Interface On Hire Autumn 2014

COULD THE RUSSIANS TURN THE

FOR THE UK?

AUTUMN ISSUE2014

THE ASSOCIATIONS ANDYOUR ENERGY STRATEGY

01 Front Cover.indd 1 26/09/2014 10:04

1150+ companies worldwide successfully use Syrinx®

No.1 for Hire Software

“Excellent support during implementation. All of our staff took to Syrinx with the absolute minimum of training. If you are familiar with windows and the hire industry you will pick up Syrinx almost immediately.” David Smith

“Pleasure to do business with. Other people talk it, this system does it. Thank you.” Clive Potter

“We have had a nightmare with software over the last couple of years and since installing Syrinx, we have been able to go back to concentrating on our hire business - at last!” Jon Freeman

“A superb Hire system delivered by professional Hire driven people who talk and understand our language. A seamless transition for our business with instant results in terms of secondary revenue increases and reduction in queries. The system will pay for itself in a year and is without a doubt one of our best investments ever.” Steve Hitchen

“After using our previous hire system, we were keen to move onto an up-to-date software package. Syrinx was like a breath of fresh air and we are delighted that we have made the change. The CRM is a useful feature and support have always been very patient, informative and extremely helpful.” Simon Gale

“When we decided to look for new Hire Software we needed to source a system that would cope not only with our hire but with our high volume of sales. Syrinx manages the workshop and servicing in addition to outside customer servicing – it’s far superior to our previous system and the support service is excellent, we have never had such a rapid response rate.” Murray Webster

“Kimberly Access are a focused operational business and we required a computerised system to ensure maximum efficiency. Syrinx is now set up as our group rental system and Higher Concept Software have exceeded all our expectations in terms of the product and their customer service.” Ray Ledger

“We operate as a national central ordering point for independents and place up to 50 hires a day, with the amount of tracking needed we had to have a software system that offered a stable platform. Syrinx does just that, it is reliable, easy to use yet sophisticated. We are very pleased we made the investment.” Trevor Tinker

“Our previous system was fraught with difficulties and not backed up with good service. It was a big decision to contemplate getting a new hire management system but we were so frustrated we had no other option. We were pleasantly surprised at how smooth the implementation of Syrinx was. We have been impressed with the excellent project management and exemplary training backed up by excellent support.” Alistair Jordan

“When Higher Concept came along and showed us Syrinx, we could immediately see the benefits of this forward thinking company. Syrinx is flexible and copes with our demands perfectly. The back office support is excellent, very friendly and helpful guys.” Martin Lawrence

www.higherconcept.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 118 956 9577www.higherconcept.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 118 956 95770) 118 956 95770) 118 956 9577www.higherconcept.co.uk Tel: +www.higherconcept.co.uk Tel: +

p02_int_aut14.indd 1 29/08/2014 10:04

Autumn 2014 // Interface // 03

A View From On HighMD Graham updates on the latest at HAE EHA

A lovely English summer comes to an end, recovery is sti ll maintaining its upward trend and we can all look forward to planning for a successful future for the industry.

C ertainly, your Associati on is looking at the future in great detail and trying to ascertain

how technology is going to aff ect how we communicate with each other going forward. Whilst there is some amazing stuff out there, you sti ll can’t beat face-to-face human interacti on, it really does create a very positi ve eff ect. However, we can’t ignore the emerging technologies.

Both Google and Microsoft are now off ering low cost soluti ons for document creati on, spreadsheets, cloud data storage and increasingly telephone/video conferencing. At the associati on, we are looking closely at the opti ons because we see these potenti al soluti ons as a great way to increase engagement with our members.

Your new Main Board and Industry Boards are fi rmly in positi on and are very keen to move the Associati on forwards. We held a ‘Board Day’ in late July so that every body could get to know each other and more importantly exchange views and ideas on the future of both the associati on and the industry we serve. Consequently, it was agreed to make available more technology and we are now piloti ng some ideas on revised communicati on. The increased engagement with members will help to shape ideas and create opportuniti es for work with new partners to assist our industry to

improve its use of technology in eff ecti ve business management.

PREPARATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCESSESSince the last editi on of Interface, the Board has announced that all members would have to be certi fi cated by SafeHire by the end of 2017. We have had a rush of applicati ons and are working steadily through these assessments. To help, we have secured some funding to assist members through the preparati on and assessment process leading to certi fi cati on and I would encourage all members to contact Gill Bridger (0121 380 4619 or [email protected]) for more informati on. So far, of the 3000 depots that we represent across the Briti sh Isles we now have around 1600 certi fi cated, that’s over 50%, so don’t get left behind start the process now!

NEW MEMBER OF THE TEAM In my last commentary, I advised that we were in the process of appointi ng a new Marketi ng Manager for the associati on. I am pleased to announce Ann Harrison has joined us on September 1st, 2014. Ann has a number of years experience in corporate marketi ng and most recently has been generati ng membership and networking at Energy & Uti lity Skills Ltd (Sector Skills Council for Gas, Power, Water & Waste). We wish

Ann well with the challenges that HAE EHA will be providing.

On the health & safety front, a working group from the Technical, Health & Safety Committ ee is closing in on the producti on of a Code of Practi ce on Constructi on Dust. The CoP will provide advice and guidance to members on looking aft er their own staff , advice to equipment users and what to do in the event that equipment is returned with suspicious looking materials. The HSE is also involved in this project and have declared that they will use it as a guidance document when talking to organisati ons where there is a potenti al dust issue. This will go hand in hand with the work HAE is involved in on the HSE Constructi on Dust Partnership.

And fi nally, I would again stress the need for members to begin early considerati on of their program to achieve SafeHire certi fi cati on. Don’t delay, do it now while some funding is available and avoid the unnecessary pressures in 2017.

MD Graham updates on the latest at HAE EHAA View From On High

Graham ArundellManaging Director

03 A View From On High.indd 3 11/09/2014 10:18

Head Offi ce2450 Regents Court, The Crescent, Birmingham Business Park, Solihull B37 7YE

Managing DirectorGraham [email protected] 0121 380 4600

MembershipGill [email protected] 0121 380 4619

DirectJohn [email protected] 0121 380 4620

EventsStuart [email protected] 0121 380 4622

Training Richard Whiti ngrichard.whiti [email protected] 380 4623

Marketi ngAnn [email protected] 380 4605

Interface Adverti sing Katrina [email protected] 01778 395022

Interface DesignDean [email protected]

PRINTED BY WARNERS 01778 395111

Interface is not responsible for the content of adverti sements and does not endorse or promote any of their products unless stated. We accept no legibly for companies or products featured

Interface is committ ed to using sustainable sources. We are proud to say that our magazine is printed on paper approved by the Forest Stewardship Council by Warners Midlands.

04 // Interface // Autumn 2014

15

18

33Navigati ng the future

34Hire Doctor – Are you on top of your H&S requirements?

03 View from on High – A lovely English summer comes to an end

08 Membership News – Pick of the pops!

10 Training

12 Announcing the Hire Awards of Excellence!

15 Benefi ts of Work Experience –This litt le piggy went WE WE…

18 Direct Online and Print On-Demand

23SafeHire - Growing from strengthto strength

26Communicati on – Death of the offi ce as we know it?

Contents.indd 4 04/09/2014 12:35


36CITB Annual Conference –

HAE recently received abriefi ng on the

CITB levy



CITB levy



CITB levy

52

38 44

Autumn 2014

38Uti liti es – Could the Russians turn

the lights out?

44Showman’s Show

48What’s New

50Sickness Absence

51LifeMAPS

52Local Enterprise Partnerships –

Making the connecti on

Contents.indd 5 11/09/2014 10:23

WORKSHOP

SPARE PARTS

MACHINES & ENGINES

CONSUMABLES

Midland Power Distribution LimitedTel: 01905 763027 Free Fax: 0800 590 866 Email: [email protected]

ARRIVING SOON...IN STOCK

p06_int_aut14.indd 1 29/08/2014 10:06


MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Support Protect Develop PromoteGiving your businessaccess to all of the

key tools and servicesneeded to ensure

effi ciency and growth,whether this is access

to funds or fastpayment services tohelp reduce costs.

Safeguarding yourbusiness, and its people, through a range of health and safety, fi nancial and credit control benefi ts.Helping to tackle theft , fraud, bad debt and bad practi ce, we can protect your equipment and your

business with some ofthe best insuranceservices available.

Improving your business’ skillset through a range of learning and development

initi ati ves includingapprenti ceships,

up-skilling your existi ng workforce, personalised

training plans, online learning and SafeHire safety accreditati on

scheme.

Keeping up-to-date with the latest industry news via our media pages and our exclusive member publicati on ‘Interface’,

published every quarter. We can also help to

promote your company through a

whole range of event and networking opportuniti es.

A recent survey of new membership applicati on forms received revealed the following top 6 reasons for organisati ons wanti ng to join HAE EHA:

• To use the industry’s Terms and Conditi ons• Benefi t from reduced insurance premiums through

HAE EHA Insurance Services – to include HireGuard• The Badge • Part of the Hire Community / Industry News• Associati on recommended by colleague• To join SafeHire Certi fi cati on Scheme

All of the above link nicely to membership of HAE EHA, BUT what about all the other services and benefi ts provided:

Take another look at the Member Services Guide sent out to you earlier in the year for all the details – helping members to save money, save ti me and stay safe! >>

OF THE PICK POPS!

At a members’ event held in Dublin in July, Ireland’s Health Services Executi ve (one of Ireland’s major constructi on clients) informed us that they only engage with contractors who can meet the following criteria:

• Are they a member of a trade/professional body • Do they belong to a safety accreditati on scheme• Provide training programme and records• Provide current certi fi cates of competence and detail

parti cipati on in health and safety training

Presentati on extract from HSE – whose selecti on criteria is based on 80% quality, 20% price!

07-09 Membership.indd 7 10/09/2014 14:33


MEMBERSHIP NEWS

THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING…

New Benefi t for Members

Using BusinessGuard has given us a cost eff ecti ve way of ensuring our HR policy and procedures are up to date and followed through without having a qualifi ed Human Resource employee on our books. The yearly audit is extremely helpful to ensure that we are complying with the requirements needed.

The producti on of the company handbook was very professional along with the Terms & Conditi ons of Employment template. The help provided when we need advice from yourselves is excellent and ensures that we cover any staffi ng issues in the correct fashion. I am also grateful for the lett ers that you provide when we need to cover off any issues.

Once again, thank you for all your help and we shall be looking to conti nue with BusinessGuard upon the renewal date.

Managing Director Zak Rutenberg of Northfi elds Linen Hire

And we’re always looking at ways to help you save money and remain effi cient so let me

introduce you to the latest new member benefi t from HAE EHA Print: Hybrid Mail…

07-09 Membership.indd 8 11/09/2014 11:54


There are more channels available today to communicate with your customers than ever before but direct mail sti ll remains a favourite for retaining customers and driving sales. There is something special about delivering your brand in a tangible form. You can convey so much more about your brand before one word is even read.

