• Planning the project and creating a complete budget
• Coordinating with clients and providing updates on project milestones and timelines
• Supervising the construction phase to ensure work is completed efficiently and safely
• Selecting construction practices and strategies appropriate to the project
• Understanding technical and contract details and communicating them to workers and professionals

Construction managers work closely with architects, engineers, and other specialists, including stonemasons, electricians, carpenters, landscapers, and more. For large projects, such as office buildings or industrial complexes, managers may oversee only a part of the project and delegate tasks to subcontractors.

They often use cost-estimating and planning software to manage budgets, schedule materials, and improve efficiency. Construction managers must also solve unexpected issues quickly and make personnel decisions to meet deadlines.

Some construction managers are self-employed. In this case, they must find clients, market their services, bid for projects, and manage diverse types of construction work.

Key Responsibilities of a Construction Manager

Workplace and Daily Life

Many managers have a main office but spend most of their time in a field office on-site, monitoring the project and making daily decisions.

Those managing multiple projects may travel frequently between sites.

Construction managers can work on residential, commercial, or industrial projects, depending on their experience and expertise. Their goal is always to deliver the project on time, within budget, and to required quality standards.

Get Started with Construction Manager Training

If you want to develop your skills as a construction manager or take your career to the next level, SB Skills offers expert trainin. Our accredited courses provide practical knowledge and guidance to help you succeed in planning, supervising, and managing construction projects safely and efficiently.

We offer Level 6 NVQ Construction Site Management courses and Level 7 NVQ Construction Senior Management courses.

To discuss the right course for you or your team, call 01695 558 420 or email info@sbskills.co.uk to submit your enquiry. Our experienced trainers and support staff are ready to help you get started.

The post The Role of a Construction Manager appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

Summary Table:

Terminology: Licence vs Certification

• There is no formal “forklift licence” in the UK.
• What operators receive is certification upon successfully completing a forklift training course.
• That certificate does not have an expiration date.

.

Renewal / Refresher Training

• Because the certification doesn’t expire, there is no legal requirement to renew it.
• However, refresher training is strongly recommended to maintain safety and competence.
• The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) recommends refresher forklift training every 3 years.
• Employers often set policies about how frequently they expect refresher training, but this is not mandated by law.
• If an operator has had a long break from forklift duties, it’s good practice to take refresher training.

Cost of Refresher Training (“Renewal”)

• Because certification does not expire, there’s no statutory obligation to renew.
• But if an accident occurs involving a forklift operator, the employer could be held liable if they failed to ensure the operator had up-to-date refresher training.

Liability & Legal Considerations

• Since there is no true licence renewal, the cost is simply the cost of the refresher training itself.
• Experienced operator / refresher training courses typically cost £295–£350 in the UK.
• Group discounts may be available if an employer sends multiple employees for training with a provider.

Refresher Training via SB Skills Solutions

• SB Skills Solutions offers refresher forklift training delivered by qualified instructors and professional examiners.
• Our training is either NPORS-accredited or delivered in-house and tailored to client requirements.
• We provide training for novices, conversions, and experienced operators.
• We operate nationwide (UK) and work with commercial and private clients.

To speak to an expert member of our team, simply call us on 01695 558 420 or send an email to info@sbskills.co.uk. Alternatively, you can also fill out and submit our handy online contact form and once we’ve received your enquiry, we’ll get back to your shortly to find out

The post How long does a forklift licence last? appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

SB Skills Solutions provides expert training for Material Handling Equipment (MHE), helping employees operate equipment safely and efficiently. With over 30 years of experience in forklift training and workplace health and safety, SB Skills ensures learners gain both practical skills and certification.

What is MHE training?

MHE training teaches employees how to safely lift, move, and store materials using specialized equipment. Training covers a range of tools, including:

• Pallet trucks (manual and battery-powered)
• Conveyor systems
• Cranes
• Lifts and hoists
• Forklifts (counterbalance, reach, pivot steer, VNA)
• Order pickers
• Stackers and electric pallet trucks

Forklifts as MHE

Forklifts are a core type of MHE and are widely used in warehouses, distribution centers, and construction sites to move materials safely. Types of forklifts included in training:

• Counterbalance trucks
• Reach trucks
• Pivot steer trucks
• Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) trucks
• Electric pallet and stacker trucks
• Certification and Licensing

There is no formal “MHE licence,” but completing MHE training provides a certificate of competency, confirming safe operation of equipment. Certifications are generally permanent, but employers may require refresher or conversion courses if new equipment is introduced or skills have lapsed.

