Calling all Health and Safety Procurement Managers!
Construction & Utility sites are full of potential hazards. A good proportion of these can be reduced by having the correct footwear. Whether simply walking across a site, digging a ditch or climbing a ladder, you need safety boots with a good grip and effective non-slip soles. Risks such as falling materials cannot be removed, but the severity can be greatly reduced by wearing adequate toe protection – i.e. a steel toe cap or one manufactured with composite materials. The risk of underfoot injury should also be considered, with many sites containing debris, sharp materials and uneven ground. Choosing safety footwear with a steel or para-aramid anti-puncture protective midsole may be a wise option in order to protect the sole of the foot from punctures that may lead to infection. Distractions cause accidents Construction and Utility workers need to multi-task – doing their actual job whilst being aware of the dangers around them, if their main focus is discomfort of their footwear, accidents can potentially follow and could have severe consequences, especially on busy sites. Comfort increases wellbeing Protection and support should be the major concern when choosing safety footwear for a construction or utility site. However, with spine issues and plantar fasciitis being a big problem for workers who are on their feet for lengthy periods whilst working in extreme conditions, comfort and support should also be considered as a must have. Fortunately, with top-quality safety boots, there is no reason to compromise on safety for comfort. Additional comfort can be achieved by adding Activ-Step footbeds for arch support, Activ-step anti-fatigue footbeds and Activ-step socks. Comfortable safety boots start with quality components that are kind to the foot and the planet. Always look for footwear that meets or even better exceeds official safety standards and is suitable for the environment that the wearer is working in – for some roles you may need more than one type of footwear to support the role that worker is covering. Strong outsoles and comfortable inner soles that fit correctly are a good start. Fit for purpose On any site there should be a good range of footwear available to the worker, with accessories available to provide arch support, insole comfort and correct fastenings to ensure that the fit is correct for everyone. It is essential to consider different shapes and sizes of people’s feet. The person responsible for providing the safety footwear needs to be aware of the ergonomic hazards that may pose a risk of injury to the musculoskeletal system in as much detail as they focus on for site hazards. Offering a wide and varied selection of safety footwear is sure to increase attendance and productivity. Rock Fall UK Can Help! With over eighty styles of footwear and a wide variety of accessories to increase safety and comfort Rock Fall UK are a one-stop shop for the busy H&S/Procurement Managers. We have an unequalled range of footwear that covers every size and environment in today’s demanding environments readily available. Our women’s Hurricane and Carbon Safety boots took the big win the at the SHE Awards 2024 for the Best Health and Safety Project of the Year! To give some background behind the collaboration that led to the development of these award winning safety boots here’s a short video. Want to know more ? Call 01773 608616 or contact: sales@rockfall.com for immediate assistance. Rockfall.com
EV Charging Points to Reach 64 Million Globally by 2029, Due to Governments’ Increasing Emphasis on Essential Infrastructure
A new study from Juniper Research, the foremost experts in smart cities markets, found the total number of EV (Electric Vehicle) charging points globally will grow by 194% over the next five years; rising from 21.8 million in 2024. The research found private EV sales have slowed in the last year due to a number of factors, including range anxiety and reduced government EV purchase subsidies for consumers. Government support has shifted to building charging infrastructure, with new initiatives including the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme in the UK, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in the US, being some of the key driving factors in expanding charging networks. An extract from the new report, Global Electric Vehicles Charging & Batteries Market 2024-2029, is now available as a free download. Support of Rapid Charging Technology Is Critical to Success The research identified the long duration of charging sessions and the impracticability of charging on the go as key barriers to wide-scale EV adoption. It urges service stations and retail outlets to take advantage of government EV charge point initiatives by installing rapid DC (Direct Current) chargers. By doing this now, infrastructure providers will avoid paying for costly upgrades in the future. Rapid DC chargers typically charge up to 150kW compared to fast chargers, which cannot charge beyond 22kW. This results in newer EV models, such as the Porsche Taycan and Hyundai IONIQ 6, becoming a more appealing option for potential adopters, due to reduced charging times via public charging services. The study predicts that the US and UK will be the largest two adopters of this emerging technology; accounting for over 45% of infrastructure by 2029. In addition to the significant improvements in charging times, the integration of rapid DC chargers also aligns with the advancements seen in electric vehicle testing. As more rigorous and comprehensive tests are conducted, it’s evident that faster charging capabilities are not only beneficial for consumer convenience but also enhance electric vehicles’ overall performance and reliability. This improved infrastructure and vehicle technology accelerates the transition to electric mobility, reinforcing the necessity for stakeholders to invest in rapid charging solutions. About the Research Suite The new market research suite offers the most comprehensive assessment of the electric vehicle charging & batteries market to date; providing analysis and forecasting of over 56,500 datapoints across 60 countries over five years. It includes a ‘Competitor Leaderboard’ and examination of current and future market opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CIBSE and DESNZ partner to make CP1 (2020) Free-to-All: A landmark move for UK Heat Network Standards
