The construction industry continues to thrive throughout the world, with the global market expected to grow in value by 85% to 15.5 trillion US dollars by 2030. Yet while the industry flourishes, one of the biggest issues it faces is that of safety in the workplace where the number of
MyJobQuote, a website that allows homeowners to easily source local tradespeople, has received more than 190,000 quotes this year, generating over £220 million worth of jobs for tradespeople. It connects homeowners looking for home improvement projects to qualified, local tradespeople who are right for the job. After the users enter the details
The plans to replace 70 social homes in Kensington and Chelsea with private housing options have been rejected by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Clarion Housing’s project aimed to demolish the William Sutton Estate build to make room for private units for sale. After initially submitting an objection
Suzannah Robin, alcohol and drug safety expert at AlcoDigital, has helped numerous companies to address their alcohol and drugs testing requirements. She explains why implementing testing policies and procedures will help to improve workplace safety. Alcohol and drugs misuse is becoming something of a thorny issue for the UK construction
The Immigration White Paper shows the Government isn’t listening to the business community as it sets out a post-Brexit immigration system that would devastate the construction industry, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Commenting on the Immigration White Paper, published this afternoon, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the
As any principal contractor will know, construction site hoardings are part and parcel of almost any building site in an urban, commercial or residential area. Site hoardings are a legal requirement, protecting the public from any potential harm as a result of proximity to the works taking place, and protecting
The construction industry continues to thrive throughout the world, with the global market expected to grow in value by 85% to 15.5 trillion US dollars by 2030. Yet while the industry flourishes, one of the biggest issues it faces is that of safety in the workplace where the number of injuries and fatalities caused by accidents on worksites continues to cause alarm. In the UK, just over 2.73 million people are employed in construction sector jobs. According to the Health and Safety Executive, there were 196 fatalities in the construction industry in Great Britain in the five years to 2017. Of these, 10% were struck by workers being struck by a moving vehicle. Statistics also showed that of the 5,055 non-fatal accidents during 2016/2017, 13% were struck by moving objects. Research shows that workers in the construction industry are at risk in a number of areas. These include: · Collisions due to rear, front and side blind spots · Collisions due to poor visibility, such as dust, fog, and working at night · Site workers being struck by vehicles and mobile machines · Ear defenders reducing site workers’ ability to hear clearly approaching vehicles · Tonal back-up alarms being ignored by site workers In the high-risk construction industry, organisations have a duty to safeguard their workers. Although many countries are required to comply with their own health and safety standards, organisations are increasingly choosing to invest in enhanced safety systems to protect their workers and keep their reputations intact. Technology innovations On construction sites, the need for safety is paramount, particularly as the slightest mistake can have devastating consequences. The latest innovations in technology mean many of these accidents can be prevented. A range of safety systems are available to assist construction companies in keeping their staff safe. On-board camera systems can help to alert drivers to possible dangers, while reversing and warning alarms alert workers when a vehicle is manoeuvring near them. Brigade’s reversing alarms harness high-spec broadband sound frequency, emitting a wide range of white sound frequencies. These enable workers to locate the direction of the sounds instantly. Rather than the old style ‘beep beep’, Brigade’s bbs-tek® White Sound® reversing alarms create a ‘ssh-ssh’ sound, which dissipates quickly. This means the alarm can only be heard in the danger zone, so there is more chance of alarm-weary workers paying attention. The broadband frequency also gives workers wearing ear protection devices a better chance of hearing the alarm. Sensing risk Blind spots on large worksite vehicles and machinery can be particularly deadly. The front, rear and nearside are problematic areas of vehicles, particularly those with elevated driver positions. Harsh construction site terrains, where thick dust and mud often decrease visibility even more, further increase the risk of accidents. Radar systems, such as Brigade’s latest Backsense® Radar sensor system (BS-8000), alert the operator to potential risks. Backsense® works by emitting a continuous-wave radar that is faster than pulsed-radar products. Some detection systems can produce false alerts, which can lead to frustration for the driver, resulting in genuine alerts being disregarded. Continuous-wave radar protects against false alerts, thanks to the controlled beam pattern, which can be programmed, allowing organisations to fix a bespoke detection area specifically suited to their needs. When a moving or stationary object is detected, the driver is given an in-cab visual display plus an audible warning. Another advantage installing a radar system is that, unlike cameras, they will continue to function at optimum levels even in the harshest of conditions, such as rain, fog and snow. As technology moves forward, systems are being developed to address the need for multiple sensors which have the ability to cover large, complex blind spot areas. Backsense® Network Radar allows organisations to connect and link up to eight sensors. This system provides object detection in CAN (Controller Area Network) gateway to display data on control panels on the vehicle and possible trigger outputs. While it may not be possible to eliminate every element of risk when manoeuvring heavy plant and machinery, radar obstacle detection is a step forward in protecting the lives of vehicle operators and those who work around them.
