Members flock to Toolbox Talks across Scotland
The 2017 SELECT Toolbox Talks roadshows are now well under way, with Members at the first two events in Edinburgh and the Borders enjoying a wealth of free advice and guidance
The first Toolbox Talk of 2017 was held in SELECT’s offices at the Walled Garden on Tuesday 9 May, followed by a second event in Newton St Boswells the next day.
This year’s events feature presentations on the latest changes to the Building Standards Scheme run by SELECT – a vital topic as so much has changed since the SELECT Approved Certifier of Construction scheme was introduced in 2005.
The presentation brings Members up to date with the latest changes, including:
information on the guidance issued by the Local Authority Building Standards Scotland (LABSS) on the issue of dealing with work carried out by non-certified firms
planned changes to the building warrant fee structure
steps taken by the Scottish Government on the reappointment of local authorities as verifiers, after the recent appointment cycle saw Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling only reappointed for one year.
The second presentation looks at the different types of Surge Protective Devices and their individual requirements following their appearance in a new section of BS 7671: 2008, entitled 534: Selection and erection of surge protective devices.
In addition to the two technical updates, each Toolbox Talk will feature a short presentation by the SELECT branch chairs, outlining their work on behalf of members and the important role they play in shaping SELECT’s policies.
Local Branch Chair, Keith Groom, told Members at the Edinburgh event: “Those who attend branch meetings really enjoy the experience. The chance to chat with other contractors, before and after the meeting itself is also a bonus. As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved!”
Keith also told attendees about the events at the last branch meeting held a few months ago. He said: “We heard about an advertising campaign which is running just now on local radio and local press to highlight to the public the importance of using properly qualified electricians.
“In addition to press and radio adverts, we have also trialled some advertising at railway stations including Kirkcaldy and Tweedbank. This ties in with our political campaign of seeking to regulate our profession.
“At the moment anyone can claim to be an ‘electrician’ but we are making the case to government that only someone holding an SJIB Grade Card at Electrician level or above should be able to justifiably claim to be an electrician.
“Falsely claiming to be an electrician or carrying out electrical work without holding this accreditation should lead to prosecution under criminal law.”
This year’s Toolbox Talks will visit Dundee, Glasgow, Dumfries ,Kilmarnock, Inverness, Aberdeen, Oban, Stornaway, Orkney and Shetland.
As well as the presentations, each Talk event features a small exhibition featuring a number of manufacturers and SELECT affinity scheme providers.
This year’s events are supported by Pike & Bambridge, Scolmore Group, Megger, Wylex, Martindale Electric, Thin Red Line, M2, Aico, Linian, Schenider and Blue Sky Pensions.
Demi Armstrong, Events, MArketing & Website Coordinator
