Construction National Summer 2021

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COVER STORY

Working safely at height: it’s everybody’s concern

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Working safely at height is a perennial concern for the whole of the construction industry. In no other industry are workers so exposed to the risks of working at height, and in response the industry has a wellhoned system of training and standards to promote safety.

One of the leading organisations in the field is the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation, which has developed a total of 100 guidance documents covering all areas of scaffolding. Its suite of online compliance sheets has also set records, with 10,000 downloaded to date.

Another trade organisation has also taken the virtual route, with mobile access platform organisation IPAF digitalising its PAL Card.

Read about latest developments on pages 30-33

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NEWS

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Materials shortage set to continue, industry body warns

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New UK Infrastructure Bank launches in Leeds

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Tideway engineer wins prestigious medal

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Work begins on HS2 ‘superhub’

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Road building projects in Wales to be frozen

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Architects welcome proposed changes to Architects Act

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Investment in the Highlands is revealed

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Blackpool’s new leisure development takes a step forward

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CHAS welcomes Ahmed Doghem as distribution manager

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Aarsleff Ground Engineering AB execute Swedish railway upgrade scheme

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Latest technology to be deployed in Parliament restoration to ensure safe working

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Industry prepares for planning gateway one

CONSTRUCTION LAW 19

New rules ring the changes for witness statements

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

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Have you evaluated the environmental impact of your project?

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Green Building Council has the Solution to sustainability issues

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Modular companies placed on new public procurement framework

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BAM – and the diesel’s gone!

DRAINAGE 22

Sustained use proves the performance of concrete block permeable paving

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The construction industry will ‘build back better’ with modern drainage systems

HEAT PUMPS

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All you need to know about heat pumps – in a month

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Training needs to keep pace with developments

For all other enquiries: Tel: 0161 710 3880 Fax: 0161 710 3879 Email: editorial@dmmonline.co.uk Suite 2, 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3AW Editor: Chris Stokes Copyright Construction National.

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CONTENTS TRAINING, APPRENTICESHIPS AND EDUCATION 27

Awards expand to include apprentices and climate conference

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CITB begins three-yearly Consensus process

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Student pair leap onto the career ladder

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Post-16 Bill begins its journey through Parliament

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Degree or degree apprenticeship: the choice is yours

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College leads the way in EPAs

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Youngsters can find the Wright Site online

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WORKING AT HEIGHT 30

NASC reaches guidance milestone

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Ten thousand TG20:21 compliance sheets generated

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CISRS introduces second round of subsidised CPD courses

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Training in Trinidad resumes

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IPAF goes digital: new app replaces PAL Cards and paper documentation

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HEALTH & SAFETY 35

Hard hat campaign promotes concussion awareness on site

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Worker injured by falling AC unit

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Safety and Health Expo repeats its virtual performance

SITE SECURITY 37

You don’t always have the site to yourself

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Industry awards are a fitting tribute

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LONDON BUILD 39

London’s top construction event makes an in-person return

HOUSING 40

Fife council housing programme set to continue

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New homes scheme offers discounts to local keyworkers

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FMB backs MPs’ call for more planning cash

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Pride in the Job: first round winners announced

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S Wales social housing project reaches completion

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT & BIM 42

Report quantifies the benefits of information management

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Definition of information management

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UK and US collaborate on BIM

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[AS THIS MAGAZINE goes to print there is just about a month left before the government’s planning gateway

one becomes live. The first step in the government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of Dame Judith Hackitt’s inquiry into fire safety in multistorey buildings – in particular blocks of flats – it promises to presage an avalanche of new regulations making sure that fire safety becomes a ‘given’ in new planning applications for giant residential buildings in the new climate.

• The technology for building more safely lies at least in part in the opportunities offered by information management, which meshes in with BIM to allow any building project to be envisaged virtually before a spade actually hits the ground. The UK has traditionally been at the forefront of developments in both information management and BIM, and is now helping the US to develop its own BIM Program.

• Another world leader in the relationship between construction and the real world it operates in is Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. That expertise is being brought to bear in the restoration of the Palace of Westminster – Houses of Parliament to you. The immense job of stopping the country’s seat of government from falling down has to be carried out among a hubbub of trades and contractors, and the most advanced modelling will be employed to ensure it is carried out as safely as possible.

• Many restoration projects take place among the comings and goings of the general public – a world away from the controlled environment of the new build site. How to ensure those kinds of project are carried out safely is the subject of specific guidance from HSE. • Safety on site is at its most challenging when it comes to working at height – and how many construction sites do not involve some kind of working at height? In recent issues we have been carrying a series of updates on the whole culture of safe working at height – from scaffolding guidance and the industry’s training organisation to the latest in mobile work platforms and modular scaffolding. British expertise in scaffolding training has found itself in demand as far afield as the Caribbean, with a leading UK training provider carving out a niche in Trinidad and Barbados.

• The whole culture of safety is the stock-in-trade of Safety and Health Expo, the annual showcase of everything related to health and safety in the workplace. For the second year in succession the show has been taking place virtually, as part of a multi-show Connect event. More optimistically, the show is hoping to return to an in-person event next May. • A major boost for those who are desperate for ‘normal’ activity to resume is the news that London Build, the major expo for everything construction in the UK, will be taking place in-person this November. It marks a welcome first step in the normalisation of public activity. We will be bringing more news of what is planned in the next issue of Construction National.

• Which brings us to Brexit –­ honest! One of the most eloquent organisations in pressing for a recognition of professional qualifications from abroad – for that read the EU – is the RIBA. The architects’ professional body had voiced fears that much talent could be lost to the UK if the profession’s accreditation body could not accept foreign qualifications. The government has listened for once and an amendment to the Architects Act will allow foreign qualifications to be accepted.

• It’s not all sweetness and light, however: Brexit continues to play a part in the continued shortage of construction products. It’s a situation that looks likely to be with us for a good many months yet. q

Chris Stokes Editor, Construction National

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Materials shortage set to continue, industry body warns [

THE Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has warned that material shortages in the industry are likely to last well into the second half of the year.

In a joint statement, the co-chairs of the CLC’s Product Availability Working Group – John Newcomb of the Builders Merchants Federation and Peter Caplehorn of the Construction Products Association ­– said: “The overall product availability picture has not changed this month. Demand both in the UK and globally continues to dramatically outstrip supply and shows few signs of slowing during the seasonally busy summer months.”

They pointed to a combination of high levels of demand, shortages of raw material and unavailability of transport leading to shortages of particular materials.

“Timber, roof tiles and some steel products continue to be in short supply,” the statement said, “as is bagged cement, which may

have been impacted by some manufacturers undertaking overdue preventative maintenance. Paints, sealants and chemical products continue to be affected by raw material shortages, with paints additionally affected by a shortage of packaging, particularly metal cans.

“The situation with insulation boards has also become tighter, with PIR becoming harder to obtain and contractors actively seeking alternatives. Plasterboard has been subject to extended lead times with one major manufacturer indicating their products going on allocation. Some regions are also reporting delayed deliveries of bricks and blocks.”

The shortage of electrical products has been exacerbated by a backlog of shipping in China’s Pearl River Delta, with hundreds of container ships waiting for berths to become available.

The Electrical Contractors Association and its Scottish counterpart SELECT, have warned that

New UK Infrastructure Bank launches in Leeds [ON 17 JUNE Chancellor Rishi Sunak formally launched the

new UK Infrastructure Bank, tasked with accelerating investment into ambitious infrastructure projects, cutting emissions and ‘levelling up’ the UK. The bank will help to finance projects in a range of sectors including clean energy, transport, digital, water and waste. It will form part of the government’s National Infrastructure Strategy and will complement the existing expertise of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and the National Infrastructure Commission.

Headquartered in Leeds, the new bank is part of the government’s plan to deliver over £600bn in gross publicsector investment over the next five years, delivering the highest sustained levels of public sector net investment as a proportion of GDP since the late 1970s.

Chancellor Sunak said: “Opening its doors today, the UK Infrastructure Bank will accelerate our ambitions for tackling climate change and levelling up, while creating new opportunities across the UK as part of our Plan for Jobs. Through the bank, we are investing billions of pounds in world-class infrastructure that will support people, businesses and communities in every corner of the UK.” The bank is launching in an interim form and will scale up in capability and capacity over time. It will have an initial £12bn of capital to deploy – comprising £5bn of equity and £7bn of debt – and will be able to issue £10bn of government guarantees.

Working in partnership with local government and the private sector, it will harness investment tailored to the needs of specific infrastructure projects, offering a range of financing tools including debt, equity and guarantees.

During his visit to Leeds to mark the opening, Rishi Sunak met senior leadership, including the bank’s chair Chris Grigg, and hosted a roundtable with local infrastructure and business leaders. q

the situation is worse than that in the Suez Canal earlier this year.

Meanwhile, delivery of materials is hampered by a shortage of HGV drivers.

“The UK has lost 15,000 European drivers this year due to Brexit, and 30,000 UK driver tests due to COVID, which has exacerbated the driver shortage. The CLC’s Product Availability Group is supporting the Road Haulage Association in its discussions with the Department for Transport to address the shortage.

“Inevitably, all of this is feeding into price inflation, and the expectation is that high demand coupled with tight supply will sustain elevated prices throughout the year.

“As we emphasised last month, forward planning and on-going communication throughout the supply chain is essential to assist with reliable delivery dates and to manage expectations about any shortages or allocations.” q

Tideway engineer wins prestigious medal [

CHRIS NORTH, a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) working for Morgan Sindall on the Tideway project, has won the ICE’s 2021 James Rennie Medal. The award recognises the best Chartered Professional Review (CPR) and CPR (Progressive) candidate of the year.

Chris (pictured) beat off competition from two other finalists to scoop the prize. The three competitors were selected from 1,176 CPR and CPR (Progressive) completions that took place last year.

An online audience from around the world tuned in to watch the final, which featured a broad range of civil engineering experiences and projects – each bringing their own unique but vital benefits to the communities they serve.

For the competition Chris North outlined his work on the Thames Tideway Tunnel – a project that will capture an average of 39 million tonnes of sewage a year and prevent it from polluting the River Thames in London.

On being selected by the judges as the winner of this year’s medal and £1,000 top prize, he said: “I am extremely proud to have been awarded the James Rennie Medal, particularly alongside two other great finalists. This is a great achievement for me.

“I hope that our diverse presentations will encourage other civil engineers in their pursuit to become professionally qualified with ICE.” Darren James, chair of the judging panel, commented: “The 2021 James Rennie Medal final yet again brought together three outstanding presentations from the very best talent from the pool of newly-chartered civil engineers. All three presentations were of an exceptional standard which made the judging very difficult.”

This year’s final was sponsored by Arup, BAM Nuttall, Charles Brand, Keltbray, Kier, Skanska and Tony Gee. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Work begins on HS2 ‘superhub’

[HS2 HAS COMMENCED permanent

works on its west London ‘superhub’ station – Old Oak Common. The go-ahead for work on the biggest newly-built railway station in the UK to begin was given by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on a visit to the 10-hectare site on 23 June.

Over 2,300 jobs will be supported on the site at peak construction and over 250 apprenticeships will be created. There is also a commitment to recruiting local candidates of all ages and backgrounds for the project.

The Transport Secretary’s green light means that work will commence with the construction of a 1.8km-long underground diaphragm wall around what will become the station’s ‘underground box’, where six HS2 platforms will sit to accommodate trains serving the Midlands and the North. Piling rigs will also install 160 reinforced concrete columns inside the wall to help form the box and support the structure.

Once complete, HS2’s Old Oak Common station will offer unrivalled connectivity, with 14 new platforms ­– the six HS2 platforms, four Crossrail – or Elizabeth Line – platforms and four conventional rail platforms, which will be served by trains to Wales and the South West.

Following the first phase of construction to create the 750,000m3 box, work on the eight overground platforms will begin. Over 1,600 concrete piles will be installed into the ground on which the station superstructure and overground platforms will sit.

Bringing the station together will be the station’s immense roof, covering the area of over three football pitches. The lightweight roof structure has been designed to minimise the use of materials and allow as much natural light in, which reduces the carbon impact of the station. The environmental credentials of the station will be boosted by solar panels covering the roof, generating a supply of renewable energy for the station.

