entries found
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
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...
360° Site Scanning
We are currently working with an artificial intelligence construction startup called Disperse, and we are focusing on improving on-site productivity with the help of computer vision. Disperse offers site progress updates and reports through the use of a 360 degree camera. The system is aligned with a programme, drawings and/ or a BIM Model to identify works to be carried...
Ejector Dumpers
The Ejector Dump Truck is being used on the M20 Junction 10a Project. The positives of the CAT 730 C2 EJ that is in use on the project include: New operator controls: advanced traction control system and a new stability-assist system. A fuel-saving ECO operating mode and modification that reduce empty weight by 22%. These features combine for an up...
Utility Management: Pipe Jacking
Transport for London (TfL) have adopted the Healthy Streets approach to improve air quality, reduce congestion and help make London’s diverse communities greener, healthier and more attractive places to live, work, play and do business. TfL is the highway authority for London’s busiest main roads, and part of its role is to manage the safe and efficient movement of traffic...
Avoiding Nuisance Through a Steel Plate Shear Wall System and Steel Truss System
At Marble Arch Place, Multiplex is building an 18 storey tower, a seven storey building and a five storey basement. As top-down construction is being used, temporary reinforcement is required to support the core and slabs above the basement before permanent support structures can be constructed. Initially, Multiplex was going to install 250mm and 400mm thick, heavily reinforced temporary, double...
Laser scanning to reduce over-digging and the impacts of unnecessary truck movements
At Marble Arch Place, Multiplex is digging a five storey basement, which will result in a large number of ‘muckaway’ trucks being required to remove the soil and clay required. Whilst laser scanning is now commonly used on sites, there are few companies that have used it extensively in basement digging. Multiplex used this extremely precise technique to avoid removing...
“Stop Knocking” Alert
This is an alert system designed by the site team which allows the client (BBC) to alert the site if any activity is interfering with a filming schedule. The site is divided into colour zones; the alarm in the area causing nuisance will flash and vibrate (it is not an audible alarm by design). Work will then cease until the...
Milwaukee Band-Saw
The SHE team working on the M23 SMART Motorways Programme recently helped trial the use of a band-saw in collaboration with supply chain partner NFF as part of the VRS decommissioning works. The aim was to use alternative methods where the risk of fire from hot works was too great to use traditional cutting with a circular saw, as well...
Source Containment of Dust and Debris
As part of the Fosse Park enabling works, there is a requirement to break out the existing concrete slab which is being undertaken by McDermott Building and Civil Engineering Ltd on behalf of Bowmer and Kirkland. To ensure that the activities minimise dust and debris nuisance, a containment shroud has been fitted to the arm of the excavator around the...
Innovative CCTV System
The site has implemented a CCTV system using Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras supporting privacy masking. Privacy masking ‘grey box’ blanks appear whenever the camera is panned, titled or zoomed. The mask is re-positioned and resized so that it continues to cover the original masked area, ensuring the same object is always hidden from view, regardless of the PTZ position. This means...
Neighbouring Communication Network
Frankton Group Security have now established a communication network to support each other with shared intelligence, which was previously limited to the nearby hotels. This is particularly effective in the area as most of the buildings have shared connected roof tops. The network has now expanded to all nearby hotels, private residences and construction projects. The communication network was set...
360 Camera and Google Street Maps
To promote their site, Robertson are using a 360 degree camera to record the full perimeter of site, detailing the site perimeter condition and works seen from the boundary, which is uploaded/ refreshed every two weeks. Anyone typing Menzieshill Community Centre into a search engine can take a virtual walk-round in 360 degree photo view, the current site boundary along...
