An innovative conference for landscape professionals, ‘Soil – meeting the challenges of a changing landscape’, took place on 14th October at the Howbery Park Conference Centre in Wallingford, Oxfordshire to mark the UN’s International Year of Soils. Six industry experts, including conference organiser Tim O’Hare and past president of the
The winners of the 2015 BIFM Awards have been revealed at this year’s ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. Alan Russell, of Heathrow Terminal 5, has been crowned Facilities Manager of the Year for 2015. People Facilities Manager of the Year Winner: Alan Russell – London Heathrow Airport Ltd Highly
A national company specialising in products and services to rural communities was fined after a worker was injured in a woodworking machinery incident. Salisbury Magistrates’ Court heard how on 3 September 2014, a worker’s hand came into contact with the blade of a rotating circular saw, at the Amesbury premises
It’s no secret that workers in the construction industry risk damaging their hearing if they don’t use adequate protection. A wide number of tools used regularly by workers are of sufficient volume to cause damage, including (but not limited to) 40 ton presses, bench grinders, CNC punch presses, rubber granulators
One of the world’s most innovative opera companies with an international reputation for distinctive and highly theatrical productions, the English National Opera (ENO) is based at the London Coliseum, a Grade II listed building. The Coliseum is a prestigious landmark and has 2,359 seats – the largest theatre audience in
Leading housing and regeneration specialist Galliford Try Partnerships, which markets its homes under the award winning Linden Homes banner, has today submitted a planning application for 54 high quality new homes on the former St Augustine’s School site in Oldham. The vacant 1.8 hectare site is located at the junction
Knight Frank has been appointed to provide estate, property and facilities management services for DP World London Gateway Logistics Park, a new development in Stanford-le-Hope in Essex. DP World London Gateway has detailed consent to develop nine million square feet (836,000 square metres) of B8 distribution space over 560
Support services group Emcor UK has been awarded a place across three lots for the Crown Commercial Services’ Facilities Management Agreement. This enables the company to bid for contracts across a broad range of both central government and wider public sector opportunities in the areas of hard, soft, and
Scotland’s Private Rented Sector (PRS) Champion Gerry More has broadly welcomed the further clarity given by today’s publication of the Private Housing (Tenancies) Bill but emphasised the importance of balancing the needs of tenants, landlords and investors if the Scottish Government is to achieve its objective of significantly expanding capacity
G4S Facilities Management, the FM business of global security company G4S, has appointed Peter Jones as its managing director for UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. Jones, who joins the company on 8 October, will be responsible for leading the FM business that employs more than 7,200
An innovative conference for landscape professionals, ‘Soil – meeting the challenges of a changing landscape’, took place on 14th October at the Howbery Park Conference Centre in Wallingford, Oxfordshire to mark the UN’s International Year of Soils. Six industry experts, including conference organiser Tim O’Hare and past president of the Landscape Institute, Sue Illman, presented to 90 delegates, who included landscape architects, garden designers, landscape contractors, topsoil suppliers and tree nurseries. The conference was the brainchild of soil scientist Tim O’Hare, who has provided soil science consultancy to some of the country’s highest profile public realm landscape schemes, including the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, The Garden Bridge, Jubilee Park, Chavasse Park, Battersea Power Station and King’s Cross Regeneration. His objective for the conference was to provide a platform for debate by the landscape sector on the issues around soil, to give delegates a practical soils tool kit to which they can refer when they next embark on a landscape project, and to ensure soil is elevated to its rightful place in the landscape hierarchy. First to speak, on the significance of soil in Environmental Impact Assessments, was Senior Associate at Tim O’Hare Associates, Rob Askew. A nationally recognised and industry-accepted standard set of Significance Criteria to help assess the potential impact of infrastructure projects on Greenfield soil resources (topsoil and subsoil) does not currently exist. Rob presented examples of bespoke Significance Criteria for assessing agricultural land and soil resources, which have been used on recent major national Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) projects, including HS2 Phase 1 (London to Birmingham). Sue Illman of Illman Young Landscape Design presented on the many aspects of Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) design, and how soils are a fundamental part of their function. The presentation covered a number of practical aspects, including the need to understand the geology in SuDS design, the soils required for different sorts of SuDS, issues relating to contaminated land, and point source and blanket infiltration. City silviculture and the dynamics of the urban landscape was