Thursday 28 February 2019
Wednesday 27 February 2019
Campaign to tackle plastics and packaging in construction launched
Survey reveals shocking use of plastics and packaging in construction
18 February 2019: The Considerate Constructors Scheme has launched its industry-wide campaign ‘Spotlight on…plastics and packaging’ to raise awareness and showcase best practice in how the construction industry can reduce, reuse and recycle plastics and packaging.
The launch of the campaign – which features on the industry’s Best Practice Hub – comes in response to startling findings from a Scheme survey of over 900 people working within the UK and Irish construction industries.
The survey discovered that although over 95% of respondents said the industry needs to be doing something to reduce its consumption of plastics and packaging, over half of respondents (51%) have little understanding of the rules and regulations surrounding plastics and packaging, and only 44% know how to recycle different plastic and packaging materials.
The survey also revealed that:
- 98% said the over-consumption of plastics and packaging is a global issue.
- 92% believe plastics and packaging are extremely dangerous to the environment.
- 81% said the construction industry is not doing enough to reduce its consumption of plastics and packaging.
- 31% said they frequently use plastics and packaging that cannot be reused or recycled.
With the construction industry being the second largest consumer of plastics in the UK, it is imperative that the construction industry reconsiders the way it consumes and disposes of plastics and packaging to protect the environment and all life.
The Scheme is calling on all construction sites, companies, suppliers and clients of construction projects to drastically reduce their consumption of plastics and packaging. Not only does this offer significant improvements for the environment and society as a whole, it also makes commercial business sense, with many organisations reporting significant cost savings achieved.
‘Spotlight on…plastics and packaging’ provides a suite of resources to help the industry to address this issue. It includes a range practical case studies and guidance from contractors, clients and service suppliers including: AMA Waste Management; Aztec; Balfour Beatty; Crossrail; Environment Agency; Griffiths; Knight Build; Protec; Right Waste Right Place; Mace; Morgan Sindall; Multiplex; Skanska; Sir Robert McAlpine; Wates and Ward.
Considerate Constructors Scheme Chief Executive, Edward Hardy said: “As construction is the second largest consumer of plastic in the UK, our industry has one of the greatest responsibilities to society, and to the environment, to ensure that we are working tirelessly to improve our standards in minimising waste from plastics.
“The Scheme’s ‘Spotlight on…plastics and packaging’ campaign provides resources, practical support and guidance helping everyone to take effective measures to tackle this issue. While considerable progress is being made – with over 76% of Scheme-registered construction sites setting targets to reduce, reuse and recycle waste – it is clear that a concerted effort to raise further awareness, and to provide the necessary support, is needed to achieve this drastic reduction in waste from plastics and packaging.”
‘Spotlight on…plastics and packaging’ follows a number of hugely successful industry campaigns which the Scheme hosts on the Best Practice Hub. In 2018, the Scheme launched the ‘Spotlight on…air pollution’ and ‘Spotlight on…the next generation’ with follow-on e-learning courses in each topic. These campaigns have received over 48,000 views to date, with over 50,000 courses being taken.
Click here to access the ‘Spotlight on…plastics and packaging’ campaign.
from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2019/02/28/campaign-to-tackle-plastics-and-packaging-in-construction-launched/
Tuesday 26 February 2019
Monday 25 February 2019
Sunday 24 February 2019
DTL wins apprenticeship contract with South Staffs Water
Utilities specialist Develop Training Limited (DTL) has won a contract to deliver an apprenticeship in water mains laying for South Staffs Water.
DTL, an approved provider under the apprenticeship levy scheme, is now putting nine apprentices through the 13-month programme, including hands-on learning at its newly-opened mains-laying facility.
Daryll Garavan, DTL’s Delivery Manager for the water industry, said: “Having this new facility is ideal. There is plenty of space for several candidates to work on it at once instead of having to wait their turn, and the practice area includes numerous water mains connections that people can hone their skills on.”
DTL opened the new water mains training area last year at its Derby training centre, one of seven across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The candidates, mostly from the Tipton and Walsall area, are made up of five South Staffs Water employees and four new recruits from OnSite Specialist Maintenance, which like South Staffs Water is also part of the South Staffordshire plc group. They are expected to complete the course, “Network Construction Operations Water Mains Laying”, in January next year (2020).
