Leading energy and services Group, ENGIE, has been announced as the preferred bidder for two new significant contracts with Milton Keynes Council. ENGIE has been appointed by the Council to deliver a range of innovative energy improvements and carbon reduction initiatives to the Council’s land and built assets through the
Starting a construction project can be a daunting task. There are so many things that you need to consider to complete your numerous building tasks. On that note, often big jobs require the use of a wide array of equipment. These pieces include road sweepers, dumpers, telehandlers, rollers, shovels, and
Stricter regulations within the electrical industry would have a significant uplift on the economy while also driving massive improvements in public safety, a leading industry figure has said. Speaking yesterday morning (Thurs Sept 19) on BBC Radio Scotland, Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), welcomed
WORCESTER-based Mainstay Group has appointed a new Managing Director, following a period of planned and sustained growth. The full-service property management company has brought on Andy Billson to head up its residential property management arm of the business. Andy joins the Group from residential giant Barratt Homes, where as Managing
As part of the 10th annual World Green Building Week, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has issued a bold new vision for how buildings and infrastructure around the world can reach 40% less embodied carbon emissions by 2030, and achieve 100% net zero emissions buildings by 2050. Together, building
2019’s Hajj pilgrimage begins on 9th August, and it marks a crucial moment in a Muslim’s religious journey. The process follows the Prophet Muhammad’s pilgrimage to Mecca in 632 AD and is said to cleanse followers of Islam of sin. It is to be undertaken at least once in every
Good forest management can both protect the environment and help meet the growing demand for timber from the building trade, argues Nigel Buckley-Ryan, Södra’s UK Sales Director, Merchants. As pressure on the world’s finite resources continues to intensify, timber suppliers face a growing problem: how do we meet the needs
It’s fair to say that most of us have a relaxing ‘go-to’ position that we’ve adopted over time at our desks, in our office chair. Do you lean forward with a rounded back whilst at your computer or, perhaps you allow your feet dangle off the ground? If so, the
Supported and third sector businesses operating throughout Scotland are being invited to meet up with some of the country’s biggest building contractors to explore the possibilities for joining the sector’s supply chain. The hub South West partnership is hosting its third annual Hidden Gems supplier showcase as part of its
It doesn’t matter whether you live in a mansion or a cardboard box, you’re going to need to be aware of what pests operate in your area and how to stop them from getting into your house. Many people wait until there is an issue and then call the exterminators.
Leading energy and services Group, ENGIE, has been announced as the preferred bidder for two new significant contracts with Milton Keynes Council. ENGIE has been appointed by the Council to deliver a range of innovative energy improvements and carbon reduction initiatives to the Council’s land and built assets through the national Re:fit Energy Performance Contract framework. The Re:fit framework, co-owned and managed by Local Partnerships and the Greater London Authority (GLA) allows public sector bodies to achieve guaranteed financial benefits through energy efficiency and generation projects. ENGIE will initially assess a number of Council buildings and thereafter deliver energy-saving projects under an Energy Performance Guarantee. The first phase of the Re:fit project is expected to attract an initial capital investment, addressing authority owned sheltered housing and other buildings. It is expected that further phases of the project could attract further investment in excess of £50m, likely involving large scale renewable energy and storage projects, directly linked to the delivery of the Council’s strategic development plans. ENGIE has also been appointed to provide facilities management services in a 7+3 year contract. Procured through the ESPO public sector owned professional buying framework, ENGIE will deliver a portfolio of building maintenance, cleaning, security and helpdesk services. Sam Hockman, Divisional Chief Operating Officer at ENGIE said: “As a business, we are deeply committed to making the journey to zero carbon happen. It is great to partner with a customer like Milton Keynes Council, who share the vision of a post-carbon society. We cannot wait to provide our energy and asset management expertise in support of the Council’s ambitions.” Milton Keynes Council has previously announced ambitions to be carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon negative by 2050, which the contracts with ENGIE will help to achieve. Council Leader Pete Marland is clear on the commitments, saying “We want MK to be the world’s first post-carbon city, and how we manage our own assets is an important step towards this goal. ENGIE demonstrated a clear understanding of our ambitious targets for carbon reduction and the same commitment to delivering a significant impact through their work.” ENGIE has long term experience in successfully providing both facilities management and energy efficiency services to a wide range of public sector establishments and is due to begin works on both Milton Keynes contracts later this year.
