Tags

Poor posture can lead to spinal and muscular issues, but it can also cause headaches, poor sleep, and digestive problems. There are also links between poor posture and anxiety levels, with there being a clear link between posture and how it can affect our mental health. With that in mind, looking after the posture of workers is very important. On…

Engineers can carry a lot of heavy surveying equipment whilst out on site. One of the heavier items they carry is a theodolite which can weigh up to 12kg. As this equipment is stored in a case, the weight cannot be spread across the body but is instead distributed to the one hand causing the body to twist when walking…

In the early stages of this project it was identified that the method for transporting 3 metre lengths of mechanical and electrical materials such as pipework, trunking, cable tray, Unistrut, cable basket etc. from the basement loading bay to the fit-out floors was a challenging task. This was because the designated goods lift is under 3 metres long. Therefore the…

Cement boards are used in various applications on the project such as being rendered for gas farm walls and soffits. The boards are drilled into for fixing, and over 1,400 holes are required. Previously, this was a laborious operation as the operative needed to lift and rotate the board to drill the holes. These boards weigh approximately 13 kg/m2 so…

The traditional method of saw cutting trenches can be time consuming and expose workers to risks such as noise and flying debris as well as  fatigue if carrying out the task over prolonged periods of night time closures. In order to minimise these risks, athe contractor trialed the use of a rock wheel trencher on their projecy and it significantly…

As a result of site constraints with a limited distance to the NWR fence, combined with their complicated façade installation process, they needed a specialist device for installing some of their façade components. They used ‘Alice’ – their hydraulic remote controlled crane hook attachment. This prevents the number of operatives having to work around a suspended load and can turn…

This contractor is providing free access to the Canada Life ‘WeCare’ app and website, plus AIG’s bereavement support helpline for all construction employees and their immediate family members. The Canada Life WeCare app is a service with access to a 24/7 online GP, mental health counselling, a get fit programme, plus legal and financial support as well as diet and…

This contractor is using a thermocouple to assess concrete strength. The thermocouple is fixed by cable ties and then connected to the wireless transmitter. The contractor will then cast and pour the concrete and using the web portal view the results Using this method of concrete testing has benefits for the project which are: The requirement for manually making cubes…

Due to the complex nature of manoeuvring heavy, pre-cast soffit slabs in a site with many logistical constraints and challenges, the project engineers researched into what they could use to facilitate the movement of the slabs, whilst also reducing the associated health and safety risks. The slabs are required to be moved between different levels and different columns which, is…

This contractor have devised a staff wellbeing measure to ensure all staff have the access and opportunity to help them manage their day-to-day wellbeing. Research has highlighted that many people find practising mindfulness helps them become more aware of the present moment and can help them enjoy the world around them more and understand themselves better. The way people think…

As an employer, the contractor has a duty of care to ensure that health, safety and wellbeing, and that of others, is not affected whilst at work. They also has a legal duty to manage the risks from fatigue, irrespective of a person’s willingness to work extra hours or preference for certain shift patterns or social reasons. They have implemented…

Major transport infrastructure projects often require periods of working around the clock during planned closures (e.g. on the rail network, motorways). This contractor recently executed a 9 day period of 24 hour working during a ‘blockade’ closure of the Network Rail East Coast Mainline. Various blockade specific controls were introduced around fatigue to protect workforce safety and wellbeing, including the…

To install windows on this project they have been using Winlet glazing robots to minimise the manual handling involved by the operatives. The robots provide remote controlled lifting and weigh just 1800kgs with full counterweights, and can be used to operate across low load bearing floors. The machines use powerful vacuum lifters to hold glass and other loads safely. The…

The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown has had a marked effect on people’s mental health. The Lack of social life and continued work had some impact on construction workers. Being at work most of the times, the contractor identified the need for creating support from colleagues and managers. They decided to introduce mood meter. Arriving onsite, workers are encouraged to take…

In September 2019, the Scheme launched ‘Spotlight on… worker fatigue’ to raise awareness of this significant health and safety issue facing the industry. How can fatigue affect health and safety? Fatigue can slow reaction times, create lapses in judgement, reduce concentration and coordination, diminish cognitive ability and cause individuals to underestimate risk. In the construction industry, individuals can often endure…