20 Sep

Posted at 19:21h in News by
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In order to work at height on MATS Group telecommunication structures during the pandemic the Group allowed extensions to expired certificates to 31st July 21 on the following qualifications: MATS Basic Climber and RescueFlat roof / Rooftop AccessClimbers Medical Please note these extensions have now expired and workers will only be allowed to work at height with in-date certification. The MATS Group continues to monitor the situation, advises caution and recommends following the latest Government and HSE advice to maintain a safe working environment: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/index.htm Keep safe Stewart Mardle - MATS Chairman ...

03 Sep

Posted at 20:48h in News by
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We would like to thank everybody who purchased tickets and who agreed to exhibit at our 4th MATS Annual Conference which was originally due to take place in 2020 and then October 2021 due to the Covid-19 situation. Leading up to the event our top priority remains the safety, health and well-being of you all. After consulting with stakeholders, we have decided we have no option but to postpone the conference again to next year. This has not been an easy decision for the group but we felt that in the current uncertainty around the increasing COVID-19 infection rates, hospitalisations and deaths, it is the safest thing to do for all exhibitors and attendees. We have secured a revised date from the Coventry Building Society Arena (formerly Ricoh arena) on Tuesday 26th April 2022. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this third postponement may have caused but having consulted with all key stakeholders we believe a gathering of around 300 people this year simply would not be appropriate. We would like to place on record our thanks to sponsors and exhibitors who have all been very supportive and we look forward to a fantastic event next year when the implications caused by the pandemic...

30 Jun

Posted at 18:13h in News by
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In light of the latest advice by the UK Government on the planned roadmap of easing of lockdown restrictions across the UK, the MATS group has again reviewed the options available to us in order to support our industry in maintaining the infrastructure that enables key services to be provided In order to work at height on MATS Group telecommunications structures, a worker is currently required to have the following in date certificates as a minimum: -  MATS Basic Climber and Rescue Flat roof / Rooftop Access Emergency 1st AidClimbers MedicalRF Safety Awareness Whilst the MATS Group acknowledges that some training providers are now offering face to face courses, there may be some challenges still with reduced delegate numbers on a course and overnight accommodation.  The MATS Group will allow conditional extensions as outlined below though please note the following statement: - “In all cases, Employers have a responsibility to ensure that a full risk assessment is carried out on every individual to ensure that the organisation is satisfied they still have the necessary skills and competency to carry out their activities”. MATS Basic Tower Climbing & Rescue- Revised Extension to 31st July 2021 The full revalidation course and registration with EUSR should be undertaken wherever practicable.The extension is...

28 Jun

Posted at 18:06h in News by
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The MATS Group Spring Newsletter 2021 is available now. The newsletter features a look at this year’s National Register of RF Workers, an update on the groups industry wide Roof Worker Scheme consultation and some top tips from Mental Health awareness week. DOWNLOAD - MATS GROUP Summer NEWSLETTER 2021 ...

28 May

Posted at 18:39h in News by
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MATS have now drafted a new Guidance Note GN-015 - Landlord Packs - Minimum Requirement and is now inviting comments / suggestions from the industry and other stakeholders to this draft document. Proposed Guidance Notes Download - Proposed GN-015 The Ask Please reply with any feedback to: enquiries@matsgroup.info  and please put "Landlord Packs" in the subject header and send your response by Friday 25th June – 2021 ...

22 Apr

Posted at 18:55h in News by
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MATS have now completed the first stage of the process for creating a Roof Worker Syllabus.  We believe it reflects the present working practices and situations that will be faced by those persons authorised to access our infrastructure.  We have considered a number of the existing training providers course syllabus' and had lengthy discussions with a number of interested parties across the industry. This stage of the consultation opens up the wider discussion on the proposed syllabus, from all interested parties to secure the best solution and allows full consultation in respect to the industry wide challenges we face going forward. Proposed Syllabus Download - Proposed Syllabus Proposed Specification Download - Proposed Specification The Ask Please reply to: enquiries@matsgroup.info by Friday May 21st - 2021 Please ensure your comment is directed to a particular unit on the 'Response' document and is structured as to why you feel any change is required and what you would propose the change looks like. Download - Response document I have included some points of principle as well on the response document.  These points have already been raised and your feedback on these would also be appreciated. ...

29 Mar

Posted at 11:10h in News by
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The MATS Group Spring Newsletter 2021 is available now. The newsletter features a sad but fond farewell to former MATS Chair Alan Trueman, a look into Psittacosis and other diseases caused by exposure to bird droppings and a look into the balance of mental and physical health. Download - MATS Group Spring Newsletter 2021 ...

01 Mar

Posted at 14:14h in News by
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In light of the latest announcement by the UK Government on the easing of lockdown restrictions across the UK, the MATS group has reviewed the options available to us in order to support our industry in maintaining the infrastructure that enables key services to be provided. In order to work at height on MATS Group telecommunications structures, a worker is currently required to have the following in date certificates as a minimum: -  MATS Basic Climber and Rescue Flat roof / Rooftop Access Emergency 1st AidClimbers MedicalRF Safety Awareness Whilst the MATS Group acknowledges that some training providers are continuing face to face courses, there are challenges with reduced delegate numbers on a course and overnight accommodation.   After risk assessment, some Employers will not allow their people to travel extensively, stay in overnight accommodation or attend face to face training courses.  The MATS Group will allow conditional extensions as outlined below though please note the following statement: - “In all cases, Employers have a responsibility to ensure that a full risk assessment is carried out on every individual to ensure that the organisation is satisfied they still have the necessary skills and competency to carry out their activities”. MATS Basic Tower Climbing & Rescue- Extended to 30th...

06 Jan

Posted at 09:11h in News by
3 Likes

In light of the latest lockdown restrictions across the UK, the MATS group has reviewed the options available to us in order to support our industry in maintaining the infrastructure that enables key services to be provided. In order to work at height on MATS Group telecommunications structures, a worker is currently required to have the following in date certificates as a minimum: -  MATS Basic Climber and Rescue Flat roof / Rooftop Access Emergency 1st AidClimbers MedicalRF Safety Awareness Whilst the MATS Group acknowledges that some training providers are continuing face to face courses, there are challenges with reduced delegate numbers on a course, overnight accommodation and further pressures with the Tier 4 and lockdown announcements.   After risk assessment, some Employers will not allow their people to travel extensively, stay in overnight accommodation or attend face to face training courses.  The MATS Group will allow conditional extensions as outlined below though please note the following statement: - “In all cases, Employers have a responsibility to ensure that a full risk assessment is carried out on every individual to ensure that the organisation is satisfied they still have the necessary skills and competency to carry out their activities”. MATS Basic Tower Climbing & Rescue- Extended to 31st...

11 Dec

Posted at 19:44h in News by
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The MATS Group Winter Newsletter 2020 is available now. The newsletter features the groups latest response to the Covid-19 outbreak, an update on the 2021 MATS Group Conference as well welcoming our latest member MBNL DOWNLOAD - MATS GROUP Winter Newsletter 2020 ...