Keep up the drive to stamp out metal theft!
As the momentum to stamp out the theft of lead and other metals gathers pace, it is even more important to add your voice NOW to the Government’s e-petition, available to sign on the LSA website.
With 53,000 signatures, we are now well past the half-way mark towards our target number of 100,000. This achievement will bring about a debate on the trading methods of scrap metal dealers. It is currently possible for scrap metal to be sold for cash and melted down quickly. New legislation will force scrap dealers to formally record all their metal purchases, the vendor’s details and for the police to be empowered to undertake its enforcement.
“Legislation is necessary to reduce this violation of our precious and historic buildings, as well as other properties owned by decent, hardworking people,” said LSA chief executive Doug Weston.
“We would urge you to sign this e-petition to bring about the Government debate we so badly need.”
Don’t miss our leadwork seminars!
Some dates for your diary – the Lead Sheet Association’s popular seminars on the use and installation of rolled lead sheet are taking place this year at the training centre in East Peckham on March 8, June 21, September 13 and November 15.
Past courses have always received positive feedback, with the latest proving a particular hit with delegates representing conservationists and architects’ practices in London and the South East.
The one-day seminar covers a variety of subjects both in the classroom and in the workshop, where delegates are able to gain hands-on experience of working and forming lead sheet.
“Our seminars address different aspects of the use of rolled lead sheet (see below) and are of interest to anyone involved in the specification, design, application and handling of the material,” explained general manager Nigel Johnston.
“They also provide an introduction to the training schemes and continuing professional development (CPD) activities available for the construction industry.”
Delegates take away with them free technical information from the presentations, as well as a CPD certificate.
“The seminars will be particularly beneficial to architects, surveyors, conservation officers, clerks of works, roofing contractors and building supervisors,” added Nigel.
The seminars cost just £95 plus VAT per delegate, and lunch and refreshments are included. Delegates are provided with protective clothing during the practical session.
Seminar content
- Main uses of rolled lead sheet and methods of manufacture.
- Review of main cause of failure in leadwork – over-sizing, over-fixing, failure of fixings, run-off from lichen covered surfaces, building into masonry, condensation, staining.
- Methods of detailing and fixing lead at abutments, valleys, chimney stacks, pointing and damp proof course, flat and pitched roofing/ventilation, gutter lining – boxed/tapered, fire prevention/hot work ban.
- Identifying errors in installation.
- Lead – there is no alternative. Identify the disadvantages and pitfalls of specifying and installing alternative man-made products.
- Hands-on experience of working lead sheet by welding and bossing.
For further information or to reserve your place please contact the LSA on 01622 872432, or e-mail info@leadsheet.co.uk.
LSA wins MOD contract
The LSA has been approved by the MOD to deliver training through its Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme.
The scheme is an MOD initiative to promote lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces. It provides financial support in the form of a single, up-front payment in each of a maximum of three separate financial years.
ELC funding is only available for pursuit of higher level learning, ie for courses that result in a nationally-recognised qualification at Level 3 or above on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (England and Wales), a Level 6 or above on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) or, if pursued overseas, an approved international equivalent qualification.
LSA general manager Nigel Johnston said: “We are delighted that the MOD has accepted our training application and look forward to delivering our courses next year.”
More funding for OSAT courses
The LSA has been successful in obtaining additional funding to carry out on-site assessment and training (OSAT) for the Level 2, specialist leadworker and Level 3, heritage leadworker courses.
The list of the criteria to achieve funding is as follows:
- Company must be in scope to ConstructionSkills.
- Company must be registered in England.
- Funding also applies to self-employed, providing they are working for a company in scope.
- Funding will be on a ‘first come – first served basis' until ConstructionSkills confirms that all funding has been allocated.
- Registrations can be taken immediately.
- The candidates' assessments must be completed before July 31, 2012.
- Candidates must NOT have another related NVQ in construction to gain the funding.
- Eligibility is subject to confirmation.
Young Leadworker of the Year Award 2012
Entries are now invited for the Young Leadworker of the Year award 2012.
Following the success of this year's competition and as part of the Lead Sheet Association's long-term commitment to improving standards of leadwork, the competition is now open to all UK contractors.
Entrants must be no more than 25 years old on the closing date of entries, March 31, 2012. Six finalists will be selected and invited to the LSA's training centre in East Peckham for a two-day assessment.
The winner will receive a set of tools worth £500, a £3,500 training bursary and a copy of the Rolled Lead Sheet Manual. The three runners-up will receive a copy of the manual and a three-day personalised training course.
For an award application pack please call 01622 872432 or e-mail info@leadsheet.co.uk.
2,000 and still counting
There was cause for celebration recently at the LSA’s training centre in East Peckham when the milestone number of 2,000 students was reached.
Flat roofer Michael Turner, from Russell & Russell in Maidstone, Kent, attended a five-day basic bossing and welding course.
“We are delighted to have trained this record number of students since the centre opened almost four years ago,” said general manager Nigel Johnston.
