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Supply Chain Sustainability School’s Toolbox Talks
The Supply Chain Sustainability School is an online resource available for all individuals working in the construction industry. The School addresses a range of topics from Waste and Carbon, Fairness, Inclusion and Respect, Modern Slavery and many more sustainability issues. To help the construction sector tackle these industry-wide issues, the School has developed a number of Toolbox Talks for a...
Battery Powered Cut-Off Saw
We are currently using battery powered cut-off saws, rather than petrol cut-off saws. The benefit to the site is that the saw can be used indoors as well as outdoors, due to the lack of emissions. There is no need to store petrol onsite, and the decibels rating is slightly lower than a petrol saw. It is also very lightweight...
Site Dust Hotspotting
After the One Body dust awareness campaign, the project identified that more quantified evidence was required to understand the dust levels that operatives were being exposed to. The evidence could then be used to help combat the health implications of exposure to dust. The project worked with the client’s on-site health provider, Park Health, to undertake personal noise and dust...
CO2 Neutralising Felt Roof
During the procurement process for the project, we challenged ourselves to procure materials that provided an environmental benefit to the project. Through our supply chain partnerships, we were able to source a product which bettered the original roofing specification and would have a positive impact on the environment. Our client was fully supportive of this and approved our proposed change...
Minimising Carbon Footprint
Following the CCS ‘Spotlight on…air pollution’ campaign, our site completed the e-learning module and undertook further reading around the issue. We then found an article published on the BBC website which included a postcode checker for air pollution levels. We entered our site information and realised that we were in an area of low air pollution. This was a great...
Clean air routes for Walking Meetings 
After a recent staff wellbeing survey, the team at Greenwich Peninsula Upper Riverside realised that meetings in the site should be managed better. Part of this was to increase time efficiency and reduce pressure on schedules by limiting a meeting’s run time. We saw that this could be addressed in part by creating ‘walking meeting’ routes of varying length, this...
UK’s Largest Hybrid Generator
The construction of new passenger tunnels between existing platforms at Kennington Station had to be completed within a 16-week window and works were required 24/7. There was insufficient power supply available from the station and therefore a large external diesel generator was required. The generator had to be located very near to residential properties and there was concern over the...
Temporary ‘Breath’ Panels Used to Improve Air Quality
At Morley House, Regent Street, we have installed temporary ‘Breath Panels’ to our scaffold. The Breath is a multi-layered fabric with an activated charcoal core designed to improve local air quality by absorbing common urban pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx). The primary source of NOx in urban areas is the combustion of fossil fuels in road vehicles or heating...
Greening the Grey
Multiplex has partnered with researchers at the University of Glasgow to conduct a trial of Green Screens at the construction site for the new Learning & Teaching Hub. This trial will evaluate how green screens compare to traditional construction hoarding to trap air pollutants and slow down rainfall runoff. Green screens are made from a steel grid and densely woven...
BIOAIR – Living breathing wall
On site, a green wall was created that would benefit biodiversity as much as possible. Working with the supplier, Kier reviewed the local biodiversity action plan and existing biodiversity in the area to select plants to use in the green wall. The plants were chosen to attract pollinators and the wall was placed on the hoarding in the church yard....
Using ‘AdBlue’ on plant machinery
Construction is a key contributor to air pollution and contractors should seek ways to minimise emissions from their activities. See the examples below for how one site achieved this: The project team are piloting a scheme whereby only forklifts using AdBlue can be used on site. AdBlue reduces the harmful nitrogen oxide emissions of diesel engines, converting harmful mono-nitrogen oxide...
Improving Air Quality
Following discussions between the site team, we agreed to get behind and support Clean Air Day on 21st June 2018. Lots of members of the team got involved including the clients Clerk of works; making pledges to turn engines off whenever possible; cycle to work and leave the car at home. Our Site Manager Rob Heaton and Site Labourer Stuart...
‘Spotlight on… air pollution’ follow-up article
In February 2018, the Scheme launched ‘Spotlight on… air pollution’ to raise awareness of the impact of air pollution and provide the industry with advice on tackling the issue. ‘Spotlight on… air pollution’ provides a central resource for everyone in the industry to improve their knowledge of air pollution, including statistics, examples of best practice, useful resources and practical guidance....
Combined noise and dust control
At their project for University College London Hospital, Mace have implemented the use of combined acoustically rated and dust control enclosures. The project consists of providing a new build facility to allow the client to relocate a number of related medical treatment streams into a single new building. The site is located adjacent to the existing hospital and due to...
Air Quality Monitoring
Volatile organic compounds are common chemical contaminants found in offices and workplaces and are one reason for odours. A number of these compounds can be a health hazard for workers. Reducing exposure to these chemicals can lead to better health for workers. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention VOCs found in the workplaces can include: Paints, varnishes...