MHE Training at SB Skills Solutions

SB Skills offers:

• NPORS-accredited MHE and forklift courses
• Beginner, refresher, and conversion training
• Customised in-house options for companies
• Safe, supportive learning environments with expert instructors

Training with SB Skills opens career opportunities in construction, warehousing, and logistics, regardless of previous experience.

MHE Training Overview Table

For more information, SB Skills can be contacted at 01695 558420 or info@sbskills.co.uk

The post What does Material Handling Equipment (MHE) training involve? appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

If the construction and warehousing industry is calling your name, it’s important to know the legal requirements of your preferred position.

Below, we take a look at the various forklift truck training legal requirements that you’ll need to abide by if you want to pursue a career as a forklift truck operator.

What are the legal requirements for driving a forklift?

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a ‘forklift licence’ to operate a forklift.

However, you do need to have completed the relevant forklift truck training. This will ensure you know how to safely operate a forklift – covering everything from the risks of forklift operation to how to conduct a routine pre-use inspection of the vehicle.

Furthermore, while you do not need to have a full UK driving licence to either operate a forklift or undertake the training, you will also need a driving licence if you plan to operate a forklift on a public highway.

On top of these course-specific requirements, applicants must also possess basic numeracy skills and have the ability to speak, read, and write English to a degree that ensures they can complete the necessary training.

Individuals should also be reasonably fit both physically and mentally.

How old do you need to be to drive a forklift?

Part of the aforementioned forklift truck training legal requirements, there is also a minimum applicant age.

Set by the HSE, the individual undertaking forklift truck training must be of MSLA (minimum school-leaving age) which is typically 18 in the UK.

Professional forklift training at SB Skills Solutions

For more information regarding forklift truck training legal requirements or any other related queries you might have about becoming a forklift operator, feel free to contact our helpful team today.

Our qualified and experienced forklift operation instructors will be able to answer a wide range of questions!

Alternatively, if you’re ready to start your career as a forklift operator, why not take a look at our comprehensive forklift truck training course?

Designed to help individuals break into the construction or warehousing industry, we offer National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS) accredited courses as well as our own in-house training.

As trusted training provider, our friendly and knowledgeable team is on hand to help you select the right training course for yourself or your employees.

To learn more about our courses, prices, and training services, simply give us a call on 01695 558 420 or send your enquiry via email to info@sbskills.co.uk

You can also get in touch by filling in and submitting our handy online contact form.

The post Is forklift training a legal requirement? appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

The post What does VNA stand for in the forklift industry? appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

Providing an individual with the skills required to safely operate a forklift truck, forklift certification is an essential qualification for anyone wanting to land a material handling equipment (MHE) role or forklift operator position.

Below, we set out the various forklift truck qualifications that must be met before an individual can safely operate a forklift.

We also explore what a forklift certification permits the holder to do before taking a look at the various forklift licences and helping you to determine which one is right for you.

What qualifications are required to drive a forklift?

To safely and legally operate a forklift in the UK and become forklift certified, you must complete the relevant training course.

There are three main types of forklift training course; novice, experienced, and refresher.

Novice courses, being designed for individuals with no previous forklift training or experience, are longer and more comprehensive.

Experienced courses, on the other hand, are suitable for those who have already passed basic forklift training, but they require educating perhaps on the operation of a new kind of forklift truck or the operation of forklift trucks according to the latest health and safety regulations.

Refresher courses are often much shorter than the comprehensive beginner courses and, as the name suggests, they focus on simply updating the knowledge of individuals that have already achieved their forklift certification.

The appropriate forklift training course for you will therefore vary depending on your forklift experience and prior training.

However, before you can even apply for a forklift training course, you must meet the requirements set out in the HSE’s L117 ACOP (Approved Code of Practice relating to the main legal requirements of lift trucks).

This official guidance states that only individuals who are of minimum school-leaving age and have the ability to understand verbal and written English are eligible.

