Costain Limited
Bat Lights
During construction of the A465 Section 2 permanent lighting columns had to be removed for work to proceed. This raised concerns that Lesser Horseshoe bats would then fly directly across the carriageway, resulting in a number of fatalities as they are used to the lights being in position. To prevent this a series of temporary lighting columns which are very...
Switch from HVO to LPG for Entire Site Compound
On this project there are two site compounds which were initially run using diesel generators. The diesel was switched to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as it was more sustainable and produced less emissions. However, the cost of HVO has increased and the emissions are comparable to white diesel when comparing well to wheel. The diesel powered generators were not running...
Robotic Line Markings
Traditionally the new lane lines (particularly the rib lines & around junctions) would be set out on site by the engineering and surveying team. This would involve walking the line with setting out equipment and then stopping to bend down and spray out the point by hand. This presents a significant time and cost of resource to undertake these works,...
Installation of an Accessible Ramp at Local Primary School
During the sunny Easter break, a team from the Paddington New Yard project set to work to install a much needed accessible ramp at St Mary Magdalene’s primary school in Paddington. The school had been using a temporary ramp, constructed by a scaffolding company some months ago, to allow prams and wheelchairs to access the upper level playground to a...
Energy Efficient Dehumidifiers
With over 300 operatives working on the London Bridge Station Redevelopment, our welfare facilities and drying rooms, that are used for both day and night shift working, require constant heating and cooling to allow for a comfortable climate and adequate drying facilities. Given the high demand for the requirement of heating and cooling, it was recognised that this would be...
Compliance with the World’s First Specification for Managing Infrastructure Carbon
The most recent Crossrail project to come live ATC-C695 is the first Costain project to have been formally recognised as compliant with the principles of the PAS 2080:2016 by Circular Ecology. It is increasingly clear that cutting carbon cuts costs. A causal link was identified in the Treasury’s ‘Infrastructure Carbon Review’ (ICR) in 2013. Research for the ICR conducted by...
Automated Tunnel Ring Washing Unit
Due to a need to manage the huge operation of cleaning the tunnels within the Crossrail project, staff from C610 ATC have designed and built a totally unique automated ring washing system within their workshops at Plumstead. As a result, this product; Automates the washing and cleaning process Reduces the amount of water used Removes the need for manual operation...
Safety At Plant People Interface
This contractor has implemented a system that works through a 360-degree multi camera that detects the human form and communicates visually and audibly to the plant operator. As well as alerts inside the cab, a klaxon sound warns people, all detections are collected (subject to the relevant GDPR compliance) and displayed on a web-based portal for analysis and meetings are...
Enhanced Mobile Carriageway Closure
Enhanced Mobile Carriageway Closure (EMCC) is an approach that protects the road workers and the customers during the installation and removal of temporary traffic management. The development, testing and pilot of EMCC was undertaken on the A1 Scotswood to North Brunton scheme before any other scheme as a trial. The A1 Birtley to Coal House scheme now also uses EMCC....
Eliminating Health and Safety Risk when Performing Localised Concrete Pours
To support the building infrastructure it is necessary to build a drainage system using concrete. The drainage covers require a surrounding concrete support structure and the volume required for each is relatively small at c.1m3. Access to the drain cover locations is over unmade ground and this presents ergonomic manual handling challenges. The team identified a proprietary concrete bucket that...
Polymer Dust Suppression 
The control of dust is crucial during site activities, especially in high density residential areas. A solution was required to reduce dust over weekends and other periods of non-site activity. Dust Ace, mixed with water, coats individual dust particles with a thin adhesive film that binds and packs the dust and as a result reduces dust particles in the environment....
Conflict Management Training
This contractor presented 54 colleagues with the opportunity to carry out conflict training. This reminds staff to stay aware and always evaluate their surroundings as you never know what others peoples intentions are. This training comes in handy for the staff as they work on the side of the A1 where members of the public could become aggressive with the...
Skin Awareness Sessions
Every day we are potentially exposed to contaminants and conditions that can be harmful to your skin (both inside and outside of the work environment). Many in the construction industry will spend most of their working day outside in all types of weather. The A465 Head of the Valleys Section 2 Project recently ran an informative and engaging Skin Care...
Safe and Sensitive Removal of Memorial
It is the sad unfortunate truth that sometimes when working on highways contractors come across sensitive tributes and memorials left by someone’s family or loved ones at a spot where they unfortunately lost their life. This is a situation that needs to be managed sensitively. The community relations team on this project in the North East were faced with this...
Eliminating Harm through Rock Wheel Trencher
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...