The station design development has been led by engineering professional services consultancy WSP with architectural support from WilkinsonEyre.

Welcoming the Transport Secretary on site, HS2 CEO Mark Thurston said: “The start of permanent works at Old Oak Common station, our first station under construction, is a significant step for Phase One of HS2, as we deliver world-leading engineering to create what will arguably be one of the bestconnected railway super-hubs in the UK.

“Over 2,300 jobs will be supported to build the new station: part of the 22,000 jobs being created to build the new high-speed railway between London and the West Midlands, and emphasising the key role HS2 is playing in Britain’s economic recovery after the pandemic.”

HS2’s station construction partner Balfour Beatty VINCI Systra joint venture is leading the construction work on the site. The station’s size and scale means it will boast some incredible stats and features, including: • 73,000 tonnes of steel • 13,000m2 of glass • 2,720m2 of solar panels on the roof • 53 lifts and 44 escalators • 550 cycle spaces • 10,000 energy-efficient LED light bulbs With over 250,000 passengers expected to use the station every day, Old Oak Common will become one of the country’s most vital transport hubs and a catalyst for economic regeneration of the area and the rest of the UK. Plans to transform the wider area around the station ­– a former railway and industrial site – are being led by the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation. They project that tens of thousands of new jobs and homes will be created around the new HS2 station. q

Road building projects in Wales to be frozen [THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has announced a freeze on new

road building projects while a review of highway schemes across Wales is carried out. The measure was announced in an oral statement to the Senedd by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters.

Mr Waters told the Senedd: “Since 1990 Welsh emissions have fallen by 31%; but to reach our statutory target of net-zero emissions by 2050 we need to do much more. In the next 10 years we are going to need to more than double all the cuts we have managed over the past 30 years if we are going keep temperature rises within safe limits. That means changes in all parts of our lives. Transport makes up some 17% of our total emissions and so must play its part.

“We need a shift away from spending money on projects that

encourage more people to drive and spend more money on maintaining our roads and investing in real alternatives that give people a meaningful choice.”

The review of highway schemes is expected to consider how the Welsh Government can shift spending towards better maintaining existing roads, rather than building new ones, and look at all proposed road investments – whether funded directly by the Welsh Government or indirectly by grants.

The membership of the external panel that will carry out the review will be announced at a later date. The panel will be asked to consider setting tests for when new roads are the right solutions for transport problems in line with Llwybr Newydd, the recently published Wales transport strategy. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Architects welcome proposed changes to Architects Act [

THE ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS has welcomed the government’s response to a consultation on changes to the Architects Act, set to be included in a new Professional Qualifications Bill.

The proposals include a new recognition system to acknowledge architecture qualifications from around the world, something the RIBA has been pushing for since the Brexit referendum. That will, the government says, ensure the UK remains a leading, global destination to practise architecture.

To support that recognition the Architects Registration Board (ARB) will allow architects with certain international qualifications to join their UK Register.

Under the new measures, the ARB will be given new powers to monitor the way architects manage their continuing professional development, in line with other regulated professions – encouraging architects to develop their competence to practise.

Alan Kershaw, chair of the Architects Registration Board, said: “Today the government has confirmed its intention to create new powers for the ARB, which we will use to introduce a scheme to monitor the continuing professional development of architects.

“This is an opportunity to recognise formally the considerable amount of development activity that most architects already do. We will develop our approach in collaboration with architects and use our regulatory powers to promote consistency across the profession.

“ARB’s new role in recognising international qualifications is another positive step. We are going to ensure all individuals registering under this new process are held to equivalent standards, to maintain excellence

across the architectural profession, whilst also ensuring the United Kingdom continues to benefit from the varied skills and experience international architects bring with them.”

Other, wider proposals to drive up professional competence in the sector will also be implemented via the Building Safety Bill.

RIBA president Alan Jones responded: “The RIBA has been clear that architects must have the necessary knowledge and skills to respond to the key challenges facing our society and planet – from the building safety crisis to the climate emergency. We therefore welcome government plans to drive high professional standards and we reiterate our commitment to work alongside the ARB to ensure any new competency requirements support and work for the profession.”

Welcoming the proposal to recognise international qualifications, he added: “To enable the UK profession to maintain and build its reputation as a global leader, the government must now focus on securing reciprocal agreements, to allow both the exportation and recruitment of talent.” q

Investment in the Highlands is revealed [

HIGHLAND COUNCIL has agreed a financial plan which will see £54m of capital investment in schools. The detailed designs and costings for the five schools identified for investment are to be brought before the council for approval in September.

The plans include medium-term financial sustainability, with £24.7m unearmarked reserves set aside to manage any future risk and uncertainty.

The plan will also see investment of a further £10m across a range of projects in Phase 2 of the council’s Investment Strategy for Health and Prosperity.

A further £3.5m is envisaged in a third phase in the autumn. The indicative proposals for Phase 3 of the investment will be followed by detailed bids to come forward to the council in October.

Phases 2 and 3 of the investment plan will also see a further investment of £10.6m in roads and the Corran Ferry. That will bring the total spend on roads infrastructure to over £20m per annum for a twoyear period.

The Corran Ferry is operated by the council and is one of few remaining scheduled mainland vehicle ferries in Scotland. The route crosses Loch Linnhe at the Corran Narrows, south of Fort William.

Leader of the council Cllr Margaret Davidson said: “We are well aware that we will need to make recurring savings in the years ahead. Our investment plans take into account the need for continuing medium-term financial sustainability and ensuring we have sufficient non-earmarked reserves to mitigate against future risks and uncertainty, whilst investing in recovery.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Blackpool’s new leisure development takes a step forward

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PLANS HAVE BEEN submitted to Blackpool Council for the £300m redevelopment of a major site in the town centre.

Blackpool Central is set to be a new world-class leisure development on the site of the old Central Station, just off the famous Golden Mile. The scheme will be the largest single investment in Blackpool for over a century and is expected to create around 1,000 new jobs, bring an estimated 600,000 additional visitors each year, and boost annual spend in the town by around £75m.

Developers Nikal Ltd and Media Invest Entertainment have submitted a planning application for Blackpool Central, which includes a new 1,306 space multi-storey car park and a new Heritage Quarter. Outline plans have also been lodged for future phases, including a major public events square for live events, three indoor entertainment centres, a hotel, restaurants and additional leisure and hospitality space.

The planning vision sees the delivery of a new multi-storey car park (top left) as key to unlocking the wider Blackpool Central scheme, as it will free up land for the future phases and ensure that there continues to be appropriate parking provision for visitors to the town as well as local residents.

The application also proposes to restore the site’s existing heritage buildings to create a thriving new Heritage Quarter. The Grade Two-listed

former King Edward VII Picture House (above left) will be transformed into a new ‘Artisan Food Hall’, which will spill out onto a new outdoor space for al fresco dining. The locally-listed King Edward VII pub will be refurbished into a new pub and hotel, creating a modern, family friendly environment offering quality food and beverages. The King Edward VII apartment building (above right) will be renovated into a high-quality Aparthotel, keeping its original character.

The leisure facilities planned for the developments include a ‘Flying Theatre’ ride, a virtual reality experience, a fantasy-themed multi-media exhibition, themed activity centre and a ‘thrill and gaming zone’.

Submission of the plans follows a public consultation with the local community, which saw over 700 people involved and an overwhelming 90% expressing support for the developers’ vision to create a new world-class, year-round leisure destination at the former Blackpool Central railway station.

The creation of new jobs and local economic benefits, boosting Blackpool’s tourism offer and delivering new attractions were identified as the top three most important aspects of the plans by consultation respondents. Many residents also shared their aspiration that the scheme will be a catalyst for improving and regenerating the surrounding area and Central Drive. q

CHAS welcomes Ahmed Doghem as distribution manager [

CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, has appointed Ahmed Doghem as distribution manager with a focus on customer experience (CX).

Ahmed (right) brings over 20 years’ CX experience to the role, having worked for brands including Kingfisher Insurance, Dixons Carphone (Currys) and Gulliver’s Travel Associates (HotelBeds) with previous responsibilities including running a global multilingual contact centre.

Ahmed has a proven track record of delivering results in performance improvement and enhancing the customer experience. He also has strong expertise in translating business requirements for product and IT teams and designing and communicating system capabilities to business stakeholders. In addition, he is a Lean Six Sigma, Yellow Belt and is fluent in Arabic.

At CHAS, Ahmed will join the Products & Markets team, where he

will focus on building on CHAS’s reputation for excellent customer service and enhancing the overall CHAS customer service experience.

Alex Minett, head of Products & Markets at CHAS, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Ahmed to the Products & Markets team as our product offering continues to evolve and expand. His appointment reflects CHAS’s ongoing commitment to promoting the highest levels of customer satisfaction even during this period of rapid growth.”

Ahmed Doghem said: “I’m very happy to be joining the Products & Markets team at CHAS. I look forward to having a positive impact on the CHAS customer experience and ensuring it remains the utmost priority as CHAS develops their range of products and services.” q • For further information visit www.chas.co.uk or call 0345 521 9111 www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Aarsleff Ground Engineering AB execute Swedish railway upgrade scheme

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TRAFIKVERKET, the Swedish Transport Administration, is upgrading and modernising the railway from Varberg to Borås by replacing tracks, overhead line and signal box and introducing remote control on selected stretches of line. This will reduce operational disruptions and create a modern, robust and reliable railway system from the south east coast of Sweden towards the north.

On behalf of main contractor Leonhard Weiss Gmbh, the Aarsleff collaboration – comprising Aarsleff Ground Engineering, Aarsleff Rail A/S and their Swedish sister company Anker AB – are responsible for the design and build of the entire catenary system, from the deepest foundation to the wires and cables eight meters above ground.

Aarsleff’s ground engineering team commenced work on site in mid April 2021 and will follow a piling program scheduled to complete before the festive season. During this period, Aarsleff will install approximately 1,500 reinforced precast concrete piles with additional foundations to strengthen the cable system.

At time of writing, Aarsleff has so far received 30% of the designed foundations and are currently executing one of the foundation types – reinforced precast piles – with others to follow in August. Once the precast piles are installed, a concrete mixture is poured through and around the pile to ensure it stays erect out of the ground.

Due to the differing ground conditions on site – clay, gytie, peat, rocks and stone – Aarsleff will be installing a variety of foundations from short 4m long precast piles of a 355mm diameter to 6m long piles with a 555mm diameter. In some sections, Aarsleff is using a system where an open-ended steel pile is driven to 4-6m, followed by a micropile installed through its base. The former will provide resistance to compression and lateral loads and the latter to tensile capacity, thus increasing the system's stability in strong winds.

During Aarsleff’s work from the track, the existing power lines are turned off every evening. This provides Aarsleff with only a certain amount of time to be in and out – particularly challenging when multiple shifts are restricted to a 5-hour working window.

Aarsleff are running on full production currently, installing up to nine

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piles a day on a weekend and up to five piles in a weekday. The aim is to execute 35 foundations every week, which is hoped to increase as operations become more mature. The distance from the outer rail edge to the foundation must also live up to the safety regulations when placed before installation.

The site is restricted by overhead lines running directly over where the foundations need to be installed. The decision was made to mount hooks onto the existing mast and extend the cables out some 1-1.5 metres. This operation is running smoothly, providing Aarsleff with the space required to carry out the piling operations both safely and efficiently.

To install the foundations, Aarsleff deployed a train with eight separate units. For the main works, Aarsleff utilise the compressor component for the drill, and a crane to lift and handle the piles. Since 21 May Aarsleff have been renting a train with a drilling rig mounted on to complete the rest of the foundations on the scheme. In general, regulations in Sweden state that a railroad machine’s engine must conform to Eurocode 5 whereby the engine has to be six years old or less to ensure the pollution is as minimal as possible.

Aarsleff adopt smart use of technology when working on railway schemes, integrating an advanced cloud platform system to organise their people, project data and location intelligence to ensure greater connectivity, project management and transparency for the entire project team.

Brian Gravgaard, Per Aarsleff A/S project manager overseeing the startup phase, said: “This project marks a true one company collaboration between so many countries and departments. When a large scale project requires multiple specialist solutions, our companies and divisions within the Aarsleff group collaborate to draw experience from each other and create value for the customer. I take pride knowing that our companies will have helped play a fundamental part in ensuring a progressive, resilient and future-fit railway system in Sweden.” q • For further information visit the website at www.aarsleff.se or email grundlaggning@aarsleff.com

Latest technology to be deployed in Parliament restoration to ensure safe working [THE Houses of Parliament

Restoration and Renewal Programme has partnered with experts at Heriot-Watt University to help protect both the building and those working on the complex restoration of the Palace of Westminster.

The challenges inherent in any large construction programme involving thousands of contractors working together on a busy and noisy site will be amplified when those works are being carried out on a congested heritage site like the Palace of Westminster. In order to help manage those challenges, experts will advise on how construction workers, designers and building users could work together in a safe and efficient way while on site.

The work will include looking at the full construction project, from design stage through construction and to future operation, and will use technology to rehearse difficult construction challenges to make sure they are not dangerous for workers or damaging to the building.

David Goldstone, the CEO of the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority, said: “As we get on with the job of developing the plan to restore and renew Parliament it is critical that we create the safest environment for future construction work by working with experts across the UK as part of our commitment to support thousands of jobs.”

Professor Guy Walker, from Heriot-Watt’s School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, is leading the project. Heriot-Watt is a global leader in construction teaching and training and in key areas of research around smart construction and robotics, including health and safety, productivity, digital twinning and autonomous systems.

Professor Walker explained: “We want to create an environment where the most natural behaviour is also the safest and most efficient. With technology we can rehearse construction activities in safety. Designers, engineers and construction workers can sit together in a room and use a digital platform to run scenario tests. We can rehearse ways to work better as construction teams and deal with inevitable unexpected problems.”

Over the past six months Professor Walker and his team have been working with the Restoration and Renewal Authority to prioritise areas and projects where Heriot-Watt’s expertise in the sociotechnical approach and enabling technologies can help design safer work. In the next few months they will focus on delivering initial work packages. That effort will be complemented by Heriot-Watt colleagues, who will look to increase further collaborations with construction companies. q

Industry prepares for planning gateway one [WITH 1 AUGUST announced as the

implementation date for planning gateway one

by MHCLG – the first of the three gateway points for relevant planning applications – LABC (formerly Local Authority Building Control) issued a statement welcoming the announcement.

Planning gateway one applies to buildings over 18m or seven storeys in height (whichever is the lowest) and is the first step in introducing the reforms called for in the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety led by Dame Judith Hackitt in the wake of the Grenfell fire.

The report highlighted the need to transform the fire and building safety regime and recommended that ‘some minimum requirements around fire safety will need to be addressed when local planning authorities are determining planning applications and will require input from those with the relevant expertise’.

The gateway contains new requirements to provide planning authorities with a variety of fire safety information – a ‘fire statement’ – as well as other regulatory changes. The fire statement should contain evidence that applicants have considered fire safety issues as they relate to land use planning matters.

Introducing the measure in May, MHCLG said: “It is the intention that the information provided within fire statement is focused and concise, specific and relevant to the development, and proportionate to the scale, type and complexity of the proposal. A fire statement will evidence thinking that fire safety matters, as they relate to planning, have been incorporated into the planning application.”

In addition, the Health and Safety Executive becomes a statutory consultee before planning permission is granted for development which involves a high-rise residential building.

The changes are part of the government’s building safety programme, which will see further changes included in the Building Safety Bill – announced in the Queen’s Speech on 11 May. Commenting on the announcement of the 1 August date for gateway one, LABC chief executive Lorna Stimpson said: “LABC welcomes the publication of the details of the gateway one process. This represents the culmination of efforts from organisations across the industry through the Joint Regulators Group and is the first stage of the radical recasting of building safety outlined by Dame Judith Hackitt in her report.

“It is important for the whole construction industry to understand these new processes and regulations. LABC will be engaging with our network over the coming weeks to make sure local authorities are aware of the new planning requirements.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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atoz construction national website

Welcome to our A to Z guide of the websites of some of the industry’s leading players.

If you are one of our many online readers simply click on any of the logos listed below and you will be automatically directed to that company’s website.

To get your company’s website listed on this page just give us a call on 0161 710 3880 or email ian@dmmonline.co.uk

23 years experience in theming & scenic art for zoos, leisure and visitor attractions

Suppliers and Distributors of Scaffolding and Access Equipment

Construction finance from Aldermore offers fast access to working capital

The trusted name for chimney sweeping and relining. We supply and fit Stovax stoves and FuranFlex lining systems

CapSure is a range of products from Phoenix Brands formulated to support the reduction in human and environmental impacts associated with the management of hazardous materials.

Working within the Construction Industry • Health & Safety Training • Roofing Training

General and bespoke metal fabrications.

Specialist secondary steel manufacturers and installers.

Cable Management Systems

Helping the timber industries to come to the right decision!

Online Tradesman Search Facility & Directory

www.alanbishopthemeworks.co.uk

www.aldermore.co.uk/constructionfinance

www.phoenixbrands.uk

www.clmltd.co.uk

www.ghanatimber.org

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www.scaffoldingsales.co.uk

www.sootysweep.co.uk

www.nimrod-training.co.uk

www.skyhook-gb.com

www.stockporttradesmen.com

New rules ring the changes for witness statements A significant change in the way factual witness evidence is presented in the Business and Property Courts in England and Wales – of which the Technology and Construction Court is a part – came into effect on 6 April, with the arrival of Practice Direction 57AC. Here MATTHEW CLARK, managing director of leading high-tech law firm Cardium Law, explains what that means for witness statements in construction disputes.

[

PRACTICE DIRECTION 57AC (PD 57AC) aims to resolve the longstanding concern of judges that witness statements had been overworked by lawyers, undergoing numerous drafts that risked corrupting the initial recollection of the witness. Simply, witness statements presented arguments rather than merely evidence.

The stipulations set out as part of PD 57AC are mostly contained within the Statement of Best Practice, which details the acceptable content of witness statements and the correct process for preparing them.

It is imperative witnesses only speak about matters they have personal knowledge of and if matters of fact are disputed, the witness must state how well they recall them.

They must then explain whether their memory was refreshed by referring to any relevant documents – the details of which must be included if they were used during the preparation of the statement.

Practical steps to an unvarnished version To arrive at an ‘unvarnished’ version of their evidence in the completed witness statement, PD 57AC contains practical steps, which include: • The purpose and content of the • statement must be explained to the • witness before a draft statement is • reviewed or, ideally, before the evidence • is actually taken • The lawyer taking the statement must • avoid asking leading questions • The number of drafts the witness • statements go through should be as low • as possible • The drafts produced should be firmly • based upon the record or notes of a • witness interview and should not go • beyond this information, with a durable

• • • • • • • •

record of any interviews preserved for reference If further evidence is needed on a point contained within a draft statement, this should be attained by asking the witness non-leading questions, rather than through the witness being presented with a draft to amend, approve or reject.

Certificates of Compliance All witness statements must contain a Certificate of Compliance. That ensures the statement contains only the personal knowledge of the witness, in their own words, and details how well they recalled matters and if documents were used to refresh their memory.

Having prepared the witness statement, the lawyer responsible must also sign a Certificate of Compliance to demonstrate the statement complies with PD 57AC, and in particular the Statement of Best Practice.

The changes could make supplemental witness statements more important, as a witness statement may be prepared in line with PD 57AC only for the documents on which the evidence is based, to be disputed by the other party. That may result in the exchange of witness statements linked to important documents becoming more tactical.

In future it will make sense for the majority of evidence to be collected via audio or video recordings, which not only make it easier to transcribe the exact words of the witness, but create a permanent proof of compliance.

Taking statements The new directions could make it hard for legal representatives to take factual statements from their own clients. Lawyers will have worked closely with clients to review documents and take instructions with the intention of

creating a Claim or Response Letter and – if no resolution – Statements of Case.

That process could ‘alter or affect a client’s recollection’, so lawyers will need to create new timelines for taking evidence from clients, with the recording of instructions from a client (with no leading questions) becoming an established evidential process to prove compliance.

This huge shift in how evidence is collected, and the need to demonstrate compliance, means there is a wide scope for the collection of evidence under PD 57AC to be subject to challenge.

What will witness statements lose?

The ‘narrative’ of most cases – the stories the judge will have to decide between – have traditionally been set out in a leading witness statement, but PD 57AC removes that element of narrative.

Statements of Case are not the appropriate forum, so PD 57AC is therefore likely to elevate the importance of the Pre-Action Protocol, where the legal and factual narrative can be presented with supporting documents. The danger of this approach is that it may be based on uncollected or yet unknown documents, which is likely to bring forward and enhance the collection of documents and e-data from clients, prior to the Pre-Action Protocol being initiated.

The change should prove positive. It will lead to earlier disclosure and analysis of evidence, ensuring all witness statements deliver an unvarnished version of the evidence to be presented at trial.

If PD 57AC elevates the importance of the Pre-Action Protocol and early disclosure of key documents, it is likely to achieve better settlement prospects in advance of the issue of proceedings and is to be welcomed. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Have you evaluated the environmental impact of your project? [ THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY is one of the largest consumers of energy and raw materials in the world and is a major source of pollution. We urgently need to get a deep understanding of the industry’s impact, adopt new technologies and minimise the harmful effect on the planet.

What has been of particular interest lately is the indirect environmental impact of construction products. However, to make well-informed decisions about what we want to include in our buildings, we first need to find a common way to collect and evaluate the environmental data of those products.

In this article, we draw your attention to some of the most important points of a study on the key environmental indicators for construction products devised by construction software experts Cobuilder. The study – in the form of a whitepaper, Construction Products Key Environmental Indicators – aims to introduce the concept of environmental indicators, their sources and their growing importance in relation to market sustainability initiatives and industry standards.

The complete document contains a matrix with the minimum set of environmental indicators to use when setting requirements for construction projects.

The full document can be downloaded from cobuilder.com.

EPDs: a standardised document about a product’s environmental impact Increasingly, credible environmental information about construction products is becoming a necessity. That information is delivered by manufacturers in the form of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). They provide a standardised way of declaring the environmental impact of products throughout their life cycle.

In Europe all EPDs must conform to European Standard EN 15804.

As a consequence, all standardised EPDs report the same list of environmental impact indicators, making it easy to compare a multiplicity of products.

While the indicators, such as the Global Warming Potential or Net Use of Freshwater, provide information about the environmental impact of a product, their sheer number is often confusing for construction stakeholders, who are not environmental experts themselves but wish to take informed decisions using them as a requirement. Therefore, Cobuilder identified the need for providing guidance on how environmental indicators can be used to achieve sustainability goals and how those could be aligned to government

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initiatives, which are likely to affect regulations and laws in the future. Sustainability initiatives and policies that should be taken into consideration are The European Green Deal, Level(S) and Green Public Procurement (GPP), among others.

Sustainability initiatives and the need for structured environmental information Currently, EPDs in construction projects and manufacturing are voluntary. However, their use is rapidly growing in line with awareness about environmental impacts. Both public and private stakeholders are increasingly demanding EPDs, and Cobuilder’s construction experts forecast that soon they will become part of governments’ sustainability strategies and policies.

After reviewing some of those important sustainability initiatives in its study, Cobuilder noticed a common feature between all of them –­ the need for trusted and reliable environmental data. The availability of well-structured and comparable environmental information in a digital format is critical for the successful implementation of those initiatives.

A solution that helps to structure, analyse and compare EPDs digitally There is a significant and largely untapped potential in using digital solutions for delivering construction product information to meet sustainability goals set by governments.

A structured way of managing data about construction products has been developed in the standards EN ISO 23386, EN ISO 23387 and the upcoming ISO/DIS 22057. The latter aims to structure EPD data in a proper digital format ­– a Data Template – that will improve the use of EPDs for construction products for digital construction.

Data Templates dramatically reduce the manual effort of reading and interpreting documents and transform information into structured data models which are the basis for future automation.

About Cobuilder Cobuilder is an international software company with over 20 years of experience in delivering technological solutions that enhance information management in the construction industry. To discover how your organisation can benefit from applying Data Templates, visit cobuilder.com.