the subject addressed by Johanna Gibbons. From John Evelyn to the rapidly evolving field of urban forestry and expanding urban populations, Jo drew from the foundations of the notion of sustainability rooted in forestry practice through to the current call to arms by pressure groups such as Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) through publications such as ‘No Trees, No Future’. She argued for a cross disciplinary collaborative approach from soil science, community engagement, engineering and ecology in realising the value of the urban forest. Tim O’Hare’s presentation ‘Practical applications of soil science for today’s landscape’ gave delegates useful, practical information they could take away and apply to their future landscape projects. Drawing on his 23 years’ experience working within the landscape industry he clarified some of the more common soil issues and misunderstandings that arise on projects, including ideas on tree pit design, his opinion on urban tree soil systems, soil requirements for species-rich grasslands, understanding soil pH, and the new 2015 version of BS3882. With the engaging title ‘The Topsoil Journey – from lovely drop of gear to exact science’, George Longmuir reflected in his presentation on how natural topsoil was bought and sold in the past when greenfield sites were abundant, the ‘muck away’ influence, today’s established topsoil blending operations to produce BS3882 topsoil, and the future of designer soils to meet individual project requirements. The London Olympics was used as a ‘best practice’ case study. John Melmoe, Commercial Director of multi-award winning landscape contractor Willerby Landscapes, gave the contractor’s perspective on selecting and applying the correct soils for the job, discussing the importance of pre-construction planning, advanced procurement, site testing of soils, correct handling, and hold points during installation. He highlighted projects where soils have had a significant importance and bearing on the contractor’s programme, including Jubilee Park, Chavasse Park, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park South Park and, more recently, Cubitt Park, King’s Cross. One surprising theme that emerged from all of the presentations was the need to specify soils on a ‘project-specific’ basis and to not rely on the British Standard for Topsoil (BS3882). Speaking after the conference, Tim O’Hare commented: “I am delighted with how well the conference was received by all the delegates. We have had tremendous feedback on the quality and relevance of the speakers’ presentations and I really do believe we have put soils back at the top of the landscape agenda. If this means that soils form part of the very early planning stages of future projects – as they should – then this conference will have achieved one of its key objectives.”
The winners of the 2015 BIFM Awards have been revealed at this year’s ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. Alan Russell, of Heathrow Terminal 5, has been crowned Facilities Manager of the Year for 2015. People Facilities Manager of the Year Winner: Alan Russell – London Heathrow Airport Ltd Highly commended: Diane Thorpe – Hearst Magazines UK FM Team of the Year Winner: Carillion plc – Nationwide & Carillion Highly commended: JLL EIMEA Learning and Career Development Winner: McFarlane Telfer Highly commended: Mitie Client Services Highly commended: London Heathrow Airport Ltd – Learning and Development from School to Retirement Rising Talent in Facilities Management Winner: Tanya Horscroft – Capita Highly commended: Andy John – Amey Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Martin Pickard Impact Brand Impact Winner: Sodexo – Sodexo Brand Ambassador Programme Highly commended: intu Retail Services – How intu Took Flight Brand on Customer Experience Winner: Heathrow Airport Limited – Terminal 2 Engineering and Facilities Highly commended: Carillion – The Customer Experience Centre Highly commended: King’s College London – Fit for King’s Impact on Sustainability Winner: The NEC – Leading Change in the Exhibitions Industry Highly commended: British Land and Broadgate Estates – Energy Reductions and Community Charter in London Highly commended: The Royal Bank of Scotland – Innovation and Partnerships for Business and Environment Impact on the Workplace Winner: Airbus UK – Future Filton Highly commended: Halfords Ltd – Drive to Engage Societal Impact Winner: Cofely & North East Lincolnshire Council – North East Lincolnshire Partnership Highly commended: Robertson Facilities Management – Robertson Communities Innovation Innovation in Technology and Systems Winner: NG Bailey – Giving Morrisons a Rare Energy Solution Highly commended: Cofely Ltd – Uncovering Sustainable & Innovative Technologies New Product or Service of the Year Winner: Skanska – Skanska Health & Care Waste Solution
