August 8, 2019

Training to the Top

If you are in the construction industry or if you work in a similar field, you must already know by now that one working at height have risks that workers or maybe even you yourself are not shielded from. In fact, statistics show that in the past year, accidents occurring

Read More »

UK’s First Hydroponic Wall on Its Way

The first hydroponic living wall is set to be installed in the UK, improving air quality on a Southampton highway. National contractor Balfour Beatty Living Places and green infrastructure experts, Biotecture, are working on the project. Hydroponic living walls are sustainable, vertical installations containing living plants and foliage which grow

Read More »

Two Senior Appointments at Cavanna Homes

The South West’s largest independent homebuilder Cavanna Homes has made two key appointments to its senior team, to further support the firm’s ambitious growth plans ahead of its centenary year in 2023.  Paul Furner, Head of Sales and Marketing, brings more than 15 years’ experience in the new home and

Read More »

Latest Issue

BDC 321 : Oct 2024

August 8, 2019

Training to the Top

If you are in the construction industry or if you work in a similar field, you must already know by now that one working at height have risks that workers or maybe even you yourself are not shielded from. In fact, statistics show that in the past year, accidents occurring from falls from working at height is one of the most common workplace accidents that ever occur. What is more unfortunate however is that among all of the other types of workplace accidents such as getting struck by either a moving vehicle or object or machinery, or getting trapped by a collapsed asset, work at height falls actually have the largest percentage of fatalities which makes up 40%. Imagine what a huge percentage fatalities due to fall from heights already contribute to, what more are the non-fatal accidents that still leave the people involved in such accidents in a bad shape? If you find yourself in a similar situation wherein it is inevitable for you to not work from a height, then you could take the necessary precautions to actually avoid such accidents. One of the best ways you could do is to undergo PASMA Training that could eventually be a starting point to other safety training modules as well. Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers’ Association (PASMA) PASMA is the leading training association that focuses and specializes in training modules used primarily for the topic on the safety in use of mobile access towers. It does not only focus on the use of these towers, but their modules also aim to promote how to apply the best practices in the industry to ensure a safe workplace and environment for not only the mobile access tower users, but to everyone involved and on-sit as well. You are guaranteed of industry standard training modules for handling work at height safety precautions because PASMA is made up of expert individuals in their industries. Because work at height laws are already in place, there are a lot of accredited training facilities in the country who give PASMA training for those who want to go into such a profession who uses mobile access towers. Different Kinds of PASMA Training to Cover all Bases There are actually different kinds of PASMA training modules available so that you have all bases cover to ensure that you would be able to lower the risk of getting on-site accidents or even fatalities due to the false use of mobile access towers or improper work from height precautions practiced while working. There is the basic course of PASMA towers for users and you could also get a combined course should you wish. If you are already in the managerial level or if you are an owner of a construction firm, you would also want to have your managers undergo the PASMA towers for managers so that you would have greater guarantees of a safe workplace. There are also certain PASMA tower trainings for low heights such as training modules on stairs and on low level access, and even a PASMA tower with cantilever training course. All of which are as important as the other to have a safe workplace for all. PASMA as the Starting Point PASMA training is actually a pre-requisite to more advanced trainings such as training courses for IPAF operators. Since it is a huge equipment to work with, you should be able to prove that you are competent enough to not only work the equipment, but to work from a height safely more importantly. This holds true most especially for construction workers who need all of the knowledge and sufficient experience so that you would be able to fulfil and perform all duties on-site with ease and with all of the safety precautions in mind. It may be a bit costly but getting the basics solid first especially for your first in line workers is really important to avoid having additional medical or funeral expenses in the future due to unwanted accidents. How Long Does It Actually Take? A PASMA training does not need to take up most of your working time or your employee’s time because it only actually takes one day to complete. The training would include topics ranging from knowing the different components of mobile access towers to assembly, to making sure of its stability, to knowing all of the safety hazards and up to the inspection of the build. There would be hands on practical tests all throughout the training, but to better ensure that each individual are actually able to learn, understand and keep the knowledge, there would also be a written test regarding all of the legalities involved in working at height. Other standards relating to the equipment and even all of the potential hazards on-site and in the workplace brought about mobile access tower would also be included in the test. At the end of the course, a certificate is awarded which will be valid for a period of five years before the need to renew.

