The total cost of construction injuries was up 34% in 2020, costing the injured employee more than the business or government combined Injuries and ill-health in the UK construction industry are now costing upwards of £16.2 billion, new data has revealed. Around 20% (£3.16 billion) of that cost was incurred
Comfortable, welcoming homes now available to rent in Wembley Park Stylish John Lewis & Partners furnishings deliver a timeless, classic look Park aspect and on-site amenities complete Madison’s appeal Quintain Living – the award-winning management company overseeing the rental of more than 3,250 apartments in Wembley Park – has launched
A North East construction and regeneration specialist is starting work on a supported housing village in Redcar. Vistry Partnerships North East has secured planning consent and agreed contracts for the 75 homes, which will be constructed for Beyond Housing, within the development at Kirkleatham Green. The homes have been specially
First UK building to achieve three stars under this scorecard 106,000 sq. ft workspace in Hammersmith Capacity for 1500 occupants The Metro Building, in London’s Hammersmith, is the first UK building to be awarded a three-star Fitwel certification, under the Built Certified Multi-Tenant Base Building (v2.1) scorecard. Managed by Workman
The total cost of construction injuries was up 34% in 2020, costing the injured employee more than the business or government combined Injuries and ill-health in the UK construction industry are now costing upwards of £16.2 billion, new data has revealed. Around 20% (£3.16 billion) of that cost was incurred by employers and 22% (£3.5 billion) by the government. Yet the majority of these costs (59% or £9.56 billion) fall upon the injured and ill individuals themselves. The data also suggests that many people are going into work when sick or injured. Between 2017/18 and 2019/20, there was a 12% decrease in working days lost through work-related injury or illness. The figure dropped to 2.1 million, from 2.4 million between 2015/16 and 2017/18. The findings, collated by specialist providers of plant hire in London, Herts Tools, used construction statistics from Health and Safety Executive reports from 2018 to 2021. The analysis demonstrates the impact of accidents in the construction industry and how workers and workplaces are being affected. Continuing to work through illness or injury can have severe, long-term consequences for physical and mental health. Physical injuries might be aggravated by carrying on with regular duties – especially if manual labour is required – causing further absences in the future. Construction site injuries are growing in number, but both prohibition and improvement notices are becoming less common. When compared to 2017/18, 61% fewer prohibition notices were issued in 2020/21, and improvement notices were down 54% over the same timeframe. In addition, there were 63% fewer prosecutions, giving those who suffer accidents little hope of achieving justice. Stefano Lobban, director at Herts Tools, says: “Although there will always be accidents in the construction industry, we can never stop trying to reduce them. These latest findings show just how far we have to go, with the cost of workplace injuries rising relentlessly, despite the UK having some of the most thorough health and safety regulations anywhere. “Training is key to protecting workers, whether it’s highlighting dangers or teaching workers to make their own risk assessments on site. Then there’s ensuring workers have all the PPE they need, such as helmets, safety goggles and slip-resistant footwear. Workers should also be encouraged to be honest about their health and not risk their future wellbeing by working on through injury or illness. “I hope these findings act as a wake-up call to the industry and we’ll see a reduction in incident numbers next year.” Phil Beaumont, Health and safety consultant, says: “First and foremost, it’s important for sites and companies to implement rules, procedures and policies that people can easily follow to stay safe at work. Minimising future accidents also depends upon keeping a record of incidents and continuously assessing what went right, what went wrong, what was irrelevant and what more could have been done previously. “If a company reports an accident at work concerning one of its workers – depending on the severity of the accident and cause – they should carry out a thorough risk assessment for the returning person. This ensures they’re capable of doing the tasks they’re assigned and won’t aggravate their recovery. This should also include manual handling and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessments. “It’s also worth looking at a buddy system, temporary assignments, reduced hours or planning a stepped return to work for the injured party.” How can companies prevent accidents on construction sites? Provide training and plan all work at height properly Use the correct equipment and regularly check it to prevent falls Avoid slips and trips by keeping floors clean, dry, well-lit and free of obstacles Clear up spillages quickly, deep cleaning after working hours Install safety guards on machinery and provide safety goggles Store heavy objects close to the ground, fit debris nets and outlaw throwing tools
