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A list of entries tagged with Innovations

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Dry Sponge Roller

Published 4 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesConserve of energy Rainwater harvesting Water saving measures

This contractor is using the Bowcom Bowdry MK11 which collects up to 60 litres of water per minute, it is simple to operate, transport and store. The environmental advantages include no power usage, and replaces wet vacs and puddle pumps. The device is manually pushed and the rollers are replaceable with another sponge. This is a non-powered, quick and safe…


Cabins to Support Neurodiverse Individuals

Published 4 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesDisadvantaged and minority groups support Facilities designed to accommodate equality and diversity needs Hidden disabilities support

This contractor has introduced inclusive cabins, sympathetic to the needs of individuals with neurodiverse conditions. These come with several enhancements to colours (walls and signage), dimmable lighting, acoustic sound barriers, textures on chairs and temperature controls. Environmental and sustainable improvements including water harvesting, B rated cabins (first across the industry), eco-grid walkways and recycled plastic lumbar fencing.


Aquafuel Generator

Published 4 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesBiofuels Energy efficient plant and equipment Green/renewable energy

This contractor is using a generator which uses glycerin as its power source. This is a waste product from bio diesel production and when consumed in the generator it provides mobile power with zero particulate emissions, it is also non-flammable, non-toxic and biodegradable and therefore has a very low carbon footprint. This is an example of beneficial reuse of a…


Lions Barber Collective

Published 11 July 2022 | Written by David Carter
CategoriesAccess to health practitioners and counselling services Mental health

Together with their client, this contractor engaged with The Lions Barber Collective to visit the site and offer free haircuts to site operatives, with the goal of fostering positive mental health conversations. The charities barbers are trained in conversations around mental health and offer their “clients” a relaxed environment to broach what are often considered difficult conversations The initiative was…


Quickdeck Hanging Platform

Published 5 May 2022 | Written by Tatiana Meakin
CategoriesCarbon reduction Controls Falling objects Health risk assessments and monitoring

In order to allow works to the theatre roof alongside works to the auditorium below, it was proposed to install a hanging platform to provide a safe working platform for the works, whilst protecting operatives below from falling objects. A traditional tube and fitting platform is made up of long span beams tied together with traditional tube and fitting components….


Reuse of Plastic Drums

Published 28 April 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesRainwater harvesting Water saving measures

This project is reusing plastic drums, painting them in corporate colours and dividing them internally. The top part of each drum is planted with flowers and has a permeable divider that allows excessive rain water to filter into the lower half. The water in the lower half is syphoned off by a tap and the water is then reused to water…


Mud on Road App and Camera

Published 1 March 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesDust Inspection and corrective action Maintenance of hoarding and fences Periodic inspection and clean-up of boundaries

A Mud on Road App is used by logistic staff which creates a real time report on the state of the roads around the sites and if required a road sweeper will be called out. The Second element is the ‘Mud Cam’, which is an AI camera system which is currently being trialled which will detect any mud on the…


Nature Detectives

Published 27 January 2022 | Written by Sury Patel
CategoriesEducation

Nature Detectives is an initiative to encourage children, families, and also adults to engage in detecting what other ‘residents’ are making their homes. They are doing this on the estate by recording activity at bat boxes, bird boxes and swift bricks together with sightings of badgers, foxes, various butterflies, insects and different birds. ‘Detective Kits’ are provided for children with…


Be a Game Changer – Stress Campaign

Published 27 January 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesAccess to health practitioners and counselling services Mental health

One of the issues this contractor is finding on site is stress, especially during the pandemic and the effect that this has had on their workforce. The contractor has set up a partnership with the Newcastle United Foundation to become ambassadors for the ‘be a game changer’ campaign, they have carried out a workshop and are following this up site…


NFC Medical Information and Emergency Contact Details Tag

Published 27 January 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesEmergency preparedness

The site is trialling an NFC chip, which can be located in a wrist band (for use by visitors), card, helmet tag or fob for operatives. This is a data storage device which is being used on the site for any medical information and as well as emergency contact details. By uploading this information to the chip using a tag…


Beyond the Line of Visual Sight Drone Trial

Published 27 January 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesInspection and assurance

This contractor is the first in the UK to use drone flight to be controlled from beyond the line of visual sight (BLOVS) and is intended to pave the way for them to be stored on or flown to site to carry out visual inspections without operators needing to travel to site. The drone pilot is located in a central…


Motion Frame

Published 27 January 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesPrefabrication

Motion Frame is a Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) panelised wall system, made up of a traditional head track and 2 sided plasterboard sandwich panels with an insulated filling. The panels are lifted and installed by hand from the ground level with no working at height requirement. Once in position they are fixed in to place by adding ‘feet’…


Visually Measuring Noise Levels On Site

Published 27 January 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesNoise

One of the issues on site is measuring noise levels, traditionally noise levels are measured with a decibel reader and the noise is displayed as a numeric reading. On this project they have purchased a device which turns sound into a automatised colour display, the SoundEar 3. SoundEar3 is a visual-based product, designed to provide the user with a comprehensive…


Electrically Powered Crawler Crane

Published 27 January 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesEnergy efficient plant and equipment

This site is extremely congested with the new building being constructed within metres of occupied student accommodation and also residential properties. A newly imported from America hybrid/electrically powered crawler crane was found to overcome noise and pollution issues. The diesel engine only being needed at start up then all jib operations are electrically powered. More normal self erecting electrically powered…


Podcast for the Next Generation

Published 27 January 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesCommunity engagement Notice board Promoting construction as a career choice Schools and nurseries

This contractor is passionate about ensuring that they encourage the next generation to join the industry especially to overcome the current skills shortage the industry is experiencing. As a result of the pandemic it has made it very difficult for them to provide talks and events within the local, and as a result they have developed a podcast with support…


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