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) announce their partnership to make CP1 (2020), the recognised Code of Practice for heat networks in the UK, accessible to all, free of charge. CP1 (2020), a publication produced by CIBSE, serves as a comprehensive guide offering technical guidance and establishing voluntary minimum standards for UK heat networks. Widely acknowledged as the go-to resource in the industry, CP1 (2020) has garnered widespread acceptance and support since its last update in 2020. It has been utilised by industry professionals as a vital technical reference and by developers to set standards for their new heat networks. Previously available exclusively to CIBSE members, CP1 (2020) is now accessible to all stakeholders, thanks to the generous funding provided by DESNZ. This collaborative effort aims to democratise access to crucial information outlined in CP1 (2020) and facilitate better preparedness for the forthcoming heat network regulations in 2025. CIBSE and DESNZ are not only removing the paywall but also actively collaborating to update the voluntary Code of Practice throughout 2024. This joint initiative ensures continuous alignment with the evolving regulatory landscape, particularly with the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) standards under development. The next version of CP1 is scheduled to be freely available for download in 2025. CIBSE’s Technical Director, Dr Anastasia Mylona said about this partnership: “We’re excited to partner with DESNZ to offer CP1 (2020) free to all stakeholders. This vital guide sets standards for UK heat networks, promoting industry preparedness for upcoming regulations. It reflects our commitment to advancing best practices and sustainability.” For more information and to access CP1 (2020), please visit CP1 Heat networks: Code of Practice for the UK (2020) (pdf) | CIBSE Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK’s First Smart Innovation Superhub opens in Silicon Beach Tech Supercluster
PROCODE BOSS PLEDGES TO FINISH BRITAIN’S SMART ROLLOUT The UK’s first Smart Innovation Superhub has opened in the heart of the UK’s Silicon Beach, ready to fast-track the smart rollout through to completion with long-awaited and life-changing innovation. Procode is Great Britain’s first Smart Innovation Superhub which brings together a team of 300+ developers – many with two decades of experience in this space – to deliver smart enhancements and solutions designed to improve the standard of living for UK citizens and cut public spending. The Smart Superhub’s innovations are expected to benefit at least a third of smart-enabled households by the end of next year. Ian Burgess, Managing Director of Procode, is the leading innovator in the smart space, being the driving force behind the UK’s first ever specialist Smart Pay As You Go (PAYG) supplier, Utilita. More recently, Ian and his team have created the UK’s first smart data communications adapter to rectify the inefficiencies and connectivity black spots consumers have been forced to endure by the national smart network operator. He comments on the launch: “The government’s 2013 smart rollout began with the intention of smart-enabling every home and business in the UK. It failed because it was back to front – a bit like giving every household a car, but a decade before roads had been invented. The features and benefits associated with becoming smart-enabled just weren’t there, and as a result only half of the UK’s households accepted one and a large cohort refused to accept one. “For more than two decades our agile team has been pushing smart experimentation barriers to identify solutions and technologies that can provide a better standard of living for each individual household, and more holistically, for us all as a nation moving towards net zero. Our innovations have provided evidence that smart connectivity is the solution to many of the UK’s biggest challenges.” Examples of Procode’s Pioneering Innovations Bill Bullen is founder and CEO of the Luxion Group, parent brand of Procode, Utilita Energy, and Canary Care Smart Independent Living. He comments: “Innovating socially responsible and financially beneficial features to make smart meters a must-have is a far more economical way to complete the rollout. We have created a 300-strong team to deliver innovations that will give the smart rollout the shot in the arm that it so desperately needs. “As the CEO and founder of the ninth largest domestic energy supplier, we have successfully smart-enabled 95% of our households and we have done so by innovating the smart PAYG offering so that it’s too good to miss out on. The launch of Procode is an extension of that – adding indisputable value to the lives of those who choose to have a smart meter.” The UK’s slow-moving smart rollout journey Smart Energy Great Britain is a not-for-profit company which is fully funded by the UK’s domestic energy suppliers as per the Conditions of Electricity & Gas Supply, Electricity Distribution and Gas Transporter Licences.[1] After missing its original 2019 target to complete the rollout, the government adjusted its deadlines a further three times and reduced its target installation levels for smart meters from “all homes and small businesses” in 2019, to its current target of 74.5% of homes and nearly 69% of small businesses to have smart meters by the end of 2025. At the end of March 2023, more than a decade after the rollout started, only 57% of all electricity and gas meters were smart.[2] The UK’s own ‘Silicon Beach’ Procode’s Smart Innovation Superhub is based in Eastleigh, Southampton – the heart of the UK’s thriving Silicon Beach – ranked by CBRE as the European tech sector’s fifth largest supercluster.[3] Procode joins major technology innovators such as Starling Bank, Amazon, IBM’s R&D Hub and startups such as Aquark and Audioscenic. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Game-changing’ British heat pump unlocks gas-free home heating for the masses
