Considerately constructing and modernising RNLI St David’s Lifeboat Station – BAM Nuttall Ltd
BAM Nuttall Ltd’s project was to construct the last – and most technically and logistically challenging – RNLI Tamar-class lifeboat station in Pembrokeshire, South-West Wales.
Tamar-class lifeboats are all-weather lifeboats operated by the RNLI around the coast of the UK which have replaced the older Tyne-class vessels with an improved specification.
Carried out on behalf of client, RNLI (Trading), the £8.6m contract consisted of seven weeks enabling works and 77 weeks of construction.
BAM Nuttall has constructed eight Tamar-class RNLI stations around the coast of Britain, with the St David’s Lifeboat being its last and most challenging. It was constructed on fresh ground in the cove adjacent to the existing, and still operational, station.
This separate base allowed the St David’s crew to maintain their full all-weather lifeboat service during construction operations, with the works planned to keep disruptions to the crew and local pleasure boat trips to a minimum.
Outlining the complexities of the work, Site Manager, Andrew Pointon-Bell said:
“The particular challenge we have encountered on this project has been the logistics of getting materials and equipment to site whilst minimising the impact to the community and the environment. The access roads to site are narrow, single track country lanes with some tight bends. Some elements of the work, for example the access bridge into the cove we are working in, was designed with Early Contractor Involvement to ensure that each element of the bridge was no wider than the bed of a standard lorry so that we could get it into site.
“We also had to source the narrowest 400 tonne crane in the UK to install the bridge. The concrete works were programmed to happen during the summer of 2015 at the height of the school summer holidays. Pours were designed to be small so that the chance of lorries being delayed was less, and the impact of concrete lorries going through the city of St David’s was reduced. Pours were also done as early in the day as possible, to try and get the lorries through the city before the tourists’ day started. The marine works also took place during the summer of 2015. To do this work we had a 250 tonne Jack-Up barge positioned in the narrow bay.”
The new station consists of a glulam timber framed boathouse sat on a reinforced concrete boat well of approximately 900 cubic metres. The slab is supported by 14,800mm diameter columns, the longest of which are 10m. The foundations beneath the columns, which are in the tidal zone, are 54 drilled rock socket steel tube piles.
Here are some examples of best practice initiatives carried out by BAM Nuttall:
- The Pembrokeshire coastal footpath which was diverted around the edge of the site compound was kept free of obstruction, with stiles and kissing gates fitted.
- There was a dress code with full PPE worn and all members of staff wore jointly branded workwear with the client’s name.
- A company vision and value statement was displayed within the site accommodation.
- The company and CCS flag was flying adjacent to the site entrance, along with project information boards, contact details and website address for members of the public.
- Regular communication was maintained with those affected by the works, including local mariners. No complaints were received on the project to date and there were a number of compliments.
- Contact information was circulated widely among interested parties.
- Deliveries to site were scheduled to avoid peak traffic times in the City of St. David’s.
- Local residents were invited onto the site and the project received a visit from the local MP and Welsh Assembly Member.
- Local labour was actively sourced.
- The site sponsored a local gala held within the community and a carpenter was offered for a day as a prize.
- A time lapse camera was fitted and this was due to be passed to the client upon completion of the works for display in the new station.
- A rugby match was organised and funds raised were donated to the RNLI.
- A school visit was scheduled to make the children aware of construction site safety.
- To minimise the disruption to the RNLI, as well as the tourist boats’ operation of the adjacent slipway, the project team issued multiple notices to mariners to keep stakeholders informed of upcoming operations.
- Meetings were also held with the local boat operators’ group to help keep disruption to their tours to a minimum.
- Environmental audits were undertaken and environmental toolbox talks regularly held.
- A talk was given to operatives by the RSPB in relation to indigenous birds; wildfowl were rescued by the site and taken to a nearby wildlife rescue centre.
- There was a high level of awareness and commitment to the sensitive surrounding environment. An adder refuge was also formed.
- All utilities were monitored, as was the carbon footprint of the site, and the BAM Smart software system was used. This also provided feedback on recycling levels and the amount of waste diverted from landfill. Targets were in place to improve environmental performance.
- A top soil bund formed to screen accommodation was due to be re-used once the site compound was removed.
- Standing stones near the works were identified and protected.
- Bio oil was used as an environmentally-friendly fuel.
- Push taps, LED lighting, air hand dryers and high specification EcoCabins were used for all onsite welfare.
- Weekly health and safety inspections were undertaken by the site manager.
- The site participated in the company safety day and work was stopped when presentations were made to operatives. Behavioural safety training was offered.
- Three safety boats were present on the project. Emergency procedures were established and regular drills held, including man-overboard drills and tower crane driver evacuation.
- A temporary staircase was formed on the sea-front to minimise the use of ladders.
- The site used cordless power tools to address the issue of trailing leads. The hazard/safety board on the project was updated on a regular basis.
- Users of the coastal path enjoyed protected passage with farm fencing provided.
- There was an incentive in place with regard to promoting and improving safety by submitting observation cards.
- Random drugs and alcohol testing was used to monitor the company’s zero tolerance approach and all operatives underwent screening prior to employment.
- Visitors to site were inducted and escorted with their CSCS card details recorded.
- The company had an equal opportunities/diversity policy.
- Training was offered and there was a training matrix in place on site to ensure the correctly qualified people were available.
- Operative’s emergency contact details and pre-existing medical conditions were logged.
- There was a changing/drying area and lockers and showering facilities were available.
- Bunker bin units and caravans were used by the members of the project team who lived away from home, and washers and dryers were available on site.
- Apprentices and graduates were on work placements during the project.
- Occupational health information was displayed and healthy lifestyle advice offered.
- There was an open door culture on the site, driven from the top down, with feedback from the workforce welcomed via the use of observation cards and monthly safety committees.
- The company have BS 11000 and Investors in People accreditation.