Read More »

UK’s First Hydroponic Wall on Its Way

The first hydroponic living wall is set to be installed in the UK, improving air quality on a Southampton highway. National contractor Balfour Beatty Living Places and green infrastructure experts, Biotecture, are working on the project. Hydroponic living walls are sustainable, vertical installations containing living plants and foliage which grow without the need for soil. Offering many benefits to the public and the environment, these green and living structures help to remove air pollutants through the absorption of gases such as Carbon Dioxide, Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide, as well as hazardous particulate matter. This landmark project forms part of the newly reconstructed Millbrook Roundabout which was completed ahead of schedule earlier this year.  Balfour Beatty Living Places will now install the foundations and six-metre-high steel frame, while Biotecture will design and position the hydroponic living wall. Balfour Beatty Living Places Managing Director, Steve Helliwell, said: “We are incredibly proud to be working with Southampton City Council and Biotecture on this flagship project – a first in the UK. This is a project which has the potential to transform the way we sustainably deliver highways schemes across the industry. “Sustainability is at the heart of what we do and in the solutions we provide to our customers. Through this project, we will not only improve air quality for local residents but improve the aesthetic of the roundabout for the travelling public and the wider community in Southampton.” Richard Sabin, Managing Director of Biotecture, added: “Yet to be seen on the UK road network, the Millbrook green columns are evocative of the Via Verde highway pillars in Mexico City, and they’ll help with air pollution reduction. We are very excited to be working on this flagship scheme in Southampton.” The hydroponic living wall is scheduled for completion in autumn 2019.

Read More »

Two Senior Appointments at Cavanna Homes

The South West’s largest independent homebuilder Cavanna Homes has made two key appointments to its senior team, to further support the firm’s ambitious growth plans ahead of its centenary year in 2023.  Paul Furner, Head of Sales and Marketing, brings more than 15 years’ experience in the new home and property sector, and Victoria Potter, Head of HR, joins the firm with a strong background in human resources management and employee professional development.  Paul joins Cavanna Homes from Countrywide Plc, where he managed the new homes division for the South West. He will oversee the sales and marketing teams at the Torquay headquarters and across all development sites to ensure visitors and customers have the best experience possible.  Paul said: “Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases most people are likely to make, so we need to make that experience as informative and as pleasurable as possible. We want our homeowners to be as proud of their new homes as we are!  “This is an exciting time for Cavanna Homes, with the recent opening our stunning new show home at Cavanna @ Wolborough Hill in Newton Abbot and with more developments lined up to open later this year. I’m really pleased to have joined the fantastic team at Cavanna Homes, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into this new challenge supporting the company’s growth plans and encouraging people to come and visit our sites to see our beautiful new homes”.  Victoria Potter, who was previously Head of HR and Training at British Ceramic Tile, will be supporting the company’s 130 employees with a focus on raising awareness of mental health through training programmes.   Victoria added: “Moving into homebuilding has been a big step, but the ethos and goals at Cavanna Homes are inspirational and we have a great team here to deliver them! “My role is all about attracting, training, and retaining the best talent and supporting the business to achieve its goals. I’m looking forward to working with the business managers and employees to continue making this firm a great place to work”. Andy Addison, Operations Director at Cavanna Homes said: “We pride ourselves in having employees who are passionate about what they do, and Victoria and Paul are shining examples of this.  “Cavanna Homes is a long-established company in the South West and has gained a strong reputation for building brilliance. Having a forward-thinking and enthusiastic senior team will support the company’s continued growth and success”.   Cavanna Homes currently has the largest number of live developments to date in its 96-year history, including Newton Abbot, Dawlish, Paignton, Tavistock, Newton Poppleford near Sidmouth, Barnstaple, Stoke Gabriel, and Bodmin, with sites in Holcombe, Wincanton and Exeter set to open later this year. The firm has also welcomed its largest number of apprentices to date as part of its commitment to nurture new talent in the construction sector.

Read More »