entries found
Noise mitigation methods during night works
Sir Robert McAlpine is currently working on a major project behind a retained façade on Grosvenor Place, London. During the demolition phase, a significant façade retention structure was constructed which posed some challenges when it came time for removal. One side of the project backs onto a TfL red route. Due to the pedestrian and vehicle traffic, TfL required the...
Site Marshal Active Experience Collaboration
Multiplex collaborated with Transport for London (TfL) to improve highway impact awareness for their marshals. This involved an escorted walk around two Multiplex sites to experience construction from the pedestrian perspective and to compliment class room training (Elite Marshal workshops). The physical accessibility of London’s streets, including the condition of foot ways, is important to improving people’s experiences of their...
Crane Suspended Curtain for Dust and Noise Minimisation
On a recent city centre project, Dem-Master introduced a huge curtain which, subject to wind conditions, was hung from a crane between the demolition site and an adjacent hotel. This, combined with the usual water suppression, was able to significantly reduce both the dust and noise affecting the hotel. The pictures, displayed above, show the innovation in action.
iTrack Driver Behaviour Monitoring
Despite putting a range of controls in place to influence driver behaviours, the project continued to be challenged with speeding, periodic erratic driving and the associated consequences (needless noise increases, endangering pedestrians, dust creation, generating poor perceptions, spillages of concrete and concrete washout etc.). With a steady trend of transgressions and ever increasing volumes of site traffic, the project was...
Drone Footage
As part of Pacy & Wheatley’s on-going work with Burnholme Care Home, we have commissioned drone footage of the York site to offer a fresh perspective of our latest project. We commissioned SkyeServe, a South Yorkshire-based company, to capture the development of the 80-bed care home. This video highlights how much has changed on-site since the turf-cutting ceremony on 12...
HAVS and Noise Information Cards
The project team have designed an information card to give to all operatives which shows all the tools and equipment that are commonly used on a daily basis, along with the vibration exposure limits and the noise levels associated with them. The card fits into the pocket in the high-visibility vests and is printed on non-tearable and waterproof paper. The...
Service Riser Protection
The GRP grating is called off to the exact size and shape required and delivered to site in aluminium form work to make it safer and easier to cast the recess into the slab for the GRP grating to sit in. This eliminates cutting the GRP on site (it is hazardous to cut) and using plywood form work and power...
GoPro Letter Drop
When the Blackpool tramway project hand delivered advance notice letters to the stakeholders in the local area, the client received a few complaints from the local stakeholders about the works. They stated they didn’t receive a letter to explain the future works, so the client and John Sisk explained that a letter drop had been carried two weeks prior. It’s important...
Temporary Access Way for Island Platform
During this rail project the team were required to gain access to an island platform for materials, plant, and equipment. To do this, they used 2400mm x 1200mm wide x 300mm polystyrene blocks that were covered with steel road plates. This built a three metre wide temporary access way which is level with both platforms and is capable of carrying...
Robotic Concrete Cutter
To minimise the risk of vibration and to reduce noise and dust, the site researched the potential of a robotic concrete cutter and crusher for use in forming an opening in a very thick concrete bunker wall in a confined area. The robotic concrete cutter provided flexibility for effective work in a confined space and the quiet, electric-powered hydraulics allowed...
Minimising Impact of Concrete Finishing
We are currently constructing a student accommodation project in a quiet residential area. Our planned hours are from 08:00 – 18:00 and the building frame is a reinforced concrete structure. Typically, we would have applied to the council for an out of hours permits when floor slab pours take place. This would allow us to complete finishing to the required...
Resident-friendly Scaffold Covering
The HSE standard for external works on high rise buildings mandated Monarflex covering to the scaffold. This would have meant no views out or direct daylight for over a year. This was deemed to be medically harmful to a number of tenants, particularly those with autism. The site negotiated with suppliers and HSE and obtained approval for triple stitched netting...
Environmentally-friendly Hydro-demolition Alternative
The site team has undergone underwater excavation in rock using rockwheel aka cold milling. The main scope for the project comprises of repairs to the existing masonry walls, using a combination of concrete, structural grouts and mortars, and replacement stone blocks from a local quarry. Scour and erosion to the toe wall was recognised as a potential source of weakness...
Solar Pod Generator
At Berkeley West Thames in Southall, we are committed to lowering emissions from our activities on site. As such, we encourage all our trade partners to strive towards our carbon objectives and targets. To this effect, FM Conway have brought to site a solar generator, the Autosmart Solar Pod, to power their welfare cabins. The Solar Pod charges batteries all...
Ecosmart ZERO Cabin
We have commissioned several Ecosmart ZERO units. This is their first use in UK construction. The cabins are powered by a combination of an emission free hydrogen gas powered fuel cell, which is almost completely silent and emits only pure water vapour, and an advanced solar power system, which on summer days can meet up to 100% of the power demands.