With the hybrid mail soluti on you can upload your correspondences to a self-service ft mailit© portal. You simply upload your PDF, select your requirements eg full colour, mono, fi rst class etc and then we will take care of printi ng your brand consistently and sending your mail quickly. You could save one working day per 100 items mailed, free up your team member’s ti me to focus on other prioriti es, and be spending less than the price of a second class stamp per item.

TO SUMMARISE:Mailings become quicker, easier and more cost eff ecti ve. No more…• Paperwork• Printi ng• Filling envelopes• Franking or sti cking stamps

JUST A FEW CLICKS – FROM YOUR DESK!• Standard or Express Delivery• Mass mailing = lower costs• All mail checked against address

databases to ensure it reaches the right desti nati on.

• ISO27001 = your data and your customer/recipient data is safe

VIDEO: htt p://youtu.be/rG3am0zPEv8

Free demo available – contact [email protected]

DIRECT MAIL ISN’T DEAD!

For more informati on on any of the member services menti oned above or for advice on how to get the best from your associati on membership, please contact one of the member services team on 0121 380 4601 <<

There is something special about

delivering your brand in a tangible

form. You can convey so much more about your brand before one word is even read.

There is something

brand before one word is even read.

07-09 Membership.indd 9 10/09/2014 14:52


THE SAFE USE OF LPG IN THE EQUIPMENTAND EVENT HIRE INDUSTRYLPG Safety Training protects you, your employees, customers & the public!

In 2013 recognising the growing demand for LPG and the lack of suitable

guidance being available for its members the HAE produced a Code of Practi ce (CoP) for ‘The Safe Use of LPG: Portable and Transportable Equipment in the Hire Industry’

The Code gives practi cal guidance on using LPG safely.

Whilst not law, Codes of Practi ce have special legal status.

If an employer/employee faces criminal prosecuti on under H & S Law, and it is proved that the advice of the Code has not been followed, a court can regard it as evidence of guilt unless it is sati sfi ed that the law has been complied with in some other way.

Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) is the most popular gas used in the UK and accounts for 80% of all gas sales. We are all accustomed to seeing LPG in either red (propane) or blue (butane) cylinders. Additi onally recently in green cylinders for the leisure

sector, BBQ’s, Pati o Heaters etc. and called Pati o Gas (a mixture of both propane and butane).

Because we see LPG extensively we may think it is a safe and low risk gas. Not so! LPG is highly fl ammable, can explode and also causes cold burns.

Incidents and accidents involving LPG may result in physical damage, fi res, explosions, injury and in extreme cases fataliti es.

Organisati ons are obligated under the Health & Safety at Works Act to ‘Provide informati on and training to all who are exposed to risk’.

LPG Safety Trainingprotects you, your employees, customers & the public!

In 2013 recognising the growing demand for LPG and the lack of suitable guidance being available for its members the HAE produced a Code of Practice (CoP) for ‘The Safe Use of LPG: Portable and Transportable Equipment in the Hire Industry’

The Code gives practical guidance on using LPG safely. Whilst not law Codes of Practice have special legal status. If an employer/employee faces criminal prosecution under H & S Law, and it is proved that the advice of the Code has not been followed, a court can regard it as evidence of guilt unless it is satisfied that the law has been complied with in some other way.

Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) is the most popular gas used in the UK and accounts for 80% of all gas sales. We are all accustomed to seeing LPG in either red (propane) or blue (butane) cylinders. Additionally recently in green cylinders for the leisure sector, BBQ’s, Patio Heaters etc. and called Patio Gas (a mixture of both propane and butane).

Because we see LPG extensively we may think it is a safe and low risk gas. Not so! LPG is highly flammable, can explode and also causes cold burns.

Incidents and accidents involving LPG may result in physical damage, fires, explosions, injury and in extreme cases fatalities.

Organisations are obligated under the Health & Safety at Works Act to ‘Provide information and training to all who are exposed to risk’.

To support members & make sure hirers are doing everything possible to treat LPG in a safe way, HAE in association with PGS Training have developed three LPG training courses for Drivers, Maintenance Staff and Managers.

These courses have been endorsed by EAL a major UK Awarding Organisation. All successful learners receive an EAL Certificate of Verified

Achievement & PGS Gas Safety Passport Card in accordance with HSE INDG 381 scheme. These cards are valid for 3 years when refresher training is recommended.

This level of training and endorsement is vitally important. An important aspect of any HSE investigation would be, ‘has suitable training taken place and are training records available?’

Training leads to a greater awareness of the hazards and risks involved with LPG - ensuring a better understanding of safety and improving procedures, so risk is minimised resulting in an assured workforce and safer working environment for staff, customers and the public.

The Safe Use of LPG In The Equipment and Event Hire Industry

Drivers HandbookThe Safe Use of LPG In The Equipment and Event Hire Industry

Maintenance HandbookThe Safe Use of LPG In The Equipment and Event Hire Industry

Managers HandbookThe Safe Use of LPG In The Equipment and Event Hire Industry

PGStraining.com

PGStraining.comEAL Approval Centre W4924ER

LPG MAINTENANCE SAFETY PASSPORT

Holder: Your Name Issue No: 1000111000 Issue Date: 01 January 2014 Renewable: February 2017

Drivers Half day classroom. This course meets the requirements for drivers handling, loading, transporting or using LPG.

Friday 12 September - BridgendFriday 26 September - BirminghamFriday 3 October - LeedsFriday 17 October - WatfordFriday 14 November - Hull

Maintenance Staff Full day with classroom and practical elements.This course meets the requirements for maintenance staff to have sufficient information and training to safely check LPG equipment and appliances.

Thursday 10 September - BridgendThursday 25 September - BirminghamThursday 2 October - LeedsThursday 16 October - WatfordThursday 13 October - Hull

Managers Full day classroom.This course explains the requirements laid down in the relevant legislation and Codes of Practice for hire companies to have taken reasonable steps to ensure the safe hire of appliances and tools using LPG.

Friday 30 September - BridgendFriday 3 October - BirminghamFriday 10 October - LeedsFriday 31 October - WatfordFriday 28 October - Hull

Open Workshops Now Available for 2014

HAE in association with PGS Training have developed three LPG training courses for Drivers, Maintenance Staff and Managers.

How to book onto HAE courses1) web: PGStraining.com/haeworkshops

2) call: 01606 872 864 3) email: [email protected]

training may also be held at your premises, please contact PGS for more details

All delegates receive a comprehensive training handbook

£139.50 + vat per delegate £154.50 + vat per delegate £154.50 + vat per delegate


HAE Training.indd 10 05/09/2014 16:30


















PGStraining.com

































PGStraining.com

















To support members and make sure hirers are doing everything possible to treat LPG in a safe way, HAE in associati on with PGS Training have developed three LPG training courses for Drivers, Maintenance Staff and Managers.

These courses have been endorsed by EAL a major UK Awarding Organisati on. All successful learners

receive an EAL Certi fi cate of Verifi ed

HAE IN ASSOCIATION WITH PGS TRAINING HAVE DEVELOPED THREE LPG TRAINING COURSES FOR DRIVERS, MAINTENANCE STAFF AND MANAGERS.


How to book onto HAE courses1. web: PGStraining.com/haeworkshops

2. call: 01606 872 864 3. email: [email protected]


This level of training and endorsement is vitally important. An important aspect of any HSE investi gati on would be, ‘has suitable training taken place and are training records available?’

Training leads to a greater awareness of the hazards and risks involved with LPG - ensuring a bett er understanding of safety and improving procedures, so risk is minimised resulti ng in an assured workforce and safer working environment for staff , customers and the public.

















PGStraining.com

















HAE Training.indd 11 10/09/2014 14:59


ANNOUNCING THE HIRE AWARDS

OF EXCELLENCESATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015

12-13 Awards.indd 12 28/08/2014 16:28


NEXT YEAR THE AWARDS MOVES TO AN EXCITING NEW VENUE!

8 NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, WC2N 5BY

ENTRIES ARE OPEN

NOW!Closing Date

31st December 2014

Call us for an entry pack –

0121 380 4622Or download from the website

www.hae.org.uk/awards

12-13 Awards.indd 13 28/08/2014 16:28

HAE Insurance Services and EHA Insurance Services are trading names of The Insurance Partnership Services Ltd (Reg No. 3937509) which is part of Jelf Group plc (Reg No. 2975376) and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Registered address: Hillside Court, Bowling Hill, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6JX (Registered in England and Wales). Not all products and services offered are regulated by the FCA.

Insuring the way for the Hire Industry

We have the cover you need!

At a glance:

Business Insurance: including Interest Free Instalments and Nil excess for claims over £2,500

Plant All Risks Cover:including enhanced security discounts for hire fleets

HireGuard:a hassle-free way to add hired equipment insurance that is specifically designed with you and your customers in mind

Contact our Friendly Team at HAE & EHA Insurance ServicesBy calling Tel: 01482 388 552 or Email: [email protected]

HAE EHA Advert.indd 1 30/07/2013 13:21p14_int_aut14.indd 22 29/08/2014 10:43


Work Experience is one of the elements within the Governments initi ati ve to reduce youth

unemployment. Work experience really makes a diff erence to young people and employers alike. It is a win-win with everyone gaining from the experience.

THIS LITTLE PIGGY WENT “WE WE”…!

ASK YOURSELFIs your business interested in supporti ng young people who are looking for work? Are you committ ed to engaging with your community and developing local talent and skills?Could you provide young jobseekers with a positi ve experience of the working world? If the answer to these questi ons is ‘yes,’ you should consider becoming a work experience host.

For some young people a lack of understanding of the working world is a signifi cant barrier to fi nding and sustaining employment. For those who lack experience, the chance to undertake real work and adjust to the routi nes and habits of working life can signifi cantly improve their employment prospects. >>

The Bene� ts of Work Experience

15-17 Work Experience.indd 15 10/09/2014 15:26


WHY SHOULD YOU GET INVOLVED?By helping young people to gain work experience, your business can reap real benefi ts, such as:• Developing the supervisory

and management skills of your workforce

• Enhancing your public profi le by supporti ng your local community

• Accessing a pool of hidden talent – people who off er enthusiasm and a fresh perspecti ve to your business

• Promoti ng workforce diversity.

WHAT IS WORK EXPERIENCE?Work experience will enable young, unemployed people to volunteer for placements lasti ng between 2 and 8 weeks. These volunteers will be matched with suitable host employers and complete a light touch selecti on process. Jobcentre Plus conti nue to pay parti cipants’ benefi ts and also cover the costs of travel and childcare. Young people who have spent up to 8 weeks in a work experience opportunity can have their placement extended by up to 4 weeks where an employer makes an off er to take them on to an apprenti ceship.

Jobcentre Plus want you to be innovati ve and off er placements that provide a real insight into a working environment. They won’t be prescripti ve about the structure of placements or make you fi ll out unnecessary forms and paperwork.

