Interface

18 Spring 2022 NEWS HAE EHA hosted a Regional Members Event at Hyperdrive’s Turntide Technology Centre, in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear in March. The event focused on sustainability using lithium-ion technology. HAE EHA Director of Certification Services, Carl Bartlett, led proceedings. Dean Jennings Sales & Marketing Director at Hyperdrive Innovations - Turntide, delivered a presentation on the development of battery technology and utilisation across a wide range of industries, and Scott McCall, Net Zero Specialist from Snorkel UK, outlined the Zero to Hero concept. Scott was supported by Andrew Fisburn and Snorkel brought along an electric S2755RTE narrow scissor lift for members to see lithium- ion technology in use. Peter Moody, Director of Gap Group North East Limited, outlined options to support total waste management and recycling solutions for the sector. Carl Bartlett took the group through the development of SafeHire and its use within the industry as a business development tool. Anders McLocklan from HAE EHA Insurance Services then presented on developments in sector specific insurance products, including HireSecure, the exclusive short term hire options for HAE EHA members. Paul Gaze said: “It was great to get back to hearing from members face to face and having the opportunity to showcase best practice and share innovation within the hire and rental sector with members. This will be the first of several to be held this year around the UK and Ireland, so please look out for updates via Interface and the HAE EHA Newsletter.” HAE’S BATTERY POWERED VISION AT NORTH EAST REGIONAL EVENT Police are hunting scammers who stole £500,000 worth of construction plant by posing as a legitimate groundworks contractor. Machines were droped off at three addresses in Surrey in mid-January, after details of the contractor were used to place orders. The haul included a 17-tonne excavator worth £185,000, 3-tonne dumper, a 3-tonne hydraulic breaker, four ditching buckets and four loading buckets. These items were delivered over the course of a week to addresses in Shepperton, Chertsey and Virginia Water, and then removed from the area. The scamwas exposed when the plant hirer which provided the machinery followed up with the groundworks contractor and found they had no knowledge of placing the order. Employers’ responsibilities to workers regarding the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) changed on April 6th. The Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (PPER 2022) were laid before Parliament in January. The PPER 2022 amend the current Regulations to extend employers’ and employees’ duties in respect of PPE to a wider group of workers. HSE has prepared interim guidance explaining the changes. This guidance will help employers identify whether they and their workforce may be impacted by the changes and explains what employers may need to do in preparing for the changes. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AT WORK REGULATIONS ARE CHANGING SURREY SCAMMERS STEAL MACHINES WORTH £500,000 More than three quarters (79%) of energy generation construction projects over the past five years have been related to renewable energy, with gas and nuclear representing a combined 21%. While construction projects for energy generation using solar power represent the largest proportion of contract awards by volume, in value terms, solar projects represent just 4% of total value across energy- related construction projects, a report by AMA Research reveals. Report editor Laura Pardoe said: “This is an incredibly exciting time to be monitoring construction in the energy sector and charting the real time transition to renewable sources of energy generation. There has been a 70% increase in electricity generation from renewables since 2016. Over the same period, 80% of contract awards have been for low carbon options showing a clear direction of future travel. Twin forces driving for energy security and carbon neutrality mean construction projects are focused on sustainable energy generation utilising natural resources.” RENEWABLE ENERGY DOMINATES CONSTRUCTION