The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has published the new Level 2 Facilities Services Operative apprenticeship standard and assessment plan. The Level 2 Facilities Services Operative (FSO) apprenticeship is ideal for those new to the profession who are looking for an entry level role in the industry. It offers
Property maintenance can often seem like an exhausting and costly endeavour, with numerous aspects of a building to consider. By implementing a planned maintenance schedule for your building you can ensure that all elements of your premises are taken care of in a timely and cost effective manner. Here we
Since the 1925 Land Registration Act in the UK, which was replaced by an updated Land Registration Act in 2002, it’s been compulsory to register unregistered property and land. However, according to the HM Land Registry, there is still 14% of land in the UK that remains unregistered or unclaimed.
GODWIN Group, the UK-based property development and investment company, has continued its growth, recently opening a London office to add to its existing bases in Nottingham and Birmingham. The new London outpost, based in the heart of the capital in prestigious Mayfair, provides a new base of operations for both
Travis Perkins, the UK’s largest supplier of building materials, has used innovative virtual reality technology to train over 1,000 drivers who work across the Group’s CCF, BSS and Keyline businesses, to deliver significant environmental benefits. The virtual reality method has been used to help improve learning as part of the
Construction is one of those businesses which always needs more hands. Whether you are pitching for big corporate contracts or simply taking on small jobs in people’s homes, there are plenty of opportunities if you know where to look. Here are some top tips to help you get started if
Prominent developer Wykeland Group is leading the remarkable regeneration of its home city of Hull, with a series of multi-million pound investments. Wykeland is one of Yorkshire and the Humber’s leading commercial developers and is a key player in a raft of major schemes in Hull as the city enjoys
The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), Scottish Government’s independent centre of infrastructure expertise, has published its latest five-year corporate plan outlining how it will prioritise its work towards a vision of world-class infrastructure for the people of Scotland. Recognising that high-quality infrastructure underpins inclusive economic growth, sustainable communities and the effective
If your business is involved with hazardous chemicals in any way then you may already be aware of the Global Harmonised System (GHS) – but if it is something new to you, it is very important that you understand it. Whether you are involved with these chemicals directly, or perhaps
Whilst gardening is a fun and enjoyable pastime, it’s also one that can be decidedly challenging in some instances. Aside from the labour-intensive and time-consuming nature of some gardening tasks, it may occasionally be necessary to undertake more complex projects that make your outdoor space more accessible and functional. Whilst
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has published the new Level 2 Facilities Services Operative apprenticeship standard and assessment plan. The Level 2 Facilities Services Operative (FSO) apprenticeship is ideal for those new to the profession who are looking for an entry level role in the industry. It offers the opportunity both to master practical workplace skills and gain IWFM professional recognition. On completion of this standard – typically in 12 months – FSOs will be able to provide facilities services support to customers and facilities management departments in a wide range of workplace environments. The FSO role is outward-facing and will involve substantial liaison with customers, as well as compliance with legislation and organisational policies. IWFM played a key role in the Trailblazer group which created the new standard, working alongside sector employers, training providers and educational institutions. This built on our earlier collaborations developing the higher level FM apprenticeship standards critical to providing the industry with the professionals it needs to help address its productivity and skills challenges, whilst also promoting social mobility. IWFM Head of Professional Development Fraser Talbot, said: “This key entry level pathway to our profession couldn’t have come at a better time for those wanting an opportunity to take the first step to a career in workplace and facilities management. “Apprenticeships provide a valuable alternative to academic routes and they are crucial to bringing new talent into the profession. As an apprentice you earn as you learn, gain a professional qualification and get an experience-based launchpad to a career, irrespective of your background. Employers gain assurance that their workforce has the knowledge and skills they require. Investment in professional development also provides a more engaged and productive workforce. It’s a perfect win-win” For full details of the apprenticeship standard click here.
