A celebration of all the different aspects of sustainability in buildings is being set under way as a result of the nominations that have finally been called out. With potential winners of the coveted BREEAM Award to be revealed on the 7th March of this year, the potential entrees range
A series of guidelines have been released in order to encourage construction workers to stay safe in the workplace. With the everyday pressures of impending deadlines and the stress of work, it can be very easy to overlook some very important guidelines that ensure the safety and wellbeing of workers.
Mark Spree, a former manager at Tornado Gloves in Great Britain has recently been declared as the new manager at health and safety PPE expert conglomerate Supertouch. This company, which specializes in ensuring that different companies and firms all around the United Kingdom adhere to the rules of safety and
Considerate Constructors Scheme creates e-learning course on Best Practice Hub to achieve greater awareness of vulnerable road users. The Best Practice Hub – the construction industry’s free to access online platform for sharing best practice – has produced an e-learning course about Vulnerable road users. Launched on 9 January, the
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution, Derek Mackay MSP, visits latest property project by Glasgow Together, aimed at reducing re-offending rate. Glasgow Together, a social enterprise dedicated to creating full-time jobs for ex-offenders by building new affordable homes and bringing empty properties back into use, has started work on its
All it took was a faulty boiler in a school in Manchester to destroy an entire basement, thus calling for a complete reparation of the entire location. Stretford Grammar School have been using the help of Sika to transform its basement from a water-logged concrete mess into a brand new
The annual search for the North-east’s top tradespeople and businesses is once again underway, launching officially at a special event being held at Trinity Hall on Thursday 19th January 2017 at 6pm. The launch event, held in association with main sponsor Stewart Milne Group, will highlight the benefits and opportunities
Is It Possible To Remove Risk From Your Property Development? Investments all come with risks, and the property market has its fair share of those to consider before any decisions can be made. However, it is possible to reduce risk from your property development, to protect yourself, those working for
A North Tyneside Customer First Centre will undergo work from next week to make it more disability-friendly. Starting Monday 16 January, North Tyneside Council’s partner Kier North Tyneside will begin work on a brand new Changing Places facility at Wallsend Customer First Centre. The work involves extending the current disabled
The dangers of sub metering are first of all that it is hardly considered such an important stage in re-building and developing projects. However, research directed by Joanne Merry shows that this is not an aspect of metering that should be ignored or taken lightly by landlords and their tenants
A celebration of all the different aspects of sustainability in buildings is being set under way as a result of the nominations that have finally been called out. With potential winners of the coveted BREEAM Award to be revealed on the 7th March of this year, the potential entrees range from countries ranging all the way from France to China. Covering aspects of all different kinds of sustainability including interior design, customer feedback, as well as areas of health and private tenancies, etc, BREEAM winners could range from an exceptionally well sustained retail outlet to a pristine clean hospital. Mister Gavin Dunn of BRE stresses the inspirational qualities the award engenders within its prizes and nominations in encouraging businesses, companies and enterprises from all around the globe to think about the sustainability and environmental impact of their activities, and how this can be changed for the better. Last year’s winner was an office space environment of 40,000 square meters known as The Edge and Mister Edwin van Eeckhoven mentioned the “invaluable exposure” that such awards as BREEAM can result in. And there are a huge number of awards that businesses can compete for, with BREEAM itself commissioning over 550,000 different certificates of achievement around the globe. In addition to this, a grand total of 2.2 million different sites were noted for investigation by BREEAM, which has been in place for 26 years and is now looking forward to welcoming the new award winners in March in two months’ time. Innovation is clearly the greatest asset that BREEAM targets and it is through the organization of such awards as these that firms can be encouraged to becoming more sustainable both to themselves and to the rest of the world. With a variety of different awards companies are liable to win, as well as long-term advice and resolutions on how to do better for the runners-up, such competitions as the BREEAM Awards ought to be encouraged and sought after by firms around the rest of the world.