The course is a 50-50 mix of classroom and practical training, combining an introductory NVQ in the subject with a more in-depth technical certificate. The apprentices will video record their practical work in e-portfolios to demonstrate they have achieved the necessary hands-on skills.
from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2019/02/25/dtl-wins-apprenticeship-contract-with-south-staffs-water/
Saturday 23 February 2019
The Benefits of a Mezzanine Floor for your Business
Have you ever been at your place of work, looked around, listened to the multiple sounds and observed the varying activities in the workplace and wondered how to create a degree of separation, how to maximise productivity and employee satisfaction?
Well, perhaps a mezzanine floor could be the answer to your problems. In order to entertain the possibility you will need an area with around 5 metres head height and you can begin to look into the idea of a mezzanine floor.
Firstly, let’s take a minute to explain just what a mezzanine floor actually is. A mezzanine floor sits in-between the principal floors of a building and is therefore, not counted among the overall number of floors of the building itself, mezzanines usually have low floors and protrude rather like a balcony.
From a purely financial point of view, mezzanine floors are great as they usually avoid the need for time-consuming planning permission applications and in addition to this as the mezzanine floor is freestanding and can be dismounted and relocated (another advantage) it is exempt from business rates, making mezzanine floors a great way to expand without adding to the rates bill. Another financial benefit of the mezzanine floor option is that they are inexpensive to install. You could be looking at as little as £75 per square metre.
If you have reached that awkward stage in your business, like so many do, when you need extra space but cannot justify the costs associated with relocation or more significant expansion, then a mezzanine floor could be just the ticket. You can create extra space, more workstations and allow for more separation of distinct tasks to increase contentment in the workplace and productivity. You may even prevent the sort of accidents that lead to damaged equipment or injuries. In any workplace the ideal scenario involves distinct work spaces for distinct job types. Having noisy production related jobs share a space with office work can lead to stress, arguments and reduced productivity. Having a mezzanine floor affords the opportunity to create more office space and allow for some quiet places on the premises.
Mezzanine flooring benefits from being very robust and allows for great weight per square metre ratios which means heavy and bulky equipment or inventory can be stored. There are also a tremendous variety of purpose-built mezzanine racking systems which can truly transform your mezzanine floor into a storage heaven. This can have a knock on benefit on your cost-effectiveness when ordering expendables as you can benefit from bulk discounts as you are able to store more. Mezzanine floors are not only removable as mentioned, but highly open to customization, allowing for a flexibility of space that is hard to come by in traditional extensions. This means that you can modify your mezzanine in months and years to come and even look into expansion or simply change things around as your needs evolve. Mezzanine floors are, as you have seen an excellent, adaptable, cost-saving expansion option that can really help your business to grow without excessive investment.
from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2019/02/23/the-benefits-of-a-mezzanine-floor-for-your-business/
Friday 22 February 2019
Thursday 21 February 2019
Tips on Hiring a Scissor Lift
As with any hire of equipment, there are many little details that can make all the difference in making your experience the best one possible.
Scissor lifts are suited to situations where a straight vertical lift is desired. You will definitely benefit from a scissor lift over, say, a ladder in a wide range of situations. Speedy, cost-effective and safe, scissor lifts add an extra dimension to many jobs. There are a wide range of models on the market with specific features that may or may not enhance your experience.
Desired Features
Narrower units – these can be particularly useful when working in confined spaces.
4 x 4 units – when jobs require work on uneven and hazardous terrain, a 4 x 4 scissor lift will be a lifesaver.
Units with non-marking tyres – when working indoors on floors that will show marks, non-marking tyres are an absolute must.
Alternative Power Choices – The choice of which power source will run your scissor lift is arguably the most important one. Often you may be confronted with a lack of choice when it comes to choosing between diesel-powered, electric, petrol and duel fuel scissor lifts according to what is and is not in stock. However, there are some key environmentally determined factors that could mean that you really need one or another power source. If working indoors, diesel will likely be prohibited and an electric model is by far the best choice – as it is in low emission areas. And yet there are many situations when diesel is preferred. If you have a lot of other diesel equipment on site (which is likely) it is far more convenient to fill it up at the same time. Diesel engines also usually outlast petrol engines and are actually better suited to the sort of work cycle that scissor lifts demands, as well as being up to 15-20% more efficient on rough terrain.
