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Kenneth Booth

TRANSFORMATIONAL HOUSEBUILDING PROJECT CALLS FOR GAME-CHANGING SOLUTIONS TO INNOVATION CHALLENGE

Kenneth Booth July 29, 2021

An innovation initiative to support the transformation of the housebuilding sector is calling for suppliers of new solutions.  Advanced Industrialised Methods for the Construction of Homes (AIMCH) is inviting suppliers to enter the sandpit challenge to showcase their innovative products or services, demonstrating how they can deliver industrialised offsite solutions

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Industrial demand at a peak as businesses head to The Pensnett Estate

Kenneth Booth July 29, 2021

A flurry of new lettings at one of Europe’s biggest secure industrial and business estates, in the Black Country, is signalling growing confidence in the industrial market. LCP, the national commercial property and investment company, says demand for industrial property is at a peak, with voids at The Pensnett Estate

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HULL FIRMS LEAD THE WAY IN FLEXIBLE WORKING

Kenneth Booth July 29, 2021

Pagabo, Sypro and Social Profit Calculator, three Hull-based businesses synonymous with construction expertise, have been recognised for their attitudes to flexible working that set the organisations as front runners in the industry, which will be further facilitated by their move to new premises to accompany a new way of working

Read More »

SOBEN NAMED CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR AT PRESTIGIOUS INDUSTRY AWARDS

Kenneth Booth July 28, 2021

Quantity surveying and commercial management consultancy, Soben, has been named Consultancy of the Year at the National Building and Construction Awards for the second year running. Soben EMEA Managing Director, Andrew Gallacher, picked up the award at a prestigious ceremony in London’s Wembley Stadium attended by professionals from across the

Read More »

ECODEK FULFILS DECKING DEMAND WITH TIMBER ALTERNATIVE

Kenneth Booth July 28, 2021

The demand for decking materials has increased significantly during 2021, but the supply appears to be waning, according to a recent report from the Decking Network*. The report details how despite materials still being grown and felled in places such as Scandinavia, the USA, Canada, Russia, China, Asia and Indonesia,

Read More »

BESA guidance opens door to air quality ‘safe havens’

Kenneth Booth July 28, 2021

The removal of most Covid restrictions in the UK has increased calls for clearer practical guidance and the setting of specific indoor air quality (IAQ) contaminant targets to support the health and wellbeing of building occupants. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has, therefore, produced a concise guide to good

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Latest Issue
Issue 344 : Sep 2026

Kenneth Booth

TRANSFORMATIONAL HOUSEBUILDING PROJECT CALLS FOR GAME-CHANGING SOLUTIONS TO INNOVATION CHALLENGE

Kenneth Booth July 29, 2021

An innovation initiative to support the transformation of the housebuilding sector is calling for suppliers of new solutions.  Advanced Industrialised Methods for the Construction of Homes (AIMCH) is inviting suppliers to enter the sandpit challenge to showcase their innovative products or services, demonstrating how they can deliver industrialised offsite solutions required to meet current and future housebuilding demands. The three-year AIMCH project, whose goal is to support the sector to tackle the UK housing crisis by building new homes quicker, more efficiently and to a higher standard, is encouraging innovation and collaboration from across all parts of the industry. There are three challenge areas for suppliers to submit their technically and commercially promising products and systems;        Advanced MMC Solutions, with a particular focus on scaffoldless erect        Standardised Solutions, including modular stairs, bathroom pods, and preformed windows and doors         Zero Carbon Solutions, with a particular interest in heat pumps, underfloor heating, convection heaters, battery storage, and lower lambda mineral wool Successful partners could see their products and services trialled on live housing projects, with successful methods subsequently being commercialised and brought to market in volume.  Daniel Shea, AIMCH Partner and Technical Innovation Coordinator, Barratt Developments Plc, said, “What we are looking for from the sandpit challenge is for suppliers to bring forward truly innovative and unique near to market solutions that have the potential to be scalable.   Already we have witnessed the success of new product and system trials during the first two years of the AMICH project and we know that there are many more companies out there who are innovating and can play their part in helping to transform the sector.  We need to find more sustainable ways of building quality new homes and achieving a net zero-carbon built environment, and we need game-changers who can support this transformation.” The AIMCH project aims to develop know how that supports the key sector stakeholders deliver 120,000 homes for the same or less cost than traditional methods, built 30% quicker and has the potential to impact on 35,000 homes being delivered by AIMCH partners across the UK each year. Innovators who can play their part in delivering the project aims are encouraged to submit their proposals by completing the application form on the AIMCH website.  Successful applicants will then be invited to participate in a workshop hosted by one of three AIMCH partners, L&Q, Stewart Milne Group or Barratt Developments Plc. 

