Unexpected plumbing problems can be a huge disruption to your everyday life, especially when they occur late at night or during odd days, such as holidays and weekends, when your plumber might not be available. That is why it is imperative to have the right plumber on speed dial who
The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum is providing greater visibility on what constitutes ‘essential work’ to prevent key workers being harassed and verbally abused during vital construction projects. The Forum’s members have reported an increasing number of tradespeople being intimidated and verbally abused by the public while carrying out legitimate
When you are welding, which equipment do you need? Why is it essential to wear gears that can protect you? For many people, welding may be a simple job, and you need to stay away from the sparks that are flying left and right. But to the people who are
Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) is celebrating planning approval for a new 132-room hotel on Week Street in the centre of Maidstone. Alongside a welcoming reception, lobby, café area and restaurant, the 5779sq m (GIA) hotel will include the town’s first publicly accessible rooftop bar, with views overlooking the beautiful Kentish
Regional contractor G F Tomlinson has been appointed as a partner for the Pagabo Major Works Framework, which is due to launch this week on 19 April. In its second iteration, the Major Works Framework is open to all public and private sector organisations and will see the delivery of projects
The newly-established Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum has hailed the “speed and efficiency” of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme rollout – but says the real test will be if all claims are paid on time. The specialist body – set up to support Scotland’s construction industry during the current pandemic
Caledonian has been awarded a £40m turnkey contract by Studytel® for its 528 student bedroom development at Penryn, near Falmouth in Cornwall. This is the latest in a series of major new multi-million pound contract wins for the Newark-based business. The development will provide high quality accommodation for students studying
Amazon is thought to be the main beneficiary of a recent planning approval at developer PLP’s Gateway 45 scheme in Leeds. The internet giant is believed to be the reason behind a reserved matters application proposing a single 2 million sq ft distribution warehouse at the scheme that recently scored
A new automated lettings platform is promising to ensure agents and buy to let investors stay compliant. PlanetRent has been created by residential property consultancy Ringley, which claims it gives landlords and their agents the same professionally-designed cloud platform used by major investors. The platform gives details of key documents
MSA Safety launches whitepaper exploring benefits of great head protection MSA Safety, designer, manufacturer and distributor of industry-leading safety products, has published a new head protection whitepaper following an industry panel webinar, which was hosted by MSA and attended by health and safety professionals across the UK. The webinar panel
Unexpected plumbing problems can be a huge disruption to your everyday life, especially when they occur late at night or during odd days, such as holidays and weekends, when your plumber might not be available. That is why it is imperative to have the right plumber on speed dial who can be there within minutes in case of emergency. You might be tempted to solve the problem on your own, but without the necessary plumbing equipment and expertise, you may end up worsening it and get the whole house drenched in sewer water or even hurt yourself in the process. Call a professional to get the job done right. So, what factors should you consider when choosing an emergency plumber? Plumbing Services Offered Ask what services your plumber offers for both emergencies and regular issues such as routine maintenance. A great emergency plumber should be conversant with different types of plumbing systems and be ready to provide real-time solutions. The three main types of plumbing systems that their company should be able to work on are sanitary drainage, potable water, and stormwater drainage. Availability and Location If you want an emergency plumber who can respond to your requests as soon as possible, then you need someone in your area. A local plumber has less distance to travel, and thus a better chance of responding faster to your problem. Hiring local will save you time and money in the form of call-out fees and unspecified allowance charges. Also, the faster the problem is fixed, the more you save on water and utility bills. Make sure the company you choose offers 24/7 service so they’ll be available for emergencies at all hours. Professionalism Does your plumber deliver prompt service with professional courtesy? Do they have the necessary tools and equipment to do a good job? If your emergency plumber uses substandard equipment or cuts corners, then you may find yourself experiencing the same problems over and over. The best way to evaluate your plumbing company is by asking two simple questions: was the problem fixed in a timely fashion? And did it recur? Response Time Response time for plumbing emergencies should be less than thirty minutes. This is essential because broken pipes can cause significant damage on a property, damage that compounds the longer the problem remains unsolved. A prompt response to your requests will not only save you on plumbing expenses, but also on other repairs to your property that may be necessary. Cost How much does your plumber charge for emergency service? Make sure you research different plumbers in your area to find out which one delivers the service you want at a price you can afford. Companies based in different cities may have different rates for the same service. For example, a Long Beach emergency plumber may charge significantly less than a Santa Monica one. So, if your property is located between each city, then opt for the lower quote.