Starting a construction project can be a daunting task. There are so many things that you need to consider to complete your numerous building tasks. On that note, often big jobs require the use of a wide array of equipment. These pieces include road sweepers, dumpers, telehandlers, rollers, shovels, and attachments. FGS Plant is a UK based construction company that has a wide range of utilities available for quick order. With our competitive hire rates, flexible hire periods, free site survey, and telephone support, we are the premier destination for purchasing or considering equipment for your constructional needs. Despite the wide variety of construction companies in the UK, FGS plant is specific in the fact that we are dedicated to providing you with quality service to fulfill your personal and professional goals. We have a broad range of plant available to hire. Whatever your requirements, FGS Plant guarantees to meet your needs and surpass your requirements. Things to Consider When Looking For the Plant Hire Services: Most companies have come to understand that there are many benefits associated with selecting to work with a plant hire service. Employing a plant hire service can help them save money because they can rent as opposed to buying expensive constructional equipment. Despite the apparent economic benefit of hiring a plant hire service, one must consider additional factors when looking to purchase equipment. With that said, purchasing any piece of equipment comes with obligations that we all need to be made aware of. The first thing to do before hiring a plant hire service, is to do your research. Before purchasing equipment or engaging in a professional plant hire service you must understand what your end goals are. By doing this, you can prevent yourself from pairing with a company that does not have the skills or resources to meet your constructional needs. Also, credibility is another factor to consider. You must ask yourself, “How do the majority of people rate this plant hire service?” If you discover that a majority of people have had a negative interaction with the company, you can save yourself a lot of time and stress. If you’re looking to engage with a plant hire Kent company then consider FGS Plant. On that note, the age of equipment and delivery time are also things to consider. Old building equipment can be a hazard to you and those around you. The state of the material you are receiving can also be the difference between establishing a safe environment or a hazardous one. Having the latter will lead to countless lawsuits and inconvenience on your company and its employees. Furthermore, depending on when you want your project completed, a plant hire service’s delivery time is a significant element. It is best to avoid companies that will not respect your time in regards to completing projects. Understanding the relationship a company has with time-sensitive projects is something to consider strongly before hiring a plant hire service. Requirements Every Plant Hire Services Should Meet: Not many people know this, but there are some aspects that all plant hire services should meet. One of these requirements states that all equipment must have a risk assessment or method statement carried out before being used. This risk assessment component is to ensure the safety of everyone involved with the construction process. All building equipment must have a qualified person in charge of the operation to ensure that the project is running smoothly without situations that could harm people. Finally, all equipment must have sufficient insurance cover for all personnel involved, members of the public, machinery and for each item being used. Conclusion: Since 2004, FGS Plant has become a leader in the South East but supplying a wide range of equipment to major contractors throughout the area. We are not like other suppliers; our goal is to exceed your expectations so that you can produce the best results. More ever, besides providing top-notch service, our equipment and staff meet the highest standards demanded by the Construction industry. When working with FGS Plant, you are guaranteed to receive professional service that promptly meets all of your building requirements.