Download the full whitepaper to receive additional guidance on using some of the key environmental indicators. q

Green Building Council has the Solution to sustainability issues [

THE UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has launched a new online Solutions Library designed to address shared sustainability challenges within the property and construction sector and enhance collaboration between innovators and corporates.

UKGBC points out that many of its members have already set ambitious targets relating to their environmental and social impact, and all business members are now required to have a corporate commitment to climate action.

Now it is focusing its work on enabling its members and the industry to achieve those targets. Addressing the climate and ecological crises requires an innovative and collaborative approach to identifying specific challenges through to creating, sourcing and implementing solutions, the UKGBC says.

The new Solutions Library, accessible

at www.ukgbc.org, offers practical and commercially viable solutions and case studies to help address common sustainability challenges across the sector. It has been launched following the success of a recent crowdsourcing project and as part of a new wider ‘Solutions’ section of UKGBC’s website.

The new section of the website also lists more than 30 innovative start-ups that are already part of the UKGBC membership, plus interviews with many of them to explore their innovation journey within the built environment.

All solutions need a problem to solve, so the new section of UKGBC’s website allows members to submit challenges that they would like help with. UKGBC will then use its unique convening power to crowdsource and collaborate to identify solutions to those challenges.

Modular companies placed on new public procurement framework [IN MAY a group of offsite manufacturers were

awarded places on the new £330m Modular Building (MB2) framework for the public sector.

The MB2 framework, operated by national procurement agency LHC, allows local authorities, social landlords and other public bodies to source pre-approved specialist suppliers who can design, supply and install permanent, temporary and refurbished modular buildings.

The framework is worth up to £250m in England, £60m in Scotland and £20m in Wales. It primarily covers education, healthcare, emergency services, offices and community-related amenities such as sport facilities and theatres, but it can also be used for residential projects that are part of a mixed-use development or for student accommodation.

Dean Fazackerley, group procurement manager at LHC, said: “This framework provides contracting authorities with a pool of pre-approved suppliers who have won their place on the MB2 framework based primarily on the high quality of their work, but also the long-term value they can deliver.

“The consistent quality that modular building offers can help to not only provide more efficient projects that have lower lifetime costs, but can also help local authorities, NHS trusts and other public bodies work towards their net-zero targets by providing better fabric performance.

“LHC are looking forward to working with the appointed companies to deliver outcome-based solutions which deliver social value and community benefit for our clients in line with LHC’s lifetime values.” q

Alastair Mant, director of business transformation at UKGBC, said: “The launch of the new Solution webpages is an exciting next step in enabling our members to meet their ambitious commitments on issues such as net-zero carbon, biodiversity and social value. Over the last year the number of innovative start-ups within our membership has nearly tripled and we hope by ramping up our engagement with the start-up community we will continue to bridge the gap between innovators and corporates and help scale up more of the practical solutions our industry is calling out for.

“We are therefore asking more innovative start-ups to join us and for everyone to send us solutions so that we can accelerate the necessary changes in how we design, construct and operate built assets.” q

BAM – and the diesel’s gone! [

CONTRACTING GIANT BAM has committed to running all of its UK construction machinery on recycled cooking oil, contributing to its goal of reducing carbon emissions from its activities. Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is an advanced renewable fuel derived from waste products.

In 2020 BAM consumed 7.1 million litres of red diesel – around 70% of the company’s total direct carbon footprint. HVO, which currently costs around 15% more than red diesel, reduces net CO2 emissions by as much as 90%.

The fuel will be supplied via a UK-wide contract with Bury-based Crown Oil and will help to support BAM’s broader strategy of making use of sustainable innovations to reduce the CO2 emissions related to its work. Other measures include the phasing out of diesel generators and increasing use of alternative solutions such as photovoltaic cells to generate power at sites, the rollout of electric vehicles to all levels of the employee fleet and the increasing use of low-carbon materials such as lowcement concrete in the design, construction and management of net-zero buildings.

While HVO is considered an important stepping stone to a net-zero carbon position, the ultimate goal is to eliminate all internal combustion engines and opt for electric alternatives powered by batteries or hydrogen fuel cells. BAM is working closely with machinery manufacturers to accelerate the deployment of electric equipment that will help power its sites more cleanly and sustainably.

Sarah Jolliffe, carbon reduction lead at BAM Nuttall, said: “HVO fuel has been available for several years, but it is only in the past 12-18 months that the fuel has been approved by plant and engine manufacturers for use in their equipment.

“HVO differs from gas oil, diesel and petrol as it isn’t derived from crude oil – the main cause of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide. HVO is made through the hydrotreatment of pre-existing bio-waste products such as used cooking oil, waste plant and organic matter.

“Many of the projects we deliver and clients we support aim to decarbonise public transport or protect people from the effects of climate change. But the engineering solutions and construction operations have a high carbon impact. We want to reduce carbon throughout the whole lifecycle of a project, from the way the site operates through to the materials used in construction, and the way assets are operated, maintained and dismantled.”

BAM is also collaborating with its supply chain partners to encourage further use of low-carbon fuels and diesel alternatives in its supply chain. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Sustained use proves the performance of concrete block permeable paving Recent trials of various older concrete block permeable paving projects following long-term use back-up previous research, endorse current minimal maintenance recommendations and debunk misconceptions about the clogging up of joints. The research has important implications for the whole-life costs of permeable paving generally; but it also reveals major benefits of permeable paving, opening up new opportunities to satisfy a growing demand for trees in our towns and cities.

Here CHRIS HODSON, consultant to the concrete block paving industry’s trade body Interpave, looks at some notable examples.

[CONCRETE BLOCK PERMEABLE PAVING (CBPP) technology has

proven itself over successful use around the world since the mid-1980s.

It is suitable for all types of paving, ranging from driveways, car parks and adopted residential roads to industrial areas and distribution centres.

Two decades of experience in the UK has demonstrated its long-term performance with minimal, if any, maintenance. But one of the most persistent misconceptions about CBPP technology – impeding its uptake and adoption – is that without maintenance the joints quickly become clogged with debris and within a short time become impermeable, preventing water from draining into the paving.

Case study and video One of the projects considered – Martlesham Park and Ride in Suffolk – is the subject of a video showing the trials. In that test 10 litres of water in a sealed tube created a head of about 140 millimetres – equivalent to more than a month of heavy rainfall. In that case the surface absorbed the 10 litres of water in eight minutes and one second – equivalent to a rainfall intensity of 1,055mm per hour. For context, the heaviest UK rainfall event in history was 92mm per hour.

Permeable paving in practice In fact, over time detritus and silt collect in the upper part of CBPP joint material between blocks, where a surface ‘crust’ around 5-10mm deep is formed, protecting the laying course and sub-base material but still allowing infiltration. Also, the performance of CBPP is not significantly affected by moss or weeds in the joints, or by leaves collecting on the surface. Even where localised blockages do occur, in a storm event excess water simply flows to more permeable, adjacent areas.

Previous research has demonstrated that the infiltration rate of CBPP will decrease due to this build-up in the jointing material, but then stabilise with age. Even after allowing for clogging, the long-term infiltration capability of permeable pavements (shown red in the graph) will normally substantially exceed UK hydrological requirements (shown blue).

The video also includes an illuminating interview with the original project designer about long-term performance and maintenance, and also the benefits of CBPP for both existing and newly-planted trees.

Constructed in 2003, the large out-of-town car park receives regular daily traffic from commuters and shoppers. With around 500 car spaces, the 13,000m2 of concrete block permeable paving has delivered problem-free performance over 17 years.

The grit-filled joints do have moss in them but, as a porous substance itself, water passes through it without problems. The site is surrounded by vegetation, with some tall trees and well-established shrubs. Maintenance has effectively been cosmetic – occasionally sweeping tree debris and vegetation from the surface after storms and leaf fall in the autumn.

Latest research In order to better understand the effect that traffic, weathering and time have on CBPP systems, field tests have recently been undertaken by an Interpave member on three projects installed six, 17 and 19 years ago respectively. To measure the permeability of those existing CBPP pavements the trials used the American Standard ASTMC1781/C1781M method.

The research demonstrated that all the CBPP sites tested still provide infiltration rates that would cope with any likely UK rainfall event, despite receiving no specific maintenance to improve permeability.

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2003

2020

Bridget Joyce Square, London. Photos courtesy of Robert Bray Associates

Sustenance for trees Extensive mature trees around and within the site were simply retained as part of the scheme. The CBPP removes pollutants from water passing through, providing treated water sustenance for trees. The roots have continued to grow within the permeable pavement sub-base but, importantly, there have been no visible signs of block rutting or lifting, or roots coming through the surface.

Retaining and introducing trees – and other green infrastructure – within our towns and cities is now a key planning requirement. For example, the National Model Design Code says: “All schemes will be expected to follow national policy by achieving a 10% net gain in biodiversity. All new streets should include street trees.”

But measures must be put in place to allow trees to grow and mature over time, enabling them to deliver numerous benefits. Development design that facilitates sustenance of green infrastructure is therefore crucial.

Award-winning project As CBPP allows the same pattern of run-off transfer to the ground as natural vegetation, it allows water to reach tree and shrub roots, despite providing a hard surface above. That is endorsed by the current Code of Practice for accessibility in the external environment, BS 8300-1:2018, which states that: “Tree grilles should be avoided. Smooth or paved permeable surfaces should be used wherever practicable”.

CBPP technology will play a key role in future: in addition to new permeable pavements for developments, CBPP overlays to existing, conventional road bases can be used in conjunction with rain gardens or bioretention areas to store water for irrigation while improving the public realm. That approach is exemplified in the award-winning project at Bridget Joyce Square in London, pictured on this page and featured on the front over of the last issue of Construction National.

Interpave information resource A full report on the research project video – as well as more information, detailed guidance and case studies on concrete block permeable paving – is available from the Interpave website at www.paving.org.uk.

There, you can also view a new Interpave CPD webinar, presented

by Bob Bray of Robert Bray Associates – SuDS practitioners with over 20-years experience and designers of the Bridget Joyce Square project.

The video webinar explores how straightforward flow controls can optimise and expand CBPP capabilities, with techniques including water storage in paving compartments deployed around a site to integrate SuDS within developments and to avoid additional land-take. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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The construction industry will ‘build back better’ with modern drainage systems

by JOHN CARTER, Head of Sales and Marketing at Clark-Drain

[

WITH ALMOST 60 years experience in the construction industry, at Clark-Drain we’ve learnt to anticipate what our customers and the market are telling us, and respond with innovative products that are grounded in expertise. And the current burgeoning demand for drainage products clearly demonstrates that – pandemic or no pandemic – construction of all kinds is undergoing a bullish resurgence.

Industry analysts bear that out. Tim Moore, economics director at IHS Markit, for example, said of the month of March: “Total activity expanded to the greatest extent for six-anda-half years as residential spending remained robust, commercial projects restarted and infrastructure contract awards moved ahead.”

Of course, whatever goes up above ground relies ultimately on drainage below it, so it’s hardly surprising that demand for drainage products for housebuilding and landscaping is high. But why Clark-Drain’s products in particular?

An industry looking for new solutions The answer, we believe, is that when an industry resets and restarts, what it wants and needs is absolutely not more of the same, but rather the opportunity and means to do things differently in order to achieve a more positive outcome – to ‘build back better’, if you will.

That is where forward-thinking, innovative drainage products come into their own. To an industry in the throes of regeneration, they offer solutions that are lighter, stronger, cheaper to transport, easier to install, longerlasting and environmentally more sustainable – now and into the future.

And as drainage is set to become an ever-more critical asset, with climate change likely to increase both the volume and frequency of rainfall – 10% more per year on average by the end of this century, compared to 1986-2005 – we at Clark-Drain are at the forefront of an industry-wide evolution.

So, are we confident that we’ve got what’s necessary to change the game?

Doing drainage differently What we’ve proven at Clark-Drain is that compromise isn’t necessary.

With the right combination of design and manufacturing expertise, savvy choice of materials and a keen eye – always – for what works best for the customer in terms of sourcing, transporting and installing the product, it is possible to deliver on all fronts.

Let’s start with the raw material. For our linear drainage solutions we use 100% recycled polypropylene, which is not just an environmentally sustainable material – it’s also about 38% less dense and weighty than concrete, resulting in lower transport costs, less on-site labour to handle it and a quicker installation.