A series of guidelines have been released in order to encourage construction workers to stay safe in the workplace. With the everyday pressures of impending deadlines and the stress of work, it can be very easy to overlook some very important guidelines that ensure the safety and wellbeing of workers. For a start, it is imperative that the correct form of tools and the safest and tested equipment are used on every single job performed. This will require firms and companies to investigate the latest forms of building technology available to ensure that the safety of those employed is not being put at risk merely to save buying costs. Furthermore, frequently renewing equipment on a regular basis will ensure that work output is maximize, resulting in a quicker completion of jobs and greater overall satisfaction all round for both customer and employer. Employers should also make sure that their workers are appropriately trained and wear PPE at all times when necessary, such as when dealing with nefarious solutions such as acids and strong liquid solvents. Assessing the risk factors of the worksite in accordance with the Health and Safety Regulations 1996 and under the guidelines of the Health and Safety Executive are also essential to ensuring that as many potential dangers are averted. It is also extremely good practice for site managers and employers to think objectively of all the accidents that could possibly occur within a single workspace and that steps or measures are taken to reduce the potential risks that could occur before they run the risk of actually occurring. Equally, observing fire procedures and having a good working knowledge of where the exits are in the workplace are additionally of an extremely high importance and it is always imperative to know where such exits are located. Failure to adhere to fire procedures can also result at their most extreme in criminal charges and it is thus important that all know what to do when a fire alarm goes off.
Mark Spree, a former manager at Tornado Gloves in Great Britain has recently been declared as the new manager at health and safety PPE expert conglomerate Supertouch. This company, which specializes in ensuring that different companies and firms all around the United Kingdom adhere to the rules of safety and protection in the workplace, welcomes its new manager with open arms. Mister Spree is not new to this important business of ensuring that all workers in Britain keep themselves safe and reduce the amount of risk hazards within their prospective working environment: he began working as an on-site sales manager at Totectors and spent an impressive total of 18 years as manager of Ansell Healthcare UK, which directs its services across the stretch of Great Britain as well as Ireland. Now he finally becomes part of Supertouch, which has been providing the appropriate safety measures to their clients since 1996 in the West Midlands. It is hoped by one of the Executive Chairmen, a Mister Parvez Akhtar, that the wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise of Mister Spree in dealing with the various pressures that are undoubtedly encountered on a regular basis at Supertouch will be able to maintain the company’s brilliant progression into the challenges of the New Year ahead. As Parvez Akhtar intimates, Supertouch have had a particularly good few years, and the company professional is confident that the arrival of Mister Spree can only take the company’s greatness to even greater heights. With more than 75 different employees at his disposal, Supertouch are hoping to expect some great advancements and developments through Mister Spree’s leadership skills. It is hoped that Supertouch will continue to emerge as one of the most reliable and customer-friendly health and safety services in Britain, having been awarded many different accolades, one itself being named as one of the 1000 private enterprises to “Inspire Britain.”
Considerate Constructors Scheme creates e-learning course on Best Practice Hub to achieve greater awareness of vulnerable road users. The Best Practice Hub – the construction industry’s free to access online platform for sharing best practice – has produced an e-learning course about Vulnerable road users. Launched on 9 January, the course is designed to increase knowledge and understanding of the risks construction activity can pose to vulnerable road users and provides practical methods which can be adopted to minimise these risks. It is available to all registered Best Practice Hub users. A fundamental part of the course is to provide participants with an understanding of CLOCS – the national standard for Construction Logistics and Community Safety – and how it can be adapted for any type of construction activity across the UK. Other learning sections include current road safety legislation, the Highway Code and details of other important road safety programmes including FORS – the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme. The course, which is eligible for CPD, has already received a huge uptake, with hundreds of individuals from Scheme-registered sites, companies and suppliers completing it. To drive higher standards nationally, the Scheme has also introduced a dedicated section about the CLOCS Standard on the Best Practice Hub as well as additional questions about CLOCS in the 2017 Monitors’ Checklist. All types of construction activity can involve potential risks to vulnerable road users. Considerate