However, they will ask you to:• Provide work experience

placements which are suitable for young unemployed people with litt le or no work experience

• Comply with all relevant legislati on

• Guarantee that placements are in additi on to existi ng or planned vacancies and that no-one has been dismissed or made redundant so the placement can be off ered

• Allow parti cipants to carry out reasonable job search acti vity and att end interviews with prospecti ve employers and fortnightly job search reviews at Jobcentre Plus

• Share informati on on parti cipants with Jobcentre Plus

• Provide parti cipants with a reference at the end of the placement.

Matt hew O’Neill



In September 2013 HAE welcomed Matt hew O’Neill on an 8-week work placement. Richard Whiti ng, HAE Commercial manager said “We initi ally took Matt hew on to off er him some offi ce admin and IT related work experience. Matt fi tted into our team immediately and it quickly became apparent that he had much more to off er. Aft er completi ng his work experience, we were sorry to see Matt leave, so when he contacted me to tell me that he was ‘wage incenti ve eligible’*, I was very happy that we could create and off er him a fi xed term permanent positi on”.

“Matt hew wants to undertake a Bio-chemistry PhD and is applying to universiti es hoping to secure a placement for September. In the meanti me however, I am delighted he is here conti nuing the good work he has done and using his excellent IT skills to help us build a new Client Management System (CRM), assist in the writi ng of some new procedures and research enhancements to our Learning Management System (LMS). Work experience and the wage incenti ve* has certainly worked in this instance and I look forward to HAE welcoming some more ‘diamonds in the rough’ for work experience over the coming months”.

Matt hew had this to add: “aft er fi nishing my Degree I felt I was lacking in terms of work experience, and aft er several months of unsuccessful applicati ons I was advised by my Jobcentre Plus Work Coach that a work experience

placement might help. I applied, was interviewed by Richard Whiti ng and Debbie Garner and was given one of three work experience placements at HAE.

I worked between September and November 2013 initi ally performing data entry jobs, but eventually moved on to doing some more IT oriented jobs. I enjoyed the work and atmosphere in the offi ce and following my work experience I maintained contact with Richard. Aft er fi nding out about wage incenti ve* I emailed HAE and was delighted to be off ered a 6 month contract allowing me to work and save some money whilst applying for PhD positi ons that I would like to start from September.

I have since completed a First Aid course and a CIEH level 2 Health and Safety course. The Work Experience and Wage Incenti ve* programs have given me what I needed, employment and experience.” >>

Aft er fi nishing my Degree I felt I was lacking in terms of

work experience, and aft er several months

of unsuccessful applicati ons I was

advised by my Jobcentre Plus Work

Coach that a work experience placement

might help.



A RECRUITMENT SERVICE Where you can adverti se your jobs to millions of jobseekers who search Universal Jobmatch every week. You can:-• Register on www.gov.uk/

adverti se-job • Post and manage jobs online

24/7, 365 days a year • Test the market before you

adverti se your jobs • Get a list of suitable jobseekers,

automati cally matched by CV and skills.

AN ADVICE SERVICE We (JCP) can connect you with a local Jobcentre Plus specialist, call the Small Business Recruitment Service on 0845 601 2001 and select opti on 2.

We can signpost you to sources of advice and support that meet your needs, including: • Providing advice on how Universal

Credit will benefi t your business and what it might mean for your employees

• Helping you understand workplace pensions

• Advice on adjustments in the workplace to help you support and retain workers who are disabled or have a long term health conditi on

• Provide advice and support for you and your employees if you need to make redundancies

You can get more informati on about Jobcentre Plus services on GOV.UK.

A TAILORED SERVICE We will give you a named Jobcentre Plus contact with local experti se who will provide a tailored service, to fi nd the best people for your jobs.

Your contact will work with you to design a package of support which will create opportuniti es for people in your area and build your business, including: • Giving a young person real work

experience or an Apprenti ceship to get the skills in your sector

• Off ering a trial period to a jobseeker, incurring no wage costs, through a Work Trial

• Expanding your business network by mentoring budding entrepreneurs and sharing your experti se at your local Enterprise Club or Work Club. <<

IN SUMMARY – JOBCENTRE PLUS PROVIDE…

Hire Associati on Europe / www.hae.org.uk / 0121 380 4600

In Partnership withDepartment of Work & Pensions

FURTHER INFORMATION More details about work experience can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/collecti ons/helping-young-people-into-workhtt p://issuu.com/hireassociati on/docs/work-experience-guide/0

or email Anne Pavey at the following email [email protected]

* The Wage Incenti ve program ran unti l 6 August 2014 and provided employers with funding up to £2,275 for putti ng an 18-24 year old into work.



HAE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF PROVIDING HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDANCE LEAFLETS

AND IS WELL-KNOWN FOR ITS SAFETY RELATED MERCHANDISE. >>

DIRECT ONLINE AND PRINT-ON-DEMAND

18-21 HAE Print Demand.indd 19 11/09/2014 10:12


W ith printed leafl ets delivered in packs of 50, some members have

questi oned where they will store all the leafl ets they require and whether they will ever use them all. With over 300 to choose from, we sympathise with their concerns and for those pondering those questi ons, we believe we have the answer….

Introducing HAE’s Direct Online - Print-on-Demand facility. This new e-commerce ‘one stop shop’ allows you access to purchase all the HAE Safety guidance leafl ets and merchandise you require, including records cards, servicing tags, tape, labels, signage and much more.

If you opt to buy a Print-on-Demand (POD) data licence, you will also be able to upload your company logo and print dual branded safety

guidance leafl ets together with manufacturer and model specifi c HAVS, weight and noise data where available.

This exciti ng step forward for the associati on means our members have the opti on to conti nue buying packs of leafl ets or download as many as they need and as oft en as they need them. We are exploring new avenues to provide more hire related merchandise through the online shop. Watch this space….

members will also be pleased to note

that we have added an ‘Event Hire’ specifi c secti on to the POD facility with approx. 100 leafl ets available to Print-on-Demand from cash registers to deep fat fryers and rotary toasters to parquet dance fl oors.

together with manufacturer and model specifi c HAVS, weight



IS IT TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE FAX?The majority of members who order safety related material sti ll use the tried and tested method of fi lling in an order form by hand and faxing it to us. In developing the online shop, we believe we have built a far easier way of ordering all the stock you require as your existi ng member login username and password allows full access to the site. With the ability to browse items, check costs,

add to your basket and choose to pay by credit card or invoice, we hope our members will fi nd the new site far bett er and quicker to use.

Members who are already enjoying the POD facility are improving the service to their customers by linking the POD leafl ets to the hire contract so the dual branded leafl et prints out with the contract at the ti me of hire.

To access the shop and browse, please go to www.hae.org.uk then select Protect > direct online. <<

For further details on the Print-on-Demand facility please contact richard.whiti [email protected] or call44 (0)121 380 4623.

We would also be very pleased to hear from you if there is something not currently available in the online shop that you’d like to see as a stock item. Whether it be a new leafl et, portable gas detector or commercial dishwasher.


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HIRE INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT TARGETEDFollowing protracted discussion

with many members it has been agreed that the Associati on

should focus on performance improvement. Consequently the members’ Board have decided that by the end of 2017 all members of HAE and EHA should be certi fi ed to be compliant with the SafeHire Standard (Hire and Rental Industry Business Management and Service Quality Specifi cati on) as developed by HAE / EHA members with assistance from BSI, HSE and CHAS.

Not only does the rigorous assessment assist members to raise standards of performance, certi fi cati on also proves competence of your business, systems and maintenance to your clients and customers. SafeHire Certi fi cati on comes with full CHAS accreditati on (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme: www.chas.co.uk) an organisati on fully committ ed to the principles of SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement: www.ssip.org.uk). These accreditati ons are deemed to sati sfy through SSIP those other schemes recognised and approved by public sector clients and tendering processes.

Safe

Hire

Certification Scheme

www.safehire.org.uk

CONTRACTORS HEALTH & SAFETY ASSESSMENT SCHEME

Certification Markwww.chas.co.uk

INCLUDES COMPLIANCE TO THE

CO

MMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLES OF

SSIP

With eff ect from 1 January 2015, all new members joining the Associati on(s) for the fi rst ti me will be required to commit to becoming SafeHire certi fi ed by the end of 2017.

A new clause to this eff ect will be included in Associati on Membership Applicati on Forms.

With eff ect from 1 January 2018 SafeHire Certi fi cati on will become standard criteria for Associati on membership and any new members joining from that date will have to become certi fi cated within six months of joining.

To assist members who wish to become ‘early adopters’ HAE EHA has been able secure some funding to provide assistance to its members between now and the end of December 2014 to help towards achieving SafeHire, namely:

• Subscripti on Band S – B (SMEs): the assistance will be in the form of a diagnosti c with funded training for the appropriate upskilling of workforce (if required) and a 15% reducti on in the fi nal fees charged for certi fi cati on providing the Desk Top Audit stage has been completed by 31 December 2014

• Subscripti on Band C – E: the assistance will take the form of a free mock SafeHire depot / branch assessment at a locati on of your choice, complete with the submission of the SafeHire fi ndings report. If commitment to progress with SafeHire Certi fi cati on is agreed by 31 December 2014, the free mock assessment will count towards the total number of depots required to be assessed under the scheme (subject to correcti ve acti on plan, if applicable).The funding available has come

from several sources, including CITB for those HAE members currently registered with the constructi on industry training levy. >>

Gill Bridger presents Ian Jackson of TP Hire with their SafeHire certi fi cate in June 2014

23-25 HAE Safehire.indd 23 10/09/2014 15:45


FAQsWhy is HAE / EHA making SafeHire Certi fi cati on criteria for membership?Many companies have benefi tt ed from gaining SafeHire Certi fi cati on – not just by winning new customers because of ‘the badge’ but by improving in-house procedures and policies to make staff more competent, confi dent and effi cient as well as maintaining hired stock in the safest possible conditi on. Please refer to members’ case studies and testi monials on website: www.hae.org.uk/safehire

How long does it take to become SafeHire Certi fi ed?Depending on your present standards of H&S and legislati ve compliance. For some companies, certi fi cati on can be almost instant; for others, the Associati on can work with you to aim for compliance over a period of ti me.

How is gaining SafeHire Certi fi cati on going to be of benefi t to my business?Your company will be identi fi ed as SafeHire certi fi ed on theFind-A-Member pages of the associati ons’ website.

Your company will be able to make signifi cant savings on its insurance premiums through HAE Insurance Partnership who now recognise the H&S risk reducti on through SafeHire.

The Associati ons are working with major client groups to make them aware of SafeHire and, in ti me, these clients will only opt to engage with a SafeHire contractor / partner.

With CHAS accreditati on (part of the SafeHire package) your company will be accessible to over 600 ‘buyer’ members and over 50,000 suppliers via the CHAS website.

SafeHire will prove to your customers that you know what you’re doing and you want to keep them safe, too!