A national company specialising in products and services to rural communities was fined after a worker was injured in a woodworking machinery incident. Salisbury Magistrates’ Court heard how on 3 September 2014, a worker’s hand came into contact with the blade of a rotating circular saw, at the Amesbury premises of Countrywide Farmers PLC (CWF).The incident caused serious injury to two fingers on his left hand which resulted in amputation. Countrywide Farmers PLC, of Asparagus Way, Vale Park, Evesham, Worcestershire, was fined a total of £30,000, and ordered to pay £5,157 in costs after pleading guilty to offences under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Speaking after the hearing Health and Safety Executive inspector Andy Shaw said: “This incident and the disfiguring injury that it caused resulted from basic failings in the appreciation and control of a well-known hazardous operation. ”Necessary guidance and physical means to carry out the work safely were both readily and cheaply available, and the firm should have provided both. Had the person in control been well informed and provided with competent supporting advice, this incident would not have happened.” For more information about unguarded machinery visit the website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/machinery/safety.htm
It’s no secret that workers in the construction industry risk damaging their hearing if they don’t use adequate protection. A wide number of tools used regularly by workers are of sufficient volume to cause damage, including (but not limited to) 40 ton presses, bench grinders, CNC punch presses, rubber granulators and sand burners, as well as many others. Online retailer Allearplugs.com have been campaigning hard to help raise awareness of the importance of hearing protection in sports, activities and industries where risk is at its highest, such as live performance, motorsports and swimming and – of course – construction. According to the latest surveys from the LFS, an estimated 18,000 people in the UK have reported suffering from some form of noise induced hearing loss that was either caused or made worse by work, with 120 new claims being made in 2013 alone. The figures in real terms are believed to be even higher, with nearly a quarter of a million workers suffering from some form of hearing problems as a result of noisy working environments, with tinnitus and industrial deafness the most reported: both, of course, are very relevant to the construction industry. The total figure for hearing loss in the UK is even more shocking, with around 10 million people currently suffering some form of hearing loss: a figure that’s expected to reach 14.5 million by 2031. What’s more in the USA, 48million people have reported some degree of hearing loss, and even more worryingly; 60% of the people with hearing loss are either in educational settings or in the work force. The NIDC (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders) has also revealed that approximately 15% of those aged between 20 and 69 have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to noise at work or during leisure activities. A new study, meanwhile, has found that the problems aren’t limited to just hearing loss. In the US, researchers at the University of Kentucky have found that long-term noise exposure could also increase the risks of heart disease, with the strongest links found in working-age people. Researchers looked at data on 5,223 participants in national health surveys taken, with all those surveyed aged between 20 and 69. Dr Wen Qi Gan said: “Compared with people with normal high-frequency hearing, people with bilateral high-frequency hearing loss were approximately two times more likely to have coronary heart disease.” Rob Doole, Managing Director for Allearplugs.com, said: “It’s vital that we raise awareness of noise induced hearing loss. Industrial machines are often loud enough to start causing permanent damage in less than a minute if no protection is in place. #Saveyourhearing has been created to try and make more people aware of just how easy it is to take steps in order to protect your hearing from industrial noise.” Since the introduction of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, requirements are in place that employers and employees should follow in order to reduce exposure. Employers are currently required to: Assess the risks to employees from noise at work Take action in order to reduce the noise exposure producing the risks Provide employees with protection if noise reduction is impossible Ensure the legal limits of noise exposure aren’t exceeded Provide employees with information, instructions and training Carrying out health surveillance where there is a risk to health To help raise awareness of the campaign high profiled bands, motor racing champions and a vast array of publications have been using the hashtag #Saveyourhearing on social media, allowing the message to be seen by more than 3.7million people. www.allearplugs.com
One of the world’s most innovative opera companies with an international reputation for distinctive and highly theatrical productions, the English National Opera (ENO) is based at the London Coliseum, a Grade II listed building. The Coliseum is a prestigious landmark and has 2,359 seats – the largest theatre audience in London. The ENO undertook a significant four-year restoration programme in 2004, supported by English Heritage, and more recently an extensive fire detection and alarm system upgrade to the latest Siemens Sinteso technology. Siemens has maintained the fire detection and alarm system at the Coliseum for a number of years. ENO Maintenance Supervisor Trevor Barnard worked closely with Siemens on the project and explains some of the challenges the team faced. “The theatre is a prestigious and irreplaceable historical building. Its shape, size and height means that many areas can be extremely difficult to access, particularly around the stage and thorough risk assessments had to be undertaken to ensure safe working practices during installation. “We have to take particular care