It’s also important to bear in mind that while a UK driving licence is not required to complete a forklift training course (or to even operate one in the workplace), it will be required if you plan on driving the forklift on a public road.

A full UK driving licence will therefore be necessary if the operator is required to drive the forklift off private property and to another location via public roads.

From abiding by the speed limit to stopping at red lights, all the relevant public road laws must be adhered to – including owning a valid driving licence – if you want to become forklift certified while on the road.

What does forklift certification permit the holder to do?

Once you’ve obtained the relevant forklift certification,you’ll be able to drive and operate a forklift truck in a safe and competent manner.

You’ll be able to prove competency in this area to potential employers, helping you to obtain various MHE positions and forklift operator roles in the construction and warehousing industries.

Regardless of whether the role requires you to receive and store deliveries or transport goods from one location to another, forklifts and their operators are vital in many industries. They are often found within manufacturing, retail, waste management, supermarket, agriculture, and loading and distribution businesses.

Which forklift licence is best?

As the term ‘forklift licence’ simply refers to successfully passing a forklift training course, there’s no such thing as a physical forklift licence and therefore there are no different forklift licences.

There is a range of courses offered by training providers like SB Skills Solutions that are accredited by different bodies.

For example, most of our industrial forklift truck training is accredited by the National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS)

We also conduct in-house training that can be tailored to the needs of your organisation – for example, including additional elements of on-site safety tuition that your workers might benefit from.

Because forklifts and other MHE can be dangerous if an individual has not been properly trained, hiring operators with a recognised forklift certification can help businesses to avoid potentially costly damages and injuries.

Become forklift certified with SB Skills Solutions

Keen to achieve your forklift certification?

Here at SB Skills Solutions, we’ve helped countless individuals pass their forklift training, allowing them to successfully start or continue their career in the construction or warehousing industry.

Our comprehensive forklift training course is led by qualified and experienced instructors that ensure all participants receive plenty of expert support.

Serving businesses of all shapes and sizes, our professional team of testers and trainers are on hand and eager to find out more about how we can help you.

Regardless of whether you require support selecting the right training course for your employees or would like to find out more about our forklift truck training course, we want to hear from you!

You can either speak directly to a member of our team by calling us at 01695 558 420 or get in touch by emailing us at info@sbskills.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can also get in contact with us by visiting our convenient online contact page. Simply fill in the contact form with the requested basic contact details as well as your enquiry, and we’ll be in touch shortly to provide exceptional customer support.

The post How to become forklift certified appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

Below, we take a closer look at what makes a forklift a counterbalance truck to help you decide whether this type of versatile and long-lasting forklift is right for your business and its specific storage and transportation requirements.

From counterbalance lift truck training to finding out whether you’ll need a counterbalance licence, the experts at SB Skills Solutions can answer the most common questions.

What is a counterbalance truck?

A counterbalance truck, also referred to as a B1 or B2 forklift, is the most common type of forklift people think of when they think about this type of machinery.

They are known as counterbalance trucks due to their design, which features a counterbalance weight at the rear of the truck to off-set the load that’s being lifted at the front of the forklift and prevent the vehicle from tipping over.

Most often, these incredibly powerful machines transport heavy objects, but they are used across a wide range of industries thanks to their counterweight. This makes them a safer option than other forklifts because it helps to prevent them from falling over and endangering both the driver and pedestrians working around the forklift.

Counterbalance trucks are classed as B1 forklifts if they have a capacity of up to 5000kg, but referred to as B2 forklifts if they have a capacity over 5000kg. They can often reach heights of around 5m and have either three or four wheels with the three-wheeled counterbalance trucks being better suited to operating in tighter spaces.

The front of the forklift boasts two forks that allow it to drive right up next to the load that requires transporting to then pick it up and move it to the desired location. Not to mention, these types of forklifts can be powered by either electric, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas – a type of highly efficient hydrocarbon gas that exists in a liquefiedform), or diesel.

What is a counterbalance truck used for?

Counterbalance trucks can be used in a wide range of environments and situations including storage spaces, warehouses, and distribution systems. Ideal for transporting goods from one location to another, they can also be used for stacking items and even come with horizontal transport functions.

