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NEWS4 NewguidancefromCIRIAon‘designingout’crimeanddisorder7 MarleyEternit’srubyrainscreencladdingcreatesarealgemforshoppers7 FirestoneEPDMchosenforArboretumEcoCentre9 PantherdropsintohelpRNLIprojectinCornwall9 F.BalllaunchesiRAGSmartPhone‘App’21 WorkbeginsonWiltshire’sfirstMBTplant25 MountainbikestartinghutmovesupagearwithBritishlarch27 Asbestosinbuildings
TRAINING10 TheUKleadersintroweltradestraining11 NCChelpsconstructionfirmstoprofitthroughgoodhealth11 ApprenticePlantMechanicoftheYearforthesecondyearrunning13 LöfstedtReview:accessindustrymeetswiththeprofessor15 NewscaffoldingerectionguidanceissuedbyNASC15 Newvideoshelpworkingatheighttraining17 Plantindustrycardschemeretainsitsindividualitywhilefitting theCSCSpattern18 CSCSischanging:yourviewsareneeded19 SmartCardinrunningforprestigiousawards20 ApprenticeJaymakesthemostofnewwhgscheme20 Trainingandassessmentdedicatedtoourhistoricbuiltenvironment
CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES21 Classifiedsupplieslisting
CONCRETE23 ConcretewelcomeforGovt’sIGTresponse23 Costmodelsshowconcreteischeaper23 Award-winningconcretefromSouthWest’sleadingsupplier
PORTABLE SANITATION EUROPE LTD29 NationalSanitationQualificationmaintainshighstandardsCONSTRUCTION HOUSING31 AccelerisandHQNsearchouthottopicsinsocialhousing32 NHBCawardsshowcasebestpracticeinsitehealthandsafety33 Theleadersinthehealthandsafetyfield34 DaviesDevelopmentsadoptsInsulslabSFRCaspreferredfoundationtechnique34 FLOORMATE300-AinPassivhausmilestone
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CONTENTS
Cover StoryFocus on Construction Training: TheNationalConstructionCollege(NCC)launchesaseriesofOccupationalHealthandWellbeingforConstructionmodules
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WithrecenteventsonEngland’sstreetsstillpainfullyfreshinthememory,timelynewguidancehas
beenlaunchedbyCIRIA–theConstructionIndustryResearchandInformationAssociation.Addressing crime and disorder in public places through planning and design (C710)isaimedprimarilyatplanners,architectsandotherdesignersresponsibleforplanninganddesigningtheexternalbuiltenvironment.Theguidediscussestheconceptthatsimplemeasures,includinggoodlighting,canbeintroducedintothedesigntodiscouragecrimesuchastheft,vandalismoranti-socialbehaviour,andencouragesdesignerstoconsidertheirdesignswithintheenvironmentforwhichtheyareintended.
Crime,includingterrorism,anddisorderarehighonthepublicagenda,withsuchissuescausinggreatamountsofdamageanddistresswhentheyoccur.Althoughcrimecannotbecompletelyprevented,itcanbe‘designedout’toreducetheriskofitsoccurrence.
Oftentheconsiderationofhowtodeal
withsuchissuesisonlythoughtofafterconstructioniscomplete,howeverifissuesareconsideredearlierinthedesignstagetheycanbeincorporatedintothedesigntoavoidcostlyanddisruptivechangesbeingintroducedlater.
MichaelWoods,headofoperationsandmanagementresearchattheRailSafetyandStandardsBoard,said“Designingourlivingandworkingspacestomakecrimesmoredifficulttocommitisahugechallenge.Somequitesimple,andoftenobvious,actionsearlyoninadevelopmentcanmakeabigdifference.
“Thiscanapplytoanypartofthe‘publicrealm’–shoppingcentres,railwaystations,hospitalcomplexes–andtoplaceswherepeopleliveandwork.Thisguidewillhelpdesignersanduserstofocusonusefulsolutionsandavoidsomeofthemistakesofthepast.”
Addressing crime and disorder in public places through planning and design (C710)ispublishedbyCIRIA,ISBN978-0-86017-712-8;price£70(£35forCIRIAmembers).Forfurtherdetailsortoordervisitwww.ciria.orgortel02075493300.q
New guidance from CIRIA on ‘designing out’ crime and disorder
Civil disorder in Croydon, August 2011 (picture by Raymond Yau, from Wikipedia/Flickr)
www.constructionnational.co.uk
Construction NationalhasbeenservingtheconstructionindustrywithintheUKnowforover10years.Sinceitsconceptionithasgrowninstature,visibilityandpresenceinthemarketandisavoicewhichislistenedtoandrespectedbyit’sreaders.Forournextissue,tobepublishedinNovember,weareundergoingabitofmakeovertocoincidewithourrecentlyredesignedwebsite.Forasneakpreviewofournewlookandallthenewfeaturesandsectionswewillbecarryinggoto...
...andclickontheADVERTISEbutton,whereyouwillalsofindourfullmediapackandratesheetsforboththemagazineandthewebsite.
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Marley Eternit’s ruby rainscreen cladding creates a real gem for shoppers
MarleyEternit’sNaturafibrecementrainscreencladdinghashelpedgiveadistinctiveappearancetonewretailunitsbuiltaspartofthe£16mFieldheadEstateRegenerationprojectinWest
Yorkshire.ArchitectsMichaelHydeAssociates(MHA)specifiedNaturawithapro
coatinginrubyfortheretailunits.Thiswarm,richcolourprovidesanappealingcontrasttotherenderfinishusedonthesurroundingresidentialandcommunitybuildings.
Naturahasatactile,smoothandsemi-translucentsurface,whichallowsthenaturalvariegationofthefibrecementtoshowthrough,creatingapracticalandvisuallyengagingbuilding.Theoptionalprocoatingprovidesgoodprotectionagainstmanytypesofstaining,includinggraffitiproducedbycommonaerosols.
Naturapanelsareeasytofitandinthecaseofthisprojectwerescrewfixedtoatimbersubstratemountedontheblockbuiltcavitywalls.Inaddition,fibrecementhasoneofthelowestlevelsofembodiedenergyofanycladdingmaterialandthisdevelopmenthasachievedaBREEAM‘VeryGood’rating. DavidMirfin,aDirectoratMHA,saidthepracticehadspecifiedMarley
Eternit’sfibrecementproductssuccessfullyonseveralpreviousprojectsandhadbeenimpressedbytheirqualityanddurability.Headded:“WespecifiedNaturainRubycolourbecausewewantedtheretailunitstocreateawarm,welcomingimpressionwithshoppers.”
TheprojectwasledbytheKirkleesCommunityAssociationworkinginpartnershipwithsocialhousingspecialistKeepmoatandKirkleesCouncil.Keepmoat’sassociatedcompanyBramallConstructionbuiltthenewretailunitsandtheNaturapanelswereinstalledbyLeedsbasedCompassNorthernLtd.q
FirestoneEPDMchosenforArboretumEcoCentre
FirestoneRubberGard®EPDMwaterproofingfromAlumaschasbeenusedontheneweco-friendlyvisitorcentreattheworld-famousBatsfordArboretum.
TheArboretum,nearMoretonintheMarsh,Gloucestershireishometothelargestprivatecollectionoftreesandplantsinthecountry.Thenewvisitorcentreispartofa£2mprojectcoordinatedbymaincontractorBEAMConstruction(Cheltenham)LtdandfundedbytheBatsfordFoundation.Theschemeincorporatesanumberofenvironmentalfeaturesincludingagroundsourceheatpump,sheep’swoolinsulationandalow-profileroofwhichwillreducevolumeandminimiseenergyconsumption
Followingcarefulconsiderationofthesurroundinglandscape,JohnFalconerArchitectspresentedauniqueandchallenging‘wave’roofdesigntoemulatetherollingCotswoldHills,thusminimisingthevisualimpactoftheCentre.FirestoneRubberGard®EPDMwaterproofingwaschosenfortheprojectduetoitseco-credentials,abilitytoformcleanedgedetailanditslifeexpectancyofupto50years.
AlumascworkedcloselyalongsideFirestoneauthorisedcontractorCardiffSinglePlyRoofingforthedurationoftheproject,providingfulltechnicalsupportonalloftheroofdetails.q
• To request literature on Alumasc Waterproofing, please contact Alumasc on 0808 100 2008. Alternatively, visit the website www.alumascwaterproofing.co.uk.
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Panther drops in to help RNLIproject in Cornwall
OntheCornishsouthcoast’sLizardpeninsula,PantherPlatformsisworkingtowardsanOctober2011deadlinetohelpcontractorBAMNuttallfinishbuildingthenew£7.5
millionLizardLifeboatStation.TheRoyalNationalLifeboatInstitutionisreplacingtheexisting
lifeboatstationsothesitecanaccommodatenewTamarclasslifeboats,whicharemuchlargerthanthosecurrentlyinuse.
Panther,partoftheUK’slargestpoweredaccessoperation,LavendonAccessServices,alsodonated£500totheproject.
Theprojecthasusedvariousformsofpoweredaccess,includingspecialistmachinessuchastheCTE135trackedmachineandtheSkyjackTK46sub-zeromachine.