“Most of these candidates are enrolled on courses over a period of two or three years, which brings the number of training days up to about 50,000 at our current premises.
“We continue to offer a wide variety of courses and qualifications, and already have plenty of bookings for 2012.”
More information on these courses can be found on the website or by contacting the LSA on 01622 872432
Metal theft still on the increase
Visitors to the LSA website cannot fail to have noticed that, despite attempts from various organisations to stamp out the theft of lead and other metals, the problem is becoming increasingly rife.
On October 27 the Daily Telegraph reported the theft of a lead roof from one of Britain’s most significant medieval ecclesiastical ruins. Criminals stole about 64 sq ft of lead from the flat roof within Bishop’s Palace in Lincoln.
English Heritage has warned that metal theft is now so serious that it is threatening the country’s heritage.
The newspaper went on to say that gangs have been cashing in on the rising cost of metal by raiding churches, village halls, schools, homes and businesses, as well as stealing power and railway cables. The damage has been estimated at hundreds of millions of pounds.
The LSA is taking part in a number of initiatives to deter the theft of lead. One of these is a joint campaign with the British Securities Industry Association, aimed at owners of a wide variety of properties, advising them of the products on the market that will deter theft and secure their valuable assets
This and other relevant points were raised by LSA chief executive Doug Weston in a letter to the Daily Telegraph editor on October 29, highlighting the seriousness of the crime and LSA’s determination to stamp it out once and for good.
Be ready for the recovery
Is this recession ever going to end? There’s no certain answer; but whenever we move into better times, you’ll be best placed to take advantage of increased business opportunities if you’re facing them with training and qualifications under your belt.
The LSA’s training courses have been running successfully despite the gloomy economic conditions, with plenty of bookings in advance for 2012. However, there are still spaces available throughout the year, so please look through the training on offer and contact us for more information on the training and qualifications best suited to your needs.
As a special thank you to everyone who completes any one of the five-day courses, they will receive a free copy of the LSA’s ‘Rolled Lead Sheet – The Complete Manual’, the definitive guide to good practice in the specification and use of rolled lead sheet to BS EN 12888: 2006.
LSA – for all your rolled lead sheet technical and training support
The Lead Sheet Association (LSA) is the foremost independent technical authority on the design, specification and application of rolled lead sheet in the construction industry.
The LSA also provides training and technical support for specification and installation of high quality rolled lead sheet, manufactured to BS EN 12588: 2006 by British Lead Mills, Calder Industrial Materials Ltd., Jamestown Metal Resources Ltd and Metal Processors Ltd.
The LSA’s technical officers provide specification guidance, application techniques and on-site advice in all matters relating to rolled lead sheet manufactured to BS EN 12588: 2006, and are available for consultation on your projects by phone or via the website www.leadsheet.co.uk.
All you need to know about pitched valley gutters in our manual
The Lead Sheet Association’s ‘Rolled Lead Sheet – The Complete Manual’ devotes over four pages and provides all the details required of pitched valley gutters, from design to installation, for use by architects, surveyors, clerks of works and roofing contractors.
Over the last two months the Lead Sheet Association’s website received over 700 hits on this one subject of pitched valley gutters alone.
‘Rolled Lead Sheet – The Complete Manual’, a guide to good practice in the specification and use of rolled lead sheet to BS EN 12888: 2006, can be ordered online, by telephone or by post.
Scottish leadworker wins prestigious new award
The eagerly-awaited Young Leadworker of the Year award has found its first winner north of the border.
The award, jointly-sponsored by the Lead Sheet Association (LSA) and the Lead Contractors Association (LCA), was lifted by 24-year-old Bryan Campbell of Edinburgh-based D Blake & Company.
He and three other finalists pitted their skills and knowledge against each other during a two-day competition on September 13 and 14 at the LSA’s training centre in East Peckham in Kent. Each competitor produced some very good work, but the panel of four judges – Nigel Johnston and John Woods (LSA), and Nigel Miles and Vince McKee (LCA) – agreed that Bryan was the worthy winner.
John said: “We were impressed by the high standard of work, but Bryan’s stood out for the technical expertise that he demonstrated.”
Malcolm Thomson, managing director of D Blake & Company, said: “Bryan is an enthusiastic and talented worker and a genuinely nice young lad who thoroughly deserves this award.
“We like to keep all our employees very highly trained to stay at the top end of the market.
“This award is a great thing to set up as it gives youngsters a target to achieve and, being a national competition, opens their eyes to what goes on in other parts of the country.”
LSA chairman Joss Campbell presented Bryan with a set of tools worth £500, a £3,500 training bursary and a copy of the Rolled Lead Sheet Manual. The three runners-up – Kevin Mackie (also of D Blake & Company), Jack Edwards (Full Metal Jacket) and Tristan MacGregor (O’Brien Roofing & Leadwork Ltd) – each received a copy of the manual and a three-day personalised training course.
The Young Leadworker of the Year award will now be run annually and details will be published on the LSA website www.leadsheet.co.uk.