Property maintenance can often seem like an exhausting and costly endeavour, with numerous aspects of a building to consider. By implementing a planned maintenance schedule for your building you can ensure that all elements of your premises are taken care of in a timely and cost effective manner. Here we explore the top 5 reasons to employ a planned maintenance schedule. Compliance As a building owner or tenant there are numerous legislations and regulations which you must stay in compliance with to ensure a safe environment, and to stay within the law. From water safety checks, to electrical and fire equipment, each aspect must be carefully inspected and regularly maintained to confirm their compliance. A planned maintenance schedule ensures that your building undergoes necessary and regular compliance checks and receives appropriate maintenance as and when required. Minimise Breakdowns Without regular maintenance checks smaller and more inconsequential issues can turn into larger, more unmanageable repairs, and even complete breakdowns. Checking equipment and the fabric of the building regularly for potential faults will help to detect any issues before they progress. A comprehensive maintenance schedule will ensure that the entire facility undergoes regular maintenance checks and breakdowns of equipment will be minimised. Time Saving Whilst in the initial planning stages a planned maintenance schedule may seem time consuming, this process will help to save time in the long run. As equipment is checked on a regular schedule, the building or business owner can spend time more effectively elsewhere, without concerning themselves with the prospect of breakdowns or repairs. A blended strategy of reactive and planned maintenance would be suitable for most buildings to ensure there is regular maintenance occurring, along with having a qualified team on hand to respond quickly to a unexpected and reactive issues. Cost Effective Waiting for breakdowns or maintenance issues to arise before fixing them may seem like a preferable option, with no need for outgoing cost of regular maintenance checks. However, this strategy can be a very costly way of maintaining a facility, and lead to longer downtime whilst larger repairs take place. A planned maintenance strategy will help to reduce costs as unexpected maintenance issues are spotted during the regular checks, and can be dealt with before escalating into larger more costly repairs or replacements. Without planned maintenance it can be easy to ignore potential maintenance issues which can have knock on effects further down the line. Equipment Lifespan Replacing equipment within the fabric of a building can be expensive and time consuming, therefore being able to reduce the likelihood of replacements being necessary is highly preferable. Regularly checking equipment around the facility and repairing minor issues as and when they occur will help to maximise the life expectancy and value of the equipment, keeping it safe and efficient for longer. By employing a planned maintenance schedule and a qualified team to take care of the tasks in your facility, will help to ensure your building continues to function safely and within the law. Whilst having the appearance of being time consuming and costly, planned maintenance will inevitably help to prevent major issues and expenditures from occurring.
Since the 1925 Land Registration Act in the UK, which was replaced by an updated Land Registration Act in 2002, it’s been compulsory to register unregistered property and land. However, according to the HM Land Registry, there is still 14% of land in the UK that remains unregistered or unclaimed. Along with complying with the law, there are numerous benefits to registering land. But, firstly, let’s discuss how you go through the process of registering unregistered land in the first place. What is an unregistered property? This could be land or a building such as a house, garage or even something as small as a shed. Basically, it’s any property that is legally owned but is yet to be registered with the Land Registry in the true owner’s name. The owner will usually have Title Deeds that explain how they came to own the property. But simply having these Title Deeds doesn’t mean the property is registered, so to reap the benefits of having a registered property and to protect it from encroachment by others, it’s advised that you register the land as soon as you can. The two ways of registering unregistered property There are two types of registration, compulsory and voluntary. Here’s what you need to know about both. Compulsory registration Since 1925, a property that is ‘dealt with’ has the change of ownership officially registered and the new owner will receive a Title Register and Title Plan to confirm their ownership of the property. But what does ‘dealt with’ actually mean? It means that some activity has happened with the property that will trigger the compulsory registration. Some of these activities are as follows: A new lease of 7 years or over is granted. The first legal mortgage on an unregistered property is granted. A Freehold Estate is transferred in a sale of purchase. A Leasehold Estate is transferred with over 7 years remaining (this is known as assignment). In all these cases, it’s a legal requirement for the land or property to be compulsorily registered. You can do this by registering online with the HM Land Registry Voluntary registration You don’t have to wait for the property to become ‘dealt with’ in order to register it. You can simply make a voluntary first registration application in the same place where you would compulsory register it. While you can do this yourself, you can also instruct a land registry solicitor to do it if you want to make sure everything is done smoothly and legally. The solicitor can take your Title Deeds to find out how you came to own the property and submit an application to the Land Registry on your behalf, passing a copy of the Title Register onto you.