TheCTE135iscompactandeasilytransportablebutstilloffers13.5mofworkingheight.Itwasbroughtontotheworksitebyacraneandusedintheinitialconstructionprocessofthebuildingthatwillactuallyhousethenewlifeboats.
TheSkyjackTK46wasusedfromaworkplatforminconjunctionwithacranetoassistthebuildingofthelifeboatstation’sslipway.TheTK46isoneoftheonlyarticulatedtelescopicboomsthatprovidesaccessbelowthemachineofferingadownor‘negative’reachofminus6metres,afeaturethatwasparticularlyrelevantonthisproject.
BAMNuttall’sGlenMartin,generalforemanontheproject,said:“Panthersupplieduswithsomeexcellentmobileelevatedworkplatforms(MEWP’s),someofwhichareveryhardtofind.Ourproject
wasconstructedfromseausingajack-upbarge.Weneededaccessbelowthebargetoplace23tonconcretetransomsandfitslipwaysections.Afteralotofsearching,ImadecontactwithJessicaTunefromPantherLiskeardwhosuggestedweusedaTK46.
“Thesecondpartofourconstructionprojectwastobuildalifeboatstationatthebottomofacliffsome60mbelow.Accesswasbyatowercraneusinga70mjibsection.Usingsuchacranemadeitveryhardtodeliveranymachineweighingmorethan2tonnesontothestructure.AgainwithsomeinputfromthePantherLiskearddepot,wewentfortheCTE135,whichwaseasilytransportedbythecranetoprovidetheaccessrequiredforourteamtoworkonthelifeboatstation.MythanksgotothePantherLiskeardteam,especiallyJessicawhomadelifealoteasierforme.”q
Lightweight & compact – Panther’s CTE 135 specialist machine was brought on site by crane
F.BalllaunchesiRAGSmartPhone‘App’
TheUK’sleadingmanufacturerofflooringadhesives,F.BallandCo.Ltd.,haslaunchedasmartphoneappversionof
itscomprehensiveRecommendedAdhesivesGuide(RAG).TheiRAGisnowavailableforthepopulariPhone,AndroidandWindowsMobileplatforms,makingiteasierthaneverforuserstogainquickandconvenientaccesstothemostup-to-dateadhesiverecommendationsonthemove,orwhileonsite.
Theindustry’smosttrustedguidetoadhesiveandfloorcoveringcompatibility,theF.BallRAGfeaturesover5,500adhesiverecommendationsforfloorcoveringsfrom
over200leadinginternationalmanufacturers.TraditionallyavailableinA4andpocket-sizededitions,theRAGisnowaccessiblethrougharangeofdigitalandinteractiveformats,includingthebrandnewsmartphoneapp.
ThenewiRAGappisfreetodownloadandisavailablefromtheiTunesappstore,AndroidMarketandWindowsMarketplace.Enablingthelatestinlivesearchtechnology,theiRAGappenhancestheexperienceofviewingtheguideinitstraditionalbookletformbyofferingtheusertheaddedbenefitsofbeingabletosearchtheliveRAGdatabasewhilstonthemoveoronsite.
Ongoingtestingatthecompany’sheadquartersenablesF.BalltocontinuallyupdatetheiRAGappandtheinteractiveversionoftheRAG,whichisavailableontheF.Ballwebsite,www.f-ball.co.uk,toassistspecifiers,flooringcontractorsanddistributorsintheselectionofflooringadhesives.ThecomprehensiveandmeticuloustestingofF.BalladhesiveswitheverytypeoffloorcoveringlistedintheRAGmeansthecompanycanguaranteethequalityandperformanceofitsproducts,andensurethatthereisaspecialistadhesiveavailableforusewithallfloorcoveringproductsonthemarket.q
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The UK leaders in
Trowel TradesTrainingEstablishedastheUK’sleadingproviderintroweltradestraining,
RomfordbasedGoldtrowelLtdofferawiderangeofcoursesledbyprofessionalandhighlymotivatedplastering,tilingand
bricklayinginstructorswithbothonsiteanddomesticexperience.Offeringfull-onhands-oncourses,Goldtrowelfirmlybelievethat
theyarethebestinwhattheydo,ensuringthatallstudentsachievetheiraimsduringeverycourse.Theirtrainingfacilityisdesignedtobemorethanchallengingandtheircoursesofferintensereallifescenarioswhichgivetraineestheconfidence,knowledgeandabilitytoworkwithintheconstructionindustry.
Courses from Goldtrowel include:
•Plastering Courses–includingtrainingrangingfromCity&GuildscoursestoNVQcourses,allofwhichofferpracticalhands-ontrainingfromthestart.
From5daycoursesteachingbasicplasteringskills,to10daycoursesprovidingmoreadvancedknowledgeand15dayNVQplasteringcourses,Goldtrowel’splasteringtrainingissecondtonone.
OthercoursesincludeCity&Guildsplastering2,4and6weekcourses,advancedplasteringtraining,KRendcoursesandexternalrenderingcourses.
•Tiling Courses–tilingcoursesareavailableatGoldtrowelforthosepeoplewishingtolearnnewskillsintilingortogainaqualification.Thecompanyoffer5day,10dayand3weekNVQtilingcoursestothosewishingtolearntotile,whichthencanleadtoNVQqualificationsinthesubject.
Thecompany’spurpose-builttilingtrainingpremisesboastfullsizetilingpracticeroomsupto24squaremetres.Theseroomshavewallswhicharenotsquareandplumb,butareveryrealisticwithreal-lifetypeproblemstoovercome,thusensuringrealistictraining.
•Bricklaying Courses–Goldtrowel’sbricklayingcoursesoffersomuchhands-ontrainingthatstudentsprogressmorequicklythanwithanyothertrainingprovider.Thecompany’sdedicatedbricklayingtrainingcentreensuresthattraineeshavethespaceandfacilitiestoproduceoutstandingwork.
CoursesrangefromthoseforbeginnerstoadvancedlevelandcanleadtoaCity&Guildsbricklayingqualification.Weekendbricklayingcoursesarealsoavailable.
Goldtroweloffereveryformofbricklayingtrainingpossible.Whateverthetrainingrequirementsthecompanyisconfidentthattheycancaterforeveryneedanddelivertheskillstothestandardsrequired.
•Venetian Marble Plastering Courses–thesecoursesofferthebesttrainingandfacilities,againofferingreallifeexperience.
Ithastaken10yearstodevelopwhatGoldtrowelclassasatopbrandedcourse,withanApprovedItalianApplicatorsCertificate,forthosestudentscompletingthe5or10daytraining.q
For further information visit: www.goldtrowel.co.uk
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NCC helps construction firms to profit through good health
Tofurtherhelpbusinessesintheconstructionandbuiltenvironmentsectorimprovetheirbottomline,theNationalConstructionCollege(NCC),Europe’slargestconstructiontrainingprovider,has
launchedaseriesofOccupationalHealthandWellbeingforConstructionmodules.
Thesix,halfday‘DyingtoWork’modules,whichhavebeendesignedformanagers,HRprofessionals,directorsandindividualswhowishtoimproveoccupationalhealthintheworkplaceinclude:·Lifestyle·Noise·Vibration·Takeadeepbreath–respiratory·Protectingthelargestorgan–skin·Musculoskeletaldisorders
Attheendofthemodulesdelegateswillbeabletoappreciatethephysiologicalfunctionsandlimitationsofthehumanbody,aswellasconsideringtheprincipalsofeffectivemanagementandcontrolforimprovinghealthandwellbeingintheworkplace.Theywillalsobeabletoidentifythesupportmechanismsavailabletoactivelyimproveoccupationalhealthandrecognisethecriticalnatureofoccupationalandpersonalhealth.
“Theconstructionsectorisverymuchawareoftheimportanceofkeepingtheworkforcesafe,however,manycompaniesarefailingtolookafterthehealthoftheiremployees,notrecognisingorunderstandingtheimpactontheirbusiness,”saysJanineSibson,HealthandSafetyProductManagerattheNationalConstructionCollege.
RecentresearchsuggeststheUKeconomylost190millionworkingdaystoabsencelastyear,costingemployers£17bn,with3.3moftheselostdaysoccurringintheconstructionindustryduetoworkplaceinjuryandworkrelatedillhealth.
Janinecontinued:“Accordingtorecentresearch1.3millionpeoplewho
workedduringthelastyearweresufferingfromalongstandingornewillnesstheybelievedwascausedormadeworsebytheirjob.Weareurgingbusinessesinthesectortobecomemoreawareofoccupationalhealthissuesaffectemployeesandhowthiscouldimpactontheirbusiness.
AndyWalder,DirectoroftheNationalConstructionCollege(NCC),said:“Asthelargestproviderofhealthandsafetytrainingfortheconstructionindustry,theNCCdesignsanddeliversbespokeandspecialisttrainingprogrammestomeettheneedsofyourbusiness.
“Weworkcloselywithemployerstomeettheirtrainingneeds,andprideourselvesondeliveringspecialisttrainingthatwillgivebusinessesacompetitiveedgetohelpthemsucceedandgrow.”