The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum is providing greater visibility on what constitutes ‘essential work’ to prevent key workers being harassed and verbally abused during vital construction projects. The Forum’s members have reported an increasing number of tradespeople being intimidated and verbally abused by the public while carrying out legitimate projects in line with CICV Forum guidelines. One contractor said: “On one commercial job, our engineers were subjected to a barrage of abuse by residents and staff. Our guys were upset and didn’t want to be there, so in the end, the local authority had to put up posters explaining that we were carrying out essential work. It was the only way our engineers could be left alone to do the work. “Not all essential obvious work is obvious to the public, but that is no excuse for the behaviour that some of us in the construction industry are having to put up with.” To try and diffuse the situation, the Forum has produced a checklist of projects to help the public understand the range of work classified as ‘essential’. It also plans to offer on-site signage to help workers make it clear to the public they are carrying out essential work only. Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, said such measures were essential to provide clarity and reduce tension between the wider public and workers. He said: “The general public may not be aware of the full range of projects that constitute ‘essential work’, but these are workers who are performing a vital role safely and responsibly. “At a time when the Scottish Government is asking people to remain in their homes it is even more important that these homes are watertight, safe and have essential working facilities, such as water, gas and electricity. “Builders and plumbers’ merchants are also needed to provide supplies for essential repair and maintenance, such as heating and hot water breakdowns, roofing repairs, and electrical and fire safety.” Mr Stewart added: “It is important that the public understand that there is still a need for essential works to be carried out in these challenging times and industry professionals should be able to complete repairs in safety, without fear of criticism and rebuke.” His words were echoed by John McKinney, secretary of Forum members the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, the Stone Federation and the Scottish Contractors Group, who said: “Essential construction work is not confined to building a major hospital for COVID-19, but we know that people might not be aware of this. “There are dozens of other construction works that are classed as essential to keep the fabric of Scotland intact. At the very least, homes need to be watertight and safe both inside and out for people to be able to live in them. That’s why the construction industry is working hard across Scotland to ensure people can stay at home during these times to protect the NHS. “Greater understanding is needed among the public to understand that the key workers carrying out such work aren’t flouting the rules – they are performing essential tasks and should be allowed to do so without fear of abuse.” To help the public, the Forum has now compiled a list of essential work that is permitted to be carried out, including: Removal of elements in danger of collapse, e.g. cladding Repair and construction of critical road and utility infrastructure Emergency call-out services, e.g. electrical, plumbing, glazing and roofing Making inhabited buildings safe and watertight, e.g. after storm damage Domestic repairs to ensure occupants’ safety and wellbeing, e.g. the elderly Repair and maintenance of essential buildings, e.g. fire and police stations Safe operation of faulty heating and water systems Essential inspections to prevent health outbreaks, e.g. legionnaires Supply of materials for these and other essential COVID-19 projects. In addition, the Forum is developing a series of free signage for contractors to use to make it clear that any work being carried out is essential. Designed to be printed out and inserted in van windows and properties, the read: “Key Worker: Carrying Out Essential Construction Work.” Andrew Renwick, Managing Director of Caltech Lifts, who represents Forum member the Lift and Escalator Industry Association, said it was vital that this new collateral was used responsibly. He said: “It is imperative that this material is only displayed and worn by individuals undertaking qualifying work, so employers should also issue employees with appropriate paperwork so that they can provide evidence if question by the police. “Anyone caught abusing this material should be dealt with and the employer spoken to by the authorities.” Set up in March, the CICV Forum has already played a major role in clarifying conflicting information for the sector and issuing practical guidance for companies, clients and employees. It has also established a series of influential sub-groups dealing with mission-critical aspects such as health and safety, skills and future planning.
