Question:

I would like to ask other group members, their opinion on FM companies who request personal data / competencies on engineers who may attend their locations.   In my opinion this data remains protected, competencies show full name, NI, address etc, in short GDPR protected in addition to being business sensitive.

As a responsible business we pay a large premium to be externally audited by SSIP, plus affiliation to the regulation boards such as gas safe, it is understandable that engineers have to prove their ID when on site, but in terms of providing FM companies with a training matrix and personal competencies, does anyone else submit this?  Is there a process or request that can be supplied to request the security process of the data requestor?

I maybe overprotective, however a few years ago a number of our engineers where approached directly after such a data submission.

Replies:

1. I’m in agreement on that one. I’d like to ban LinkedIn also, apart from a useful business tool at times, it’s a seedy platform at times in terms of poaching staff and more.
2. This type of request is commonplace for ourselves, but I do understand the concern this member has
3. Fortunately, none of our engineers have been approached on the back of this breach but would be interested in what the outcome may be?
4. My background is FM and usually customers will request confirmation of competencies including gas cards if FM providers are subcontracting work and also all contractors have a duty of care under CDM 2015 to ensure that all subcontractors have the correct skills knowledge and experience to carry out the works. This is usually the reason for the request.
5. I suppose a fair question back to our ceda colleague would be are you happy for someone to work on your premises or on behalf of you at one of your client’s premises without seeing evidence that they’re qualified to do so? The FM world is the embodiment of box ticking.
6. I’ve never experienced engineers being approached in this manner so I can only really comment on the cause of the concerns however in my experience I’d say that this is perfectly normal especially if it’s the first time of working on this client’s sites.
7. For peace of mind, you could always ask the FM company for a copy of their GDPR policy.
8. We refuse to supply for precisely that reason. They have their gas safe and their ceda cards for ID purposes and we supply DBS but no other information unless it is an MOD or prison site.
9. I always refuse to give engineers details for the very same reason.  I would just send a training matrix with just Name and qualifications held.

Question:

I have a client looking for options for commercial induction Wok Ranges. These will generally be 3 to 6 pan ranges. I have been advised that Middleby manufacture one, but can’t find any info at all!
Can the ceda membership help?

Replies:

1. Far east in London – http://www.fareastgroup.co.uk/contact.htm
2. MCS Cooktek do various models
3. Tell them to contact Jack Robson at Middleby, if they do it he will know. His mobile is 07785 925 148
4. I can suggest the following company, based in Bristol: ACK Manufacturing Ltd. Tel: 01761 453666 Email: sales@ack-wokcookers.com
5. ceda Member ‘Grey Simmonds Food Service Equipment Limited’ have said they can supply these. Please contact Oliver Hardwicke via hardwicke@greysimmonds.co.uk
   Website: Commercial Kitchen design and installation for London & the UK | GS Foodservice Equipment
6. These are based in Bristol https://ack-wokcookers.com/products-systems/wok-cookers/gas-wok-cooker-range/heavy-duty-wok-cooker-range/

Question:

We are currently delivering a high-end kitchen in a domestic setting. They have requested 2 x LG American-style fridge freezers. They want the specific LG model (no alternatives). Are any members aware of suppliers that can provide LG domestic fridges?

Replies:

1. Currys AO Marks Electrical or LG.com https://www.lg.com/uk/fridge-freezers/american-style-fridge-freezers/gsxv80pzle1/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiYOxBhC5ARIsAIvdH50Z0i23nWoE1rBdl4JqmfN_xsiFxRXxzUrec0g4s7nVHVu76YxgEJgaAkgNEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
2. You will get one from AO, delivered and installed.
3. Google is his friend, if domestic appliances are required then AO are the ones, they have a business section too where he/she can log in onlinehttps://ao.com/l/american_fridge_freezers-lg/1-6/26-27/?sort=-numbersold&ef_id=Cj0KCQjwiYOxBhC5ARIsAIvdH53T50U0cP0WuOu5ToITZpoARsLS8bVF4R7sOnvz64tprdF11Rr8RKIaAoO8EALw_wcB:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!8149!3!683620259928!e!!g!!lg%20american%20fridge%20freezer&&utm_medium=search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=bt%20exact%20-%20american%20fridge%20freezer%7Cbt%20exact%20-%20lg%20american%20fridge%20freezer&utm_term=brand%7Cexact&utm_content=kwd-19944246366&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiYOxBhC5ARIsAIvdH53T50U0cP0WuOu5ToITZpoARsLS8bVF4R7sOnvz64tprdF11Rr8RKIaAoO8EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
4. I’ve used Appliance Direct before without any issues https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/
5. Regarding domestic appliances, we have a business account with AO, which might be beneficial to your member. While the discount isn’t substantial, it proves helpful for customers who need to purchase domestic items but aren’t allowed to shop online.
6. When we have been obliged to provide domestic items, we have purchased through John Lewis who have a robust warranty.

Question:

We are looking for a supplier of freestanding water dispensers, cold and ambient.

Replies:

1. Borg & Overstrom manufacture and supply water dispensers https://www.borgandoverstrom.com/en/models/model-comparison/
2. Check out https://www.edensprings.co.uk/
3. ceda member ‘Scobie Maintenance Ltd’ say that they supply and install these products all over the UK.  The contact is: John Ward – National Account Manager. Direct: 07918690275 / Service Desk : +44 (0) 333 0151 270

Question:

We have a client asking for our engagement in WRRS; Work Related Road Safety and/or accreditation to FOR’s, this is not typically a requirement within our scope of works, as such may I ask any members how they have addressed this topic when it has occurred?