Withalong-standingreputationandexperiencedstaff,theNCCiswellplacedtodelivertheskillstrainingneedsoftheconstructionandbuiltenvironmentsector.AsthetrainingdivisionofCITB-ConstructionSkills,thecollegedeliversqualityandaffordablecoursesateightsitesandadditionaltrainingvenuesforupto25,000learnerseachyear.
TheDyingtoWork–AnIntroductiontoOccupationalHealthandWellbeingforConstructionworkshopscanbedeliveredasstand-alonesessions,asacompletethreedayprogrammeormixedandmatchedtosuityourorganisation’sneeds.Tofindoutmore,bookyourplaceortofindoutmoreaboutothercoursesavailablepleasecall03449944433orvisitwww.cskills.org/coursebooker.q
ApprenticePlantMechanicoftheYearforthesecondyearrunning
Forthesecondyearrunning,JonatanCwiecekofNationwidePlatformshaswonApprenticePlantMechanicoftheYearattheNationalConstructionCollegeSouthandLondonAwards.
Jonatan,21,hasbeenwiththecompanysince2009andisbasedattheNationwidePlatforms’Barkingdepot.
FeaturedontheLavendonAccessServiceswebsite,Jonatansays:“IenjoyworkingforthecompanybecausetheyallowmetotakeprideandpleasureinwhatIdo.”
RegionalDirectorfortheSouthEast,MarcJohnsonsaid:“TheLavendonAccessServices’apprenticeshipschemeisexcellentandsomethingIwouldencourageanyonewithaninterestintheconstruction/accessindustrytoinvestigate.Lavendonhasmadeasubstantialcommitmenttothisschemeandhaveconfirmedthatcommitmentbycontinuingtoinvestduringthedownturn,withanintakeofsevennewapprenticesacrosstheUKforSeptember2011.”q
(l-r) Jason Lake- NCC Newham instructor, Jonatan Cwiecek - winner,Geoff Miller - guest speaker
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Löfstedt Review:accessindustrymeetswiththeprofessor
InJulyrepresentativesfromtheAccessIndustryForum–theumbrellabodyfortradeassociationsinvolvedinthe
specialistaccessindustries–metwithProfessorRagnarELöfstedt,thechairoftheGovernment’sreviewofhealthandsafetyregulations.AIFchairmanPeterBennett,whoisalsomanagingdirectorofPASMA,andAIFdirectorNeilTomlinsonheldanhour-longmeetingwithProfessorLöfstedttoexplaintheindustry’spositionregardingprimarylegislationaffectingworkingatheight.
Workatheightcontinuestobethebiggestcauseofinjuryandaccidentsintheworkplace.AccordingtoHSE,34ofthe72deathsinconstructionin2007/8(thelatestyearforwhichfiguresareavailable)werecausedbyfallsfromheight,asarearound4,000injuriesannually.TheAIFthereforehasaspecialinterestinanyreviewofhealthandsafetylegislation.
AtthemeetinginJuly,sometimewasspentdiscussingtheWorkatHeight2005andtheConstructionDesign&Management2007regulations,buttheAIFspeltout
thatthereiscurrentlyinsufficientindustryreportingfromthesetwoitemsoflegislationtofactuallydeterminetheireffectiveness.
Thebiggestchallengesincetheintroductionofthesetwopiecesoflegislation,theAIFsays,hasbeenensuringthatdutyholdersareinformedcorrectlytoensureaccuratecompliance.
AccordingtoastatementissuedbytheAIF,theprofessorwaskeentoseefactualevidencetosupplementhisreviewandtheAIFsuppliedadetailedsubmissionontheactivitynotonlyofitself,butalsoofitsrespectivemembers,withregardtothecontinuingeffortsbeingmadetoreduceaccidentsandincidentswhenworkingatheight.
SpeakingafterthemeetingNeilTomlinsoncommented:“Itwasreassuringtoknowthatthisreviewwillbebasedonfactualinformation.TheProfessorwasreceptiveandsupportivetoourviewsinanumberofareasthatwerediscussed,andwasnotablyimpressedbythelevelofactivityundertakenbytheAIFanditsmembers”.
FollowingthemeetingaformalstatementfromtheAIFwassenttotheprofessor.
ProfessorLöfstedtwasappointedinMarchbyEmploymentMinisterChrisGraylingtoreviewtheapproximately200statutoryinstrumentsandassociatedACoPsthatinformandgovernhealthandsafetyintheworkplace.Thereviewisbeingcarriedoutinconsultationwith‘professionalhealthandsafetybodies’,includingtheAIF,whosemembershipconsistsofthenineleadingtradebodiesspecialisingintheworkatheightsector.q
Professor Ragnar E Löfstedt
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Thisyearsawthepublicationofamajorrevisiontotheguidanceissuedfortheerectionofscaffolding,SG4.SuchisthefundamentalnatureofthechangesthattheHSEhead
ofconstructionPhilipWhitestatedintheforeword:“Thisrevisionrepresentsastepchangeinthewayscaffoldcontractorsshoulderecttheirscaffoldstructures.Theguidanceisstraightforwardandcomprehensiveandrepresentsbestpracticewithintheindustry.”
Initsownintroductiontoitsexplanationofthenewguidance,theNASCstates:“Sinceitsintroductioninthemid-nineties,SafetyGuidanceNumber4(SG4)fromtheNationalAccessandScaffoldingConfederation(NASC)hasbecometheestablishedminimumstandardforfallpreventioninthescaffoldingindustry.SG4rosetoprominencefollowingthemajorrevisionin2000(SG4:00)asitrepresentedasignificantchangeandchallengetotheestablishedmethodsofworkingthathadbeenpracticedfordecades.”
In2000anewmethodologywasintroducedthatwasknownasthe‘tunnellingprinciple’,wherethescaffolder’spriorityonanyworkingplatformwastocreateprogressivelyasafeworkingplatform,withguardrailprotectionandcorrectlysupportedworkingplatforms,analogoustoaminershoringupatunnelasitisexcavated.Itwasalsothefirstoccasionwherescaffolderswereexpectedtowearsafetyharnessesatalltimes,asstandard.
Theprioritythenwastoprovidea‘safezone’utilisingcollectivemeasuresbeforeresortingtopersonalprotection.However,itwasstillrecognisedthattherewasaninherentriskofafallinscaffoldingoperationsthatcouldnotbecompletelyavoided.Scaffolderswouldthereforeneedtobeclippedonwheneverexposedtoariskofa
fallandnottraversingthemselvesandmaterials.Thetunnellingprinciplemadeanallowanceforscaffolderstotraverseunprotectedalongaboardedliftforthemaximumlengthofmaterialstheywereguardrailing.
In2005SG4wasagainrevisedandupdatedtoreflecttherequirementsofthenewWorkatHeightRegulations(WAHR),introducedthatyear.Innovationsincludednewcollectiveprotectionmethodsthatcouldremovetheunprotectedtraversingelementofthetunnellingprinciple,andnewanchordevicesthatenabledscaffolderstoattachtheirharnessestohigherpointsabovetheworkingplatform,therebyreducingfalldistances.
ThenewSG4:10Preventing Falls in Scaffolding,willseemoreemphasisonthecreationofa‘safezone’byscaffolders,coveringavarietyofsafemethods.Therevisionwillalsoseetheremovalofthepracticeofthe‘unprotectedtraversingelement’fromthetunnellingprinciple.
PhilipWhitehasstated:“TheHSEwillnolongeraccepttheunprotectedtraversingelementofthetunnellingprinciplethatfeaturedinpreviousversionsoftheguide[SG4:10].”
AvideoexplainingthenewguidanceisavailablefromtheNASCwebsite.ItwasfilmedattheSafetyandHealthExpoatBirminghaminApril(picturedistheNASCstand)andpostedonYouTube.q
NewvideoshelpworkingatheighttrainingTheAccessIndustryForum(AIF)hasrecentlylaunchedaseries
ofshortvideostoaidtrainingintheuseofaccessequipment.Thisseriesof‘videotoolboxtalks’areavailabletodownload
fromtheAIFwebsiteatwww.accessindustryforum.org.ukandhavealsobeenpostedonYouTube.
Thesubjectsofthevideosare:•MobileAccessTowers:frequentlyaskedquestions.•Scaffolding:SG4:10,preventingfallsinscaffolding.•Ladders:frequentlyaskedquestions.•MEWPS:choosingtherightMEWPforthejob.
•Scaffolding:pavementlicencecriteria.•Scaffolding:TG20:08,TechnicalGuidanceontheuseof•BSEN12811-1.•MEWPS:BestPracticeguideforpeopleworkinginrestricted•overheadspaces.•MEWPS:thedangersofnotusingspreaderpadswith•outriggers.Followingshowingofthevideos,thereisanonlinetestto
demonstrateunderstandingofthecontent,theresultsofwhichcanbedownloadedandprinted.
NickJohnsonoftheHSEslips,tripsandfallsfromheightteamsaid:“TheAIFtoolboxtalksareaninnovativewayofgettingkeymessagesandguidanceabouthowtoworkatheightsafelyouttoawideraudience.”