MyJobQuote, a website that allows homeowners to easily source local tradespeople, has received more than 190,000 quotes this year, generating over £220 million worth of jobs for tradespeople. It connects homeowners looking for home improvement projects to qualified, local tradespeople who are right for the job. After the users enter the details of the job, the platform matches the customer with the right local tradesperson across 32 categories, 200 sub categories and more than 13,000 verified trades, who will then get in touch in order to complete the job. The 32 categories and 200 sub categories include, but are not limited to: bathroom, builders, carpenters & joiners, cleaners, electricians, heating engineers, kitchen, plasterers and plumbers. The platform offers complete transparency and lets homeowners find a tradesman without having to search for hours online and in the telephone book. Once trades are sourced by the site, the user is able to choose the tradesperson that is right for them. Likewise, for tradespeople and businesses, the site allows them to connect with homeowners without the need for any marketing experience. Trades are able to sign up for the site on either a pay-as-you-go basis, or through a subscription. This year alone, over 190,000 quotes have gone through the site, generating more than £220 million worth of jobs for UK-based tradespeople. Since inception, £491 million worth of jobs have been generated through the platform, £220 million of which was generated throughout 2018. “It has always been our aim to offer a service that is both transparent and useful, both for trades and homeowners, and it’s what we have achieved from all of our hard work. We’re delighted to have been able to generate over £220 million worth of jobs for trades, whilst solving so many consumers’ problems,” said Carl Meredith, spokesperson for www.MyJobQuote.co.uk. There are currently more than 13,000 verified trades signed up to the site in total. What’s more, customers are able to submit feedback following a job to help others find the right person for the job, and the average review score given to trades is 4.2/5. The site itself has an average review of ‘excellent’ on trustpilot and reviews.co.uk. Since beginning operations in 2014, MyJobQuote has received more than 471,000 quotes of Britons wanting to find a tradesman for jobs of all sizes within their home and businesses.
The plans to replace 70 social homes in Kensington and Chelsea with private housing options have been rejected by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Clarion Housing’s project aimed to demolish the William Sutton Estate build to make room for private units for sale. After initially submitting an objection to planning application submitted by the Sutton Trust to redevelop the Sutton Estate, GMB has welcomed the planning decision. Warren Kenny, GMB Regional Secretary, said: “GMB is very pleased with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s decision to reject the Clarion Group’s appeal for planning permission for proposals that would have led to the loss of nearly one third of the social housing units on the William Sutton Estate in Chelsea. GMB had branded this development a blatant case of asset stripping. “Clarion must not forget the primary reason of a housing association is to provide low cost housing to those on low incomes or those who need extra support. Nor must it forget that the Sutton Dwellings Trust was founded to provide ‘model low-rented dwellings for occupation by the poor of London and other towns and populous places’. “GMB has consistently supported residents fighting for their voices to be heard on proposals for demolition of their estates. We salute the residents of the Sutton Estate in their fight to retain social housing in Chelsea. We are supporters of Demolition Watch London in its campaign for all residents on estates facing demolition to be balloted on redevelopment plans with no loopholes or exceptions. This is the only way to stop asset stripping and the loss of social housing.” Cllr Ian Henderson, Chair of the Chelsea Association of Tenants and Save The Sutton also commented on the news: “I think this is a great day for the residents of Kensington and Chelsea and for all the other housing battles that are taking place across the country. “London needs homes for Londoners, not investment vehicles for international hedge funds. Social housing tenants across the UK can take heart from this decision. Just because your landlord says it needs to be knocked down, it isn’t necessarily so. We call for a halt to the 10 year managed decline of the estate and for Clarion to meaningfully engage with residents and the council, so we can get people out of temporary accommodation and into a home,” he concluded.