Replies:

1. This has come across our desk before, if for a new client and or series of projects it may be consideration to have own drivers and vehicle put through training and upgrades to achieve FORS status. There are different levels and annual costs involved. If on other hand it’s a singular project that won’t likely come up again there are third party hauliers with the qualification who can undergo the final leg of the journey for deliveries etc onto site to comply. We googled and there are a few that come up, just then about finding one that suits location and costs.

2.We have just gained FORS accreditation and is becoming a normal requirement for local authority tenders. We signed up to FORS which is very complicated and thorough. However, passed first time with strong evidence.

Question:

We are considering issuing our engineers with hoodies rather than the jackets they have had for years. Have any other companies issued hoodies to their engineers? And if so, do they have anything in place in regard to the hood and cords being a snag hazard? For example, working on mixers etc? I’m sure someone somewhere will have a risk assessment for hood laces.

Replies:

1. They could always take the cord out – or shorten them!

2. I have worked in H&S for over 25yrs. Previously I worked in the printing industry, this involved working close to moving parts including rollers/chains/conveyers etc that were in movement when working on.
Dangling items of any kind can pull you into a machine if parts are moving. No loose clothing, chains around necks or other dangling items were permitted on safety grounds and the staff understood why.
If the Engineers will be anywhere near moving parts within machines, then for me this is 100% not a good idea. Also consider that many Engineers are lone working and cannot rely on others working nearby to help then turn off the machine in a timely manner.
It would only take one incident, near miss etc to happen and immediately this would have been deemed a very bad idea, and one incident is one too many.

3. All our field guys and office staff all wear hoodies, and to be honest the issue has never come up, especially in the scenario mentioned. A couple of our guys simply pulled the laces out of theirs as they irritated them which wasn’t a problem.

4. I have an engineer who will only wear a hoodie, but it has no ties and is always pulled down when on site as I am a bit against them looks-wise.
As with a jacket you would more often than not remove a garment before working on equipment.

5. It was once raised by engineers here as a consideration to upgrading our workwear/PPE. Usually more popular by the slightly younger demographic. We gave it some thought and fell just shy of producing any risk assessment, snag hazards on mixers, conveyors and even certain motors were discussed.
In the end we felt hoodies were not the image our company wanted to portray for looking professional on some of our more corporate sites.

6. We have hoodies; however, we have removed the strings.

7. We have the same issue; I have stopped buying them but now the engineers are complaining that they don’t like jumpers!  Would be interested if someone has a risk assessment, failing that take the hood cord out!

Question:

I have an enquiry for a Twin Tank Height Adjustable Fryer. Can you see if the members have come across such a product, please.

Replies:

1. These do one that fit the requirements: https://adexa.co.uk/Professional-Free-standing-Fryer-Electric-Twin-tank-2×20-litres-24kW-Adexa-THE7F1818M?language=en&currency=GBP&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiArfauBhApEiwAeoB7qOoOqYyZboVozMoADRNB2RKLaxLAo4e_oGdVTPC1fniUQhOwvpeVeRoC5DIQAvD_BwE

2. Maybe use a drop in fryer ( Valentine / FriFri ) and set into a height adjustable bench ( EAIS / Craven ).

3. Does not seem viable to me.

Question:

Can any member recommend a Flooring company that can install Altro flooring in Restaurants front and back of house nationwide?

Replies:

1. Kester Harvey – kester.harvey@trustedflooringsolutions.com

2.  SquareOne who is a ceda member but also do flooring.  The contact is Lee Martin lmartin@squone.co.uk

3. FLR Group – https://www.flr.co.uk/contact/  Tel: 0121 314 9658

4. I believe Altro also have a list of companies, so it might be worthwhile speaking to them. Contact Altro Limited via 01462 480480 / 01462 489516 or via enquiries@altro.com

5. Creative Edge – contact Mike Nixon via 07775 639979 – www.creative-edge.uk.com

Question:

Is anyone aware of a suitable replacement silver Burnisher that would replace the IMC A4? I believe this one has been discontinued. 

Replies:

1. Try Sammic – SAMMIC. Equipment for Catering and Hotel, Licensed Trade and Food Industries

2. We’ve put a few of the Sammic machines into the Cosmo Restaurants group and had no complaints, in fact they don’t seem to break on a regular basis.

3. Maybe take a look at https://www.thecutlerypolisher.co.uk/

4. I think Blude badger may do one.

5. Unfortunately, the IMC was the only burnisher I was aware of!

Question:

We are having more and more larger parts deliveries for our London based engineers. We were having these sent to their home addresses, but it isn’t working. Do you know of any hubs, delivery companies etc, local to London who would take the deliveries in for our engineers to then collect?

Replies:

1. We once upon a time used a system called ByBox which was offered by First Choice/Parts Town. The engineers then collected from here using a key. It’s like the smart lockers you get for Amazon and InPost etc. Might be an option for the member.

2. Parts Town offer many other alternatives, i.e. BT Final Mile and in your van service as well as Post Office pick-ups.

3. I started looking into something called Bybox – which I believe Parts town and a few of the larger catering engineer companies use. Nothing ever came of it so can’t see how it worked, but the concept was basically a collection hub, anywhere in the UK, parts would be delivered to and engineers could collect local to the job.

4. I don’t know of any local London delivery companies, however in my last job we used to either deliver early morning to local lockers (local to engineer or a regular site), or we had a man with a van who used to take parts to central London and engineers would meet him if they had parts to collect or return. I believe this was Smithfield Market he would park up for 2/3hrs.