Constructors Scheme Chief Executive Edward Hardy said: “All types of construction activity can involve potential risks to vulnerable road users. It is, therefore, essential that the industry knows and understands these risks and does all it can to minimise them, both for the general public and the workforce. “The Vulnerable road users e-learning course and section about the CLOCS Standard on our Best Practice Hub provides an easily accessible and practical way for everyone within the industry – including site managers, contractors, suppliers and clients – to raise safety standards for every road user and pedestrian affected by construction vehicles.” CLOCS Project Director Derek Rees commented: “The CLOCS team commends the Considerate Constructors Scheme for creating the Vulnerable road users e-learning course and providing a dedicated CLOCS section on the Best Practice Hub. Both resources provide an invaluable way to help raise awareness of the daily risks presented to pedestrians and cyclists and how the industry can effectively manage the impact vehicles accessing sites have on the local community and workforce.” Click here to visit the Best Practice Hub. Click here to take the Vulnerable road users e-learning course. Click here to view the CLOCS section.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution, Derek Mackay MSP, visits latest property project by Glasgow Together, aimed at reducing re-offending rate. Glasgow Together, a social enterprise dedicated to creating full-time jobs for ex-offenders by building new affordable homes and bringing empty properties back into use, has started work on its latest, and biggest, residential property conversion in the city. With funding from Social Investment Scotland (SIS) and Robertson Trust, Glasgow Together has purchased, and achieved, planning permission to convert a substantial sandstone villa located in the Pollockshields West conservation area into three premium residential apartments. The project will provide employment for up to 5 ex-offenders, who are actively seeking opportunities to get their lives back on track. Today (Thursday 19th January), Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution, Derek Mackay MSP, visited the site at Nithsdale Road to speak with the team responsible for the refurbishment project. Commenting on the work of Glasgow Together, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution, Derek Mackay MSP said: “The work of Glasgow Together is a great example of the kind of innovative partnership that can have a positive social impact whilst also delivering clear economic benefits, despite the tough economic climate, particularly in the construction sector. “This model already has a successful track record around the UK, providing ex-offenders with a pathway back into meaningful work whilst supporting a commercially sustainable business model which is delivering high quality and affordable housing.” Glasgow Together is without doubt the most exciting and worthwhile project I have ever been involved in. Barry Mochan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Together, commented: “Glasgow Together is without doubt the most exciting and worthwhile project I have ever been involved in. We’ve enjoyed a busy 12 months since launching and we’re now looking forward to embarking on this, our sixth and biggest, refurbishment project to date. Already we’re seeing the benefit of our work through the employment of local people with previous convictions, who now have an opportunity to get on with their lives and make a valuable contribution to society. Thanks to the ongoing financial support from SIS, Robertson Trust and JRF, I’m convinced we can have a major impact here in Glasgow.” Glasgow Together was launched in 2015 with the ultimate aim of reducing re-offending rates, by building around 50 affordable new homes at a number of sites across the city, as well as refurbishing empty homes. The organisation has already carried out six projects in the city and employed six workers with previous convictions as well as numerous local tradesmen. Although it’s still early days, the organisation currently maintains a 0% reoffending rate and have successfully kept one employee from prison for a previous offence due to his continued work with GT. The organisation has been funded by an investment of more than £750,000 from leading lender to the third sector Social Investment Scotland (SIS), as well as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and The Robertson Trust. An additional £1.25 million has been invested through fundraising led by Triodos Bank. Ex-offenders, including many from Barlinnie Prison, are being employed by GT on both new build and refurbishment projects with roles lasting from 12 months or more. All employees are set tailored personal development plans; appropriate to their experience level before progressing to more complex construction tasks. GT is also working with current offenders serving a custodial sentence at Barlinnie Prison. Prisoners have the opportunity to gain unpaid work experience in the timber kit construction workshop and on release they will be considered as potential GT employees. Operating as a Community Interest Company (CIC), a special type of limited company that exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholder, Glasgow Together is part of The Together Social Business Group (TTG), which has successfully run two similar projects in Bristol and the Midlands.
