Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Tue, Apr 5th 2016 One of Crumlin’s oldest established businesses, the sawmill on the Croespenmaen industrial Estate, is continuing to benefit from investment by leading UK timber importer, Newport based Premier Forest Products. Posted via Industry Today.
Landmark asbestosis ruling is good news for sufferers Published: 29 July, 2016 In a landmark asbestosis case, The Court of Appeal ruled today that asbestosis sufferers could be entitled to proportional compensation from as low as 2.3% from negligent employers, based upon the number of years worked. The historic ruling
The Institution joins a prestigious group of engineering projects that includes San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, the Forth Bridge in Scotland and the Statue of Liberty in New York. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has designated the Institution of Civil Engineers as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, in the Institution’s 200th anniversary
Leading UK manufacturer Kawneer had its full range of architectural glazing systems specified for a stunning residential development at Cardiff marina. The Kawneer systems were selected for Phase One of Bayscape Ltd’s £40 million mixed-use development, which has been shortlisted for an award. “We specified Kawneer because of the need
The managing contract to complete the troubled Royal Liverpool hospital project has been handed to Laing O’Rourke. Following the collapse of the Carillion, the project stalled, and is now hoped to restart next month. However, the appointment of Laing O’Rourke has raised concerns among the UK construction union Unite. Unite
Scotland’s largest building preservation company, Richardson and Starling, is today announcing its latest expansion with the opening of a new office in Hawick. 5 new posts are being created with the company actively recruiting from the local area. The firm is seeking 4 technicians to join our Property Surveyor who
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Tue, Apr 5th 2016 One of Crumlin’s oldest established businesses, the sawmill on the Croespenmaen industrial Estate, is continuing to benefit from investment by leading UK timber importer, Newport based Premier Forest Products. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday One of Crumlin’s oldest established businesses, the sawmill on the Croespenmaen industrial Estate, is continuing to benefit from investment by leading UK timber importer, Newport based Premier Forest Products. Mill Timber Direct, the sawmill’s new retail outlet store on the site, was recently opened in premises right next to the mill itself. The new shop offers an extensive range of the sawmill’s timber products including fencing, decking, sleepers, crafted wooden gates and robust wooden garden furniture, as well as equestrian jumps, panels products, structural timber and a host of related and ancillary products. Up until now, Mill Timber Direct has relied mostly upon customers collecting their requirements, but as of last week the company can now offer a full delivery service within a 25 mile radius of the branch. Premier has invested in a new Citroen Relay 3513 with 4.2m drop side, enabling them to deliver many of the company’s most popular products. Adrian Hovey, Manager at Mill Timber Direct said: “We are delighted to announce this new delivery service. Historically, customers have collected goods from the mill’s retail offering here but now, with the fully developed new store, a hugely increased product range and the means to deliver directly to our customers, we can make the mill’s fantastic products readily available to many more customers. “Our range of eco friendly wooden gates and fencing are perfect for the upcoming spring/summer season, especially for those wishing to have fencing products delivered direct to their gardens.” Source link
Landmark asbestosis ruling is good news for sufferers Published: 29 July, 2016 In a landmark asbestosis case, The Court of Appeal ruled today that asbestosis sufferers could be entitled to proportional compensation from as low as 2.3% from negligent employers, based upon the number of years worked. The historic ruling confirms that proportional compensation is applicable even if the employer’s overall contribution to the condition was minimal and the entitlement was as low as 2.3%. The ruling relates to retired electrician, Mr Albert Carder, who was exposed to asbestos whilst working at Exeter University. Although most of his asbestos exposure occurred earlier in his career, Mr Carder’s lawyers, Moore Blatch, calculated that his employment at the university contributed 2.3% toward his asbestosis. The Court of Appeal today upheld the calculation and judgement made by The High Court in July 2015 that Mr Carder was entitled to compensation. But at the time Exeter University’s insurers appealed, arguing the