Community Cleanliness and Security
There are ongoing issues with dustbins, dumping of household rubbish and fly-tipping, but the project team, in collaboration with the local council, takes the bins to the top of the road each morning for the main collection, and informs the council of fly-tipping and hygiene issues as a matter of priority, to keep the area clean and healthy for the...
Tinnitus Tailor App
At a Project Scheme Champion’s meeting, one subcontractor advised on their issues with tinnitus and how they have managed the condition by using a mobile phone app. The Tinnitis Tailor app provides background sound therapy, which greatly reduces the effects of tinnitus. As tinnitus is a common condition (affecting around 30% of people) and brought about by changes in noise...
Hybrid Energy Concrete Crusher
Concrete is crushed on site using a hybrid crusher, which results in lower carbon emissions and reduced fuel consumption. Noise levels are also lower when running on electric power, an advantage when working in towns and cities and residential areas.
Solar Powered Noise Monitor
Taylor Woodrow were appointed in 2018 to build junction 10a on the M20, this new gyratory and link road system will alleviate heavy traffic from the existing junction 10. In order to adequately manage and monitor noise at local sensitive receptors during the build, three noise monitors have been installed to provide real-time data at three locations. A logistical challenge...
First Electric Powered JCB Mini Excavator
Kier Construction has tested the first electric powered JCB mini excavator whilst on their Chertsey High School site. They agreed to use the mini excavator within the ground floor of a new building so it could be trialled within a confined space. The mini excavator is powered entirely by electricity, meaning it produces zero emissions and significantly less sound than...
Dosebadge Personal Noise Monitoring
To ensure that our operatives are safe, and to provide them with the knowledge and education surrounding their own safety, we provided them with personal noise monitors to wear for a week at a time. All operatives were able to wear the monitors regardless of if they were directly employed, a subcontractor or contracted agency worker. The noise monitor clips...
Acoustic Dampening to Breaker
At our Osborne Parson’s North site, our specialist supplier “Goody” are trialling a simple and inexpensive way to reduce the noise from pneumatic breaking – by retrofitting an acoustic jacket. It was ascertained that, provided the breaker breathing vents are not covered over, there should be no issues. However, to be sure of this, it was advised that the temperature...
HSE Noise at Work
Noise associated with construction work is a common cause for complaints from the general public. However, it can also cause the workforce hearing damage if it is not adequately controlled, or if sufficient protection is not provided. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published some guidance relating to noise at work. This guidance looks at the problems that noisy working...
Reducing the Impact of Ground Breaking
The site team were concerned about the need to break road and pavement surfaces in such close proximity to the public on Leith Street, due to the potential impact of noise and debris. As a result, the team arranged for a purpose made rubber sleeve to be cut and fitted to the breaker to resolve the problem very effectively in...
Trench Forming
On the James Paget Hospital site, we are working in the middle of the hospital. The way the project team have been forming trenches in existing concrete, is to have the floor sawed to a manageable size, have a lifting eye fitted and lifted out to dispose of. This method reduces the risks of HAVs, dust and constant noise that...
Air Quality Trials
This site employed Capita to undertake wellbeing based air quality trials and provide performance indicators. Six headings were considered covering humidity, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), temperature, illuminance and noise. Results have been provided, identifying changes and improvements which have now been actioned. Results confirmed against a health building score and currently are generally satisfactory but areas of improvement...
Use of a Quad Saw
The use of a Quad-Saw against a multi-tool for electrical cut outs in plasterboard was demonstrated on site. The results found the Quad-Saw to create less noise and less vibration exposure. The Quad Saw also completed the cut outs in less time and created less dust exposure, due to the fact that on-tool extraction could be fitted, whereas on-tool extraction...
Mobile Phone Policy template
The Considerate Constructors Scheme has produced a mobile phone policy, for contractors to use on site or in the workplace in general. This is aimed at improving health and safety in construction. Please be aware that this Scheme document has been produced as a template, which can be adapted to meet the individual needs of your site/ company. To view...
Parking Permit
Pacy & Wheatley’s Diamond House site in Leicester is very tight on space and parking is also very limited, so we have introduced a Parking Permit. One A4 sheet of paper has two parking permits printed on it, this is then cut in half so that a single permit can be issued. The permits are filed within the blank induction...
Use of Gantry and Spider Cranes for 55 Douglas Street, Glasgow
Our team delivering the extension and refurbishment of office space at 55 Douglas Street in Glasgow City Centre, used a unique gantry and spider crane system to aid the erection of the steel to facilitate the extension to the front of the eight buildings. This method was chosen to avoid the need to place a crane on a public road...