But it cuts no corners on the resilience front either. Heat-resistant – so ideal for tarmac edging – these polypropylene structures can comfortably withstand loads of 1.5-12.5 tonnes, making them suitable for use in anything from a domestic driveway to a car park, shopping centre or railway station. That resilience makes for a longer life, and therefore a lower life-cost.

Now, let’s consider capacity – a critical measure of drainage efficiency as rainfall increases. An average shallow drainage channel, for example, has an internal depth of about 75mm, which results in a hydraulic performance of about 88mm per hour. Our CD-422 solution, on the other hand, has an internal depth of 105mm and a hydraulic performance of some 172mm per hour.

The key to that ‘outperformance’ is the combination of the exceptionally tough and strong polypropylene construction and an intelligent structural design that enables a much larger internal width relative to the external dimensions.

That gain extends across all the drainage profiles – not just shallow channels – enabling a maximum throughflow of anything from 2.2 litres per second for the 410 and 430 models, up to 4.3 litres per second for our 422, 425 and 434 models.

Ease of installation is also high on Clark-Drain’s agenda, because it’s such an important issue for our customers. Aside from our linear drainage products’ inherent lightness, they are also supplied in manageable 1m sections that can be connected instantly – channel to channel, male to female – enabling several metres of channel to be laid in one manoeuvre, and by fewer workers. At every turn, that is about delivering the highest possible drainage performance, with the shortest possible project lead times and the minimum operational and financial risk.

Current and future challenges: we’re on it But there are other powerful drivers conspiring to add urgency to this tide of change. On the one hand, the government’s ‘Build, build, build’ strategy to level-up the UK’s infrastructure implicitly requires more construction, at greater speed. On the other, the same government’s ‘Green Industrial Revolution’ and its ambitious new carbon targets for 2030 and 2050 mandate far stricter green credentials for homes and public buildings – including, of course, the materials used in their construction and drainage.

Taken together, it’s a big ask: but at Clark-Drain we stand ready with at least some of the answers. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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All you need to know about heat pumps – in a month

[ A MONTH OF everything heat pumps kicked off

in the low carbon society, with Panasonic, on 29 June, and on 17 June with the opening session of Heat Pump Driving the decarbonisation of heat in the UK and ensuring Month. Ask Me Anything was the theme that opened a smooth transition to low carbon technologies, with proceedings – an online event where delegates could get Vaillant, on 30 June. any heat pump-related question answered by industry The first week in July will see Ecodan residential heating; experts, while enjoying a sociable get-together with serious about sustainability, with Mitsubishi Electric, on peers and colleagues.

6 July. The event will seek to provide an insight into how The event consisted of a virtual room of hosted, themed air-source heat pumps are anticipated to play a crucial ‘round tables’, where those attending could jump between role in meeting net-zero requirements while offering a costtables according to their interests. Topics included Getting into heat effective, simple solution. pumps; Specifying and system design; Procurement; Funding; Policy; The following day Jaga UK will host The truth about radiators. Many Technical matters; Hybrid systems; Grid connections; Permitted specifiers and installers oversize radiators to compensate for lower water Development Rights; Heat networks; and Microgeneration Certification temperature systems, or specify underfloor heating as it seems to be the Scheme (MCS) certification. Manufacturers were also available for oneonly other option. The future of heating is changing and Jaga UK’s event to-one meetings and round-table discussion during the event. will explore how to match radiators to heat pump systems for the most The month was the brainchild of Graham Lock (pictured), founder effective, climate-friendly heating system. q of Low Carbon Homes, and is supported by the Ground Source Heat Pump Association, Heat Pump Association, Heat Pump Federation and MCS. The following week saw two online events: on 23 June, Supporting Low Carbon PLANS TO DECARBONISE Britain’s homes will fail without Solutions, with Daikin UK, saw experts a rise in the numbers of heat pump installers, the Heat Pump from manufacturers Daikin UK providing an Association (HPA) has warned – echoing confirmation from the update on government policy and funding and Environmental Audit Committee that the supply chain needs to be opportunities. The event helped to remove the strengthened. myths on heat pumps and provide support to In a statement, the HPA said: “To see 600,000 heat pumps local authorities and housing associations to installed by 2028 – in line with the Prime Minister’s Ten Point develop low-carbon proposals.

Plan – we need to see a rapid rise in the number of installers The following day, Welcome to Green qualified to install the technology. There are over 22 training Street: The Lowest Cost, Lowest Carbon centres across the HPA membership alone, providing the ability to Solution for Net Zero Heat, saw Kensa train over 7,000 installers per year. However, an overhaul of the training pathway to becoming a Heat Pumps examine the key early heat pump installer has been needed for some time.” infrastructure decisions needed to achieve the The Heat Pump Association says it has been working hard with key actors across the heating decarbonisation of heat. Using ambient heat industry to simplify the training pathway for heat pumps and level the playing field between networks and distributed heat pumps could technology types. Led by the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, the first be the answer. What might be ‘best’ for one part of the new pathway has developed into a new ‘Low Temperature and Hot Water’ course stakeholder – for example, lowest appliance that will help to address the low-carbon skills gap and turn the government’s aspirations for heat cost – might be a disaster for another pumps into a reality. q stakeholder.

The end of June saw The role of heat pumps

Training needs to keep pace with developments [

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Awards expand to include apprentices and climate conference [THE New Civil Engineer (NCE) Graduate

and Apprentice Awards have reopened for entries after a year’s break due to the pandemic. New for this year are two apprentice categories – in addition to the graduate category – to recognise the growing number of people going through the degree apprenticeship route in the civil engineering sector.

Graduates should have graduated between July 2018 and July 2021 and now be in their first post graduate role, and be training towards a CEng or IEng qualification via an ICE-accredited training programme, while apprentices should be actively pursuing the EngTech or IEng qualification via an ICEaccredited technician training programme.

Graduate apprentices should be studying degree apprenticeship level 4-7 or actively pursuing

EngTech qualifications via an ICE-accredited training programme.

The awards eligibility criteria have also been extended for all three categories to allow those who would have qualified to enter last year to enter this year instead.

The award’s organisers at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) are asking graduates, apprentices or graduate apprentices to not just share their amazing career and work experiences so far, but to also describe what outcomes they want from the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November.

To reflect that, there are three awards for outstanding contribution for individuals who have shown excellence in areas such as netzero carbon, digital engineering and overall impact on the industry.

The deadline to submit an entry for the awards is 20 August and the awards ceremony is due to take place over lunch at the ICE in London on 26 November.

“The Graduate and Apprentice Awards have always been about celebrating the new talent that is coming into our industry; but it is also about allowing them to demonstrate the vision those young people have for the future of our sector,” said NCE editor Claire Smith.

“With COP26 due to be held in Glasgow just weeks before the awards themselves, we are asking this year’s award-winning hopefuls to describe what outcomes they want from COP26 for the civil engineering industry and explain how they would use this to drive change across the industry and supply chain over the next five years.” q

CITB begins three-yearly Consensus process

[THE CITB has begun the process of Consensus – the consultation on its

Levy Proposals. The process runs until 15 August, with the results due to be published in the autumn.

Under the proposals ­– confirmed by the CITB Board on 21 May – the Construction Levy rates will remain the same for the years 2022-25: that is at the pre-pandemic rates of 0.35% for PAYE and 1.25% for net paid (taxable) CIS sub-contractors.

It is anticipated that around 40,000 employers with a wage bill below £120,000 will continue to be exempt, with a further 14,000 seeing a 50% reduction due to having a wage bill of between £120,000 and £400,000. It is anticipated that, due to the pandemic, more construction businesses could qualify for exemptions and Levy reductions due to lower wage bills.

During the final stage of CITB’s three-yearly statutory consultation the following Consensus question will be asked: Do you agree that the Levy Proposals are necessary to encourage adequate training in the construction industry?

Of 33,000 Levy-paying employers, around 7,000 have declared they are represented by Prescribed Organisations –­­­ organisations representing sectors of the industry, plus Build UK – so their views will be gathered through those organisations. Of the remaining 26,000 employers, a representative sample of 4,000 will be surveyed by telephone by IFF Research Ltd, an independent research company.

Steve Radley, CITB’s director of strategy and policy, commented: “To support employers, Levy bills were cut by half for 2021, with the Consensus process delayed by a year to focus on supporting immediate skills needs.

“We have since had clear feedback from industry, including the 14 Prescribed Organisations, that CITB should proceed with Consensus this year.

“We now expect significant growth in construction output and its skill needs over the next three years. We have recently agreed a plan to help meet these needs and we are now asking industry whether it supports the Levy Proposals to finance it.” q

Student pair leap onto the career ladder [

IN THE FACE OF the challenges posed by the coronavirus, two students from Fife College have embarked upon careers in the construction industry after studying for an HND in Quantity Surveying.

Nicole King and Todd Fleming (pictured) have both secured traineeships at constructions firms, along with entry into third year at university to study for a degree in Quantity Surveying.

Nicole has recently been hired by Whiteburn Projects Ltd in Edinburgh as a trainee QS after completing her course at the college, and will combine that with studying for a degree at Napier University.

Todd is due to complete his HND in June but has already secured a trainee position with Raeburn Construction based in Kirkcaldy, and gained direct access into third year at Heriot-Watt University.

Martina Brady, a built environment lecturer at Fife College, commented:

“We are delighted that Todd and Nicole have used the knowledge they gained at Fife College to secure jobs as trainee quantity surveyors, while also continuing their studies at university.

“Our articulation agreements with Napier University, Heriot-Watt University and Robert Gordon University enable all HND students to progress onto the third year of the degree course, with many employers keen to fully support students throughout.

“Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the construction industry in Scotland is still very strong and we’re helping many people gain employment within it.

“Anyone who wants to learn more about the opportunities on offer should get in touch with us. Quantity Surveying is offered on a full-time and part-time basis at the college, so there is definitely an avenue that we can explore with you.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Post-16 Bill begins its journey through Parliament [

THE Skills and Post-16 Education Bill is currently working its way through the House of Lords, having been introduced to Parliament on 18 May. The introduction of the Bill came as new figures revealed that further and technical education provision is estimated to boost the economy by £26bn.

That, said the government, sets the stage for a new outlook for post-16 education where every young adult has a range of opportunities open to them, removing the illusion that a degree is the only path to a good career.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said at the time: “Talent is everywhere in our country and the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill marks a significant milestone in our journey to transform the skills, training and post-16 education landscape and level up opportunities across the country.

“This legislation will be vital so we can make sure everyone can gain the skills they need to get a great job locally and businesses have access to the qualified employees they need to thrive.”

One of the key provisions of the Bill is the transformation of the current

student loans system to give every adult access to a flexible loan for higherlevel education and training at university or college, useable at any point in their lives. That element of the legislation was welcomed by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) when it was included in The Queen’s Speech.

In its response to the speech, the CIOB said: “Ensuring the construction industry has a steady supply of labour with the necessary skills continues to be a significant challenge. We believe that a jobs-led recovery focused on helping the UK meet its targets for improving air quality, lowering carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency through the retrofitting of the existing building stock is one such mechanism.

“We would like to see a detailed strategy from government setting out how it plans to increase the numbers of young people joining overlooked sectors such as construction. We urge them to work with the sector to identify in-demand and future skills, whilst promoting accessibility, to make sure that the skills strategy interacts and complements other pieces of proposed legislation to ensure a holistic approach.” q

Degree or degree apprenticeship: the choice is yours [ THE NEXT INTAKE to the BSc (Hons) in Construction

Management/Degree Apprenticeship at University Campus St Albans (UCSA) in Hertfordshire will be in January next year. It will be delivered in collaboration with the University of Hertfordshire and the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and is a CIOB-accredited degree.

Construction, NVQ Level 4-6, a Higher Apprenticeship in Construction or CIOB Level 4 – or prior experience as a construction manager that can be accredited through the college’s own innovative Accreditation of Prior Learning scheme, which exempts applicants from a Level 4 course. More information about the APL process can be found at https://www.uc-sa.co.uk/blog/accreditation-of-prior-learning-apl/.