These versatile forklift trucks can be used inside on smooth, flat surfaces as well as on a construction site that often comes with more hazards and rougher terrain. Their sought-after versatility is in no small part thanks to the wide variety of attachments that can be fitted onto counterbalance trucks, such as clamps, rotators, and carpet poles.

What are the benefits of counterbalance trucks?

Counterbalance trucks come with many benefits that make them an advantageous addition to your business. By way of illustrating, electric counterbalance forklift trucks, in particular, only require water and electricity to keep them going instead of costly fuel. Plus, as you won’t need to store fuel for these electric trucks and can instead simply change the battery, helping to reduce the number of health and safety risks.

While every piece of machinery requires maintenance, you’ll be impressed to discover that high-quality counterbalance trucks typically have long life spans (often between 10,000 – 20,000 hours of usage before a major repair is required), meaning only the more affordable small repairs and part replacements will be required to keep this forklift truck in tip-top working condition.

Is a licence required to drive a counterbalance truck?

Put simply, no, a counterbalance licence is not required to drive a counterbalance truck. What many people refer to as a ‘forklift licence’ is actually just certification that someone has passed the basic relevant training and can now safely operate a forklift. Once you’ve achieved this certification, it will last a lifetime unless refresher or conversion training is required.

While a physical counterbalance forklift licence is not required for operating a counterbalance truck, an individual must meet the requirements of the forklift training course. According to HSE’s L117 ACOP (Approved Code of Practice) guidance, applicants must be of minimum school leaving age (MSLA) with a good enough understanding of verbal and written English to take the forklift training course.

Is an A16 forklift the same as a counterbalance truck?

If you’re interested in counterbalance lift truck training, it’s also worth mentioning that a counterbalance truck is sometimes referred to as an A16 industrial forklift truck. This is a term used by the CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme), a not-for-profit organisation that helps those interested in the construction industry to gain vital skills, to refer to their CPCS forklift training courses. These courses are often advertised as ‘CPCS A16 Industrial Counterbalance Forklift’ training.

Where to find counterbalance truck training

On the lookout for fully accredited counterbalance forklift training courses in the Manchester and Liverpool area? Choose SB Skills Solutions. Based in Skelmersdale, our forklift training courses are led by professional instructors and examiners, are accredited by NPORS or held in-house. Suitable for beginners as well as experienced forklift operators, we offer everything from conversion courses and refresher re-tests to full training for counterbalance truck novices.

Call SB Skills Solution today!

To pick the brain of one of our team members or to book a place on one of our upcoming counterbalance forklift truck training courses, please don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and dial 01695 558 420. Alternatively, you can also get in touch with our helpful team by emailing us at info@sbskills.co.uk or using our handy online contact form.

Once we’ve received your enquiry, we’ll ensure a member of our team gets in touch shortly to find out more about your forklift training requirements. Regardless of whether you’re in need of training recommendations or want to find out more about our next forklift training course, our fantastic team is on hand to help with their unparalleled level of customer service!

The post <strong>Is a counterbalance truck the same as a forklift?</strong> appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

Why not consider becoming a qualified reach truck driver? To help you decide whether this is the right route for you, we outline the essential qualifications and degree of reach truck forklift training every reach truck driver should possess before applying for one of these positions.

Below, we also explore whether a reach truck licence is necessary for forklift operators.

What is a reach truck?

Most found in warehouses, a reach truck is a type of electric lifting truck that’s well-suited to navigating narrow aisles thanks to its slim size and manoeuverability.

They have a high lift, with D1 reach trucks capable of lifting up to 8m while D2s boast an ability to go even higher (often up to 12.5m). With a typical maximum lifting capacity of 2000kg, they are ideal for use in warehouses and other narrow aisle applications.

Smaller than a forklift, reach trucks are known for their smaller chassis and ability to nimbly move goods and materials.

Constructed to have two outer legs that prove sought-after stability and a single set of back wheels located just below the operator’s seat, these machines can make tight turns with ease.

Do you need a reach truck licence?

Put simply, no, you do not need a reach truck licence or even a driving licence to operate a reach truck – that is because there is no such thing as a forklift or reach truck licence.

Often, this term refers to an individual that has passed the appropriate training course.