ThenewVTT’sstandalongsidetheAIF’sKnowledgeBase–aseriesoflongervideosthatcanalsobedownloadedfromthewebsite.Suchisthepaceofchangeintheindustry,however,thatthevideoonSG4:10,preventingfallsinscaffolding,hasalreadybeensupersededbynewguidancefromtheNationalAccessandScaffoldingConfederation(NASC).q
•The Access Industry Forum comprises the nine leading trade associations in the working at height industry: ATLAS, EPF, FASET, IPAF, Ladder Association, NASC, PASMA, SAEMA and WAHSA.
New scaffolding erection guidance issued by NASC
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Plant industry card scheme retains its individuality while fitting
the CSCS pattern
Unlikeothertradesintheconstructionindustry,theplantsectoroperatesitsowncardschemealongsidetheCSCS.TheConstructionPlantCompetenceScheme(CPCS)isa
competence-basedcardschemethatmeetstheguidelinesoutlinedinConstructionDesignandManagement(CDM)Regulations(2007)ACoP.ToqualifyforthecardanoperatormustpassbothatheoryandpracticaltestandtheConstructionSkillshealthandsafetytest,plusachieveLevel2S/NVQinplantoperationoritsequivalentwithintwoyears.Tokeepthecard–ablueskilledoperatorcard–theoperatormustre-takethehealthandsafetytesteveryfiveyears.
TheCPCSwasfoundedin2003andisoperatedbytheplantsectoritself,includingtheConstructionPlant-hireAssociation.ItwasbasedontheformerCertificateofTrainingAchievementandalsoincorporatedtheLantraAwardsandtheConstructionPlantOperatorsRegistrationScheme.
AccordingtotheCPA:“TheoriginalCTAschemeitselfwasadoptedbyindustryasthestandard-bearer.Itspurposewastoprovidesafeoperatingskillsandsitesafetyknowledgethroughtrainingandwasaleadingplayerinadoptingthehealthandsafetytest.”
ThecreationoftheCPCSmeantthattheplantindustrycouldfitinwiththetemplateoftheCSCSbutwithitsownspecialrequirementsandcompetencies.Thedrivingforcewastherequirementtoimprovesafety,ledbyinitiativessuchasRethinking ConstructionandRevitalising Health and Safety.Therewasalsothedrivetounifyqualificationssothattheycouldberecogniseduniversally,amovementexemplifiedbyNVQ.
TheCPAagain:“ThiswasbolsteredwiththeformationoforganisationssuchastheConfederationofConstructionClientsandtheMajorContractorsGroup,whosetminimumsafetystandardsandfosteredtheimplementationofasinglecardschemefortheindustryundertheumbrellaoftheConstructionSkillsCertificationScheme(CSCS).”
AfterthreeyearsofworktheindustrymembersoftheCTAschememanagementcommitteeunveiledtheCPCS.Itwastheresultofextensiveconsultationwithtradeorganisations,employers,operatorsandotherstakeholders.ThetransitionwascompletedbythedissolutionoftheCTA.
Incommonwithothersuchschemes,however,theCPCSisnotsetinstone,butmoveswithtimes.Afterfiveyearsasecondconsultationwasembarkedupon.Theprocesstook8monthsandinvolvedanonlinequestionnaireandemailfacility,amail-outtoover10,000employers,consultationwithindustryassociationsandface-to-faceinteractionatSEDand24roadshows.
Theresultwasanupdatedschemewhichwillitselfnodoubtbeadaptedovertimeascircumstanceschange.Thecoreoftheschemeremainedthesamehowever,includingthehealthandsafetytestandS/NVQelements,theredandbluecardstructureandtheuseofalogbooktorecordcompetence.Anewtechnicaltestwasintroduced.
Theessenceoftheschemeremainsthesame.Itisofandfortheplantindustry.TheCPAstressesthatpoint:“Itisvitallyimportantthatpeopleintheindustryunderstandthatrepresentativesoftheindustryruntheschemeandcontinuetosupportandpromoteit,whichcanonlybeofbenefittotheindustryitselfanditscustomers.
“Amanagementcommittee[is]madeupofrepresentativesfromalltypesandsizesofplantoperatoremployers,associationsandfederations,aswellastradeunionsandtheHealthandSafetyExecutive.Itdoesnotstopthere.TheCPCSmanagementcommitteealsoconsultswiththepeoplewhoworkintheindustrytofindoutwhattheywantfromthescheme.”q
• To find out more, and to learn about the Construction Plant-hire Association, visit www.cpa.uk.net. To apply for a card or find out about courses and training, visit www.cskills.org/education/cpcs.
Picture courtesy of JCB
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CSCS is changing: your views are needed
CSCSisundertakingaconsultationexerciseacrosstheconstructionindustrytogatherevidencetosupportdevelopmentofarevisedcardstandardsstrategyand
structure,inordertodriveforwardcompetenceofUKsite-basedconstructionworkersinlinewithindustryrequirements.
Itisintendedthatthenewstructurewillprovideaclearerseriesoflevelsfocusedonachievementandinparticularrecognise‘labourer’and‘semi-skilled’asoccupationallevels.Itisalsointendedtoprovidegreaterassistanceforsitestomanageandpolicethe‘RightCardfortheJob’concept.
AnewstrategywillalsoallowawideningofwhatcouldberecognisedandacceptedtoobtaincertainlevelsofcardbeyondS/NVQorqualificationscreditframework(QCF)equivalent,toreflectindustryrequirementswithinsetguidelines.
TheconsultationformisaccessiblefromtheCSCSwebsite,atwww.cscs.uk.com.
Oneoftheissuesaddressedbytheconsultationisthatofthe‘greencard’.Thegreencardisavailabletooperativeswhocarryoutbasicsiteskillsonly–labourers,forinstance.The‘greencard’iscurrentlyseeingabigincreaseinapplications.Onewaytoaddressthatwouldbeaseparateaccreditationforlabourers.
ContributionstotheconsultationprocessshouldbesubmittedonlinebyFriday9September.Inthemeantime,CSCSisalsorespondingtotheLöfstedtreviewbeingundertakenbyGovernment.IthasbeenaskedtoprovidedataaboutgeneralawarenesslevelsamongthosewhovisittheCSCSwebsiteand/orreceiveitseNewsletter,regardingsomeoftheregulationsinplace.
Again,respondentsshouldcompleteashortonlinesurvey,whichiscompletelyanonymousandnoresponsescanbereferencedbacktotherespondent.q
The CSCS ‘green card’: a new category for construction labourer may be introduced
Forthelatestuptodatetrainingnewsvisit
www.constructionnational.co.uk
constructionnational summer 2011 1�
SmartCardinrunningforprestigiousawardsTheCSCSSmartCardhasbeenshortlistedfortwocategoriesin
theprestigiousSesamesAwards,whichwillbepresentedatthecardindustry’sannualconferenceandexhibition,CARTES,in
ParisinNovember.TheCSCSSmartCardisacontenderintheSoftwareandIDCardscategoriesoftheSesames.
TheSESAMEShavebeendescribedas“anunchallengedsealofapprovalininnovation”andarerecognisedassettingthestandardforglobalcardbasedapplications.Theyrepresentarealpromotionalspringboardandgivethewinnersareputationandcredibilityguaranteeingtheirproject’ssuccess.
TheCSCSSmartCardisahighcapacitycardthatisgraduallyreplacingtraditionalCSCScards.Itstoresthedatacarriedonatraditionalcardonachip,inasimilarwaytoinformationstoredonacreditcard.ItcanalsobeusedforamultitudeofpurposesbeyondjuststoringCSCSdata,whichpotentiallyallowscontractorsandclientstoaccessrelevantdatasuchastrainingrecords,timeandattendancereports,occupationalhealthreviewsandotherinformationelectronically.
InFebruarythe£250mprojecttorevampTottenhamCourtUndergroundStationbecamethefirstall-SmartCardsiteinthecountry.JointventurecontractorsVINCIandBamNuttallnowrequirethe150workerscurrentlyonthesite–whichwillriseto350byApril–toholdthenewcards,whichcanbequicklycheckedusing
ahandheldcardreaderorviatheuser’sowncomputerisedsystem.Theycanalsointeractwiththecompany’sHR,finance,trainingandoccupationalhealthsystems.
IOSH’sSafety and Health PractitionermagazinequotedCSCSassayingthecardsare“virtuallyimpossibletoforge”.q
Tottenham Court Road Underground Station: the first all-SmartCard site (pic by ARC Gritt)
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Trainingandassessmentdedicatedtoourhistoricbuiltenvironment
ThecorebusinessofYorkshirebasedHeritageCraftAllianceistrainingandassessmentforthecountry’sheritageskillsworkforce.FromtheirtrainingcentreinBedaletheycanreach
outacrosstheUKtodeliverfocussedtrainingprogrammes.Thesecanbetoenhancethegeneralknowledgeoftheadultheritageworkforceordelivershortbespokeinterventions,wherethisis
neededtounderpintheachievementoftheheritageskillsqualifications.
Thecompanyalsoworkwithschoolsandcolleges,deliveringhandsoncrafttrainingandknowledgebasedinterventions.
TheycanprepareanddelivercrafttrainingandCPDinawiderangeofskillareassuchasstone,brick,wood,glassandothersincludingaccreditedvocationalqualifications.