Two pathways

Teaching

There is a choice to undertake either the degree course only or via the degree apprenticeship pathway. Full details of both pathways can be found below: Details for the course – BSc (Hons) Construction Management – can be found at https://www.uc-sa.co.uk/our-courses/bsc-hons-constructionmanagement-part-time/, while information on the Construction Site Management Degree Apprenticeship is at https://www.uc-sa.co.uk/ourcourses/construction-site-management-degree-apprenticeship/.

Applicants must have either prior qualifications – such as an HNC in

The course will be taught at Oaklands College’s Welwyn Garden City Campus, the University of Hertfordshire’s de Havilland Campus and the Building Research Establishment site. Attendance is typically one day a week (9am-5pm) for 12 weeks during each semester.

Private study is typically around six hours per week. The course duration is from January 2022 – July 2024. q

Construction training courses and/ or apprenticeships are available at the following colleges:

• For more information, or for a discussion about fees and funding for employers, contact celeste.jones@oaklands.ac.uk.

Bradford College

Tel: 01274 088088 E: information@bradfordcollege.ac.uk W: www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk Great Horton Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1AY

Abingdon & Witney College

Bridgwater & Taunton College

Wootton Road, Abingdon OX14 1GG

Bath Road, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4PZ

Bath College T: 01225 312 191

City College Southampton

Tel: 01235 555 585 E: apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk W: www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk

W: www.bathcollege.ac.uk E: apprenticeships@bathcollege.ac.uk

T: 01278 655111 E: business@btc.ac.uk W: www.btc.ac.uk

City Centre Campus, Avon Street, Bath BA1 1UP

Tel: 023 8048 4848 E: enquiries@southampton-city.ac.uk W: www.southampton-city.ac.uk

Somer Valley Campus, Wells Road, Radstock BA3 3RW

St Mary Street, Southampton SO14 1AR

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College leads the way in EPAs [THE END-POINT ASSESSMENT (EPA) agenda for civil engineering

trade apprenticeships is being spearheaded by Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) – which is the first in the country to complete EPAs in Formwork and in Steel Fixing.

The EPA is paramount to the achievement of an apprenticeship. It tests the knowledge, skills and behaviours that an apprentice has gained during their training. Unique to each apprenticeship standard, the EPA demonstrates the competence of an apprentice in their role – which is crucial for current and future employers.

The outstanding achievement of being the first provider in the country to complete these EPAs means that all of BTC’s Formwork and Steel Fixing apprentices who have undertaken the EPA have achieved a 100% success rate. The Formwork apprentices are employed by Bylor, and the Steel Fixing apprentices are employed by Laing O’Rourke, Bylor and Berkeley Homes.

The apprenticeships have been delivered at BTC’s state-of-theart Construction Skills and Innovation Centre (CSIC) in the village of Cannington – a realistic working environment that includes a steel

fixing arena, which is really leading the field. CSIC’s team is made up of industry-based professional trainers and assessors who are passionate about delivering the very best training. That is demonstrated by their commitment to working with industry employers, professional organisations and awarding bodies to achieve the best possible outcomes for learners and employers.

BTC has worked with end-point assessment organisations NOCN for Steel Fixing, and Qualifications for Industry (QFI) and major construction supplier Mabey to facilitate the first-ever Formwork EPAs. That achievement in the field of EPAs demonstrates how BTC works with employers, industry specialists, community organisations and awarding bodies to develop and deliver innovative, accredited training and apprenticeship programmes that fully address the theoretical knowledge, practical skills and industry behaviours that combine to create professional, work-ready individuals. q • For more information about training and apprenticeships at Bridgwater & Taunton College visit www.btc.ac.uk

Youngsters can find the Wright Site online [

YOUNG PEOPLE in school or college who are considering their options for a future career, or those who are technical, creative, problem-solvers or who just enjoy getting stuck into challenging projects are being urged to take a new interactive challenge to see if a career in construction could be for them – the Wright Site Challenge.

The Eric Wright Learning Foundation, a construction learning provider set up by Lancashirebased Eric Wright Charitable Trust, has launched

the interactive tool which will give young people an insight into the construction industry.

The Wright Site Challenge is designed to walk potential recruits through the journey to reach construction site work. They complete a virtual induction and learn about some of the varied roles in construction – including how to work safely on site, what the options are in the industry and much more.

The resource is suitable to be completed

independently, as part of a group or as a classroom activity. It features puzzles, video resources, activities and much more.

To get started, candidates can log on to www.goconstruct.org.

Once candidates have completed the Wright Site Challenge they will have successfully experienced the journey to reach site work and explored some of what the construction industry can offer. q

Leeds College of Building CCG Training Apprenticeships ccgtraining.ac.uk

crawley.ac.uk 01293 442333

chichester.ac.uk 01293 812948

Dundee & Angus College

Tel: 0300 123 1036 W: www.dundeeandangus.ac.uk E: heretohelp@dundeeandangus.ac.uk

T: 0113 222 6041 E: info@lcb.ac.uk W: www.lcb.ac.uk

North Street, Leeds LS2 7QT

Accrington and Rossendale College Nelson & Colne College Group T: 01282 440319 E: apprenticeships@nelsongroup.ac.uk

Arbroath Campus, Keptie Road, Arbroath DD11 3EA

W: www.accross.ac.uk and www.nelsongroup.ac.uk

Kingsway Campus, Old Glamis Road, Dundee DD3 8LE

Accrington and Rossendale College, Sandy Lane, Accrington BB5 2AR

Fife College

New College Durham

Pittsburgh Road, Dunfermline, Fife KY11 8DY

New College Durham, Framwellgate Moor Campus, Durham DH1 5ES

Kirklees College

UCSA

Brunel Construction Centre, Old Fieldhouse Ln, Leeds Rd, Huddersfield HD2 1AG

Oaklands College, Hatfield Road Oaklands, St Albans AL4 0JA

Tel: 0344 248 0132 E: sales@fife.ac.uk W: www.fife.ac.uk

Tel: 01484 437000 E: info@kirkleescollege.ac.uk W: www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk

T: 0191 375 4000 E: help@newdur.ac.uk W: www.newcollegedurham.ac.uk

University Campus St Albans T: 01727 737000 E: karen.wellman@oaklands.ac.uk W: www.uc-sa.co.uk

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NASC reaches guidance milestone [

THE National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has expanded its product purchasing guidance portfolio through the addition of PG8 and PG9.

PG8:21 provides guidelines for those looking to source ancillary scaffolding components such as girder couplers, flange clamps and non-timber scaffold boards, while PG9:21 offers purchasing guidelines for scaffold ladders required to provide access and egress within scaffolds.

As ladders manufactured to BS EN 1311:2015 + A1:2019 are generally unsuitable for use on scaffolding, PG9:21 provides the required specification for scaffold ladders.

These additions take the total number of products available in the NASC Shop to 100.

Guidance notes are split into a number of categories, including Health & Safety, Technical, Contractual, Asset Protection and Product Purchasing.

Robin James, NASC managing director, said: “The NASC is proud to have reached this guidance milestone. The 100 titles now available via the NASC Shop provide invaluable assistance to scaffolding contractors on a wide variety of topics.

“These titles are produced and regularly updated by NASC members sitting on the various NASC committees, who give their time and experience free of charge to help create guidance that can be used by everyone working in the scaffolding industry.

“The NASC is the UK’s trade body for access and scaffolding, which is why the majority of the NASC’s guidance – including all Health & Safety titles – is available to all for free.”

All titles are available for free download via the NASC website at www.nasc.org.uk.

Hard copies can also be purchased, with each costing £2.80 for NASC members and £6 for non-members. q

Ten thousand TG20:21 compliance sheets generated [ MORE THAN 10,000 scaffolding

compliance sheets were produced in the first seven weeks since the NASC’s new TG20:21 software was launched, new data has revealed.

Download statistics show users of the expanded and updated software have generated 10,109 compliance sheets since 12 April – equating to between 200 and 300 every day.

Independent scaffolds were the most popular in this period, with 5,501 downloads (54.4% of the total), followed by free-standing tower scaffolds at 1,230 (12.2%) and external birdcage scaffolds – a new addition to TG20 – with 1,171 downloads (11.6%).

The figures for TG20:21 downloads by type are: • Chimney stack scaffold – 336 • External birdcage scaffold – 1,171 • Free-standing tower scaffold – • 1,230 • Independent scaffold – 5,501 • Internal birdcage scaffold – 804 • Lift shaft tower scaffold – 132 • Mobile tower scaffold – 314 • Putlog scaffold – 27 • Tied tower scaffold – 624.

NASC managing director Robin James said: “We are delighted that users have taken to TG20:21 so quickly and are using the new software to produce hundreds of compliance sheets every day. It’s great to see there’s such a diverse spread of scaffold types being generated and that the new features are being utilised by TG20:21 users.” q

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CISRS introduces second round of subsidised CPD courses [ THE Construction Industry Scaffolders

Record Scheme (CISRS) will once again be funding a number of subsidised CPD courses across the UK this summer and autumn.

They are working with a number of training centres enabling the delivery of CPD programmes for only £50 per delegate.

As a not-for-profit organisation CISRS is always keen to find ways of assisting the sector and feels this is a good use of resources, especially at this difficult time.

The commissioning of these 30-plus courses attended by over 400 delegates around the UK, has seen CISRS reinvest in excess of £130,000 to date in 2021. Similar funded programmes have been in place since the inception of CPD in 2017.

CISRS will waive the usual costs of the delegate training folders and card application fees normally incurred in the delivery of these courses.

Rick Statham, joint managing director of Safety and Access, one of the providers taking part in the initiative, said: “The funded CPD training from CISRS is a very welcome gesture both to individuals and businesses. Whilst the construction industry is in the

main fairly buoyant at the moment, none of us can predict what’s around the corner, so an opportunity for people to renew their qualifications and therefore remain fully employable for the next five years is vital.”

CISRS managing director Dave Mosley added: “CISRS CPD has been in place for almost four years and has been a great success with around 25,000 operatives attending in that period.

“As a trade, scaffolding does not always get the credit it deserves. We have a robust scheme in place and have recognised that CPD is an important part of it. Pressure is mounting from wider industry on those sectors yet to introduce CPD or refresher training for their qualifications.

“We are currently in the process of reviewing the results of the recent CPD survey which went out in November last year and remained open for three months. We will take the responses into consideration, prior to launching Phase 2 next summer.”

The subsidised CPD courses will be held at the following centres: • AIS (Aberdeen) 26-27 June 2021 • AIS (North Shields) 26-27 June 2021 • CITB Northern Ireland (Crumlin) 1-2 September 2021 • CWIC Swansea 5-6 July 2021 • Construction College Midlands 18-19 August 2021 • LTC (Cullompton) 12-13 August 2021 • LTC (Plymouth) 9-10 August 2021 • NCC East (Bircham Newton) 12-13 July 2021 • NCC Scotland (Inchinnan) 6-7 September 2021 • NCC (Erith) 26-27 July 2021 • NETA (Stockton) 29-30 July 2021 • Safety and Access (Nottingham) 26-27 August 2021 • Safety and Access (Immingham) 31 August-1 September 2021 • Simian (Warrington) 28-29 July 2021 • Simian (Waltham Forest) 5-6 August 2021 • Simian (Weston Super Mare) 23-24 August 2021 • Simian Aspects (Coventry) 26-27 August 2021 • Simian CIST (Anglesey) 8-9 September 2021 Delegates will need to contact the training centres directly to check availability. q • CISRS centre contact details can be found on the CISRS website at www.cisrs.org.uk www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Training in Trinidad resumes

[ SIMIAN INTERNATIONAL and

partner SMTL Training are set to deliver three months of back-to-back CISRS scaffolding courses in Trinidad after lockdown restrictions were lifted.

Level 1 Basic Scaffolding Inspection and Supervisor courses will run in succession in the coming weeks and months. The training blitz follows a 15-month closure of the scaffolding training centre due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ian Fyall, operations director at Simian, said: “It’s great to see overseas CISRS training resume in Trinidad and neighbouring Barbados. There were a number of

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logistical challenges to overcome and we couldn’t have done it without our travel agents and SMTL Training, who went to great lengths to ensure the centre is Covid compliant.

“We also need to thank CISRS for completing the 2021 centre audit, paving the way for training to begin again.