Stricter regulations within the electrical industry would have a significant uplift on the economy while also driving massive improvements in public safety, a leading industry figure has said. Speaking yesterday morning (Thurs Sept 19) on BBC Radio Scotland, Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), welcomed moves by the Scottish Government to publish a consultation on the regulation of electricians. She told the BBC’s Andrew Black why change must come sooner rather than later. “In Scotland at this moment in time anyone can call themselves an electrician and carry out electrical work,” Fiona said. “Even if you decided tomorrow, Andrew, that radio is no longer for you, you could buy a van, call yourself an electrician, and it wouldn’t be against the law. “But electrical installation is what is described as a safety-critical activity. It’s always important that installations are safe, because if not, they can result in injury or death.” News of the consultation contained in the 2019-20 Programme for Government released earlier this month was immediately endorsed by SJIB and SELECT, the electrotechnical trade association. Both are among bodies campaigning to raise public awareness about the need to use registered electricians. “Some faults lie hidden for years, lurking behind a socket, under a floorboard or hidden in a wall, just waiting for a combination of circumstances for a flashpoint to occur,” said Fiona, who is also Head of Employment Affairs at SELECT. SELECT has estimated that as many as 16% of all domestic electricians operating in this country are either unqualified or under-qualified. They and others want the title of electrician protected in law, helping to ensure that anyone claiming to be an electrician would have the necessary qualifications, knowledge and experience to carry out work. “We would estimate that upskilling training would cost around £1,000 per person, so if that meant 10,000 unqualified or under-qualified people, that’s about £2million,” Fiona said. “But the benefit to the Scottish economy would be huge. We have made a cautious estimate of the net benefits to Scotland from proper, recognised, regulated electricians of around £58million. “By upskilling the workforce and regulating the playing field we would inevitably reduce damage caused by faulty work, there would be fewer injuries and deaths and better-functioning installations – but most importantly, happier and safer consumers.”
WORCESTER-based Mainstay Group has appointed a new Managing Director, following a period of planned and sustained growth. The full-service property management company has brought on Andy Billson to head up its residential property management arm of the business. Andy joins the Group from residential giant Barratt Homes, where as Managing Director, he was responsible for introducing an in-house property management service – Barratt Residential Asset Management – from 2012, until its successful sale in March 2019. At the time, it was the first developer outside of the retirement sector to launch such a service. Prior to that, he held various operational roles during his 21-year career with the Peverel Group, including setting up its specialised mixed-use brand consort. In his new role at Mainstay, Andy will report in to Group Managing Director Luke Sanders, and will work alongside his predecessor, Gary Crook, who has a new role as Managing Director for New Ventures. Luke Sanders, Group Managing Director at Mainstay, said: “Andy’s appointment comes at a fitting time for Mainstay Group, as our residential part of the business continues to flourish and develop. “To have secured someone as knowledgeable and high-profile as Andy is testament not only to our past track record, but to our bright, exciting future. “His passion for innovation in real estate and his 29 years of experience in the sector are exactly why we hired him, as we look to drive forward our corporate strategy and enhance our offering.” Andy added: “Mainstay is committed to best-in-class customer experience and remaining on the cutting edge of property management – values which very much align with my own. “With that in mind, I’m delighted to be joining the team and playing a key role in helping to shape the direction the business goes in throughout this next period of growth.” Established in 2000, Mainstay was founded by Glyn Miles, Graham Donaldson and Andrew Tilly. The business now manages in excess of 80,000 homes across the UK, and headcount stands at 726. This year alone, Mainstay is on track to turnover a record-breaking £25.9 million in line with their 2020 corporate strategy. www.mainstaygroup.co.uk