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Where can you still buy a new build for less than the £250,000 stamp duty holiday threshold?

Kenneth Booth July 29, 2021

The latest research from Warwick Estates has revealed which pockets of the national new build market still offer homebuyers the opportunity of a stamp duty saving right up until the final September deadline. While the initial stamp duty holiday for homes valued up to £500,000 has now passed, homebuyers purchasing up to the sum of £250,000 will still pay no stamp duty right up until the end of September. However, it’s no secret that the new build market carries a property price premium compared to existing homes. In fact, the average new build house price is currently £348,298 in England, 30% higher than the average price for an existing property. This would suggest that the average new build homebuyer may find it tricky to find a property that sits below the current and final stamp duty holiday threshold and at a regional level this may be the case.  Just two regions are currently home to an average new build house price below £250,000, the North East (£217,985) and Yorkshire and the Humber (243,791). However, when analysing the market at local authority level, Warwick Estates found that there is still some hope. In fact, 23% of local authority districts in England are home to a new build average house price that still sits below £250,000. You can see the full table below but the list includes areas from all over England including Northumberland, Plymouth, Great Yarmouth, Manchester, Ipswich, West Devon, Lancaster, Southampton, Liverpool, Scarborough, Norwich, Nottingham, Bradford, Gateshead and Stoke. COO of Warwick Estates, Bethan Griffiths, commented: “New build homes will always attract a premium when compared to the wider market and so those looking to climb the new build ladder will always need a little more in the savings pot. However, there seems to be a common misconception that new build homes are vastly unaffordable but as the figures show, the average new build home costs less than £250,000 across nearly a quarter of all areas in England. So not only can a new build home be purchased at a relatively affordable price point, but those currently in the market for one have a good chance of still securing a stamp duty free sale.” Location Average New Build House Price England £348,298 East Midlands £302,701 East of England £404,852 London £525,927 North East £217,985 North West £262,731 South East £420,199 South West £348,888 West Midlands Region £305,790 Yorkshire and The Humber £243,791 Data sourced from the Gov.uk – UK House Price Index (New Build vs Existing). March 2021 – latest available data.     Table shows the areas of England where the current average new build house price is still below £250,000 Location Average New Build House Price Northumberland £246,397 Fenland £245,637 City of Plymouth £243,533 Great Yarmouth £241,469 Manchester £239,678 Telford and Wrekin £238,884 Ipswich £238,831 West Devon £238,777 Allerdale £238,665 Newark and Sherwood £238,329 Knowsley £237,455 Sandwell £236,847 Tameside £234,525 Tamworth £233,614 Rotherham £233,322 Wolverhampton £233,189 Lancaster £231,215 Torbay £231,043 Southampton £230,143 Salford £229,586 Kirklees £229,494 North East Lincolnshire £228,064 Eden £226,530 St Helens £225,820 Liverpool £225,450 Broxtowe £224,828 Rochdale £224,768 Erewash £224,701 Oldham £223,654 Wakefield £221,607 Scarborough £220,679 Walsall £219,680 Ashfield £219,404 South Tyneside £218,370 Norwich £217,586 Sefton £217,305 Middlesbrough £215,115 Sheffield £214,295 City of Nottingham £213,251 City of Derby £213,168 Sunderland £212,758 Bolsover £209,730 Wyre £209,356 North Lincolnshire £209,066 Carlisle £206,690 Bassetlaw £206,421 Bradford £205,342 Blackburn with Darwen £201,666 Darlington £201,116 Mansfield £200,151 Redcar and Cleveland £200,115 West Lindsey £197,991 Boston £197,314 Bolton £197,074 South Holland £194,183 Newcastle-under-Lyme £193,940 Wirral £191,211 East Lindsey £190,763 Barrow-in-Furness £190,762 City of Kingston upon Hull £189,873 Gateshead £187,368 Pendle £185,122 Doncaster £183,153 Copeland £181,950 Stoke-on-Trent £181,278 Lincoln £181,066 Barnsley £179,817 County Durham £169,866 Hartlepool £166,313 Stockton-on-Tees £163,047 Blackpool £162,375 Burnley £134,834 Hyndburn £105,888 Data sourced from the Gov.uk – UK House Price Index (New Build vs Existing). March 2021 – latest available data.    

