E m e r g i n g I s s u e s Emerging Issues
Free Voicemail for those on Ops
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s part of the Deployment Welfare Package (DWP), Paradigm’s WelComE service
is providing a free voicemail service for family and friends to leave voicemail messages for entitled military personnel [users] deployed oversea.
Scalding Hot Water (From DE Ops Housing to those in SFA)
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Paradigm’s WelComE service enables entitled military personnel to make use of their 30 minutes of Government funded phone calls each week to any location in the world. Users can supplement their call time by purchasing top-ups directly onto their Paradigm account cards, or purchasing Paradigm’s disposable phone cards from NAAFI / EFI outlets.
n the press was the report of an unfortunate death of a very young baby, who was scalded by boiling water coming through the bedroom
ceiling while she was sleeping.
MHS the housing maintenance contractor has been instructed to investigate where we have properties that have this as a potential problem. The immersion heater thermostat will be replaced if it is not fail safe.
It should be remembered that the risk of this happening is regarded as very low. If, however, you experience or suspect any of the following:
Excessively hot water coming out of the hot water taps;
Excessive noise or “bubbling” from the hot water cylinder
Hot water coming out of cold water taps (some storage cisterns also feed cold water taps in the bathroom) Steam/moisture in the roof space.
Immediately switch off the immersion heater and report it to your MHS Help desk: Tel : 0800 707 6000
Hazardous Material in Quarters (From DE Ops Housing)
Users also have access to internet services that allow use of web-based e-mail, shopping, news, chat and Armed Forces web sites.
Family and friends may leave up to ten voicemail messages lasting for up to two minutes at a cost of 50p per minute, those in theatre are not charged for retrieving the message. To use call 0906 130 1010 and enter the service person’s Paradigm account card number, leave the message and then hang up.
Paradigm delivers these services using telephones and PC’s housed in self-contained air-conditioned cabins in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait providing a 24/7 service.
For more information, please visit:
www.paradigmservices.com
4 Spring 2008 T
he Government has updated the legislation dealing with asbestos in the workplace placing
a greater duty on employers to protect their staff and others from accidental exposure to asbestos. You should be aware that maintenance workers may take additional precautions. Do not be alarmed if workers wear mask and protective clothing as he/she will be conducting repetitive work during maintenance activities in a number of properties and may be at higher risk than the general public.
Where Do I Come Into This? The changes to the Regulations also require ‘others’ to be protected as well, and along with the “Duty of Care” the MOD has a duty towards you
to ensure that you are aware of the possibility that certain materials within your property may potentially, or actually contain asbestos.
Simple Steps. Understanding the dangers from asbestos is the first thing you need to be aware of. Although asbestos may be present within material in your property, put there as fire spread protection or as insulating material many years ago when asbestos was widely used throughout the building industry, it needs to become airborne and of a specific quantity and concentration with fibres of a specific size to be dangerous. Asbestos in this form, when breathed into the lungs can be dangerous.
Do not disturb material containing asbestos or assumed to contain asbestos in your property.
Always check with your Housing Information Centre (HIC) that the material is safe to work on before commencing any DIY work.
If you suspect that a material may contain asbestos and looks in poor condition report it to the Help Desk tel: 0800 707 6000 as soon as possible.
The Child Support Agency (CSA) – Focus
on Enforcement (Source: CM Community Support)
Finding those who refuse to pay. The CSA is making more use of information held by HM Revenue & Customs and credit reference agencies. For particularly difficult cases, specialist private sector tracing agencies are also being used.
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Enforcement powers • Deducting money direct from a non-resident parent’s earnings.
• Court action which can result in an order to pay the child maintenance owed and all court costs including the CSA’s, a fine of up to £1,000, driving licence confiscation for up to two years, or even imprisonment.
• Bailiffs can seize a non-resident parent’s personal property in England and Wales and use the proceeds to pay any child maintenance owed.
he CSA’s Operational Improvement Plan has ensured an increased focus on enforcement:
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