Regardless of how frequently, or infrequently, an individual is required to operate a reach truck, they must still have completed the essential basic training.

Do you need to take a reach truck course?

Yes, those wanting to operate a reach truck will need to take a reach truck training course to demonstrate that they can operate this machinery safely and effectively.

In order to take one of these necessary courses, the individual must meet key Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requirements including possessing basic numeracy skills and the ability to speak, read and write English at a level that allows them to complete the required training.

HSE guidelines also state that the potential reach truck driver must be of reasonable physical fitness and of MSLA (minimum school-leaving age) which is typically 18.

An individual wanting to take a reach truck course must also determine which one is appropriate for them because there are several types: novice operator, experienced operator, conversion, and refresher.

As the name suggests, novice courses often last five days and are designed for those with little or no reach truck experience, while experienced courses are ideal for those who have worked previously with reach trucks but have never completed formal training courses and tests.

Conversion courses, suitable for individuals who are qualified to drive one truck but need to learn how to operate another, and refresher re-tests (qualified reach truck drivers that need to update their knowledge and skills to meet current HSE guidelines) can take anywhere between one to three days to complete.

Upon successfully completing the relevant course, you will be able to apply for reach truck driver vacancies.

Reach truck training at SB Skills Solutions

At SB Skills Solutions, we provide a selection of reach truck training courses that are fully accredited by NPORS or are held in-house.

With a helping hand from the experienced and qualified team of professional instructors and examiners at SB Skills Solutions, you could add sought-after skills to your CV or open up a whole new pool of career possibilities.

Speak to SB Skills Solutions today!

To find out more about the forklift truck training courses at SB Skills Solutions, feel free to reach out to a member of our team today.

You can either speak directly to a staff member by calling us on 01695 558 420 or get in contact via our email address (info@sbskills.co.uk).

Alternatively, we also have an online contact page where you can easily submit your enquiry at any time.

Once received, we’ll ensure we get back to you soon to help answer any reach truck course queries you might have or book your place on one of the training courses.

The post How do you become a reach truck driver? appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

At SB Skills Solutions, we have years of invaluable experience working with qualified instructors in the construction and warehousing industry, so we can identify our counterbalance forklifts from our reach trucks.

Below, we explore the different types of forklifts and the various applications for each one of these forklift types.

What are forklifts used for?

While the general application of a forklift is to lift and move heavy objects, usually goods and materials, they can be deployed in other ways. Due to their size, design and features, some forklifts are better suited to certain applications than others. For example, some models are ideal for loading lorries while others are nimble and can make turns in narrow spaces – perfect for warehouses and other tight storage spaces.

What are the types of forklift?

Counterbalance truck

While this type of lift truck is commonly referred to as a forklift, its proper name is the counterbalance truck. These trucks are classified as either B1 (can lift up to 5000kg), B2 (up to 15000kg) or B3 (lifting weights in excess of 15000kg). Suitable for a range of applications, they can come with either three wheels, for working in smaller environments, or four. Powered by electric, LPG or diesel, they can lift up to 5m.

Reach truck

Boasting a slim chassis, a typical maximum lifting capacity of 2000kg, and a higher lift than counterbalance trucks, reach trucks are well-suited to navigating around warehouses. Easy to manoeuvre around tight corners and narrow aisles, these agile machines come with a single set of back wheels. D1 reach trucks have 3.8m of lift, while D2s are capable of more than 8m lift (up to 12.5m).

Pivot steer truck

Commonly known by its more popular brand names (such as Bendi or Flexi truck), the pivot steer truck (be it gas or electric) is a versatile lift truck that’s capable of performing the same function as a reach truck and a counterbalance truck. With the ability to load lorries and navigate their way around both narrow and high aisles with ease, these lift trucks typically have a 2000kg maximum capacity and can reach heights up to 14m.

VNA truck

VNA simply stands for Very Narrow Aisle truck and, as the name suggests, it’s ideal for manoeuvring and lifting stock around warehouses that often have high racking and narrow aisles. These trucks are always electric, can reach impressive heights of up to 14m, and feature forks that can be rotated to face either direction.

