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Last updateThu, 09 Apr 2026 9am

Keeping workers safe: Has COVID-19 changed Health & Safety forever?

By Lesley Macleod, CEO of The Association for Project Safety, and Shachar Harari, chief business officer & head of Cardo Crew

Remember the halcyon days of 2019, where Britain’s departure from the EU and the upcoming general election was all anybody was talking about? This time last year, terms like ‘social distancing’, ‘lockdown’ and ‘self-isolation’ would have seemed completely alien to us, and somebody wearing a facemask in a supermarket would probably have warranted a second glance. Who’d have thought that 2020 would be the year when we’d have to knock elbows instead of shaking hands, or abandon going into the office altogether? 

Read more: Keeping workers safe: Has COVID-19 changed Health & Safety forever?

York Handmade enjoys 'excellent year' - despite challenges

The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has enjoyed one of the most successful years in its 30-year history.

Based at Alne, near Easingwold, York Handmade is the leading independent brickmaker in the north of England.

Chairman David Armitage, commented: “2020 has proved to be an excellent year for us, despite all the political uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the chaos called by the global pandemic. We secured a number of lucrative contracts, especially in central London, across a number of sectors.

Read more: York Handmade enjoys 'excellent year' - despite challenges

Free fixings, hat and fleece with rainwater and soil orders in January

This January Rainclear Systems, the UK’s leading stockist and online retailer of metal rainwater, roofline and drainage solutions is including FREE fixings with every Gutter, Downpipe and LCC or SimpleFIT Soil Pipe order. Plus, while stocks last, on orders over £500 customers will receive a Rainclear winter hat and with orders over £1000 customers will receive a Rainclear fleece.

Read more: Free fixings, hat and fleece with rainwater and soil orders in January

Concrete specialist launches new high-performance admixtures

Oscrete Construction Products has this week announced the launch of its new range of admixtures that prolong the workability of concrete, providing improved flexibility for contractors on site.

The Optomize X-Tend range is based on new generation PCE superplasticisers that offer high consistency retention, suitable for precast, ready-mixed concrete and flowing screeds.

Read more: Concrete specialist launches new high-performance admixtures

NASC secures fleet resource gold

NASC members can now gain free access to a broad range of transport-related resources and discounts from Logistics UK. 

Through the NASC’s Gold Affiliate Membership of Logistics UK, formerly known as the Freight Transport Association, full members will be able to pick and choose from 35 different services offered through the website. 

Read more: NASC secures fleet resource gold