GODWIN Group, the UK-based property development and investment company, has continued its growth, recently opening a London office to add to its existing bases in Nottingham and Birmingham. The new London outpost, based in the heart of the capital in prestigious Mayfair, provides a new base of operations for both arms of the business, Godwin Developments and Godwin Capital. Godwin is already creating links to Greater London, the South East and South West of the UK and further expanding the geographical scope of Godwin Developments’ commercial and residential portfolios. The new location will also provide important access to London’s financial network and wealth-raising opportunities for Godwin Capital, the investment arm of the business. Andrew Mitchell, group investment director of Godwin Group, said: “As a leading international financial centre, London is a key location for Godwin Capital to enhance its corporate profile, provide expansion opportunities and access to one of the world’s deepest pools of capital. “The build-to-rent (BTR) sector continues to grow apace; operators are looking to take advantage of improved yields and a wider selection of sites across the UK as infrastructures improve and lower land prices make development lucrative. “Many of the key players in this market are based out of head offices in London. Godwin Group’s new London office is strategically located to provide this vital link, local contact and expertise for its regional businesses.” The London office launch comes after a number of high-profile new hires at Godwin Group. Staff numbers have increased by 60% as the firm’s growing number of regional projects has expanded. Recent successes include planning approval for Godwin’s proposed new BTR scheme of 201 apartments at The Landmark development in Derby, Godwin Capital’s launch of innovative new investment products and the launch of the group’s BTR brand called Core Living – which plans to build up to 2,500 new homes over the next four years. Stephen Pratt, group land director of Godwin Group, said: “Godwin Group has seen huge growth over the past months. Our new London office will allow us to accommodate further expansion plans and look to reach new markets in our key sectors. “These are exciting times for Godwin Group and we are looking forward to expanding our network even further with the opening of our London office.” Visit Godwin Group on https://www.godwingroup.co.uk/
Travis Perkins, the UK’s largest supplier of building materials, has used innovative virtual reality technology to train over 1,000 drivers who work across the Group’s CCF, BSS and Keyline businesses, to deliver significant environmental benefits. The virtual reality method has been used to help improve learning as part of the Group’s Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) compliance training, which is recognised by the FORS scheme. Using virtual reality has enabled Travis Perkins to facilitate learning in a quicker and more accessible way, and the method enabled the company to use its own Driver of the Year, Richard Ellson, in the simulations, taking drivers through his journey and showing them his view of the road from behind the wheel, and showcasing in practical and visible terms how he handles obstacles along local roads. Travis Perkins delivered the training through group workshops, where each driver who took part was provided with a set of virtual reality goggles and workbooks that were signed off after each exercise by the facilitator. The three businesses which took part have already seen significant benefits; saving more than 466,000 litres in fuel in 2018 as a result of improved Miles Per Gallon. Head of Fleet for Travis Perkins, Karl Wilshaw, said: “It’s been great to be part of this milestone training, and inspiring to see the ability that virtual reality has to reach our drivers and bring scenarios to life. This type of training has completely transformed the way we can show how drivers should conduct walk-around checks, drive more fuel efficiently, manoeuvre vehicles and handle road risk challenges. Thanks to The Resources Group who shaped the initial idea, we have been able to develop, build and deliver the programme.” “We specialise in material handling and safety training to raise standards of workplace training, and have worked closely with Karl and his team to integrate the virtual technology training. It’s been good to see how this training has enabled drivers to immersive themselves in their own environment, and how we have been able to use Travis Perkins’ own people to share knowledge and achieve some excellent results. We feel that integrating this innovative approach to learning offers an array of pathways and prospects for future training opportunities, and we very much look forward to pursuing these further,” said Head of Strategic Relationships for Katie Robinson, The Resources Group. Travis Perkins will continue its commitment to improving safety and fuel economy on the roads with the development of technology, such as the introduction of electric vehicles, and by engaging and rewarding colleagues who successfully reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Construction is one of those businesses which always needs more hands. Whether you are pitching for big corporate contracts or simply