Anti-slip – Any scissor lift worth its salt will be fitted with a safe, slip-resistant platform and extensions. In addition it is worth double checking that the model has joystick drive and steering controls for easy manoeuvrability.
Check equipment standards and condition
As in any business it pays to inspect condition and check for the compliance of the model with health and safety guidance before signing on the dotted line. There is no worse feeling than having work come to a standstill because of faulty or inadequate equipment. A little prior research can save you a BIG headache in the long run. It is also highly advisable to check with your insurance company that your liability insurance covers staff while operating the equipment.
Finally, make sure that when you have chosen and hired your scissor lift that it is left in the hands of someone that is correctly trained in how to assemble, move, inspect, maintain and use the lift to mitigate against accidents in the workplace. Keep all this in mind and your hire experience will be a good one.
from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2019/02/21/tips-on-hiring-a-scissor-lift/
Wednesday 20 February 2019
EM Training Cold Stress Infographic Intro
When working in a cold environment or outdoors in cold weather, you are at risk of developing cold-related illnesses and injuries. Cold-related hazards can be extremely dangerous and can even cause death or permanent damage. This infographic created by EM Training Solutions Ltd features some key facts about cold stress and how to avoid it.
Who is at risk of Cold Stress?
Workers in the construction, agriculture, maritime and commercial fishing industries are most at risk of developing cold stress due to working in extreme weather conditions. However, cold stress isn’t exclusive to outdoor workers; it can also be a risk for those that work in cold warehouses, cold storage or those without adequate heating within their building.
Other individual factors that contribute to higher risk for cold stress include:
- Not being physically fit
- Having an underlying illness or condition
- Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Working in wet or damp conditions
- Exposed to vibration from tools
- Working without proper personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Not assimilated to the cold
Cold Stress Stats and Figures
Public Health England’s 2014 Cold Weather Plan notes that extreme cold weather has a direct effect on the incidence of heart attack, stroke, respiratory disease, flu, falls and injuries and hypothermia.
When the outdoor temperature drops below 5-8°C respiratory and cardiovascular health problems can occur, as the temperature continues to drop the risk of death and illness increases. A total of 168,000 cold-related deaths were recorded in the UK over the last 5 years, and the UK also has the second worst rate of ‘winter deaths’ in Europe.
Take a look at the facts and tips below on how you can safely protect yourself from cold-related illness when working outdoors.
from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2019/02/21/em-training-cold-stress-infographic-intro/
Tuesday 19 February 2019
Saracen Interiors on site with major fit-out for Global Technology Company, Carl Zeiss
Saracen Interiors is now reaching the end of a substantial fit-out project for Global Technology company Carl Zeiss.
The interiors company is transforming c. 43,000 sq. ft. of office space plus undertaking a range of external works at a site in Cambridgeshire to create a world-class lean manufacturing facility, including a clean room, where Carl Zeiss will make electron microscopes for sale and distribution worldwide.
The fit-out of Building 1030 at Cambourne Business Park covers three floors, and the complexity and specialised nature of the work has just been documented in a new video available to view at https://www.saraceninteriors.com/blog/5583/
Clive Longden, Saracen’s Site Manager, said: “It’s a complex project with some significant challenges, but working closely with our client, the team has successfully met these challenges, and we are now on track for completion and handover on time.”
Saracen won the project in a competitive tender against strong competition, further cementing the groups presence in the industry.
The team is managing a full fit-out of office space on floors one and two, as well as installing all-new kitchens and breakout areas. The first floor also includes a technical area for research and development that has required particularly careful design.
But the toughest challenges have been on the ground floor where building a clean room for the production of the electron microscopes threw up significant mechanical and electrical hurdles as well as issues of coordination that the Saracen team has had to overcome. As well as the advanced M and E work, the project has required the installation of a range of specialised equipment, including cranes. Saracen has also installed an external goods lift as part of the project scope of works.
The project came about as a result of significant local business growth together with increased global demand for the products and services of the two Cambridge based subsidiaries of the Global Carl Zeiss group.
Carl Zeiss Microscopy Ltd and Carl Zeiss Ltd, wanted to combine operations and move from their two current premises in Cambridge, to a single facility and as a result have signed a long-term lease at Cambourne Business Park
Saracen is managing the project so that staff will be able to easily transfer into the newly-revamped premises and to provide Carl Zeiss with room for further future expansion.
from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2019/02/19/saracen-interiors-on-site-with-major-fit-out-for-global-technology-company-carl-zeiss/
Sunday 17 February 2019
What can a Gen Z apprentice bring to your business?
So, who exactly are Gen Z? You’ll be forgiven for thinking that young people these days are Millenials. This common term seems to be thrown around whenever people are describing, or complaining, about the youth of today.
In fact, Millenials were born between 1981 and 1994, meaning they are currently 22-37 years of age. This makes Gen Z, those born after 1995, the workforce of tomorrow, so it’s important you know who they are and what drives them.
yeet
We’ve put together a list of Gen Z behaviour to help you understand how they can support your business as an apprentice, so there’s no need to worry if you don’t know whos finstagram is lit or what on earth ‘yeet’ means.
Tech savvy
Whereas Millenials grew up in the digital age, Gen Z were born into it. What was a learning curve of new technology for their parents has become second nature to them.
It might be tempting to bellyache about them being glued to their smartphones, but what this has resulted in is a whole generation who can easily wrap their heads around new technology.
For industries that are heavily rooted in computing or digital technologies, this allows apprentices to integrate into their role effortlessly. Just make sure you have quick WiFi!
Masters of multitasking
When kids have grown up using Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram (sometimes at the same time), is it any surprise that they are skilled at multitasking?
Whether they are posting, commenting or swiping, Gen Z have adapted to using multiple platforms simultaneously. This ingrained skill is adaptable to almost any work environment, meaning you’ll have no trouble putting this to good use.
Short attention span
Gen Z are constantly absorbing information, often at the blink of an eye. Spending their youth surrounded by apps such as Snapchat and Vine has made receiving constant updates the norm, which has ultimately stunted their attention spans.
Although your office meetings are unlikely to last less than ten seconds, this doesn’t mean they won’t take anything in. As they’re accustomed to receiving a barrage of updates, Gen Z have a knack for processing information faster than other generations and are highly adaptable to change.
So, whereas Brian from Accounting may not like the new operating system, a Gen Z apprentice will learn it inside out.
Entrepreneurial thinking
Gen Z have grown up in a world of innovation, full of developing technology and connected to every corner of the globe. They’ve seen what’s possible and want a piece of the action for themselves.
This has resulted in a generation of young adults who are starting their careers with an entrepreneurial head on their shoulders. They are full of ideas – use them before someone else does!
What this all means for your business
Whether it’s drones on construction sites, virtual reality in healthcare or artificial intelligence in business management, technology is constantly evolving and is always finding new footholes across industries. By employing a team that are used to innovation, you’ll be ensuring that your business can keep up with modern changes.
Gen Z have an advantage over older generations, simply due to how they have been raised in the digital age. By being familiar with technology, expert multitaskers and full of fresh ideas they are in a great position to become an asset to your business. Plus, as they are quick at absorbing new information, they are ideal candidates for training courses to help them develop further.
from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2019/02/18/what-can-a-gen-z-apprentice-bring-to-your-business/
Thursday 14 February 2019
Big firms set to feel the pain of the levy warns apprenticeship provider
Big firms will feel the pain of the Apprenticeship Levy this spring when the first wave of levy payments will be wiped from their accounts unless they have invested them in training apprentices.
Apprenticeship provider Develop Training Limited (DTL), whose customers include household names in construction and the utilities, says the deadline should focus attention on making the controversial initiative work.
Companies with payrolls above £3 million have been paying into the scheme since its launch in April 2017 and continue to do so monthly. They can get the money back if they invest it in apprenticeship programmes with approved providers such as DTL, but there is a two-year deadline.