proportion of the exposure was minimal and had made “no discernible difference to his condition”. Moore Blatch asbestos disease lawyer John Hedley, representing Mr Carder comments: “This decision is very important and will influence other asbestos cases. Whilst there is a long established principle around minimal contributions to asbestos exposure by employers, this case helps define what minimal actually means. We can confidently say this contribution can be as low as 2.3%. While the compensation is not substantial, it will help Mr Carder and the ruling will help many other people who are in a similar position.” Mr Carder said: “It’s a huge relief for this case to have finally settled and to also know that I can return to court, should my condition deteriorate, which is of great comfort to me and my family.When I started my career asbestos was thought to be such a wonderful thing; unfortunately we were not made aware of the dangers.” Mr Carder’s overall damages from his total exposure to asbestos were assessed at approximately £67,500, with the university’s contribution confirmed to be £1,713. Source link
The Institution joins a prestigious group of engineering projects that includes San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, the Forth Bridge in Scotland and the Statue of Liberty in New York. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has designated the Institution of Civil Engineers as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, in the Institution’s 200th anniversary year. More than 200 projects worldwide have earned this title, which recognises historically significant civil engineering projects, structures and sites around the world. A physical plaque has been installed at ICE’s London headquarters to mark the award. It was unveiled today during the Global Engineering Congress. “For more than 40 years, ASCE has recognised civil engineering achievements that have played a unique role in the development of America and the world as Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks,” said Robin Kemper, President of ASCE, said at the unveiling. She said that the programme highlights the “pioneering spirit” of civil engineers. ICE as a pioneer Kemper recapped the ICE’s history, which demonstrates this trait, during the dedication. “In 1818, a small group of young engineers met in a London coffee shop and founded the Institution of Civil Engineers, the world’s first professional engineering body. “After two years of struggling to attract new members, ICE asked Thomas Telford to become its first president. “His appointment in 1820 not only gave ICE a major boost, it also played a huge part in shaping who they are today.” ICE President Professor Lord Robert Mair added: “Our Institution was set up 200 years ago a group of young engineers with grand ambitions. I want that precedent to continue. “I see a great and vibrant future for our profession. But this future requires us to transform ourselves; how we think and how we act. Above all we need to be ambitious and bold. There are huge science and technology developments to exploit. “We are so grateful that one of your hugely valued Historic Civil Engineering Landmark plaques will be permanently on display here in One Great George Street, the home of civil engineering.” Glenn Hewus, President of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, was also present at the unveiling. “It is my esteemed privilege to acknowledge the efforts and commitment put forth by the Institution of Civil Engineers to forge ahead with steadfast determination,” he said. “It is because of this type of commitment that civil engineering has progressed to what it is today.”H How historic landmarks are named The ASCE’s History and Heritage Committee nominates historically-significant civil engineering projects for recognition as part of an ongoing programme. It reviews nominated projects and makes a recommendation to the ASCE’s Board of Direction for which one should be named as a landmark. “Those who are actively involved with the process can tell you that this is not an easy task,” said Kemper. ASCE’s landmark programme has been running for more than 40 years. Projects that have earned the designation include the Panama Canal, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Belfast Rail Link in Dublin, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Granite Railway, the first commercial railway in the US. Renewed cooperation ICE and ASCE also strengthened their close ties by renewing their Agreement of Cooperation, with Lord Robert and Kemper signing the document yesterday (pictured below). The agreement contains reciprocal arrangements, allowing each institution’s members to attend select meetings and participate in the local association activities of the other. Eligible members of ASCE will also be entitled to a discount for ICE Associate Membership (AMICE). Written by Anh Nguyen.
