http://bethell.co.uk/ Solutions based on experience, Bethell was established in Manchester in 1865, incorporated in 1925 and is today one of the UK's most successful independent construction and utility businesses. en heather.byrne@bethell.co.uk Copyright 2012 2012-09-25T13:14:15+00:00 http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_celebrates_gold_success_for_a_second_year_at_the_rospa_awards_2012/ http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_celebrates_gold_success_for_a_second_year_at_the_rospa_awards_2012/ Bethell Construction has had its approach to the prevention of accidents and ill health recognised in the RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2012 for the second year. The Gold award was presented at a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, at the National Exhibition Centre, earlier this year. Dating back to 1956, the RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards scheme is the largest and longest-running programme of its kind in the UK. It recognises commitment to accident and ill health prevention and is open to businesses and organisations of all types and sizes from across the UK and overseas. The scheme does not just look at accident records, but also entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including important practices such as strong leadership and workforce involvement. David Rawlins, awards manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), a safety charity with a 95-year history, said: “The RoSPA Awards programme provides well-deserved recognition for the winners and spurs on other organisations to raise their standards of accident and ill health prevention. We congratulate Bethell Construction Ltd on its success and encourage it, and all our other winners, to remain committed to safety and health, an approach that is well recognised to be good for workers and the bottom line.” 2012-09-25T12:14:15+00:00 http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_receives_the_platinum_standard/ http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_receives_the_platinum_standard/ Bethell Construction have been awarded the highly acclaimed Platinum Award in recognition of our commitment to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme. CSCS was established to help the construction industry to improve quality standards and reduce accidents.  CSCS cards are becoming compulsory throughout the industry, to demonstrate proof of occupational competence and health & safety knowledge. To achieve the Platinum Award standard over 90% of our operational staff held a CSCS card. This award emphasises Bethell’s ongoing commitment to providing the best possible service to customers and maintain the highest possible standards in employee development and training. Ian Madden H.S.Q.E. Director at Bethell commented.“To achieve the Platinum Award, Bethell has gone beyond the regular construction industry 75% Gold Standard and is proud that our commitment to the continued training and development of our work force has enabled us to meet the stringent criteria set for this excellent award” 2012-01-11T11:51:01+00:00 http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_achieve_national_highways_sector_16_certification/ http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_achieve_national_highways_sector_16_certification/ Bethell are now only one of a limited number of surfacing contractors who have the authority to lay asphalt products on the national highways and motorway network. The sector 16 Certification confirms that Bethells management system and road surfacing standards meet the requirements set by the Highway Authority, when laying asphalt mixes for roads and paved areas, including those in which coated chippings are used during laying. The awarded certification demonstrates the ISO 9001 quality of existing Bethell’s management systems and our operational expertise in road construction and surfacing. Bethell’s in-house surfacing division continues to excel in all departments and looks forward to a prosperous 2012, with sector 16 Certification, which is essential in securing surfacing projects on the nation’s public highways. 2012-01-11T11:02:14+00:00 http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/charities_benefit_from_bethells_annual_safety_awards/ http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/charities_benefit_from_bethells_annual_safety_awards/ Bethell Construction employees give £1000 to charity.  John Walker and Warren Heard were this week rewarded for their contributions in maintaining Bethell’s high Health & Safety standards. Both employees received a safety award certificate and £500 in acknowledgement of their achievements in maintaining and promoting good safety standards on site.  The money received was paid to a charity of their choice, John chose the Preston based charity Heartbeat, who provides first class rehabilitation programmes and support for the long term effects of coronary heart disease.  Warren chose Manchester Based, Christies, who are one of the leading lights in the research, development and run clinical trials in development of long term treatments for cancers. Ian Madden, Bethells Health & Safety Director added this initiative has significantly contributed to the ongoing attitudes to construction safety and behavioural culture that exist at Bethell, plus provide additional funding opportunities for two of our local charities. 2011-12-12T14:46:35+00:00 http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/skilled_for_nuclear/ http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/skilled_for_nuclear/ Bethell Construction are now officially members of National Skills Academy and look to improve upon the high standards that already exist to improve staff training. Company Operations Director Chris Cayton, has been appointed Bethell Constructions representative. Chris now sits on the Nuclear Skills Academy North West & North East Regional Steering Group. Chris’s role is to coordinate and monitor the Bethell staff ongoing Nuclear Skills Training Programme and establish new construction delivery teams, who can successfully work in a live nuclear environment. Chris has previous industry experience and has successfully managed nuclear construction projects. Chris added “The National Skills Academy for Nuclear was established to create, develop and promote world class skills support to the nuclear industry for sub-contractors like Bethell. The Skills Academy supports the sub-contract supply chain and improves standards in safety and management skills that meet the specific needs of the nuclear sector”. 