“Travel has been extremely difficult over the past year, meaning we’ve struggled to fly CISRS instructors where they’re needed. However, we’re beginning to see restrictions lifted and more centres reopen.

“Every member of the Simian Overseas team has had both COVID-19 vaccinations and is available when required.”

Dave Mosley, CISRS managing director, added: “This is excellent news for the centre and scaffolders in the region. Simian/SMTL have set up a first-class centre in Trinidad. We are hoping they can pick up where they left off and continue to flourish in the Caribbean.”

Phillip Archie, SMTL Training managing director, said: “It was indeed challenging getting the CISRS trainer into the country. Trinidad borders remain closed due to the COVID-19 restrictions and we faced additional setbacks due to the closure of neighbouring airports as a result of the La Soufrière volcanic eruptions.

“Together with the Simian team we were able to get the trainer here, have resumed scaffolding training for our employees and are open to provide similar training to other scaffolding providers in Trinidad.” q

IPAF goes digital: new app replaces PAL Cards and paper documentation [ A NEW MOBILE APP has been launched for operators of

mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and mast-climbing work platforms (MCWPs), featuring the first-ever digital IPAF PAL Card, operator log book and operator safety guide.

The new ePAL app from the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) is free to use and is aimed at bringing training certification into the digital era – reducing the environmental impact involved in issuing IPAF’s PAL Card and training certification.

The app also allows operators to receive the latest best practice tips and safety information, and means operators can share their qualifications with site managers quickly and easily. It has been hailed as a major step forward in IPAF’s on-going drive to boost sustainability, as it shifts away from issuing plastic, credit card-sized PAL Cards via the post to every training candidate successfully completing or renewing an IPAF operator course.

It also phases out paper certification of qualifications and logging of machine time and replaces the printed paper version of IPAF’s operator safety guide, speeding up the processing time and resources.

Peter Douglas, CEO and MD of IPAF, commented: “A typical year’s output in terms of IPAF PAL Cards and certificates issued used to amount to a 130-metre stack of printed plastic and paper, shipped from supplier to IPAF, to the IPAF training centre and then on to candidates. Then, after five years, the candidate would dispose of it and start again!

“The new app will lead to us reducing the number of steps in processing a PAL Card and cut down on all that waste, as well as the expense,

delays and carbon emissions involved in shipping items around the globe needlessly. Developing an operator app has been a key priority for IPAF since I took up post in 2019, and we were excited to team up with IPAF member Trackunit to bring its considerable technical expertise to bear to roll this out.

“IPAF’s ePAL brings huge benefits for operators and IPAF training centres alike, while allowing us to streamline and digitise our processes.

We are monitoring the roll-out of the new app and are already planning new functionality. These are exciting times.” q

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Hard hat campaign promotes concussion awareness on site [

THE WEEK from 14-20 June was designated Hard Hat Awareness Week by Headway – the brain injury association – and leading safety manufacturer Centurion. The campaign aims to promote the importance of recognising and reporting signs of concussion to hard hat wearers.

On modern construction sites there is widespread awareness of the need to wear a hard hat, but in a survey carried out by Headway last year 52% of workers surveyed said they had experienced a head injury which they did not report to their manager. Of those workers who’d sustained a head injury, only 6% sought medical attention.

There is growing evidence of the short and long-term damage that can be inflicted by even a single knock to the head.

Peter McCabe, chief executive of Headway, explained: “Concussion is often referred to as mild head injury and, while most mild head injuries result in no long-term damage to the brain, it can cause temporary disruption to brain function that can last for a matter of hours to days, weeks or even months.

“People may experience dizziness, nausea or even distorted vision; so for those working on a building site, potentially operating heavy machinery or working at height, that could lead to some very dangerous situations for themselves or colleagues.

“We want to remind people about the importance of wearing hard hats and taking any impact to the head seriously. Even a minor brain injury can have a major impact, so take time to stop work, report the incident and recover fully before returning to work.”

Chris Tidy, technical and training specialist at Centurion Safety Products, commented: “We’re very proud to be working alongside Headway for the second year to promote national Hard Hat Awareness Week.

“The impact of a brain injury can be life-changing for both the injured person and also their wider family and friends. Wearing a hard hat,

maintaining and storing it appropriately, and being more concussion aware, are all very vital to keep hard hat wearers safe.”

Centurion have also worked together with partners Arco and Mips to raise awareness of concussion in the workplace. To support that, Centurion has produced Stop, Report and Recover concussion-aware information posters and booklets for distribution to construction sites nationwide, alongside updating their Wear and Care Guide, emphasising the need to regularly check the condition of, and maintain, hard hats. q

Worker injured by falling AC unit [

IN MAY Southwark Crown Court heard one of the strangest of prosecutions by HSE, when two construction companies were fined following serious injury to a worker when part of an air conditioning plant fell on him while it was being lowered from a roof.

The case referred back to 10 November 2017, when three roofers had been working to finish off a large roof refurbishment project in London. The workers were instructed to dismantle a decommissioned air conditioning plant and remove it from the roof in high winds. As part of the plant was being lowered, it became detached from the rope and hook. It fell and struck one of the workers on the pavement below, fracturing his left femur.

An HSE investigation found that only a basic manual gin wheel was provided to lower the parts; no one was assigned to supervise and none of the workers had any formal training on carrying out lifting operations or slinging loads. There were also other failings at the site relating to working at height, control of asbestos, emergency arrangements, manual handling and a total lack of any welfare facilities for the workers.

NMC Surfacing Ltd had subcontracted the roof refurbishment work to a smaller local business, Fraden Contracts Ltd. The client was unaware NMC had subcontracted the construction work. The court heard that NMC provided them with modified versions of Fraden’s risk assessment records with all references to Fraden erased.

NMC Surfacing Limited was found guilty after a trial of a breach of Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £350,000 and ordered to pay £45,122 in costs. Fraden Contracts Ltd had already pleaded guilty to a breach of 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. That company was fined £14,000 and ordered to pay £6,015 in costs.

HSE inspector Andrew Verrall-Withers commented: “Little thought was giving to planning the lifting operation by the companies and it was the workers who identified passing members of the public were at risk and borrowed some barriers to try and protect them.

“A worker suffered an injury which means he can no longer work as a roofer, despite three decades of previous experience. He, or a passing member of the public, could have been killed.” q

Safety and Health Expo repeats its virtual performance [

THIS YEAR’S Safety and Health Expo was once more held online, following last year’s successful remote event. The show ran from 13-19 June as part of a monthlong Connect event, with related expo Workplace Wellbeing Show.

The event was a mixture of pre-recorded product demonstrations – replacing the familiar exhibition presence of major manufacturers and suppliers – and live seminar sessions.

The seminars included Bringing Safety Solutions To You – Safely by Dräger, Is There a Role for Gamification in EHS Reporting?

88.4% Said ‘Yes’! and Benefits of Clean Air in Indoor Working Environments – both moderated by SHP magazine’s editor Ian Hart. There was also a Panel Debate: Creating a Culture of Compliance.

For those searching for the latest solutions, wanting to keep up to date with health and safety strategies and regulations, or simply wanting to extend their network, Safety & Health Expo Connect was there to help them fulfil their goals.

The next in-person Safety and Health Expo, originally scheduled for July, will now take place next May. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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You don’t always have the site to yourself [ WHILE MOST COVERAGE of the issue of site security has

concerned preventing unauthorised entry to an otherwise unoccupied site, the recent emphasis on retrofitting has thrown a spotlight onto construction activity on occupied sites. That carries with it a change in focus for site security to ensuring the safety of non-site personnel.

We have previously noted HSE guidance on ensuring the safety of people straying onto sites. That same guidance covers the safety of people who are legitimately present on a working site.

In particular it refers to hazards causing risks to the public.

The guidance says: “Many hazards have the potential to injure members of the public and visitors. Consider if they exist on your project and how you will manage them.”

Falling objects, delivery and other site vehicles, scaffolding and

Industry awards are a fitting tribute

other access equipment are specifically mentioned. The risks associated with the storage of materials within the site perimeter must also be addressed, preferably in secure compounds or away from the perimeter fencing.

“The elderly, children and people with certain disabilities may need special attention,” the guidance says. “Work in premises such as schools and hospitals needs careful thought and planning.”

In relation to children, the guidance says: “The following specific steps are particularly relevant to child safety: • Secure sites adequately when finishing work for the day.

• Barrier off or cover over excavations and pits.

• Isolate and immobilise vehicles and plant and if possible lock • them in a compound.

• Store building materials (such as pipes, manhole rings and • cement bags) so that they cannot topple or roll over.

• Remove access ladders from excavations and scaffolds.

• Lock away hazardous substances.” q

[THE British Security Awards – the

flagship event of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) – were held online for a second year on 30 June, due to COVID restrictions. The awards were presented by broadcaster and former police officer Sue Hill.

The event featured the Chairman’s Award, awarded posthumously to Skills for Security chairman and long-time BSIA associate Tony Allen, who died at the beginning of June.

BSIA chief executive Mike Reddington said: “Once again, in 2021, the security industry has demonstrated its commitment to keeping people, property and places safe by presenting us with some fantastic examples of the immense wealth of talent, innovation and best practice on display in both our membership and the wider industry.”

In announcing the Chairman’s Award, BSIA chairman Simon Banks commented: “As we were putting the show together at the beginning of June, we received the very sad news that one of the association’s most ardent supporters and industry leaders for over 40 years, Tony Allen, had passed away after a long battle with leukaemia.

“In fitting tribute, the 2021 Chairman’s Award posthumously goes to Tony and to his family as the association’s – and my own personal – thank you for his invaluable contribution to an industry he clearly loved.”

A video of the full event can be viewed on the BSIA’s YouTube page at www.youtube.co.uk/user/theBSIA. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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London’s top construction event makes an in-person return [LONDON BUILD is set for a huge return to

Olympia London’s Grand Hall for a live expo on the 17-18 November. There is going to be one major celebration as the doors open to the UK’s biggest festival of construction.

Much more than just your average construction event, London Build is an awardwinning show and is regarded as one of the largest and best construction exhibitions around the globe. Visitors can meet, network and do business with thousands of London’s top contractors, developers, architects and more.

This year London Build features: 250-plus exhibitors, over 500 speakers across six stages, 200-plus CPD sessions and exclusive free-to-attend networking events, including Meet the Buyer, Women in Construction and Diversity in Construction, a Humans of Construction Gallery, entertainment, live music and much, much more.

Organisers Oliver Kinross enthused: “London Build is the ultimate platform for networking and connecting with thousands of senior-level decision-makers, buyers and influencers from across the UK’s entire built environment. Discover how you can get involved with major construction projects in the UK as you connect with industry experts and senior representatives from government, architects, major developers, housing builders and Tier 1 contractors.”

London Build plays host to six conference stages: The Future of Construction, BIM and Digital Construction, Fire Safety, Diversity and Inclusion, Sustainability and The Built

Environment Hub. Each year sees thousands of professionals attend, as they come to learn about the latest developments, innovations and case studies from leading industry experts.

Oliver Kinross explained: “Hear from the leaders who are driving change in the UK’s construction industry at the Diversity and Inclusion stage. Here you’ll get the opportunity to hear from a diverse and wide range of speakers, talking about how they are striving to make the UK’s built environment an inclusive industry.

“At the Future of Construction Stage you can hear all the latest news on developments, innovations and project opportunities in London. The BIM and Digital Construction Stage sees panellists discussing all things digital, as they highlight the latest trends and innovations in digital construction, while you can learn from fire experts from leading contractors, civil engineers, industry bodies and more, as they discuss fire regulation, legislation and innovation post-Grenfell on this year’s Fire Safety Stage.

“Finally, the Sustainability Stage features sustainability experts from leading contractors, engineers, architects and developers, with panels discussing topics that include COP26, Net Zero and Healthy Buildings and Spaces.”

The Built Environment Hub is the place to go to expand connections, and take the chance to network with thousands of visitors at exclusive free-to-attend events, such as Women in Construction – the largest meeting of women in the construction industry in the UK. That

session will offer professional individuals the chance to learn from a panel of established experts, discussing the untapped opportunities for women working in construction.