When you are welding, which equipment do you need? Why is it essential to wear gears that can protect you? For many people, welding may be a simple job, and you need to stay away from the sparks that are flying left and right. But to the people who are doing this kind of job, welding involves a lot of risks. There are risks of electric shocks, injuries, toxic fumes, burns, and eye blindness. For people who are doing arc welding, the work is a source of ultraviolet and infrared lights. In many processes, safety goggles, shields, helmets, and clear safety glasses are used to protect the eyes. Some vicinities screen the welding process so that the arc is not visible through the metal or glass. Most operators use goggles and clear glasses to protect their eyes from hot metal, glare, heat, and flying fragments. The safety of each welder and the job starts from the personal protective equipment. These can include the following: Welder’s Mask/Respirator – Many gases and fumes are produced every second when you are in the welding process. A filter mask that is highly recommended, or if it’s not available, you can use a half-mask respirator. If you are doing a grinding process, note that some particulates and fumes can go inside your lungs. Most welders may want to use N95 masks as it filters 95% of air particles with a size of 0.3 micrometers and more. Eye Protection – An approved eyeglass protection should be worn at all times. You can use goggles or safety glasses that are clear. The lenses should fit correctly, and they must be in excellent condition. You should wear them to protect your eyes at all times. Note that the colored lenses will not be able to protect your eyes. You should wear something that is only approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). You can know more about ANSI when you click here. Choose ones that are comfortable, flexible, and light. There are also new technologies such as scratch-resistant and non-distorting ones that are available on the market. Most of them can block ultraviolet and infrared rays. Hearing Protection – You can get silicone earplugs that have string attachments on them for more comfortable wear. Most of the devices that produce noise in a welding area can damage one’s hearing. Most of the workers also face a situation where some debris can go inside their ears. A foreign object’s penetration to the ear canal can cause damage. Loss of hearing is the most common in many welders. With this said, hearing protection can be in the form of ear mufflers or washable stringed earplugs. This is to reduce noise, and they are useful in letting you concentrate more on your job. Gloves – The hands should be protected at all times while welding. Gloves that are made of leather are always the ones that are popular among workers. The thickness of the leather should depend on the kind of work that you are doing. Most people recommend thicker leather gloves for flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) or shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) work. When you are doing gas metal arc welding (GMAW), medium-weight gloves are ideal. There are times when gloves should not be used when you are working on a rotating machine. Examples of these are grinders. In these instances, there are manuals that you can follow on how to protect yourself in these areas best. Clothing – The right clothes can cover the entire body and provide adequate protection. Most of the apprentices are required to wear clothes made from natural fibers. Most of them opt to wear wool or cotton. Long sleeves and pants are also recommended. Jackets such as the fleece ones are also advised to be worn at all times while working. Some closed-neck hoods and jackets are recommended if what you are welding are pipes above you. Most of the pants are not required to have cuffs so that they won’t catch hot slags or sparks. Most of the clothes should be ironed beforehand, as sagging is not allowed. Frayed gears with holes on them are also prohibited. Shoes – Wear safety shoes that comply with your country’s regulations and standards. Read more about safety shoes here: https://www.safeopedia.com/definition/1076/safety-shoes. Most of the protective footwear can prevent falling objects and hot sparks for coming in contact with your feet. There should be toecaps to protect the toes from suddenly getting crushed from falling objects. Note that there are standards that don’t approve the strap-on types of caps. The toecap should be initially designed and made in the shoe when one manufactures it so that it is an integral part of the whole shoes. This will further protect the feet from accidents. A Final Word Other than these, there are helmets, face shields, goggles, and other protective clothing that you need to consider. One of the most important things that you need to remember when buying is the equipment should meet the standards of Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Your supervisor should also approve of them.
Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) is celebrating planning approval for a new 132-room hotel on Week Street in the centre of Maidstone. Alongside a welcoming reception, lobby, café area and restaurant, the 5779sq m (GIA) hotel will include the town’s first publicly accessible rooftop bar, with views overlooking the beautiful Kentish hills. DMA’s design for client Assetrock Maidstone Limited gained unanimous support on the evening of the planning committee and has been very well received by local businesses and the general public who were keen to see the hotel play a key role in the revitalisation of the local high street. The landmark hotel will sit on the site of a former Mothercare building and will bring additional footfall and an estimated £650,000 in annual spending to the heart of Maidstone town centre. The scheme builds on Assetrock’s track record of developing challenging, often overlooked sites, seeing in them opportunities to create assets for communities, boosting local economies and acting as a catalyst for job creation. In keeping with the client’s aspirations, the Maidstone scheme presented for DMA another opportunity to demonstrate the practice’s strong reputation for creating deliverable hotel projects that can contribute to the revival of town centres and high streets. Explains Herbert Lui, Partner at DMA: “There were concerns about putting a new-build hotel onto such a sensitive site, fronting onto a key shopping street, surrounded by low-rise and historically important buildings and bordered by three conservation areas. However, we worked closely with planning officers, the design review panel, committee members and stakeholders to create a design that both fits in with its surroundings and brings a new energy to the high street area.” Taking into account the sensitive location, DMA has carefully sculpted the form of the building, squaring off some corners and using indents and setbacks to reduce the massing and minimising the visual impact from Week Street and other key views. The hotel stands at three storeys facing the main pedestrianised shopping area with the nine-storey element sitting modestly behind the taller Colman House office block. The long, narrow site also prevented the use of windows along the boundary, necessitating a creative use of lightwells and room planning to bring daylight into the hotel. The design has taken its materiality from the surrounding area, using multi-stock red brick, which has subtle variations in tone, to complement the character of the local buildings and settle the new build unobtrusively into the high street. The specification also includes locally sourced materials such as ragstone cladding, which will offer a muted background to the contrasting copper banding detail, giving the facade articulation. Herbert concludes: “The client’s brief was to explore the opportunity to re-develop the site with a landmark building to match the 11-storey office building next to it. We worked hard to reassure the authorities, through our designs and choices of materials, that this new hotel would be a respectful and quality piece of architecture and a positive contributor to the regeneration of the town centre -with elements such as the publicly accessible roof top bar likely to attract patrons from outside the hotel.”
Regional contractor G F Tomlinson has been appointed as a partner for the Pagabo Major Works Framework, which is due to launch this week on 19 April. In its second iteration, the Major Works Framework is open to all public and private sector organisations and will see the delivery of projects in sectors such as education, healthcare, government and leisure. 28 contractors have been appointed to the framework to deliver projects starting from £5million across the UK. G F Tomlinson has been assigned to deliver projects from £5million to £15million across the East and West Midlands and is one of only four SME’s chosen for the framework – as part of Pagabo’s ongoing commitment to supporting SMEs and ensuring access to major projects. In order to be successful, G F Tomlinson’s bid demonstrated strong finances, relevant experience and echoed Pagabo’s passion for social value, supporting SMEs and innovative technology. Ability to provide value for money for clients through quality, timely and on-budget delivery and solid supply chain management was also assessed and rated at the highest standard. G F Tomlinson is also partnered with Pagabo through three other frameworks – the National Framework for Refit and Refurbishment Solutions, the Dynamic Purchasing System for Small Works and the National Framework for Medium Construction Works. Most recently, the contractor delivered the £1.2million Thythorn Hill Community and Sports Centre for Oadby and Wigston Borough Council under Pagabo’s Dynamic Purchasing System framework. Carl Wiltshire, Pagabo Framework Lead at G F Tomlinson said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to the Major Works Framework, our fourth framework agreement with Pagabo and we look forward to working on significant projects in the years to come. “Now, more than ever, it is important that public sector procurement is efficient in bringing together contractors and clients to deliver projects which provide vital services in the region. Pagabo offer clients EU/UK compliant framework agreements to make public sector procurement quicker, simpler and more effective. With our experienced management team, commitment to high-quality project delivery and provision of social, economic, environmental and sustainable benefits for local communities, we are ideally placed to serve public sector clients across the Midlands region on projects between £5million and £15million. “G F Tomlinson has delivered in excess of £500million projects through public sector frameworks to date and we embrace the opportunities this provides in leaving a positive legacy in our local communities. We are looking forward to building on these achievements in the East and West Midlands through this framework to increase the community benefits we provide.” The Pagabo frameworks provide simplicity, transparency, flexibility, support and stability, supporting the public sector to achieve value for money and added social value for local communities. Simon Toplass, chief executive at Pagabo, said: “We were delighted by the quality of the responses to tender last year, and we’re really excited to see the second iteration of our Major Works framework going live. The first iteration of this framework saw the delivery of £833m worth of construction projects for the public sector in 2019 alone, and to date we have enabled the delivery of more than £2.6 billion of social value through works procured via our frameworks. “We’ve made it our mission to simplify procurement process with technology and innovation, and we place social value at the heart of everything we do. We truly believe the framework’s success is down to our customer-focused approach – and we’re pleased to see that this is something that G F Tomlinson has recognised and responded to. We’re looking forward to working with the team over the coming years.”