taking on small jobs in people’s homes, there are plenty of opportunities if you know where to look. Here are some top tips to help you get started if you are thinking about launching your own construction business. Know When to Hire Help You may be tempted to be a kind of jack-of-all-trades, especially in the early days of the business. However, that could lead to some costly mistakes on your part. Promising to handle someone’s shower refit when you are not qualified can be extremely dangerous and could land you in serious trouble. Cultivate a network of qualified freelance professionals who can help with certain jobs. They can bring you the expertise you need and the satisfaction of a job well done way before you are in the position to hire people for yourself. Get Quality Tools As a member of the construction industry, your tools are the most important thing in your life. You want to buy a set of high-quality tools which will last for years and they don’t always come cheap. Luckily for you, there is a range of loans out there to help with specifically this issue. Look into taking one out to help with your tool acquisition. You can even use it to buy some of the larger pieces of equipment if you need. Sort Out Van Hire In the early days, you may not have the necessary vehicle to help you get around between jobs. Your car may be sufficient at first but if you have a large piece of equipment to transport or some bulky supplies, you may need to secure other transport. Van leasing is the perfect option here. You can lease a van for however long you need and you will have minimal fees to pay compared to if you actually bought a van for the business. Source Suppliers The best construction companies have different suppliers they can go to when they need to get something for their jobs. With the right contacts, you will be able to hunt down whatever your client desires for their build. Additionally, if you build up repeat business with these suppliers, you may be able to grab yourself a repeat-customer discount. Deals like these will be invaluable to you when it comes to turning a profit and offering your customers the best deals possible to drive up business. Starting your own construction firm has many ups and downs, but if you manage to meet all the demands then you could have a very profitable business in front of you. Work hard and make sensible choices and watch as your business grows. Something which starts as you with a single toolbox and a car could grow into a full crew ready to build a house from the ground up if you have the drive to make it happen.
Prominent developer Wykeland Group is leading the remarkable regeneration of its home city of Hull, with a series of multi-million pound investments. Wykeland is one of Yorkshire and the Humber’s leading commercial developers and is a key player in a raft of major schemes in Hull as the city enjoys unprecedented regeneration after gaining national and international exposure as UK City of Culture 2017. The focal point for the city’s rejuvenation is the waterfront Fruit Market quarter. Once a near-derelict area, the Fruit Market took centre stage during the City of Culture year and is being transformed by one of the most significant urban regeneration schemes in the North of England. Wykeland is part of the Wykeland Beal joint venture with East Yorkshire-based housebuilder Beal Homes which is driving forward the £80m renaissance of the Fruit Market, in partnership with Hull City Council. The Fruit Market has been reinvented as one of the most vibrant and fastest-growing communities in the North, featuring a host of commercial, creative and cultural ventures. The first buyers are also moving into a £17m Wykeland Beal development that is adding the residential element to the developers’ “live, work and play” vision for the area. Wykeland Beal has just secured planning permission for the latest major phase of the Fruit Market transformation, which features a new head office for the UK’s leading safety company, Arco. Hull City Council’s Planning Committee gave the green light to the £22m scheme, including the Arco offices, a 350 space multi-storey car park, 34 residential units and 3,000 sq ft of retail/leisure space. The 55,000 sq ft Arco building will be one of the largest new corporate head office developments in the North of England in recent years. It will accommodate around 450 employees who will transfer from Arco’s current base, in a 1960s building a mile away which is set to be demolished as part of a £392m Highways England scheme to improve the main A63 route through the city centre. Wykeland paved the way for the Fruit Market to become a magnet for investment with developments such as @TheDock, which saw a vacant waterfront site incorporating a listed dry dock become a thriving tech campus, with the Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) digital hub as its centrepiece. @TheDock is acknowledged as one of the UK’s leading digital clusters, with around 200 start-up or scale-up tech firms based on site or closely linked to it, and last month Wykeland gained planning permission for two new buildings to complete the development. The £9m plans will provide 31,000 sq ft of offices, co-working and meeting space to enable tech companies to continue to collaborate and grow. Wykeland’s