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The site has decided to switch from the traditional spill granules and spill catcher to SaveSorb which is a natural product made from Veriflora, a certified sustainable Canadian sphagnum peat moss. For more information regarding this innovation, please see the attachment below.

The site are running a trial on a new set of gloves designed specifically for traffic marshals. There is a lot of vehicle movement on the project and besides competency and all the other control measures in place, the site wanted something extra that could make a difference. The chosen glove is rated at cut level 5. This provides the protection…

The site team have introduced a  geo-grid/ geo-textile laying sledge which they have developed. This has improved the safety and productivity of the project. For more information regarding this innovation, please see the attachment below.

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…

The first dedicated ‘’working at height’’ manager supervised the assembly of a large piece of hanging scaffold which was lifted above a wash tower and lowered into position. This eliminated 70% of the working at height involved with the project. Mace also encouraged its supply-chain to reduce risks which led to its scaffolding contractor producing a hop-up platform that has…

The site has created a digital model which links design information with current risks on site so that these can be viewed in the office in 3-D. The site has also digitised non-conformance reports and linked these to graphical (or non-graphical) data so that they are included in the 3-D model. The 3-D model also contains all benchmarks on the…

The site team investigated the suicide rate within the construction industry and discovered, via The Office of National Statistics, that between 2011 and 2015: people working in construction were 63% more likely to die by suicide than the national average. There were over 1,400 suicides in construction in five years, more than any other profession. This was three times higher…

Balfour Beatty employed an independent company to carry out a safety climate survey of all staff, workforce, designers, clients and subcontractors on site. The purpose of the survey was to explore the risks that individual may take, their views on managers, their understanding of acceptable behaviours, whether they take risks over time, whether they were asked to take risks and…

Taking on board the possible delay between an accident on site and going back to the office to find out the medical/medication records, the site has created QR stickers to be placed inside helmets. Using a mobile phone, the QR code can be scanned which identifies the operative and gives medical information as well as next of kin. This can…

New generation “Havi watches” have been introduced. When worn, operatives have their actual vibration levels – relative to Hand-arm Vibration (HAV) – measured and recorded. Each day, the data is uploaded onto a docking station for analysis. The wrist device is calibrated each day and an alarm is activated if the pre-agreed exposure level is recorded. The device that was…

The large excavators on MPact-Thales are able to use GPS to maintain line and level control. Alongside the excavation model, MPact-Thales have developed a method for importing the utilities AutoCAD model into the excavator’s GPS display enabling operators to have a clear visualisation of the services within the areas they are working. These serve as a constant reminder of the…

To reduce packaging waste Thorpes have designed, in-house, bespoke re-usable racking/ stillages for transporting joinery components to site. The racking/ stillages come in a variety of sizes and are designed to fit on their delivery vehicle’s tail lift. The racking/ stillages also help reduce manual handling.

Focusing on waste reduction, the contractor has introduced a bar code scanning system for all trade contractors on their own designated waste. Trade contractors have a number of waste bins allocated to them and the usage is permanently monitored through the bar code system alerting the contractor if over usage is occurring. Financial penalties are given out if agreed waste…

‘Zero Carbon’ satellite welfare cabins are helping to lower the project’s carbon footprint. Instead of the traditional diesel units, solar PV panels on the rooves generate sufficient power to charge the batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell provides a backup. This is their first use on a Highways project and the initial trials of two cabins have proved very successful….

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping technology is being used to manage the environmental risks and visually present them to all project and supply chain staff, along with relevant links to data, documents and photographs. They plan to add in data on sensitive areas, including residents with special needs and technical information such as services, utilities and soil classification. To access…