News

News2019-03-30T12:36:41+00:00
709, 2023

Promoting Mental Health Support in the Roofing Industry

BriggsAmasco, the UK’s largest and oldest roofing contractor, continues to lead the way in addressing the pressing issues of mental health within construction and roofing. It has always recognised that the industry has alarmingly high suicide rates and has invested heavily in providing mental health support for its staff. The company has now taken another major step forward with support for World Suicide Prevention Day, on September 10th.

Shockingly, recent statistics reveal that, on average, two construction workers take their own lives every working day, which is why the company has taken the opportunity to use World Suicide Prevention Day, to highlight this issue and underscore the support systems in place for its employees.

BriggsAmasco has always made significant investments in mental health support for its staff. The company takes pride in having two of its Area Safety Advisors fully trained as Mental Health First Aid Instructors and Mental Health Awareness Instructors.

These dedicated individuals continue to visit each of BriggsAmasco’s branches to conduct Mental Health First Aid courses for employees and refresher courses for those already trained. The company also offer offers Mental Health Awareness courses to all remaining employees without the First Aid qualification. Additionally, BriggsAmasco continues to promote its Employee Assistance Helpline, ensuring that both existing and new employees have access to vital mental health resources.

The harrowing statistics reveal that one in six construction-based workers face some form of mental illness. Perhaps even more alarming is the fact that suicide claims more lives in the construction sector than falls from height. These sobering numbers underscore the dire need for roofing companies and the industry as a whole to educate employees and provide unwavering support by recognising mental stress symptoms, both in themselves and in their colleagues. Such efforts are essential steps toward a full recovery from the debilitating effects of anxiety and depression.

The construction industry has long grappled with a stereotypical image of the macho male worker. Despite the significant influx of women into the industry, this perception has remained largely unchanged in recent years. Unfortunately, this image has far-reaching consequences for mental health, as men are more likely to bottle up feelings of anxiety and depression, contributing to an increase in mental health issues on building sites.

Just in case anyone is in any doubt, just look at the statistics. There were more than 13,000 suicides of construction workers in the UK between 2011 and 2015 according to the Office of National Statistics. This represented some 13% of the total workforce suicides in Britain – and to get this figure into perspective, construction workers as a whole only account for 7% of the working population.

BriggsAmasco’s commitment to mental health extends to every new employee, who undergoes a two-day induction at the company’s Birmingham head office. This comprehensive introduction includes a presentation and discussion on the company’s mental health strategy, ensuring that each employee has access to at least one mental health first aider both on-site and within its offices. The company boasts two Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trained staff members, ready to deliver courses across the organisation.

Since March 2019, Briggs Amasco has trained 40 staff as mental health first aiders, with plans to increase this number in the coming year. Remarkably, even the company’s board of directors have undergone training in mental health awareness, highlighting the seriousness with which the company regards its staff’s psychological well-being. By tackling the longstanding taboo surrounding mental illness in the construction industry and through its robust education and training initiatives, BriggsAmasco is committed to ensuring its employees’ peace of mind.

As BriggsAmasco forges ahead in its mission to destigmatise mental health in construction, the company’s efforts serve as a beacon of hope. The statistics paint a stark picture of the challenges faced by the industry, but through proactive initiatives and unwavering commitment, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The construction sector can no longer ignore the mental health of its workforce. By providing essential support, education, and resources, companies like BriggsAmasco are not only breaking stereotypes but also building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient industry for the future.

2607, 2023

RCI Best of British 2023

The Best of British supplement from RCI Magazine has covered the work BriggsAmasco has completed at Battersea Power Station, in London.

The Grade II-listed chimneys were rebuilt with IKO Permaphalt used for the base. In addition 8,000m2 IKO Permatec waterproofing membrane together with inverted insulation and sedum green roofs were installed across the project. 

Read the full article of the RCI website (page 11).

1307, 2023

Stay Safe in the Sun Whilst Getting the Job Done

With summer reaching its peak, there is still much to look forward to for those who live for long, hot lazy days. But sizzling temperatures aren’t for everyone. For construction workers engaged in strenuous outdoor labours, the sunshine season carries a number of potential risks.

