FIEC favours non-legislative option on asbestos
In its contribution to the European Commission’s call for evidence on reducing workers exposure to asbestos, FIEC favoured the non-legislative option, amongst those proposed in the Commission’s consultation document. Indeed, FIEC does not support a lowering of the asbestos EU occupational exposure limit value via a revision of the “Asbestos” Directive, as it might be counterproductive. On the contrary, FIEC believes that a non-legislative initiative would be more efficient.
In particular, more financial support should be provided to contractors and homeowners in view of works taking place in the framework of the Renovation Wave. Guidance and awareness-raising campaigns – aimed at both employers and workers – should be updated and further promoted. A lot of prevention and information initiatives are already undertaken at national level and should be further supported.
This is a fundamental issue for the construction sector and its workforce and the European Commission should focus on preventive measures to eliminate or minimise risks.
In particular, more financial support should be provided to contractors and homeowners in view of works taking place in the framework of the Renovation Wave. Guidance and awareness-raising campaigns – aimed at both employers and workers – should be updated and further promoted. A lot of prevention and information initiatives are already undertaken at national level and should be further supported.
This is a fundamental issue for the construction sector and its workforce and the European Commission should focus on preventive measures to eliminate or minimise risks.
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European Commission adopts Temporary Crisis Framework to support the economy
On 23 March, the Commission adopted a Temporary Crisis Framework to allow Member States to use the flexibility foreseen under State aid rules to support their economies in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, the new framework complements the existing State aid toolbox. It will enable Member States to (a) grant limited amounts of aid to companies affected by the conflict or by related sanctions and countersanctions; (b) ensure that sufficient liquidity remains available to businesses; and (c) compensate companies for the additional costs incurred due to energy prices. Companies facing acute liquidity needs may also benefit from these measures.
The new framework includes a number of safeguards to preserve a level playing-field. Member States may also include sustainability requirements for granting aid for the additional energy costs.
According to Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, the new framework complements the existing State aid toolbox. It will enable Member States to (a) grant limited amounts of aid to companies affected by the conflict or by related sanctions and countersanctions; (b) ensure that sufficient liquidity remains available to businesses; and (c) compensate companies for the additional costs incurred due to energy prices. Companies facing acute liquidity needs may also benefit from these measures.
The new framework includes a number of safeguards to preserve a level playing-field. Member States may also include sustainability requirements for granting aid for the additional energy costs.
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Wonderworld: a document series by FNTP – Watch EPISODE 2
FIEC’s French member federation, Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics (FNTP) has launched a documentary series named ‘’Wonderworld’’, an ambitious action aimed at promoting the construction sector and its impact on the world.
Each episode is an immersive journey to discover a mission and the team of those sector enthusiasts who carried it out. The four episodes cast light on four great technological and human adventures.
The videos released in French by FNTP on its Website and YouTube channel, were presented with great success during the Forum of Public Works (Forum de Travaux Publics) held in Paris on 24 February 2022.EPISODE 2: LES CHATEAUX D’EAU DE LAMÉWelcome to Abidjan, the most populated city in the Ivory Coast. In this constantly expanding city, a third of the inhabitants do not have access to drinking water. And yet, there is no shortage of water. But the daily delivery of this essential resource is a real and hard challenge: for this purpose, the largest water towers in Africa, the “twin towers” (Fr.: les Chateaux d’eau de Lamé), were designed. The key character of this episode is Ludovic Stoeffler, who worked in Dakar (Senegal) on hydraulics and civil engineering projects before becoming Operations Manager at the Ivorian subsidiary Franzetti in Abidjan. He is currently working on the water towers of Lamé.To know more about the series, visit FNTP website
Each episode is an immersive journey to discover a mission and the team of those sector enthusiasts who carried it out. The four episodes cast light on four great technological and human adventures.
The videos released in French by FNTP on its Website and YouTube channel, were presented with great success during the Forum of Public Works (Forum de Travaux Publics) held in Paris on 24 February 2022.EPISODE 2: LES CHATEAUX D’EAU DE LAMÉWelcome to Abidjan, the most populated city in the Ivory Coast. In this constantly expanding city, a third of the inhabitants do not have access to drinking water. And yet, there is no shortage of water. But the daily delivery of this essential resource is a real and hard challenge: for this purpose, the largest water towers in Africa, the “twin towers” (Fr.: les Chateaux d’eau de Lamé), were designed. The key character of this episode is Ludovic Stoeffler, who worked in Dakar (Senegal) on hydraulics and civil engineering projects before becoming Operations Manager at the Ivorian subsidiary Franzetti in Abidjan. He is currently working on the water towers of Lamé.To know more about the series, visit FNTP website
| WATCH EPISODE 2 |
21 APRIL: Save the Date
Free registration is open to KHL’s Technology Summit
Registration is now open for the second major online Technology Summit launched by KHL Construction, which will take place on 21 April at 16h00 CET.
The event will look at the costs and benefits of becoming a ‘digital contractor’. This year’s theme is digital construction in the real world and the focus will be on how contractors are using advanced technology on projects, and what it takes to call oneself a digital contractor.
Speakers from technology firms and from construction will offer insights into return on investment. They will also share best practices and outline first steps into the digitalisation process.
KHL will also deliver the top line results of its recent construction technology survey, which is soon to be released as a White Paper.
The event will look at the costs and benefits of becoming a ‘digital contractor’. This year’s theme is digital construction in the real world and the focus will be on how contractors are using advanced technology on projects, and what it takes to call oneself a digital contractor.
Speakers from technology firms and from construction will offer insights into return on investment. They will also share best practices and outline first steps into the digitalisation process.
KHL will also deliver the top line results of its recent construction technology survey, which is soon to be released as a White Paper.
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