with all furnishings and fittings as well as the delicate fabrics near the staging area. The theatre has extremely high level ceilings which means testing of fire detectors has to be carried out using special long poles. “A major challenge for us is that all work has to be undertaken within a two week period in August, when the theatre has a yearly maintenance window and there are no staged performances. This is the time period when all operational works are undertaken. Careful programme planning is required to work around multiple trades and suppliers operating on site at the same time.” Siemens has provided long-term support and maintenance of the ENO fire safety system for a number of years, which stood them in good stead during the fire detection upgrade. Their detailed knowledge and clear understanding of the building itself, the logistics and the needs of the organisation resulted in the ENO being offered a phased migration plan. There were two main benefits of this decision, firstly to meet and work to an agreed annual budget figure, and secondly to provide the confidence that operational milestones would be met. Trevor continues: “Siemens worked with us in a unique way and it was very much a team effort. They completely understood the importance of the two-week completion date, the parameters that they had to operate within and the implications of non-performance on delivery. Siemens invested considerable time in pre-planning the logistics of the migration, for example, carrying out detailed surveys of the Coliseum prior to project delivery. I was impressed by Siemens’ meticulousness planning, resulting in minimum disruption and seamless implementation.” Trevor explains: “The old system had twice as many loops as the new. Eight years ago I visited every single head and call point. I know the location of each and every one. As part of introducing a new numbering system, Siemens had to undertake this labour intensive job, visiting each new detector head and labelling accordingly. Each new detector has a unique address number, with over sixty devices on just one loop. This means that once the upgrade is completed Siemens will ensure all new detectors are re-labelled with their new address, all fire safety plans will be updated and the Computer Aided Design drawings of the building re-issued to reflect the migration process.” During some performances the ENO uses ‘theatrical smoke’ and pyrotechnics. As the fire detectors are normally constantly monitoring heat and smoke, the system mitigates theatrical smoke by switching to ‘heat only’ measurement during a performance. The Siemens unique Sinteso fire detection system features advanced intelligence which delivers the highest level of protection against all types of fire hazards. Each detector is configured with a unique set of parameters for each location, enabling the system to differentiate between false fire phenomena, such as steam or cooking fumes, and a real indicator of fire. Its built-in intelligence means it can offer fast identification and early warning of fire; the system is constantly alert, evaluating each situation minute by minute and taking decisions on complex criteria to ensure a safe environment Trevor concludes: “In summary, migration for ENO to the latest Siemens fire detection technology is being achieved with the minimum of disruption and expense. It enables us to improve the performance of our fire safety equipment, with the major benefit of retaining elements of our existing infrastructure, as all Siemens technology has backward compatibility. The reliability of the hardware and unique intelligent signal processing means zero unwanted alarms, now and in the future.”
Leading housing and regeneration specialist Galliford Try Partnerships, which markets its homes under the award winning Linden Homes banner, has today submitted a planning application for 54 high quality new homes on the former St Augustine’s School site in Oldham. The vacant 1.8 hectare site is located at the junction of Grange Avenue and Chamber Road, around 1 mile south of Oldham town centre. The plans outlined to Oldham Council will see Linden Homes North West deliver a mixture of high-quality three bedroom detached/ semi-detached and four bedroom detached homes, which are perfect for families looking to locate to an established residential area. Darren Leary, development director of Galliford Try Partnerships, said: “This scheme is a positive reflection of the continued growth Galliford Try Partnerships and Linden Homes are currently experiencing across the North West. We have worked in partnership with Oldham Council to develop plans to deliver high quality, traditional family homes that complement the existing neighbourhood. The scheme will increase the range of houses available in this sought after area and will help deliver the Council’s aspirations for new housing in the Borough”. A spokesperson from Oldham Council, said “As part of the application process Linden Homes have estimated 54 opportunities will be created in various capacities such as work experience, apprenticeships and employment opportunities – supporting the council’s Get Oldham Working campaign. The firm have also said they will support local schools, colleges and training providers.” Galliford Try Partnerships is currently building 500 quality new homes under the Linden Homes brand for sale and rent in Brunswick, Manchester as part of a £100m PFI regeneration programme, which is completely transforming the area.