How can I fi nd out more about the SafeHire Certi fi cati on Scheme and what’s involved?The Associati on has put together a tool kit with assistance from BusinessGuard and HAE Direct to get you going. Template company policies e.g. H&S and Environment, Employment Contracts and sample SafeHire Findings Reports are freely available to associati on members.

Further SafeHire Essenti als Workshops will be held regionally between now and the end December 2014 – these are interacti ve, hands-on workshops detailing what’s involved. Don’t hesitate to call a member of the team at HAE EHA and ask as many questi ons as you like!

How will I know if my company has all the necessary policies and documentati on in place?There is a booklet available ‘A Guide to Achieving SafeHire Certi fi cati on’ which can be downloaded from the website – www.hae.org.uk/safehire

We can arrange for a telephone diagnosti c to be carried out and, for larger companies, free mock assessments are available at a depot locati on of your choice.

Where can I fi nd guidance on business procedures and policies?There is a brief guidance document available to help you with preparing for the Desk Top Audit stage of certi fi cati on. This document lists all the policies you should have in place.

The BusinessGuard pages on the HAE EHA website also provides guidance on required documentati on.

PSM Plant receive their trophy from TV’s Nick Knowles as SafeHire Company of the Year 2014



Who is CITB is the Constructi on Industry Training Board which was created as a result of the 1964 Industrial Training Act which gave the then Minister of Labour statutory powers to create industrial training boards which would be responsible for training in a number of UK industries, setti ng standards and providing advice to fi rms.

This Act (amended in 1982) gives CITB its mandate to collect a levy from constructi on employers and to use this to support training and skills in constructi on. The hire industry (tools, equipment and constructi on plant) is within scope of ‘constructi on’.

Services provided through the levy system include:• Financial support to employers• Advice for employers about

training needs• Informati on, advice and guidance

for those seeking careers in constructi on

• Research including labour market forecasti ng to anti cipate and plan for skills needs

• Qualifi cati ons & standards for the industry

• Specialist training faciliti es and servicesSee if you would benefi t from

training grants by visiti ng: www.citb.co.uk/levy-grant/about-grant/

What is & The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme – CHAS – is established as the market leader for health and safety pre-qualifi cati on in the UK. It is available to suppliers (those who provide goods and services) and to organisati ons (buyers) looking for suitably competent suppliers. Membership includes the public sectors; health trusts, emergency services and government departments and large private companies who have a supply chain, for example Royal Mail Group, Kier and Miti e Group. Ulti mately, SafeHire / CHAS completes the initi al H&S applicati on process for buyers, saving ti me and resources for all involved in the process. CHAS isn’t just for constructi on companies, it assesses health and safety for all types of suppliers, from care services to demoliti on contractors, designers and consultants. The aim of the scheme is to save ti me and resources by avoiding unnecessary duplicati on in the fi rst stage of competence assessment; the CDM Core criteria.

CHAS is a founder member and past Chair of Safety Schemes in Procurement – Competence Forum or SSIP. Please go to www.ssip.org.uk

What are the costs involved?Costs vary according to the number of hire operati ng depots and the number of assessments to be carried out, based on an acceptable rati o for Certi fi cati on.

In all cases, there is an initi al fee at Certi fi cate applicati on / renewal stage, to include the Desk Top Audit process, of £150 + VAT – chargeable once every three years.

Depot / branch compliance assessments take place on an annual basis and will be charged for annually.

CHAS is renewed annually against depot / branch compliance assessment with an annual fee of £95 + VAT for administrati on and upload to CHAS register.

HAE/EHA is keen to help all our members and will aim to ti e in renewal periods with your membership renewal and then all charges can be paid using the Direct Debit schemes on off er.

What if I don’t want to become SafeHire Certi fi ed?Unfortunately, companies not compliant to the SafeHire standard by the end of 2017 will have their associati on membership terminated.

Who can I speak to aboutSafeHire Certi fi cati on?Anyone from the HAE / EHA team would be happy to discuss the scheme with you and answer any questi ons you may have. Call us on 44 (0)121 380 4600. <<

Companies must be compliant to the Safehire standard by the end of 2017. Steve Jarvis, General Manager of BAM Nutt all

Plant receives his SafeHire certi fi cate from HAE Managing Director Graham Arundell



26-31 Death of the Office.indd 26 28/08/2014 17:13


W e expect a reliable connecti on to the Internet wherever we

are and increasingly get it, no matt er if we’re grabbing coff ee in a trendy independent or travelling around the globe on a Dreamliner aeroplane.

How diff erent already, the way we do business now, compared to a decade ago, let alone looking back to the offi ce culture of the late 20th Century.

Technology has developed at an astounding pace, becoming smaller and lighter as well as cheaper and – crucially – easier to use.

Long gone are the days it took both an instructi on manual as thick as a Sti eg Larsson novel and the

pati ence of a saint to programme your VHS. Today octogenarians are ordering from Amazon and a two-year-old can work an iPad with almost alarming ease.

Gone too are the expectati ons of working an eight-hour day in a cubicle just slightly larger than you – both from employees who demand more fl exibility as well as bosses, who see it as a way to make staff more producti ve and reduce the cost of running big offi ces.

CHANGING WORK TRENDSRecent research predicts that by 2016 over 139 million employees in Western Europe will be classed as

It’s been branded “the post-PC era”: a ti me when smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices have pushed aside PCs.

AS WE KNOW IT?

‘mobile workers’, up from 97 million in 2010. Workers will fall into three main categories – mobile offi ce workers, mobile non-offi ce workers and home-based workers.

It’s a trend already prevalent in the States, where half of those with a job, which revolves around “informati on” already, split their ti me between the offi ce, home and other remote locati ons.

(Don’t be fooled by the moniker of “informati on” by the way, this category isn’t just those working in IT. It also includes sales people, customer service reps and any other type of job where if you have an Internet connecti on then you’re in business.) >>



GET YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDIt used to be an insult to have your head in the clouds, but increasingly it makes good sense for your data to be there.

Simply put, cloud computi ng means storing and accessing data and programs over the Internet instead of your computer’s hard drive. The cloud makes data accessible anyti me, anywhere. If you use the Apple Store, Google’s Gmail or Dropbox then you’re already using cloud technology.

It means you can get all your stuff – be it holiday snaps, music downloads or your personal fi nances – on your PC, phone or tablet (and it’s all synced automati cally.)

The cloud is also becoming the backbone of business. Both Microsoft and Google have suites of intuiti ve offi ce products, all linked to cloud computi ng.

So what will the workplace look like in a few years’ ti me and what benefi ts can we expect to see?

PAST PROPHESIESIt’s easy to look back with a wry smirk at predicti ons about the future that haven’t come true – a fl ying DeLorean, anyone? But setti ng Hollywood aside, science, both fact and fi cti on, has been bang on when it comes to certain future trends.

One such sage was James Burke, who in 1969 presented an episode of Tomorrow’s World asking what the workplace of the future might be like. His predicti ons included:• Sending fi les around the offi ce

using motorised storage units;• Archiving fi les using photographs;

• Using portable cassett e recorders to send audio messages.

The thinking behind these concepts – over the course of several years – led to technologies we now take for granted such as digital fi le transfers, scanning and voicemail.

However, things don’t always pan out quite as predicted.

Burke’s vision of the future was an offi ce environment that rendered human interacti on all but redundant.

If anything, advancing technology has actually made business focus on collaborati on without physical confi nes even more closely – the virtual ‘water cooler’ that allows people to stay in touch.

“EMAIL IS ALREADY DEAD”In 2011, 2.8 million people in Britain worked remotely for at least some of the ti me, according to research by technology fi rm Citrix.

“Email is already dead,” says Simon Jenner. He’s the CEO of Oxygen Enterprise Partners, which helps the next generati on of tech entrepreneurs turn their bright ideas into scalable businesses that get serious investment.

He’s been a mentor to fi rms like Whisk.com, a food-shopping app founded by former BBC One’s The Apprenti ce candidate Nick Holzherr.

Lord Sugar may have turned down the Holzherr’s pitch for Whisk on the TV show, but he has since received over £500,000 in investment and has partnered with retail big boys Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s as well as telly channel Food Network.

Given that over 100 billion emails are sent a day, with that number

expected to grow by a third by 2017, it might seem a bit of a rash predicti on by Jenner.

But, he explains, email has never been terribly good for communicati ng: “If you examine what email has replaced, it is most accurately the offi ce memo. These were traditi onally one-way forms of communicati on – ‘take note of this new policy’ or ‘there will be a meeti ng on Tuesday you need to att end.’ They were informati ve, not conversati onal.

“The trouble is that because email is delivered near-instantly, people have begun to use it as an instant messaging service. You’ll see things go back and forth and – especially when there is a group of people involved – everyone chipping in. But some of the parti cipants might not see the email

The line between our physical lives and the lives we lead in our

minds, with our thumbs, on a touchscreen, is rapidly fading.minds, with our thumbs, on a touchscreen, is rapidly fading.

The line between our physical lives and the lives we lead in our



unti l later in the day, so will then chip in with thoughts later on. You end up having to wade through dozens of individual emails to try and make sense of the chronology of a conversati on.

“Add to that the fact that text by itself has no emoti on and it can be diffi cult to interpret the context a person meant something. Why do you think the smiley is so popular? But it’s hardly appropriate for formal business communicati ons.

“You parti cularly see misunderstandings when working across countries or cultures. English might be the lingua franca of business, but it is very easy to guess wrongly what somebody meant in an email.”

Many businesses have realised the limitati ons of email and

are making ready use of global conference calling services for both voice and video.

Microsoft acquired Skype, the big player in consumer video conferencing, in May 2011 for an eye-watering $8.5 billion. Parts of the technology behind Skype are already incorporated into the latest version of Microsoft Offi ce, which has grown from a simple word processing and spreadsheet package into suite of tools aimed at making collaborati ng more dynamic.

Microsoft ’s vision for the future is a technology called Lync – unsurprisingly, a platf orm for communicati ons including online meeti ngs, instant messaging, audio and video calls, availability info, and sharing capabiliti es.

Google have also entered this arena with their Google Apps

providing cost eff ecti ve soluti ons to offi ce word processing, spread sheet soft ware and communicati on through tele and video conferencing.

But someti mes it’s bett er to make things even simpler. “There’s a platf orm called Yo, which has recently $1.2 million in funding,” Simon Jenner explains.

“It started off as a joke – literally all you can do is send somebody a ‘Yo’. And that’s it. But it now has over 50,000 users.

“The beauty of it is that it’s a simple ‘keep in touch’ trigger. If you’re working across ti me zones and can’t necessarily see the diaries of everyone you’re collaborati ng with, sending a Yo is a way to say ‘let’s catch up’. And then you arrange a ti me and way to do it. >>



“Yo may not be the ulti mate soluti on, but it does signal a trend in soft ware development. The line between our physical lives and the lives we lead in our minds, with our thumbs, on a touchscreen, is rapidly fading. Apps that integrate pieces of our real-world lives are only going to become more prevalent.”

MULTIPLE DEVICES, UNLIMITED HEADACHES?We now have multi ple devices, mailboxes, voicemails, directories, interfaces and applicati ons at our fi ngerti ps, both personal and professional. Many of us have LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitt er accounts. Noti onally, at least, we are fully connected – but in reality, how seamlessly?

Just because we have more connecti vity than ever doesn’t necessarily mean we’re working smarter. Research by Sage discovered that nearly a quarter of work deadlines

that are missed are because the right person wasn’t available at the right ti me. It also found that two thirds of workers for large corporati ons are frustrated that the multi ple devices they have oft en don’t work together as seamlessly as they are meant to.

It’s clear therefore that the promise of next-generati on communicati ons must be about more than simply cutti ng costs or making incremental gains in operati onal eff ecti veness.

For workers, it will be a journey away from the fragmented and infl exible experience of today, towards integrated tools and technologies and ulti mately seamless, intelligent communicati ons.

For fi rms, it means that communicati ons – when handled well – will be a tremendous enabler of organisati onal effi ciency. This will – in theory – allow employees to focus on what they are good at

and reduce the pressure on internal systems and resources.

But there will be an absolute need for technology to work without headaches for people to want to adopt it universally.

THE NEWEST ACCESSORY…Jewellery? Shoes? Sooooo last century! The ulti mate accessory these days is sti ll something ‘wearable’. The price tag might put many posh watch brands to shame right now, but as with everything the cost of this state-of-the-art technology is already coming down.

We are about to enter the Wearable Era, a ti me when smart accessories will in turn push aside plain old phones and tablets. Today, your might be bringing your own iPhone, Android or tablet to work, but before too long the tech-savvy Young Turks will be sporti ng Smartwatches, Google Glasses and SmartRings.



But apart from being bang on trend, what benefi ts will companies that adopt this technology see?

MICRO-MANAGEMENT? HERE COMES MICRO-MONITORINGSome fi rms, notably Amazon, have experimented with wearable technology to monitor staff effi ciency and to try and improve performance.

“Companies need to be very careful these days,” warns Professor Patrick Tissington, head of organisati onal psychology at Birkbeck, University of London.

“Just because something can be tracked to a minute degree doesn’t necessarily mean it should. We’ve heard of micro-management – bosses who can’t or won’t delegate and trust their staff . We could be entering an era of ‘micro-monitoring’ if we’re not careful.

“We have more data at our fi ngerti ps within business than ever before, but the real skill remains how to make sense of it and come to meaningful conclusions.”

The danger is that you fall into the trap of ‘systemati c soldiering’ – a phrase coined by American mechanical engineer Fredrick W. Taylor, one of the world’s fi rst management consultants.

Prof Tissington explains: “Taylor believed that through scienti fi c analysis of each individual task, you could eventually defi ne ‘One Best Way’ of completi ng it. There’s no doubt that his work helped improve manufacturing in the early 20th Century leaps and bounds, but the concept does have its limitati ons.

“People like to be trusted. They will rise to responsibility and take pride in their work. Technology like wearables should be part of empowering them, not a noose around their necks.

“It is not only demoralising for staff to have middle-managers snooping on their every move, but perversely it also sti fl es performance.

“If you are incredibly prescripti ve and set rigid performance targets then your staff will only think about meeti ng those targets. It means they might even be tempted to fudge things just to meet a specifi c quota, rather than truly caring about doing the very best job they can.

“It also reduces the chance of innovati on – those changes in the way things are done which help a company to grow and thrive rather than just stagnate. If your staff are worried they’re going to be hauled up if they don’t follow things to the lett er, there is no chance of them fi nding new ways which might save money, improve performance or add value to your customers. That applies in every single industry.”

So, however tempti ng it might be for managers to pore over data in more detail than ever, perhaps the lesson needs to be never to lose sight of the bigger picture when it comes to workplace technology.

“BEAM ME TO MY CLIENT, SCOTTY!”Anyone who has watched Star Trek will remember how the crew of the Enterprise enjoy use of the

‘holodeck’. As it turns out, science fi cti on is swift ly becoming science fact. Sort of.

Whilst we’ve not quite overcome the laws of physics that allow us to teleport just yet, we are a step closer thanks to ‘tele-immersion’.

It’s our current answer to the holodeck, combining cameras and Internet telephony to take video conferencing to the next level.

It aims to create a central, simulated environment that allows people to come together in a virtual room – with nobody actually leaving their physical locati on.

So whether you’re in Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo and Paris – or more probably Ipswich, Portland, Osaka or Lille – then soon you’ll be able to stay exactly where you are and yet be with holographic images of your co-workers.

The applicati ons for immersive holographic environments are exciti ng. Anyone who has used video conferencing will appreciate how… well… fl at and 2D it all is.

But it does beg the questi on, if your co-worker is in Los Angeles – wouldn’t you rather pop over and see them there? <<

We have more data at our fi ngerti ps within business than ever before, but the real skill remains how to make

sense of it and come to meaningful conclusions.


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EVENT

33 Navigating the Future.indd 33 05/09/2014 17:11


Are you on top of your health & safety requirements?

Health and safety rules and regulati ons can conjure up thoughts of bureaucracy and red tape. However with stati sti cs from the Health and Safety Executi ve (HSE)

detailing that in 2013/14 133 workers were killed at work in Great Britain it’s a stark reminder that maintaining good practi ce is essenti al.

During a concentrated two-week period of proacti ve inspecti ons, the HSE

demanded improvements, and in some cases put an immediate stop to work acti viti es where they fell short of expected standards. A total of 560 sites were visited and 85 enforcement noti ces were served. Another 13 Prohibiti on Noti ces were served (where certain work or practi ces must be stopped unti l improvements are made), and 107 Improvement Noti ces.

Inspectors focussed on signifi cant health risk issues, such as respiratory risks from dusts containing silica materials, exposure to other hazardous substances such as cement and lead paint, manual handling, noise and vibrati on.

Have you considered the impact on your business if you were paid a ‘routi ne visit’ from the HSE or The Environment Agency? Both organisati ons have the power to close operati ons if they are not sati sfi ed an eff ecti ve health and safety policy is in place. We have produced our top ten ti ps to help small to medium sized businesses comply with Health and Safety regulati ons and maintain a safe place of work.

34_35 Hire Doctor.indd 34 08/09/2014 09:54


WHERE DO YOU GO FROM HERE?By taking appropriate acti on to assess the risks faced in your business and then implementi ng steps to reduce them, not only will you meet your legal rights as an employer, but you could also benefi t from potenti ally lower insurance premiums.

If you would like to discuss these ti ps or could benefi t from some independent advice please call HAE EHA Insurance Services on 01482 388552.

OUR TOP TIPS:1. Risk assessment – carry out and record a risk

assessment for your workplace – you need to think about what could cause harm, and what precauti ons you will take to prevent it.

2. Health & Safety policy – write down how you manage Health and Safety in your business in the form of a Health and Safety Policy (this is compulsory if you employ 5 or more people).

3. Clean & ti dy – if you maintain a clean and ti dy workplace then this in itself may clear away any number of potenti al hazards.

4. Competence – you need to have access to competent advice for your employees so that they can meet their responsibiliti es. This could be someone within your business who has received training, or an external consultant. Provide Health and Safety training for employees so they are aware of the hazards and risk in the workplace and are equipped to manage them.

5. Employee consultati on – you should frequently consult with employees on Health and Safety to ensure that they understand the responsibiliti es that they have and are aware of the control measures you have in place. By law, there are some work related accidents and diseases that you must report if they occur. Further details of these can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk .

6. First Aid – the level of fi rst aid provision that you will require will depend upon the number of people within your premises and the level of risk associated with your acti viti es.

7. Fire safety – ensure you have a fi re risk assessment and policy for your premises. This should also include an emergency evacuati on plan that should be tested with fi re drills at least twice a year.

8. Maintenance – there are specifi c regulati ons that require your premises and equipment to be in a safe conditi on. This can be achieved by a system of planned preventati ve maintenance. This means routi nely checking the conditi on of the building and equipment, with a view to identi fying work that needs to be done before a defect occurs.

34_35 Hire Doctor.indd 35 08/09/2014 09:52


CITB Annual Consultati on HAE has recently received a briefi ng on the CITB levy and grant plans for the

coming years.

C ITB are seeking the opinion of our industry and we hope that the details contained in the following arti cle will help provide the necessary informati on for you to provide feedback to HAE so that we may develop a consensus response. If you need any further informati on please contact HAE.

This year’s consultati on includes proposals for the Levy Order due to be submitt ed toParliament at the end of this year. If approved, this will cover levy assessments payable in2015, 2016 and 2017.

VALUE FOR LEVYCITB remains committ ed to providing as much support for employers engaged in training aspossible. Aft er two years in which demand for grants has dipped sharply, the recovery thatbegan in 2013 has gathered pace and CITB has seen the value of grant claims and othersupport rising. This year, the CITB Board agreed to maintain grant rates, including the higher levels of the £50 per day att endance grant and the 22% supplementary payment, as well as increasing the value of fl exible funding. Their Strategic Prioriti es remain focussed on :• Enabling the constructi on industry to be effi cient and eff ecti ve• Increasing the capability of the existi ng constructi on workforce• Inspiring talented people to join the constructi on industry• Being the ‘go to’ body for constructi on skills and training• Supporti ng the industry by developing skill and training products and services• Operati ng an effi cient, eff ecti ve, responsible and fi nancially sustainable organisati on

PROPOSALS FOR LEVY 2015-17During the last year, the Levy Working Party (LWP), of which HAE is a member, has worked on simplifying the way in which levy liability is assessed, based on a number of key principles:• A new system should not raise more levy than the current one and the balance raised

from the directly and indirectly employed workforce should not change substanti ally;• Most employers should see litt le change in their levy liability and most types of employer

(e.g. by size) should see litt le change in the value of levy raised from the category;• A new system should be legally sound and should att ract the support of most employers.

The LWP last met on the 7 July 2014 at which the group’s thinking was shared and a recommendati on to the CITB Board agreed. Subsequently, the CITB Board met on 16 July and accepted the LWP’s proposals, which are set out below:For assessments payable in 2015 and 2016, the PAYE rate should be 0.5%, the LOSC and LOPR rates should be 1.5%, the Small Business Levy Exempti on level should be £80,000, and the 50% Small Business Levy Reducti on band should apply to payments made between £80,000 and £100,000 (all unchanged from the 2012 Order).

For assessments payable in 2017, the PAYE rate should be 0.5%, a rate of 1.25%should be applied to payments made net of tax under the Constructi on Industry Scheme (CIS), the Small Business Levy Exempti on level should be £80,000, and the 50% Small Business Levy Reducti on band should apply to payments made between £80,000 and £300,000. There will be no labour only payments received mechanism.

The LWP and CITB Board believe that these proposals make the process of completi ng levy returns much easier, reducing the burden on employers and removes uncertainty about whether a parti cular sub-contract should be declared or not, making the system fairer.

The impact of these Changes has been modelled and most registered employers and levypayers will either face no change or a reducti on in their liability. Where employers arenegati vely aff ected, they will be contacted individually and CITB believe that introducing the change in 2017 provides employers with suffi cient advanced warning for them to react appropriately. A calculator is available on our website so that employers can see for themselves (htt p://www.citb.co.uk/levv-grant/levv-simplifi cati on/) what the impact on their business would be. .

Consultati on with employers through survey, meeti ngs and workshops shows majority support for the proposals from respondents.The relevant proposals on which HAE would welcome the views of our members to create an industry view are that:• there should be a conti nuati on of levy arrangements not ti ed to exempti on in respect of the levies payable in 2015, 2016 and 2017

on the grounds that this is necessary to encourage adequate training in the industry;• Levy assessments payable in 2015 and 2016 should be assessed in the same way as in the period 2012 to 2014;• For assessments payable in 2017,

> 3.1. there should be a PAYE rate of 0.5%, and levy liability on indirect;> employment should be assessed at a rate of 1.25% on payments made net of tax through the CIS;> there should be a small fi rms’ exclusion level that equates to a value of £80,000 of combined PAYE and net CIS payments;> employers whose combined PAYE and net CIS payments are between £80,000 and £300,000 should receive a 50% reducti on in levy liability.

HAE is required to present the combined view of our members about this year’s levy proposals by close of business on Monday 28 September 2014, so you early response would be much appreciated.

<Authour> Graham Arundell (same as page 3 sign off pls)

• Being the ‘go to’ body for constructi on skills and training

• Supporti ng the industry by developing skills and training products and services

• Operati ng an effi cient, eff ecti ve, responsible and fi nancially sustainable organisati on

PROPOSALS FOR LEVY 2015-17During the last year, the Levy Working Party (LWP), of which HAE is a member, has worked on simplifying the way in which levy liability is assessed, based on a number of key principles:• A new system should not raise

more levy than the current one and the balance raisedfrom the directly and indirectly employed workforce should not change substanti ally;

• Most employers should see litt le change in their levy liability and most types of employer(e.g. by size) should see litt le change in the value of levy raised from the category;

• A new system should be legally sound and should att ract the support of most employers.

The LWP last met on the 7 July 2014, at which the group’s thinking was shared and a recommendati on to the CITB Board agreed. Subsequently, the CITB Board met on 16 July and accepted the LWP’s proposals, which are set out as follows:

For assessments payable in 2015 and 2016, the PAYE rate should be 0.5%, the LOSC and LOPR rates should be 1.5%, the Small Business Levy Exempti on level should be £80,000, and the 50% Small Business Levy Reducti on band should apply to payments made between £80,000 and £100,000 (all unchanged from the 2012 Order).

For assessments payable in 2017, the PAYE rate should be 0.5%, a rate of 1.25% should be applied to payments made net of tax under the Constructi on Industry Scheme (CIS), the Small Business Levy Exempti on level should be £80,000, and the 50% Small Business Levy Reducti on band should apply to payments made between £80,000 and £300,000.

There will be no labour only payments received mechanism.

The LWP and CITB Board believe that these proposals make the process of completi ng levy returns much easier, reducing the burden on employers and removes uncertainty about whether a parti cular sub-contract should be declared or not, making the system fairer.

The impact of these changes has been modelled and most registered employers and levy payers will either face no change or a reducti on in their liability. Where employers are negati vely aff ected, they will be contacted individually and CITB believe that introducing the change in 2017 provides employers with suffi cient

HAE has recently received a briefi ng on the CITB levy and grant plans for the coming years.

ANNUAL CONSULTATION

C ITB are seeking the opinion of our industry. We hope that the details contained in the

following arti cle will help provide the necessary informati on for you to provide feedback to HAE, so that we may develop a consensus response. If you need any further informati on please contact HAE.

This year’s consultati on includes proposals for the Levy Order due to be submitt ed to Parliament at the end of this year. If approved, this will cover levy assessments payable in2015, 2016 and 2017.

VALUE FOR LEVYCITB remains committ ed to providing as much support for employers engaged in training aspossible. Aft er two years, in which demand for grants has dipped sharply, the recovery that began in 2013 has gathered pace and CITB has seen the value of grant claims and other support rising. This year, the CITB Board agreed to maintain grant rates, including the higher levels of the £50 per day att endance grant and the 22% supplementary payment. As well as increasing the value of fl exible funding. Their Strategic Prioriti es remain focussed on :• Enabling the constructi on industry

to be effi cient and eff ecti ve• Increasing the capability of the

existi ng constructi on workforce• Inspiring talented people to join

the constructi on industry

36-37 CITB Levy.indd 36 11/09/2014 11:55


advanced warning for them to react appropriately. A calculator is available on our website so that employers can see for themselves (www.citb.co.uk/levy-grant/levy-simplifi cati on/) what the impact on their business would be.

Consultati on with employers through survey, meeti ngs and workshops shows majority support for the proposals from respondents.

The relevant proposals on which HAE would welcome the views of our members to create an industry view are that:• There should be a conti nuati on

of levy arrangements not ti ed to exempti on in respect of the levies payable in 2015, 2016 and 2017 on the grounds that this is necessary to encourage adequate training in the industry;

• Levy assessments payable in 2015 and 2016 should be assessed in the same way as in the period 2012 to 2014;

• For assessments payable in 2017,> 3.1. there should be a PAYE rate of 0.5%, and levy liability on indirect;> employment should be assessed at a rate of 1.25% on payments made net of tax through the CIS;> there should be a ‘small fi rms’ exclusion level that equates to a value of £80,000 of combined PAYE and net CIS payments;> employers whose combined PAYE and net CIS payments are between £80,000 and £300,000 should receive a 50% reducti on in levy liability.

HAE is required to present the combined view of our members about this year’s levy proposals by close of business on Monday 28 September 2014, so you early response would be much appreciated.

Graham ArundellManaging Director

ANNUAL CONSULTATION

CITB remains committ ed to providing as much support for employers engaged in training as possible.engaged in training as possible.

36-37 CITB Levy.indd 37 08/09/2014 10:16


Recent events in the Ukraine have again raised the politi cal tension between the EU and Russia with the USA racking up the rhetoric to new heights. Real and

threatened sancti ons are already being traded. The rights and wrongs of the acti ons, of either side, are not the subject of this piece. The relevance to HAE and EHA members is that sancti ons by either side have the

‘real potenti al’ to directly aff ect your business!

COULD THE RUSSIANS TURN THE

FOR THE UK?THE HAE VIEW AND YOUR

ENERGY STRATEGY

Interface // Autumn 2014

38-42 Russia Lights Out.indd 38 11/09/2014 11:46


THE SANCTIONSPoliti cal tensions and even wars have been fought over land and resources. The new driving force of modern economies is Energy, however the post USSR era of oligarchs and Football club owners has created an era of stability and trade with the EU. Yet the current politi cal crisis has seen 30% of Russia’s banking sector assets now constrained by sancti ons, according to US offi cials. Moscow has banned imports of hi-tech goods and fruit and veg from Poland and other producers.

What is obvious is that logic and economics are not the driving force behind the sancti ons. Even pragmati c Germany’s Ms Merkel is saying that EU sancti ons were now “unavoidable” and the German fi nance minister claims: “Economic interests are not the top priority. The top priority is ensuring stability and peace”.

Despite this situati on, European leaders have not limited oil and gas imports from Russia as this would hurt EU countries that rely on Russian energy. They have instead, targeted Russia’s long-term ability to develop new oil resources, by placing restricti ons on the technology and systems behind off shore energy explorati on. >>

Economic interests are not the top priority. The top priority is

ensuring stability and peace.



The US and EU have banned exports of technology systems, known as “sensiti ve technologies”, for use in Russian deep-water, Arcti c and shale oil explorati on.

Russia is one of the world’s largest oil producers and holds the largest combined oil and gas reserves in the world. But in a global market, with the UK importi ng an esti mated 15% of its gas from Russia, the immediate threat is obvious. Any restricti on of producti on or exportati on could also see global gas prices rise instantly. A demonstrati on of this was seen in 2010 on the day of the Japanese tsunami where a 20% rise in gas prices was seen within hours, catching out customers in negoti ati on for new contracts.

Politi cally, it’s hard to predict what will happen next. If investi gati ons into the att ack on Malaysian Airlines fl ight MH17 establish a clear link with Russian separati sts in Ukraine – and Puti n conti nues to support them – then deeper sancti ons may be hard to resist and the crisis is likely to have a rapid and fundamental impact on Europe’s energy landscape. On the other hand, if the investi gati ons are inconclusive and Puti n, who is basking in record domesti c approval rati ngs, conti nues to tough it out, gas supplies might remain uninterrupted.

THE CHANGE IN ELECTRICITY GENERATIONThis short term threat to gas supplies also hides a deeper issue and threat to electricity supply in the UK.

Since 1970 our overall energy consumpti on has actually fallen by 12% due to the move from primary manufacturing industries to hi-tech and service industries. However, during that period the mix of fuels changed dramati cally, with solid fuels reducing from 47% to 2.8%, whilst electricity consumpti on has increased by 65%. In recent years natural gas has become the predominant energy used in electricity generati on resulti ng in 41% of all electricity being generated in the UK from gas powered stati ons in 2013. This obviously makes the UK massively reliant on the global supply and price of natural gas and must also take account of the fact that electricity generati on capacity, parti cularly from non-gas sources, is limited in the UK. Add to this the strong oppositi on to gas being extracted from new sources such as ‘fracking’. Crunch ti me for the UK is expected to be 2017-2019.

THE SIZE OF THE GAS IMPORTSSo what could this mean to the UK, and how much does the UK depend on Russian gas?



The EU gets around 30% of its gas from Russia, but some countries are more dependent on it than others: the Czech Republic and Finland, for example, import at least 80% of their gas from the country, while Germany, which has been treading parti cularly carefully in its dealings with Puti n, imports around 36% of its natural gas from Russian suppliers.

The situati on in the UK is less clear. Gas imports account for around 70% of supply, with the esti mate that Russia supplies up to 15% of that. Russian energy giant Gazprom esti mates that it sends 11 to 12 billion cubic metres to the

UK each year, out of an overall UK consumpti on of around 84 billion cubic metres.

THE IMMEDIATE IMPLICATIONS Whatever the fi gure, if Russia cuts gas supply to Europe, the knock-on eff ect would be felt as keenly in the UK as in many other parts of Europe, for both gas and electricity supply. The crisis may also aff ect a deal made between Centrica (which owns Briti sh Gas) and Gazprom to begin importi ng 2.4 billion cubic metres of Russian gas via a pipeline from Holland in a couple of months’ ti me. >>

Gas imports account for

around 70% of supply, with the

esti mate that Russia supplies up

to 15% of that.



THE LONGER TERM KNOCK ON EFFECTSThe longer term threat may be the scarcity of gas globally. Russia has signed a multi -decade deal with China and this means that a massive customer will be emerging in Russia’s east, and while European countries could make a point of purchasing oil from non-Russian sources, they don’t have a ready replacement for Russia’s natural gas, which is linked to the rest of Europe by a cheap transportati on pipeline. In many respects, Puti n has issued a veiled threat by stati ng that Russia needs to seek other markets outside the EU and NATO alliance such as in Lati n America.

The real threat may not therefore be sancti ons, but long-term global supply and price security. Even before these

events an annual energy rise of 15% was predicted by the energy i ndustry.

So what is your strategy to counter your Energy costs and secure your supply?

In a recent poll, 93% of SME’s had no energy strategy other than ’get the cheapest price’. This may not be enough to protect your energy supply and budget in the future.

HAE EHA Uti liti es has therefore created a strategy to best fi t the needs of its members. We cannot stop the Russians just turning off the tap, but we can make sure we protect our members’ interests in the short and long term over this period of increasing energy scarcity.

With an annual esti mated collecti ve industry energy spend of £10m-£20m, we are already a

signifi cant energy user. We intend to use this more and more to help our members. This is sti ll supplied as part of your membership!• Pricing – HAE EHA Uti liti es already

provide long term energy contracts to secure members supply for up to 5 years*. These contracts can be signed up to 4 years before the end of your current contract at 2014 prices thus avoiding the 15% pa price rises.

• Contract extensions – Some HAE EHA Uti liti es contracts can be extended at the end of each year even if you have signed a 5 year deal i.e. up to 4 years before end of the contact.

• HAE EHA Uti liti es energy basket - As part of the ongoing refi nement of this strategy The Associati on have used the £10m spend as a lever to give us collecti ve purchasing and drive down prices*. This will include all benefi ts above such as the fi xed upper price, but if a bett er price is negoti ated for each year the members will see the price will go down. No risk, no take or pay clauses, 28 day terminati on if you leave the premises. Due for launch soon.

• Energy management - HAE EHA Uti liti es also provide a free overview of how to reduce your energy spend, as well as additi onal consultancy services, plus the installati on of energy saving soluti ons, fi nance and support*. <<

Call us now on 0114 294 5311 or email us on: info@haeuti liti es.co.uk if you want to discuss any of the above points.

Source: Energy Consumpti on in the UK (2014), Department of Energy and Climate change

* Subject to Terms & Conditi ons

In a recent poll, 93% of SME’s had no energy strategy other than

‘get the cheapest price’.had no energy strategy other than had no energy strategy other than


Tel: 02476 357960 Email: [email protected]

● 110 VOLT AND 230 VOLT DIESEL HEATERS

● DUAL VOLTAGE PROPANE HEATERS

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Interface 268x100mm ad_7219_Layout 1 02/08/2013 11:11 Page 1

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Email: [email protected]

Lyte Ladders & Towers

KEEPING YOU SAFE WHIST WORKING AT HEIGHT

MANUFACTURING TO HIGHER STANDARDS

British MadeLyte_Hire_Association_Europe_A4.indd 1 11/4/2013 4:13:36 PM

To adverti se inTo adverti se in

Please contact Katrina Browning

Telephone: 01778 395022

[email protected]

p43_int_aut14.indd 43 09/09/2014 15:48


FIRSTLY, CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOW?Jeremy: The fi rst Showman’s Show was held in 1984 at the Newark Showground, with 80 or so exhibitors. Unti l 1989 the show was held every two years but due to demand, from exhibitors and visitors alike, a decision was made to hold the event annually. Initi ally it moved around the country but eventually sett led at Newbury in 1993. Today the show att racts more than 4,500 visitors over two days and boasts nearly 350 exhibitors, who show the most sophisti cated structures, equipment and entertainment demanded by all areas of the event industry.

SO WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR THE SHOW FIRST COME FROM?Stephen: Back in 1968, Jean started the Showman’s Directory, there were no other publicati ons dedicated to outdoor events at that ti me, so we prett y much had the world to ourselves. I was a Show Secretary for the Surrey Agricultural Show and used to att end conferences that looked at the business aspects of show organising. I realised that an exhibiti on dedicated to outdoor events would only be of benefi t to all concerned. The very fi rst Show was called the Showman’s Directory Comes to Life. The purchasers of the directory became the show visitors and the adverti sers became the exhibitors.

WHAT DO YOU THINK LIES AT THE HEART OF THE SHOW’S SUCCESS AND LONGEVITY?Stephen: The ethos of the Show was, and sti ll very much is, to be personal, fun and informal – I fi rmly believe that lies at the heart of its success today. We know and understand our exhibitors and visitors and have good personal relati onships with many of them. Also it’s the litt le things and att enti on to detail that keep the Show revered in the outdoor event industry’s hearts. For example the show has a fl ag for every country that is represented at the event, whether they’re an exhibitor or visitor. Each year I will go through the list of exhibitors and visitors and ensure that they are represented with a fl ag. In 2013 we had 34 fl ags fl ying proudly.

With just two months unti l the Showman’s Show 2014 returns to the Newbury Showground, we interview

the Lance Show & Publicati ons team; Stephen, Jean, Jeremy and Johnny Lance. We discover where the idea for the Show came from, how the show and the event industry as a whole has evolved over the last 30 years

and what we can expect to see this October.

SHOWMAN’SSHOW

OUT & ABOUT

44-47 Showmans Show.indd 44 11/09/2014 10:26


WHY NEWBURY SHOWGROUND FOR THE LAST 22 YEARS?Stephen: In the early days we returned to the Newark Showground a couple of ti mes and then we moved around the country with Shows being held in an airfi eld in Cranfi eld and the Three Counti es Showground before fi nally sett ling in Newbury. To all intents and purposes this is the perfect venue for the Show, it’s a fantasti c site, in a central locati on, close to London, with excellent transport links.

Each October it is transformed into the annual meeti ng place for the outdoor event industry with a sea of marquees, temporary structures, plant equipment and hospitality units visible from the M4. >>

2013

Back in 1968, Jean started the Showman’s Directory, there were no other publicati ons

dedicated to outdoor events at that ti me, so we prett y much had the world to ourselves.

1984



HOW HAS THE SHOW GROWN AND DEVELOPED?Jeremy: When I joined the business on a permanent basis in 1999, the Show was most defi nitely on the map and it has conti nued to grow in both size and stature over the last 15 years. The growth of the Show has been gradual so it has never lost touch with its roots and how it all began. It has grown from an impressive 45,000 sqm, in the early days in Newbury, to the staggering 95,000 sqm that it is today.

HOW HAVE VISITORS TO THE SHOW CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?Stephen: The Show’s roots were very much in the outdoor event industry which back in 1984 was organisers of agricultural and horti cultural

shows, county shows and air shows. There were also local authoriti es organising events like carnivals who came along. Whilst they sti ll most defi nitely att end in their busloads we now att ract suits out of London which is very pleasing to see.

Jeremy: One of the biggest trends over the last 10 years or so has been the increase in both exhibitors and visitors from the live event industry. We see more staging, screen, lighti ng, sound and producti on companies exhibiti ng at the Show and that in itself encourages more visitors from concert promoters and festi val organisers att ending.

Johnny: I’ve defi nitely seen an increase in the number of festi val organisers visiti ng and it is something I’m keen to develop as we have

so much to off er them. We are keen to develop relati onships with organisati ons like the AIF (Associati on of Independent Festi vals) to ensure their members know about and engage with the Show.

Jeremy: We’ve also seen a rise in the number of agencies and high profi le caterers visiti ng the Show which is great. Visitors now att end from all areas of the event industry. Also as more and more colleges and universiti es off er courses and degrees in all aspects of event management, their interest in the show has blossomed. Many lecturers bring along students to experience the industry fi rst hand. Nurturing the next generati on is vital to the survival and growth of any industry so we are very happy play our part.

1984

2014

▼ Branding for the Show in 1984



WHAT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN IN THE EVENT INDUSTRY THAT HAVE SHAPED THE SHOW?Stephen: The show has grown up and developed with the event industry. Back in 1984 there wasn’t a defi ned and recognised industry like there is today. The UK leads the way in the delivery of large scale events. London 2012 and more recently the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow really highlight on the world stage the professionalism, knowledge, experti se and creati vity that exists, much of which can be seen up close with a visit to our Show and that makes me and the rest of my family extremely proud.

Johnny: Corporate organisati ons apporti on large parts of their marketi ng and communicati ons budgets to spend on events, including sponsorship and brand acti vati ons at sporti ng events, concerts and festi vals. The show has become more sophisti cated and effi cient, in step with what our visitors and exhibitors want and expect.

Jeremy: The professional dynamics of the event industry have changed massively, it has become a serious grown up business and the Show is now much less of an end of season “jolly”. From the operati onal side site access has improved as the use of plant equipment has increased and more players have entered the market creati ng competi ti on and ulti mately innovati on. The industry is now legislated and regulated, and rightly so, we have always kept abreast of the changes and in some instances led the way.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU’RE DISAPPOINTED TO SEE CHANGE?Jeremy: The move away from the Entertainment Ring, from the early days unti l the early 2000’s we would have monster trucks, motorcycle displays, jousti ng, falconry displays, you name it. Sadly as the world of entertainment has changed so have our visitor’s requirements. People can now view entertainment ideas on YouTube and many events now see celebrity endorsement and reality stars as the best way to deliver an audience. Fun sti ll lays at the very heart of the Show and we encourage exhibitors to try new and creati ve ideas to att ract audiences to their stands. In recent years we have had everything from welly wangling to hook a duck. Perhaps we should launch a Showman’s Got Talent style competi ti on?

HOW DO YOU THINK THE LOOK AND FEEL OF THE SHOW HAS CHANGED?Jeremy: The most notable change for me is the aestheti cs of the Show and that’s not just down to everyone’s terrible fashion sense in the 80’s. Temporary structures, marquees, tents, however you want to refer to them, have evolved massively. From the ingenuity in structural engineering, to the sheer size and scale of them, there has been a huge shift . They are also stunning to look at. Even at the other end of the scale ti pis, bedouin and belle tents, the designs are just braver, diverse and more creati ve which is fantasti c for our visitors. We know they’re always going to fi nd something diff erent year on year.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM 2014?Jeremy: We have been working hard to ensure that we have a broad range of exhibitors. It is vital that the Show includes a good cross secti on of the enti re supply chain whether that’s state-of-the-art structures, plant and hire equipment, waste management, health and safety soluti ons or fi nishing touches. We already have more than 40 new exhibitors on board so I’m confi dent there is something for everyone.

Johnny: In the last four years we have seen a real rise in the demand for sustainable products and a surge in appeti te for all things technology related. I think that’s really refl ected in this year’s exhibitor list. We also want to deliver as much fun and entertainment as we can so a new feature for 2014 will play

host to Acts and Att racti ons wishing to showcase themselves.

The Showman’s Show 2014 will take place at Newbury Showground, 22 - 23 October. <<

▲ L to R Johnny Lance, Stephen Lance and Jeremy Lance

▲ Stephen and Jean Lance in 1984

In the last four years we have seen a real

rise in the demand for sustainable products

and a surge in appeti te for all things technology related.

