Irish Concrete Federation

To download the ICF Annual Report 2008 Click Here

The Irish Concrete Federation is a proactive representative organisation for the Irish aggregates and concrete industry which plays a pivotal role in the development of Ireland’s built environment. The Federation is the national trade organisation representing the Concrete Products Industry at local, national & European level.

The Federation provides members with a range of services such as Environment & Planning, Archaeology, Health & Safety, Quality, Technical, Liability Insurance, Training, Marketing, Company Law, Financial Advice and Industrial Relations.

Irish Concrete and Aggregates Industry

Building is a barometer of human progress and modern society’s needs to extract and conserve the earth’s mineral resources in order to create the infrastructure and facilities which are essential to develop our communities, our cities and our towns. Some of the key statistics relating to the Irish Concrete and Aggregates Industry are as follows;

Approximate value of the industry - €2.8 billion
Persons employed in the industry - approximately 14,000
Ready Mixed Concrete produced - approximately 8 million cubic metres p.a .
Concrete blocks - 600 million p.a.
Stone/aggregates – 170 million tonnes p.a.
Value of the precast concrete industry - €600 million (of which almost 20% is export)

Federation achievements since its establishment in 1995:

Code of Practice for Transport Operations – January 2007
Publication and implementation of Code of Practice for the transport industry. The Code assists the industry in addressing a number of recognised issues of particular relevance and importance in terms of health and safety, transport legislation compliance and improved transport efficiency.

Environmental Code – November 1996 – Revised in 2005
Publication and implementation of Environmental Code for the aggregate and concrete products industry, demonstrating member awareness of and commitment to good environmental management principles which are consistent with the concept of sustainable development. The code assists the industry in planning our future built environment as well as protecting our natural heritage.

Concrete Products Directory – (3rd Edition) Nov 2005
A nationwide database of Concrete Products, Road making Materials and Producers designed to assist all sectors of the construction industry in sourcing a wide range of concrete products. The directory also includes a profile of each producer, a comprehensive listing of codes and standards on concrete products and a technical commentary on the products manufactured by the industry.

IS EN 206 – 1
The Irish Concrete Federation’s commitment to the quality ethos has been consistently demonstrated by its initiatives in the area of Quality Management Systems and Certification Schemes. IS EN 206 – Concrete Performance, Production and Conformity, has been identified by the Federation as an important platform on which to base the promotion and marketing of quality concrete products. In May 2004 the ICF together with the Irish Concrete Society published an introduction to the New Concrete Standards as a guide for builders and specifiers .

Training & Education
In order to maintain sufficient staffing levels, develop existing staff, and to encourage new personnel into the industry the ICF is committed to a training and education programme. A suite of training programmes are available which comprise of individual training courses that will focus on the core areas of Concrete Technology, Planning & Environment, Health & Safety and Management Development. The programmes will be presented by an expert team at locations around the country and keep pace with any changes in legislation, technology and new production standards or methods. The further educational opportunities presently available are a HETAC accredited Degree in Quarry Management. The course is designed to provide a formal qualification for already existing quarry managers and for those seeking appointment within the quarry industry sector.

Health & Safety Management Manual 1999 (currently under review)
Health & Safety Guidelines for Employers, employees and contractors including model safety statement, risk assessment, legislative requirements, safety checklists and comprehensive reference material. Designed to assist the industry to integrate the key principles of health and safety in the workplace into existing management structures and to incorporate a health and safety culture in employees work practices. The intent is to improve safety practices and further reduce the frequency and severity of accidents by encouraging all concerned to take responsibility for their own safety and that of their colleagues.

A Strategy for the Concrete Industry in Ireland (KPMG Report) - 2000
An Industry Review undertaken by KPMG Management Consultants to assess industry’s capacity and ability to meet the demands of the country’s economic outlook and the National Development Plan and to face the challenges posed by legislative requirements.

Archaeological Code of Practice - 2002
Publication and implementation of a joint Code of Practice between the Irish Concrete Federation & the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands to provide a framework within legislation to operate in the quarry industry while protecting our archaeological heritage.

Irish Concrete Federation Key Objectives:

The key objectives as contained in the Constitution and in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Irish Concrete Federation are as follows:

To represent its members individually and collectively.
To maintain contacts with relevant Government Departments, Semi-State Bodies, Professional and Trade organisations so as to ensure that the interests of members are promoted to the greatest possible extent.
To disseminate amongst its members information on issues and developments which affect them.
To act as spokesperson for its members and the industry.
To develop and maintain contacts with the media to ensure that the public are accurately informed about the activities of the Federation.
To co-operate, assist, act in conjunction with, amalgamate or affiliate with, or subscribe to any association, federation, institution or other organisation upon such terms and conditions as may from time to time be agreed upon by the Federation or its Council.
To obtain from Government Departments, Local Authorities, Public Bodies, Consultants, Building Contractors, Civil Engineering Contractors and Merchants' Associations and all other bodies and persons fair and equitable treatment for members in relation to conditions of sale, bills of quantities, conditions of contract, specifications, supply of materials or any other matter, and to protect the interests of members in respect of any such matters.
To examine all proposed legislation or Ministerial Orders or EU Law or Measures which may affect or tend to affect the commercial interest of the Concrete Products Industry, and if considered necessary or advisable to take steps to support or oppose the same.
To raise and maintain a Common Fund and/or such General or Special Reserve Fund or Funds as may from time to time be decided to be applied and used in carrying out the objectives of the Federation and if necessary to borrow money with or without security and to charge or mortgage the property of the Federation to secure repayment of the same.
To provide advice and assistance to members in Insurance, Economic, Quality, Technical, Health & Safety, Planning & Environmental Affairs.
To do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above mentioned objects or any of them.

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