Comfortable, welcoming homes now available to rent in Wembley Park Stylish John Lewis & Partners furnishings deliver a timeless, classic look Park aspect and on-site amenities complete Madison’s appeal Quintain Living – the award-winning management company overseeing the rental of more than 3,250 apartments in Wembley Park – has launched 381 new homes at its latest building, Madison. The mid-century modern inspired apartments deliver a stylish, uncluttered vibe that feels sophisticated and simple. They bring to mind the elegance of 1950s/60s New York – the era so delightfully captured by hit TV show Mad Men, which was influential in the design of the apartments’ interiors. Furnished by John Lewis & Partners, Madison’s apartments have a timeless, classic feel, with plenty of natural materials. Cool, calming tones of rich cream and pale green are counterbalanced by darker shades of brown or grey and warm orange. Retro-influenced sofas come with heavily textured grey fabrics and wooden legs, with dark-toned woods featuring heavily in dining table chairs, accent chairs with dark green or navy plush fabric seats and backs, consoles and more. Harlequin rugs and cushions add warmth and contrast. “Madison is inspired by modern mid-century design with a laid back and mature feel, the curated furniture selection reflects this. You’ll find deep wood tones, sleek lines and vintage inspired bespoke artwork, when brought together they achieve a classic timeless look.”Joseph Bradley, Spokesperson, John Lewis & Partners The furnishings are all about sleek lines and luxury fabrics, with pieces chosen to suit the apartments’ two-colour palette options. In the bedrooms, a mix of a blend of upholstered, rattan and metal beds change up the look of each bedroom and continue the mid-century elegance that flows throughout the homes. Madison’s apartments feature artworks inspired by the mid-century modern feel, some of which were painted by local artist Laura Ashby, who has been a Quintain Living resident since 2017. Laura worked together with John Lewis & Partners and their supply chain to produce bespoke artwork prints for Madison. Residents can choose between the light and dark colour palettes, a fresh light palette that incorporates greys and greens and an elegant dark one that’s all about dark wood tones and classic curves. The light palette features light sage and beige tones, with light blue tiled bathrooms, light brown wardrobe doors and worn ash effect wood flooring. The dark palette features rich blues and browns with dark blue tiled bathrooms, rustic barn wood effect flooring and dark brown wardrobe doors. The result is apartments that feel warm and inviting – these are homes to relax and unwind in, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of London. Large windows fill the apartments with light and make the most of the exceptional views over the leafy Union Park – one of London’s first new large public parks in decades. All apartments have been designed around contemporary life. They include 36 adaptable apartments for wheelchair users and disabled residents, while all two-bedroom apartments have two bathrooms, making them ideal for sharers. “Each of our Wembley Park buildings has its own distinctive character and that’s certainly the case at Madison. The apartments offer a sophisticated, calming home – a haven for residents to retreat from the world and take time to focus on family life or winding down from work.”Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living In addition to the stylish apartments, Madison provides a range of on-site amenities. There’s a super-gym at ground level while the podium garden features a children’s play area and a dog park, as well as pretty, geometric gardens with three rentable BBQs for residents’ use. Carefully considered planting has ensured maximum appeal to bees and other pollinators and insects, delivering a sense of richness and maturity across the setting. Madison residents also enjoy use of a rooftop-level loft, with comfy seating and a kitchenette that’s ideal for social gatherings. There’s also another large lounge for relaxing and socialising in, while the private work-from-home area provides desks for peace and focus. “From the individual apartments to the social spaces, Madison has a very calm, serene air about it. It’s both comfortable and practical, while also being stylish – an appealing combination for somewhere to call home. We’re delighted to be launching these new homes in Wembley Park, where they are positioned to get the best out of the neighbourhood, as well as being a quick six-minutes from the Tube which provides access to Central London within 12 minutes.”Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living Located on the doorstep of Wembley Stadium, and close to the OVO Arena Wembley and London’s largest BOXPARK, Madison is ideal for renters who want to have everything on hand but also enjoy their own calm space in the midst of all the action.Homes at Madison will be available for occupancy from the end of April 2022. For more information on Quintain Living or to book a viewing, visit www.quintainliving.com, @quintainliving on Instagram or call 020 3151 1927.