Throughassessmentforheritageskillslevel3diplomasandconservationqualifications,HeritageCraftAllianceareabletopreparecraftsmenandmanagerstoapplyfortheCSCSheritagecard.q
•To discuss your training or assessment needs, or to ask about their short course programme, callus on 01677 422289 or [email protected] visit www.heritagecraftalliance.co.uk
Apprentice Jay makes the most of new whg scheme
AWalsallteenagerhastakenastepontotheconstructioncareerladderwithhelpfromleadingMidlandshousingproviderwhg,whohaveannouncedanexclusivewagesubsidyschemeas
partofacampaigntosupportlocalconstructionfirmsandthenextgenerationoftradesmenandwomen.
Itwillpayhalfaneligibleapprentice’swageforsixmonthsand17-year-oldJayGunnisthefirsttobenefit.Employersareinvitedtogetintouchtotakeadvantageofthislimitedoffer,fundedbyVisionaryInvestmentEnhancingWalsall(VIEW).
Jayhasbeenlearningatradeatwhg’sSkillsCentreforninemonthsandhasnowbeentakenonasanapprenticeplastererbyWalsallcompanyJMRenderwall.
Hesaid:“I’mreallypleasedtohavegotthisapprenticeship–itisagreatopportunityformeandI’mlearningsomucheveryday.”
AudreyClarkson,WorkBasedLearningMentorattheSkillsCentre,said:“Jayisthefirstapprenticetobetakenonunderthisschemebutwearecurrentlyintheprocessofsigningupadditionalapprenticeswithseveraldifferentcompanies.
“Inthecurrentfinancialclimate,alotofcompaniesarereluctanttotakeonnewemployeesbecausetheyarenotsurewheretheirnextjobiscomingfrom.
“Thisschemewillhelpyoungpeopleintoemploymentwhileencouragingemployerstorealisetheimportanceofapprenticeshipsandhowtheycanbenefittheirbusiness.”
Hisnewemployer,JasonWall,said:“Jayiskeentolearnanddoingwell.Theschemeisagoodideabecauseithelpsemployersandenables
apprenticeslikeJaytogetvaluableday-to-dayexperienceofthejob.”JayhasalreadyachievedaCity&Guildsqualificationinbasic
constructionandwillcontinuetostudypart-timeattheSkillsCentreforanNVQLevel2inplastering.
Thewagesubsidyinitiativecoversapprenticeshipsinplumbing,electricalskills,bricklaying,plasteringandcarpentry.q
•For further information call the Skills Centre on 0845 155 0310.
Plastering apprentice Jay Gunn
constructionnational summer 2011 21
Thetwo-yearconstructionprojectbyHillsWasteSolutionstobuildWiltshire’sfirststate-of-the-artwastetreatmentplanthasformallybegun.
The£20millionNorthacreresourcerecoveryfacilityisasignificantinvestmentbyHillswhichwillhelpunderpinitsexpansionintonewmarkets.ItisalsoakeyelementinWiltshireCouncil’sstrategytoreducetheamountofwastesenttolandfill.
Oncecomplete60,000tonnesofhouseholdwastecanbeprocessedusingmechanicalbiologicaltreatment(MBT)inthefacilitylocatedontheNorthacretradingestateinWestburyundera25yearcontractagreedbetweenHillsandWiltshireCouncil.
ThefacilitywillincreasetheproportionofWiltshire’smunicipalwastedivertedawayfromlandfilltomorethan80percent,fromacurrentperformanceofabout63percentandatotaloflessthan20percentafewyearsago.
AlanPardoe,HillsGroupchairman,said:“I’mdelightedthatconstructionisreadytostartontheHills’Northacrefacility.Thisisasignificantmilestoneinboththecompany’sdevelopmentandthewayWiltshirehandlesitshouseholdwaste.
“Inthecomingmonthswe’llseeinnovativetechnologyinstalledonthesitebyourcontractorswhichwillopenupnewmarketsforourcompany.”
TobySturgis,cabinetmemberforWaste,PropertyandDevelopmentControlServices,said:“ThisisonepartofapackageofmeasuresWiltshireCouncilisrollingoutthatwillhugelyreducewhatwesendtolandfill.
“Thesemeasures,ofwhichtheconstructionoftheNorthacrefacilityisamajorpart,notonlymakeenvironmentalsensebutfinancialsenseforresidents.”
TheHills’Northacrefacilitywillreceive60,000tonnesofmunicipalwastefromhouseholdsinthecountyand,indoingso,helpthecounty’staxpayersavoidlandfilltax,whichwillcost£80pertonneby2014.
ItisestimatedthattheHills’NorthacrefacilitywillsavesignificantcouncillorrymilesperyearaswastefromthewestofWiltshirewillnolongerneedtobetransportedtoHills’landfillsiteatLowerCompton.Byreducingthemilesthattheserefusecollectionvehiclestravel,thefacilityhasthepotentialtomakeareductioninWiltshire’scarbonfootprint.Initiallytherefusederivedfuel(RDF)producedwillbetransportedbyroadtoportandthenshippedtoEuropeforuseinrenewableenergyplants,butitisanticipatedthattheproductionofRDFwillencouragethecreationofamorelocalmarket.
MBTspecialist,EntsorgaItalia,isprovidingtechnologyfortheplantandInterserveplchasbeenawardedthedesignandbuildconstructioncontract.q
SURVEYS
INTERIORFURNISHING&SUPPLLIES
TRAINING&ASSESSMENT
constructionnational summer 2011 21
WorkbeginsonWiltshire’sfirstMBTplant
On site are (l to r) Cllr Toby Sturgis, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for Waste, Property and Development Control Services, Mike Hill, chief executive of the Hills Group Ltd and Simon Ohlenschlager, director infrastructure at Interserve Construction
22 constructionnational summer 2011
constructionnational summer 2011 2�
BasedatCarneCross,nearPar,Cornwall–justoveronemilefromtheEdenProject–Fahey’sConcreteLtdisatrulyindependentreadymixedconcretecompanywithdepots
atnearbyCamelford,CornwallandOkehampton,Devon.Thecompanyhavebeenproducingreadymixedconcreteforover40yearsandhavebeenmembersoftheQualitySchemeforReadyMixedConcrete(QSRMC)sinceJuly1993.
Fahey’sConcretebelieveinbeingasselfsufficientaspossibleandhasitsownfabrication,workshopandvehiclemaintenancefacilities,givingthecompanytheabilitytobuild,repairandmaintaintheirproductionplantsandthelargefleetofvehiclesrequiredtooperateefficientlyandeconomically.Theirvariedfleetisusedtocollecttheproductsrequiredforproductionaswellasdeliveryofthefinishedreadymixedconcretetosite.
BeingsoclosetotheEdenproject,meantthatthevastmajorityoftheconcreteonthesitewassuppliedbyFahey’swiththeconcreteusedfortheconstructionoftheBiomesbeingrecognisedbyanawardfromtheConcreteSociety.
InAugustlastyear,Fahey’sConcreteachievedaccreditationforitsEnvironmentalManagementSystemtoBSENISO14001:2004theEnvironmentalManagementStandard.q
Award-winning concrete from South West’s leading supplier
Concrete welcome for Govt’s IGT responseTheconcretesectorhaswelcomedtheGovernment’sacceptance
ofmanyoftherecommendationsoftheInnovationandGrowthTeam(IGT)LowCarbonConstructionReportasevidenceof
supportforitsownsustainableconstructionstrategy.LaunchingtheGovernment’sresponsetothereport,Business
MinisterMarkPriskoutlinedhowGovernmentandtheconstructionindustrywillworktogethertodecarbonisethebuiltenvironmentby2050andcalledforanewlevelofco-operation.HefocusedontheneedforclearleadershipandtransparencyandannouncedtheestablishmentofanewGreenConstructionBoardthatwilldirectthenecessaryregulatoryandfinancialframeworks,tosupportindustryactioninenablingtheGovernmenttoachieveitsambitiouscarbonreductionobjectives.
RespondingforTheConcreteCentre,aconstituentmemberoftheMineralProductsAssociation,itsexecutivedirectorAndrewMinsonsaid:“Theconcretesectorisalreadydemonstratingthatitisfullyabletomeetthechallengeofclimatechangeandhasthecapacitytoturnthatchallengeintoanopportunity.Wehavedevelopedandimplementedafar-reaching,pan-industrysustainabilitystrategythatleadsothermaterialsectorsandalreadyincludesandcomplimentsmanyoftherecommendationsoftheIGTreport.”
Inparticularhewelcomedthereport’srecognitionthatsustainabilityismorethanjustcarbon,thatoperationalcarbonmustbeconsideredalongsideembodiedandthatindustry,togetherwithgovernment,mustrisetothechallengeofthelowcarbonagenda.q
Costmodelsshowconcreteischeaper
TheBritishReady-mixedConcreteAssociation(BRMCA)haspublishedthreecost-modelstudies–oncommercial,hospitalandschoolbuildings–examiningready-mixedconcretedesignoptionsversussteelandprecast.Thestudieshighlightthecostadvantagesofready-mixed
concrete,theprogrammeadvantagesofready-mixedconcreteandthebenefitsofready-mixedconcreteintermsofcostinuse,acoustics,fire,energyefficiencyandsustainability.
