Lofty ambitions for the London City Island project – Ballymore Properties Ltd
London City Island is located on what was formerly known as the Leamouth Peninsula in Canning Town, East London.
Describing the development, Project Manager Joseph Cullen said:
“This exciting scheme consists of 1706 new apartments which are a mix of private and social. The Considerate Constructors Scheme has given our team a combined goal – while enveloping CCS principles – of wanting to make a difference to the day-to-day lives of all associated with this unique development here at London City Island.”
The multi-faceted development will consist of the English National Ballet’s new headquarters, leisure space, office space, retail space as well as creative industries to be based on the London City Island in recognition by Ballymore of the local area’s art scene.
One of the challenges the site team encountered during this project was in relation to health and safety and the use of correctly fitting masks.
Joseph explained:
“We found that the trades were willing to use the correct equipment, but the knowledge and education of the operatives on how to use the equipment correctly wasn’t always prevalent. In order to overcome this challenge, we had Trades-Wear representatives organising mask fitting demonstrations for free for all of our site operatives. We had a successful mask-fitting training day and the benefits of knowing how to use the PPE correctly were noticeable – we have not encountered this issue on site ever since.
“We have also learned from this event that in order for a person to correctly fit a mask and for it to work correctly, there must be a constant seal around the perimeter of the mask and the skin on a person’s face. If there is not always a constant seal – perhaps due to stubble – this means the mask will not always work. In order to solve this we have set up a shave station on site so people can choose to shave their stubble in order to ensure a neat seal of mask and skin.”
Here are some more examples of best practice initiatives carried out by Ballymore Properties Ltd to comply with the Considerate Constructors Scheme:
- A local artist was provided with funding to paint a hoarding.
- Aerial footage captured by a site drone was made into a YouTube film to promote the site.
- Considerate values were raised at induction, with a number of directors giving talks on the induction DVD about their specialist areas and what these mean to the company and the workforce.
- Social media was used to help promote the site and its progress.
- The project team successfully raised £3,500 for the Mind charity, and, thanks to the help of Ruddy Joinery and Apex Decorators, Mind charity’s local base at Whitethorn Street was successfully painted, decorated and given new decking.
- Movember was celebrated and the charitable boxes for this remained until Christmas.
- The staff at a local factory were allowed to use the site canteen, as their catering facilities were some distance away.
- A cabin, iPads and kitchen equipment were donated to a local school.
- Children visited the site with their parents and received complimentary hi-viz vests.
- The community board had the most recent seasonal newsletter displayed, as well as lots of photos of site activities in relation to the community, in addition to information on progress, useful workforce information and 24/7 contact details.
- Job opportunities were advertised as the site was focused on the employment of local people.
- A suggestion box was located on the perimeter of the compound for feedback from the general public, and the CCS questionnaire was sent out at the end of phase 1 to provide learning for the phase 2 works.
- Information on performance targets for waste and measurement are also displayed, both inside and outside the site.
- Redundant site materials are reused and one of the smoking areas was constructed out of wooden pallets.
- A green travel plan was displayed on the site and cycle racks are provided.
- Wild flowers were being grown along the entrance ramp, with planted beds at the entrance to the working areas of the site and planted containers hung on walls in the compound, with discarded milk bottles used as the containers. All of the plants were watered using rainwater collected in large bowsers or butts on the site.
- A toolbox talk was held on the protected kestrels seen on site and an information leaflet was displayed.
- An electric car charger was provided in one of the bays on the site.
- There was a large increase in the use of bicycles on site and this resulted in more parking bays being provided.
- A wormery was used for canteen waste and separation of recyclable materials in the offices.
- Carbon Trust posters were displayed around the site.
- A map and route was provided to the nearest accident and emergency department, with an app on how to deal with emergencies being widely promoted around the site.
- Subcontractors were measured weekly with a target in place and the workforce are encouraged to provide comments and suggestions via a formal system for which there are awards on both a weekly and a monthly basis.
- The contractor is a member of CLOCS and all suppliers were required to be FORS registered and traffic marshals are also trained in CLOCS and FORS.
- Random drug and alcohol tests took place regularly and there were daily safe start meetings and previous day meetings with supervisors.
- A defibrillator was available on site and advertised externally.
- They appointed mental health first aiders, and the Mind charity came to site to conduct a talk and offer advice to the workforce in the site canteen. They also had their ‘Mocha Mind’ coffee van parked outside the canteen where free coffees and a chat were conducted in informal surroundings, with great success.
- There were a number of women working on the site and a female advisor was available for them to get in contact with any concerns; they are provided with female style and fitted PPE.
- Toolbox talks were given which included respect, inclusion, fairness and tackling bullying in the workplace. In the women’s toilet, there was a poster identifying one of the female site managers who would help support any issues around bullying. This manager, along with several other managers, was trained in identifying and helping in stress-related and mental health issues.
- The CCS Spotlight on… subjects were well displayed, along with a range of healthy lifestyle matters. As well as being generally displayed around the site, these were centred in one particular area on the ‘Workforce Safety and Wellbeing Board’.
- Free fruit was provided every Friday.
- Stoptober and Movember were followed, with the reasons behind the campaigns effectively promoted.
- Comprehensive site facilities included a cloakroom-style changing room, showers and a separate canteen.
- Trade apprentices were employed on site, and one of the management trainees working with a subcontractor organised meetings involving the trade apprentices on site.
- A confidential site phone was available for the workforce.
- Illegal worker spot checks were carried out by the site itself, following a formal visit by immigration officers.
- The compound was located separately from the working area, so separation is clear, with subcontractor facilities located on the green route of the working area of the site.
- There were PCs provided on site to use for work-related activities for those who did not have one at home.
- The CCS Best Practice Hub was regularly used and the site was within the top 10 contributors.
- E-Learning was made available to the workforce and several have taken the CCS e-learning modules.
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