Knight Frank has been appointed to provide estate, property and facilities management services for DP World London Gateway Logistics Park, a new development in Stanford-le-Hope in Essex. DP World London Gateway has detailed consent to develop nine million square feet (836,000 square metres) of B8 distribution space over 560 acres (226 ha), making it the largest logistics development in the South-East. The park is next to DP World London Gateway Port, the UK’s newest deep-sea container terminal, which provides fast and direct access into London and the South-East, Europe’s largest consumer market area. The first building, the 180,000 sq ft DP World London Gateway Logistics Centre, opened in April 2015, and a new speculative B8 unit of 316,000 sq ft will complete very shortly. Nick Orbell, estates manager at DP World London Gateway Logistics Park, said: “This major logistics park sets a new standard of development, and we are impressed by the recognition and effort shown by Knight Frank to deliver the highest quality estate management services to the Park occupiers and DP World London Gateway’s customers.” Tim Robinson, partner and head of property asset management at Knight Frank, said the deal would help give the firm “the opportunity to demonstrate our extensive surveying, facility management and technological capabilities working in partnership with such an innovative client”.
Support services group Emcor UK has been awarded a place across three lots for the Crown Commercial Services’ Facilities Management Agreement. This enables the company to bid for contracts across a broad range of both central government and wider public sector opportunities in the areas of hard, soft, and Total Facilities Management Services. Emcor UK expects to bid for multiple contracts under this contracting vehicle over the next four years. Work to be performed by the firm on contracts won is expected to vary based on each contract’s needs, but is likely to include general facility operations and management work ranging from planned and reactive mechanical and electrical maintenance, security, fabric maintenance, cleaning and front-of-house services. This follows the Emcor’s announcements about a number of new contract awards and contract extensions with public and private sector clients in 2015. These include Thames Water, United Utilities, AWE, BAE Systems, and Northern Powergrid. Keith Chanter, CEO, Emcor UK, said: “Our depth of experience enables us to add tremendous value on these types of wide-ranging contracts as well as to deliver results in a very cost-effective and efficient manner.”
Scotland’s Private Rented Sector (PRS) Champion Gerry More has broadly welcomed the further clarity given by today’s publication of the Private Housing (Tenancies) Bill but emphasised the importance of balancing the needs of tenants, landlords and investors if the Scottish Government is to achieve its objective of significantly expanding capacity in this fast growing sector. Having been tasked with attracting long-term institutional investment to enable the development of professionally managed purpose-built private rented housing at scale, Mr More said: “There is much to be welcomed in today’s announcement on updating the tenancy regime with initial rents continuing to be market-led. “However, we now need to work through the detail, particularly in relation to the use of rental caps and how student tenancies are ended, in order to ensure Scotland remains competitive relative to other countries. “The Scottish Government is working with the sector on a cohesive range of measures including exploring the development of a rental income guarantee mechanism and the Chief Planner has also this week sent a letter to Local Authority heads of planning encouraging them to consider the role new build PRS homes can play in meeting housing need and demand in their areas. “Scotland needs a modernised system which helps increase the supply of much needed housing. I therefore look forward to continuing positive discussions with the Scottish Government on how this can be achieved.”
G4S Facilities Management, the FM business of global security company G4S, has appointed Peter Jones as its managing director for UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. Jones, who joins the company on 8 October, will be responsible for leading the FM business that employs more than 7,200 staff across these regions. G4S FM delivers integrated facilities management, security, front of house, hard FM, cleaning, catering and service desk services in the corporate, healthcare, education and central government sectors. He has more than 23 years’ experience in the property, FM and engineering sector at national and international level, and was most recently MD of CBRE’s integrated facilities management business across EMEA. Before that he held several leadership roles in his eight years at Carillion, with responsibilities including infrastructure services, property services and FM. In his earlier career, Jones worked for Barclays Bank, where he led the FM strategy, and at Johnson Controls, delivering FM across EMEA. He has expertise in business leadership, market growth and acquisition, client relationship management, major outsourcing and real estate and facilities change. Jones said: “At G4S I will have the opportunity to grow our FM business in the UK and Ireland, and help to develop our overall FM offering in other key markets, as clients are increasingly looking for us to provide additional integrated solutions. “With security and FM services accounting for 59 per cent of group revenue globally, G4S has an unrivalled platform to respond to our customers’ increasingly complex requirements.” G4S regional president, UK & Ireland, Peter Neden, added: “I would like to welcome Peter to G4S. The FM business has been identified as one of the key growth opportunities, both within the UK and the broader G4S Group.” –