A story run today by the BBC concerning Devon man Mr Wallace and his exposure to asbestos in schools is concerning enough, but the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) says that figures obtained by the BBC suggesting that asbestos may be more prevalent in schools than previously thought will not come as a surprise to those working in the industry.

Asbestos was widely used as a building material in the 60s and 70s and while banned in the UK in 1999 once the health risks became apparent, the damage was already done. While asbestos can be managed safely if left undisturbed, the latest findings have led to renewed calls to make schools safer.

Boningale Nurseries, one of the UK’s largest nurseries, has combined its unique horticulture and green roof expertise to help transform the landscape at an historic area of London that is undergoing a £180 million revitalisation.

The Shropshire-based nursery not only provided hundreds of semi-mature trees and perennials to the ongoing Rathbone Market redevelopment in Canning Town, it also supplied with sister company Boningale GreenSky, bespoke native Green Roof Plugs for the community’s new green roofs and living walls.

At a dizzying 160m (525ft) tall, London’s distinctive Walkie Talkie building required an exceptional roofing solution. Fenland Roofing and Sika Sarnafil single ply were up to the challenge. 

Designed by architect Rafael Viñoly and costing over £200 million, 20 Fenchurch Street is a 34-storey commercial skyscraper in London, known as the ‘Walkie Talkie’ building due to its top-heavy form. A large viewing deck, bar, restaurants and Sky Garden are included on the top three floors.

Fifty young people are being given the opportunity to forge a successful career with one of the country’s largest housebuilders. 

Redrow Homes is launching its annual apprentice recruitment drive at the start of National Apprenticeship Week (March 9 - 13).

The Scottish Labour party leader, Jim Murphy, announced at the Core Cities UK Devolution Summit earlier this month that if Labour win the 2016 elections, they will implement a multi-million pound Crossrail project, describing it as the “missing link” in the Scottish railway system. Murphy stated that the new Holyrood borrowing powers would be used to fund the project which would link the north and east to those in the south and west of Scotland. “2015 sees Scotland get new borrowing powers as part of the pre-referendum Edinburgh agreement.”(Holyrood 2015).

SHS Handling Solutions have put together an infographic based on the hazards of manual handling and how injuries caused by handling have affected those involved. These statistics have been drawn from HSE's 2013-2014 report and show how common handling injuries are, how they have affected companies, and what industries have the most reported handling-based accidents in the workplace.

Based in Northamptonshire, SHS Handling Solutions offer a range of manual handling products that are designed to help prevent injuries such as the ones featured in the infographic that can be used for a variety of different jobs.

For further information visit www.shshandlingsolutions.com

Boningale Nurseries, one of the country’s largest nurseries and environmental horticultural specialists, is celebrating after scooping a coveted award at a top industry event for the second year running.

Thomas Stabler, Business Development & Marketing Manager for Boningale Ltd, Boningale GreenSky, Boningale Garden Creations and the newly acquired Worfield Gardens – was crowned top sales and marketing professional at the 2015 UK Grower Awards, which recognises the best in the UK production horticulture industry.

The LSA’s Rolled Lead Sheet Manual sets the technical standards for the industry and is the essential reference point for leadworkers, architects and specifiers.

The newly updated version of both the e-Book and hard copy are now available to purchase.

The Concrete Industry Sustainable Construction Strategy and the annual performance report is helping to put concrete manufacturers at the forefront of the construction industry’s efforts to get to grips with issues such as embodied energy, resource efficiency and BIM. Ecobuild 2015 sees the publication of the concrete industry’s seventh performance report, containing the collected data for 2013. While it demonstrates that progress has been considerable, it is recognised that thereremains no room for complacency.

We’re all well aware that nowhere is completely safe – but that doesn’t mean you should have to put up with an unnecessarily dangerous working environment. Manchester based Tranter Cleere Solicitors have compiled figures from various sources, including the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Office of National Statistics (ONS) and the industry publication The Law Society Gazette, to run through just what the risks are at workplaces across the UK.