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Derbyshire construction firm celebrates further contract win at prestigious Matlock Spa development

Kenneth Booth July 29, 2021

Derbyshire based Wildgoose Construction is celebrating after landing a further £4.5m contract win at the prestigious Matlock Spa housing development. The Alfreton firm is set to start work on the next phase of Matlock Spa, called Spa Lofts, which is being built on the site of Cawdor Quarry. Wildgoose has already completed the Gateway Phase of Matlock Spa, consisting of 38 apartments and 20 houses. Phase Three will see 24 apartments built, due for completion in Autumn 2022. When completed, Matlock Spa will be made up of five distinct villages consisting of two, three, four and five-bedroom apartments and houses. The development will embrace the ‘Healthy Town’ model, promoting fitness in addition to a firm commitment to working with and protecting the local ecology and famous heritage of the Derbyshire Dales. Wildgoose has a long history in Matlock as the company was founded in the town in 1896 by the Executive Chairman Jonathan Wildgoose’s great grandfather. Jonathan Wildgoose, Executive Chairman of Wildgoose Construction, said he was delighted with the new contract award after a challenging year. He said: “The uncertainty that the construction sector and wider UK economy has experienced from the impact of Brexit and Covid-19 has presented many challenges. We are thrilled that we have been able to secure repeat business at Matlock Spa. Our client cannot wait for us to get started on the next phase of their high quality development. “We are also delighted to have completed an 80-bed care home in Wixam and Northampton Museum and Art Gallery and both projects have been extremely well received. All 22 houses at our own development in Marston Montgomery, in Derbyshire, have also sold out which is even more good news.”

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Industrial demand at a peak as businesses head to The Pensnett Estate

Kenneth Booth July 29, 2021

A flurry of new lettings at one of Europe’s biggest secure industrial and business estates, in the Black Country, is signalling growing confidence in the industrial market. LCP, the national commercial property and investment company, says demand for industrial property is at a peak, with voids at The Pensnett Estate in Kingswinford now under 1% – an historic low. It has signed deals with Milton Cable Management Systems, JL Drinks Ltd, and Ground Investigation & Piling Ltd in quick succession for units at the estate. Milton Cable Management Systems has signed a 10-year lease for Building G, Bay 2 at Prime Point, making this speculative development now fully let. The 24,505 sq ft unit will be used for the new business, which is part of the Hudson Group that operates RMS Cable Management in Hampshire and ArmorDuct Systems Ltd, based on The Pensnett Estate. Simon Hudson-Smith, owner director of the Hudson Group, said: “We were looking for suitable premises and one of the attractions of this unit was that it falls within DY5, Dudley’s Business and Innovation Enterprise Zone so that was a big incentive financially as we can get business rates relief. “The new unit will house Milton Cable Management Systems, which has been created to manufacture and market a cable basket system that we believe is under-utilised but has huge potential and it will also give us the opportunity to expand. “Some of the staff from ArmorDuct will transfer over but I hope over the next two to three years that we can create between 20 and 30 jobs.” Phase two of LCP’s multi-million pound Prime Point scheme comprises 100,000 sq ft of prestigious industrial units, with tenants Stiltz Ltd, the home lift company; Total Kare, which specialises in lifting and testing equipment for heavy duty commercial vehicle workshops; and Glendenning Limited. GIP Ltd, one of the largest geoenvironmental and geotechnical engineering companies in the Midlands, has signed a five-year lease for Building 62 Bay 3, a 5000 sq ft unit as it relocates from Wolverhampton, where it has been based for the past 20 years. Julian Hughes, managing director, said: “The new premises are part of a Geo-hub that we are setting up for our staff to use as a mix of home, site and office working promoted in part by the pandemic. “We are mostly a cloud-based operation, other than the drilling, so the unit at The Pensnett Estate will be a space for folks to meet, log, prep testing, as well as giving the younger geologists the opportunity to have the mentoring structure that has been difficult over the pandemic. “The new space will have folks coming in more frequently, but I am allowing them to choose their working hours and how much time they spend on site, at home or in the new office environment.” The business employs 20 staff and also uses specialist geo-services on a sub contract basis.   The final major letting is JL Drinks Ltd, which has signed a five-year lease for Building 18, a 13,053 sq ft unit. Paula James, LCP’s industrial lettings manager, said: “The industrial property market is at its peak and the take up is the best I have seen in 20 years of being involved in the property letting market, which is why we are seeing voids on The Pensnett Estate at under 1%. “These lettings, after a very challenging 16 months, demonstrate that there is significant demand for good-quality industrial units in the region. The Pensnett Estate’s strategic location also makes it an attractive proposition for businesses that need quick and easy access to motorways.” The Pensnett Estate is one of the largest secure business estates in Europe, and home to 160 businesses in over 2.4 million sq ft of commercial property. The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (BCLEP) has been supporting LCP with the development of Prime Point.