2011-12-06T12:37:04+00:00 http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethells_award_support/ http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethells_award_support/ Bethell Construction’s Managing Director, Vinny O’Dowd, was delighted to attend Stockport Council’s Extra! Awards event which was recently held at Stockport Town Hall. The Awards are held each year in recognition of the continuous contributions and financial savings that the council’s officers and staff provide to the citizens of Stockport. Bethell Construction has a long association with the Authority and was pleased to offer its financial support and co-sponsor the event. Vinny O’Dowd added “Bethell has worked with the Council for many years and will always support Stockport and the Greater Community, through support initiatives and its ongoing local employment programme commitment”.  Leader of Stockport Council, Dave Goddard Officiating 2011 EXtra! Awards Some of the Councils proud employees receiving there EXtra! Award from Leader Dave Goddard 2011-11-17T15:42:39+00:00 http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_presented_with_gold_status_green_apple_award_2011/ http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_presented_with_gold_status_green_apple_award_2011/ Bethell Construction Ltd has recently been chosen as a winner in the International Green Apple Awards for the Built Environment in partnership with it’s client, Unity Partnership / Oldham Borough Council. A Gold Status Green Apple Award was received at the University of Westminster on 20th June 2011 in recognition for the part Bethell has played in the restoration of Oldham Borough’s highways retaining walls over the past 18 months. Project works commenced in March 2010 in dismantling and re-constructing identified lengths of structurally failing highway retaining walls. Most of the works have involved the careful dismantling of existing dry stone retaining walls, mostly in conservation areas or within areas where the existing dry stone walls add significantly to the local character. A key element of all the projects is to restore the walls using traditional techniques ensuring that the reconstructed walls are an accurate reproduction of the original structures but behind which, a modern reinforced concrete solution provides the earth retaining duties to ensure that the dry stone facing will provide pleasure for many future generations.  To this end, great effort and time has been spent in carefully dismantling the existing walls to save as much of the original stone as possible that can then be incorporated into the final engineered solution. Master masons from the National Dry Stone Wall Association have been specifically employed on all projects in ensuring that the masonry finish of the re-constructed walls is fully in keeping with the existing environment. Project works are due to be completed in March 2012 at a combined project cost of approximately £9.5 million. Left to Right: Councillor Mike Buckley (Oldham MBC), Gordon Anderson (Engineering Services Manager- Unity Partnership), Gerry McCoy (Bethell Construction), Trevor Bayliss O.B.E, Miguel Meki (Team Leader Highway Services- Unity Partnership) 2011-07-15T08:44:51+00:00 http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/princes_trust_get_into_construction/ http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/princes_trust_get_into_construction/ During November 2010 Bethell participated in the Prince’s Trust “Get into Construction” initiative. This initiative aims to put disadvantaged young people through an intensive course which introduces them to different aspects of the construction industry. Initially Bethell placed two candidates Michael Woodhouse and Michael Goulding for an 8 week period on our BSF school projects in Liverpool and Knowsley. Based on this placement and both candidates enthusiasm to learn and develop both were awarded full time employment as Ground work apprentices at Bethell. 2011-06-07T11:11:50+00:00 http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_win_rospa_gold_at_first_attempt/ http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_win_rospa_gold_at_first_attempt/ Bethell Construction have been awarded the much coveted RoSPA “Gold” Award at its first attempt.  This coveted safety award was achieved following recognition for a wide range of new and original safety initiatives resulting in exemplary accident statistics in recent years. RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) recently made the award much to the delight of Managing Director Vinny O’Dowd: “Bethell has been committed to the promotion and commitment to safety throughout its business for many years where we have been at the forefront of best industry practice.  We are fortunate to employ many dedicated staff who are always engaged in implementing innovative safety initiatives. It is pleasing that this hard work pays off when we achieve exemplary accident statistics year after year”. Bethell’s steadfastness in this area has been recognised by the company being awarded the coveted ROSPA Gold award was presented at a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel on 18th May. RoSPA, a safety charity, launched its awards programme 55 years ago. The scheme looks not only at accident records, but also entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including important practices such as strong leadership and workforce involvement. David Rawlins, RoSPA’s awards manager, said: “RoSPA firmly believes that organisations demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement in accident and ill health prevention deserve recognition. Bethell Construction has shown that it is committed to striving for such continuous improvement and we are delighted to honour it through the presentation of an award.” 