Electric pallet truck

These electric forklifts, also known as a powered pallet trucks, are a more affordable alternative to lifting and stacking goods in a warehouse than conventional lift trucks. Boasting a 2500kg maximum lifting capacity, they’re designed to lift pallets with particularly heavy loads and can either be operated by a pedestrian (A1 electric pallet truck) or by the rider themselves (A2 electric pallet truck).

Material Handling Stacker

While this type of forklift has a very similar design to the electric pallet truck, a material handling stacker can vertically lift goods to a higher elevation (up to 5m). An A3 stacker truck is pedestrian-operated, while the A4 stacker truck is rider-operated. Often powered by electric using batteries, these trucks are ideal for carrying and stacking heavy loads.

Get Forklift training at SB Skills Solutions

Here at SB Skills Solutions, we have a wide range of fully accredited forklift training courses on offer suitable for learning more about the various types of forklifts and how to operate them.

Accredited by NPORS or held in-house, these comprehensive forklift courses are led by professional instructors and qualified examiners.

Regardless of whether you want to complete a conversion course or need a refresher, we can help.

If you’d like to find out more about the forklift training courses available at SB Skills Solutions, feel free to get in contact with our experienced and knowledgeable team today.

You can reach us by calling us at 01695 558 420, sending an email to info@sbskills.co.uk, or filling out our convenient online contact form.

Whichever way you decide to get in touch, you can expect to receive unparalleled customer service, expert advice and tailored course recommendations.

Regardless of whether you want to book your place on our next forklift training course or simply find out more about what we can do, don’t hesitate to reach out.

The post What are the different forklift types and their uses? appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

In 2019, we wrote an article about whether Brexit would kill the construction industry, we can tell you now that it didn’t. In fact, construction is thriving at the moment post-covid. The new Red Diesel measures however may tell a different story.

In 2019, the UK government set out a plan to reduce carbon emissions across the country, with a goal to become completely carbon neutral by 2050. At the time, the UK was a trailblazer among other countries by setting one of the most ambitious carbon neutral objectives the world had seen. Being carbon neutral means that the amount of carbon that a country produces is equal to the quantity of carbon that it removes from the atmosphere.

With the construction industry still recovering from the rising cost of materials and the massive labour shortage, this Red Diesel legislation change could mean disaster for many firms across the country.

What are the rules right now?

As of writing this article in March 2022, the laws currently are not as restrictive on Red Diesel.

The Government’s current rules on Red Diesel are:

“Some oils and fuels are taxed at a lower (rebated) rate because they are not intended to be used in road vehicles. They include:

• gas oil, usually marked and dyed, also called red diesel
• kerosene, including aviation turbine fuel (avtur)

It’s illegal to use rebated oils as fuel in a road vehicle unless you get a licence from us to pay the difference between the full rate of fuel duty and the rebated rate actually paid on the rebated fuel used. Section 7 explains the circumstances in which we’ll allow this and how you can apply.”

What is red diesel and why is it so harmful to the environment?

Red diesel is fundamentally the same as “white diesel” which is regular diesel that comes from petrol stations across the UK. The red part of the diesel comes from a dye called Solvent Red 26 or 164. When used in vehicles, the exhaust will emit red-dyed fumes which will alert authorities that the diesel has not been subject to the same tax that is required to operate on the road. When used in road vehicles, diesel is subject to a duty of almost 58 pence per litre (ppl), which the government says reflects its “harmful impact”.

However, the same fuel with the red dye is taxed at a far lower rate of 11ppl. Therefore, it is given a red colouring so that HMRC and other relevant authorities can track it and crackdown on misuse. Now ministers want to further restrict the legal use of rebated diesel.

Red diesel isn’t specifically more harmful or dangerous to use than regular diesel but the lower price incentivises the use of diesel for companies on private land rather than using more environmentally friendly options.

Changes to Red Diesel Legislation

The “red diesel ban” comes into effect from the 1^st of April 2022. The changes to legislation mean that it will be illegal to put red diesel into vehicles or machinery fuel tanks in the UK. However, the ban doesn’t completely restrict the use of red diesel as there are some dispensations and exemptions for the use of the fuel, however, these circumstances are very limited.

Why is this happening?