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HULL FIRMS LEAD THE WAY IN FLEXIBLE WORKING

Kenneth Booth July 29, 2021

Pagabo, Sypro and Social Profit Calculator, three Hull-based businesses synonymous with construction expertise, have been recognised for their attitudes to flexible working that set the organisations as front runners in the industry, which will be further facilitated by their move to new premises to accompany a new way of working post-pandemic. Like many other businesses, both in Hull and across the country, the major change has been balancing working from home with working from the company office. This has led to discussions on what facilities are needed to be added or adapted, and which are no longer required for a modern way of working, all of which has been incorporated in the designs for the organisations’ new offices in central Hull. The former HSBC building on Whitefriargate is set to be home to the three businesses, and create a thriving home for creative, digital and tech businesses. The refurbished building will feature individual and shared workspaces, excellent broadband connectivity, meeting room facilities suitable for video conferencing and podcast sound booths. Gerard Toplass, who heads up the three companies, said: “The pandemic has been a humbling period for all of us, but one of the reminders it has given us is that our employees will always be our greatest asset and we respect that everyone’s preferences are unique. We must continue to facilitate flexible working conditions that will allow individuals to lead fulfilling professional and personal lives – something we urge other businesses to remember are not mutually exclusive. “We have to also ensure that we are adapting to meet the expectations around flexible working. We know that it is more important to most employees than ever before – and especially so for younger team members. These people are ultimately the future of our workforce, so it is crucial that we meet their expectations to keep the talent we need, where we need it. “Flexible working is not just about working from home, which is why we have invested in new offices in the heart of Hull. Our new home has a mix of high-tech workspaces and relaxed social spaces so that we can interact in the appropriate environment when we are choosing to not work from home. We believe that it is particularly fitting that one of Hull’s oldest streets is now leading the way in the future of working and putting the great people of this city first.” The successful commitment to flexible working has attracted national attention, with the team welcoming Labour’s Deputy Leader and Shadow Secretary of State for the Future of Work, Angela Rayner, visiting the soon-to-open new office space. She spoke with staff from Pagabo, Sypro and Social Profit Calculator on the key learnings and takeaways from how they have been working throughout the pandemic and in the days since social distancing restrictions were lifted. The visit formed part of the Labour Party’s unveiling of plans to make flexible working a force for good and fundamentally change working practices for the better through the right to flexible working, which includes flexible hours, compressed hours, staggered hours and flexibility around childcare and caring responsibilities. Emma Hardy MP, who represents Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle, said: “Labour’s new flexible working plans are a breath of fresh air and ones which will improve people’s work life balance. “I have been speaking in Parliament for some time now about the potential we have here in Hull and East Riding and how remote working means people can work from home and online without having to leave the area. The possibility of someone working in Hull for companies across the UK has never been better. “No longer will we need to leaving family, friends, and the area to pursue better careers, and with greater affordability than in other cities such as London means a far better quality of life can be had here in Hull and the surrounding area. “These plans will also enhance gender equality by allowing parents to work at home without losing out by not being in the workplace. This, alongside calls for flexible hours to work around school runs and other family responsibilities will bring much-needed improvements to people’s work life balance.”