Roofers in particular, due to the exposed nature of their work, are most vulnerable to the sun’s harmful UV rays. But by taking a few simple protective steps, employees across building sites can stay safe in the sun whilst getting the job done.

As an example of why builders should take good care when working outside and UV rays are at their highest – between May and September – a British journal of Cancer report found that construction workers account for 44% of occupational skin cancer diagnosis, and 42% of occupational skin cancer deaths each year. This equates to 21 deaths and 101 diagnoses.

Knowing the risks
But the sun isn’t discriminatory – it poses a risk to anyone that spends too long beneath its glare without taking protective measures. In 2022, for example, 35% of people in the UK were burnt at least once, with 28% of those being burnt more than three times during the year. Sadly, the more frequent the burn, the more likely a person is to develop melanoma skin cancer.

Even one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chance of developing melanoma later in life. Furthermore, the sun doesn’t need to be visible to be damaging. Up to 80% of its harmful UV rays can pierce the clouds, so even if you’re not basking in an undiluted solar blaze, you are not immune to being burnt. So, how can building site workers stay safe in the sun?

Sensible safety measures
As a company long-committed to maintaining the highest levels of health and safety, BriggsAmasco has introduced a number of sensible initiatives to protect site-based staff during the summer months. We issue operatives with a high-factor sun cream (SPF 30 or SPF 50), which is an essential item when the sun is at its highest, whatever your skin type.

With good hydration a must to workers’ wellbeing when the heat is on, we see it as our duty to ensure a site is stocked with plenty of bottled drinking water. Where possible, we also encourage staff to adopt more flexible working hours, with them arriving on site at an earlier time to avoid toiling during the hottest part of the day.

Keeping site workers safe during summer means employing good project management. It’s why we have senior employees in place wherever our site staff are based to ensure they are ‘sun aware’. This involves carrying out detailed risk assessments to ensure roofing operatives take regular ‘shade breaks’ and keep covered to avoid burning.

In terms of sun-safe sartorial choices, accessorising everyday wear is a quick and easy solution for site workers. For example, attaching a cloth or a longer piece of material to protective headgear provides an effective shield for the ears and neck area.

With solar glare a further potential risk in summer, particularly to operatives working at height, the wearing of shades or tinted glasses offering UVB and UVA protection are advised. For other areas of the body, long-sleeved tops, and bottoms made from closely knit materials and breathable fabrics in darker colours, are comfortable and sun-safe.

The sun has many beneficial qualities. It provides a natural source of Vitamin D, which is important for bones and boosting the body’s immune system. The sun is also essential for our mental wellbeing. Its presence helps lift the spirits and makes the world seem a brighter place, figuratively and literally. However, too much of anything can be harmful. Therefore, whether onsite or at leisure, enjoy the summer sun’s feelgood factor – but don’t feel the burn.

By Tony Lawther, BriggsAmasco Manging Director

2606, 2023

Praise for Completion of Western Yards

Multiplex’s Andrew Ridley-Barker (Operations Director – Europe) & George Assimakopoulos (Project Director) have praised the BriggsAmasco’s staff from working on the Western Yards Protect.

“We write to express our thanks and indeed those of the entire Multiplex team for you and your organisations’ support and commitment to the Project.”

The Client is absolutely delighted with the quality of the building and the finished product.

Large complex Projects such as this, require teamwork, collaboration, determination and resolve to be successful and all parties involved in the Project over the past three years have demonstrated this very well.”

View the full leter here.

2606, 2023

MAC Awards 2023 Highly Commended Project

The esteemed panel of judges at the annual contest acclaimed Briggs’ superb workmanship and refurbishment of bridge deck footpaths carried out at on the Boothferry Swing Bridge whilst top honours went to BriggsAmasco employee Paul Mulgrew who was crowned ‘Apprentice of the Year’.

Tony Lawther, BriggsAmasco Managing Director, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and testament to our installation teams’ excellence in carrying out projects to the highest standards.”

BriggsAmasco’s work at Boothferry Swing Bridge was highly commended in the Car Decks and Paving Project of the Year. The programme’s waterproofing element saw the company install new mastic asphalt to fit with the bridge deck specification, complete with precoated chippings rolled onto the surface.

The award-winning project further demonstrate BriggsAmasco’s installation teams’ renown for working with project stakeholders to develop waterproof solutions that meet, and in some cases, exceed expectation. Their experience and expertise in this field is second-to-none.

