construction national

constructionnational summer 2011 1

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constructionnational summer 2011 �

NEWS4 NewguidancefromCIRIAon‘designingout’crimeanddisorder7 MarleyEternit’srubyrainscreencladdingcreatesarealgemforshoppers7 FirestoneEPDMchosenforArboretumEcoCentre9 PantherdropsintohelpRNLIprojectinCornwall9 F.BalllaunchesiRAGSmartPhone‘App’21 WorkbeginsonWiltshire’sfirstMBTplant25 MountainbikestartinghutmovesupagearwithBritishlarch27 Asbestosinbuildings

TRAINING10 TheUKleadersintroweltradestraining11 NCChelpsconstructionfirmstoprofitthroughgoodhealth11 ApprenticePlantMechanicoftheYearforthesecondyearrunning13 LöfstedtReview:accessindustrymeetswiththeprofessor15 NewscaffoldingerectionguidanceissuedbyNASC15 Newvideoshelpworkingatheighttraining17 Plantindustrycardschemeretainsitsindividualitywhilefitting theCSCSpattern18 CSCSischanging:yourviewsareneeded19 SmartCardinrunningforprestigiousawards20 ApprenticeJaymakesthemostofnewwhgscheme20 Trainingandassessmentdedicatedtoourhistoricbuiltenvironment

CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES21 Classifiedsupplieslisting

CONCRETE23 ConcretewelcomeforGovt’sIGTresponse23 Costmodelsshowconcreteischeaper23 Award-winningconcretefromSouthWest’sleadingsupplier

PORTABLE SANITATION EUROPE LTD29 NationalSanitationQualificationmaintainshighstandardsCONSTRUCTION HOUSING31 AccelerisandHQNsearchouthottopicsinsocialhousing32 NHBCawardsshowcasebestpracticeinsitehealthandsafety33 Theleadersinthehealthandsafetyfield34 DaviesDevelopmentsadoptsInsulslabSFRCaspreferredfoundationtechnique34 FLOORMATE300-AinPassivhausmilestone

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CONTENTS

Cover StoryFocus on Construction Training: TheNationalConstructionCollege(NCC)launchesaseriesofOccupationalHealthandWellbeingforConstructionmodules

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WithrecenteventsonEngland’sstreetsstillpainfullyfreshinthememory,timelynewguidancehas

beenlaunchedbyCIRIA–theConstructionIndustryResearchandInformationAssociation.Addressing crime and disorder in public places through planning and design (C710)isaimedprimarilyatplanners,architectsandotherdesignersresponsibleforplanninganddesigningtheexternalbuiltenvironment.Theguidediscussestheconceptthatsimplemeasures,includinggoodlighting,canbeintroducedintothedesigntodiscouragecrimesuchastheft,vandalismoranti-socialbehaviour,andencouragesdesignerstoconsidertheirdesignswithintheenvironmentforwhichtheyareintended.

Crime,includingterrorism,anddisorderarehighonthepublicagenda,withsuchissuescausinggreatamountsofdamageanddistresswhentheyoccur.Althoughcrimecannotbecompletelyprevented,itcanbe‘designedout’toreducetheriskofitsoccurrence.

Oftentheconsiderationofhowtodeal

withsuchissuesisonlythoughtofafterconstructioniscomplete,howeverifissuesareconsideredearlierinthedesignstagetheycanbeincorporatedintothedesigntoavoidcostlyanddisruptivechangesbeingintroducedlater.

MichaelWoods,headofoperationsandmanagementresearchattheRailSafetyandStandardsBoard,said“Designingourlivingandworkingspacestomakecrimesmoredifficulttocommitisahugechallenge.Somequitesimple,andoftenobvious,actionsearlyoninadevelopmentcanmakeabigdifference.

“Thiscanapplytoanypartofthe‘publicrealm’–shoppingcentres,railwaystations,hospitalcomplexes–andtoplaceswherepeopleliveandwork.Thisguidewillhelpdesignersanduserstofocusonusefulsolutionsandavoidsomeofthemistakesofthepast.”

Addressing crime and disorder in public places through planning and design (C710)ispublishedbyCIRIA,ISBN978-0-86017-712-8;price£70(£35forCIRIAmembers).Forfurtherdetailsortoordervisitwww.ciria.orgortel02075493300.q

New guidance from CIRIA on ‘designing out’ crime and disorder

Civil disorder in Croydon, August 2011 (picture by Raymond Yau, from Wikipedia/Flickr)

www.constructionnational.co.uk

Construction NationalhasbeenservingtheconstructionindustrywithintheUKnowforover10years.Sinceitsconceptionithasgrowninstature,visibilityandpresenceinthemarketandisavoicewhichislistenedtoandrespectedbyit’sreaders.Forournextissue,tobepublishedinNovember,weareundergoingabitofmakeovertocoincidewithourrecentlyredesignedwebsite.Forasneakpreviewofournewlookandallthenewfeaturesandsectionswewillbecarryinggoto...

...andclickontheADVERTISEbutton,whereyouwillalsofindourfullmediapackandratesheetsforboththemagazineandthewebsite.


Marley Eternit’s ruby rainscreen cladding creates a real gem for shoppers

MarleyEternit’sNaturafibrecementrainscreencladdinghashelpedgiveadistinctiveappearancetonewretailunitsbuiltaspartofthe£16mFieldheadEstateRegenerationprojectinWest

Yorkshire.ArchitectsMichaelHydeAssociates(MHA)specifiedNaturawithapro

coatinginrubyfortheretailunits.Thiswarm,richcolourprovidesanappealingcontrasttotherenderfinishusedonthesurroundingresidentialandcommunitybuildings.

Naturahasatactile,smoothandsemi-translucentsurface,whichallowsthenaturalvariegationofthefibrecementtoshowthrough,creatingapracticalandvisuallyengagingbuilding.Theoptionalprocoatingprovidesgoodprotectionagainstmanytypesofstaining,includinggraffitiproducedbycommonaerosols.

Naturapanelsareeasytofitandinthecaseofthisprojectwerescrewfixedtoatimbersubstratemountedontheblockbuiltcavitywalls.Inaddition,fibrecementhasoneofthelowestlevelsofembodiedenergyofanycladdingmaterialandthisdevelopmenthasachievedaBREEAM‘VeryGood’rating. DavidMirfin,aDirectoratMHA,saidthepracticehadspecifiedMarley

Eternit’sfibrecementproductssuccessfullyonseveralpreviousprojectsandhadbeenimpressedbytheirqualityanddurability.Headded:“WespecifiedNaturainRubycolourbecausewewantedtheretailunitstocreateawarm,welcomingimpressionwithshoppers.”

TheprojectwasledbytheKirkleesCommunityAssociationworkinginpartnershipwithsocialhousingspecialistKeepmoatandKirkleesCouncil.Keepmoat’sassociatedcompanyBramallConstructionbuiltthenewretailunitsandtheNaturapanelswereinstalledbyLeedsbasedCompassNorthernLtd.q

FirestoneEPDMchosenforArboretumEcoCentre

FirestoneRubberGard®EPDMwaterproofingfromAlumaschasbeenusedontheneweco-friendlyvisitorcentreattheworld-famousBatsfordArboretum.

TheArboretum,nearMoretonintheMarsh,Gloucestershireishometothelargestprivatecollectionoftreesandplantsinthecountry.Thenewvisitorcentreispartofa£2mprojectcoordinatedbymaincontractorBEAMConstruction(Cheltenham)LtdandfundedbytheBatsfordFoundation.Theschemeincorporatesanumberofenvironmentalfeaturesincludingagroundsourceheatpump,sheep’swoolinsulationandalow-profileroofwhichwillreducevolumeandminimiseenergyconsumption

Followingcarefulconsiderationofthesurroundinglandscape,JohnFalconerArchitectspresentedauniqueandchallenging‘wave’roofdesigntoemulatetherollingCotswoldHills,thusminimisingthevisualimpactoftheCentre.FirestoneRubberGard®EPDMwaterproofingwaschosenfortheprojectduetoitseco-credentials,abilitytoformcleanedgedetailanditslifeexpectancyofupto50years.

AlumascworkedcloselyalongsideFirestoneauthorisedcontractorCardiffSinglePlyRoofingforthedurationoftheproject,providingfulltechnicalsupportonalloftheroofdetails.q

• To request literature on Alumasc Waterproofing, please contact Alumasc on 0808 100 2008. Alternatively, visit the website www.alumascwaterproofing.co.uk.


Panther drops in to help RNLIproject in Cornwall

OntheCornishsouthcoast’sLizardpeninsula,PantherPlatformsisworkingtowardsanOctober2011deadlinetohelpcontractorBAMNuttallfinishbuildingthenew£7.5

millionLizardLifeboatStation.TheRoyalNationalLifeboatInstitutionisreplacingtheexisting

lifeboatstationsothesitecanaccommodatenewTamarclasslifeboats,whicharemuchlargerthanthosecurrentlyinuse.

Panther,partoftheUK’slargestpoweredaccessoperation,LavendonAccessServices,alsodonated£500totheproject.

Theprojecthasusedvariousformsofpoweredaccess,includingspecialistmachinessuchastheCTE135trackedmachineandtheSkyjackTK46sub-zeromachine.

TheCTE135iscompactandeasilytransportablebutstilloffers13.5mofworkingheight.Itwasbroughtontotheworksitebyacraneandusedintheinitialconstructionprocessofthebuildingthatwillactuallyhousethenewlifeboats.

TheSkyjackTK46wasusedfromaworkplatforminconjunctionwithacranetoassistthebuildingofthelifeboatstation’sslipway.TheTK46isoneoftheonlyarticulatedtelescopicboomsthatprovidesaccessbelowthemachineofferingadownor‘negative’reachofminus6metres,afeaturethatwasparticularlyrelevantonthisproject.

BAMNuttall’sGlenMartin,generalforemanontheproject,said:“Panthersupplieduswithsomeexcellentmobileelevatedworkplatforms(MEWP’s),someofwhichareveryhardtofind.Ourproject

wasconstructedfromseausingajack-upbarge.Weneededaccessbelowthebargetoplace23tonconcretetransomsandfitslipwaysections.Afteralotofsearching,ImadecontactwithJessicaTunefromPantherLiskeardwhosuggestedweusedaTK46.

“Thesecondpartofourconstructionprojectwastobuildalifeboatstationatthebottomofacliffsome60mbelow.Accesswasbyatowercraneusinga70mjibsection.Usingsuchacranemadeitveryhardtodeliveranymachineweighingmorethan2tonnesontothestructure.AgainwithsomeinputfromthePantherLiskearddepot,wewentfortheCTE135,whichwaseasilytransportedbythecranetoprovidetheaccessrequiredforourteamtoworkonthelifeboatstation.MythanksgotothePantherLiskeardteam,especiallyJessicawhomadelifealoteasierforme.”q

Lightweight & compact – Panther’s CTE 135 specialist machine was brought on site by crane

F.BalllaunchesiRAGSmartPhone‘App’

TheUK’sleadingmanufacturerofflooringadhesives,F.BallandCo.Ltd.,haslaunchedasmartphoneappversionof

itscomprehensiveRecommendedAdhesivesGuide(RAG).TheiRAGisnowavailableforthepopulariPhone,AndroidandWindowsMobileplatforms,makingiteasierthaneverforuserstogainquickandconvenientaccesstothemostup-to-dateadhesiverecommendationsonthemove,orwhileonsite.

Theindustry’smosttrustedguidetoadhesiveandfloorcoveringcompatibility,theF.BallRAGfeaturesover5,500adhesiverecommendationsforfloorcoveringsfrom

over200leadinginternationalmanufacturers.TraditionallyavailableinA4andpocket-sizededitions,theRAGisnowaccessiblethrougharangeofdigitalandinteractiveformats,includingthebrandnewsmartphoneapp.

ThenewiRAGappisfreetodownloadandisavailablefromtheiTunesappstore,AndroidMarketandWindowsMarketplace.Enablingthelatestinlivesearchtechnology,theiRAGappenhancestheexperienceofviewingtheguideinitstraditionalbookletformbyofferingtheusertheaddedbenefitsofbeingabletosearchtheliveRAGdatabasewhilstonthemoveoronsite.

Ongoingtestingatthecompany’sheadquartersenablesF.BalltocontinuallyupdatetheiRAGappandtheinteractiveversionoftheRAG,whichisavailableontheF.Ballwebsite,www.f-ball.co.uk,toassistspecifiers,flooringcontractorsanddistributorsintheselectionofflooringadhesives.ThecomprehensiveandmeticuloustestingofF.BalladhesiveswitheverytypeoffloorcoveringlistedintheRAGmeansthecompanycanguaranteethequalityandperformanceofitsproducts,andensurethatthereisaspecialistadhesiveavailableforusewithallfloorcoveringproductsonthemarket.q


The UK leaders in

Trowel TradesTrainingEstablishedastheUK’sleadingproviderintroweltradestraining,

RomfordbasedGoldtrowelLtdofferawiderangeofcoursesledbyprofessionalandhighlymotivatedplastering,tilingand

bricklayinginstructorswithbothonsiteanddomesticexperience.Offeringfull-onhands-oncourses,Goldtrowelfirmlybelievethat

theyarethebestinwhattheydo,ensuringthatallstudentsachievetheiraimsduringeverycourse.Theirtrainingfacilityisdesignedtobemorethanchallengingandtheircoursesofferintensereallifescenarioswhichgivetraineestheconfidence,knowledgeandabilitytoworkwithintheconstructionindustry.

Courses from Goldtrowel include:

•Plastering Courses–includingtrainingrangingfromCity&GuildscoursestoNVQcourses,allofwhichofferpracticalhands-ontrainingfromthestart.

From5daycoursesteachingbasicplasteringskills,to10daycoursesprovidingmoreadvancedknowledgeand15dayNVQplasteringcourses,Goldtrowel’splasteringtrainingissecondtonone.

OthercoursesincludeCity&Guildsplastering2,4and6weekcourses,advancedplasteringtraining,KRendcoursesandexternalrenderingcourses.

•Tiling Courses–tilingcoursesareavailableatGoldtrowelforthosepeoplewishingtolearnnewskillsintilingortogainaqualification.Thecompanyoffer5day,10dayand3weekNVQtilingcoursestothosewishingtolearntotile,whichthencanleadtoNVQqualificationsinthesubject.

Thecompany’spurpose-builttilingtrainingpremisesboastfullsizetilingpracticeroomsupto24squaremetres.Theseroomshavewallswhicharenotsquareandplumb,butareveryrealisticwithreal-lifetypeproblemstoovercome,thusensuringrealistictraining.

•Bricklaying Courses–Goldtrowel’sbricklayingcoursesoffersomuchhands-ontrainingthatstudentsprogressmorequicklythanwithanyothertrainingprovider.Thecompany’sdedicatedbricklayingtrainingcentreensuresthattraineeshavethespaceandfacilitiestoproduceoutstandingwork.

CoursesrangefromthoseforbeginnerstoadvancedlevelandcanleadtoaCity&Guildsbricklayingqualification.Weekendbricklayingcoursesarealsoavailable.

Goldtroweloffereveryformofbricklayingtrainingpossible.Whateverthetrainingrequirementsthecompanyisconfidentthattheycancaterforeveryneedanddelivertheskillstothestandardsrequired.

•Venetian Marble Plastering Courses–thesecoursesofferthebesttrainingandfacilities,againofferingreallifeexperience.

Ithastaken10yearstodevelopwhatGoldtrowelclassasatopbrandedcourse,withanApprovedItalianApplicatorsCertificate,forthosestudentscompletingthe5or10daytraining.q

For further information visit: www.goldtrowel.co.uk


NCC helps construction firms to profit through good health

Tofurtherhelpbusinessesintheconstructionandbuiltenvironmentsectorimprovetheirbottomline,theNationalConstructionCollege(NCC),Europe’slargestconstructiontrainingprovider,has

launchedaseriesofOccupationalHealthandWellbeingforConstructionmodules.

Thesix,halfday‘DyingtoWork’modules,whichhavebeendesignedformanagers,HRprofessionals,directorsandindividualswhowishtoimproveoccupationalhealthintheworkplaceinclude:·Lifestyle·Noise·Vibration·Takeadeepbreath–respiratory·Protectingthelargestorgan–skin·Musculoskeletaldisorders

Attheendofthemodulesdelegateswillbeabletoappreciatethephysiologicalfunctionsandlimitationsofthehumanbody,aswellasconsideringtheprincipalsofeffectivemanagementandcontrolforimprovinghealthandwellbeingintheworkplace.Theywillalsobeabletoidentifythesupportmechanismsavailabletoactivelyimproveoccupationalhealthandrecognisethecriticalnatureofoccupationalandpersonalhealth.

“Theconstructionsectorisverymuchawareoftheimportanceofkeepingtheworkforcesafe,however,manycompaniesarefailingtolookafterthehealthoftheiremployees,notrecognisingorunderstandingtheimpactontheirbusiness,”saysJanineSibson,HealthandSafetyProductManagerattheNationalConstructionCollege.

RecentresearchsuggeststheUKeconomylost190millionworkingdaystoabsencelastyear,costingemployers£17bn,with3.3moftheselostdaysoccurringintheconstructionindustryduetoworkplaceinjuryandworkrelatedillhealth.

Janinecontinued:“Accordingtorecentresearch1.3millionpeoplewho

workedduringthelastyearweresufferingfromalongstandingornewillnesstheybelievedwascausedormadeworsebytheirjob.Weareurgingbusinessesinthesectortobecomemoreawareofoccupationalhealthissuesaffectemployeesandhowthiscouldimpactontheirbusiness.

AndyWalder,DirectoroftheNationalConstructionCollege(NCC),said:“Asthelargestproviderofhealthandsafetytrainingfortheconstructionindustry,theNCCdesignsanddeliversbespokeandspecialisttrainingprogrammestomeettheneedsofyourbusiness.

“Weworkcloselywithemployerstomeettheirtrainingneeds,andprideourselvesondeliveringspecialisttrainingthatwillgivebusinessesacompetitiveedgetohelpthemsucceedandgrow.”

