Vacancies

June 2008 - SafeContractor Registration Confirmed

First Environment's registration with the safeContractor scheme has been renewed for a further year marking our commitment to maintaining high standards of health and safety.

June 2008 - Client Zone Update

Our Client Zone on-line report access system has been updated to include tiered access to content. The Primary account holder can now add additional users and define the content, for example site information, for which access is allowed for each individual user.

April 2008 - Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act

As of April 2008 the new Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act comes in to force. Enabling prosecutions to be brought against organisations as a whole rather than and in addition to specific individuals where failures in health and safety occur.

March 2008 - Investor In People Award

First Environment has successfully completed re-audit for the Investor In People Award.

December 2007 - Indoor Air Quality Conference

First Environment delegates attend the two day conference organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry in London. Major papers and presentations were delivered by European regulators, researchers and the World Health Organisation moving forward the knowledge and understand in in this important area.

July 2007 - First Environment Goes Carbon Neutral

First Environment is now operating on a carbon neutral basis as a carbon offset partner of Pure, The Clean Planet Trust. Pure is recognised by the DTI as an effective and measurable carbon offset provider. Carbon credits equal to the annual emissions unavoidably caused by our business activities are now purchased and cancelled through Pure. We also undertake to monitor and reduce our carbon emissions as part of our overall environmental strategy.

Our commitment to carbon neutral, announced as a 10th anniversary objective demonstrates our focus on environmental improvement and supports our clients in reducing the impact of their continuing operations. Details can be found at www.puretrust.org.uk.

July 2007 - Smokefree England

England joins Scotland, Wales and Ireland in ensuring smoke free workplaces. From 1st July 2007, all public places and workplaces will become smoke-free in England, with the exception of a limited number of exemptions under the Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006.

This will have a major impact on improving indoor air quality as even where smoking rooms have been used our tests have shown transmission of smoke particulate throughout air distribution systems. The regulations set out a range of requirements from the display of correct signage to the design of any smoking shelters to be provided. Details can be found at www.smokefreeengland.co.uk.

With increased awareness of indoor air quality this is a good time to undertake a broader evaluation of indoor air quality in your workplace. To arrange an initial air quality evaluation please contact us on 0870 240 2945.

June 2007 - REACH regulations come into force

REACH is a new European Community regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals. It came into force on 1st June 2007 and replaces a patchwork of European Directives and Regulations with a single system.

A major part of REACH is the requirement for manufacturers or importers of substances to register them with a central European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Without registration it will not be legal for manufacture or supply and will affect a broad range of industries particularly including water treatment chemicals. To find out more about REACH visit the HSE web-site at www.hse.gov.uk/reach.

February 2007 - Legionella Control Association Audit

First Environment passes Legionella control association periodic audit with flying colours.

January 2007 - Health and Safety Commission Consultation

The health and safety commission has launched a consultation exercise on a proposed merger with the Health and Safety Executive into a single Health and Safety Authority. The consultation can be downloaded from www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm

December 2006

We offer season's greetings to all our clients and suppliers. This year we will not be sending greetings cards but will be donating instead to water related charities, including Water Aid. In line with our objective to become carbon neutral we trust you will agree that this is a better use of all our resources and wish you well for 2007.

October 2006 - New Fire Regulations become effective.

The new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order became effective from 1st October 2006 requiring by law every owner/occupier of any business premises to carry out a fire risk assessment on their buildings. For further details contact Ian Smith.

September 2006 - HPA issue statement on concerns over an increase in the incidence of Legionnaire's disease cases.

The HPA statement issued highlights a near doubling in cases over those normally seen with some 127 cases since the start of August and with this number of cases expected to rise. Several clusters of cases are being investigated including 50 plus cases of Pontiac fever in the North East. The full press release can be viewed from the following link: www.hpa.org.uk press release

September 2006 - Changes to Private Water Supply Regulations.

Revised regulations are expected for issue by Summer 2007 to replace the Private Water Supply Regulations 1991. This will bring the regulations for private water supplies into line with the EC Directive on Drinking Water and follows an extended period of consultation. Revised regulations have already been published for Scotland effective from 3rd July 2006. Consultation papers for Wales are expected.

Private Water Supply Regulations 2006 Scotland

First Environment supports several clients in the monitoring and management of private water supply arrangements for production and other use.

July 2006 - 10th Anniversary carbon neutral commitment

First Environment celebrates its 10th anniversary with a commitment to operate on a carbon zero basis.

June 2006 - Client Zone

Client Zone goes live. Our on-line service now provides client's instant access to current reports, recommendations, case studies and guidance. The archive library facility provides access to past reports and historic information.

November 2005 - The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005

The new regulations replace the Noise at Work Regulations 1989 and implement the Physical Agents (Noise) Directive. The regulations introduce new lower and upper exposure action and limit values. Existing noise surveys should be reviewed and assessments updated to account for the revised levels. For further details contact Ian Smith.

July 2005 - Legionella Control Association.

The Code of Conduct Association for Legionella Services Providers has changed its name to the Legionella Control Association. First Environment continues to hold Tier 1 registration with the association which provides clients with assurance on our qualifications and service level commitments.

January 2005 - Constructionline Registration Capability Extended.

First Environment has increased its scope of registration on Constructionline to include Health and Safety Consulting in addition to the existing Legionella risk assessment, air quality monitoring and environmental disciplines already registered.

September 2004 – First Environment present at the Irish Water Waste and Environment Exhibition, Dublin.

Details were presented on the water and environmental monitoring service capabilities to supporting Irish companies to meet the requirements of new Legionella guidance and increased environmental compliance targets.

August 2004 - First Environment gains Investor in People Award.

Graham Ramshaw collects the IiP Award for First Environment from Diana Mais at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Business Award ceremony on 14th September 2004.

May 2004 - Legionella Research Paper Published.

The research paper on the effectiveness of biocides against Legionella bacteria was published following completion of a significant research project undertaken by First Environment's built environment group for the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Engineers, ASHRAE. The paper entitled 'Laboratory Observations of Biocide Efficacy in Model Cooling Towers Systems - RP954' can be obtained via ASHRAE at www.ashrae.org