Manufacturing company fined after workers injured by explosion
A manufacturing company in West Yorkshire has been fined £200,000 after workers were injured by an explosion.
Three workers at Weir Minerals Europe Limited sustained burns while operating a furnace at the firm’s site on Halifax Road in Todmorden on 25 February 2020.
They had been melting a large amount of steel before an explosion took place in the furnace. It had most likely been caused by water entering the furnace while the workers were adding in the scrap metal.
The three men suffered burns to their faces, heads and backs. There was also resulting damage to the surrounding equipment.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Weir Minerals Europe Limited was aware of the risk associated with wet scrap metal being added to the furnace. However the protection from rain that was in place at the time of the incident was not adequately implemented and maintained.
Weir Minerals Europe Limited, of Halifax Road, Todmorden, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay £6,095 in costs at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court on 5 September 2023.
HSE inspector Jackie Ferguson said: “This was a serious incident that could so easily have been avoided. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
This HSE prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Matt Reynolds.
NFU angry that farmers won’t be paid as promised, says President Minette Batters
Payments for the new scheme should have been ready to deliver by December. However, critical delays in the roll-out of the new scheme has meant that farmers are unable to access it in that timescale – and this coincides with major reductions in payments under BPS, leaving farmers facing a double whammy in the run-up to Christmas.
“We now know that farmers will not be paid this year, despite assurances that they would be,” said NFU President Minette Batters. “With farm input costs through the roof and interest rates soaring, this leaves farmers in a perilous place.
“The old scheme goes, the new one’s not ready, and farm businesses are caught in the middle. That’s not fair and we are calling on ministers to recognise that and make it right.”
Wednesday 13 September 2023 marks the NFU’s annual Back British Farming Day – a celebration of our farmers and growers, our great food and the countryside, and of the people who make a huge contribution to the UK economy. “It would be great if government could have some good news on this for farmers then,” Minette added.
The NFU says problems with SFI do not only affect farmers. The government has legislated for environmental targets through this new scheme, known as “public money for public goods”, and farmers have embraced that concept. With the scheme delayed a lot of on-farm environmental work it is designed to pay for cannot begin.
Therefore, the organisation are calling on ministers to halt any further reduction in existing farm payments – due to fall by £720 million this year alone – until delivery problems with SFI are solved.
“All we’re asking for is government to bridge the gap it has created by taking away one set of payments, but not delivering access to their replacements on time,” said Minette.
Ministers had previously committed that SFI 2023 would be open in August, with payments coming in December. But it will now only be partially open and not until mid-September. It takes some months between a farmer being accepted on to the scheme and payment being made.
Farmers were able to register “an expression of interest” on 30 August, with a handful then expecting “an invitation to apply”, meaning the scheme was “technically” open but the reality is very different.
Payments farmers were relying on will now not come this year and will come to only a handful of farmers in the early part of 2024.
The Sheffield College secures £2.6m cash injection to expand facilities
The Sheffield College has secured a £2.6 million cash injection to expand facilities for apprentices and students who study and train at Olive Grove Campus.
Based on Olive Grove Road, the campus specialises in engineering, motor vehicle, gas fitting and plumbing courses and qualifications.
Now the campus estate is set to expand following the approval of £2.6 million from the Department for Education’s Post 16 Capacity Fund for 2023/24.
Upgrading the facilities is part of wider college plans to transform Olive Grove Campus into an Advanced Technology Centre for the city.
Andrew Hartley, Deputy Chief Executive, The Sheffield College, said: “This is fantastic news for our college community as well as the city and beyond.”
He added: “Investing in the latest facilities to provide our apprentices and students with the best possible learning experience for their future careers is our top priority.”
Current automotive and engineering workshops will be expanded with a two-storey building extension.
The new facilities, involving industry standard training spaces, will include:
- five motor vehicle bays including three ‘clean’ bays for electric/hybrid cars.
- two motor vehicle body and paint bays.
- ten welding bays.
- five new classrooms.
- enhancements to the learning resource centre and reception area.
- additional digitally enabled quiet learning and student social spaces.
Drax announces chair designate to take over at year’s end
Drax has appointed Andrea Bertone as a non-executive director and Chair Designate of the Company to take over when Philip Cox steps down at the end of December after nine years in the role.
Will Gardiner, Drax CEO said: “Andrea’s extensive executive experience in the international energy sector will provide Drax with a deep understanding of global markets and their underpinning regulation, as well as invaluable experience in leading transformative change in multinational businesses. In addition, the breadth of Andrea’s non-executive roles in diverse and global businesses will further enhance the experience and capabilities of our Board.”
The appointment of Ms Bertone in the role of Chair Designate allows for a managed handover from Mr Cox before she takes over the position.
Ms Bertone is the former President of Duke Energy Corporation’s (“Duke”) international division. She spent 15 years at Duke, including seven years as President of DEI with executive responsibility for a portfolio of c.4,400MW of hydro and thermal assets. Prior to serving as President, Ms Bertone held senior legal positions between 2001 and 2009 at DEI, including as associate General Counsel from 2003 to 2009, as part of which she oversaw legal and regulatory matters for the Group’s business in Latin America. Ms Bertone left Duke in 2016. Prior to Duke, Ms Bertone’s roles included Latin America counsel with Baker McKenzie.