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SOBEN NAMED CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR AT PRESTIGIOUS INDUSTRY AWARDS

Kenneth Booth July 28, 2021

Quantity surveying and commercial management consultancy, Soben, has been named Consultancy of the Year at the National Building and Construction Awards for the second year running. Soben EMEA Managing Director, Andrew Gallacher, picked up the award at a prestigious ceremony in London’s Wembley Stadium attended by professionals from across the construction industry. The National Building Awards comprise 17 categories and provide successful businesses in the world of building the opportunity to highlight their work and achievements and be judged by a panel of national experts. Founded in 2011, Soben is the UK’s leading contractor-centric quantity surveying and commercial management consultancy.  Its clients include blue chip national and international contracting organisations who construct prestigious and complex projects across the construction, civil engineering, rail, utility, and energy sectors. Commenting on the award win, Andrew Gallacher, said; “It is a fantastic endorsement of Soben’s commitment to excellence and our ambitious growth plans that we have been awarded this prestigious award for the second year running. “I am hugely proud of each and every member of our team.  Their hard work and dedication to our culture and values are the reason that we are able to deliver on our ambitious plans year on year.” “It is fantastic to see Soben take home the prestigious Consultancy of the Year Award for the second year in a row” commented NBC Awards Director Damian Cummins. “Once again, Soben demonstrated that it is a true example of a high quality, client focused, and forward-thinking consultancy. To once again be recognised as the best at what they do in the UK is a marker of success for the Soben team.”

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ECODEK FULFILS DECKING DEMAND WITH TIMBER ALTERNATIVE

Kenneth Booth July 28, 2021

The demand for decking materials has increased significantly during 2021, but the supply appears to be waning, according to a recent report from the Decking Network*. The report details how despite materials still being grown and felled in places such as Scandinavia, the USA, Canada, Russia, China, Asia and Indonesia, a lack of personnel in local mills and transport systems is causing a delay in these products being exported. This has led to intensified competition between suppliers and an inevitable price increase, which is being passed on to the end consumer. William Hogg, Managing Director of Ecodek, a specialist manufacturer of Wood Polymer Composite decking boards, explains how both the increased demand and supply chain complications have been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: “Over the past 18 months people have been spending more time at home, for both work and pleasure.  This has resulted in homeowners looking to improve their gardens or create new outdoor workspaces and, as a consequence, demand for decking has soared. “At the same time, the pandemic has resulted in a reduced workforce, either due to employees falling ill or having to self-isolate after encountering someone who has COVID-19.  This combination of increased demand and a decreased workforce has led to frustration amongst many customers waiting for their timber decking.” William believes the answer is to buy British. Ecodek designs and manufacturers its wood composite decking boards in Wrexham, with products carrying the Made in Britain marque.  As such, it does not rely on any imports from other countries to sustain its supply chain, as William continues: “Because our products are manufactured in the UK, using recycled and sustainable materials, we can guarantee a lead time of one week for stock products and three weeks for bespoke and made-to-order decking. “However, it is not just our location that has enabled us to maintain this steady supply. The stringent COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures we implemented at the beginning of the pandemic have enabled us to control the impact of coronavirus on our company processes. Combined, our location and rigorous health and safety practices have allowed us to continue trading, without disruption, over the past 18 months.” Ecodek has seen a marked increase in the number of customers, both trade and consumer, turning from timber to wood composite decking, due to its availability and the stability of the supply chain. “We have received many enquiries from customers who have been let down by timber suppliers and require a viable alternative. With all the beauty of timber but the many benefits of wood polymer composite, many have been coming to Ecodek to fulfil their requirements,” adds William. Slip resistant, low maintenance, splinter free, and rot and split resistant, Ecodek’s range of composite decking boards is offering customers a practical, sustainable, and attractive alternative to real timber. “I am sure that consumers who consider locally manufactured composite as an alternative to wood will soon realise the considerable advantages it provides, in the short, medium and longer-term both with regards to its supply and environmental benefits.” Further information about Ecodek and its range of wood composite decking boards can be found at www.ecodek.co.uk or by calling 01978 667 840. In today’s construction and design industry, reliable partners are essential for delivering projects that meet the highest standards of quality and performance. The Deck Store has emerged as a go-to resource for architects, builders, and contractors who are shaping the future of outdoor living spaces. With an expansive inventory of decking materials, railings, hardware, lighting, and accessories, The Deck Store has built its reputation on combining product diversity with expert guidance. Whether a project calls for traditional wood, low-maintenance composites, or specialized accessories that enhance safety and aesthetics, the company offers solutions tailored to both residential and commercial applications. Beyond its product catalog, The Deck Store is distinguished by its commitment to supporting professionals through every phase of construction. From planning and specification to sourcing and installation, its team provides insight that helps ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and built to last. This dedication has made it a trusted partner for projects of all sizes, from backyard renovations to large-scale developments. For design and construction professionals, working with The Deck Store means having access not only to high-quality materials but also to a collaborative partner focused on long-term performance. As outdoor living spaces continue to grow in demand, The Deck Store remains at the forefront of helping the industry deliver environments that blend function, durability, and design excellence.

