PFA Graphics, our exciting new venture offering our graphic design expertise to existing and new clients, has been operating for over six months.  In that time we have provided a wide range of design services to several new clients, including; new logos, business stationery, exhibition material and websites.
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We are beginning to earn a positive reputation in the wider Swindon area for high quality design work for small businesses at competitive prices. Our website for Graphic Design in Swindon has a portfolio of work, a regularly updated blog and details of the services we can provide.

The importance of getting a good position on the world’s most used search engine can’t be underrated and to this end we have worked hard to ensure we are placed in the top 3 results on Google for our main keywords. If you want to know how we achieved this and how we could assist you to do the same please contact Ellie or Matthew on 01793 828000.

We look forward to PFA Graphics rapidly expanding in the next 6 months and if you need a graphic design service please give us a call.

CDM 2007 – The End of the Honeymoon

The transition period for CDM ends on the 5th April 2008. There were several provisions to aid the transition from the old duties to the new e.g. a planning supervisor or principal contractor already appointed under CDM 1994 were deemed to be the CDM co-ordinator or principal contractor under CDM 2007, but they had to ensure that they acquire the new competencies within 12 months.

That 12 months is nearly up, all CDM Co-ordinators will, as a minimum, be required to be a member on the register of the Association for Project Safety (RMaPS) or to be a chartered construction professional (MCIOB, MICE, RICS) and hold a NEBOSH construction certificate. These are requirements stipulated in Appendix 4 of the Approved Code of Practice and as such have quasi-legal status in law (i.e. they demonstrate how to comply with the law and you must meet that standard or be shown to be working to a similar or higher standard).

Principal Contractors will be required to demonstrate that their site managers and supervisors have a standard of training in site safety such as the Construction Skills (formerly CITB) 5 day Site Managers Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) Award.

PFA Consulting offers safety training courses to qualify to become a CDM Co-ordinator. If you are interested please contact us or take a look at our Training Courses webpage.

Transport Modelling

The use of computer modelling to assess the impact of development or proposed infrastructure on the transport network is an important skill of the transport planner.

At PFA Consulting the building of transport models is one of the specialist services we provide to clients.  Increasingly, we are building larger and more complex area-wide models utilising the latest modelling software, known as ‘micro-simulation’ models.  In simple terms such models are a representation of the movement of individual vehicles on a highway network with the output provided as a video. These models can accurately represent the network and can include not only junctions, but infrastructure such as pedestrian crossings, bus stops, traffic calming, road works, etc.  The level of detail is virtually open ended.

Due to the increasing capability and power of personal computers the models can be built to cover a complicated urban area or even whole towns and cities. On the other hand, all that may be required is to model traffic passing through a single junction such as a traffic signal controlled junction or a roundabout. The big advantage of the output from such models is that they are easily understood by the general public, which provides significant benefits for public consultation.

Currently, in conjunction with SIAS (a specialist company which developed and markets the micro-simulation model known as S-PARAMICS) PFA Consulting is building a S-PARAMICS model of the town of Chippenham in Wiltshire.  Major new development, including a large increase in the number of residential dwellings, is being considered by planners as part of the North Wiltshire Local Development Framework.  The Chippenham Traffic Model will enable a whole range of scenarios to be tested quickly and easily providing a comparative assessment and better decision making.  The building of the ‘base traffic model’, representing the existing situation, is being funded by Wiltshire County Council, North Wiltshire District Council and interested developers.

Should you wish to obtain further information or details on transport modelling please do not hesitate to contact Julian Alexander, (email jalexander@pfaplc.com).

Health and Safety Merger

MERGER OF THE BUSINESS OF G. R. SAFETY MANAGEMENT LTD AND PFA CONSULTING LTD TO CREATE A LEADING HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSULTANCY AND TRAINING BUSINESS

"The boards of G. R. Safety Management Ltd and PFA Consulting Ltd announced the merger of the business of G. R. Safety Management Ltd and PFA Consulting Ltd. As of 1 January 2008 the enlarged business is trading as PFA Consulting, operating from its headquarters in Swindon." 

The enlarged business will build on PFA Consulting’s success in the UK with an experienced management team with a proven track record, which together will provide a strong platform for growth.

Commenting on the announcement, Peter Finlayson, MD of PFA Consulting, said: "G. R. Safety Management Ltd is a well respected Health & Safety Consultancy and the joining of the two businesses will create an even stronger force in this highly competitive market. The enlarged group, which will be based in Swindon, will benefit from an experienced team of consultants. The new team is committed to realising significant benefits for the clients of the enlarged business".

Gerald Spary, MD of G. R. Safety Management Ltd. said: "We are delighted to see the merger of the Health and Safety businesses of two such well established industry players which we are sure will achieve significant benefits for clients. We look forward to being a committed partner. The G. R. Safety Management team is looking forward to building and growing the enlarged business together with the PFA Consulting team. The combined organisation will offer customers improved choice and quality for all their Health & Safety requirements and training needs in all of the markets in which we operate."