All it took was a faulty boiler in a school in Manchester to destroy an entire basement, thus calling for a complete reparation of the entire location. Stretford Grammar School have been using the help of Sika to transform its basement from a water-logged concrete mess into a brand new water proof center to lead the way to making the school a more environmentally-friendly location. The councillors of Trafford Borough oversaw the repairs that were completed by Grade 2 contractors, who applied an easy-to-use concoction created by Sika to apply directly to the affected walls themselves. The solution’s extra added strength is due to its mixture with concrete so as to ensure that it protects the walls from future damp as much as possible. It has even been approved by the British Board of Agrement (BBA) as a solution of long-lasting impact to ensure that the basement location of the school remains safe from all future possible mold attacks. Another Sika product (405) was used to mend the roof that was falling apart under the constant strain of adverse weather conditions. It was also rid of blemishes and should ensure the safety of the school roof for the full duration of the building’s lifetime, as is also the case with the Sika 1 solution. With its properties designed to withstand extreme temperatures and ultra-violet (UV) rays, Sika 405 was a further long-term solution to the school’s building renovations. Steve Parry, an RM of Structural Repairs, was adamant that these solutions would satisfy all parties concerned and would prove a significant step forward to reducing the impact of the school on the outer environment. It is equally hoped that the pupils of Stretford Grammar School will have benefited from witnessing these important refurbishments and will have seen this as an education to how schools and communities can work together to reduce their carbon impact on the atmosphere.
The annual search for the North-east’s top tradespeople and businesses is once again underway, launching officially at a special event being held at Trinity Hall on Thursday 19th January 2017 at 6pm. The launch event, held in association with main sponsor Stewart Milne Group, will highlight the benefits and opportunities available to businesses who take part in Trades Awards 2017, as well as offering general hints and tips to any company considering entering for the first time. The Trades Awards launched in 2012 to reward excellence within the trades and construction industry. Now entering its fifth year, the ceremony continues to be the largest construction event in the North-east, with 13 award categories open to trades businesses of all sizes and disciplines. The awards are run by creative marketing agency, Mearns & Gill. Michael Wilson, Managing Director of Mearns & Gill said: “Thanks to the incredible continued support from the local trades and construction industry, the Trades Awards 2017 has already received the highest number of registrations to date. “The launch event is a chance for potential applicants to hear first-hand from previous award winners how winning a Trades Award has positively impacted their business, and we would encourage anyone with an interest in entering this year to join us on Thursday.” Neil Thomson, Construction Director of Stewart Milne Homes comments, “Construction is a hugely exciting and dynamic industry to be in, and Aberdeen and the North has some of the most highly skilled workers in the UK. “It’s important that we reward and recognise their hard work and commitment, both to motivate them to help the industry flourish and to attract new, up and coming talent into the trade. I’m already looking forward to meeting this year’s potential applicants, and hearing about some of the wonderful success stories that Trade Awards 2017 discovers.” The Trades Awards 2017 launch event is free to attend, and is open to anyone with an interest in entering or supporting this year’s awards. For more information, or to secure your place, contact Isla Stewart on isla.stewart@mearns-gill.com or call a member of the team on 01224 646311. For further information on Trades Awards 2017, including the full list of categories and remaining sponsorship opportunities, visit www.tradesawards.com.