1984

2014



PROFITABLE SOIL PREPARATIONTurf Teq’s Surface Preparati on Rake off ers the modern, profi table way to prepare soil for turf, grass seed or wild fl owers. Much quicker than a rotavator, this rugged machine will give your customers the edge when quoti ng for lawn creati on/renovati on, preparati on for a wild fl ower meadow or breaking up and levelling self-binding gravel paths, golf buggy paths and similar surfaces.• Hire industry price – just £4865 + vat.• Rent out at £95 per day; £320/week.

A rugged, bullet-proof, American product driven by TurfTeq’s 13hp, Honda-engined tractor which will also power the TurfTeq Edger/Trencher, Power Broom, Rough-cut Mower and Snowplough.

Contact: 0118 981 1313 turft [email protected] www.groundscare-products.co.uk

ITV’S LOVE YOUR GARDEN TO FEATURE ALTRAD BELLE PRODUCTSAltrad Belle is anti cipati ng a considerable amount of exposure on the programme as for the fourth consecuti ve year they have partnered the producti on team by supplying equipment that will enable them to complete their garden make-over’s

Amongst the products to be used will be the industry leading Minimix 150 Cement Mixer, the PCX 13/40 Plate Compactor and the virtually indestructi ble Warrior Wheelbarrow which will also include the ‘Puncture Proof’ Fort Flex Tyre opti on.

Altrad Belle will also be exhibiti ng at the forthcoming Glee & Saltex Exhibiti ons where you will be able to view these products.

Contact: 01298 84074 www.belle-group.co.uk

URBAN ACCESS RENTALS BUYS NIFTYLIFTS With years of experience selling new and used powered access equipment, Urban Access is now venturing into the rental sector as Urban Access Rentals. Urban Access Rentals services Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Wimborne and the surrounding areas with a comprehensive fl eet that specialises in low-level access and narrow width tracked machines.

Its fl eet of Nift ylift ’s include the Nift y 90 and Nift y 140 trailer mounts; the ever popular HR12N and new environmentally-conscious HR15, HR17 and HR21 Hybrid self-propelled booms as well as the niche SD120T and SD210 self-drives.

Contact: 01202 593411 turft [email protected] www.urban-access-rentals.co.uk

MCS TRANSPORT MANAGER MOBILE APPThe new Android Transport Manager Mobile ‘app’, from MCS, improves companywide visibility of fl eet and drivers to identi fy and deal with transport issues in real-ti me whilst reducing the ti me taken to manage transport and administrati ve tasks.

Sharing data with MCS-rm rental soft ware, the app allows drivers with smartphones and tablets to see a live list of jobs, view maps, log important informati on on their deliveries, collecti ons and returns with the ability to capture proof of delivery signatures and damage photos.

Available at this year’s Showman’s Show, MCS will also be demonstrati ng the latest enhancements to their MCS-rm soft ware including the Resource Planner which simplifi es complex resource management requirements ensuring that the right people or vehicles are assigned to the right tasks.Contact:

01628 828000 www.mcs.co.uk

01778 [email protected]

AN UPDATE ON NEW PRODUCTS,APPLICATIONS AND PROJECTS

This guide features the latest product launches andmost recent applicati ons in the hire industry

TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS IN THE ‘WHAT’S NEW’ SECTIONPLEASE CONTACT KATRINA BROWNING ON:

What's New.indd 48 10/09/2014 15:49

Wood chippers and green waste shredders

The Arborist 150 road tow machine has a chipping capacity of 150mm and is most popular with the general hire market. Ideal because of low general maintenance, especially in the area of blade sharpening. GreenMech’s revolutionary Disc-Blade

system turns the blades to a new sharp section before needing to be sharpened.

The Arborist 150 - a good ‘all round’ tow machine.

The ArbTrack 150 - a ‘go-anywhere’ chipper that can be manoeuvred into tight spaces.Arborist and ArbTrak 150 wood chippers are the hire industry standard, finding application with contractors and local authorities, often on long term hire, through to golf clubs, leisure parks and even private individuals that find they have tree waste to dispose of.

LOW COST FINANCE OPTIONS

AVAILABLE(Terms & Conditions apply)*

LOW COST FINANCE OPTIONS

AVAILABLE(Terms & Conditions apply)*

01789 400044 www.greenmech.co.uk

Getting the job done without fear of interruption

See them in action!

Arborist ArbTrak

Arborist 150 road tow machine has a chipping capacity of 150mm and is most popular with the general hire market. Ideal because of low general maintenance, especially in the area of blade sharpening. GreenMech’s revolutionary Disc-Blade

Made for hire-ability, longevity and most of all...

...profitability.

p49_int_aut14.indd 49 09/09/2014 15:34


INJURED WHILE PLAYING DANGEROUS SPORTSA client recently granted an employee’s last-minute holiday request so they could go skiing. But the only winter break they got was one in their leg? The questi on is: are they enti tled to sick pay as the injury was their own fault?

BREAK A LEG!Under the Working Time Regulati ons 1998, employees must give you twice the amount of noti ce of the statutory annual leave that they want to take, e.g. one week’s holiday requires two weeks’ noti ce. However, you may impose longer noti ce requirements in your contracts of employment if you want to.

UP TO YOUWhen it comes to any holiday requests made at short-noti ce, you don’t have to grant them. But, as in our client’s case, it may someti mes suit you to agree, e.g. it’s a quiet ti me of year.

Not likely. However, what they didn’t anti cipate was a call a few days later from the employee’s mum with news they had sustained a nasty break in their right leg. Seems their enthusiasm for skiing wasn’t matched by experience!

I WANT THAT TOOSo,not only had the annual leave request come “out of the blue”, so did the subsequent demand for sick pay. It turns out that our client had retained the right in their contracts to pay full contractual pay “on a discreti onary basis” during any periods of sickness absence.

PREVIOUS DECISIONSThis had been paid before, but that was for a serious illness. They weren’t prepared to do the same here as the injury and subsequent sickness absence was the employee’s own fault. However, any decision needed to be carefully thought through. So what is our advice?

TO PAY OR NOT TO PAY?We have stated in our sick pay clause that employees would not be paid contractual sick pay if “they injured themselves parti cipati ng in a dangerous sport or acti vity”. Skiing falls into this exempti on, as would most other sports, e.g. mountain biking etc. Luckily, our client also used this clause.

Note. If they had already paid another employee in similar circumstances, then they would be on dodgy ground as a “custom and practi ce” could have arisen.

DON’T HOLD BACKHowever, what our client can’t withhold - provided it’s properly certi fi cated - is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). This must be paid from the fourth day of sickness absence; in other words, the fi rst three days are unpaid. <<

Tip 1. Aft er seven days’ conti nuous sickness absence you can insist that an employee provides you with a GP’s “sick note”. (Form MED3). For any period of one to seven days they must self-certi fy to confi rm the reason for their absence.

Tip 2. If they don’t, or won’t, do this, you can refuse to pay SSP and the ti me off is then unauthorized leave and a disciplinary matt er

Tip 3. This year, there is no annual increase to SSP - it will remain at £87.55 p.w.

I WANT THAT TOO TO PAY OR NOT TO PAY?

50 Sickness.indd 50 08/09/2014 11:59

LIFEMAPS INSPIRING COLLABORATION

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST GROWTH & IMPROVE OUTCOMES


Following the successful deployment of our fi rst Supported Apprenti ceship Scheme in 2013, and the LifeMAPS recruitment drives earlier this year HAE will run a new LifeMAPS Programme in the North-east of England from the

3rd to the 7th November.

For more informati on or to become a host for an apprenti ce contact Richard Whiti ng on44 (0)121 380 4623 or richard.whiti [email protected]

COLLABORATIVEPARTNERS

EMPLOYERMEMBERS

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS EMPLOYER MEMBERS

LifeMaps.indd 51 28/08/2014 17:45


LOCAL ENTERPRISE LOCAL ENTERPRISE LOCAL ENTERPRISE LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIPSPARTNERSHIPSPARTNERSHIPSPARTNERSHIPS

MAKING THE CONNECTION

52-54 LEPs.indd 52 28/08/2014 17:44


Local Enterprise Partnerships (or LEPs) were created in 2011 by the Government as voluntary partnerships between local councils and the business community.

W ith the aboliti on of the Regional Development Agencies and various

local skills bodies, it was felt that the connecti on between councils and business would be lost, parti cularly on the skills agenda.

The 39 LEPs in England (they do not exist in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) rely heavily on volunteers from business and the support arrangements vary with seconded or full-ti me staff from councils, the former government offi ces and ex-RDA staff ers. >>

52-54 LEPs.indd 53 08/09/2014 12:14


HAE EHA encourages members to make contact with their LEP and further details of the LEP areas can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publicati ons/local-enterprise-partnerships-local-authority-mapping

LEPs will benefi t from a wider input from the business community, including the hire sector; whether SME or regional/nati onal scale organisati ons, as hire will be key to delivering much of the infrastructure and regenerati on acti vity that LEPs are focused on. The targeti ng funding to support workforce development, skills profi le and business support makes it worth the eff ort as LEPs are proving to be the main point of access for bidding and shaping bids.

HAE EHA is keen to hear about your experiences in contacti ng and engaging with the LEPs and will feed back to Ministers. If there are any barriers to this engagement or should you have any questi ons please contact Mark Bradshaw, HAE Public Aff airs, direct. <<

0121 380 4621 [email protected]

Lord Heselti ne’s 2012 report ‘No Stone Unturned’ gave a boost to the LEPs and City Region agenda resulti ng in the creati on of a £1.4 Local Growth Fund to be allocated on a competi ti ve basis. There is also a nati onal LEP organisati on to help focus the strategic agenda. By end-March 2014, LEPs had to submit their Strategic Economic Plans to Government for a share of the £2 billion fund for nati onal investment to sti mulate jobs and growth.

There are major diff erences in LEP performance and ability to deliver or shape local agendas. Some are co-terminus with existi ng council boundaries in a neat fi t with the functi onal economic area, while others have overlaps or a more confused picture of several LEPs covering a group of councils.

LEPs now have a broader remit way beyond the original skills and future workforce agenda and now have a big say in local infrastructure and growth prioriti es, including transport, housing, fl ood preventi on and supporti ng Enterprise Zones and Areas where these exist. There also seems to be a broad consensus among the main politi cal parti es that whomever wins the 2015 General Electi on, the LEPs, at least in some form, will be retained.

52-54 LEPs.indd 54 08/09/2014 12:14

Saint Gobain.indd 1 29/08/2014 10:50

FEIN.UnitedKingdom FEIN_UK

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Further information is available from your specialist dealer or at www.fein-uk.co.uk

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Tapping in manual mode due to clockwise/anti-clockwise rotation and MT3 interface

p56_int_aut14.indd 1 29/08/2014 10:58

Documents

Interface On Hire Autumn 2014