As part of the 10th annual World Green Building Week, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has issued a bold new vision for how buildings and infrastructure around the world can reach 40% less embodied carbon emissions by 2030, and achieve 100% net zero emissions buildings by 2050. Together, building and construction are responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions in the world[1], with operational emissions (from energy used to heat, cool and light buildings) accounting for 28%. The remaining 11% comes from embodied carbon emissions, or ‘upfront’ carbon that is associated with materials and construction processes throughout the whole building lifecycle. WorldGBC’s vision to fully decarbonise the sector requires eliminating both operational and embodied carbon emissions. The ‘Bringing embodied carbon upfront’ report proposes this ambitious goal alongside solutions to accelerate immediate action by the entire building and construction value chain. The vision is endorsed by representatives from developers and construction companies, financial institutions, city networks and government, as well as industry representatives from concrete, steel and timber and many more including: HeidelbergCement, Skanska, Stora Enso, Google and the Finnish Government. The report sets out to demystify the challenge of addressing embodied carbon emissions, through breaking down complex terminology and creating a common language to set a consensus-built definition for net zero embodied carbon. Embodied carbon emissions have been overlooked in the past but as shown by milestone research from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), achieving drastic cuts in all carbon emissions over the next decade is critical to keeping global temperature rise to 1.5oC. Addressing upfront carbon is therefore crucial to fighting the climate crisis, as new construction is expected to double the worlds building stock by 2060 causing an increase in the carbon emissions occurring right now. Therefore, the new report is calling for coordinated action from across the sector to dramatically change the way buildings are designed, built, used and deconstructed. WorldGBC presents a clear pathway of actions that designers, investors, manufacturers, government, NGOs and researchers across the whole value chain can take to accelerate decarbonisation, address current market barriers and, develop low carbon alternative solutions for market. However, the report warns that change will not happen unless there is a radical shift in how industry works together to enable a market transformation. The transition towards mainstream net zero carbon standards requires immediate action to achieve greater awareness, innovation, improved processes to calculate, track and report embodied carbon, voluntary reduction targets from industry and roll out of new legislation at city, national and regional level. Approaches such as maximising the use of existing assets, promoting renovation instead of demolition and seeking new circular business models that reduce reliance on carbon intensive raw materials are also needed. To kick-start cross-sector collaboration, WorldGBC is calling for new national and sectoral roadmaps to be developed, such as those produced in Finland, Norway and Sweden, with strong support from industry and policymakers. Demonstrating the feasibility of achieving zero carbon goals, the report is supported by case studies of existing best practice across the whole breadth of the building industry. Businesses involved in design and delivery have already committed to ambitious individual or national decarbonisation strategies. For example, Skanska, a major development and construction group is making strides in enabling projects to be evaluated for full lifecycle impacts. Materials suppliers are also taking a leading role. HeidelbergCement has committed to developing carbon neutral products by 2050, and Dalmia Bharat Cement, one of India’s leading cement manufacturers, is committed to becoming a carbon negative group by 2040. Cities have also been instrumental in pushing for new innovations and approaches. Oslo, Norway, has a commitment to fossil free construction sites. Vancouver, Canada, has mandated that embodied carbon be reduced in new buildings by 40% by 2030, as part of its climate emergency response, demonstrating the type of regulatory frameworks that can drive market change. Quotes: Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council says: “Our new report is a solution focused response to the urgent need to significantly reduce upfront emissions in buildings and construction and demand action across carbon intensive industries and materials. With the support of our global network and the endorsements we have received for the report, we are confident that we can stimulate market demand and facilitate radical whole value chain collaboration that will be truly transformative and benefit both people and planet. “We will accelerate action to achieve our goal of slashing embodied carbon by 40% by 2030 and securing net zero embodied carbon by 2050, in addition to our net zero operational carbon goals.” Mark Watts, Executive Director, C40 says: “The majority of the world’s population live in cities, projected to rise to 70% by 2050. As cities continue to grow, and temperatures continue to rise dangerously, it has never been more important for the buildings and construction sector to be leading the way on climate action. Because the sector is responsible for such a large chunk of global