Withalong-standingreputationandexperiencedstaff,theNCCiswellplacedtodelivertheskillstrainingneedsoftheconstructionandbuiltenvironmentsector.AsthetrainingdivisionofCITB-ConstructionSkills,thecollegedeliversqualityandaffordablecoursesateightsitesandadditionaltrainingvenuesforupto25,000learnerseachyear.

TheDyingtoWork–AnIntroductiontoOccupationalHealthandWellbeingforConstructionworkshopscanbedeliveredasstand-alonesessions,asacompletethreedayprogrammeormixedandmatchedtosuityourorganisation’sneeds.Tofindoutmore,bookyourplaceortofindoutmoreaboutothercoursesavailablepleasecall03449944433orvisitwww.cskills.org/coursebooker.q

ApprenticePlantMechanicoftheYearforthesecondyearrunning

Forthesecondyearrunning,JonatanCwiecekofNationwidePlatformshaswonApprenticePlantMechanicoftheYearattheNationalConstructionCollegeSouthandLondonAwards.

Jonatan,21,hasbeenwiththecompanysince2009andisbasedattheNationwidePlatforms’Barkingdepot.

FeaturedontheLavendonAccessServiceswebsite,Jonatansays:“IenjoyworkingforthecompanybecausetheyallowmetotakeprideandpleasureinwhatIdo.”

RegionalDirectorfortheSouthEast,MarcJohnsonsaid:“TheLavendonAccessServices’apprenticeshipschemeisexcellentandsomethingIwouldencourageanyonewithaninterestintheconstruction/accessindustrytoinvestigate.Lavendonhasmadeasubstantialcommitmenttothisschemeandhaveconfirmedthatcommitmentbycontinuingtoinvestduringthedownturn,withanintakeofsevennewapprenticesacrosstheUKforSeptember2011.”q

(l-r) Jason Lake- NCC Newham instructor, Jonatan Cwiecek - winner,Geoff Miller - guest speaker

constructionnational summer 2011 1�

Löfstedt Review:accessindustrymeetswiththeprofessor

InJulyrepresentativesfromtheAccessIndustryForum–theumbrellabodyfortradeassociationsinvolvedinthe

specialistaccessindustries–metwithProfessorRagnarELöfstedt,thechairoftheGovernment’sreviewofhealthandsafetyregulations.AIFchairmanPeterBennett,whoisalsomanagingdirectorofPASMA,andAIFdirectorNeilTomlinsonheldanhour-longmeetingwithProfessorLöfstedttoexplaintheindustry’spositionregardingprimarylegislationaffectingworkingatheight.

Workatheightcontinuestobethebiggestcauseofinjuryandaccidentsintheworkplace.AccordingtoHSE,34ofthe72deathsinconstructionin2007/8(thelatestyearforwhichfiguresareavailable)werecausedbyfallsfromheight,asarearound4,000injuriesannually.TheAIFthereforehasaspecialinterestinanyreviewofhealthandsafetylegislation.

AtthemeetinginJuly,sometimewasspentdiscussingtheWorkatHeight2005andtheConstructionDesign&Management2007regulations,buttheAIFspeltout

thatthereiscurrentlyinsufficientindustryreportingfromthesetwoitemsoflegislationtofactuallydeterminetheireffectiveness.

Thebiggestchallengesincetheintroductionofthesetwopiecesoflegislation,theAIFsays,hasbeenensuringthatdutyholdersareinformedcorrectlytoensureaccuratecompliance.

AccordingtoastatementissuedbytheAIF,theprofessorwaskeentoseefactualevidencetosupplementhisreviewandtheAIFsuppliedadetailedsubmissionontheactivitynotonlyofitself,butalsoofitsrespectivemembers,withregardtothecontinuingeffortsbeingmadetoreduceaccidentsandincidentswhenworkingatheight.

SpeakingafterthemeetingNeilTomlinsoncommented:“Itwasreassuringtoknowthatthisreviewwillbebasedonfactualinformation.TheProfessorwasreceptiveandsupportivetoourviewsinanumberofareasthatwerediscussed,andwasnotablyimpressedbythelevelofactivityundertakenbytheAIFanditsmembers”.

FollowingthemeetingaformalstatementfromtheAIFwassenttotheprofessor.

ProfessorLöfstedtwasappointedinMarchbyEmploymentMinisterChrisGraylingtoreviewtheapproximately200statutoryinstrumentsandassociatedACoPsthatinformandgovernhealthandsafetyintheworkplace.Thereviewisbeingcarriedoutinconsultationwith‘professionalhealthandsafetybodies’,includingtheAIF,whosemembershipconsistsofthenineleadingtradebodiesspecialisingintheworkatheightsector.q

Professor Ragnar E Löfstedt

1� constructionnational summer 2011


Thisyearsawthepublicationofamajorrevisiontotheguidanceissuedfortheerectionofscaffolding,SG4.SuchisthefundamentalnatureofthechangesthattheHSEhead

ofconstructionPhilipWhitestatedintheforeword:“Thisrevisionrepresentsastepchangeinthewayscaffoldcontractorsshoulderecttheirscaffoldstructures.Theguidanceisstraightforwardandcomprehensiveandrepresentsbestpracticewithintheindustry.”

Initsownintroductiontoitsexplanationofthenewguidance,theNASCstates:“Sinceitsintroductioninthemid-nineties,SafetyGuidanceNumber4(SG4)fromtheNationalAccessandScaffoldingConfederation(NASC)hasbecometheestablishedminimumstandardforfallpreventioninthescaffoldingindustry.SG4rosetoprominencefollowingthemajorrevisionin2000(SG4:00)asitrepresentedasignificantchangeandchallengetotheestablishedmethodsofworkingthathadbeenpracticedfordecades.”

In2000anewmethodologywasintroducedthatwasknownasthe‘tunnellingprinciple’,wherethescaffolder’spriorityonanyworkingplatformwastocreateprogressivelyasafeworkingplatform,withguardrailprotectionandcorrectlysupportedworkingplatforms,analogoustoaminershoringupatunnelasitisexcavated.Itwasalsothefirstoccasionwherescaffolderswereexpectedtowearsafetyharnessesatalltimes,asstandard.

Theprioritythenwastoprovidea‘safezone’utilisingcollectivemeasuresbeforeresortingtopersonalprotection.However,itwasstillrecognisedthattherewasaninherentriskofafallinscaffoldingoperationsthatcouldnotbecompletelyavoided.Scaffolderswouldthereforeneedtobeclippedonwheneverexposedtoariskofa

fallandnottraversingthemselvesandmaterials.Thetunnellingprinciplemadeanallowanceforscaffolderstotraverseunprotectedalongaboardedliftforthemaximumlengthofmaterialstheywereguardrailing.

In2005SG4wasagainrevisedandupdatedtoreflecttherequirementsofthenewWorkatHeightRegulations(WAHR),introducedthatyear.Innovationsincludednewcollectiveprotectionmethodsthatcouldremovetheunprotectedtraversingelementofthetunnellingprinciple,andnewanchordevicesthatenabledscaffolderstoattachtheirharnessestohigherpointsabovetheworkingplatform,therebyreducingfalldistances.

ThenewSG4:10Preventing Falls in Scaffolding,willseemoreemphasisonthecreationofa‘safezone’byscaffolders,coveringavarietyofsafemethods.Therevisionwillalsoseetheremovalofthepracticeofthe‘unprotectedtraversingelement’fromthetunnellingprinciple.

PhilipWhitehasstated:“TheHSEwillnolongeraccepttheunprotectedtraversingelementofthetunnellingprinciplethatfeaturedinpreviousversionsoftheguide[SG4:10].”

AvideoexplainingthenewguidanceisavailablefromtheNASCwebsite.ItwasfilmedattheSafetyandHealthExpoatBirminghaminApril(picturedistheNASCstand)andpostedonYouTube.q

NewvideoshelpworkingatheighttrainingTheAccessIndustryForum(AIF)hasrecentlylaunchedaseries

ofshortvideostoaidtrainingintheuseofaccessequipment.Thisseriesof‘videotoolboxtalks’areavailabletodownload

fromtheAIFwebsiteatwww.accessindustryforum.org.ukandhavealsobeenpostedonYouTube.

Thesubjectsofthevideosare:•MobileAccessTowers:frequentlyaskedquestions.•Scaffolding:SG4:10,preventingfallsinscaffolding.•Ladders:frequentlyaskedquestions.•MEWPS:choosingtherightMEWPforthejob.

•Scaffolding:pavementlicencecriteria.•Scaffolding:TG20:08,TechnicalGuidanceontheuseof•BSEN12811-1.•MEWPS:BestPracticeguideforpeopleworkinginrestricted•overheadspaces.•MEWPS:thedangersofnotusingspreaderpadswith•outriggers.Followingshowingofthevideos,thereisanonlinetestto

demonstrateunderstandingofthecontent,theresultsofwhichcanbedownloadedandprinted.

NickJohnsonoftheHSEslips,tripsandfallsfromheightteamsaid:“TheAIFtoolboxtalksareaninnovativewayofgettingkeymessagesandguidanceabouthowtoworkatheightsafelyouttoawideraudience.”