The UK Government has stated that this is a step towards their carbon-neutral plan. The Finance Bill 2021 has helped the Government to introduce the “red diesel ban” in order to help meet climate change and air quality policy objectives. Red diesel accounts for the production of almost 14m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year while its use in construction alone caused 7 per cent of nitrogen oxide emissions in London in 2018. Although red diesel doesn’t contribute to pollution more than regular white diesel, Government ministers hope that it will help to push companies towards cleaner alternatives.

What uses will still be allowed?

There has been a list produced that states the accepted industries and uses for red diesel. Sectors that can continue to utilise red diesel include forestry, agriculture, fish farming and horticulture. Some heat and power generation will be allowed as well as refuelling of some boats and track-based vehicles. Travelling fairs and amateur sports clubs will also receive special dispensation.

This makes an interesting point as it states that some tracked vehicles will be included in the exclusion from the ban. This could mean that excavators and other tracked plant machines are still allowed to use red diesel.

This raises the question of why the construction industry is so panicked about this change.

Are there any loopholes for contractors?

All legislation has confusing and intricate details that aren’t clear to the average reader. The Construction Products Association (CPA) pushed the government on this and was told by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) that accepted uses of red diesel after 1 April “very clearly do not cover construction”.

This is disappointing for construction workers, employers and company owners.

Essentially, there is no way around this unless you can blur the lines between what your company does. This would mean somehow convincing HMRC that your construction company is in the: Agriculture, forestry, horticulture, fish farming or Rail (including passenger and freight) industries or Powering non-commercial heating systems (e.g. homes, narrowboats and religious buildings).

These are fairly airtight rules on red diesel and it doesn’t look like there is any way around it other than the one we’ve talked about above. Despite this, the government has stated that Red Diesel can be used to power vehicles such as excavators, perhaps someone will find a loophole in the near future.

Can I fill everything up with red diesel on 31 March?

If you have a vehicle with red diesel in, you will be allowed to continue operating the machine until it runs out. At this point, it is illegal from the 1st of April to pour red diesel into any vehicles other than ones within the exclusions.

This means any stores of red diesel should be put into plant by the end of March or emptied of the rebated material, which must be disposed of legally and responsibly. Build UK says traces of red diesel will be accepted in storage tanks but that fuel tanks must be flushed of the cheaper substance if a machine is switched from accepted to unaccepted use.

What does all this mean for hired plant?

Build UK suggests that contractors check all vehicles and machinery that they hire to establish whether it is using red or white diesel. If the machine is found to be using red diesel, the contractor should seek to establish when the red diesel was added to the machine.

The contractor must flush the red diesel from the fuel tank to refill it with white diesel to ensure that there aren’t traces that can be detected by authorities.

What is the punishment for illegal use of red diesel?

HMRC promised a pragmatic enforcement approach, but they are clearly motivated to crack down on unjustified use of rebated fuel. HMRC has the powers to levy a penalty equal to the duty avoided, issue fines of up to £250 and ultimately seize the offending piece of machinery, which could be by far the biggest hit for contractors.

What evidence should be kept in case of an investigation?

You should make sure that you keep any fuel receipts and invoices relating to the fuel that you use on-site. It may also be key to keep any invoices for flushing of fuel tanks as well as your records of disposing of red diesel.

To ensure that no evidence is found by investigators, flush out the fuel tanks thoroughly as red diesel will dye the inside of your fuel tank.

Alternative Fuels

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil is an alternative that many construction companies across the UK are adopting. Laing O’rourke is aiming to replace red and white diesel with HVO oil in all plant machinery by the end of March 2022. This will reduce emissions from plant machinery by up to 90% which will help to bring the company to net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Biodiesel is subject to the same taxation as red diesel and therefore falls under the red diesel ban. This is to be reviewed under the next budget changes.

What should I do now?

Staff should instantly be made aware of the “red diesel ban” to ensure that they do not unknowingly violate the law. Red diesel should not be purchased if you don’t think that you will use it before the 31^st of March as you will incur unnecessary costs for safe disposal. In the meantime, you should fill all vehicles that are currently under “accepted use” to reduce your Red Diesel supplies in the cheapest legal manner possible.

Finally, consider changing to an alternative fuel source that is more environmentally friendly and cheaper.

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