emissions, it means there is huge potential for reduction. It is excellent news that the pathways laid out by the World Green Building Council contain an interim target for 2030 – as we know how important this date is for getting the world on track to limit global temperatures to 1.5C. Now the sector needs to mobilise immediately to put these changes into action for global benefit. Collaboration between sectors and organisations will be key to achieving this transformation – and at C40 we are looking forward to supporting cities to make it a reality.” Anders Danielsson, President & CEO, Skanska says: “This report sets out bold ambitions for embodied carbon reduction in the built environment which we welcome at Skanska. We recognise our responsibility and see an increased sense of urgency in our work to reduce carbon, which started many years ago. As we move forward, greater transparency on carbon emissions is needed throughout the whole value chain. Tools like the EC3 which we have developed with partners can help with this. But this is not
2019’s Hajj pilgrimage begins on 9th August, and it marks a crucial moment in a Muslim’s religious journey. The process follows the Prophet Muhammad’s pilgrimage to Mecca in 632 AD and is said to cleanse followers of Islam of sin. It is to be undertaken at least once in every Muslim’s lifetime. In the last 19 years, Mecca has hosted an average 2,362,528 pilgrims annually. To put this in perspective, Mecca’s population as of 2019 is 2,004,888. Essentially, Mecca more than doubles in population over the six-day pilgrimage window every year. With so many people comes a lot of challenges and risks — so, how is a mass gathering like the Hajj made possible and safe? The figures The number of pilgrims heading to Mecca each year steadily rose between 1999 and 2012, resulting in the highest-ever number of pilgrims in 2012 (3,161,573). This led to quotas and restrictions being placed per country by the Saudi government — and 1 million fewer pilgrims in 2013. Despite these restrictions, risks associated with crowds remained. Stampedes had happened during the Hajj before, but the worst occurred in 2015. The resulting questions and concerns surrounding the event led to another fall in numbers in 2016 as many chose to boycott the gathering. Numbers sharply increased after this boycott, however, and have continued to rise. It is predicted that by 2030, numbers could reach 6 million. With this in mind, how do authorities manage such a colossal number of people? The challenges The most obvious risk and challenge of an event like the Hajj is the risk of stampedes or crushes. In such events, those present are unable to control their movements due to being pushed and lifted by pressure-ripples of a tightly packed crowd. This means density numbers need to be managed to a fine detail. One method of managing this risk is through crowd simulation software. Maher Saleh Abolkhour from the King Abdul Aziz University used such software to analyse and predict the movement of crowds at the Hajj. Management Maher focused on the Al-Masjid al-Haram, an open area space of the pilgrimage. Using crowd simulation software, Maher was able to re-run the simulation of a huge crowd in this space, recording predicted behaviour and the rise and fall of crowd density. This in turn allowed Maher to crate different models, moving gates and fences and re-running the simulation to see how these changes would affect crowd behaviour. In terms of physical changes to the route, Jamarat Bridge, which houses the important stoning of the devil rituals, has been redesigned in recent years. In 2016, 308 escalators were installed, alongside six passenger lifts, two ambulance elevators, and two helipad elevators. The Saudi government also has a fleet of ambulances integrated as part of their management efforts for the pilgrimage every year. According to reports by the Independent, each ambulance is considered to be its own intensive-care unit. The Hajj is an important journey in a Muslim’s life. There have been moves to make the pilgrimage as safe as possible, from pilgrim quotas, research and simulation, and engineering. With numbers only expected to rise, it is unlikely that the Hajj will not change again in coming years. Sources:
Good forest management can both protect the environment and help meet the growing demand for timber from the building trade, argues Nigel Buckley-Ryan, Södra’s UK Sales Director, Merchants. As pressure on the world’s finite resources continues to intensify, timber suppliers face a growing problem: how do we meet the needs of consumers and protect our planet at the same time? In my view, good forest management is the main way to address these apparently conflicting needs. Some may think that trees simply grow on their own and that forests therefore don’t need to be carefully managed. However, innovative and responsible forest management can make a significant difference, both to the environment and to the quality and supply of timber. So, what should good forest management look like? Nurturing healthy saplings As you would