Ms Bertone, who lives in Houston, Texas, earned a Bachelor of Law from the University of Sao Paulo Law School in Brazil and a Master of Law in International and Comparative Law from Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Ms Bertone is a member of the Brazilian Bar Association.
Metro Mayor pledges to use UK-made steel in his region
West Midlands Metro Mayor Andy Street has signed the UK Steel Charter, committing to using UK-made steel from companies such as Scunthorpe-based British Steel wherever possible in key projects in his region.
The UK’s steel sector employs about 40,000 people directly and supports a further 50,000 in supply chains. Andy will throw down the gauntlet to challenge construction companies, businesses and other mayors to explore where the steel they purchase is made and if they are supporting homegrown jobs.
Mr Street is proving his commitment too. Under his leadership, the West Midlands Combined Authority is mounting an 860-tonne order for UK-made steel in the expansion of the Metro Rail for the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill scheme.
Mr Street said: “By signing the UK Steel Charter, we’re signalling our commitment to back British steel – supporting well paid and highly skilled manufacturing jobs and training opportunities that will benefit local people right across our region.
“This initiative can help to increase the amount of high quality steel manufactured in Britain and increase the supply of British made steel contributing to key West Midlands projects.
“I very much hope our decision will encourage others to follow suit – impacting positively on the supply chain, our region and indeed the wider UK economy in the months and years ahead.”
Nick Haycock, General Manager, Mecegaglia UK, said: “We are proud to be the UK’s leading providers of precision carbon welded tubes, having been founded over 30 years ago. With year-on-year investment, Marcegaglia UK now produces 110,000 tonnes of welded tubes. With the recent and more substantial investment, Marcegaglia UK is making is a great opportunity for the UK and our local West Midlands region to boost jobs and economic growth as we develop our capacity.
“On top of this, Marcegaglia acquired upstream manufacturing facilities in Sheffield this year. This primary stainless steel making asset is worth several hundreds of millions to the UK economy. The investment in this facility means a return to full capacity of 500,000 tonnes of steel.
“The UK has now become the second most important country for the Marcegaglia Group.
Producing our steel tubular products here means UK-made steel is supplying national projects like HS2. It is now crucial to create a robust UK industrial strategy to support the competitiveness of the UK steel industry, to preserve and develop production and increase employment, also in view of the export flows requirements.”
Phase two starts on Doncaster warehouse development
Yorkshire developer Marshall CDP has started construction at phase two of its new business park in Doncaster.Marshall CDP developed three warehouse units totalling 48,000 sq ft at Kestrel Court in 2020, complete with fitted office accommodation, securely fenced service yards and car parking, which were let to NCM Auctions, Price Transport and Dual Inventive.Now two new units, offering 21,000 sq ft and 17,000 sq ft, are under construction at phase two, named Peregrine Court, and are due to reach practical completion in December 2023. The units are for sale or to let.Rebecca Schofield, partner and head of the Yorkshire industrial team at Knight Frank, and agent for Peregrine Court, said: “Peregrine Court offers high quality and secure industrial accommodation in an area easily accessible to J3 M18. Offering excellent connectivity and a strong labour pool.”Cllr Glyn Jones, Deputy Mayor and Portfolio Holder for Housing & Business at the City of Doncaster Council, added: “We are delighted to see the incredible amount of progress being made on Peregrine Court. It is excellent to see Marshall CDP once again show great confidence in the Doncaster economy by building this major speculative industrial development scheme.“Our Business Doncaster team is working closely with the letting agents, Knight Frank, to market the development and help find tenants for the two units, which will bring further quality investment and employment opportunities into Doncaster.”
Kirkgate Market scheme takes another step forward
Plans for a new hotel development at Leeds’ Kirkgate Market have reached another important milestone with submission of a full planning application.
If the application is approved, then work could start next year on a development that would drive further footfall into the market, which is already pulling in more than 400,000 visitors a month on the back of a multi-million pound investment programme.
The site earmarked for the scheme is owned by the council and is currently occupied by a number of vacant low-rise shop units.
The hotel would fill the top five floors of the new six-storey building and would have around 140 rooms as well as a bar and restaurant for guests.
The ground floor, meanwhile, would be home to commercial units and a state-of-the-art council-run gym that would improve the local ‘fitness offer’ for people living in the city centre and nearby communities.
The scheme would be developed by the council, with a pre-let lease in place with the proposed hotel operator.
A high-quality approach to design is planned, with the aim of creating a suitably-attractive new neighbour for the Grade I listed market building.
The hotel would also sit close to landmark locations such as the Victoria Gate retail destination, the refurbished Leeds Playhouse and Leeds City College’s Quarry Hill campus, all of which have helped power the regeneration of the eastern side of the city centre.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “We’re determined to do everything we can to deliver a bright and busy future for Leeds Kirkgate Market while also driving forward the regeneration of the surrounding area.
“These hotel proposals are designed to help us achieve that twin aim, and we have been encouraged by the response we have had to them over the last few months.
