90 years of reliability & expertise

2020 marks the 90th anniversary of the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS). Throughout these nine decades, the Society has played a crucial role in upholding standards and advising its members about changing legislation and standards, to ensure compliance and safety within the industry.

Alongside offering an independent source of technical advice to ensure that compressor equipment is energy efficient, compliant and safe, the Society acts as a reliable and reassuring voice in the wake of changing market requirements.

This has been particularly apparent in recent months, as the Coronavirus pandemic has challenged the industry to adapt to new methods of working, under very difficult economic circumstances.  

Throughout this time, BCAS has been providing advice and support to its members affected by the downturn, lobbying Government to ensure the best outcome during this uncertain time.  

Key worker status

Despite the stringent lockdown measures, much of the manufacturing industry has continued to operate during the Coronavirus outbreak, albeit it with a limited workforce and with reduced output in some areas.

BCAS recognised that manufacturing employees must continue to work during the crisis and was instrumental in gaining recognition for their importance to the UK economy.

This work has allowed employees to demonstrate their status as key workers, which enables them to continue working while their children attend school.  This includes the installing, commissioning and maintenance of equipment that is deemed crucial to critical sectors including public services, food processing and distribution, transport and utilities.

Close proximity working

The Society has also issued specific guidance for those needing to undertake essential site work, where the social distancing guidelines cannot be adhered to.

Health and scientific professionals have warned that the pandemic is unlikely to be a short-term crisis and that Covid-19 could circulate in the human population for the long-term, possibly causing periodic epidemics.  As further scientific recommendations have been issued, these guidelines continue to be adjusted to ensure the latest advice is followed.

BCAS would always recommend complying with the social distancing guidelines.  For an essential activity where social distancing guidelines cannot be followed, the first steps are to take all possible mitigating actions to reduce the risk of the transmission of Covid-19 between those taking part in the activity.

Covid-19 secure workplace course

BCAS has also spent time creating a new training course for businesses and employees concerned about safe working practices during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Delivered via the society’s new online learning portal, the ‘Working safely during Covid-19’ course costs just £4.99 per delegate and details the Government guidance for maintaining a secure workplace, issued 18th May 2020.

It covers the key workplace types identified, including outdoor work, factories and warehouses, offices, branches and vehicles and is designed to fulfil the employer’s requirement to provide information and training to its employees.

The comprehensive course identifies the ways in which Covid-19 is spread from contaminated surfaces or respiratory droplets and provides some practical workplace hygiene rules to help minimise risk.

Furlough advice

Another key benefit that the Society has been offering is to advise its members on interpreting the Government’s furlough guidance.  BCAS had been highlighting the restrictive nature of some of the furlough arrangements, explaining how peaks and troughs in demand for service provision had made it impractical to furlough engineers in three-week cycles.

The Society has particularly welcomed the new scheme arrangements that came into effect in July, enabling employers to bring engineers back on a part-time basis to meet their customers service and maintenance requirements.

Brexit

BCAS is key member of the EURIS Taskforce, an advisory body that examines the potential impacts of the changing relationship between the UK and EU for the UK Government, manufacturers and the media.

The Society is continuing to lobby to avoid a cliff edge in the event of a ‘no deal’ scenario and is campaigning for a viable customs arrangement that minimises costs and delays and to ensure that the UK industry remains involved in the future development of European regulations and standards.

Building better for the future

Despite these immensely challenging times, BCAS, like many other organisations, has used this time as an opportunity to reflect on and question some of its own standard procedures.  For example, the Society is looking at options to run future committee meetings, which can involve multiple participants from locations throughout the UK, remotely – saving travel time and expense.

Its new e-learning platform is also proving popular with engineers working remotely, providing valuable training and ensuring skills are maintained, even when face-to-face learning is not a viable option.