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The site have reduced the risks associated with installing balconies. This has been done through using precast balconies that are installed with a remote control device and a pin. The pin is used to lock the balcony in a temporary position whilst the permanent fixings are installed. This method requires less working at height than standard balcony installation.

The site has developed colour coded plastic tags, that are used to identify the status of every item of lifting equipment such as chains, slings and shackles. Following validation of respective testing certificates and associated method statements, each component that is used in everyday operation is coded. The colour coding provides time restricted approval. This enables surety of equipment to…

A super hoist was employed on the project to install ceiling mounted fan coil units to all six floors of the refurbishment. Health and safety issues that were identified while reviewing the installation methodology of the units were predominately in relation to work at height and manual handling, i.e. how to safely install an FCU approx. 1m x 1m x…

The standard anti-collision system allows for exclusion zones to be set up by a controller at the base of the crane. These zones are set as ‘permanent’ unless changed by the supplier (SMIE) technician, with the operator only being able to turn the zone off to enable engaging free-slew when the crane is not operating. The issue with this standard…

The site are using nut sockets which can easily have a lanyard attached so that they can be tethered to an operative. A nut which needs to be fixed is then placed in the socket and a small screw holds it in place. The first few turns of the nut on the thread secure the nut after which the socket…

The site manager has discussed introducing electronic ear defenders which amplify ambient sounds to enhance the wearer’s awareness of their environment whilst providing hearing protection for sounds that are above 82 decibels. These have the benefit over traditional ear defenders or plugs given that noise is not entirely eliminated below this level. This allows the wearer to communicate with their…

During Gas Holder demolition works, residue needed to be removed from the floor of the tank. Previously this used to be a manual operation undertaken within a confined space. However, Northern Gas Networks worked with a tank cleaning organisation to develop a piece of kit that could move the residual material to the tank openings without manual intervention/confined space works….

Chatty Cards are a stand-alone development from Sir Robert McAlpine’s Chatty Café initiative. They are cards with feelings and phrases printed on them which can enable an individual to find the words to express how they feel. This can also allow for a private conversation in a crowded workplace. The cards are now available commercially as an independent initiative derived…

This mobile barrier is a solar powered solution to overhead protection. It is a first in the industry and there is currently nothing similar on the market. Currently, the industry relies on signs, goalposts and blue cones. A system that stops a vehicle that is too high from passing through was needed and the Instaboom GSX barrier does this through a…

The company uses proprietary “brick jackets”, branded with the company logo, to protect bricks from the frost and the rain. The jackets also keep the bricks in neat stacks and prevent them from being accidentally knocked over and spilling onto the scaffold, where they become a trip hazard. The jackets are manufactured in bright colours, so are clearly visible to…

Part of the redevelopment of Fosse Park, the Fosse Park Community Area started life as a conceptual idea that an area could be provided for the local community to view the project from a position of safety on a platform overlooking the site. Since the original concept, this has now developed into a much more practical opportunity to engage the…

Research shows that creating a positive work culture can do wonders for productivity. If you establish a work culture that employees are excited to be part of, they’ll be happier with their jobs. Happier employees are more likely to exceed expectations! Crofton Interiors adopts this ethos in all areas of the business, therefore changing the workwear to suit the needs…

With the Managing Director growing up in New Zealand, he is keen to share his cultural experiences with all the workforce, Grounding or Earthing is something that he recommends and recently after further research the company decided to promote this across the business. Earthing or Grounding is where you put your body in direct and uninterrupted contact with the earth….

Falls from height continue to be one of the biggest killers in construction. To minimise the risk of working at height in risers, the One Crown Place team have gone beyond internal and external recommendations in riser safety, challenging standard practice by designing out this key risk on the project by implementing the RiserSafe ® system. RiserSafe®, developed by a…

At Mace, we launched our ‘Time To Act’ campaign on plastics in 2018. We have companywide focuses for elimination, reduction, trialling alternatives, and sharing our successes with our other projects to replicate. As part of our construction focus we developed a ‘plastics scorecard’. This is a checklist with a number of pre-requisites, along with many additional options for plastic reduction…