latest landmark development is a nine-storey hotel with rooftop sky bar offering spectacular views of Hull’s waterfront, as part of a scheme that will secure the future of two historic buildings and create a new city centre piazza. Wykeland has teamed up with Princes Quay Developments, owner of Hull’s Princes Quay Shopping Centre, for the Castle Buildings scheme featuring a 52,000 sq ft hotel with 150 bedrooms as part of a £20m investment creating up to 150 jobs. Dominic Gibbons, Managing Director of Wykeland Group, said: “Hull is riding the crest of a wave and, as a company founded and based in the city, we couldn’t be happier to be at the heart of the exciting change we are now seeing all around us. “Hull has never before experienced so much concentrated investment, but it’s certainly not an overnight success story and it’s fair to say some of it is making up ground on other major cities. “The seeds have been sown over many years, including by all the key players coming together behind the bid for Hull to be UK City of Culture. In fact, we were the first ‘business angel’ to back the bid, as well as becoming a Major Partner, and support from the city’s businesses community was a vital factor in the success of the bid and the year-long cultural programme. “Being City of Culture was a game-changer for Hull and, working together, the city has capitalised on the momentum the year generated.” Mr Gibbons said a key factor was unlocking the potential of Hull’s waterfront, including the unique Fruit Market area, which was home to the city’s wholesale fruit and vegetable trade for a century before falling into decline. He added: “Our own offices overlook the River Hull and the Humber Estuary, so we were very aware of what could be achieved. We kick-started the revival of the waterfront by acquiring and revitalising the Marina Court offices and then launching @TheDock and C4DI. “There had been previous plans by out-of-town developers to regenerate the Fruit Market, but these collapsed after the banking crisis. Back in 2013 we formed a joint venture with Beal Homes to bid to become Hull City Council’s partner, which has ultimately led to the thriving urban village we see today. “Key to all of this has been the strength of our relationships with public sector partners such as the city council and businesses such as Beal Homes and Arco. The investment Hull is enjoying also demonstrates the power of bringing together physical, social and cultural change – after all, regeneration is about people, not just buildings.” Wykeland was founded in Hull 50 years ago and has developed more than 11.5m sq ft of high-quality commercial space across the north of England and Scotland. Three years ago Wykeland sold a range of business parks in Scotland and the North East to focus on its “sphere of influence” in Yorkshire and the Humber and that decision has paid dividends. The company now has a development pipeline of almost £400m within the region, with flagship projects including the fast-growing Bridgehead and Meltonwest business parks in East Yorkshire. Wykeland has also established a reputation as a trusted partner of the public sector in bringing commercial acumen and delivery focus to public-private partnerships. As well as the partnership with Hull
The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), Scottish Government’s independent centre of infrastructure expertise, has published its latest five-year corporate plan outlining how it will prioritise its work towards a vision of world-class infrastructure for the people of Scotland. Recognising that high-quality infrastructure underpins inclusive economic growth, sustainable communities and the effective provision of public services, Scottish Government has set a National Infrastructure Mission to increase infrastructure investment by up to £1.5bn per annum over its £5.2bn 2019-20 baseline, so that it reaches £6.7bn in 2025-26. SFT has a unique role across the whole of Scotland, working with the public and private sectors, to: Plan asset investment and management effectively across sectors and places Innovate in approaches to funding, financing and delivery Deliver projects and programmes to drive life-cycle value and vibrant construction and related industries Manage existing assets, estates and contracts productively SFT’s Corporate Plan sets out the outcomes it will work with partners to deliver, with a particular focus on: Enabling development in places where jobs can be created and homes built – bringing public and private sector partners together with a focus on infrastructure and innovative financing to unlock the potential of places and assets; and Delivering investment programmes in public infrastructure effectively – especially programmes which span multiple organisations such as schools’ investment and elements of the National Infrastructure Mission which need new financing approaches to be delivered. In supporting the National Infrastructure Mission to enable the low-carbon, digitally enabled economy of tomorrow, SFT sees an increased focus on: Low-carbon infrastructure where we are working to deliver better insulated buildings, de-carbonise heat and provide options to increase electric vehicle charging points Digital infrastructure where we are working on 5G technologies as well as rolling out masts