The newly-established Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum has hailed the “speed and efficiency” of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme rollout – but says the real test will be if all claims are paid on time. The specialist body – set up to support Scotland’s construction industry during the current pandemic – said the successful launch by HMRC last week could provide a “vital lifeline” to companies across the country. Since the HMRC portal opened on Monday 20 April, more than 140,000 companies employing around a million workers have applied to the furlough scheme. The cost of about £1 billion is expected to rise significantly as more companies take up the offer. Vaughan Hart, Managing Director of Forum member Scottish Building Federation and chair of the Forum Employment sub-group, said: “The Forum wishes to record its appreciation of the intense amount of work that has been undertaken behind the scenes by HMRC to so effectively address a situation that, just a few short weeks ago, nobody could have envisaged. “Fears that the system might be overwhelmed seem unfounded as the rollout and handling seems to have gone smoothly so far. “Feedback also seems to suggest that payments are now being made as scheduled, so fingers crossed this continues and a vital lifeline is successfully delivered.” Andrew Renwick, Managing Director of Caltech Lifts, and also a member of the Forum Employment sub-group, said: “The Revenue has taken on a mammoth task and seems to have made a really good start, demonstrating admirable speed and efficiency. “The circumstances have been unprecedented and it is very gratifying to see the importance that government attaches to the small businesses which are the lifeblood of the economy. “However, the job is still only half done, and the real test will come over the next week or so when it will become clear if funds are paid out on time to those who need them most.” The scheme means that employers who cannot maintain their current workforce because their operations have been severely affected can “furlough” employees and apply for a grant that covers 80% of their usual monthly wage costs, up to £2,500 a month, plus the associated Employer National Insurance and pension contributions. The scheme is temporary, in place for four months starting from March 1, 2020, but it may be extended if necessary and employers can use this scheme at any time during this period. The CICV Forum has already played a major role in clarifying conflicting information for the sector and issuing practical guidance for companies, clients and employees. It has now established a series of influential sub-groups dealing with mission-critical aspects such as Health and Safety, Skills, Communication and Future Planning.
Caledonian has been awarded a £40m turnkey contract by Studytel® for its 528 student bedroom development at Penryn, near Falmouth in Cornwall. This is the latest in a series of major new multi-million pound contract wins for the Newark-based business. The development will provide high quality accommodation for students studying at the Penryn Campus, which is shared by Falmouth University and the University of Exeter. Providing a new, high-tech and innovative approach to student accommodation, the Studytel® scheme includes single bedrooms, self-contained studios and cluster apartments with shared kitchens and communal spaces. Caledonian was chosen because of its successful track record supplying large modular projects and recent experience on other high-quality student accommodation schemes, along with the ability to develop a cost-effective volumetric design solution for this aesthetically striking building. Caledonian will manufacture the modules at its factory in Newark concurrently as the construction of the concrete framed structure is created on site. This approach will significantly reduce the overall construction schedule, enabling handover in time for the new term in September. Paul Lang, CEO of Caledonian Modular, said: “In spite of the events happening on a world stage, we continue to grow and develop as a business. The Studytel® project is the latest major contract win for Caledonian. A large proportion of our recent new business wins are turnkey projects as clients are beginning to understand the benefits it gives them in terms of budget certainty, speed to market and quality consistency.” Paul added: “Our growth over the last few years is the result of our strong position in the modular market. Through our ongoing improvements in design and material selection as well our ability to consistently deliver projects on time and within budget, we have become a trusted partner for volumetric building solutions.” Caledonian continues to invest in Building Information Modelling (BIM), design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) and lean manufacturing techniques allowing it to supply a finished product more efficient, with higher levels of factory completion and of far higher quality than that achieved in traditional construction. The first phase of Studytel® Penryn is due to open to students at the start of the academic year 2021/22 To find out more about Caledonian modular buildings and offsite construction solutions, visit: www.caledonianmodular.com
Amazon is thought to be the main beneficiary of a recent planning approval at developer PLP’s Gateway 45 scheme in Leeds. The internet giant is believed to be the reason behind a reserved matters application proposing a single 2 million sq ft distribution warehouse at the scheme that recently scored approval from Leeds Council. The application was for a 2,001,543 sq ft facility with a footplate of some 464,809 sq ft with three further mezzanines on the 43.66 acre site owned by PLP. In the planning statement submitted as part of the application said: “The proposed development represents a major economic investment and will enable a significant number of jobs to come forward in a key site in the Aire Valley Leeds Enterprise Zone. A key aim of this Zone is to drive growth and investment in Leeds and the wider City Region.” PLP acquired the plot from Aire Valley Land, a joint venture between Harworth Group and Evans Property Group, earlier this year. At the time of the sale the plot had planning for up to 855,000 sq ft of industrial and distribution space. This is the second planning application for the site, previously PLP submitted plans for a scheme for four distribution units with sizes ranging from 59,000 sq ft to 400,000 sq ft to be developed on a speculative and pre-let basis. Joint letting agents are CBRE and Gent Visick. Gateway 45 is located next to Junction 45 of the M1 and extends to 166 acres, with outline planning consent for 2.64 million sq ft of commercial space. The PLP UKLV deal follows three previous separate disposals totalling 55.5 acres, generating a total consideration of £30.3m. Gent Visick advised on the sale of the plot. There has been no comment for the parties involved.