Low-carbon heating and cooling for every UK home is one step closer as Kensa breaks ground with the next generation of heating. By 2050 millions of UK homes will need to decarbonise their heating and, with the launch of its new small and powerful Shoebox NX Ground Source Heat Pump, Kensa is unlocking a proven, Net-Zero-ready solution. Kensa’s solution – Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps – replicates the familiarity and accessibility of gas networks and enables the mass rollout of heat pumps in the UK, bringing low-cost renewable heating and cooling to almost any type of home, whether that’s a new build, a 19th-century Victorian terrace, a tenement or a high-rise urban flat. One-third of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions come from heat, and 6.5 million homes are estimated to be in fuel poverty. Kensa’s solution will boost heat pump installations, shielding millions from unpredictable energy costs by replacing imported gas with domestically produced renewable electricity. Tamsin Lishman, Kensa Heat Pumps CEO, said: “This is a game-changing heat pump designed for the UK. Until now, achieving mass heat pump rollout has been a complex challenge, but with the launch of our Shoebox NX, we’ve engineered a small, high-performance heat pump that’s ready to replace gas as the main home heating choice. “When combined with our Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps solution, it unlocks cosy homes in the winter and cooler homes in the summer for almost anyone, and at low costs to the consumer. “For 25 years Kensa has been pioneering Ground Source Heat Pump technology, and with the Shoebox NX we’re ready to deliver heat pumps for everyone, cut household carbon emissions and make green home heating a reality.” John Bromley, Managing Director – Clean Energy Strategy & Investments at Legal and General Capital, said: “Housing requires some of the most substantial and immediate overhauls of any industry to improve standards, reduce running costs for consumers, and to reach net zero. The Kensa Group’s highly efficient, networked ground-source heating and cooling will play a key part in this transition. “As an experienced energy transition investor, we are proud to be supporting Kensa’s growth and we are delighted to see the launch of their latest ground-breaking Shoebox NX heat pump, a culmination of years of expertise and development. “We share Kensa’s ambition to deliver reliable, efficient heating solutions for consumers, developers, housing providers, and more – taking us a step closer to decarbonising UK properties at scale.” Shoebox NX heat pump performance facts and figures: Networked ground source heat pump findings: Kensa’s Shoebox NX is the latest development in ground source heat pump technology and delivers the efficiency of a large heat pump, in one that’s small enough to fit in a cupboard. Designed with mass heat pump rollout and ease of installation in mind, factory production of the NX can be readily scaled up to deliver 30,000 per year, with further expansion planned, and can be easily fitted by most heating and plumbing engineers without extensive training. Networked ground source heat pumps are a proven, scalable solution, which have next to no above-ground presence and are already providing clean heating for new build homes and complex-to-decarbonise private and social retrofit properties. Kensa’s model is designed to be as familiar and as accessible as the gas network and, once the infrastructure is deployed, allows households to connect at a time that suits them. With the Future Homes Standard, which is set to effectively ban gas boilers in new build homes from 2025, and the Government’s target to deliver 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028, UK heat pump installations are set to rapidly increase. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LED-ing the Way: Leeds £22.5m LED lighting scheme completed
The scheme officially completed last week with the final light being installed at Edith Sykes Drive in east Leeds. Leeds City Council today announces the completion of its LED lighting scheme, an extensive project aimed at improving energy efficiency in street lighting throughout the city. Initiated in December 2018, the programme has successfully converted over 89,000 streetlights to new LED lamps, in partnership with street lighting partner Enerveo (subcontractor to Tay Valley Lighting). The completion of the LED Lighting Scheme is expected to bring significant annual savings of £3.4 million in electricity costs at current energy prices. Additionally, the conversion to LED lighting is projected to reduce street lighting energy consumption by approximately 62%, resulting in 7,050 tonnes of carbon savings, with savings already being made throughout the lamp replacement. The new LED lanterns offer increased durability and recyclability, leading to enhanced efficiency and reduced emissions from maintenance visits. Public consultation, conducted from November 2017 to January 2018, showed strong support for the upgrade, with over 80% of respondents endorsing the initiative. Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, attended the installation of the final LED light on Edith Sykes Drive in east Leeds this week, marking the conclusion of the project. Councillor Hayden said: “The completion of the LED Lighting Scheme represents a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in Leeds. This investment will deliver immediate cost savings and lay the groundwork for future advancements in smart technology” Tom Cunningham, Tay Valley Lighting (Leeds) Director, said: “We have been delighted to support Leeds City Council investment on the LED lantern works, the investment has provided many benefits, local employment opportunities during the period, reducing energy consumption and maintenance activities resulting in significant cost savings to Leeds City Council and carbon reduction impact from the project”. As Leeds continues its commitment to environmental stewardship and technological innovation, the completion of the LED Lighting Scheme underscores the council’s dedication to building a more sustainable future for the city and its residents. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals