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When we know what our carbon footprint is then we can act. GRAHAM Construction and Low Level Waste Repository Ltd therefore calculated the carbon footprint of their Engineering, Design and Construction Framework (EDCF). It is important to the framework that once the footprint was calculated that it was displayed in a manner which was easily understandable and relevant to all…

As the Lillie Square project was evolving from superstructure and cladding towards utilising fit-out trades, the project held a ‘managing fit-out waste workshop’ with subcontractors. The purpose of the session was to help raise awareness about the importance of waste on the project and to also discuss ways in which waste could be reduced. The workshop covered a number of…

The Challenge At our site, reporting of environmental near misses and close calls were poor and it was clear many of the operatives were struggling to identify what environmental hazards might actually be and toolbox talks and posters were not working. Training was needed – but for a 300 strong diverse workforce how could we develop effective training? Many on…

To help site personnel understand what is meant by embodied carbon, Mace created an embodied carbon poster, relating the impact of making one brick to the impact of making a pint of beer. By translating an impact into a language people can understand it helps communicate what can be a somewhat abstract concept. Since many people working on site like…

To celebrate women in engineering and support and encourage more women to consider a career in engineering or construction, we developed a series of activities to celebrate National Women in Engineering Day (NWED). These encouraged staff to take the opportunity to understand a bit more about how the role of women in engineering has changed and continues to change in…

Mace’s project are using an engaging and simple to use online energy monitoring system to better manage site energy and water consumption, and contribute to reducing carbon emissions. Sub-meters have been installed across the site to improve awareness of the site equipment and zones, such as tower cranes, lighting zones and office accommodation. The system has already enabled one project…

Attempts to raise appearance standards helps to improve the profile for the site and industry as a whole. Sites should strive to improve first impressions in order to generate a high level of appearance for site visitors, the public and their own workforce. The example below demonstrates how a site developed an innovative approach to maintain an exceptionally clean and well-presented compound…

When Pat Birrane, Site Manager at Morrison Utility Services, was faced with a project located right in the centre of a busy high street in Solihull, he knew that introducing noise reduction solutions was going to be essential. The project was on behalf of Western Power Distribution (WPD) who were carrying out the installation of 2 x 11,000 volt cables….

Throughout any project, it is essential that a considerate constructor takes a responsible attitude towards environmental issues. This will help to ensure that the project does not have a detrimental effect on the natural environment. All sites should be respectful and protecting of the environment, with the aim to enhance the natural environment for existing and future generations. The Considerate Constructors Scheme has developed an…

Where possible, sites should be making efforts to reduce fuel usage by supporting and providing carbon reducing forms of transport. They can do this by encouraging the use of bicycles and making this type of transport more easily accessible to the workforce. Cycling has the additional benefit of improving operatives’ health and wellbeing. Examples of how site managers have encouraged cycling include:…