Held at London’s Royal Horseguards Hotel on 16th June, the Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC) Awards has become one of the most prestigious in the calendar for the waterproofing industry with the 2023 event seeing the awards reaching its 25th anniversary milestone.

Sponsored by SIG, Horrods, BriggsAmasco, IKO and Howard Evans Roofing and Cladding, the awards presentation was followed by a speech from guest speaker and former footballing legend Kevin Keegan, who regaled attendees with a memorable and witty insight into his illustrious career.

2206, 2023

Paul Mulgrew wins Apprentice of the Year at MAC Awards 2023

The esteemed panel of judges at the annual contest top honours went to BriggsAmasco employee Paul Mulgrew who was crowned ‘Apprentice of the Year’ and acclaimed Briggs’ superb workmanship and refurbishment of bridge deck footpaths carried out at on the Boothferry Swing Bridge whilst.

Presented at the MAC Awards Luncheon held in June, the accolade is just reward for Paul who joined the company in 2001 as a Felt and Single-Ply Trainee, before retraining to become a Mastic Asphalter. This required him to enrol on BriggsAmasco’s NVQ Level 2 Mastic Asphalt Apprenticeship Scheme in October 2022. The application he’s shown during the training process has not only earned Paul a wave of plaudits from senior managers, he has progressed to what the company refers to as a valued ‘All Rounder’ operative.

Tony Lawther, BriggsAmasco Managing Director, said: “We are immensely proud that Paul Mulgrew was awarded the prestigious title of Apprentice of the Year. This is a fantastic achievement for Paul. He’s worked extremely hard during the apprenticeship programme, as he has done throughout his 22 years with the company. The Mastic Asphalt Apprenticeship was created for employees like Paul – people who are passionate about their work and want to upskill and progress their career. We are delighted with the scheme’s success and offer hearty congratulations to Paul on his magnificent MAC Award.”

“Paul’s accolade recognises his exceptional talent and dedication but also the effectiveness of our apprenticeship program in nurturing and developing promising individuals. We believe in investing in the future of our industry, and this achievement reinforces our commitment to providing the highest quality training and opportunities for growth. Warmest congratulations to Paul and all those involved for the well-deserved honours,” added Tony Lawther.

BriggsAmasco’s NVQ Level 2 Mastic Asphalt course is designed to develop essential mastic asphalt craft skills, knowledge and behaviours. It offers trainees the chance to enhance their hands-on practical skills across a wide range of Mastic Asphalt disciplines. These include preparing backgrounds and resources for mastic asphalting; applying mastic asphalt to special features, and learning how to move, handle and store asphalting materials, tools and equipment. The course also provides trainees with the theoretical knowledge to attain the NVQ Level 2 Mastic Asphalt Standard.

In terms of timescales, the course takes place over a 34-month period. Apprentices are required to attend training college in two-week blocks, with periods in-between spent onsite with their employers putting their new-found skills into practice.

Summarising his first year on BriggsAmasco’s NVQ Level 2 Mastic Asphalt Course, Paul Mulgrew said: “It’s been fantastic, really enjoyable. The practical and theory elements are so informative. I’ve learnt so many new skills and look forward to putting them to use in the coming years. Being named Apprentice of the Year at the Mac Awards caps a brilliant 12 months for me. Thanks to everyone at BriggsAmasco for helping me achieve the award.”

Held at London’s Royal Horseguards Hotel on 16th June, the Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC) Awards has become one of the most prestigious in the calendar for the waterproofing industry with the 2023 event seeing the awards reaching its 25th anniversary milestone.

Sponsored by SIG, Horrods, BriggsAmasco, IKO and Howard Evans Roofing and Cladding, the awards presentation was followed by a speech from guest speaker and former footballing legend Kevin Keegan, who regaled attendees with a memorable and witty insight into his illustrious career.

Pictured above Alfred Tufano of New City College Hackney accepted the award on Paul’s behalf

Pictured above Tony Lawther (Managing Director BriggsAmasco), Alf Tufano (New City College), Paul Mulgrew (BriggsAmasco) and David Maginnis (MAC Board Member and Chairman of BriggsAmasco).

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