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Create Homes acquires 115 acre site in Winsford, Cheshire as part of its developing land acquisition strategy

Kenneth Booth July 28, 2021

Create Homes, the residential house-building arm of North-West construction & development experts Create Group, is pleased to announce the acquisition of a 115 acre site within the proposed Winsford Station Quarter. The proposed development will form part of Cheshire West‘s Masterplan for the location. Create Homes has luxury homes for sale in several countryside locations in the North-West, as well as a healthy pipeline of future residential housing developments. The acquisition at Winsford comes at an exciting period of growth for the Create Homes, with recently appointed Managing Director Andrew Booth and Create Developments’ Development Director, Tim Rackham spearheading the acquisition strategy, in order to support the growth of this relatively young housebuilder, now in its 6th year. The former Clive Farm site enjoys an unparalleled location between Winsford and the surrounding Cheshire countryside, sitting within land earmarked for development in Cheshire West‘s adopted Station Quarter Development Masterplan. The proposed development, earmarked to enhance the redevelopment of the town, would provide high quality new homes and essential services and infrastructure, as well as create new employment opportunities and better facilities for residents and visitors, whilst respecting the site’s setting and surroundings. Any future plans would ensure enhanced links for the new community to Winsford town centre, the station, (due to be upgraded as a consequence of HS2) and Bottom Flash, which will be developed into a nature reserve and country park. Managing Director of Create Homes, Andrew Booth commented: “Following initial positive discussions with Cheshire West and Chester Council, we will now work with them and the local community to produce more detailed proposals for the delivery of the land in order to support a high quality and sustainable new community.” + To express your interest, please contact Andrew Booth at andrew.booth@createhomes.com

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Health and safety at work – are construction workers drinking too much?