expect, it starts at the beginning with the careful selection of the seedlings that, over the next 50-70 years, will grow to maturity, create your forest, and provide the reliable supply of timber on which your customers depend. At Södra, for example, the basis of our Falkenburg nursery (where 35 million saplings passed through last year) derives from some of the best quality trees in the world. The programme does not and has never used genetic modification in any way, but rather helps ensure that all desirable traits of these selected spruce are transferred to the seeds, and then to future trees. This helps produce higher quality trees and ultimately improves the overall quality of the end-product. Encouraging good root growth Saplings themselves should be planted in conditions that will ensure strong, healthy root growth. One way of doing this is to line the pots in which they are grown with copper. This prevents roots from spiralling downwards in a corkscrew shape. Instead, the roots spread out to the edges of the pot. This trait continues when they are finally planted in the forest, which makes them less susceptible to storm damage. Before this stage, once saplings reach a height of about 15cms, they should be trimmed and generally well looked after. Errant branches should be cut off to create a nice straight sapling, maximising its chances of growing into a strong, healthy tree. As they grow, saplings will continue to need careful nurturing to keep them healthy and pest-free. However, this shouldn’t mean resorting to chemicals. At Södra, for instance, we have developed our own chemical-free pest deterrent called Cambiguard. Healthy forests lead to quality timber supply Health forests mean health trees that grow for longer, benefiting the environment as they do by absorbing and locking away harmful carbon dioxide. And typically, longer growth results in bigger, stronger, better quality trees which, in turn, means higher yields of quality timber. Once saplings are ready to be planted out, good forest management involves planting them in a location that will offer sufficient light, water and nutrients for continued healthy growth. Responsible forest owners measure water tables regularly and make sure they have a good, up-to-date understanding of what their forest actually consists of. Modern technology can help here. For example, many of today’s foresters now use drones to view the forest. Amongst other things, this enables them to identify which areas need to be thinned and which areas will work well left as nature strips. The role of thinning and nature strips Thinning is an essential element of good forest management and consists of removing slower-growing or defective trees, so providing more space and sunlight for the remaining trees. The subsequent improved supply of soil nutrients, water and light results in bigger, healthier trees. Nature strips also play an important role in forest husbandry. These are areas of forest left untouched so that wildlife can flourish, which helps maintain a balanced forest ecosystem and contribute to the overall health of the forest. Conservation and increased production can go hand in hand In my view, a long-term, evidence-based approach is critical to successful forest management. At Södra our systematic approach over the last 20 years has led to both an increase in voluntarily protected areas with high conservation values and greater production. Over the next five years we’re going a step further and aiming to use our ongoing research and development to achieve a 20 per cent higher annual rate of forest growth while still meeting our sustainability targets. This ambition demonstrates that conservation and improved productivity can go hand-in-hand. Indeed, many forest owners find that, in time, less invasive forestry methods lead to forests with better growth and increased wood volume. This translates into the reliable supply that is so important for builders’ merchants and other timber buyers, particularly in the current climate of uncertainty around the outcome of Brexit. Care with harvesting As they mature, trees will continue to need monitoring to make sure they are still receiving an adequate supply of water, light and soil nutrients. Generally, it takes around 50-70 years for a tree to fully mature and reach its full height, and only once a tree has stopped absorbing harmful carbon dioxide (and locked it away forever), will it be harvested. As with the earlier stages of a tree’s life, good forest management can minimise negative environmental impacts at the harvesting stage. For example, it is important to protect the forest floor and reduce soil damage by constructing temporary roadways and laying down branches. It is also important to identify important habitats that should be preserved. The end results By managing forests in the careful, responsible way I have outlined forest owners can make a significant difference to the environment and, at the same time, provide a reliable supply of the sustainable and quality timber that’s increasingly in demand to meet today’s construction needs.