to further increase 4G coverage in mobile ‘not-spots’ Infrastructure technology with 3D computer modelling, virtual reality and laser scanning all amongst the new infrastructure technologies we are promoting to virtually build a new school or hospital to help flush out any design flaws before moving the building into the construction phase Maintenance and resilience where a renewed focus on making the best use of the assets we have through effective and joined-up use of buildings and focussed investment in condition can benefit users, the environment and free up budget over the medium term to invest in transformation Much of SFT’s infrastructure work is delivered in partnership with the Scottish construction industry. Recognising its importance to the economy SFT will seek to ensure a vibrant construction industry with increased productivity delivering well-designed and high-quality assets to its customers and fair and rewarding work to a diverse workforce. Peter Reekie, chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust, explained: “Delivering high-quality, well-functioning infrastructure to support and accelerate economic growth will achieve social and environmental benefits right across Scotland. Building the economy is our focus, and we will continue to provide innovative investment models to stimulate additional private sector investment and create jobs. “The target to phase out the need to buy petrol or diesel vehicles in Scotland in little over ten years’ time will require a big expansion of charging points and we are working with colleagues from Transport Scotland to plan for that now. “In addition, the economic impact of Scotland becoming a world-leading digital nation is huge as it could boost GDP by around 10%. But to reap that reward, all of Scotland must be at the forefront of technology. We are delivering the 4G mobile mast infill programme to cover many rural mobile not-spots and working on Scotland’s 5G strategy which will be piloted at Dundee’s waterfront area.” Infrastructure Secretary, Michael Matheson, said: “The Scottish Government’s £5 billion commitment to infrastructure investment in 2019-20 will support 50,000 affordable new homes, delivery of the extension of early learning and childcare, new roads and railways, electric vehicles and delivery of superfast broadband across Scotland. “As part of this, our pipeline report, published last week, shows Scottish Government procured projects, with a value of almost £3.1 billion, are estimated to be in construction across Scotland during 2019-20. “Building on this success, SFT will support the delivery of our National Infrastructure Mission, which will increase annual infrastructure investment by 1% of current (2017) GDP by the end of the next Parliament, helping to protect and create jobs, and boost growth across the country.”
If your business is involved with hazardous chemicals in any way then you may already be aware of the Global Harmonised System (GHS) – but if it is something new to you, it is very important that you understand it. Whether you are involved with these chemicals directly, or perhaps in an incidental way it is vital not only to know what the symbols mean and what they are used for, but also to ensure that any labelling that you are responsible for is carried out correctly. Here we will take a GHS to establish exactly how it could affect your business, as well as examining the steps that you need to take to ensure that your labelling is fully compliant. A brief history Across the world many different countries and organisations have laws and rules about how hazardous properties of chemicals are identified (known as their ‘classification’) and how information about these classifications should be distributed to individuals and companies, such as through labelling and data sheets. For a long time, this was extremely confusing as there was little cooperation or unity between different countries and the bodies that oversaw hazardous chemicals. In some countries a chemical might be labelled ‘hazardous’ while in others it was not considered to be. This can potentially make it dangerous for the people involved, and complicate international trade. What is GHS? It wasn’t until 1992 that the international community developed the Global Harmonised System. The UN has since rolled out the GHS across the world. It is used to classify and communicate whether a chemical has hazardous properties. It does so by defining the risks posed by the specific chemical to health, safety, and the environment. It uses available data to establish processes for chemical classification and ensures that hazardous information is presented in the correct way. Thankfully the GHS has been adopted by organisations and institutions worldwide as it makes the whole process of dealing with hazardous chemicals not only potentially easier and more profitable from a trade perspective, but also safer and more environmentally friendly. Why is it important? It is clear to see that with poor systems in place for understanding hazardous chemicals, the consequences could be disastrous. Ultimately, the GHS came into place in order to provide better protection for people, as well as for the environment. It also makes it much easier for businesses to work within a standard framework for these chemicals. Having