Is It Possible To Remove Risk From Your Property Development? Investments all come with risks, and the property market has its fair share of those to consider before any decisions can be made. However, it is possible to reduce risk from your property development, to protect yourself, those working for you and the development itself. RIsk cannot be removed altogether but you can put precautions in place to ensure your losses are minimised. If you have been considering how best to minimise risk in your latest project, read on to discover just how you can go about doing so: Team up with a reputable, knowledgeable builder When it comes to hiring a builder, don’t shop around on the basis of cost alone. Quality is key when working in the property development field, which is why you need to look for a builder who knows what they’re doing, who you can rely on and even turn to advice when it comes to renovations and putting together your vision. They should also be able to overcome any hurdles along the way, they’ll know when to apply for planning permission, who to turn to in the event of an emergency repair and can help you correctly plan timelines for builds and work. Look at what the big players are doing The big property development players and land acquisition companies have got to where they are for a reason, the First Urban Group for example has curated a portfolio of developments, where sustainability is key and the local area is considered carefully. Look carefully at what companies such as this are doing and follow in their footsteps to avoid any risk of taking the wrong path. Take time to understand the property market You should stay up to date on property news, especially with Brexit continuing to cause confusion and caution. If buy-to-let is your main ambition, it’s very important you read up on the latest restrictions applied to this area, making decisions without understanding the implications can have a negative effect on your investments and future as a property developer. Educating yourself about the processes will significantly reduce risk; help you become knowledgeable in the financial areas and ensure you know what you are talking about when dealing with future buyers. Work with the right estate agent Whether you are selling the property on for potential profit or teaming up with a letting agent, ensure you select the right one and avoid risk of taking on the services of an incompetent team. A big name doesn’t always mean the best service, so speak to people in the industry and ask who they recommend. Always ensure you are covered The simplest of things can be forgotten, such as property developer insurance. Ensure you are covered for any house building work to ensure that should something go wrong while the builders are in you are protected financially and legally. It’s worth paying out for and is the simplest way to reduce risk. Before you begin your next development project, check through this list and ensure you feel confident that risk is at a minimum before taking the next step.
A North Tyneside Customer First Centre will undergo work from next week to make it more disability-friendly. Starting Monday 16 January, North Tyneside Council’s partner Kier North Tyneside will begin work on a brand new Changing Places facility at Wallsend Customer First Centre. The work involves extending the current disabled access toilet into the children’s area and reconfiguring the interior to house a hoist and shower facilities. The new facility will comfortably provide space for one person and up to two carers, as well as a safe and clean environment with a non-slip floor. Current baby changing facilities will be moved to the public toilets on the first day and for the duration of the project, the staff disabled toilet will be made available to the public. Delighted with the work, North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn said: “It’s fantastic that we are able to start work on this brand new Changing Places facility at Wallsend Customer First Centre. “We know that the Changing Places scheme does so much for people with disabilities and I’m extremely happy that we are supporting it here in North Tyneside. “It is important that we make sure the borough’s facilities are as accessible as possible for anyone who may want to use them and this development will go a long way to helping us do that.” Kier regional director, Mike Furze, said: “We are proud to be delivering this specialist project, which will be of significant benefit to service users for years to come. “By working in partnership with our colleagues at North Tyneside Council we are making a real difference to improving the quality of specialist community facilities for residents across the borough.” Due for completion at the end of February, services at the centre will not be affected but there may be some noise disruption while the work is carried out. Read more at http://neconnected.co.uk/big-changes-customer-first-centre/
The dangers of sub metering are first of all that it is hardly considered such an important stage in re-building and developing projects. However, research directed by Joanne Merry shows that this is not an aspect of metering that should be ignored or taken lightly by landlords and their tenants or private residents. Merry reports an overwhelming number of cases in the West End of London in which more than 80% of the meters installed were discovered to have significant problems with them. This resulted in reparation costs that amounted to over an already staggering amount of 200 thousand pounds. It is therefore of paramount importance that a number of procedures are followed through to ensuring that this sort of thing does not happen. Metering should for a start be viewed as a serious system of its own right to be dealt with considerable caution. The Heat Network Regulations of 2015 were installed in place to ensure that certain standards for even the cheapest meters were met. However, a certain clause of these regulations (Part L) is often considered to be met even without the full and detailed implementation of various tests and measures that would ensure that the installed meters would not break down or give misleading readings. Meters also vary for different environments (one in a workplace would need different requirements compared to, say, one in a small household) and the appropriate meter must be installed properly with all the appropriate installation procedures and testing, including reviewing documents and instruction manuals. These tests and procedures, whilst perhaps lengthy and seemingly unnecessary to the untrained eye, will ensure that such problems as breakages or false misleading meter readings are reduced by a very significant proportion. They will also increase good landlord-tenant relations in rented properties in the long term by enabling the accurate meter readings to be read and the correct and appropriate amounts to be charged.