The hub also hosts Diversity in Construction, a networking session where visitors can make connections and feel inspired. Here they will get the opportunity to meet a panel of diversity champions from all across the UK’s built environment, who will be discussing the key issues surrounding diversity and inclusion within the construction industry.

London Build Expo is free to attend and promises to be two fun-filled days of highlevel content, networking opportunities and endless entertainment. Stands are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited, so potential exhibitors are advised to contact the organisers now to avoid disappointment. There is also a range of sponsorship packages available, to help you stand out from the crowd. To make an enquiry about exhibiting or sponsorship visit the website at www.londonbuildexpo.com. q

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Fife council housing programme set to continue [ FIFE COUNCIL in Scotland

has approved proposals in principle for a programme to build 1,200 more council houses between 2022 and 2024.

Referred to as a Transitional Affordable Housing Programme (AHP), the development and delivery of the additional houses will maintain the supply of affordable housing as the current Phase 3 programme comes to an end in May 2022.

The report presented to members of the Policy and Co-ordination Committee proposes a two-year Transitional AHP and a specific Town Centre Housing Approach to regenerate town centres. The proposal builds on the successful delivery of 2,700 new council houses completed during the Phase 2 programme from 2012-17, and 3,500 new council houses due to be completed in Phase 3.

Convener of the council's Community and Housing Services Sub-

Committee, Cllr Judy Hamilton, commented: “To ensure we maintain the vital supply of new council houses we need a plan that will follow-on immediately from the current Phase 3 Affordable Housing Programme. Today we approved the initial proposal and gave the go ahead for detailed, costed plans to be developed and brought to the Community and Housing Services Sub-Committee in October.

“I remain absolutely committed to meeting the housing needs of people of Fife. Each new council house in each development provides every new tenant with a high-quality, comfortable home built to the highest standards.

“Our successful Affordable Housing Programme is a top priority for the council and, working with partners including the Fife Housing Association Alliance, we are aiming to create as many safe, warm and affordable homes for Fifers as possible.” q

New homes scheme offers discounts to local keyworkers [ ON 4 JUNE the first homes went on sale in the government’s First Homes

scheme, which offers discounted houses for local people and key workers.

The first development to feature the discounted homes is a Keepmoat site in Bolsover, Derbyshire.

The First Homes scheme offers homes at a discount of at least 30% compared to the market price. That same percentage will then be passed on with the sale of the property to future first-time buyers, meaning homes will always be sold below market value. The scheme is aimed at supporting local people who struggle to afford market prices in their area, but want to stay in the communities where they live and work.

Major high-street lenders Halifax and Nationwide Building Society, along with local building societies and community lenders, announced that they will be offering high loan-to-value mortgages against First Homes to support the roll-out of the scheme.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Enabling more people to buy their own homes is at the heart of the mission of this government, and First Homes will offer a realistic and affordable route into home ownership for even more people who want to own their own home. Thanks to First Homes, we will offer more homes to local people and families, providing a route for first-time buyers to stay in their local areas rather than being forced out due to rising prices.

“First Homes will also support our fantastic key workers who are looking to get their first foot on the housing ladder – from front-line doctors and nurses to delivery drivers and supermarket staff – by giving many of them the chance to buy a home at a 30% discount. These homes will be locked in for perpetuity to first-time buyers and key workers from their local area – making them an asset to both their owners and the wider local community.”

Tim Beale, CEO of Keepmoat Homes, added: “We are delighted to be working with our partners in government, Homes England and Bolsover District Council to launch the First Homes scheme, which is specifically designed to support first-time buyers and keyworkers and help them take their first steps on the property ladder.

“Keepmoat Homes is one of the UK’s leading homebuilders for first-time buyers, so it is great to be part of this initiative, which will help even more people realise their dream of owning their own home. This is a true example of how working in partnership helps to support local people and communities.” q

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FMB backs MPs’ call for more planning cash [

THE GOVERNMENT should bring forward extra funding for local authority planning departments to help speed up the planning process, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The call came in response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee report, The future of the planning system in England, published in June.

In the report’s summary the committee stated: “The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government should now seek to obtain a Treasury commitment for an additional £500m over four years for local planning authorities. Providing this certainty of funding should precede the introduction of the Planning Bill.”

The chief executive of the FMB, Brian Berry, responded: “I strongly support the Housing Committee’s calls for the government to bring forward an additional £500m over the next four years for local authority planning departments.

That will help address significant delays in the planning process that are disproportionately impacting our smallest housebuilders.

“Almost one in two small to medium-sized (SME) housebuilders say that the planning system is one of the biggest constraints on their ability to build more homes.

My members tell me that they typically wait one year for a determination on a small site. Those statistics are unacceptable in the face of a national housing shortage, and when we are far from reaching the government’s targets of building 300,000 new homes a year. We will only achieve that target by reversing the decline in SME housebuilders, who once built 40% of new homes but now just 12%.” q

Pride in the Job: first round winners announced [THE NHBC has announced this year’s first round winners in its flagship Pride in the Job awards. The competition recognises site managers who have achieved the very highest standards in house building across the UK. From a field of more than 10,000 site managers, 450 have won a Quality Award – the first round of the awards. That represents the top 5% of those who were entered and is testament to their commitment to delivering quality homes for their customers.

Pride in the Job was launched over 40 years ago and is the most highly-regarded competition in the housebuilding industry. Judging is rigorous, with the current competition having begun in July last year. Each site manager is assessed across six key areas: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise, and health and safety.

The NHBC sees Pride in the Job as being at the heart of its core purpose of supporting the delivery of high-quality new homes. By recognising the very best site managers across the UK the competition celebrates the vital role that site managers play in ensuring new homes are delivered on time, on safe sites and to exacting construction quality standards.

The competition has three categories for different sized businesses – small, medium and large housebuilders – plus a multi-storey category for site managers working on projects of five storeys or more.

The Quality Award winners will go on to compete for Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards in the autumn, with the national Supreme Award winners in each category being unveiled next January.

NHBC chief executive Steve Wood commented: “Pride in the Job has been pivotal in improving the quality of new homes for more than 40 years. Despite the numerous challenges the industry has faced, the very best site managers of 2021 have remained focused on delivering high-quality new homes for their customers.

“At NHBC we are very proud of Pride in the Job, what it stands for and the impact it has across the sector. Pride in the Job-winning sites have higher levels of homeowner satisfaction as these homes are among the very best in the country.

“Congratulations to all the 2021 Pride in the Job Quality Award winners – be proud of what you are building and the standards you are setting.” q

S Wales social housing project reaches completion [

LOVELL HAS ANNOUNCED the completion of the Cot Farm redevelopment in Newport, South Wales, for Newport City Homes.

Located in the Ringland area of Newport, the £7.5m design and build scheme was started in 2018 and consists of 55 one and twobedroom apartments, two and three-bedroom homes and one bungalow, which have been made available for social rent.

Cot Farm is the first phase of a wider large-scale transformation programme set to bring a new lease of life to Ringland, and has been developed in close consultation with the local community. The project includes building 170 new homes in total and relocating the area’s Ringland Shopping Centre.

As one of Newport City Homes’s largest estates, Cot Farm has successfully helped to revitalise the Ringland area and ensures that residents can take pride in their community.

Alongside the new homes and enhanced community, Cot Farm created three apprenticeships and numerous job opportunities and work placements, providing local people with entries into the construction industry.

Lovell also hosted a number of training workshops and careers events for the local community and schools, including Coleg

Gwent, Wales’s largest further education college. There the developer helped 12 college students attain their CSCS cards.

James Duffett, regional managing director of Lovell, said: “We’re delighted at the successful completion of the Cot Farm project in Newport.

At Lovell, we put people at the heart of all our operations and we’re very proud to have provided the local community with high-quality, much-needed new homes, as well as a thriving new place to call theirs and numerous jobs and apprenticeships.”

Matthew Davies, executive director of development at Newport City Homes, added: “We’re so pleased to have welcomed 55 families into their new homes at Cot Farm. The Cot Farm development is the first phase of our regeneration masterplan for the Ringland community, which aims to create an attractive, vibrant and modern place to live and work, as well as providing much needed affordable homes to meet the housing crisis.

“As part of our wider plans, which are currently being considered by Newport City Council, we hope to build a modern new shopping centre which will be close to other new services being brought to the area, including the Newport East Health Hub.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Report quantifies the benefits of information management [ EVERY £1 INVESTED in information management

(IM) in construction could potentially secure up to £6 of labour time savings, while boosting government efforts to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, according to a landmark report from a team of specialists in the field.

The report, The Value of Information Management in the Construction and Infrastructure Sector, was commissioned by the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB) as a partner of the Construction Innovation Hub and produced

by KPMG and Atkins. The research found evidence of strong organisational benefits that could be enabled by IM. Analysis of 11 case studies found that the use of IM could potentially secure between £5.10-£6.00 of direct labour productivity gains for every £1 invested in IM, and £6.90 in total cost savings.

The evidence suggests that IM could also enable cost savings across different stages of the asset’s total lifecycle, ranging from 1.6% to 18%, depending on the lifecycle stage.

The report also found that implementing IM in the construction and infrastructure sector today could potentially unlock wider benefits across the whole economy in the future.

Raising the productivity of the sector through IM could also put the UK in a better position to meet the government’s long-term objectives for delivering significant public and private investment in infrastructure to Build Back Better and support the transition to net-zero by 2050.

A significant driver of that wider impact is the role of the sector in supporting growth in the UK’s capital stock. The report estimates that a 1% productivity improvement in the design, construction and maintenance of newly-built assets enabled by IM in 2021 – estimated at £2.3bn – could increase the UK’s capital stock by some 0.25%, or £32bn, in 2051.

Definition of information management [INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (IM) is the process by

which an organisation collects, structures, stores, uses and shares its data to perform its core business across asset lifecycle activities. In the construction and infrastructure sector IM is enabled by the application of the UK BIM Framework and supports wider digital transformation approaches – data analytics, data science, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence/ machine learning applications.

Together, those approaches improve the quality, availability and timeliness of the information available to organisations – facilitating more efficient and effective decisions and investments across the asset lifecycle. National-scale development and adoption of common approaches to IM across organisations in the sector supports interoperability of asset data and the opportunity for the future development of a National Digital Twin. q

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CDBB’s executive director Alexandra Bolton explained: “This groundbreaking report sets out the benefits of IM to businesses through increased labour productivity, to the wider economy through driving GDP growth and to society by improving the quality of outcomes for the end customer, the wider public and the environment. It provides compelling evidence that increasing investment in IM, and a greater focus on and analysis of the wider benefits that it delivers, could not only help to close the sector’s productivity gap, but could also unlock economic, environmental and social gains to create a better future for people and the planet.”

Keith Waller, programme director of the Construction Innovation Hub, added: “This study provides tangible evidence that IM is driving wider organisational improvements through digital transformation. Analysis shows how organisations utilising IM to enable modern methods of construction have developed new, innovative services in the market, and also brought life into projects that were once simply too costly.

“The challenges the construction sector faces are increasingly complex, and this report shows we have both the tools and the expertise to face these challenges, delivering innovative and joined-up solutions that will embed true value into the projects of today, which will meet the challenges of tomorrow.” q

UK and US collaborate on BIM [ ON 25 MAY a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was announced

between representatives of the UK and the US pledging to work together on the development of the US National BIM Program.

Marking the next step in a two-year collaboration, the MoU will see the US National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) work with experts from the Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB) in the UK on the development of a national BIM programme for the US, supporting international alignment on technical standards for the built environment.

The US-UK collaboration has been enabled by the UK’s Construction Innovation Hub, which brings together world-class expertise from BRE, the Manufacturing Technology Centre and the CDBB to transform the construction industry.

Adam Matthews, head of international at CDBB, said: “This partnership continues the global trend of knowledge sharing between countries that is accelerating and aligning the construction sector's digitalisation journey. It marks the culmination of two years of close joint working between the two countries – by working together to innovate the built environment we can create better outcomes for people and places.”

Lakisha Ann Woods, president and chief executive officer of NIBS, added: “The mission of the US National BIM Program is to convene industry stakeholders to lead the development and broad deployment of next-generation national information management standards and practices, focused on significantly improving the built environment delivery and operation processes. We are thrilled to work with CDBB as a collaborative partner to address these global industry opportunities.” q

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