Kenneth Booth July 28, 2021

Suzannah Robin, an alcohol and drug safety expert at AlcoDigital, discusses the problem of alcohol misuse within the construction industry, and explains how online training can promote staff safety during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Alcohol misuse amongst staff is a problem that will be sadly familiar to many employers within the construction industry. Perhaps a member of staff has turned up on site after a heavy weekend or a long lunch, smelling of drink. Then there are the signs of longer-term alcohol dependency, when you’ve noticed a deterioration in a co-worker’s health and wondered whether alcohol might be to blame. While COVID-19 restrictions have kept many away from pubs and clubs, lockdown has left a legacy of harmful drinking at home. One study found that 36% of people increased their alcohol consumption during the first lockdown in 2020.1 Whether the result of an occasional binge or a chronic problem, alcohol abuse can wreak devastation on a staff member’s life. And while the cost to the individual can be catastrophic, the wider knock-on effects for staff morale and company reputation can be equally disastrous. In a safety-critical industry such as construction, a drug and alcohol-free workforce could not be more important. Yet research shows that a culture of risky drinking prevails. Indeed, a 2020 study revealed those who work in the trades and construction have the highest rates of drink-drive convictions of all occupations in the UK.2 The top five conviction rates by profession make grim reading for the industry: coming in at number one are roofers, followed by scaffolders, plumbers, labourers and ground workers. In another shocking study, industry body Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) reported that one third of construction workers had witnessed a colleague under the influence of drugs or alcohol on site.3 With the COVID-19 pandemic leading to increased addiction issues and associated mental ill health4, this is a problem that needs urgent redress. Alcohol misuse and the economy – what are the facts? According to Public Health England, the cost of alcohol misuse to the economy is £7bn annually in lost productivity through unemployment and sickness.5 The charity Alcohol Change UK reports that 40% of employers mention alcohol as a significant cause of low productivity.6 To an individual business, the exact impact can be difficult to monitor, as productivity can decrease slowly over time where an employee is struggling with addiction. Minor accidents are not always recorded as alcohol-related, and for companies without an alcohol screening policy, any link can be very difficult to prove. There’s no doubt that drinking alcohol impairs judgement, damages physical co-ordination and makes dangerous accidents far more likely. Yet the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not release data on how many accidents at work involve alcohol. The data we do have from HSE shows that in 2019/20, there were 40 fatal injuries to workers within the construction industry, with 61,000 non-fatal injuries.7 Falling from a height is the most common cause of death. The likelihood of accidents occurring in the construction industry is four times higher than for all other industries. Drugs and alcohol testing in the workplace – what is the law? While the construction industry is not required by law to screen employees for drugs or alcohol, employers are legally required to ensure the safety of workers under their care. Industry bodies such as the CCS advise employers to integrate some level of testing within the overall drugs and alcohol policy. The CCS states: “This ensures there is a formal and controlled procedure that can provide factual results and therefore support the decision to take the necessary actions with greater accuracy. The presence of potential testing also maintains a firm reminder to the workforce of the consequences of not taking the issue of drugs and alcohol seriously.”8 Random or regular testing can undoubtedly be a deterrent, and construction companies of all sizes are increasingly turning to screening to send a powerful ‘stay safe’ message to their workforce. While there is inevitably some time and financial investment involved in setting up a testing policy, breathalysers and other testing devices have become increasingly cost effective and user friendly over recent years. In the long-term, screening policies present an investment well worth making: if a serious accident occurs and an employer is found to have been negligent in any way, there is a clear risk of prosecution and hefty fines. In addition to breathalysers, alcohol interlocks can be used on construction site equipment or machinery, preventing them from starting until a negative breath test has been registered. Another form of interlock device, the Lifeloc Sentinel, requires no mouthpiece and can be fitted to unsupervised turnstiles, electric gates, and other barrier systems – preventing anyone impaired by alcohol from entering a work site. Covid-safe training for employers Setting up a testing programme is an important measure in supporting your workforce. But with so many screening methods available, it can be hard to know where to start, especially when Covid safety remains a primary concern. A good first step is to book an accredited training course that will offer all the knowledge and practical skills necessary to implement screening to suit the specific requirements of individual companies. Online ‘live’ training such as that provided by AlcoDigital gives comprehensive guidance while also remaining completely Covid-safe. Based on AlcoDigital’s award-winning workplace training days, these hosted Zoom webinars were designed specifically in response to the first UK lockdown, and have run successfully ever since. Webinar training ensures companies can keep up-to-date with latest industry recommendations and relevant legislation at a time when the need has never been greater. Hands-on demonstrations of the latest innovative screening methods can be given online, for example the fully automated Worksober device that uses facial recognition technology to prevent misidentification. Face-to-face training has now resumed, but many companies continue to opt for the convenience of Zoom webinars, allowing staff members to join in the session from any location. With professional and reliable training, a suitable testing policy can be implemented

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BESA guidance opens door to air quality ‘safe havens’