Clean Air Kits to measure NO2 levels on site and tackle air pollution
Our site, Wyndham Park in Grantham, is a locally renowned green area for local residents. Due to the earth works we were introducing plant and machinery to the area, so as a considerate constructor we wanted to monitor and reduce the impact these machines would have on the ecosystem. To help site combat air pollution, Robert Woodhead Ltd ordered a...
Managing indoor air quality
External air quality caused by dust nuisance is actively managed whereas indoor air quality management can be overlooked. At our Greenwich site we have a committed approach to limiting dust and VOC exposure to our operatives and have undertaken the following steps; Air quality specialist reviewed working practices on site focusing on Drylining, Joinery and Drilling operations where a series...
Considerate Constructors Scheme ‘Construction Dust and Air Quality’ Guidance Note
As part of the scoring process, the Considerate Constructors Scheme issues guidance notes to our Monitors on key issues to advise them on best practices to look out for when visiting sites, companies and suppliers. Following the launch of ‘Spotlight on… air pollution’, the Scheme redoubled its efforts to encourage registered sites, companies and suppliers to minimise air pollution from...
Using exhaust filters to reduce air pollution
We wanted to introduce a clean air initiative on a student accommodation project due to the amount of plant that would be operating on site as we are situated in a fairly busy residential area. We contacted a supplier who manufactures heavy duty exhaust filters that can be fitted externally to items of plant, this filter kit removes 95% of...
Electronic Screed Pump
As part of the site’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and disruption to its neighbours following the hand over of phases that bordered current working areas, the site team began to investigate what could be done to reduce the site’s impact on the environment. An area identified was the use of plant on site. Alternatives for the traditional plant...
Photocatalytic hoarding – breaking down pollution
The Battersea Power Station Phase 3a project has demonstrated its commitment to innovation, sustainability and its workforce by installing a pollution-absorbing hoarding on-site. The project team worked with the manufacturer prior to product launch to install the substrate onto site hoarding and also set up monitors to understand what the real life impact is on a live construction project. Through...
Hybrid Excavators
The Battersea Power Station Phase 3a project is using hybrid excavators to help complete the excavations on site with minimal impact on the local community. The excavators are being used in locations close to nearby sensitive receptors to help minimise the projects impact on the local community. The excavators have a traditional engine which is complemented by a lithium-ion battery....
Exhaust fluids to lower diesel emissions – AdBlue
Emissions regulations set by the EU and incorporated into UK law now require vehicle manufacturers to meet stringent emissions standards. In order to meet these standards, diesel vehicles often employ selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology that involves injecting precise amounts of a liquid into the vehicle exhaust. AdBlue is one of the most common of these systems. When the AdBlue solution...
Air pollution application
Here at Kidbrooke village we promote striving for good air quality for our community and operatives. We have posters around the site asking operatives to download the air quality app for London. This is to try and educate operatives on the importance of air quality and to remind them of the importance of minimising air pollution. To find out more...
Air pollution monitoring awareness poster
As part of the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s current focus on environmental monitoring, in particular air pollution, Willmott Dixon at the Route 39 site have employed an air pollution monitoring poster to support the Scheme’s current focus and documentation. These signs are fixed across all site noticeboards in the site office, canteen and around the site to raise maximum awareness of...
Diesel Generator – Air Quality Impacts
Prior to the availability of mains power the site offices and welfare units had to be powered by a diesel generator. This generator was located adjacent to the offices/welfare and in conjunction with Kings College London air quality monitoring (particulates and black carbon) was undertaken. The monitoring station was located on the stairwell next to the canteen door (which was...
Efficient Management of Non Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM)
Current estimates of NRMM emissions on construction sites indicate that they are responsible for 7% of NOx emissions, 14% for PM2.5 and 8% of PM10 emissions across the Capital. In 2014, the GLA released the Supplementary Planning Guidance document ‘The Control of Dust and Emissions from Construction and Demolition’. This document outlines the NRMM standards for new engine emissions in...
Traffic management that meets all demands
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. Healthy Streets designed to tackle the physical inactivity crisis Reduced traffic congestion on London’s streets Better air quality and work aimed at making London a zero-carbon city A...
Emission reduction schemes
Morgan Sindall’s commercial fleet driver performance is managed through a tracker system. The best drivers each month are identified and the best driver each quarter receives a £150 cash prize. We also recently produced an online ‘Driver Safety for Car Drivers’ e-Learning module, making completion mandatory for all Morgan Sindall staff. The module highlights efficient driving techniques, including a top...
Company car selection incentives to reduce carbon emissions
At Morgan Sindall we are committed to improving the environment in which we work and live in. Reducing our carbon emissions and improving air quality is one way of doing this. Incentives are produced as part of the company car selection process, based on base model CO2 figures and deviation from the same. As stated in the company car policy:...
