The developer of a £50m property scheme in the centre of Derby has appointed an East Midlands construction specialist to deliver the project over two years. Elevate Property Group, which is responsible for the iconic Trent Bridge Quays development in Nottingham, has selected Bode Contracting to build the 258 apartments
The design of commercial buildings and interiors is constantly evolving as business owners focus on increasing resilience, productivity and efficiency in 2023. With the rise in building material costs, disruption in supply chains and strain on cash flow from the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, alongside increased interest in sustainability, many
In celebration of National Career’s Week, Prologis UK invited students to The Hub at DIRFT in Daventry, a purpose-built centre for logistics training & education. On Thursday 9 March, over 100 students were given the chance to learn about the variety of jobs and opportunities within the logistics sector. The students,
Mason UK meets stringent specification with proactive engineering Park Modern is a residential development with luxury apartments, exceptional facilities, and views across Hyde Park. Due to the proximity of the structure to the London Underground, extensive vibration control was required. This article describes how vibration control specialist Mason UK tackled
Different ages of the UK’s built heritage are frequently most recognisable from their fenestration patterns as by their roof structure or choice of walling materials – making decisions regarding the windows replacement or conservation critical to the overall success of any redevelopment. So it is that London-based Associated Steel Window
Using its unique RoofBloxx blue roof attenuation system, ACO Building Drainage has combined with Aquality to retrofit a blue roof on an extended building in the middle of London where it was initially thought not possible. Featuring a cobbled walkway and a grand archway and combined with its status as
Get ready to be blown away because Shell has just reported its highest profits in 115 years. That’s right, the oil giant is breaking records and shaking up the industry with impressive financial performance. Record Annual Profits Shell’s Yearly Earnings Hit a New Record During the fiscal year 2022, Shell
Worker safety is a crucial concern in oil fields, which are dangerous environments with a high risk of accidents and injuries. Creating a safe environment for your workers must be a priority, with the lurking danger of potential explosions, fires, and toxic gas leaks. Accidents incurred while working in a
The developer of a £50m property scheme in the centre of Derby has appointed an East Midlands construction specialist to deliver the project over two years. Elevate Property Group, which is responsible for the iconic Trent Bridge Quays development in Nottingham, has selected Bode Contracting to build the 258 apartments that will offer high quality, affordable city centre living for young professionals, couples, and downsizers. Phase 1 of The Silk Yard will provide 94 apartments on the corner of John Street and Castleward Boulevard, with the second release set to include 164 properties in a five and seven-storey building on the adjacent site. Buyers and investors will be able to choose from one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as studio-style apartments across the 1.55-acre site that was once an historic manufacturing sawmill. Steve Dodd, managing director of Elevate Property Group, commented: “We have built a very strong partnership with Bode Contracting. They have just finished The Priory House Development for us in Birmingham and are currently working on the second phase of our Trent Bridge Quays development in Nottingham. “The company have always impressed us with the quality of their build and ability to meet deadlines, especially with the well documented supply chain disruption we’ve seen in construction in recent years.” He continued: “Bode are also working with us to ensure that sustainable construction techniques are used in what will be one of the highest-profiles schemes Derby has seen since lockdown eased.” The Silk Yard, which has been designed by architects Corstorphine & Wright, is the first time Elevate Property Group has developed in Derby and continues the firm’s desire to bring historic city centre sites back to life through high quality residential developments. Bode Contracting will start work this month and the construction of the three apartment blocks will take two years to complete. The 258 new homes will be ideally located between the city centre and the railway station, contributing a valuable new source of quality housing in central Derby for first-time buyers, downsizers, investors, and professionals commuting by rail. Dan Bodell, managing director of Leicestershire-based Bode Contracting, went on to add: “This is our fourth appointment by Elevate Property Group in the last two years and underlines the strength of the relationship and the fact we share the same passion and values of high-quality construction, regeneration and best practice.” He concluded: “The Silk Yard is a very ambitious project and will unlock a vital site that will support Derby’s desire to regenerate this area and attract new people and businesses into the city.” Elevate Property Group’s development footprint in the East Midlands continues to grow, with Phase 1 of its Trent Bridge Quays project almost sold out and Phase 2 well underway and selling fast. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The design of commercial buildings and interiors is constantly evolving as business owners focus on increasing resilience, productivity and efficiency in 2023. With the rise in building material costs, disruption in supply chains and strain on cash flow from the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, alongside increased interest in sustainability, many architects and designers will be looking for new trends in building design. With this in mind, UK’s leading structural glass manufacturer, Specialist Glass Products, has worked with reputable experts to predict the most popular commercial design trends for 2023 and beyond. 1. Break-out areas Over the past several years, commercial spaces have moved away from segmented and boxy layouts in favour of more open and inclusive spaces, especially following social distancing and restrictions during the pandemic. Open-plan spaces also allow more natural light to flow, which is known to boost productivity and well-being alone. Sarah Rose Haigh, Head of Design at Opus 4, said, “We expect to see more requests for dedicated breakout spaces throughout workplaces where employees can engage and interact with each other more freely. More areas will focus on rejuvenation and provide a safe space that allows people to relax and recharge in line with well-being objectives. “Employees are the best asset for any business, and a happy and positive work environment will encourage productivity and staff retention.” 2. Sustainability and minimising waste Sustainability and reducing carbon emissions are at the forefront of many business objectives and are essential when considering future commercial redesigns. When thinking about designing commercial spaces, it is important to consider the types of products used and minimise waste levels. Federica Pisacane, Junior Project Manager at Agilite Solutions, says, “It’s all about reusing materials and avoiding ‘useless’ waste. Ask subcontractors not to throw away materials that can still be used, particularly small items such as screws and bolts, which are often deemed ‘waste’ even when in perfect condition.” Following the inflation of energy prices, businesses are also looking for ways to reduce their use of gas and electricity. As a result, eco-friendly features such as recycled materials, energy-efficient windows, daylighting and solar energy are showing up more and more in commercial buildings. 3. Structural glass features More architects and designers are using glass partitioning to create adaptable, multifunctional spaces that can enhance a building’s natural light. Frameless glass systems are also becoming a popular request which can extend working areas on fine days but remains closed when needed allowing extra ventilation to enter the space while preserving privacy on bad weather days. Managing director of Specialist Glass Products, Andrew Taylor, explained, “Many businesses and organisations are opting to install structural glass not only for its sleek look and versatility but also for many physical and environmental benefits. Not only is glass environmentally friendly and recyclable, but it also uses less energy than other materials. Glass products are made from abundant raw materials, so the production process requires lower temperatures which saves on energy usage.” “Many architects and designers are opting for energy-efficient glass that can help reduce annual energy costs and reduce carbon footprint too. Energy-efficient glass can be very effective at keeping the heat in winter, and it can do quite the opposite in the hot summer months, which can help businesses keep energy costs down.” 4. Technology integration The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the benefits of technology when it comes to working from home – many organisations have turned to its use for more flexible and remote work. However, this experience also revealed some issues surrounding productivity, work-life balance, workforce engagement and well-being, which must be considered when introducing new technology into the workplace. Mara Rypacek Miller, Managing Director at Industville Ltd, advised, “In 2023 and beyond, we will see office spaces adapt to support the emerging needs of flexible working, and as such, modern office spaces need to consider areas for video conference meetings with excellent audio and visual access to ensure staff stay connected whether they are at working remotely, in the office or even meeting with clients on another continent. “Smart tech is constantly evolving and moving at a fast pace. Not so long-ago technology was used for simply switching lights on and off in a meeting room, but now offices are accustomed to smart tech devices that know the occupancy of the room and adapt accordingly. With the rate of how quickly new technologies come into play, I think it’s safe to say that Artificial Intelligence Tech will be the next big thing.” 