In the face of Brexit and other challenges this year, leading trussed rafter manufacturers and timber engineering firms learned to tackle fear like a Marine Commando, at a high energy TRA AGM and conference on 2 May. More than 70 directors and business leaders within the sector met in Warrington this month to discuss some … Continue reading “Uncertain times hold no fears for trussed rafter manufacturers”

At ELAS Occupational Health, we provide a comprehensive onsite health surveillance service to thousands of companies, and one of the most important sectors for this is the construction industry. These health checks may be required by law for employees who are exposed to noise or vibration, ionising radiation, solvents, fumes, dust and more. Although there … Continue reading “Health surveillance in construction”

Two more essential speakers have been secured for this year’s AGM on 2 May. They are covering topics crucial for your business, so book now and don’t miss this exclusive learning opportunity. Barry Turner is director of technical policy at Local Authority Building Control (LABC). He will be discussing updates on building regulations changes. Barry … Continue reading “More unmissable speakers at the AGM”

Women & Leadership International has issued a final call in a national initiative to support the development of female leaders across the UK’s construction and engineering sector. The campaign is providing women with grants of up to £1,000 to enable participation in a leadership development program. The scholarship funding is provided with the specific intent … Continue reading “Funding of up to £1,000 for women in the construction and engineering sector – Final Call”

Wyckham Blackwell and The Keystone Group have announced their joint Acquisition of Lynx Timber Frame Services on the 31/3/19. Lynx Timber Frame Services will be integrated into the Crendon Timber Engineering business over the next nine months to provide an enhanced offering to existing and new customers in the North West of England. Peter Andrews, Lynx … Continue reading “Joint acquisition of LYNX Timber Frame Services”

Wood dust and noise are two of the most common occupational health issues which affect workers within our sector. Every year thousands of construction workers contract respiratory diseases due to breathing in dust and fumes, while working and 23.5 million working days are lost in the UK due to work-related ill health each year. As … Continue reading “Reducing the impact of wood dust”

Brexit Day is fast approaching and with so much talk about deals, no deals, delays and backstops, it is easy to become paralysed with the uncertainty. In fact, the UK is apparently so intrigued with the Brexit situation that, out of a third of adults surveyed, 71% said they are following more news items just … Continue reading “Brexit – keep calm and carry on”

How stable is the housing market heading into 2019? According to residential property experts at Knight Frank, despite the uncertainties caused by Brexit, on balance it’s looking positive. Analysts carried out an extensive survey with housebuilders and developers in the UK to understand their views on how housing will progress in 2019, and the response … Continue reading “Housing market predictions for 2019”

Last month, Gabor Vince and Frank Kyne, two beneficiaries of the TRA online training programme, visited the Vida Borgstena mill in Sweden as a reward for getting the highest scores on the course.   Both trussed rafter designers, Frank and Gabor began their trip with a visit to a forest in Borgstena, just a few … Continue reading “Top of the crops”

The Government has announced amendments to part B of the building regulations which have implications for timber components of buildings in and on external walls of high-rise developments.   The regulations specify that for residential developments above 18m, all materials in or on the external wall must be of European Classification A2-s1, d0 or Class … Continue reading “Combustible materials amendment to approved document B for buildings over 18m”