2011-04-08T12:09:39+00:00 http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_donate_safety_reward_to_local_charity/ http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_donate_safety_reward_to_local_charity/ Bethell’s annual award for ‘Individual Contribution to Site Safety’ was won by Liam Sanderson and ‘Safest Site 2010’ was won by employees at the Balfour Beatty site at West Derby. It had been decided at the start of the year to donate cash prizes to local charities and both Liam and West Derby Site Manager, Pat Manuel decided to make a joint contribution to ‘Help for Heroes’ the national charity which supports injured service personnel. The £1000 cheque was presented to Janice Moon, Greater Manchester local representitive for the charity. 2011-02-24T12:37:41+00:00 http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_win_major_award_for_safe_driving_and_economical_fleet/ http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_win_major_award_for_safe_driving_and_economical_fleet/ The Fleet Van awards were judged by a panel of experts chaired by Stephen Briers, editor-in-chief of Fleet Van, and composed of Fleet Van editor Trevor Gelken as well as industry professionals. The awards were presented in a ceremony at Simpsons-in-the-Strand, London. The Awards are supported by government-backed motorists’ forum Driving for Better Business. The campaign continues to play a major role in encouraging companies and organisations nationwide to implement best practice occupational road risk management programmes. An estimated 200 road deaths and serious injuries occur each week as a result of crashes involving at work drivers. More employees are killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads while driving on behalf of their employer than in any other work-related activity. Mr Charlton said, “It is absolutely fantastic to have the initiatives we have taken to reduce the on road risk exposure of the company and our drivers recognised.” Manchester based construction company, Bethell Construction has introduced a number of safety and environmental initiatives in order to focus on reducing its occupational road risk exposure and this contributed to the company winning the Van Fleet of the Year - sub 500 vehicles. Mr Briers said, “The company may only have a small fleet of less than 70 commercial vehicles, but Bethell operates with large fleet professionalism that embraces excellent work on road safety that ensures operational needs never override safety considerations.” Bethell managing director Vinny O’Dowd said, “Bethell has for many years promoted and enforced effective health, safety, quality and environmental systems and these have been extended to the running of our vehicle fleet. The recession has necessitated cutbacks in some parts of our business but although the number of vehicles has fluctuated, the emphasis on safe driving and good environmental management has continued to a very high standard. “It’s immensely rewarding that our efforts have been recognised in not only being nominated but winning this award. It makes all the hard work over a number of years worthwhile and stamps a seal of approval on the commitment of all employees. We will endeavour to progress and continue our good work in this area.” 2010-10-21T12:04:00+00:00 http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_win_their_nineteenth_contract_award_from_aldi_stores/ http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_win_their_nineteenth_contract_award_from_aldi_stores/ Aldi Stores Ltd has just awarded Bethell our seventh groundworks package in the last three years on a new store construction project in Baguley, Manchester. This follows the successful completion of similar Aldi new stores over the last three years at Ellesmere Port, Bamber Bridge, Hyde, Old Colwyn, Ramsbottom and Great Harwood. Typical contract values have ranged from £500k to over £1.0m In addition to the above awards, Bethell have succeeded in winning and successfully delivering groundworks packages for Aldi Stores Ltd on extensions to existing stores at Rhyl, Stalybridge, Morecambe, Blackburn, Shipley, Blackpool, Cheadle Heath, Stockton Heath, Huddersfield, Mold, Wrexham and Liverpool. Typical contract values for store extensions have ranged from under £100k to over £250k. 2010-10-08T13:45:29+00:00 http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_apprentices_win_accolades/ http://www.bethell.co.uk/index.php/news/bethell_apprentices_win_accolades/ Over the past six years Bethell has employed 20 apprentices. The apprenticeship programme is run in conjunction with Stockport and MANCAT colleges and leads to the apprentices gaining an NVQ Level 2. The apprenticeship is a two year workplace programme in which the apprentice attends college one day a week whilst gaining valuable onsite experience. Below are details of one of our apprentices receiving an award linked to the apprenticeship scheme. Stephen, who is a student at MANCAT, won the accolade “Most Improved General Construction Operations Apprentice Level Two 2009 / 2010” at the Manchester College’s annual award ceremony. Stephen is a popular member of the Bethell team and enrolled as a groundwork operative apprentice in 2007. The award is testimony to the support and guidance given to Stephen by his experienced mentors since his commencement with Bethell. Bethell view their apprenticeship scheme as being a core objective of their Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Policy and are committed to providing opportunities to local young people. Bethell, in partnership with Skills Solutions, have been offering local youngsters careers in the construction industry since starting their apprentice programme in 2005. Over twenty apprentices have been employed by Bethell since the first intake five years ago and over half still remain with the company providing a valuable contribution. 2010-10-08T13:42:53+00:00