Leading UK manufacturer Kawneer had its full range of architectural glazing systems specified for a stunning residential development at Cardiff marina. The Kawneer systems were selected for Phase One of Bayscape Ltd’s £40 million mixed-use development, which has been shortlisted for an award. “We specified Kawneer because of the need for a high-quality and trusted product. Crisp detailing was important in the overall design concept and aluminium was essential for the marine environment,” said Andrew Baker, Director of Rio, award-winning architects who have used Kawneer systems on numerous projects. The two blocks of luxury apartments – Whitewater House and Waterford House – both used Kawneer’s AA®100 mullion-drained curtain walling with 50mm sightlines, thermally superior AA®720 tilturn and side-hung casement windows, and AA®545 open-out swing doors. Whitewater House, so named because it also overlooks Cardiff International White Water Centre, was first to complete, offering 56 generously-proportioned one, two and three- bedroom apartments including two penthouses. Meanwhile, Bayscape offers a total of 115 apartments, with optional private moorings, across seven and eight-storeys of apartments which are joined by an elevated garden podium. The ground floors feature a coffee shop, waterside bar and restaurant, commercial/retail units and marina management facility. The luxury apartments, which all feature private balconies or terraces, start at £175,000 and range from up to 624 ft2 for a one-bed, 990 ft2 for two bedrooms and 1,119 ft2 for a typical three-bedroom. Residents also benefit from undercroft parking, a concierge service and lift access to all floors. The impressive floor to ceiling double glazing in every apartment ensures they are light and airy and residents can enjoy the stunning views. The Kawneer systems were installed over five months by a team of up to eight operatives from approved dealer Dudley’s Aluminium for main contractor BECT Building Contractors. Dudley’s, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, also worked with Kawneer and BECT on another Cardiff project – One Canal Parade. Bayscape was shortlisted for residential development of the year in the 2018 Wales Insider Property Awards.
The managing contract to complete the troubled Royal Liverpool hospital project has been handed to Laing O’Rourke. Following the collapse of the Carillion, the project stalled, and is now hoped to restart next month. However, the appointment of Laing O’Rourke has raised concerns among the UK construction union Unite. Unite will apply greater pressure to the client, the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University NHS Trust, to establish clear rules that will ensure proper union recognition and fair treatment of the workforce. “Unite is committed to ensuring that the Royal Liverpool hospital is completed as quickly as possible but that must not be at the expense of workers rights or to the detriment of their health and safety,” said Unite regional officer Colin Carr. Unite has already seeked guarantees from Adrian Kehoe, the trust’s chief executive, that the contractors will adhere to national industrial agreements that govern pay and conditions; will use local labour and suppliers; workers are directly employed; exploitative forms of employment, such as umbrella companies, are outlawed; and trade unions are recognised and are given proper access to the workforce. “Providing there is clear leadership from the Trust, Unite looks forward to working together with Laing O’Rourke to ensure that workers are properly treated and the mistakes made on previous hospital contracts in Liverpool are not repeated,” said Colin. “However, given the battle there has been to get the project restarted and for it to become a directly funded public sector project with the cancellation of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI), Unite will not stand idly by and allow construction workers on the Royal Liverpool to be exploited or for unions to be denied access,” he added. The concerns raised by Unite will be discussed at a meeting on Tuesday, the 13th of November, with the project being expected to be completed in 2020.
Scotland’s largest building preservation company, Richardson and Starling, is today announcing its latest expansion with the opening of a new office in Hawick. 5 new posts are being created with the company actively recruiting from the local area. The firm is seeking 4 technicians to join our Property Surveyor who is already in place. The premises in Lochpark Industrial Estate will service Hawick and the Borders and takes the company’s branch network to 14 across Scotland and the North of England. “There is a strong market for our services in the Borders with a high demand to use companies who are locally based,” said Richardson & Starling’s managing director, Graham Duncan. “Our Dumfries office has serviced the area until now but we are keen to work more closely with local suppliers, so setting up an Hawick office was the next obvious step for us.” The latest addition to the firm’s branch network comes after the announcement in August of a new Inverness office where 7 new posts were created. In July, the firm won a national trade body’s UK contractor of the year title for the record third successive year The Cambuslang-headquartered organisation retained the ‘Contractor of the Year, Damp and Timber Treatment’ title at The Property Care Association’s Best Practice Awards held last month at The Slate, University of Warwick. The firm also walked away with the ‘Innovation’ title as well as two highly commended accolades in the ‘Training and Staff Development’ and ‘Sustainability’ categories. Richardson & Starling is the largest company within the Veitchi Group and has been providing preservation services since 1935.