It’s fair to say that most of us have a relaxing ‘go-to’ position that we’ve adopted over time at our desks, in our office chair. Do you lean forward with a rounded back whilst at your computer or, perhaps you allow your feet dangle off the ground? If so, the fact is that it could be causing long term damage within your body, leading to serious health issues. Health researchers have looked into the negative effects of technology on our posture. The term ‘tech neck’ has been given to the condition caused by spending long periods of time on computers and tablets. Be aware of aches and creases developing across your neck and chest areas – it could be ‘tech neck’. Learn how to look after your posture and ensure your alignment at your desk is a health one. Here’s our guide… The worrying health issue of bad posture Bad posture can not only give you ‘tech neck’, it can lead to muscle problems and strains in other areas of the body. In fact, poor posture is known to be one of the major causes of back problems. It depends on your posture as to which muscle groups feel the strain. Even if you’re not experiencing problems now, improving your posture is something that you should consider to prevent issues from arising in the future. Unfortunately, another main cause of back and neck misalignment is spending prolonged time at a desk — something that many of us can’t avoid. Research has even shown that sitting time has a positive correlation with lower back pain and neck-shoulder pain intensity. You’ll be pleased to hear that there are some actions that you can take to maintain a good posture when you’re at work. A guide to assessing the posture at your desk The first step you can take to bettering your posture is being aware of it. This pushes you to make active changes and recognise when you could improve. Analyse the position of your body whilst at your desk Positioning your body in the right way at work is important, as it’s possible that you’ll be sitting or standing like this for many hours. The way that we sit also has an effect on the way we walk, so it’s important to keep an eye on it. Good posture is where the body is in perfect alignment. This is where your spine can maintain its natural curvature and it isn’t strained. The best way to sit or stand in this way is to imagine there is a string attached to the top of your head that’s pulling you up. This should lengthen your stance, improve the way that you’re positioned, and stop you from slouching. You might find that slouching is temporarily comfortable, but over time it can lead to strain on already sensitised muscles and soft tissues. If your job requires sitting down for a prolonged period, what should you be doing? Try and sit back in the chair rather than perching on the edge, as this offers your back some support and again, stops you from slouching. Do not sit as far back so that your feet dangle though. Letting your feet dangle can cause problems. If you sit on a high stool at work for example, tuck them in and rest them on the support. Positioning yourself so that your legs hang over the side of your chair causes gravity to pull your feet towards the ground and this tilts your pelvis backwards, which can lead to pain. Your shoulders should also be in a relaxed position to offer relief for shoulder pain. Avoid hunching them up so that you can lean on the arms of your chair or rolling them forwards. Promote a healthy posture using specialist equipment Not only do we need to sit in the right way, but we need to be using equipment that supports our good posture. Speak to your employer if you think that you need extra support or that your current equipment is affecting your posture. If you have a desk job, a suitably adjusted chair that supports that inward curve of your spine is important. Arm rests can help provide support, but they need to be the correct height. If they’re too high, this can cause raised shoulders, and if they’re too low, it can cause leaning. As we mentioned before, make sure that your chair is the right height so that your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are parallel to, or just lower than, your hips. Your screen should be directly in front of you, around an arm’s length away with the top of the screen at your eye level. A neck rest can also be used to help you relax your neck when you’re not typing. If you use the telephone a lot at work, you might find that a cordless headset would be better suited. This is because you might find yourself cradling your phone between your ear and shoulder, which can add unnecessary strain to our neck, upper back and shoulders. Take breaks from your desk and move around It’s important to stay mobile. Even if you are sitting with good posture, being sat in the same place for a prolonged period can still be harmful. And, moving around at work has other fitness benefits too. In fact, when asked to interrupt their sitting at work every half an hour throughout the day, overweight/obese office workers showed a 32% reduction in lower back discomfort, compared to seated work. But how can you keep moving in your office space throughout the day? Standing during phone call. Taking a break from the computer every 30 minutes and stretching your legs. Walk to a colleague’s desk instead of emailing them. Doing some desk exercises.
