New 2004 accident figures reveal a dramatic reduction since the ECA launched its Zero Accident Potential campaign back in 2001. The ECA is now looking to 2010.

Bill Wright has been sworn in as the new president of the ECA at the Association’s conference in Palma, Mallorca on 15 May.

Changes have been made to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. As of April 2005, the new COSHH 2004 will introduce the following measures:

QES Projects has completed the m&e design and build on the largest Bentley showroom in Europe. Based in Leicestershire, the £600 000 showroom opened to coincide with the launch of Bentley’s new Continental Flying Spur. QES Projects’ sister company QES Electrical Contractors carried out the installation work.

It is gratifying that in my first ECA presidential view I am able to congratulate the ECA and its members for the continued improvement in safety performance.

In recent years there has been a significant drop in the number of apprentices being taken on by employers in the Joint Major Contractors Group (JMCG) within the electrical contracting industry.

Over 70% of ECA members have now registered with a government approved Part P Competent Persons Scheme.

A site audit conducted by the ECA/HVCA Joint Major Contractors’ Group (JMCG) has revealed that over 84% of those questioned were able to produce evidence of membership of industry registration schemes.

As London’s bid for the 2012 Olympic Games gains speed, a new sports venue in Regent’s Park aims to get the city off the starting blocks.

A company that invests in training is far more likely to be able to retain and motivate its staff as well as grow its next generation of middle managers

The British Cable Association warns of impending product price rises.

The European parliament has voted decisively to end Britain’s right to opt out of limits imposed under the Working Time Directive.

The new training centre for construction and building services at Highbury College, Portsmouth, proved to be a fast-track project as contractor CIA took only three weeks, out of a scheduled ten, to install Pirelli’s FP Firefix fire alarm cabling system in the 10 000 m2 building.

M&E trade union Amicus has reached agreement with employers at Heathrow Terminal 5 over a new pay deal. The move means Amicus will now drop its claim for compensation for travelling to and from the site.

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is launching a recruitment drive to attract tradeswomen to join its workforce on the frozen continent.

T Clarke has announced the acquisition of the entire ordinary share capital of Waldon Electrical Contractors for £1.75 million in cash.

At a meeting instigated by the DTI Engineering Inspectorate, the Energy Networks Association (ENA) has told the ECA, NICEIC, DTI and HSE that none of its members were in favour of allowing authorised electrical contractors to remove service fuses for temporary isolation purposes.

More m&e apprentices will be learning the ropes on Heathrow Terminal Five thanks to BAA. The project client has put forward a funding package to allow AMEC and Crown House Technologies to take on more apprentices from the local area. The initiative is part of BAA’s Heathrow Employment Forum, in conjunction with London West Learning and Skills Council and JTL.

With regards to Part P, I am disgusted with our trade bodies. The government has been suckered by someone.

OCS Technical, the engineering division of property support services giant OCS, has acquired ECA member Building Environmental Services (BES) for an undisclosed sum.

The National Health Service University (NHSU) has launched two national training programmes, Estates Apprenticeships and Estates Upskilling, for people employed within NHS Estates maintenance teams.

Incoming CIBSE president Donald Leeper has called on the new UK government to take the initiative and become an expert client on public sector construction procurement.

St George’s Hall in Liverpool has been quite literally put in the spotlight by a new scheme installed by Mitie Engineering Services (North). Using two of Hager’s Tebis TS bus system, the contractor has installed a system to control the illumination of the public areas, emergency and decorative lighting.

Claude Lyons is guaranteeing voltage levels at London Underground stations during system improvements.

At the Center Parcs holiday venue in Elveden Forest, Suffolk, the central dome in the village square is protected by Hochiki Europe’s analogue addressable fire detection technology. Defensor Fire Detection Systems installed over 500 of Hochiki’s ESP multi-sensors. Control of other equipment across the system is by 400 Hochiki input/output modules that are central to the efficient functionality of the system.

St Barts Hospital in London is the first in the UK to sign up for Fläkt Woods Econet system.

ABB is ensuring fairground rides are as exciting as possible while still safe.

Now retired from a life of flight, Concorde is on public display, with Vision Systems’ Vesda and Adpro equipment ensuring the aircraft’s safety. Vesda smoke detectors are protecting a decommissioned plane at the Museum of Flight in East Fortune. At Manchester Airport, the Adpro remote cctv system is overseeing Concorde.

Containment for power and data networks is critical in any modern office building, but it is often difficult to specify appropriate systems for speculative developments. We look at how it was done at the Old Pump House.

It is not just cables that have to perform in a fire – their containment systems are equally crucial to maintain safety. EMC reports.

The ECA’s latest accident statistics show a dramatic fall in serious injuries and zero fatalities within member firms.

I would like to clarify an area of potential confusion regarding schemes that provide certification of fire protection products and services.

Many in construction anticipate an increase in corporate manslaughter cases against directors and company bosses. Stuart Lyall explains why he still finds it relatively easy to sleep – albeit cushioned by his paperwork.

The battle is on for the top spots at the 2005 Building Services Awards, with the finalists reaching for the stars.

The JIB’s Combined Benefits Credit Scheme is a cost-effective way to provide staff benefits. Martyn Burnley explains how National Insurance exemptions contribute.

With a £600 million m&e spend at Heathrow Terminal 5, BAA has looked closely at supply chain management issues. Karen Fletcher reports on the M&E Buy Club.

A new development on the Thames at Battersea offers m&e services to meet the demands of key workers and millionaires alike.

The National Audit Office has passed judgement on public sector construction procurement.

Following Labour’s election victory, Tony Blair has reorganised his ministerial team for the next term. With Alun Michael on board, the construction brief will be handled by a senior minister for the first time since 2001.