Newsletter January 2011
Happy New Year 2011
Last year was a tough time for many of us. It is refreshing to reflect that the rolling over that occurs year on year allows us to but the past behind us, generally speaking, and take a fresh look at 'where we are going'.
Whilst we ponder on how and when the Nation will emerge from the current recession, there are many things going on behind the scenes that give us grounds for optimism. Information Technology continues to break new ground and we intend to be there supporting our loyal customers with 'better IT' solutions. As software developers this is what we do and what our customers tell us we are good at; providing an excellent service and continually developing the ToolKit to suit the needs of our customers.
If you would like to keep abreast of what we are doing in 2011 keep an eye on our website for future events. In addition we will be running our MARM (Major Accounts Review Meeting) in May this year; customers keep an eye out for the date as it will be an excellent opportunity to put your ideas forward for future development.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our customers and partners all the best in the coming year!
Collaborative Solutions - The Way Forward?
We read a recent article in Green IT which stated what we at Ai Solutions have known for some time: Using a collaborative software solution can drive down costs and make the whole process more transparent to all.
Finally, after years of banging the drum, others are coming round to our way of thinking. Shared systems that talk to each other are a definite big step forward. We have always seen ToolKit as a collaborative tool, the switchboard to other systems. Collaboration is our mantra; after all why try to make other systems do things they are not supposed to? Just find a way to join them together and you have the best tool for the job.
With ToolKit CS™ we can help you in your money saving, collaborative exercises; just give us a call on 01525 850080.
Fire Safety In Construction
This is not new but we thought a very valuable resource from the HSE. The second edition of 'Fire safety in construction' explains how everyone involved in construction projects can comply with their legal duties relating to fire risks. It is aimed at all those with a role for developing and managing construction sites, including clients and designers, and is relevant to all construction projects, including small refurbishment sites.
Much of what is contained in the guidance is not new, but the sections covering multi-storey buildings and high risk buildings (such as timber frame) have been strengthened to include lessons learned from recent fires.
For your free download go to http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg168.htm
HSE - Falls From Height Prosecutions
The HSE has prosecuted two companies after three workers fell through skylights on three separate occasions at an industrial unit in Warrington. The SHP reported that, on three separate occasions, three similar incidents were allowed to happen.
An astonished HSE officer stated that "A man was sent on to a roof without safety equipment, despite two caretakers falling through skylights less than a month earlier".
As we all know, more workplace deaths are caused by falls from height than anything else but companies continue to allow workers to balance dangerously on roofs. It is vital that lessons are learnt from this tragic case.
-- Click to read the full article on the SHP website
Reducing Workplace Asthma Can Save Millions
We recently read that there are various occupational health hazards that are causing illnesses among employees, asthma caused due to workplace pollutants like dust, latex, isocyanates or flour is burdening the UK economy to a very large extent.
The research pointed out that an estimated 3,000 new employees are identified with occupational asthma each year. Yet this condition seems to be under diagnosed.
According to a reputed journal Thorax, millions are spent each year from the country's treasury towards workplace asthma. However the most noted factor was that, though workplace contributes majorly to inflicting employees with asthma, an employer's contribution towards its treatment costs are minimal i.e. 3 to 4%.
In these current financial times perhaps more employers should look to issues like these in order to cut back on some of their costs.
-- Click to read the full article on the Health & Safety News website
More Information
We regularly receive updates from our customers and contacts about changes to legislation, the latest rumours and so on. We try to be selective with what we pass on and acknowledge our sources as appropriate. If you have information of general interest in the Health & Safety, and particularly, CDM and Asbestos Management arena, then please let us know by e-mail if possible.