Supported and third sector businesses operating throughout Scotland are being invited to meet up with some of the country’s biggest building contractors to explore the possibilities for joining the sector’s supply chain. The hub South West partnership is hosting its third annual Hidden Gems supplier showcase as part of its on-going commitment to an inclusive supply chain offering opportunities to local businesses and organisations throughout the area. This year’s event is being held in partnership with hub West, the development partnership established in April 2012 covering the west of Scotland. Featuring 10 organisations with the potential to sell their products and services into the sector, the supplier showcase will be held on Tuesday September 24 at The Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi) in Glasgow’s Edgefauld Avenue. From its roots as a supported factory for the visually impaired, the RSBi has grown into one of the country’s leading examples of social enterprise, combining commercial success with socially responsible practices. It is committed to providing opportunities to people with disabilities, as well as helping towards the economic regeneration of the local community and beyond. Wholly owned by Glasgow City Council as part of its City Building limited liability partnership, RSBi is credited as the largest supported business in Europe. It manufactures a wide range of products including kitchens, office and educational furniture, beds and soft furnishings, timber building kits, metal products and storage solutions. “The RSBi is a fantastic example of a business from which the whole of society profits, and is therefore the perfect location for this year’s Hidden Gems event,” hub South West chief executive Michael McBrearty said. “There are many such organisations throughout Scotland providing much-needed employment and support for local people, and we want to showcase how they can benefit from contributing to the construction industry in general, and in particular to Scotland’s hub programme.” The hub South West partnership was established in 2012 to deliver value for money on public sector community-based infrastructure projects to generate growth in local economies across Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway. It is currently processing a general pipeline of £1.1bn of works. Hidden Gems forms part of the regular series of workshops organised by hub Club, the networking initiative of hub South West aimed at engaging local businesses and encouraging them to share their experiences. Events from hub Club are open to all members and aspiring members of hub South West’s Territory Supplier Network. Tier 1 contractors represented on the day at Hidden Gems will include Interserve, Kier, Morrisons, Graham, Morgan Sindall, BAM, CCG and Linear Design & Construct. Registration begins at 2pm and places can be booked here.
It doesn’t matter whether you live in a mansion or a cardboard box, you’re going to need to be aware of what pests operate in your area and how to stop them from getting into your house. Many people wait until there is an issue and then call the exterminators. While this is an effective tactic, it does mean that your house may be damaged before you have the issue dealt with. Termites can eat wood surprisingly quickly and mice can destroy your electrical cables in virtually no time. It’s better to speak to your local pest control firm and get them to help you pest-proof your home, preventing pests from becoming a problem. Here are some easy ways in which you can get started: Clean Your Home Cluster, dirt, food debris, and standing water are all very attractive to pests, this gives them the perfect conditions to live in. Of course, the fact that it’s inside your home means they’ll also be warm and dry. In short, they’re getting all the benefits of your home without paying the mortgage You can eliminate this attractiveness by removing all standing water. That’s pet bowls, water collecting in your gutter, and even uneven ground outside. If you have a pond or a pool make sure the water keeps moving. Next, remove all food debris. The first step is keeping all open food packets in sealed containers. The second is cleaning all your countertops and floors. Even a crumb can represent a significant meal to a pest, you’ll want to clean the place thoroughly. Finally, focus on removing clutter. Piles of books, magazines, or boxes, are all great hiding places for your pest friends. Get rid of them and your home will be less attractive. Don’t forget, you need to apply this philosophy to your yard as well. Seal Gaps Having removed the attractiveness of your home you can start sealing it up, preventing pests from getting access. To do this you’ll need to walk around the perimeter and look for any gaps or cracks. They are commonly found around windows and doors. But, they can also be where your cladding ends, especially if there is a small gap. Get A Pet It may seem like an unusual idea but a pet can actually keep when pests away. Cats and dogs are remarkably good at smelling pests, they may even hunt them. But, if they don’t, the fact that there is a pet in the house can be enough to deter some pests. There are easier homes to target! Traps You should also consider placing some traps around your home, ideally where children and pets can’t get to them. Monitoring these regularly will show you whether you have an issue and what type of pest you’re dealing with. This will help you take the appropriate steps to avoid the issue. Of course, if you appear to already have an infestation then your best bet is o simply call pest control. They will eliminate the source of the issue while you tidy your home.