Thestudiesshowthat,intermsofoverallconstructioncosts,insitureinforcedconcreteis5.1%cheaperthantheequivalentsteeloptionforcommercialbuildingsandpost-tensionedinsituconcreteis7.2%cheaperforhospitalbuildingsand6.8%cheaperforschools.q
•The full studies are available to download from the BRMCA website, at www.brmca.org.uk/news.
2� constructionnational summer 2011
constructionnational summer 2011 2�
MountainbikestartinghutmovesupagearwithBritishlarch
BSWTimber’sBritishlarchhasbeenusedtocreateastrikingstartinghutforthefamousmountainbiketrailattheNevisRangeonAonachMòr,oneofBritain’shighestmountains,
whichrisesto4,006ftatitspeak.DesignedbytheForestryCommission’sCivilEngineeringteam,the
starthutshowcaseslocallysourcedlarchandisafocalpointforallcompetitivemountainbikingatFortWilliam,includingtherecentworldchampionships.
Designedintheshapeofaneye,outofwhichtheriderslaunchthemselvesontothedownhillcourse,thestarthutwascreatedusingverticallylaminatedtimber.ThisinnovativetechniquehasbeendevelopedbytheForestryCommissioninanumberoftheirawardwinningdesigns.Itallowstheeye-shapetobecreatedusingstraightpiecesoflarch,nolongerthanametre,whicharethenstaggeredandscrewedtoeachothertocreatetheupperandlowercurves.
EveJohnson,marketingmanager,BSWTimber,said:“Thisprojectperfectlyillustratestheversatilityoflarchtimber.Thestunningdesignofthestarthutshowshowtheproductcanbeusedininnovativewaysand,what’smore,thematerialsarelocallysourced.
“Britishlarchisanidealoptionforawidearrayofpurposes.Fromresidentialproperty,torestaurantfrontageandsportingfacilities,larchcreatesadurableandattractivefinish.
“Asafullysustainableanddurabletimber,whichisFSCcertified,ourlarchproductscomewiththeassurancethattheywillbelonglastingandmaintaintheirstrikinglookinyearstocome.TheNevisRangestarthutsupportsthenaturalenvironment,utiliseslocalmaterialsandwillbeenjoyedformanyyearstocome.”
GraemeWhite,SeniorProjectEngineer,ForestryCommission,added:"Weliketospecifylarchforourprojectsduetoitsnaturaldurabilityandqualityofitsappearance.WerecentlywonanawardfortheBestUseofHome-growntimberattheWoodAwardsforabridgebuiltfromlarch.Larch’sversatilityiscleartoseeinthemountainbikestarthutontheNevisRangeandwe’redelightedwiththeresult.”q
2� constructionnational summer 2011
constructionnational summer 2011 2�
AsbestosinBuildingsRecentlytheHealthandSafetyExecutivelaunchedtheir‘Hidden
Killer’campaigntohighlightthedangerofexposuretoasbestosfibre,particularlytomaintenanceandothertradesmenwhen
workinginbuildings.Thishighprofilecampaigngraphicallyindicatedthataround20tradesmenperweekdieasaresultofexposuretoasbestosandthattradesmenarestillbeingexposedtotheserisks,eventoday,mainlyduetothefactthattheyareunawareofthepresenceofasbestosintheirworkplace.
At around 4,000 deaths per year, asbestos is still the country’s biggest industrial killer.
Anybuildingconstructedorrefurbishedbetween1890and1999couldcontainasbestosinoneormoreofitsmanyformsanduses.Fromthe1930’sasbestoswashailedasthe‘wonderbuildingmaterial’andintermsofitsuse,reacheditsheightintheUKinthemid1970’s.
Asbestoswasusedformanyapplicationsincludingfireprotection,thermalinsulation,anti-condensationandacousticcoatings,wallboarding,boxing,panellingandroofingtonamebutafew.Inchurchesithasbeenusedaspipeandboilerinsulation,boxingandcasingstoorganblowers,permanentshutteringoverpipetrenches,behindradiators,underradiatorshelves,inrainwatergoodsandassprayedcoatingstotheundersideofroofs.
TheControlofAsbestosRegulations(CAR)2006placesanexplicitdutyonthoseresponsibleforbuildings(TheDutyholder)tomanagetheriskfromasbestosintheirproperty,notonlyfortheirownemployeesandvisitorsbutanyonewhomaycomeintocontactwithitincluding,ofcourse,anytradesmenwhomaybeworkinginit.
AmajorrequirementofCAR2006,andsubsequentlyanyasbestosmanagementplan,istoinformanyonewhomaycomeintocontactwithit,ofthepresenceofasbestoscontainingmaterialswithinthepropertyandtogivethosepeopleadequatetraininginhowtorecogniseasbestoscontainingmaterialsandmanagetheriskofexposure.
Thestartingpointofanymanagementplanistofindoutifthebuildingcontainsasbestosmaterialsbyanasbestossurvey.Asurveywillprovideanasbestosregister,recorditslocation,extentandtypeandassesstheriskofexposureonthelongtermhealthofanyonewhomaycomeintocontactwithit.
Thiswillgenerallymeanthat,asaminimum,a‘management’asbestossurveywillberequiredinordertocomplywiththeregulationsandifanyworkisplannedwithinthepremisesamorein-depth‘refurbishment/demolition’surveymaybenecessary.Toavoidconfusion,thesesurveytypesarefullydetailedinHSEGuidanceHSG264whichdescribesthescopeandcontentofthesurveytypes,howtheyshouldbeundertaken
andthecompetencyrequirementsofUKASAccreditationforthoseundertakingthem.
Trainingisthenextimportantcriteria,asunlessthesurveyinformationisimpartedtothoselikelytobeexposedithasverylittlevalue.Similarly,tradesmenneedtobeawareofanyasbestosmaterialstheymayencountertopreventunintentionaldisturbanceleadingtoexposure,notonlytothemselvesbuttoanyoneelseinthevicinity.
CompaniesyouchoosetoundertakeasbestossurveysshouldbeaccreditedbyUKAS(UnitedKingdomAccreditationService)toISO/IEC17020toundertakeinspectionsandtoISO/IEC17025toundertakebulksampleidentificationandtesting.ThisaccreditationensuresthatyouwillgetthebestpossiblesurveyinaccordancewithHSG264.
TrainingrequirementsarealsoregulatedanddescribedinRegulation12oftheControlofAsbestosRegulations2006.AsbestostrainingorganisationsareaccreditedbyUKATAtheUnitedKingdomAsbestosTrainingAssociation. q
• For more information on asbestos management, surveys or training contact Tersus Consultancy Limited on 0121 244 1828, via their website www.tersusgroup.co.uk or by e-mail to [email protected]
2� constructionnational summer 2011
constructionnational summer 2011 2�
PortableSanitationEuropeLtd,orPSEasitisgenerallyreferredto,istheUK’sforemostandmostrespectedtradeassociationactingonbehalfofmemberswhoareallinthebusinessofproviding
welfareandsanitationfacilities,primarilytotheconstructionindustryandthegeneralpublic,atoutdooreventsandfestivals.
Ithaslongbeenadvocatedfromwithintheranksoftheassociationthattheycouldbenefitfromadedicatedtrainingschedulealliedtotheportabletoiletbusiness,aswellasintegratingwiththeconstructionindustry,inordertomaintainthehighlevelofstandardsrelatingtoallaspectsofHealthandSafetythathavebeensetwithinthisindustry.
TothisendPSEapproachedthetrainingfacilitatorHumanFocusforassistanceinsettingupan‘online’trainingprogramwhichwouldgivethenecessarybasicinstructionandtrainingtotheserviceoperatorswho,whenallsaidanddone,arethebackboneofthisindustry,andwithoutwhomtherewouldn’tbethenumberofservicecompaniescurrentlyinexistenceintheUK.
AsetoffivetrainingmoduleswaspresentedtoPSE,thesixthmodulebeingtheirownin-housetrainingDVD,whichwasmadeonlocationsomeyearsagoandwasfullyacceptabletoHumanFocusasamostvalidtrainingasset,somuchsothatthecompletesixmodulesnowmakeuptheNationalSanitationQualificationschemewhichhasbeenacceptedbytheNationalCoreCompetenceBenchmark(NCCB),withwhichmostoftheUK’strainingandqualificationstandardsarenowassociated.
Anumberofthelargercontractingcompaniesalreadyhaveinplaceameansbywhichanyoperatoronsitecanbeinstantlyverifiedbyanelectronicscanningsystemwhichshowshispersonaldetailsandthetrainingprogramsthatheorshehasundertaken,whichshouldlegitimatelygivethemtherightofaccesstothesite.ThisiscarriedoutbymeansofacreditcardstyleIDcardonwhichthereisachipandpincarryingalltherelevantinformationrelatingtotheowner’strainingqualificationandfromtherelevantissuingauthority.InthecaseofPSEthisisHumanFocuswhoarealsofullyaccreditedbyRoSPA.
