlike competing pads on the market, they are also double sided for twice the value.