I am particularly pleased to welcome you to this issue of the journal as it forms part of our launch of the new SSAIB logo and a new suite of literature designed to promote the activities of SSAIB and the firms registered with us. It has taken us a little time to pull this material together, but we feel that it was worth the effort. More details and an overview of the new material available are given on page 19.
Geoff Tate, SSAIB Chief Executive, opens this issue by setting the scene with his views of developments within SSAIB and outlining current and pending events which will impact upon the industry. A case in point is the introduction of DD 243: 2004, which came into effect on 1st April 2005 in Scotland, and the implications of which are considered in David Profit’s article.
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) has implications for all employers; in this issue Martin Kane considers some aspects of the Act with respect to Access Control.
The use of ladders and stepladders (steps) are brought into focus in our discussion of the Work at Height Regulations. The Regulations aim to limit the use of ladders and steps on building site and commercial premises, preferring the use of safer alternatives. The article considers the various types of equipment available for working at height and the implications of its use.
With the 1st of October deadline looming we anticipate the introduction of the new European Standards for Intruder Alarms. To help you to prepare, we have again teamed up with ECS Ltd to provide training seminars on the subject. The current range of seminars will run until the end of the year and we recommend that if you have not already attended one of these seminars that you make a booking as soon as possible as places are limited.
In relation to the above, as there is no escaping risk assessment, Martin Halliday asks, ‘Are you ready for risk assessment?’ and considers in his article how the process of risk assessment might be beneficial to clients and providers, by helping both parties to ensure that all relevant security issues are considered fully before arriving at a specification.