“The submission of the planning application marks another important step in a process that we hope will have a positive and transformative effect on George Street and the rest of the eastern side of our fantastic city centre.”
Telescope acquires Clearsilver Brand Marketing
Leeds-based print, direct and digital marketing agency, Telescope, has acquired specialist communications agency, Clearsilver Brand Marketing.
The recent investment combines Clearsilver’s PR and strategic marketing skills in the education, mother and baby, and charity sector, with Telescope’s team of specialists in website design and build, catalogue production, direct marketing and design for print.
Louise Leach, former director of Clearsilver Brand Marketing, said: “Clearsilver and Telescope have worked in partnership on numerous projects over the last ten years, and there isn’t a closer fit to maximise success for both parties.
“Clearsilver was established in 2006, and since then has delighted in numerous award-wins, as well as becoming a recommended provider for schools and academy trusts, and brands specifically in the charity, wellness and parenting space.
“Existing clients can expect the same level of consistent and responsive service as always from the Clearsilver team, with a new, enhanced package of support.”
Carl Garnett, CEO at Telescope, said: “This merger provides a fantastic opportunity to further Telescope’s core proposition in print, design and digital, and combine it with Clearsilver’s unprecedented reputation across key sectors.
“We are looking forward to increasing and enhancing our service offering and the opportunities this brings for all our clients and both staff teams.”
The newly formed partnership will work as one team at new offices close to Leeds Dock. Ian Leach – co-founder of Clearsilver and current MD at Telescope – will lead in the day-to-day management of both companies, supported by both companies’ employees.
Mike returns to Spencer Group as MD for rail division
Spencer Group has appointed Mike Halliday as Managing Director for its rail division, which means he’s back at the company he worked for between 1996 and 2007.
Mike joins the multi-disciplinary engineering specialist from Network Rail, where he has served as a route delivery director for the last six years.
In his new role, he will drive Spencer Group’s rail division forward as it delivers transformative projects across the UK, and said: “I’ve spent the last six years with Network Rail, developing supply chain strategy and delivering projects – and will draw on this experience to grow and align Spencer’s rail division.
“My focus will be on the upfront development side of the business, and on realising the full potential of its internal design capabilities. I’m committed to ensuring that we truly align with and understand our clients, avoiding change and unnecessary delays in delivery.
“I’ve spent most of my career as a contractor – but, after joining Network Rail, I gained invaluable client-side experience. Six years later, I’m confident that I understand the organisation’s requirements – and the needs of other rail clients. I began my rail career with Spencer Group and know that meeting these needs is in its DNA. Now, I’m really looking forward to shaping and building our rail offering with the help of my team.”
With 27 years of industry experience, qualified engineer Mike is well-equipped to lead Spencer Group’s rail division – a business he first joined in 1996. Over the course of 11 years, he helped to grow it into a Tier 1 contractor and was made a main board director.
During this time, Mike drew heavily on the skills he had acquired as an engineer on complex heavy civil engineering projects. Helping to deliver highways and bridges, he also developed a solution-driven style and straight-talking approach.
After leaving Spencer Group in 2007, Mike became a private consultant – and was later offered the role of rail director at Story Engineering. By 2015, the business had become a well-established Tier 1 contractor and increased its turnover by 300 per cent. During Mike’s tenure, it was also named Supplier of the Year by Network Rail.
He joined Network Rail in 2017, after a stint as infrastructure division lead at Wood Group. Serving as a route delivery director for the UK’s infrastructure owner and manager, Mike was responsible for the safe and efficient delivery of major projects.
Spencer Group MD Gary Thornton said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Mike to Spencer Group as our Managing Director of rail and to help drive forward our ambitions in the sector. Mike brings with him decades of valuable experience both contractor and client-side working for Network Rail and in his previous experience with Spencer Group.
“His strong engineering background places him ideally to lead our team and build on our already fantastic reputation for project delivery in the rail industry.”
Steelmakers lobby Parliament to get ‘Buy British’ message across
British Steel representatives were among a delegation from the industry who attended the Houses of Parliament this week for a reception entitled Steel in the Spotlight.
The event focused on UK steel procurement and marked six months since the implementation of the revised Public Procurement Note, which states that the origin of steel used in public projects is reported.
Trade body UK Steel also presented the renewed UK Steel Charter, asking MPs to show their support for it.
The change to the PPN has been aimed at encouraging public bodies to increase their uptake of British ‘melted and poured’ steel in publicly-funded projects, with the aim of strengthening national resilience, creating and protecting jobs and reducing the environmental impact.
Previously the origin of steel was not considered in public procurement decisions, as steel typically sits several tiers down the supply chain and did not directly bid into procurement processes.
Lisa Coulson, British Steel’s Strategy and Marketing Director, said: “We have very much welcomed the change that has been brought about by the amended PPN. There are compelling reasons for public sector organisations in the UK to buy steel manufactured in Britain. Above all, the quality is unrivalled worldwide and it meets the regulations set out for public infrastructure projects.
“Buying British steel is not only a boost for the economy and jobs, it also helps strengthen our manufacturing base.”