ThenewVTT’sstandalongsidetheAIF’sKnowledgeBase–aseriesoflongervideosthatcanalsobedownloadedfromthewebsite.Suchisthepaceofchangeintheindustry,however,thatthevideoonSG4:10,preventingfallsinscaffolding,hasalreadybeensupersededbynewguidancefromtheNationalAccessandScaffoldingConfederation(NASC).q

•The Access Industry Forum comprises the nine leading trade associations in the working at height industry: ATLAS, EPF, FASET, IPAF, Ladder Association, NASC, PASMA, SAEMA and WAHSA.

New scaffolding erection guidance issued by NASC


Plant industry card scheme retains its individuality while fitting

the CSCS pattern

Unlikeothertradesintheconstructionindustry,theplantsectoroperatesitsowncardschemealongsidetheCSCS.TheConstructionPlantCompetenceScheme(CPCS)isa

competence-basedcardschemethatmeetstheguidelinesoutlinedinConstructionDesignandManagement(CDM)Regulations(2007)ACoP.ToqualifyforthecardanoperatormustpassbothatheoryandpracticaltestandtheConstructionSkillshealthandsafetytest,plusachieveLevel2S/NVQinplantoperationoritsequivalentwithintwoyears.Tokeepthecard–ablueskilledoperatorcard–theoperatormustre-takethehealthandsafetytesteveryfiveyears.

TheCPCSwasfoundedin2003andisoperatedbytheplantsectoritself,includingtheConstructionPlant-hireAssociation.ItwasbasedontheformerCertificateofTrainingAchievementandalsoincorporatedtheLantraAwardsandtheConstructionPlantOperatorsRegistrationScheme.

AccordingtotheCPA:“TheoriginalCTAschemeitselfwasadoptedbyindustryasthestandard-bearer.Itspurposewastoprovidesafeoperatingskillsandsitesafetyknowledgethroughtrainingandwasaleadingplayerinadoptingthehealthandsafetytest.”

ThecreationoftheCPCSmeantthattheplantindustrycouldfitinwiththetemplateoftheCSCSbutwithitsownspecialrequirementsandcompetencies.Thedrivingforcewastherequirementtoimprovesafety,ledbyinitiativessuchasRethinking ConstructionandRevitalising Health and Safety.Therewasalsothedrivetounifyqualificationssothattheycouldberecogniseduniversally,amovementexemplifiedbyNVQ.

TheCPAagain:“ThiswasbolsteredwiththeformationoforganisationssuchastheConfederationofConstructionClientsandtheMajorContractorsGroup,whosetminimumsafetystandardsandfosteredtheimplementationofasinglecardschemefortheindustryundertheumbrellaoftheConstructionSkillsCertificationScheme(CSCS).”

AfterthreeyearsofworktheindustrymembersoftheCTAschememanagementcommitteeunveiledtheCPCS.Itwastheresultofextensiveconsultationwithtradeorganisations,employers,operatorsandotherstakeholders.ThetransitionwascompletedbythedissolutionoftheCTA.

Incommonwithothersuchschemes,however,theCPCSisnotsetinstone,butmoveswithtimes.Afterfiveyearsasecondconsultationwasembarkedupon.Theprocesstook8monthsandinvolvedanonlinequestionnaireandemailfacility,amail-outtoover10,000employers,consultationwithindustryassociationsandface-to-faceinteractionatSEDand24roadshows.

Theresultwasanupdatedschemewhichwillitselfnodoubtbeadaptedovertimeascircumstanceschange.Thecoreoftheschemeremainedthesamehowever,includingthehealthandsafetytestandS/NVQelements,theredandbluecardstructureandtheuseofalogbooktorecordcompetence.Anewtechnicaltestwasintroduced.

Theessenceoftheschemeremainsthesame.Itisofandfortheplantindustry.TheCPAstressesthatpoint:“Itisvitallyimportantthatpeopleintheindustryunderstandthatrepresentativesoftheindustryruntheschemeandcontinuetosupportandpromoteit,whichcanonlybeofbenefittotheindustryitselfanditscustomers.

“Amanagementcommittee[is]madeupofrepresentativesfromalltypesandsizesofplantoperatoremployers,associationsandfederations,aswellastradeunionsandtheHealthandSafetyExecutive.Itdoesnotstopthere.TheCPCSmanagementcommitteealsoconsultswiththepeoplewhoworkintheindustrytofindoutwhattheywantfromthescheme.”q

• To find out more, and to learn about the Construction Plant-hire Association, visit www.cpa.uk.net. To apply for a card or find out about courses and training, visit www.cskills.org/education/cpcs.

Picture courtesy of JCB


CSCS is changing: your views are needed

CSCSisundertakingaconsultationexerciseacrosstheconstructionindustrytogatherevidencetosupportdevelopmentofarevisedcardstandardsstrategyand

structure,inordertodriveforwardcompetenceofUKsite-basedconstructionworkersinlinewithindustryrequirements.

Itisintendedthatthenewstructurewillprovideaclearerseriesoflevelsfocusedonachievementandinparticularrecognise‘labourer’and‘semi-skilled’asoccupationallevels.Itisalsointendedtoprovidegreaterassistanceforsitestomanageandpolicethe‘RightCardfortheJob’concept.

AnewstrategywillalsoallowawideningofwhatcouldberecognisedandacceptedtoobtaincertainlevelsofcardbeyondS/NVQorqualificationscreditframework(QCF)equivalent,toreflectindustryrequirementswithinsetguidelines.

TheconsultationformisaccessiblefromtheCSCSwebsite,atwww.cscs.uk.com.

Oneoftheissuesaddressedbytheconsultationisthatofthe‘greencard’.Thegreencardisavailabletooperativeswhocarryoutbasicsiteskillsonly–labourers,forinstance.The‘greencard’iscurrentlyseeingabigincreaseinapplications.Onewaytoaddressthatwouldbeaseparateaccreditationforlabourers.

ContributionstotheconsultationprocessshouldbesubmittedonlinebyFriday9September.Inthemeantime,CSCSisalsorespondingtotheLöfstedtreviewbeingundertakenbyGovernment.IthasbeenaskedtoprovidedataaboutgeneralawarenesslevelsamongthosewhovisittheCSCSwebsiteand/orreceiveitseNewsletter,regardingsomeoftheregulationsinplace.

Again,respondentsshouldcompleteashortonlinesurvey,whichiscompletelyanonymousandnoresponsescanbereferencedbacktotherespondent.q

The CSCS ‘green card’: a new category for construction labourer may be introduced

Forthelatestuptodatetrainingnewsvisit

www.constructionnational.co.uk


SmartCardinrunningforprestigiousawardsTheCSCSSmartCardhasbeenshortlistedfortwocategoriesin

theprestigiousSesamesAwards,whichwillbepresentedatthecardindustry’sannualconferenceandexhibition,CARTES,in

ParisinNovember.TheCSCSSmartCardisacontenderintheSoftwareandIDCardscategoriesoftheSesames.

TheSESAMEShavebeendescribedas“anunchallengedsealofapprovalininnovation”andarerecognisedassettingthestandardforglobalcardbasedapplications.Theyrepresentarealpromotionalspringboardandgivethewinnersareputationandcredibilityguaranteeingtheirproject’ssuccess.

TheCSCSSmartCardisahighcapacitycardthatisgraduallyreplacingtraditionalCSCScards.Itstoresthedatacarriedonatraditionalcardonachip,inasimilarwaytoinformationstoredonacreditcard.ItcanalsobeusedforamultitudeofpurposesbeyondjuststoringCSCSdata,whichpotentiallyallowscontractorsandclientstoaccessrelevantdatasuchastrainingrecords,timeandattendancereports,occupationalhealthreviewsandotherinformationelectronically.

InFebruarythe£250mprojecttorevampTottenhamCourtUndergroundStationbecamethefirstall-SmartCardsiteinthecountry.JointventurecontractorsVINCIandBamNuttallnowrequirethe150workerscurrentlyonthesite–whichwillriseto350byApril–toholdthenewcards,whichcanbequicklycheckedusing

ahandheldcardreaderorviatheuser’sowncomputerisedsystem.Theycanalsointeractwiththecompany’sHR,finance,trainingandoccupationalhealthsystems.

IOSH’sSafety and Health PractitionermagazinequotedCSCSassayingthecardsare“virtuallyimpossibletoforge”.q

Tottenham Court Road Underground Station: the first all-SmartCard site (pic by ARC Gritt)


Trainingandassessmentdedicatedtoourhistoricbuiltenvironment

ThecorebusinessofYorkshirebasedHeritageCraftAllianceistrainingandassessmentforthecountry’sheritageskillsworkforce.FromtheirtrainingcentreinBedaletheycanreach

outacrosstheUKtodeliverfocussedtrainingprogrammes.Thesecanbetoenhancethegeneralknowledgeoftheadultheritageworkforceordelivershortbespokeinterventions,wherethisis

neededtounderpintheachievementoftheheritageskillsqualifications.

Thecompanyalsoworkwithschoolsandcolleges,deliveringhandsoncrafttrainingandknowledgebasedinterventions.

TheycanprepareanddelivercrafttrainingandCPDinawiderangeofskillareassuchasstone,brick,wood,glassandothersincludingaccreditedvocationalqualifications.

Throughassessmentforheritageskillslevel3diplomasandconservationqualifications,HeritageCraftAllianceareabletopreparecraftsmenandmanagerstoapplyfortheCSCSheritagecard.q

•To discuss your training or assessment needs, or to ask about their short course programme, callus on 01677 422289 or [email protected] visit www.heritagecraftalliance.co.uk

Apprentice Jay makes the most of new whg scheme

AWalsallteenagerhastakenastepontotheconstructioncareerladderwithhelpfromleadingMidlandshousingproviderwhg,whohaveannouncedanexclusivewagesubsidyschemeas

partofacampaigntosupportlocalconstructionfirmsandthenextgenerationoftradesmenandwomen.

Itwillpayhalfaneligibleapprentice’swageforsixmonthsand17-year-oldJayGunnisthefirsttobenefit.Employersareinvitedtogetintouchtotakeadvantageofthislimitedoffer,fundedbyVisionaryInvestmentEnhancingWalsall(VIEW).

Jayhasbeenlearningatradeatwhg’sSkillsCentreforninemonthsandhasnowbeentakenonasanapprenticeplastererbyWalsallcompanyJMRenderwall.

Hesaid:“I’mreallypleasedtohavegotthisapprenticeship–itisagreatopportunityformeandI’mlearningsomucheveryday.”

AudreyClarkson,WorkBasedLearningMentorattheSkillsCentre,said:“Jayisthefirstapprenticetobetakenonunderthisschemebutwearecurrentlyintheprocessofsigningupadditionalapprenticeswithseveraldifferentcompanies.

“Inthecurrentfinancialclimate,alotofcompaniesarereluctanttotakeonnewemployeesbecausetheyarenotsurewheretheirnextjobiscomingfrom.

“Thisschemewillhelpyoungpeopleintoemploymentwhileencouragingemployerstorealisetheimportanceofapprenticeshipsandhowtheycanbenefittheirbusiness.”

Hisnewemployer,JasonWall,said:“Jayiskeentolearnanddoingwell.Theschemeisagoodideabecauseithelpsemployersandenables

apprenticeslikeJaytogetvaluableday-to-dayexperienceofthejob.”JayhasalreadyachievedaCity&Guildsqualificationinbasic

constructionandwillcontinuetostudypart-timeattheSkillsCentreforanNVQLevel2inplastering.

Thewagesubsidyinitiativecoversapprenticeshipsinplumbing,electricalskills,bricklaying,plasteringandcarpentry.q

•For further information call the Skills Centre on 0845 155 0310.

Plastering apprentice Jay Gunn


Thetwo-yearconstructionprojectbyHillsWasteSolutionstobuildWiltshire’sfirststate-of-the-artwastetreatmentplanthasformallybegun.

The£20millionNorthacreresourcerecoveryfacilityisasignificantinvestmentbyHillswhichwillhelpunderpinitsexpansionintonewmarkets.ItisalsoakeyelementinWiltshireCouncil’sstrategytoreducetheamountofwastesenttolandfill.

Oncecomplete60,000tonnesofhouseholdwastecanbeprocessedusingmechanicalbiologicaltreatment(MBT)inthefacilitylocatedontheNorthacretradingestateinWestburyundera25yearcontractagreedbetweenHillsandWiltshireCouncil.

ThefacilitywillincreasetheproportionofWiltshire’smunicipalwastedivertedawayfromlandfilltomorethan80percent,fromacurrentperformanceofabout63percentandatotaloflessthan20percentafewyearsago.

AlanPardoe,HillsGroupchairman,said:“I’mdelightedthatconstructionisreadytostartontheHills’Northacrefacility.Thisisasignificantmilestoneinboththecompany’sdevelopmentandthewayWiltshirehandlesitshouseholdwaste.

“Inthecomingmonthswe’llseeinnovativetechnologyinstalledonthesitebyourcontractorswhichwillopenupnewmarketsforourcompany.”

TobySturgis,cabinetmemberforWaste,PropertyandDevelopmentControlServices,said:“ThisisonepartofapackageofmeasuresWiltshireCouncilisrollingoutthatwillhugelyreducewhatwesendtolandfill.

“Thesemeasures,ofwhichtheconstructionoftheNorthacrefacilityisamajorpart,notonlymakeenvironmentalsensebutfinancialsenseforresidents.”

TheHills’Northacrefacilitywillreceive60,000tonnesofmunicipalwastefromhouseholdsinthecountyand,indoingso,helpthecounty’staxpayersavoidlandfilltax,whichwillcost£80pertonneby2014.

ItisestimatedthattheHills’NorthacrefacilitywillsavesignificantcouncillorrymilesperyearaswastefromthewestofWiltshirewillnolongerneedtobetransportedtoHills’landfillsiteatLowerCompton.Byreducingthemilesthattheserefusecollectionvehiclestravel,thefacilityhasthepotentialtomakeareductioninWiltshire’scarbonfootprint.Initiallytherefusederivedfuel(RDF)producedwillbetransportedbyroadtoportandthenshippedtoEuropeforuseinrenewableenergyplants,butitisanticipatedthattheproductionofRDFwillencouragethecreationofamorelocalmarket.

MBTspecialist,EntsorgaItalia,isprovidingtechnologyfortheplantandInterserveplchasbeenawardedthedesignandbuildconstructioncontract.q

SURVEYS

INTERIORFURNISHING&SUPPLLIES

TRAINING&ASSESSMENT


WorkbeginsonWiltshire’sfirstMBTplant

On site are (l to r) Cllr Toby Sturgis, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for Waste, Property and Development Control Services, Mike Hill, chief executive of the Hills Group Ltd and Simon Ohlenschlager, director infrastructure at Interserve Construction


BasedatCarneCross,nearPar,Cornwall–justoveronemilefromtheEdenProject–Fahey’sConcreteLtdisatrulyindependentreadymixedconcretecompanywithdepots

atnearbyCamelford,CornwallandOkehampton,Devon.Thecompanyhavebeenproducingreadymixedconcreteforover40yearsandhavebeenmembersoftheQualitySchemeforReadyMixedConcrete(QSRMC)sinceJuly1993.

Fahey’sConcretebelieveinbeingasselfsufficientaspossibleandhasitsownfabrication,workshopandvehiclemaintenancefacilities,givingthecompanytheabilitytobuild,repairandmaintaintheirproductionplantsandthelargefleetofvehiclesrequiredtooperateefficientlyandeconomically.Theirvariedfleetisusedtocollecttheproductsrequiredforproductionaswellasdeliveryofthefinishedreadymixedconcretetosite.

BeingsoclosetotheEdenproject,meantthatthevastmajorityoftheconcreteonthesitewassuppliedbyFahey’swiththeconcreteusedfortheconstructionoftheBiomesbeingrecognisedbyanawardfromtheConcreteSociety.

InAugustlastyear,Fahey’sConcreteachievedaccreditationforitsEnvironmentalManagementSystemtoBSENISO14001:2004theEnvironmentalManagementStandard.q

Award-winning concrete from South West’s leading supplier

Concrete welcome for Govt’s IGT responseTheconcretesectorhaswelcomedtheGovernment’sacceptance

ofmanyoftherecommendationsoftheInnovationandGrowthTeam(IGT)LowCarbonConstructionReportasevidenceof

supportforitsownsustainableconstructionstrategy.LaunchingtheGovernment’sresponsetothereport,Business

MinisterMarkPriskoutlinedhowGovernmentandtheconstructionindustrywillworktogethertodecarbonisethebuiltenvironmentby2050andcalledforanewlevelofco-operation.HefocusedontheneedforclearleadershipandtransparencyandannouncedtheestablishmentofanewGreenConstructionBoardthatwilldirectthenecessaryregulatoryandfinancialframeworks,tosupportindustryactioninenablingtheGovernmenttoachieveitsambitiouscarbonreductionobjectives.

RespondingforTheConcreteCentre,aconstituentmemberoftheMineralProductsAssociation,itsexecutivedirectorAndrewMinsonsaid:“Theconcretesectorisalreadydemonstratingthatitisfullyabletomeetthechallengeofclimatechangeandhasthecapacitytoturnthatchallengeintoanopportunity.Wehavedevelopedandimplementedafar-reaching,pan-industrysustainabilitystrategythatleadsothermaterialsectorsandalreadyincludesandcomplimentsmanyoftherecommendationsoftheIGTreport.”

Inparticularhewelcomedthereport’srecognitionthatsustainabilityismorethanjustcarbon,thatoperationalcarbonmustbeconsideredalongsideembodiedandthatindustry,togetherwithgovernment,mustrisetothechallengeofthelowcarbonagenda.q

Costmodelsshowconcreteischeaper

TheBritishReady-mixedConcreteAssociation(BRMCA)haspublishedthreecost-modelstudies–oncommercial,hospitalandschoolbuildings–examiningready-mixedconcretedesignoptionsversussteelandprecast.Thestudieshighlightthecostadvantagesofready-mixed

concrete,theprogrammeadvantagesofready-mixedconcreteandthebenefitsofready-mixedconcreteintermsofcostinuse,acoustics,fire,energyefficiencyandsustainability.

Thestudiesshowthat,intermsofoverallconstructioncosts,insitureinforcedconcreteis5.1%cheaperthantheequivalentsteeloptionforcommercialbuildingsandpost-tensionedinsituconcreteis7.2%cheaperforhospitalbuildingsand6.8%cheaperforschools.q

•The full studies are available to download from the BRMCA website, at www.brmca.org.uk/news.


MountainbikestartinghutmovesupagearwithBritishlarch

BSWTimber’sBritishlarchhasbeenusedtocreateastrikingstartinghutforthefamousmountainbiketrailattheNevisRangeonAonachMòr,oneofBritain’shighestmountains,

whichrisesto4,006ftatitspeak.DesignedbytheForestryCommission’sCivilEngineeringteam,the

starthutshowcaseslocallysourcedlarchandisafocalpointforallcompetitivemountainbikingatFortWilliam,includingtherecentworldchampionships.

Designedintheshapeofaneye,outofwhichtheriderslaunchthemselvesontothedownhillcourse,thestarthutwascreatedusingverticallylaminatedtimber.ThisinnovativetechniquehasbeendevelopedbytheForestryCommissioninanumberoftheirawardwinningdesigns.Itallowstheeye-shapetobecreatedusingstraightpiecesoflarch,nolongerthanametre,whicharethenstaggeredandscrewedtoeachothertocreatetheupperandlowercurves.

EveJohnson,marketingmanager,BSWTimber,said:“Thisprojectperfectlyillustratestheversatilityoflarchtimber.Thestunningdesignofthestarthutshowshowtheproductcanbeusedininnovativewaysand,what’smore,thematerialsarelocallysourced.

“Britishlarchisanidealoptionforawidearrayofpurposes.Fromresidentialproperty,torestaurantfrontageandsportingfacilities,larchcreatesadurableandattractivefinish.

“Asafullysustainableanddurabletimber,whichisFSCcertified,ourlarchproductscomewiththeassurancethattheywillbelonglastingandmaintaintheirstrikinglookinyearstocome.TheNevisRangestarthutsupportsthenaturalenvironment,utiliseslocalmaterialsandwillbeenjoyedformanyyearstocome.”

GraemeWhite,SeniorProjectEngineer,ForestryCommission,added:"Weliketospecifylarchforourprojectsduetoitsnaturaldurabilityandqualityofitsappearance.WerecentlywonanawardfortheBestUseofHome-growntimberattheWoodAwardsforabridgebuiltfromlarch.Larch’sversatilityiscleartoseeinthemountainbikestarthutontheNevisRangeandwe’redelightedwiththeresult.”q


AsbestosinBuildingsRecentlytheHealthandSafetyExecutivelaunchedtheir‘Hidden

Killer’campaigntohighlightthedangerofexposuretoasbestosfibre,particularlytomaintenanceandothertradesmenwhen

workinginbuildings.Thishighprofilecampaigngraphicallyindicatedthataround20tradesmenperweekdieasaresultofexposuretoasbestosandthattradesmenarestillbeingexposedtotheserisks,eventoday,mainlyduetothefactthattheyareunawareofthepresenceofasbestosintheirworkplace.

At around 4,000 deaths per year, asbestos is still the country’s biggest industrial killer.

Anybuildingconstructedorrefurbishedbetween1890and1999couldcontainasbestosinoneormoreofitsmanyformsanduses.Fromthe1930’sasbestoswashailedasthe‘wonderbuildingmaterial’andintermsofitsuse,reacheditsheightintheUKinthemid1970’s.

Asbestoswasusedformanyapplicationsincludingfireprotection,thermalinsulation,anti-condensationandacousticcoatings,wallboarding,boxing,panellingandroofingtonamebutafew.Inchurchesithasbeenusedaspipeandboilerinsulation,boxingandcasingstoorganblowers,permanentshutteringoverpipetrenches,behindradiators,underradiatorshelves,inrainwatergoodsandassprayedcoatingstotheundersideofroofs.

TheControlofAsbestosRegulations(CAR)2006placesanexplicitdutyonthoseresponsibleforbuildings(TheDutyholder)tomanagetheriskfromasbestosintheirproperty,notonlyfortheirownemployeesandvisitorsbutanyonewhomaycomeintocontactwithitincluding,ofcourse,anytradesmenwhomaybeworkinginit.

AmajorrequirementofCAR2006,andsubsequentlyanyasbestosmanagementplan,istoinformanyonewhomaycomeintocontactwithit,ofthepresenceofasbestoscontainingmaterialswithinthepropertyandtogivethosepeopleadequatetraininginhowtorecogniseasbestoscontainingmaterialsandmanagetheriskofexposure.

Thestartingpointofanymanagementplanistofindoutifthebuildingcontainsasbestosmaterialsbyanasbestossurvey.Asurveywillprovideanasbestosregister,recorditslocation,extentandtypeandassesstheriskofexposureonthelongtermhealthofanyonewhomaycomeintocontactwithit.

Thiswillgenerallymeanthat,asaminimum,a‘management’asbestossurveywillberequiredinordertocomplywiththeregulationsandifanyworkisplannedwithinthepremisesamorein-depth‘refurbishment/demolition’surveymaybenecessary.Toavoidconfusion,thesesurveytypesarefullydetailedinHSEGuidanceHSG264whichdescribesthescopeandcontentofthesurveytypes,howtheyshouldbeundertaken

andthecompetencyrequirementsofUKASAccreditationforthoseundertakingthem.

Trainingisthenextimportantcriteria,asunlessthesurveyinformationisimpartedtothoselikelytobeexposedithasverylittlevalue.Similarly,tradesmenneedtobeawareofanyasbestosmaterialstheymayencountertopreventunintentionaldisturbanceleadingtoexposure,notonlytothemselvesbuttoanyoneelseinthevicinity.

CompaniesyouchoosetoundertakeasbestossurveysshouldbeaccreditedbyUKAS(UnitedKingdomAccreditationService)toISO/IEC17020toundertakeinspectionsandtoISO/IEC17025toundertakebulksampleidentificationandtesting.ThisaccreditationensuresthatyouwillgetthebestpossiblesurveyinaccordancewithHSG264.

TrainingrequirementsarealsoregulatedanddescribedinRegulation12oftheControlofAsbestosRegulations2006.AsbestostrainingorganisationsareaccreditedbyUKATAtheUnitedKingdomAsbestosTrainingAssociation. q

• For more information on asbestos management, surveys or training contact Tersus Consultancy Limited on 0121 244 1828, via their website www.tersusgroup.co.uk or by e-mail to [email protected]


PortableSanitationEuropeLtd,orPSEasitisgenerallyreferredto,istheUK’sforemostandmostrespectedtradeassociationactingonbehalfofmemberswhoareallinthebusinessofproviding

welfareandsanitationfacilities,primarilytotheconstructionindustryandthegeneralpublic,atoutdooreventsandfestivals.

Ithaslongbeenadvocatedfromwithintheranksoftheassociationthattheycouldbenefitfromadedicatedtrainingschedulealliedtotheportabletoiletbusiness,aswellasintegratingwiththeconstructionindustry,inordertomaintainthehighlevelofstandardsrelatingtoallaspectsofHealthandSafetythathavebeensetwithinthisindustry.

TothisendPSEapproachedthetrainingfacilitatorHumanFocusforassistanceinsettingupan‘online’trainingprogramwhichwouldgivethenecessarybasicinstructionandtrainingtotheserviceoperatorswho,whenallsaidanddone,arethebackboneofthisindustry,andwithoutwhomtherewouldn’tbethenumberofservicecompaniescurrentlyinexistenceintheUK.

AsetoffivetrainingmoduleswaspresentedtoPSE,thesixthmodulebeingtheirownin-housetrainingDVD,whichwasmadeonlocationsomeyearsagoandwasfullyacceptabletoHumanFocusasamostvalidtrainingasset,somuchsothatthecompletesixmodulesnowmakeuptheNationalSanitationQualificationschemewhichhasbeenacceptedbytheNationalCoreCompetenceBenchmark(NCCB),withwhichmostoftheUK’strainingandqualificationstandardsarenowassociated.

Anumberofthelargercontractingcompaniesalreadyhaveinplaceameansbywhichanyoperatoronsitecanbeinstantlyverifiedbyanelectronicscanningsystemwhichshowshispersonaldetailsandthetrainingprogramsthatheorshehasundertaken,whichshouldlegitimatelygivethemtherightofaccesstothesite.ThisiscarriedoutbymeansofacreditcardstyleIDcardonwhichthereisachipandpincarryingalltherelevantinformationrelatingtotheowner’strainingqualificationandfromtherelevantissuingauthority.InthecaseofPSEthisisHumanFocuswhoarealsofullyaccreditedbyRoSPA.

ThefivebasicmodulesencompassBasicFirstAidatWork;HealthandSafetyinConstruction;PPESafetyinIndustry;ManualHandlinginConstruction;Slips,TripsandFallsinIndustry.Thesixthmodule,onlyapplicabletoPSEmembership–ServicingofPortableSanitationUnits–is,ofcourse,theprimarytrainingmoduleforanyserviceoperatorwithinthisindustry.Ifitislaterdeemednecessarythatfurthertrainingisrequiredforaccesstoanyconstructionsite,thenothermodulesareavailable.

The‘online’training,whichcanbeundertakenbytheserviceoperatororthemanagementstaff,isfullyavailable24hoursadaythroughasecurewebsitelinktothetrainingfacilitator,witheachoperatorhavingtheirownuniqueIDandlogindetails.So,iftheyhaveasparemomentattheendoftheday,theycanundertakeanyofthesixmodules,thelongestofwhichisaround20minutesand,onsuccessfulcompletion,(80%marksandover)theycanprintofftheirownCertificateasproofofhavingundertakenandpassedthatparticularmodule.Onsuccessfulcompletionofallsixmodules,HumanFocusissuethetraineewiththeNSQCertificateaswellastheCreditCardstyleIDcard,whichinturngivestheserviceoperatorthenecessaryidentificationtogainaccesstothesitesthatalreadyemploythechipandpinverificationsystem.Intimemoreandmoreconstructionsiteswillemploythesamesystembothforsecurityandsafetyreasons.

TheUKContractorsGroup,whorepresentthemajorityofthemajorconstructioncompaniesintheUK,havewelcomedthePSE’sendeavorstoofferthistrainingfacilitytotheirmembershipandtomaintainthehighstandardsthatareexpectedofallstaffwhoundertakeanyformofworkonconstructionsites.

ThePSEwillcontinuetoworkcloselywithHumanFocustofurtherdevelopothertrainingmodulesthatarepertinenttotheportabletoiletandwelfareindustry.Intime,theNSQschemewillbecomeanindustryrecognisedstandardthatallwhooperateandservicewelfarefacilitiesonconstructionsiteswillhavetoadhereto.TheNSQschemeisinitsinfancyatpresentbutwillbecomemoreprominentasmorecompaniestakeuptheopportunitytogainthisrecognisedqualificationavailablefreetoallmembersofPortableSanitationEuropeLtd.q

National Sanitation Qualification maintains high standards

�0 constructionnational summer 2011

constructionnational summer 2011 �1

DominicMathias,fromYorkshire-basedenergymanagementservicesproviderENER-GSwitch2,hasbeennamedthewinnerofacompetitiontofindoutindustryopinionsonthebigissues

affectingthehousingsector.TheprizeofaniPodNanowaspresentedtoDominicbyAccelerisandHQNearlierthismonth.

DuringtherecentCharteredInstituteofHousingconferenceinHarrogate,theUK’sleadingPRagencyforthesocialhousingsector,Acceleris,andhousingtrainingandconsultancycompanyHQNfilmeddelegates’responsestotheburningquestionsinthehousingsector.Thisincludedaskingwhatthebiggestopportunityinhousingisandgettingdelegateviewsonwhattheywoulddofirstiftheywerehousingminister.

ThevideoswereuploadedtoYouTubeandprofessionalswithinthesectorwereinvitedtovotefortheirfavourite.Dominic’scommentshighlightedtheimportanceofcontinuingtheindustry’scommitmenttoinvestmentinsolarphotovoltaicenergysources.Hedescribeshowtherearealotofgovernmentincentivesforinstallingthisequipment,whichcanhelpreduceresidents’electricitybills,giveopportunitiestomakemoneybackoninitialinvestmentsandaregoodfortheenvironment.

AccelerisMarketingCommunicationsManagingDirectorPeterDavenportsaid:“Itisveryimportantforthoseinpowertolistentotheopinionsandideasofthepeopleworkingonthegroundwithinanysector.Thesocialhousingsectoremploysagreatnumberofpeoplewhowork

handinhandwithresidentsandknowwhatissuesareimportanttothem.Byaskingdelegatestheiropinionsonissueswithinthesectorandencouragingthoseinpowertotakenoteofthem,Acceleris,alongwithourcolleaguesatHQN,hopestohighlighttheissueswhichareprovingimportanttothosewhomayotherwisegounheard.”

LydiaDlaboha,DeputyChiefExecutiveofHQN,said:“We’rereallypleasedwiththeinterestthatthiscampaignhasgenerated.It’shelpedtodemonstratethesector’scommitmenttoprotectingtheenvironmentandinvestinginalternativepowersources.It’salsobeenareallyfunwayofgettingtomeetdelegatesandengagingwithpeopleusingsocialmedia.”q

•The videos, which have attracted almost 1,500 views since the conference began, are still available to view at http://www.youtube.com/user/HQNAMC?feature=mhee.

AccelerisandHQNsearchouthottopicsinsocialhousingENER-G Switch 2 shows it’s switched on to the burning issues

Dominic Mathias being presented with his iPod Nano

�2 constructionnational summer 2011

NHBC awards showcase best practicein site health and safety

Inwhatisbecomingoneofthemostkeenly-awaitedeventsinthehousebuildingdiary,foursitemanagerswerehonouredinMayatthesecondannualNHBCHealthandSafetyAwards.

Theevent,atBirmingham’sICC,washostedbyDanLobbofITV’sDaybreakprogramme.Theawardswerepresentedinfourcategories–mirroringthecategoriesintheNHBC’sPrideintheJobcompetition:SmallBuilder,MediumBuilder,LargeBuilderandMultistorey.

Theawardsceremonywastheculminationofafour-monthjudgingprocesswhichidentifiedsitemanagerswhohavedemonstratedexceptionalhealthandsafetybestpracticeinthehousebuildingindustry.Theirsitesscoredthehighestmarksacrossavarietyofcriteriaincludingstaffwelfare,trafficmanagement,emergencyprocedures,securityandpublicsafety.Theyareheldoutasexamplesofbestpracticethatcanbereplicatedacrosstheindustry.

Theawardwinnerswere:• Small Builder: Frank Claridge of Vanderbilt Homes, for Stonemason House in Oxford.• Medium Builder: Greg Freeman of Frank Haslam Milan West Midlands, for Pannel Croft in• Birmingham.• Large Builder: Danny Conetta of Linden Homes Chiltern Ltd, for Orchard Grove in Ruislip.• Multistorey: Marcus Blake of St George (South) London Ltd, for The Tower at One St George• Wharf.

TheNHBC’sgrouphealthandsafetypolicymanagerSimonMantlesaid:“Withachallengingeconomicclimatecontinuingandmanysitemanagersfeelingpressuredtofinishprojectstotightertimeframesandbudgets,theNHBCHealthandSafetyAwardsassesstheimportancehousebuildersplaceontheprotectionoftheiroperativesandthegeneralpublic,andtheeffectivenessoftheirmeasuresforkeepingpeoplesafe.

“Entriesforthisyear'sawardsincreasedby52%fromourinauguralyearandthehighlevelofhealthandsafetypracticedisplayedhasbeenveryencouraging.OurwinningentriesclearlyshowthathealthandsafetyisnowwellestablishedasafundamentalareaofseriousconsiderationduringtheUKhomebuildingprocess.”

Inadditiontotheoverallwinners,twootherregionalwinnerswereannouncedineachcategory.Theywere:

Small Builder:NickBatemanofDevonshireHomesLtd,forMoorhayesParkinTiverton(South)andMikeLoughranofMactaggartandMickelHomes,forHillparkBraeinEdinburgh(North).Medium Builder:AaronSymondsofFairviewNewHomesLtd,forThamesWatersideatGreenhithe(South)andGarryIzattofStewartMilneCentralScotland,forWallaceGardensinStirling(North).Large Builder:TonyBirdofBarrattBristol,forKingsGreeninGloucester(Central)andJohnMatherofLovellPartnershipsLtdNorthWest,forTheWayinManchester(North).Multistorey:ShauneHicksofCrestNicholsonSouthWest,forDocksideBlock‘K’inPortishead,Bristol(Central)andGaryWilliamsofFrankHaslamMilan,forGreatUnionStreetHostelinHull(North).Afurther30sitemanagerswere‘highlycommended’fromatotallistof66‘commended’.Assessment

wascarriedoutbyanindependentpanelofexperts,whichincludedPhilipWhite,chiefinspectorofconstructionatHSE,MichelleAldous,chiefexecutiveofConstructingBetterHealth,andKevinFear,headofhealth,safetyandenvironmentatConstructionSkills.

Intheircitationthejudgessaid:“Thefournationalwinnersallshowedgreatleadership,creativityandinnovationinaddressingtheparticularchallengesoftheirsites.Theyalldemonstratedthattheyhadexceededusualbestpractice.Towintheultimateawardisahugeachievementandwecongratulatethemall.”

CompanyRecognitionAwardswerealsopresentedattheceremonytoorganisationsorgroupsoforganisationswhichhaveactivelypromoted,encouragedandsupportedhealthandsafetybestpractice.Specialawardsweregivenfor‘BestOccupationalHealthInitiative’,‘BestHealthandSafetyWorkerEngagementProgramme’and‘ExemplaryHealthandSafetyLeadership’.

Nominationsfornextyear’sNHBCHealthandSafetyAwardswillopenintheautumn.q

WINNERS GALLERY

Frank Claridge – Small Builder

Greg Freeman – Medium Builder

Danny Conetta – Large Builder

Marcus Blake – Multistorey

constructionnational summer 2011 ��

52storeybuildingbeingdevelopedbyStGeorge(South)LondonLtdonthebanksoftheThamesbyVauxhallBridge.

Everythingonthesiteistoadifferentscale,asisthehealthandsafetypolicy,andthejudges’commentsreflectthatfact.“Hereweseeasitethathasaweeklyvisitfromtheoccupationalnurse!EveryFriday,managementholdtheirowneducationaltoolboxtalksandsafetybriefings,wherethepreviousweek’sactivityisreviewedandtheteamlookaheadtothecomingweek.

“ThissitemanageralsoinsistedonearlyinvolvementfromthefirebrigadeandtheHSEwithregardstofiresafetyandtallbuildingsafety”.q

The leaders in the health and safety field

Danny Conetta is pictured receiving his award from ITV’s Dan Lobb. Looking on is NHBC chief executive Imtiaz Farookhi

TheNHBC’ssystemofcategorisingsitesmeantthewinners’sitesrepresentedthefullspectrumofresidentialdevelopmentsanddevelopers,buildingfortheprivate

market,socialhousingandeducationalresidences.TheSmallBuildercategorywaswonbyFrankClaridgeof

VanderbiltHomes–alocaldeveloperbasedinOxfordshire.Frank’ssiteisStonemasonHouse,adevelopmentof44studentroomsonMagdelenRoadinOxford.Thesiteisonanestablishedroad,inthemidstofexistingproperties.

Thepanelofjudgescommented:“Thissitemanagerhadtocopewithlimitedstorageonthesiteandintroduceda‘justintime’methodoforderingmaterials.Healso,uponeachinspection,hasdemonstrated‘thetightestsitepossible’!

“Alltradesareenthusiasticandengagedandwanttobeseenasdeliveringthebest.Inreturn,thissitemanagerhasmadegooduseofinternalspacetoprovideexcellentwelfarefacilitiesforthetrades.”

IntheMediumBuildercategorytheprizewasscoopedbyGregFreemanofFrankHaslamMilanWestMidlands.Greg’ssiteisPannelCroft,aretirementvillageintheNewtownareaofBirmingham.

Thejudgessaid:“Thewinnerinthecentralregionhasprohibitedtheuseofstepladdersonsite–onlypodiums,workingplatformsandhop-upsareallowed.Onvisitsanexcellentsitesetupandcompoundwasobserved,withoperativesgenuinelytalkingtoeachotherandtothesitemanagementteamtofindsolutions.”

ThewinnerintheLargeDevelopercategory–where,arguably,thecompetitionisfiercestbecauseofthelargenumberofdevelopmentsinvolved–wasDannyConetta,whoworksforLindenHomesChilternLtd.

Danny’ssiteistheOrchardGrovedevelopmentinRuislip.OrchardGroveisacharmingcollectionofoneandtwo-bedroomapartmentsandthreeandfour-bedroomhousesinadesirableresidentialareaonBuryStreetinRuislip,Surrey,justminutesfromtheprettyHighStreet.Adozenhousetypesandtwoapartmentbuildingsareonoffer,withpricesstartingat£190,000.

ThesiteisbeingdevelopedinassociationwithAshillDevelopmentsLtd,whichspecialisesinbringingbrownfieldsitesintodevelopment.The36housesand30apartmentsaretimberframed,whichfactraisesitsownparticularissues.

ThejudgessaidofDanny:“Thiswinningsitemanagerhasputconsiderableeffortintodevelopingafireplanonthistimber-framesite,whichisindependentlymonitoredbyathird-partyorganisation.

“Asite-wideglovespolicyisinforceandallsubcontractors’foremenhaveattendedtheConstructionSkillsfive-daysitemanagersafetytrainingscheme.Thereisagreatdealofrespectfeltfromtheworkersandprideinwhattheyaredoing.

ThebiggestwinningsitewastheMultistoreycategorywinnerofMarcusBlake.Marcus’ssiteisTheToweratOne,StGeorgeWharf,a

�� constructionnational summer 2011

DaviesDevelopmentsadoptsInsulslabSFRCaspreferredfoundationtechnique

HavingrealisedsignificanttimeandcostsavingsbyusingInsulslabSFRCatitsnewParcAberamanhousing

developmentinAberdare,SouthWales,DaviesDevelopmentswillnowbeadoptingthesuperinsulatedandfullyintegratedfoundationsystemforallfutureprojectswheregroundconditionsallow.

Whilephaseoneofthedevelopmentutilisedstandardstripfoundations,themorechallenginggroundconditionsofphasetwodemandedaraftfoundation.AwareoftheprovenperformancebenefitsandefficiencygainsInsulslabSFRCcoulddeliver,DaviesDevelopmentslookedtousethisinnovativeraft-basedsysteminplaceofatraditionalrafttechnique.

InconsultationwiththetechnicalsupportteamatInsulslabSFRC,DaviesDevelopmentsundertookacarefulcostcomparisonexercise,whichconfirmedtherevolutionarysystemwouldfacilitateoverallcostsavingsonfoundationconstruction.Onceon-site,thisalsotranslatedintotangibletimesavings,withconcreteslabsforthethree,fourandfivebedroomhomesbeingcastanddelivereduptogroundfloorlevelinhalfthetimeofstandardmethods.

MatthewsDavies,Director,DaviesDevelopments,explains:“WewereextremelyimpressedbytheresponsivenessandaccuracyofthetechnicalteamatInsulslabSFRC.Theirstructuralengineerswereexactintheircalculations,whichmeantthecostsavingswewerepromisedonpaperwererealisedoncethefoundationswereconstructedon-site.

“Thesesavingswerefurtherincreasedbythetimesaved–InsulslabSFRCtookonlyoneweektoconstructaslabcomparedwiththetwoweeksitwouldtaketobuildatraditionalraft.Aswellashelpingustocompletethebuildaheadofschedule,InsulslabSFRCultimately

halvedthelabourcostonthefoundations.WewilldefinitelybeconsideringInsuslabSFRCinfuturewhereversiteconditionspermit.”

Constructedofinterlockingexpandedpolystyrene(EPS)podswithsteelfibrereinforcedconcrete(SFRC)pouredontoptodeliverthefoundationuptogroundfloorlevel,InsulslabSFRCoffersahighlyefficientsystemthatintegratessuperiorlevelsofthermalinsulationintoitsdesign.AchievingverylowU-values(typically0.10–0.13W/m2KdependingonP/Aratio),InsulslabSFRCmakesiteasiertoachievePartLcomplianceandfacilitatesgreaterflexibilityintheoverallbuildingenvelope.

Asthesystemrequiresminimalgroundexcavationandpreparation,timeandcostsavingsarerealisedevenbeforeInsulslabSFRCisconstructed.Moreover,thelightweightpodsminimisemanualhandlingandthereduction

intraditionalsteelreinforcementcontributestohealthandsafetyon-site.

BasedonthesuccessfulimplementationofInsulslabSFRCatParcAberaman,wherethesystemwillalsobeusedonphasesthreeandfour,DaviesDevelopmentswillnowspecifyitsuseonallfuturedevelopmentswherearaftfoundationisnecessaryorgroundconditionsallow.Suitableforuseasacaponpiles,InsulslabSFRCalsooffersacosteffectivealternativetotraditionalpilingtechniques.

MarkGray,TechnicalManager,InsulslabSFRC,concludes:“InsulslabSFRCisnowwidelyadoptedbyalltypesofdeveloper–fromselfbuildandregionalthroughtonationalhousebuilders.Whetherthespecificationiscostdrivenorbecausemorestringentsustainablestandardsneedtobemet,InsulslabSFRCcontinuestoprovideacosteffectiveandhighlyefficientsolution.”

FLOORMATE300-AinPassivhausmilestone

TheUK’sfirstruralaffordablehousingaccreditedPassivhausschemeiscomplete–andthehousingassociationbehindtheprojecthascitedbelow-slabinsulationaskeytoachievingitsveryhighlevelsofenergyefficiency.

TheschemeinWimbish,Essex,featuresDowBuildingSolutions’FLOORMATE300-ASTYROFOAMinsulationasacontinuouslayerbeneaththeconcretefloorslabstohelppreventthermalbridging.

AccordingtoHastoeHousingAssociation,“bycreatinganenvelopeofinsulationoutsidethewaterproofingenvelope,FLOORMATE300-Ahashelpedtominimiseheatlossinthehomes,akeyfeatureof–butnotexclusiveto–Passivhaus.

“Wewerepleasedtolearnthatitscompressivestrengthandmoistureresistancemakeitadurableproduct,suitableforourruralhomesthatwillbelivedinbyfuturegenerationsformanyyearstocome,”theAssociationcontinued.

FLOORMATE300-Aisavailableinarangeofthicknesses:50mm,75mm,100mm,125mmand150mm,andhasadesignloadof130kN/m2.ThematerialismanufacturedusingCO2asablowingagentgivingitaGlobalWarmingPotential(GWP)oflessthanfive.q

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