Roofing Industry News Roundup for 2018
As we begin a brand new year, here at D-marc we’re taking a look back at 2018 to remind our readers of the news and other developments that particularly affected our industry over the past twelve months.
One of 2018’s first developments to impact roofing contractors in the UK came at the end of January with the launch of a new Dry Fix Standard for UK roofing. For the first time, standard BS 8612: Dry-fixed Ridge, Hip and Verge Systems for Slating and Tiling sets out the minimum performance requirements for dry fix products and was issued as a result of concerns about the durability and weather tightness of some systems in use. The standard was broadly welcomed within the industry as it will ensure an improved standard of products used in roof specifications.
Health and safety stories of all types have continued to dominate the news within our industry over the past twelve months and we’ve seen the results of the new sentencing guidelines that came into force in 2016 in the strict sentences and heavy fines that have been handed down for violations of health and safety legislation.
Scorchio- 2018 saw the Met Office announce that we had the hottest summer on record here in the UK as all parts of Britain experienced a heatwave. As guidelines and advice was issued to help UK citizens deal with the sometimes overbearing heat, roofing contractors and construction workers were repeatedly warned of the dangers brought by the unusually warm weather. Protecting the skin from sunburn became a very real concern, and those working outdoors were constantly being advised to ensure that they remained hydrated and were aware of the signs of heat exhaustion. Despite this, the government rejected recommendations that a maximum working temperature should be introduced, disappointing roofers across the country as they struggled to work in the taxing conditions during the weeks of overwhelming heat.
In December, the government’s Immigration White Paper was met with disappointment and dire warnings by the business community, with construction industry players particularly concerned as we face Brexit. The salary thresholds set for migrant workers entering the UK is likely to devastate the construction industry which relies heavily on low paid workers from European countries who flock to work in the UK. With the White Paper categorically stating that it will make no allowances for low-skilled workers, this caused problems on two levels. The definition of “low-skilled” covers most construction industry tradespeople and there is a genuine and pressing need for low-skilled workers from overseas, such as labourers who are essential to the safe and smooth operations of construction sites.
Fake CSCS cards are still causing problems and this was highlighted when a whole gang of conspirators manufacturing and supplying fake CSCS cards, and other fake ID documents were jailed following a two year investigation by Immigration Enforcement’s Criminal and Financial Investigation Team. Other forged documents for sale by the gang included British passports, British residence permits and degree certificates, with prices ranging from £200 to £900.
Why not stay with us to keep up to date with news and developments that will affect the UK roofing industry in 2019? You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter to get a notification on all the news we publish and leave your comments and thoughts for us to read.