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A list of entries tagged with Innovations

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Tower Crane Torquer

Published 11 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesControls Positive reinforcement for good safety practices

The torquer is a lifting accessory, which allows the user to control suspended loads and the orientation of the load in mid-air in order to lift and land in tight spaces without clashing with other objects and structures. This accessory is one of only two in the country, which if implemented more widely will reduce the risk of lifts clashing…


Fatigue Management

Published 11 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesConsultation on health and safety Health risk assessments and monitoring Inspection and assurance

This contractor has a fatigue management system in place with their workforce taking a 90 second test each morning on tablets in the canteen which measures cognitive impairment. This system shows patterns of fatigue on the project so shift patterns can be changed. It was discovered the Traffic management department were the most affected by fatigued due to shift work.


Surfacing Apprentice Scheme

Published 11 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesColleges and universities Promoting construction as a career choice

This contractor has created a Level 2 Apprenticeship scheme working directly with a local college. The Road Surfacing apprenticeship programme is spread over 18 months and involves practical onsite training with the contractors surfacing teams, combined with classroom training at the local college. They developed the programme with a specialist surfacing supplier, and the course covers a range of topics…


Mobile Waste Compactor Dust Extraction Canopy

Published 11 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesConserve of resources Dust Water saving measures

A dust extraction canopy was designed and manufactured for use on site and can be move to other sites. The canopy is designed to wheel in to place when a waste compactor arrives to site. On the canopy top, there is a hood with hoses attached that extract the dust to a scrubber at low level with replaceable filters. The…


Truss Ladder

Published 4 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesControls Health risk assessments and monitoring Positive leadership and risk ownership

The Truss ladder is a proprietary piece of equipment that enables a carpenter to work within the trusses at a high level safely. The ladder also stops the need for the carpenters to work outside the roof structure which puts them at a much greater risk of fall and serious injury. Previously carpenters would build themselves a ladder in the…


Trimble Vision

Published 4 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesInspection and assurance Monitoring Risk assessments

The use of Trimble Vision allows the site team to input modelled building elements and see them live on site. The main usage of this product is to show the team buried services in the ground prior to excavation assisting with service avoidance. This is a new piece of technology not widely used in the industry and has the potential…


Satellite Internet Connection – Starlink

Published 4 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesEngagement and commitment from the workforce Facilities designed to accommodate equality and diversity needs

The project team had no success in installing a stable good internet connection despite trying all types/providers of internet connections. The team therefore decided to install the new Starlink satellite internet connection at the main hub for the works. Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband. The cost of the connection is 70% lower than the closest competitor, with the satellites being…


Pod Point Electric Vehicle Charger

Published 4 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesElectric vehicles Green/renewable energy

An Electric Vehicle (EV) charger that can moved moved from site to site without the need for installation by a specific supplier. Most EV charging points are installed by suppliers and fixed on site to be removed at the end of a project. This Pod Point is fixed on a transportable mount and uses a plug and play electrical connection…


Medical School Scholarships to Support University Students

Published 4 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesColleges and universities Documented activities and targets for community engagement Engage with community facilities

Ahead of the very first intake of medical students to the new School of Medicine, at Ulster University’s Magee campus, this contractor pledged to support the careers of two future doctors. Two local students benefited from full scholarships for the entire life span of their degree programme, lasting four years. These scholarships will widen access, in supporting the education and…


Lotus Pro Ionised Cleaning

Published 4 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesCleaning and maintenance regime Decontamination regime

Lotus Pro uses only water to provide a simple, safe and sustainable way to clean. Using an electric current it ionises the water to produce stabilised aqueous ozone (SAO) which acts as a cleaning agent killing 99.9% of germs. This is a no VOC cleaning option avoiding issues of allergies and COSHH for cleaners use and for easier storage. It…


Lake Aeration through Venturi Effect

Published 4 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesDefined plan to protect and enhance the natural environment Identify potential natural environment detriment Protection of existing natural habitat

In the summer months on this project, the lake has suffered from blue algae which can be deadly to the fish and the natural habitat on site. This contractor is using a device with a normal pump which has been modified to allow Venturi effects under the water surface. The Venturi effect is the reduction in fluid pressure that results…


Fill and Monitor Solution to Construct Highway Embankment

Published 4 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesCarbon reduction Conserve of resources Monitoring and recording of resource usage

On this project, part of the road is carried on a 5m high embankment which overlies a historical railway cutting. The railway cutting was up to 9.5 m deep and is infilled with landfill material, placed predominantly during the 1970s. Ground investigation was carried out to determine the composition of the landfill material, which generally comprised a clay/sand matrix with…


Earth Friendly Concrete

Published 4 August 2022 | Written by Jack Endean
CategoriesCarbon reduction Lower embodied carbon content materials

This contractor used over 180m3 of cement free concrete in the abutments for the flood barrier. This saved 44 tonnes in embodied CO2 which is 70% less than traditional OPC concrete. This product has never been used in these volumes before from the supplier and required new heated admixture tanks to be installed in the batching plant.


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.


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