ThefivebasicmodulesencompassBasicFirstAidatWork;HealthandSafetyinConstruction;PPESafetyinIndustry;ManualHandlinginConstruction;Slips,TripsandFallsinIndustry.Thesixthmodule,onlyapplicabletoPSEmembership–ServicingofPortableSanitationUnits–is,ofcourse,theprimarytrainingmoduleforanyserviceoperatorwithinthisindustry.Ifitislaterdeemednecessarythatfurthertrainingisrequiredforaccesstoanyconstructionsite,thenothermodulesareavailable.
The‘online’training,whichcanbeundertakenbytheserviceoperatororthemanagementstaff,isfullyavailable24hoursadaythroughasecurewebsitelinktothetrainingfacilitator,witheachoperatorhavingtheirownuniqueIDandlogindetails.So,iftheyhaveasparemomentattheendoftheday,theycanundertakeanyofthesixmodules,thelongestofwhichisaround20minutesand,onsuccessfulcompletion,(80%marksandover)theycanprintofftheirownCertificateasproofofhavingundertakenandpassedthatparticularmodule.Onsuccessfulcompletionofallsixmodules,HumanFocusissuethetraineewiththeNSQCertificateaswellastheCreditCardstyleIDcard,whichinturngivestheserviceoperatorthenecessaryidentificationtogainaccesstothesitesthatalreadyemploythechipandpinverificationsystem.Intimemoreandmoreconstructionsiteswillemploythesamesystembothforsecurityandsafetyreasons.
TheUKContractorsGroup,whorepresentthemajorityofthemajorconstructioncompaniesintheUK,havewelcomedthePSE’sendeavorstoofferthistrainingfacilitytotheirmembershipandtomaintainthehighstandardsthatareexpectedofallstaffwhoundertakeanyformofworkonconstructionsites.
ThePSEwillcontinuetoworkcloselywithHumanFocustofurtherdevelopothertrainingmodulesthatarepertinenttotheportabletoiletandwelfareindustry.Intime,theNSQschemewillbecomeanindustryrecognisedstandardthatallwhooperateandservicewelfarefacilitiesonconstructionsiteswillhavetoadhereto.TheNSQschemeisinitsinfancyatpresentbutwillbecomemoreprominentasmorecompaniestakeuptheopportunitytogainthisrecognisedqualificationavailablefreetoallmembersofPortableSanitationEuropeLtd.q
National Sanitation Qualification maintains high standards
�0 constructionnational summer 2011
constructionnational summer 2011 �1
DominicMathias,fromYorkshire-basedenergymanagementservicesproviderENER-GSwitch2,hasbeennamedthewinnerofacompetitiontofindoutindustryopinionsonthebigissues
affectingthehousingsector.TheprizeofaniPodNanowaspresentedtoDominicbyAccelerisandHQNearlierthismonth.
DuringtherecentCharteredInstituteofHousingconferenceinHarrogate,theUK’sleadingPRagencyforthesocialhousingsector,Acceleris,andhousingtrainingandconsultancycompanyHQNfilmeddelegates’responsestotheburningquestionsinthehousingsector.Thisincludedaskingwhatthebiggestopportunityinhousingisandgettingdelegateviewsonwhattheywoulddofirstiftheywerehousingminister.
ThevideoswereuploadedtoYouTubeandprofessionalswithinthesectorwereinvitedtovotefortheirfavourite.Dominic’scommentshighlightedtheimportanceofcontinuingtheindustry’scommitmenttoinvestmentinsolarphotovoltaicenergysources.Hedescribeshowtherearealotofgovernmentincentivesforinstallingthisequipment,whichcanhelpreduceresidents’electricitybills,giveopportunitiestomakemoneybackoninitialinvestmentsandaregoodfortheenvironment.
AccelerisMarketingCommunicationsManagingDirectorPeterDavenportsaid:“Itisveryimportantforthoseinpowertolistentotheopinionsandideasofthepeopleworkingonthegroundwithinanysector.Thesocialhousingsectoremploysagreatnumberofpeoplewhowork
handinhandwithresidentsandknowwhatissuesareimportanttothem.Byaskingdelegatestheiropinionsonissueswithinthesectorandencouragingthoseinpowertotakenoteofthem,Acceleris,alongwithourcolleaguesatHQN,hopestohighlighttheissueswhichareprovingimportanttothosewhomayotherwisegounheard.”
LydiaDlaboha,DeputyChiefExecutiveofHQN,said:“We’rereallypleasedwiththeinterestthatthiscampaignhasgenerated.It’shelpedtodemonstratethesector’scommitmenttoprotectingtheenvironmentandinvestinginalternativepowersources.It’salsobeenareallyfunwayofgettingtomeetdelegatesandengagingwithpeopleusingsocialmedia.”q
•The videos, which have attracted almost 1,500 views since the conference began, are still available to view at http://www.youtube.com/user/HQNAMC?feature=mhee.
AccelerisandHQNsearchouthottopicsinsocialhousingENER-G Switch 2 shows it’s switched on to the burning issues
Dominic Mathias being presented with his iPod Nano
�2 constructionnational summer 2011
NHBC awards showcase best practicein site health and safety
Inwhatisbecomingoneofthemostkeenly-awaitedeventsinthehousebuildingdiary,foursitemanagerswerehonouredinMayatthesecondannualNHBCHealthandSafetyAwards.
Theevent,atBirmingham’sICC,washostedbyDanLobbofITV’sDaybreakprogramme.Theawardswerepresentedinfourcategories–mirroringthecategoriesintheNHBC’sPrideintheJobcompetition:SmallBuilder,MediumBuilder,LargeBuilderandMultistorey.
Theawardsceremonywastheculminationofafour-monthjudgingprocesswhichidentifiedsitemanagerswhohavedemonstratedexceptionalhealthandsafetybestpracticeinthehousebuildingindustry.Theirsitesscoredthehighestmarksacrossavarietyofcriteriaincludingstaffwelfare,trafficmanagement,emergencyprocedures,securityandpublicsafety.Theyareheldoutasexamplesofbestpracticethatcanbereplicatedacrosstheindustry.
Theawardwinnerswere:• Small Builder: Frank Claridge of Vanderbilt Homes, for Stonemason House in Oxford.• Medium Builder: Greg Freeman of Frank Haslam Milan West Midlands, for Pannel Croft in• Birmingham.• Large Builder: Danny Conetta of Linden Homes Chiltern Ltd, for Orchard Grove in Ruislip.• Multistorey: Marcus Blake of St George (South) London Ltd, for The Tower at One St George• Wharf.
TheNHBC’sgrouphealthandsafetypolicymanagerSimonMantlesaid:“Withachallengingeconomicclimatecontinuingandmanysitemanagersfeelingpressuredtofinishprojectstotightertimeframesandbudgets,theNHBCHealthandSafetyAwardsassesstheimportancehousebuildersplaceontheprotectionoftheiroperativesandthegeneralpublic,andtheeffectivenessoftheirmeasuresforkeepingpeoplesafe.
“Entriesforthisyear'sawardsincreasedby52%fromourinauguralyearandthehighlevelofhealthandsafetypracticedisplayedhasbeenveryencouraging.OurwinningentriesclearlyshowthathealthandsafetyisnowwellestablishedasafundamentalareaofseriousconsiderationduringtheUKhomebuildingprocess.”
Inadditiontotheoverallwinners,twootherregionalwinnerswereannouncedineachcategory.Theywere:
Small Builder:NickBatemanofDevonshireHomesLtd,forMoorhayesParkinTiverton(South)andMikeLoughranofMactaggartandMickelHomes,forHillparkBraeinEdinburgh(North).Medium Builder:AaronSymondsofFairviewNewHomesLtd,forThamesWatersideatGreenhithe(South)andGarryIzattofStewartMilneCentralScotland,forWallaceGardensinStirling(North).Large Builder:TonyBirdofBarrattBristol,forKingsGreeninGloucester(Central)andJohnMatherofLovellPartnershipsLtdNorthWest,forTheWayinManchester(North).Multistorey:ShauneHicksofCrestNicholsonSouthWest,forDocksideBlock‘K’inPortishead,Bristol(Central)andGaryWilliamsofFrankHaslamMilan,forGreatUnionStreetHostelinHull(North).Afurther30sitemanagerswere‘highlycommended’fromatotallistof66‘commended’.Assessment
wascarriedoutbyanindependentpanelofexperts,whichincludedPhilipWhite,chiefinspectorofconstructionatHSE,MichelleAldous,chiefexecutiveofConstructingBetterHealth,andKevinFear,headofhealth,safetyandenvironmentatConstructionSkills.
Intheircitationthejudgessaid:“Thefournationalwinnersallshowedgreatleadership,creativityandinnovationinaddressingtheparticularchallengesoftheirsites.Theyalldemonstratedthattheyhadexceededusualbestpractice.Towintheultimateawardisahugeachievementandwecongratulatethemall.”
CompanyRecognitionAwardswerealsopresentedattheceremonytoorganisationsorgroupsoforganisationswhichhaveactivelypromoted,encouragedandsupportedhealthandsafetybestpractice.Specialawardsweregivenfor‘BestOccupationalHealthInitiative’,‘BestHealthandSafetyWorkerEngagementProgramme’and‘ExemplaryHealthandSafetyLeadership’.