a standard labelling system means that there are no language barriers or localised systems that can confuse the situation. Companies, industries and countries are able to work within a unified system that everyone can refer to without the potential for misunderstandings. How can my business become complaint with the GHS? If you work with any kind of chemicals in the process of producing, transporting, or storing then you need to have health and safety labels that comply with the GHS. Ultimately, a GHS-compliant label has the following: A signifying word indicating the severity of the hazardous chemical. This might be “danger” or “warning”. A GHS hazard statement which uses specific words and phrases for the type of A GHS hazard pictogram which provides information about the specifics of the hazardous effects that a chemical can have on human or environmental health. All pictograms are black and white images inside a red diamond border. Explaining the GHS pictograms Created for the fast and effective recognition of chemicals, the GHS pictograms need to be clearly positioned on any materials so that it is easy to read from an appropriate distance. The GHS has nine official pictogram symbols that are used to represent specific hazards. Here we’ll take a look at the pictograms, broken down into their relevant categories: Physical hazards Explosive – unstable and explosive substances are signified with the icon of an exploding ball Flammable – any gas, liquid or solid that has the potential to ignite are signified with a flame Oxidising – any chemical that has the ability to oxidise any other substance is signified with flame over a circle Compressed Gas – any container with pressured gas inside is signified with a gas canister Corrosive – any corrosive substances are signified with a hand and an object being damaged by fluid from a test tube Health hazards Toxic – any substance that has a poisonous effect (either through consumption, inhalation, or physical exposure) is signified with skull and crossbones Harmful – any substance that can cause damage to the skin, damage to the eyes, dizziness, or other reactions, is signified with an exclamation mark Health Hazard – any substances that are carcinogenic, or can be responsible for issues with reproductive, development, or the respiratory system are signified with a figure with a burst in their chest Environmental hazard Environmental Hazard – any substance that can cause harm to the aquatic environment is signified with a barren tree and a dead fish
Whilst gardening is a fun and enjoyable pastime, it’s also one that can be decidedly challenging in some instances. Aside from the labour-intensive and time-consuming nature of some gardening tasks, it may occasionally be necessary to undertake more complex projects that make your outdoor space more accessible and functional. Whilst this will require you to comply with various health and safety and planning legislation, it’s thought that modifying your garden space can translate into an ROI of 88%. This means that you can add considerable value to your home by creating an accessible garden, and the question that remains is how can such an objective be achieved? Start with Your Layout – Considering Paths and Paving If you’re modernising your garden space, it’s important to determine its precise layout. This means dividing the space between paving, lawn and flower beds, as you look to compartmentalise the area and optimise accessibility. In terms of paving, this is a worthwhile investment in a new or modified garden as it provides an affordable and relatively easy to maintain surface area. Paving also provides the ideal balance between efficiency and cash savings, as whilst materials such as gravel may be cheaper they’re far from ideal for bins, children’s toys and pushchairs. From a practical perspective, paving with mortared joints tends to be easier, whilst this also prevents weeds from sprouting in your garden space. If you have kids, you should also keep clear of slippery materials like slate and York stone, whilst paths should also boast a recommended width of between 1 and 1.5 metres. If you intend to maintain flower beds around the edge of the garden, you should also look to separate alternative planting areas that negate the need for constant pruning and minimises overgrowth. This means that your flower beds should be secured and compartmentalised, with Marshall’s garden edging stones and caps providing a stylish option that strikes the ideal balance between cost and aesthetics. Some Practical Considerations for Home-owners In terms of functionality, there are other steps that you can take to improve your private or communal garden space. One option is to install an outdoor plug socket on the external wall of your home, as this makes jobs such as mowing and hedge-trimming far easier. It’s also wise to install simple and easy-to-use handles (or latches) on all external doors and gates, so that people can gain access safely at all times. If you don’t have the money to install a new or powerful water system, you should consider fitting an outdoor tap or a water butt that collects rainwater as it falls. These steps will help you to create an accessible and functional garden space, and one that’s inherently safe and enjoyable during the summer months.