Kenneth Booth July 28, 2021

The removal of most Covid restrictions in the UK has increased calls for clearer practical guidance and the setting of specific indoor air quality (IAQ) contaminant targets to support the health and wellbeing of building occupants. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has, therefore, produced a concise guide to good practice: ‘Indoor Air Quality for Health & Well-Being’, which is designed to help building owners, managers and engineers interpret IAQ data and turn it into useful strategies for improving the indoor environment. The UK’s chief scientific officer Sir Patrick Vallance and the British Medical Association (BMA) have emphasised the role of building ventilation and IAQ in helping the country navigate the next stage of the pandemic. The BSI is also fast-tracking a new British Standard that will help to define the UK’s future approach to IAQ. The BMA, which represents all UK doctors, says setting legal standards for ventilation, should be part of the government’s strategy for dealing with the next stage of the pandemic. It added that financial support for businesses and educational settings should be made available “to implement these requirements ahead of the autumn and winter period, when respiratory viruses spread more easily and buildings must be kept warm, limiting options for natural ventilation”. The new BESA guidance, which is part of the Association’s wider Buildings as Safe Havens (BASH) campaign, sets out target limits for a range of airborne contaminants in a variety of indoor spaces. It explains how air quality data gathered during specialist surveys or from the wide range of low cost real-time and continuous IAQ monitoring devices, can be interpreted and acted upon. Achievable The advice it provides is also based on the experience of practitioners in the field who see what is possible and achievable in the real world.  It is designed as a follow-up to the BESA publication H&W001: A Beginners Guide to Indoor Air Quality published in March in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric. Public Health England estimates the annual death toll in the UK from air pollution at between 24,000 and 36,000 with associated healthcare costs as high as £20bn. The role played by indoor air both in transmission of disease and the general health and wellbeing of building occupants became headline news during the pandemic and has prompted unprecedented interest in how buildings are ventilated. The BESA Guide has also been produced in the wake of a report commissioned by the government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, which highlighted the importance of building ventilation in reducing the risk of Covid-19 and other infections. The report was published by the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC), which is a group of 43 professional engineering organisations representing 450,000 engineers. It found that ventilation was often neglected, and that the Covid-19 crisis had revealed flaws in the design, management, and operation of buildings.  It advised Sir Patrick that, unless these flaws were addressed, they could disrupt the management of this and future pandemics and impose high financial and health costs on society. Nathan Wood, chair of the BESA Health & Wellbeing in Buildings group, said this was a significant moment for anyone working to improve the indoor environment. “The very fact that such a senior adviser is taking a close interest in how the engineering profession can be deployed to tackle a health and wellbeing issue shows just how high this has risen up the political agenda,” he said.  “People now need reassurance that buildings are being adequately ventilated, and the air monitored to minimise the threat from contaminants and viruses. This new BESA Guide aims to do just that, but it also goes further. “Rather than purely focusing on preventing infection and death, which is often the approach of academic and regulatory work, it also promotes a positive approach to setting IAQ standards that will give people a healthier, more comfortable, and more productive experience inside buildings.” He pointed to research carried out by Harvard University in the US that showed a 61% improvement in cognitive function for students in a well-ventilated, clean environment. “The outdoor, ambient air pollution guidance levels adopted by governments are usually based on mortality and morbidity, tempered by what is regarded as economically feasible. That compromise reduces investment in the health and wellbeing benefits,” added Wood. Enjoyment “By contrast, a health and wellbeing approach considers how good IAQ can improve productivity and enjoyment of a space and supports the principle that people should be able to inhabit ‘safe havens’ where the indoor air is better than the polluted outdoors. Unfortunately, in too many cases, the opposite is currently true.” The BESA Guide refers to established guidelines including those provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which are due to be updated later this year. It also signposts other sources of authoritative advice on volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide/oxides, ozone, radon, and airborne micro-organisms. It also recommends monitoring CO2 and a range of IAQ factors to balance good air quality with reduction of internally and externally sourced contaminants. Its guidance will also be offered to the BSI to help shape the draft BS40101 ‘Building performance evaluation of occupied and operational buildings’, which is due to be published in November and is currently the subject of a public consultation. “I would like to thank the amazing people who contributed so much of their time and expertise to the preparation of this guidance, particularly Douglas Booker, Craig Booth, Peter Dyment, and Shaun Hill; supported by the wider membership and staff of BESA,” said Wood. The guidance can be downloaded for free here.

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