Nominationsfornextyear’sNHBCHealthandSafetyAwardswillopenintheautumn.q
WINNERS GALLERY
Frank Claridge – Small Builder
Greg Freeman – Medium Builder
Danny Conetta – Large Builder
Marcus Blake – Multistorey
constructionnational summer 2011 ��
52storeybuildingbeingdevelopedbyStGeorge(South)LondonLtdonthebanksoftheThamesbyVauxhallBridge.
Everythingonthesiteistoadifferentscale,asisthehealthandsafetypolicy,andthejudges’commentsreflectthatfact.“Hereweseeasitethathasaweeklyvisitfromtheoccupationalnurse!EveryFriday,managementholdtheirowneducationaltoolboxtalksandsafetybriefings,wherethepreviousweek’sactivityisreviewedandtheteamlookaheadtothecomingweek.
“ThissitemanageralsoinsistedonearlyinvolvementfromthefirebrigadeandtheHSEwithregardstofiresafetyandtallbuildingsafety”.q
The leaders in the health and safety field
Danny Conetta is pictured receiving his award from ITV’s Dan Lobb. Looking on is NHBC chief executive Imtiaz Farookhi
TheNHBC’ssystemofcategorisingsitesmeantthewinners’sitesrepresentedthefullspectrumofresidentialdevelopmentsanddevelopers,buildingfortheprivate
market,socialhousingandeducationalresidences.TheSmallBuildercategorywaswonbyFrankClaridgeof
VanderbiltHomes–alocaldeveloperbasedinOxfordshire.Frank’ssiteisStonemasonHouse,adevelopmentof44studentroomsonMagdelenRoadinOxford.Thesiteisonanestablishedroad,inthemidstofexistingproperties.
Thepanelofjudgescommented:“Thissitemanagerhadtocopewithlimitedstorageonthesiteandintroduceda‘justintime’methodoforderingmaterials.Healso,uponeachinspection,hasdemonstrated‘thetightestsitepossible’!
“Alltradesareenthusiasticandengagedandwanttobeseenasdeliveringthebest.Inreturn,thissitemanagerhasmadegooduseofinternalspacetoprovideexcellentwelfarefacilitiesforthetrades.”
IntheMediumBuildercategorytheprizewasscoopedbyGregFreemanofFrankHaslamMilanWestMidlands.Greg’ssiteisPannelCroft,aretirementvillageintheNewtownareaofBirmingham.
Thejudgessaid:“Thewinnerinthecentralregionhasprohibitedtheuseofstepladdersonsite–onlypodiums,workingplatformsandhop-upsareallowed.Onvisitsanexcellentsitesetupandcompoundwasobserved,withoperativesgenuinelytalkingtoeachotherandtothesitemanagementteamtofindsolutions.”
ThewinnerintheLargeDevelopercategory–where,arguably,thecompetitionisfiercestbecauseofthelargenumberofdevelopmentsinvolved–wasDannyConetta,whoworksforLindenHomesChilternLtd.
Danny’ssiteistheOrchardGrovedevelopmentinRuislip.OrchardGroveisacharmingcollectionofoneandtwo-bedroomapartmentsandthreeandfour-bedroomhousesinadesirableresidentialareaonBuryStreetinRuislip,Surrey,justminutesfromtheprettyHighStreet.Adozenhousetypesandtwoapartmentbuildingsareonoffer,withpricesstartingat£190,000.
ThesiteisbeingdevelopedinassociationwithAshillDevelopmentsLtd,whichspecialisesinbringingbrownfieldsitesintodevelopment.The36housesand30apartmentsaretimberframed,whichfactraisesitsownparticularissues.
ThejudgessaidofDanny:“Thiswinningsitemanagerhasputconsiderableeffortintodevelopingafireplanonthistimber-framesite,whichisindependentlymonitoredbyathird-partyorganisation.
“Asite-wideglovespolicyisinforceandallsubcontractors’foremenhaveattendedtheConstructionSkillsfive-daysitemanagersafetytrainingscheme.Thereisagreatdealofrespectfeltfromtheworkersandprideinwhattheyaredoing.
ThebiggestwinningsitewastheMultistoreycategorywinnerofMarcusBlake.Marcus’ssiteisTheToweratOne,StGeorgeWharf,a
�� constructionnational summer 2011
DaviesDevelopmentsadoptsInsulslabSFRCaspreferredfoundationtechnique
HavingrealisedsignificanttimeandcostsavingsbyusingInsulslabSFRCatitsnewParcAberamanhousing
developmentinAberdare,SouthWales,DaviesDevelopmentswillnowbeadoptingthesuperinsulatedandfullyintegratedfoundationsystemforallfutureprojectswheregroundconditionsallow.
Whilephaseoneofthedevelopmentutilisedstandardstripfoundations,themorechallenginggroundconditionsofphasetwodemandedaraftfoundation.AwareoftheprovenperformancebenefitsandefficiencygainsInsulslabSFRCcoulddeliver,DaviesDevelopmentslookedtousethisinnovativeraft-basedsysteminplaceofatraditionalrafttechnique.
InconsultationwiththetechnicalsupportteamatInsulslabSFRC,DaviesDevelopmentsundertookacarefulcostcomparisonexercise,whichconfirmedtherevolutionarysystemwouldfacilitateoverallcostsavingsonfoundationconstruction.Onceon-site,thisalsotranslatedintotangibletimesavings,withconcreteslabsforthethree,fourandfivebedroomhomesbeingcastanddelivereduptogroundfloorlevelinhalfthetimeofstandardmethods.
MatthewsDavies,Director,DaviesDevelopments,explains:“WewereextremelyimpressedbytheresponsivenessandaccuracyofthetechnicalteamatInsulslabSFRC.Theirstructuralengineerswereexactintheircalculations,whichmeantthecostsavingswewerepromisedonpaperwererealisedoncethefoundationswereconstructedon-site.
“Thesesavingswerefurtherincreasedbythetimesaved–InsulslabSFRCtookonlyoneweektoconstructaslabcomparedwiththetwoweeksitwouldtaketobuildatraditionalraft.Aswellashelpingustocompletethebuildaheadofschedule,InsulslabSFRCultimately
halvedthelabourcostonthefoundations.WewilldefinitelybeconsideringInsuslabSFRCinfuturewhereversiteconditionspermit.”
Constructedofinterlockingexpandedpolystyrene(EPS)podswithsteelfibrereinforcedconcrete(SFRC)pouredontoptodeliverthefoundationuptogroundfloorlevel,InsulslabSFRCoffersahighlyefficientsystemthatintegratessuperiorlevelsofthermalinsulationintoitsdesign.AchievingverylowU-values(typically0.10–0.13W/m2KdependingonP/Aratio),InsulslabSFRCmakesiteasiertoachievePartLcomplianceandfacilitatesgreaterflexibilityintheoverallbuildingenvelope.
Asthesystemrequiresminimalgroundexcavationandpreparation,timeandcostsavingsarerealisedevenbeforeInsulslabSFRCisconstructed.Moreover,thelightweightpodsminimisemanualhandlingandthereduction
intraditionalsteelreinforcementcontributestohealthandsafetyon-site.
BasedonthesuccessfulimplementationofInsulslabSFRCatParcAberaman,wherethesystemwillalsobeusedonphasesthreeandfour,DaviesDevelopmentswillnowspecifyitsuseonallfuturedevelopmentswherearaftfoundationisnecessaryorgroundconditionsallow.Suitableforuseasacaponpiles,InsulslabSFRCalsooffersacosteffectivealternativetotraditionalpilingtechniques.
MarkGray,TechnicalManager,InsulslabSFRC,concludes:“InsulslabSFRCisnowwidelyadoptedbyalltypesofdeveloper–fromselfbuildandregionalthroughtonationalhousebuilders.Whetherthespecificationiscostdrivenorbecausemorestringentsustainablestandardsneedtobemet,InsulslabSFRCcontinuestoprovideacosteffectiveandhighlyefficientsolution.”
FLOORMATE300-AinPassivhausmilestone
TheUK’sfirstruralaffordablehousingaccreditedPassivhausschemeiscomplete–andthehousingassociationbehindtheprojecthascitedbelow-slabinsulationaskeytoachievingitsveryhighlevelsofenergyefficiency.
TheschemeinWimbish,Essex,featuresDowBuildingSolutions’FLOORMATE300-ASTYROFOAMinsulationasacontinuouslayerbeneaththeconcretefloorslabstohelppreventthermalbridging.
AccordingtoHastoeHousingAssociation,“bycreatinganenvelopeofinsulationoutsidethewaterproofingenvelope,FLOORMATE300-Ahashelpedtominimiseheatlossinthehomes,akeyfeatureof–butnotexclusiveto–Passivhaus.
“Wewerepleasedtolearnthatitscompressivestrengthandmoistureresistancemakeitadurableproduct,suitableforourruralhomesthatwillbelivedinbyfuturegenerationsformanyyearstocome,”theAssociationcontinued.
FLOORMATE300-Aisavailableinarangeofthicknesses:50mm,75mm,100mm,125mmand150mm,andhasadesignloadof130kN/m2.ThematerialismanufacturedusingCO2asablowingagentgivingitaGlobalWarmingPotential(GWP)oflessthanfive.q
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�� constructionnational summer 2011