Welcome....
to the launch edition of our members’ newsletter. This year we are working hard to update our members and provide you with information on the work of SEMA and the benefits for you.
Following this theme, our first edition of the members’ newsletter looks at all things communication! We look at SEMA events with our SARI conference and how we are making some changes to future seminars and meetings. We also discuss how you can use SEMA to promote your business and what we need you to do!
Finally, we will provide you with updates on the new SEIRS Diploma and cards. We also talk to Tony Price from TJP Installations who has recently attended the SEIRS Foundation course to find out what he thought about the new course, what difference it has made to their working life and why SEIRS is a benefit to them.
Jaap Vos, President
Get SMARTer with SEIRS
Did you know that our SEIRS initiative is one of the CSCS's 38 Partner Card Schemes? The SEIRS/CSCS card is for those who need to work on construction sites and have a recognised qualification and pass the health and safety test for the job they do on site.
The CSCS has recently launched their new Smart Card scheme which allows any card displaying the CSCS logo to be verified using a single app.
The new CSCS cards will now display a unique QR code which is read by the CSCS Smart Check app. This free app provides a very simple and effective solution to checking CSCS cards in one place and ensures everyone on site has the right qualification and training for the job they do.
Construction site security or on-site card checking personnel can scan the card and instantly receive information on the card holder such as a photo ID, qualifications, training, occupation and card expiry date.
We can announce that we are now up and running…. Any installer that attains the SEIRS/CSCS qualification will automatically receive a SEIRS/CSCS Smart Card. For those who have already attained this qualification, a new card with your unique QR code will be sent out shortly.
Why a Smart Card
CSCS Smart Check will verify whether a card is genuine and legitimate for over 2 million construction workers in the UK using a single app.
A one-stop solution to check all cards in one place rather than separate apps, web portals and call centres.
An easy and secure way to ensure everyone on site has the right qualifications and training for the job they do.
Welcome to our new members
Ikon Solutions Ltd in Derbywho have joined as an SDC!
BTS Storage Centre in Guernsey who have joined as both a SAIC and SDC!
SARI Conference
In March we held our popular one-day SARI Seminar attended by 138 SEMA Approved Rack Inspectors. The information-packed seminar covered a range of subjects including assessing risks, how inspections are treated in the EU, new SARI rules and racking identification.
Changes to SEMA Conference
Talking about events…we are making some changes to our seminars. This year, we have made the decision not to run our usual SEMA Safety Conference. Instead, on Thursday 10th of November 2022 we will combine two of our regular meetings. The morning session will be our Technical Seminar which will include an in-depth presentation on the work of our Technical Committee, standards and codes. The afternoon will be our SEMA General Meeting where you can find out about the work of our members and activities across the group.
The events will be held at Moor Hall Hotel, Sutton Coldfield. We hope you can join us!
Interested in attending one of SEMA's events? Visit our online calendar.
READ ALL ABOUT IT - SEMA IN THE NEWS!
SEIRS Training
In January this year we launched our new SEIRS Diploma which saw the introduction of a new and rigorous training process that will ensure each installer achieves a minimum level of assessed practical skill.
To gain full SEIRS qualification the course now has two parts and addresses not only the theory on installing storage equipment, but significantly includes a practical, hands-on instruction. We spoke to Tony Price at TJP Installations who recently completed SEIRS Foundation to get his opinion on the course.
How did you hear about SEMA and SEIRS?
I've been a racking installer for over 10 years and I never thought SEMA was meant for a company like us. Increasingly the big players are asking for their installers to be SEIRS registered and I realised that I would miss out on jobs if I didn't sign up.
What did you think of the SEIRS course?
The instructor was fantastic. He really connected with everyone and took the time to get to know you and answer all your questions. Most classroom stuff is pretty regimental, but this course felt like a discussion where we could talk about our work with the instructor pointing out where we can improve on areas to make our jobs safer. You could tell he really knew his stuff.
How has the SEIRS course improved your work?
Having been in installation for years I thought I knew pretty much everything there was to learn but I will gladly admit I was wrong.
At the start of the course we were shown images of racking collapses and really just how dangerous this job can be. Without a doubt it has made me more aware of the job I do.
Would you recommend SEIRS to other installers?
It's easy to think you can teach a new installer everything you know and that's enough. Having now been on the course I would disagree and personally feel more confident knowing other installers have been on SEIRS.
I only did the SEIRS Foundation course a couple of weeks ago but I'm already getting myself booked on to the Diploma and I'm also going to get my team of installers to attend the Foundation course.
It may be a juggle getting free time for each team member to go on the course but you should never forget the risk to your business if something does go wrong. The time it will take to sort out a collapsed rack, insurance claims and rebuilding the reputation of your business shouldn't be forgotten.
ISO 9001:2015
SEMA are celebrating yet another milestone in our 50-year history. We have recently been awarded ISO 9001:2015 certification in recognition for the support we give to members and our industry related training courses. To achieve the accreditation we had to review our current processes and also submit to an in-depth audit of our membership and training to demonstrate that we consistently provide services that increase user satisfaction and meet regulatory requirements.
We have now started working on our application towards ISO:14001 and ISO:45001.
Watch this space!
Promote your company with SEMA
Last year we sent out a SEMA Member Profile form asking for details on your company, the products and services you provide and why being a member of SEMA is important to you as a business. We have used this information to create social media posts which are sent out to promote your business for free through the SEMA LinkedIN account - hopefully you’ve seen them! If you haven't sent your form back yet it's not too late, here's what you need to do:
Email becky@aurapr.co.uk and ask for a copy of the form or, you can ask us to create some posts using the information on your website.
Complete the form and return to becky@aurapr.co.uk along with some images showing your best work and a copy of your company logo.
We will then create a series of posts which we will send back to you and gain your approval before using.
Once you have approved the posts we will start to promote your company or service through the SEMA LinkedIN account for free!
Sticking to the code
Did you know that the SEMA Design Code has now been in use within the UK for over 40 years!!!
Design codes are specialist, but their purpose is simple, to make sure that we can have a reasonable level of confidence that the rack will stand up when it is used for its intended purpose. The codes have been designed to cover the whole life cycle of a racking system providing guidance on how to do the structural analysis, what types of loads must be considered, how to test components and installation tolerances.
Online booking for SEMA courses
Last year we launched the new SEMA website which provides a lot more information for SEMA members and your customers.
As part of the rebuild we also set up an interactive events and training calendar which provides you with 'live' information on course availability. We are now in the process of taking the next step and we shall be soon launching our new online booking process that will make signing up to one of our many courses even easier.
We'll let you know as soon as it is live!
If you would like more information about anything you have seen in this newsletter or you have an idea for future editions of the newsletter please contact us by emailing enquiry@sema.org.uk.
