 BCAS A source of advice and information
July 25th 2006 A source of advice and information
These last 12 months have been eventful and successful for BCAS. We have continued to grow in membership during 2005/6, now standing at a total of 114 members compared with 101 this time last year. Maintaining UK membership is a challenge in a climate of company takeover and consolidation within the compressed air industry itself, but we have met the challenge and in addition, attracted an increasing number of non-UK members, as well as companies that produce or sell ancillary products. Hence membership today is the broadest in company range of activities in the Society's history.
Companies join for reasons as varied as networking with the industry, for training both off the shelf courses and the bespoke options, technical support, and access to specialist advice and interpretation of European regulations and directives. Members also benefit from the differentiation in terms of training competence and conduct, and adherence to codes of practice.
Members are actively encouraged to undertake BCAS training to complement their product specific company training. They are also invited to take part in working groups, a good example in late 2005 being the input of members which led to the production of the first Construction Related Occupational (CRO) SKILLcards for the construction sector covering maintenance, installation and commissioning skills. These skilled worker cards provide evidence to third parties of the competence, skills, and qualifications – and standards of health and safety awareness – of employees. Three skill sets were identified by BCAS members: compressed air installers, maintainers and commissioning engineers.
The three full time staff at the BCAS London offices have, between them, made 60 visits to member companies in the last 12 months. It is by this face-to-face contact that BCAS can understand better what members (and their customers) want and receive feedback on how we are performing as a trade association.
Partnerships
We recognise that we work more effectively with partners and strategic alliances have continued to play an important role, e.g. the well established ones with DTI, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Carbon Trust, and Envirowise and new ones such as Heating & Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA who own SKILLcard), and British Dental Trades Association (BDTA).
Our partnership with HSE is particularly important especially where we represents the voice of the industry in issues such as the hand-arm vibration issue. BCAS is leading the industry response and ensuring that decisions are taken on a sound technical basis while being practicable. With regard to pneumatic hand held tools, the BCAS/HSE alliance has been effective in the lobbying for closer control on non-compliant equipment coming into Europe. This protects the users as well as those in the industry who have invested resources in making their tools as safe as possible and complied with all relevant legislation.
BCAS has had a packed programme of exhibitions during 2006 to raise its profile within business and industry with end users. We participated at MAINTEC for the fourth consecutive year, the maintenance theme being closely allied with energy efficiency and health and safety for compressed air systems.
Other events in 2006 included Pneumotion (February) and AirTech (May) whith Energy 2006 (September), and PEMEC (October) to come.
Looking forward to 2007
BCAS looks forward to an equally eventful and successful year. We are off to a flying start with a new logo and a brand new website, which you can read more about in the BCAS news page overleaf.
We shall strengthen and improve our networking to raise the profile of compressed air within the compressed air using sectors. This will be via the Trade Association Forum and also the Carbon Trust Networks initiative through which BCAS secured funding for a compressed air audit carbon reduction programme in 2005.
From November 2006, BCAS will have a new president, when Rodney Stafford of HPC takes over the role. Rodney has been with the HPC team since 1975 and is now Key Accounts Manager since 1992. He has a wealth of experience gained in all aspects of sales, automotive and national account management. Rodney is also currently supporting the Construction industry. Rodney has long been associated with the Garage Equipment Association (GEA) and previous to that with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Rodney is a past President of the GEA and currently serves as the Treasurer to the association. More articles from BCAS: | 