Suzannah Robin, alcohol and drug safety expert at AlcoDigital, has helped numerous companies to address their alcohol and drugs testing requirements. She explains why implementing testing policies and procedures will help to improve workplace safety. Alcohol and drugs misuse is becoming something of a thorny issue for the UK construction sector. For reasons that aren’t fully understood, the industry has been identified as ‘higher risk’ in terms of drug use, and more than a third of construction workers say they have witnessed a colleague under the influence of drugs or alcohol. According to a survey carried out by risk assessors protecting.co.uk on employees from a range of sectors, nearly a third admitted to using drugs at work. A significant number claimed to be ‘under the influence’ every working day. In fact, many of those admitting to taking drugs were using cannabis or other illegal narcotics. Despite the availability and increasing use of screening tests, around 65% of workers say they have never been tested, while a quarter said they had been tired at work because of the effects of drugs or alcohol. Construction is the most dangerous industry to work within in the UK. There were 38 fatalities in the past year, according to provisional figures issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Falls from a height were the most common cause of death, followed by being struck by moving vehicles or objects. In terms of non-fatal injuries, there are 58,000 incidents each year, and there are 82,000 work-related ill-health cases. Of these ill-health cases, 62% were caused by musculoskeletal disorders and 25% were caused by stress, depression and anxiety. This is significant as these conditions have been linked with the use of drugs and alcohol. While there is no data available to establish if any of these incidents were related to drugs or alcohol, it seems likely that they may have played a part in a proportion of cases. Screening and the law So what is the law for workplace testing in construction? Testing is legislated for in certain sectors, such as the aviation, rail and shipping industries. But while most larger companies now have a policy in place to deal with drug and alcohol misuse in the workplace, the construction industry is not legally required to enforce testing. However, employers do have a duty of care to maintain a safe working environment under the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act. If methods for detecting misuse are not implemented and an accident occurs, employers could face hefty fines or even be prosecuted. In the high-risk construction industry, it’s therefore vital that a robust policy is introduced. Evidential tests For high associated risk industries, it’s recommended that drugs and alcohol testing is carried out on a regular basis. For alcohol testing, a range of professional police-grade breathalysers are available for screening workers, such as AlcoDigital’s AlcoSaber (£295 + VAT), that will provide quick, accurate and instantaneous results. Alcohol interlocks are also available, which prevent equipment or machinery from starting until a negative breath test has been given. For many years, urine tests have been used as a reliable and cost-effective form of drug testing, providing instant results. This is useful for random testing and can serve as a deterrent to employees. However, urine tests often fail to reveal if an individual has consumed drugs in the last two hours. Blood testing is the most accurate method of establishing what drugs are in a person’s system – but the medical training and laboratory analysis required mean it’s impractical for regular testing policy. Hair testing can provide historical data of what drugs a person has used – but not from the most recent few weeks. For this reason, oral fluid collection has been established as the most practical method for drug-testing. With a far simpler collection process and a window of detection that mimics that of blood testing, this is the method of choice for UK Police roadside testing. Action is needed Over the last decade, huge progress has been made in terms of tackling illegal drug use and alcohol abuse in the workplace. Now it’s time for the construction industry to address the issues head-on and direct their attention towards putting in place policies and practices to make drug and alcohol screening compulsory across the industry.
The Immigration White Paper shows the Government isn’t listening to the business community as it sets out a post-Brexit immigration system that would devastate the construction industry, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Commenting on the Immigration White Paper, published this afternoon, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The Government seems hell-bent on ignoring the business community when it comes to its immigration policy, as demonstrated by this disastrous White Paper. Despite more than two years of constructive engagement, what has been proposed by Ministers takes on none of our feedback. If the Government wants to jeopardise the UK economy for the sake of meeting an arbitrary immigration target, it’s going the right way about it.” Berry continued: “What’s particularly worrying is the Government’s obsession with salary thresholds for migrant workers entering the UK. The figure of £30,000 was floated in the Migration Advisory Committee report and was met by fierce opposition from almost all sectors. It makes no sense to draw meaningless lines in the sand when we should base our immigration policy on what will make our economy strong and productive. The White Paper also states categorically that it will make no allowances for so-called low skilled workers. This is wrong on two levels – firstly, the definition of low skilled will cover most construction tradespeople and secondly, genuinely low skilled workers, such as labourers, are essential to the safe and smooth running of any construction site.” Berry concluded: “12-month work visas for occupations in short supply during the transition period simply won’t cut it. Small and medium-sized construction firms, which make up 99 percent of the industry, do not advertise for roles internationally. Also, from a migrant worker’s perspective, why go to the UK for just 12 months when they can settle in other countries for much longer and put down roots if they wish. If the 12-month work visa idea was supposed to be an olive branch to the business community, it leaves much to be desired. The Government describes the construction and house building sectors as strategic and central to delivering its own aims. However, the plans set out today would make it impossible to meet the Government’s house building targets and the world-class infrastructure projects we have in the pipeline will be nothing but a pipedream.”
