Industry Update*

PM Announces Review Of Sickness Absence System

The Prime Minister David Cameron has announced an independent review which will look at changing the current sickness absence system and reducing the billions of pounds that ill health costs the ... Read more »

Tackle Climate Change: Use Wood

I found this video on YouTube yesterday. It's a superb summary of the arguments for using wood and wood products to reduce the carbon impact of construction...

How Will Fire Doors Be Affected By The CPR And The Introduction Of CE Marking For Fire Doorsets?

We can only provide an opinion on the current position of the relevant European Standards and the requirements for CE marking, as these standards are still being developed, although they are all ... Read more »

Time To Train Will Strike Right Balance For Business

Time to Train regulations will not be extended this April to employees of small and medium-sized businesses. The right for employees to request time for training to improve their skills has been ... Read more »

Deal To Take Over Blairs Ltd Falls Through

Bespoke timber window manufacturer Blairs Ltd remains in receivership after it was confirmed that an agreement could not be reached between the receivers and Performance Timber Products Group ... Read more »

No UK Exemption From European Burglar Resistance Standards

At a joint extraordinary meeting of the BSI Standards Committees, which deal with doors, windows and hardware, held on the 2nd of February, it was agreed that BSI would not proceed with the ... Read more »

Government Looks to Reform Employment Tribunals and Launches ‘Employer’s Charter’

The Coalition Government is proposing reforms to address concerns raised by businesses that Employment Tribunals have become too costly and take too much time, placing unnecessary strains on ... Read more »

Do I Need To Bring Someone In To Examine And Test My Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) System?

LEV is used within most joinery workshops to control a wide range of potentially harmful substances which may include wood dust, gases and vapours, fume and solids. The 2002 COSHH Regulations ... Read more »

Sharp Material Price Rises Add To Construction Woes

Material price inflation, economic uncertainty and falling public spending mean little relief for the hard-pressed industry...

What are the current recommendations for the rise and going of stairs?

The following tables provide the criteria for rise and going as given in the building regulations (approved documents K and M), BS 5395-1:2000 and BS 5395-1:2010.

Do An Apprenticeship: Bags Of Money And No Graduate Debt

Today The Guardian published an article about why young people should consider an apprenticship over a university education...

ConstructionSkills Welcomes Localism Bill

CITB-ConstructionSkills Chief Executive Mark Farrar has urged the Government to ensure that construction plays a fundamental part in developing the localism agenda...

BWF Member Stobbarts Ltd Kicks Off National Apprenticeship Week

Stobbarts Ltd of Workington, Cumbria, have kicked off National Apprenticeship Week with a full programme of exciting events...

More Wood Tradespeople Needed For Steady Growth

An average of 6,080 new wood tradespeople and interior fit out workers will be needed each year between 2011 and 2015 as the UK's construction industry experiences steady growth, according to the ... Read more »

What Must I Pay A Laid-Off Employee?

After the recent economic downturn, employers in the woodworking and joinery industry may still be finding they do not have enough work for their employees, but would prefer to lay-off staff ... Read more »