5. More outdoor space Over the years, employee well-being has expanded beyond physical well-being to focus on building a culture of holistic well-being, including physical, emotional, financial, social, career, community, and purpose. The growing need for flexibility in where, when, and how employees work is at the heart of this. Moving forward, we expect to see more workplaces creating outdoor space to reduce stress, attract great talent, be more sustainable, and, most importantly, create happy and engaged employees. Consultant Psychologist Dr Sarah Bishop says, “Pods, pavilions and outdoor amphitheatres make excellent outdoor areas for meetings, presentations, and team-building activities. Break times could be optimised with outdoor seating areas using picnic tables, food trucks or outdoor kitchens. Incorporating green spaces by adding landscaped areas, gardens, and green roofs to the workplace would also provide a connection to nature and improve the environment.” Andrew summarises, “The pandemic had already made people realise that mediocre is not enough anymore. Employees do not want to turn up to work in boring buildings and organisations that don’t care about the people within them. “Instead, commercial architecture and design need to prioritise the connection and shared values between people, whether that’s simply incorporating open spaces, focusing on employee wellbeing or sharing sustainable beliefs.” For more information, please visit: https://www.specialistglass.co.uk/commercial-design-trends-for-2023/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In celebration of National Career’s Week, Prologis UK invited students to The Hub at DIRFT in Daventry, a purpose-built centre for logistics training & education. On Thursday 9 March, over 100 students were given the chance to learn about the variety of jobs and opportunities within the logistics sector. The students, aged from 11 to 14, were invited from six Northamptonshire schools to participate in a variety of activities throughout the day. The activities were specifically designed so they could learn more about the career opportunities the sector has to offer, especially in the East Midlands, where logistics companies are a key employer. To broaden their knowledge, children were taken through different learning experiences on topics such as technology and automation, as well as being given the opportunity to tour warehouse facilities at GXO Clipper, a construction site being managed by Winvic and a rail terminal operation run by Malcolm Rail. Other activities included a speed networking event with a range of logistics operators including DHL, Culina, Europa and Kinaxia, and industry bodies, such as the UK Warehousing Association and Generation Logistics, where they were given the chance to talk to a wide range of people currently working in logistics. Robin Woodbridge, Head of Capital Deployment & Leasing, Prologis UK, said: “Changing the perceptions about the logistics industry and what it’s like to work in warehouses is crucial. We’re always proud to be able to teach and inspire young people and show them the exciting opportunities that the sector offers – these days it’s more about coding and programming skills than the more basic tasks people associate with the industry. As well as being a fun day with the chance to look around some of the huge operations here at DIRFT, we hope our event gave the children some practical knowledge about how important logistics is and the careers it offers.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mason UK meets stringent specification with proactive engineering Park Modern is a residential development with luxury apartments, exceptional facilities, and views across Hyde Park. Due to the proximity of the structure to the London Underground, extensive vibration control was required. This article describes how vibration control specialist Mason UK tackled these challenges and delivered a challenging specification. Park Modern includes 57 high-end apartments, with prices for these apartments ranging from £2 million for a one bedroom to £60 million for a striking nine-bedroom penthouse. The development also includes a wellbeing floor, with a residents-only spa, treatment rooms and private healthcare, a 25-metre swimming pool, a gymnasium, and a 16-seat cinema that residents can reserve for private use. For contractor Ant Yapi, this was their sixth project in the UK and their largest to date. The building rises nine levels above the ground with the majority of apartments overlooking Hyde Park. The design and building project required extensive ground retaining structures in close proximity to the London Underground Central Line to support the open excavation to 20 metres below ground level for the lowermost basement level. In addition to the facilities listed above, such as the swimming pool and gymnasium, the basement levels also contain plant areas. Enter Hoare Lea With the London Underground Central Line so close to the basement, vibration from the tube would be easily transmitted into the building’s structure, causing unacceptable noise within. Martin McNulty, a vibration consultant with Hoare Lea, provided the specification to guide the contractor and meet the client’s requirements. In addition to comprehensive site surveys, Hoare Lea carried out a number of computer simulations to predict the vibration levels at the basement level and throughout the development. The results confirmed high levels of vibration would be present in the primary structure. McNulty recalled that ‘‘a view was taken to ensure a premium-quality approach throughout all noise sensitive spaces, including the basements. In this scheme, sensitive spaces were not confined to above ground residential spaces, as is common, but also below ground in amenity and health care zones. This presented a challenge, as a one size fits all approach for building with significant basement zones is difficult.’’ Ultimately, this required a two-stage approach, controlling both groundborne vibration, comprising building isolation to mitigate dwellings at Level 1 and above, and a box-in-box strategy for the floors below. Box-in-box solutions would be required at all basement floors down to the lowest floor of development. Further, the client’s aspiration was that certain noise-sensitive spaces below ground were subject to the same performance standards as those above ground. This was particularly challenging as proximity to the tube tunnels meant vibration levels below ground were far in excess to those which would be above ground. ‘‘To meet this challenge, we developed a high performing box in box system and also insisted upon the contractor testing at key points throughout construction to ensure the designs were optimal. This also had the added benefit of permitting some value engineering opportunities to benefit the client,’’ explained McNulty. To deliver the specification, Ant Yapi turned to vibration control specialists Mason UK. ‘‘We needed Mason both for the structural isolation of the entire building, and for box-in-box isolation at the basement level,’’ explained Baris Bayraktar, Construction Manager at Ant Yapi. Ant Yapi also brought on board another acoustic consultant, Cahill Design Consultants (CDC), to ensure that Hoare Lea’s recommendations were implemented on site. The isolation line As depicted in Figure 1, the isolation line for the project ran horizontally across level one, while dipping down the two elevator cores to the bottom of the basement (B3). This is standard when providing structural isolation for a building with elevators, as cutting through building cores or reacting ground bearing pressures compromises acoustic performance. This method meant the elevator cores at the bottom of B3, along with the entire building from level one upwards, were isolated on a system of 8Hz rubber bearings. ‘‘I had previously been involved in projects where bearings were used for seismic activity, so I was familiar with the theory. However, this was the first time I had worked on a project where they were required for acoustics,’’ recalled Bayraktyar. In total there were approximately 350 vertical load bearings, ranging in size from 130x130x95mm thick to 460x460x95mm thick to suit the various loads. The implementation of this design interrupted the vibration transmission path from that generated by tube trains into the building’s structure, where it could manifest as noise disturbance in the apartments above. However, with the bearings in place there was a need to provide lateral restraint. Columns and building cores provide extensive lateral restraint and prevent a building swaying under wind loading. However, measures have to be implemented, both to provide lateral restraint but also to ensure that the acoustic performance of the bearings is not compromised. For this project, this was achieved through the use of a system of shear pins. These are simple, inexpensive and acoustically excellent as they do not engage unless wind loads are present. Furthermore, the introduction of bearings required working closely with the structural engineers at AKT. Adding bearings to a building effectively introduces movable connections which would otherwise be rigid. It was essential that Mason provided preliminary bearing designs well before ground was broken to AKT so the structural model could be updated, and loads redistributed. Charlie Ashton, a structural engineer with AKT, described a ‘‘long winded, iterative approach,’’ involving lots of coordination between AKT’s engineers and Adam Fox, Director at Mason UK. A key part of Ashton’s job was updating the finite elements model to incorporate Mason’s bearings. After the model had been run (a process that typically would take twelve hours) it would usually require Mason to make changes to the system of bearings in light of fresh calculations about loads. ‘‘Every time you run the model, you get a different set of reactions,’’ explained Ashton. ‘‘In addition to calculations about what load a bearing can handle, you also have to
Different ages of the UK’s built heritage are frequently most recognisable from their fenestration patterns as by their roof structure or choice of walling materials – making decisions regarding the windows replacement or conservation critical to the overall success of any redevelopment. So it is that London-based Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) has built a solid reputation far beyond the capital for successfully undertaking some of the most challenging fenestration contracts. ASWS worked in close cooperation with the project’s lead design consultants; as well as coordinating its operations with the main and other contractors. In fact, the multi-generational expertise ASWS offers extends beyond its management team to many of its long-serving workforce; while the company also retains a vast library of ironmongery and other window and door components, together with an established supply chain to keep contracts on track. “ASWS was involved from beginning to end and they were exceptionally helpful, working assiduously right the way through the project. We were very pleased with their proactive approach. From my point of view, they have done remarkably well and came up with the goods; I’m very happy with the result and would certainly go back to them.” – David Loxton – Loxton & Associates – (Project – Alexandra House) Managing Director, Kris Bennell, explains: “As a family business with a long track record within the industry, we are respected for our experience and try to offer added value for architects and the other professionals we deal with; often on a regular basis. In fact, we are frequently brought on board at an early stage to conduct very detailed condition surveys, and to offer ideas on how conservation goals can be achieved. Which then becomes part of the negotiation with the planning authorities.” “There has also been a shift in the way projects are run, with end clients now actively encouraging architects to engage with specialists like ourselves – especially where the main contractor is leading the work. This can include them making use of our enablement service: where we can remove heritage fabric and windows to facilitate access for hoists or chutes, as well as cataloguing and putting frames and other components of historical value into safe storage for the duration.” “We relied on ASWS as specialists to tell us what could and couldn’t be repaired. They were incredibly knowledgeable and their expertise was helpful in understanding what needed to be done with the windows.” Andrew Morgan – JM Architects – (Project – Heals Building) Amongst the many historic buildings where ASWS has provided its unique skillset are Woolwich Arsenal, the South Bank’s County Hall building, The Royal Academy of Arts, the iconic retail emporium Whiteleys and the recently redeveloped Battersea Power Station. Both the Royal Academy and award-winning renovation work on one of the Crown Estate’s most public properties – Quadrant Arcade, on Regent Street – both saw the specialist offering advice to the leading architectural practice, Barr Gazetas. “We regularly use ASWS and the project went really well. The initial schedule of work that they produced was incredibly useful and detailed. It was quite a tricky project for them and they did a good job, especially considering the budgetary constraints and number of windows involved. Their advice and expertise were very helpful, especially with the ironmongery.” Karen Fuller – Barr Gazetas – (Glasshouse and multiple other projects) For more information on ASWS, please visit asws.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Using its unique RoofBloxx blue roof attenuation system, ACO Building Drainage has combined with Aquality to retrofit a blue roof on an extended building in the middle of London where it was initially thought not possible. Featuring a cobbled walkway and a grand archway and combined with its status as part of Kensington’s ‘Queen’s Gate’ conservation area, Queen’s Gate Place Mews is one of London’s most sought-after and prestigious places to live. Tucked away off a busy high street, the mews is a collection of quaint residential and commercial properties, with many of the buildings boasting lavish, luxury interiors alongside their retained, quintessentially London façades. Part of that collection at Queen’s Gate Place Mews is The Lodge. Recently revamped and extended with a new mansard roof to allow for a second storey, one of the key challenges of the project was meeting the SuDS (sustainable urban drainage system) requirement and managing the water runoff from the roof, as set out by the planning committee from The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC). To meet the demand, principal contractors Keystone Construction worked with Aquality and ACO Building Drainage to design and install a unique blue roof attenuation system that sits separately above the roof construction, without adding any risk of water leaking onto the mansard roof itself. Doing what no others can With sustainable drainage as a vital factor of the extension being granted approval by the planning committee, Keystone consulted with a number of blue roof manufacturers and roofing contractors to look at how this could be achieved for this unique project. However, all the suppliers Keystone approached had refused the project and stated that it would be impossible, given the small roof area and the necessity of holding the water on the roof’s surface while controlling the rate at which it runs off. This is where Aquality and ACO stepped in with an approach that no other manufacturers could offer. Using ACO’s innovative patented RoofBloxx attenuation system, this was adapted into a free-standing retrofit application. Martin Durham, Managing Director and Owner of Keystone Construction said: “We were faced with a very tricky challenge set by the authorities. On one hand, to achieve planning permission, we had to comply by controlling the runoff to prevent flood risks and overwhelming the sewer. However, we couldn’t go forward with a typical blue roof, as holding water on top of a conventional roof invariably adds risk and goes against best practice of roof construction. Water will eventually seep into the roof layers and compromise the structure. “This was a key reason for choosing to work with Aquality and ACO – as their solution was unlike anybody else’s. By being a standalone system, we could install it on top of the roof build up and it works independently of the roof. Alongside the ingenuity of the system itself, we were very pleased with the design service as well as the ease of the installation too.” Designed to Last To help specify the blue roof, Neill Robinson-Welsh, consultant at ACO, worked with Aquality on the hydraulic design of the tank. With a footprint of 13m² and with two layers measuring 30mm each, ACO’s RoofBloxx cell is designed to withstand the ‘once in every 100 years’ extreme rainfall events. It is also intended to account for a 40% climate change and to control runoff at 0.07 litres per second. The system comprises a free draining edge upstand, the inside of which has a drainage layer placed directly on the gradient roof and on the inside of the upstand. A geotextile membrane was then installed on the top of this layer and the roof fall built out to create a level invert for the open tank that forms part of the ACO patented system. A geomembrane was then placed inside and detailed at the edges and around the soil pipe, and ACO RoofBloxx Cell units placed inside the liner to create the attenuation void. A further geotextile was placed over top to prevent fine sediment entering the open tank and then cobble ballast was placed on top. For any rainfall event, water discharges from the tank at the base through the system’s flow restrictor at a controlled rate. The water then runs across and down the sides of the mansard roof into the gutter and away to the sewer system. Easy Installation, Simple Maintenance Installation was completed in under a day thanks to the lightweight yet robust ACO RoofBloxx units that can be manually handled and interlocked in a bonded structure. As well as meeting the SuDS principles, ACO had to ensure the system would be easy to maintain, as with only a 10mm outlet where the surface water drains to, debris could end up blocking the outlet. ACO overcame this challenge by creating an access point to the attenuation tank for regular cleaning and clear out. Robinson-Welsh said: “When we were approached by Keystone and Aquality, we knew that only our ACO RoofBloxx system would meet the brief. Although the roof area is small, the project has been hugely rewarding and satisfying. This project goes to show how versatile the ACO RoofBloxx attenuation system is.” For more about ACO Building Drainage and the ACO RoofBloxx system, please visit: https://www.aco.co.uk/products/roofbloxx Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Get ready to be blown away because Shell has just reported its highest profits in 115 years. That’s right, the oil giant is breaking records and shaking up the industry with impressive financial performance. Record Annual Profits Shell’s Yearly Earnings Hit a New Record During the fiscal year 2022, Shell reported adjusted earnings of $39.9 billion. This easily exceeds Shell’s previous yearly record of $28.4 billion in 2008 and is more than twice the company’s full-year 2021 profit of $19.29 billion. Refinitiv surveyed analysts predicted a net profit of $38.3 billion for the fiscal year 2022. Shell’s chief executive, Ben van Beurden, said the results were “a strong set of results” that reflected the company’s strategic progress. The company’s shares rose by 3.5% in early trading on the London Stock Exchange following the release of the figures. “We are making good progress on our strategy to become a world-class investment”, he said. Shell’s shares rose by more than 3% in early trading on Thursday. Windfall Tax – Energy Profits Levy In the early 1990s, the UK government introduced a windfall tax, also known as the energy profits levy, which aimed to reduce the country’s budget deficit. The tax was designed to raise money by taxing profits made from the sudden increase in the value of oil and gas assets following the collapse of the Soviet Union. At the time, there was a lot of speculation about the future of oil and gas, and the windfall tax was intended to help fund government spending on renewable energy and other initiatives. called the Energy Profits Levy, which aimed to reduce the country’s budget deficit. The tax was designed to raise money by taxing profits made from the sudden increase in the value of oil and gas assets following the collapse of the Soviet Union. This was to ensure that these companies contributed towards the costs of environmental clean-up and energy efficiency programs. The tax was also seen as a way of leveling the playing field between Britain’s privatized utilities and state-owned companies in continental Europe, which did not have to pay such a tax. Despite All Despite the pandemic and the fall in brent crude oil, the company attributes these record-breaking profits to its focus on cost-cutting and efficiency measures. Shell CEO Ben van Beurden said that the company had made significant progress on its journey to become a more lean and agile organization. He added that Shell would continue to invest in its operations and infrastructure to ensure long-term growth. Van Beurden also announced that Shell would be returning $125 billion to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends over the next three years. This is the biggest shareholder return program in the company’s history. In The Future As one of the world’s largest oil companies, Shell has long been under pressure to address its impact on climate change. And in recent years, it has made some progress, investing in renewable energy and setting goals to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, Shell plans to continue reducing its costs and increasing its efficiency. It also intends to keep investing in renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. As part of that effort, the company recently announced a partnership with Energias de Portugal (EDP) to develop an offshore wind farm off the coast of England. Final Words Shell’s record profits in 2021 show how the company has managed to successfully navigate a challenging and uncertain business environment. The company has shown resilience through its prudent financial management, cost-cutting measures, and innovative approach to doing business. As the global economy recovers from the pandemic, Shell is well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities and further increase its profits. It will be interesting to see what other successes Shell can achieve over the coming years. To sum up. The success is largely due to cost-cutting measures, improved operating performance, and higher oil and gas prices. Looking ahead, Shell plans to continue reducing costs and increasing efficiency while also investing in renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. If the company is able to meet these goals, then it should be well-placed to capitalize on future opportunities and further boost its profits. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Worker safety is a crucial concern in oil fields, which are dangerous environments with a high risk of accidents and injuries. Creating a safe environment for your workers must be a priority, with the lurking danger of potential explosions, fires, and toxic gas leaks. Accidents incurred while working in a hazardous environment like an oil field can result in life-altering injuries. Gibson Hill discussed oil field injuries to workers and the compensation claim process. Compensating workers injured while working can be expensive, and creating a safe working environment would prevent you from incurring such costs. Having said that, here’s how to establish worker safety in oil fields: A comprehensive risk assessment is the first step to creating worker safety in your oil fields. Consider hiring professionals to conduct an intensive evaluation of the entire oil fields operations, like drilling, transport, storage, and maintenance of equipment and materials. The assessment lets you know all the potential risks and hazards in oil fields. Moreover, the existing safety measures would also be assessed, and their efficiency determined. Additionally, the evaluation should cover the potential impact of external factors and natural disasters. For example, what are the safety protocols for workers in case of an earthquake or collapse? Consider whether there’s a guidebook and safety equipment such as suitable first aid kits, protective gear, safety bunkers, and evacuation procedures. The risk assessment results can be used to create and implement the right safety measures to mitigate all the identified potential risks. For instance, if one of the risks identified is explosions or fires, consider more fire safety equipment such as extinguishers, training of employees on responding to such risks, and contacts for emergency responders. Moreover, the safety protocols should be flexible to accommodate changes during regular reviews and depending on needs. All the employees in the oil fields should receive sufficient safety training regularly. While most employees receive safety reminders and necessary updates before starting work, regular safety training can refresh their memory and cover any new potential risks in the oil fields. During training, some essential areas to cover are the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe handling of hazardous materials, and emergency response protocol. Ascertain that workers understand all potential risks and mitigation procedures while working in an oil field. You can test this understanding through mock drills for different situations, such as fires. The workers’ response during drills can help you test the safety protocols and help identify improvement areas. A safety management system can effectively identify potential risks, establish efficient safety measures, and regularly review and update. You can create a system that caters to your specific needs and risks. This system can also help rank the risks and help you focus resources on the most potent ones. Further, you’ll have an ongoing safety system for your employees. Consider a safety management system that incorporates policies and procedures for all aspects of the oil field operations. For example, you need clear guidelines on how drilling should be done and the authorised persons. It’d help if you also had specific procedures for transporting, storing, and maintaining hazardous materials to reduce risks. Clear lines of responsibility and safety accountability should be another aspect of the management system. A worker’s duties and responsibilities are clearly outlined and assigned depending on their skills and rank in the oil field. For example, drivers’ responsibilities are to transport materials strictly depending on instructions, such as from the field to the storage facility. With technological advancements and innovations, you can significantly boost the safety of your employees in the oil fields. You can use drones to monitor and inspect areas that are hard to reach instead of endangering your workers. Using sensors to check hazardous leaks and monitor potential risks can also improve workers’ safety. Consider incorporating technological aspects that make your oil fields a better and more conducive environment. For example, wearable technology like smart helmets and vests can help monitor workers’ safety and give alerts in an emergency, such as when their bodies are in distress. Safety is an ongoing concern; regular audits can help keep your safety measures current. Consider hiring a third party to conduct the safety audit on your oil field. The safety audit should cover all aspects of the operations, including drilling, maintenance of materials, and transportation. For example, is the fire strategy for storage areas efficient, and do the workers understand how it works? A safety audit aims to assess the efficacy of the present safety measures and note any areas that may need improvement. Ensure to address the identified risks and recommendations. The audit report can also help you assess the safety management system and whether it’s working. Conclusion Oil fields are dangerous, with many potential risks caused by internal factors such as negligence, environmental issues, and natural calamities. You can’t prevent accidents from happening, but having reasonable safety measures can help reduce injury to your workers. A safe working environment for your workers goes a long way to protecting your staff from harm while working in the oil fields. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