A new automated lettings platform is promising to ensure agents and buy to let investors stay compliant. PlanetRent has been created by residential property consultancy Ringley, which claims it gives landlords and their agents the same professionally-designed cloud platform used by major investors. The platform gives details of key documents such as a copy of the ‘How to Rent’ checklist, deposit protection, EPCs and gas safety certificates in a single dashboard. PlanetRent claims this can replace “a host of existing subscriptions and manual processes, saving considerable time and expense as well as avoiding potential fines for non-compliance” as well as giving landlords cheaper access to Rightmove. There is also an app which tenants can use to pay rent and utility bills, and to request and monitor repairs. Ringley has been active in residential management for over 20 years and has advised Build To Rent operators. “The past few years have seen a host of regulations introduced that can leave landlords out of pocket if they are not up to date. Our platform takes the hassle out of staying compliant, keeping landlords safe from fines, while also eliminating the need to buy or subscribe to a whole host of different software packages” says group managing director Mary-Anne Bowring.
MSA Safety launches whitepaper exploring benefits of great head protection MSA Safety, designer, manufacturer and distributor of industry-leading safety products, has published a new head protection whitepaper following an industry panel webinar, which was hosted by MSA and attended by health and safety professionals across the UK. The webinar panel was made up of key industry figures: Alan Murray, CEO, BSIF Jim Cliff, UK Product Sales Manager (Industrial), MSA Safety Richard Cunningham, Worley The whitepaper – Are you getting the maximum benefits out of your head protection? – reviews the vital importance of head protection for workers, and covers themes including: The history of head protection Developing head protection Why comfort is “key” Understanding different environments and applications Key legislation to be aware of The benefits of great head protection – going beyond just physical safety Embedding a safety awareness culture MSA’s Jim Cliff comments: “At MSA we’re passionate about worker safety and better understanding how we can drive safer working practices. That was the purpose of the webinar and this subsequent whitepaper. It explores insights gleaned from industry professionals – all with the aim of encouraging workers to actually wear their safety helmets.” MSA has a significant pedigree when it comes to head protection with its V-Gard® range having sold more than 100 million units since its introduction. MSA believes that a hard hat is much more than the sum of its parts; more than just its “hard outer shell,” explains Jim. “Worker safety has and always will be paramount. That’s a given. But we believe that a quality hard hat – one that’s well-balanced, well-ventilated and easily adjustable for a comfortable fit – can unlock so many other associated benefits. It can increase confidence and help to improve a worker’s general wellbeing, both of which can make a workforce more productive and efficient. And crucially, greater comfort and convenience means workers are more likely to keep their hard hats on, which of course helps to increase safety and worksite compliance.” Even on well-run construction sites, head injuries are still very much a potential risk and being struck on the head by moving, flying or falling objects accounted for 18 deaths a year in the UK from 2014-19 (Health & Safety Executive). This is why any work to better understand why workers may not wear their hard hats – and how this can be addressed – is extremely valuable. MSA’s whitepaper is a must-read for both those responsible for purchasing hard hats and those who wear them for up to eight hours a day, day in, day out. Read and download MSA’s whitepaper here