As any principal contractor will know, construction site hoardings are part and parcel of almost any building site in an urban, commercial or residential area. Site hoardings are a legal requirement, protecting the public from any potential harm as a result of proximity to the works taking place, and protecting construction works and staff from any unwanted interference – such as damage or theft – from the general public. But hoardings offer a lot more than that, and are in fact one of the most valuable pieces of marketing collateral for a construction business or other parties involved in a development. By contacting a print supplier, and investing in a series of printed hoarding graphics, contractors & construction companies can transform the impact their sites can have on their business. Site hoardings are essentially a large blank canvas, and while it’s usually not an obligation, hoarding graphics should be on the list of considerations with any project, for all kinds of reasons. Here are some of the most important factors at play, and why hoarding graphics should be a part of every construction site: Blank hoardings are an unsightly wasted opportunity Blank hoardings, with no graphics installed, are fundamentally unattractive. Built usually from wood or metal, these structures are an imposition on the local community – simply put, when left blank they look fairly ugly. Considering that these installations are a legal requirement, coupled with the fact that visually-appealing dressed hoardings are also now a fairly common sight, there’s also an argument to say that plain hoardings can suggest a lack of care, funds, or pride in a project. People have become used to seeing hoarding graphics, and a scratched, dusty wall of wood in their local community can leave a bad impression. There’s also the fact that when no graphics are installed, a blank hoarding is simply a wasted opportunity. Hoarding graphics can add all kinds of value to a project and to the businesses involved (both those working on the construction, and those involved in the project in a more commercial sense) – and failing to address this fact can mean a missed opportunity for advertising, revenue, community engagement and more. Hoarding graphics can reduce levels of graffiti While it would be naive to suggest that a hoarding with a set of graphics installed is immune to the spray-paint creativity of vigilante urban artists, there are few things more tempting to those with a penchant for graffiti than a big, blank block of wood. Tagged’ hoardings, laden with graffiti, are unfortunately a fairly common site in inner-city and even rural projects; this can be a problematic and frustrating financial and practical burden for those tasked with its removal – a duty which often falls on whoever is responsible for the hoardings themselves, which often means the contractors. The removal of graffiti can be costly and problematic, and while hoarding graphics don’t negate the potential for graffiti, they can make its removal a lot simpler – and they tend to receive less vandalisation simply due to the fact that they’re already covered in artwork or other visual material. The existence of anti-graffiti laminate also doesn’t hurt! Hoarding Graphics are one of the best sources of out-of-home advertising Out of home advertising is a lucrative, competitive industry. Purchasing space on billboards, busses, benches, and other prominent locations in the public eye can be costly, due to the highly sought-after nature of marketing your business or product in front of a large number of people. These kinds of out of home platforms are usually owned or managed through an external company, and due to their finite number, aren’t always hugely flexible in their availability. Construction hoardings, on the other hand, present a transient but lucrative opportunity for some guerilla marketing. The principal contractor for a site, or those responsible for the installation of a set of hoardings, usually have autonomy of what – if any – graphics are installed on them, which means you potentially have final say over how these structures get used. This in turn means you have free reign to take advantage of this, and market your business in a large, highly visible format. There are countless ways that graphics can be used as marketing collateral. From simply displaying the logo, name, address, website and phone number of a business, to demonstrating a bit of creative advertising flair with some unusual or eye-catching artwork, hoarding graphics have near infinite potential when it comes to publicity. They are also often seen by a large number of people, for the entire duration of a project (which can sometimes last for many months), particularly in areas of high foot traffic such as city centres or similar urban hotspots. Hoardings can act as a source or revenue On occasion, it can also be possible to take on the role of the outdoor advertising provider yourself. With hoardings in place, if you have no desire (or budget) to use the panels as advertising boards, then it can be possible to offer them up to businesses keen to market themselves this way. This will depend on the arrangements the various parties involved with the budgeting of the campaign have with one another, and it will be important to ascertain whether everyone is alright with this. The priority should remain with the businesses directly involved, but provided local council requirements are met and all parties accept, it could be possible to rent the hoardings out and gain some additional revenue for the project’s duration. It will be important to consult with the relevant print supplier about the cost of the production and installation of the hoarding graphics, as this will dictate your own budgeting. Details of the hoarding, including its length, and the height and width of the panels will need to be considered. Promote community engagement A common hurdle for the businesses involved in the management and organisation of a construction project is the imposition the work can