A North East construction and regeneration specialist is starting work on a supported housing village in Redcar. Vistry Partnerships North East has secured planning consent and agreed contracts for the 75 homes, which will be constructed for Beyond Housing, within the development at Kirkleatham Green. The homes have been specially designed for customers with a wide range of support needs, including adults over 55, residents with accessibility requirements and others with learning disabilities. They will include 31 two bedroomed and 14 one bedroomed apartments, six wheelchair accessible two bedroomed bungalows, 12 single bedroomed quarter houses and 12 two bedroomed flats. The aim is to enable people to live independently for longer, by providing appropriate housing, communal facilities and outdoor spaces – with flexible levels of support and care assistance where required. The homes have been designed to be extremely energy efficient, reducing carbon emissions – when compared to a traditional residential unit with a combi gas boiler – by 50%. This has been achieved by the inclusion of Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery, which reclaims heat from extracted air to pre-heat the incoming fresh air, minimum heat loss insulation and Air Source Heat Pump hot water cylinders. The project will bring Vistry Partnerships North East’s recent investment in Teesside to £198 million. Current projects include mixed tenure developments at Bracken Grange, in Middlesbrough – 350 homes – and Kirkleatham Green, Redcar – 375 homes – next to which, the supported housing village will be constructed, and a detailed planning application has been lodged for 385 homes at Summerville Farm, Stockton. Andrew Rennie, Development Director at Vistry Partnerships North East, said: “Our Kirkleatham Green development offers a unique and innovative solution to the housing challenge on Teesside, delivering housing options for all. “Whether people are looking to buy outright, to rent privately or to access supported housing options – such as affordable rent or shared ownership through a registered provider – there have been homes available at Kirkleatham Green. Now, following this planning consent, an additional housing offer is to be added to what is already an inclusive project, furthering our goal to create homes that meet almost every kind of need in the wide and diverse community.” “We share Homes England’s ambition to deliver high quality, large scale housing at pace – whilst also providing jobs and training opportunities which boost local economies. We want to create communities in which people choose to live and work and homes in which they can take pride.” Clare Harrigan, Director of Development at Beyond Housing, said “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Vistry on this high-profile scheme which will deliver vital affordable homes with support in Redcar. “At Beyond Housing, we are committed to delivering high quality homes which meet a range of housing choices for our customers and contribute to the prosperity and regeneration of the local communities.” Vistry Partnerships North East is active on 12 construction sites around the region with a gross development value of just under £350 million and has a further four proposed projects currently in the planning process.
First UK building to achieve three stars under this scorecard 106,000 sq. ft workspace in Hammersmith Capacity for 1500 occupants The Metro Building, in London’s Hammersmith, is the first UK building to be awarded a three-star Fitwel certification, under the Built Certified Multi-Tenant Base Building (v2.1) scorecard. Managed by Workman on behalf of global real assets investor PATRIZIA, Metro now joins properties from around the world accredited by Fitwel, a certification system embraced by developers and workplace strategists as part of the growing trend towards healthier workplaces. As the UK’s leading implementer of Fitwel, Workman has achieved certification for almost 2 million sq. ft of retail, office, and business assets – the most completed Fitwel certifications in the UK and Europe. Metro’s 3-star Fitwel Certification demonstrates the collaboration of a proactive Workman onsite team, led by building manager Nicola Price and property manager Suky Atwal, along with PATRIZIA and sustainability consultancy Evora. This achievement showcases the Workman commitment to optimising buildings for health, using evidence-based strategies. The Fitwel standard provides a blueprint for making positive changes that are scientifically proven to enhance wellbeing and occupier health. Using an evidence-based scorecard system, Fitwel certifies the wellness credentials of buildings and their surroundings. Through the six-month Fitwel process, Metro benchmarked its health and wellbeing performance before developing strategies to improve it. The Metro Building scored particularly highly in areas including: The implementation of an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) policy. Provision of lactation room, a facility for nursing mothers. Access to a fruit or vegetable garden. Policies encouraging the use of stairwells over lifts. Amenities such as fitness and gym rooms. Nicola Price, Workman’s Building Manager at Metro, said: “Occupiers at the Metro building are engaged in the concept of healthy buildings, and we care about their wellbeing. Our landscaping project includes seasonal planting for occupiers to get involved with growing and harvesting. The introduction of initiatives such as IAQ testing has made a real difference to how our occupiers feel, and in turn this has motivated the onsite team, who have seen the benefits of Fitwel accreditation.” Charlotte Ross, ESG Manager and Fitwel Ambassador at Workman, said: “Across our managed properties and the wider industry, there is an increased focus on occupier health and wellbeing. For us, it was not only important to gain the Fitwel certification for Metro, but also to use the strategies to make sure we are managing the building with health and wellbeing in mind.” Jennie Brown, Associate, Asset Management at PATRIZIA, said: “Fitwel’s world-leading certification is testament to our strategy of improving occupier wellbeing by using best-in-class design to create healthy buildings for a strong community. Our focus on both mental and physical health, for example creating a new outdoor landscaped area, as well as a lactation room, were positively welcomed by our occupiers.”