That means in April this year, levy payments dating back to the start of the scheme will go to the Treasury, and funds will continue to be funnelled away each month on the second anniversary of when they were paid in. So, for example, the levy payments that companies made in September 2017 will no longer be available to invest in apprenticeship programmes from September 2019.
The levy was supposed to encourage firms to invest in apprenticeships but confusion and concerns about costs meant the scheme initially had the opposite effect.
DTL hosted an Industry Skills Forum in late 2017 for leading figures in HR in construction and the utilities that highlighted wildly varying views on the levy, from companies that were embracing it to train new and existing employees to those who saw it as a tax.
Since then the government has tweaked the scheme significantly, reducing the amount of levy payments and allowing smaller companies to use levy money to help other organisations finance their own apprenticeship training, typically those in the big companies’ supply chains.
Now, despite wider political and economic uncertainty, DTL hopes 2019 could still be the year that kick starts the faltering programme. The training company has campaigned vociferously for businesses and government to invest in training in the construction and utility sectors to address the massive skills shortage faced by the industry.
Whether by using levy-funded apprenticeships or by investing directly in learning and development, DTL is urging companies heading for the looming levy deadline to meet the challenge and ensure Britain has the workforce it needs to keep the country’s infrastructure and building projects running into the future.
from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2019/02/15/big-firms-set-to-feel-the-pain-of-the-levy-warns-apprenticeship-provider/
Is Print Still Valued in Our Digital World?
In our digital age it’s not uncommon to find marketing campaigns swamped with digital methods. This includes a most sectors, including construction. But the question is… does print marketing have its place or is it really its way out? Let’s explore the subject some more with this insightful discussion piece produced by UK event signage company, Where The Trade Buys.
Marketing strategies swamped with digital solutions
Many campaigns today are lost without digital. With more consumers than ever before spending time on the internet, businesses would be foolish not to get involved with online marketing.
Search engine marketing is one area of advertising that companies are becoming more involved with. As the name suggests, this side of digital marketing focuses on driving a business’ site to the top of the search results around relevant target phrases — from corporate keywords like ‘event signage’ to more fashion-focused targets like ‘dresses’. As a result, this can increase brand exposure and site traffic while improving sales figures.
Social media marketing is another area of business activity that wasn’t popular a few years back. From paid adverts to viral campaigns, the digital world has opened up many doors for small and medium companies in particular — exposing themselves to an audience that may not have known they existed and in turn, generating mass interest.
The digital world has made room for businesses to begin analysing their audience, allowing them to gain a greater insight to their general behaviour and spending patterns. From tracking analytics, whether this is across social media platforms or the main website, marketing managers are able to identify key areas of interest and create campaigns around this to drive sales.
There are many methods businesses can follow to hook an online audience and stay ahead of their competitors. Through a combination of search engine and social media marketing, many brands are beginning to run competitions and deals that are only exclusive to an online following. These low-cost campaigns will benefit from extensive reach.
Print is still a credible marketing method… fact!
Although more businesses are beginning to take their focuses online, they shouldn’t neglect the power of print and the opportunities that can come off the back of it. Print very much has a place in modern advertising as it can offer a personal touch unlike no other and generally has a longer life cycle which is always beneficial for the exposure of your brand. Take printed leaflets for example, once they have been posted through the door, whoever picks them up will have to acknowledge your materials!
As well as door-to-door print advertising, business merchandise has not taken a backseat since the sprout in popularity of online promotions. Brand image has never been more important for businesses and shouldn’t be ignored — as a result, more companies are making investments in personalised products that represent what they stand for. Whether this is to help them externally, with the likes of outdoor banners, or internally for your office with the likes of customised calendars.
Although printed goods can often be higher in price, they can drive exceptional ROI to your campaign and create a memorable experience for the receiver which should be a core focus for your print campaign. This can be achieved through eye-catching designs and a choice of luxury materials which will lead to a meaningful engagement.
Where print meets digital: the way forward?
Although online and offline advertising are two entirely separate entities, they can work well together, and some brands are already utilising such methods.
Take QR codes for example, more businesses are trying to audiences in the real world to their online solutions. As QR codes are unique and can entice people to be more inquisitive, they can drive immense traffic to online campaigns when printed on banners. Through this method of advertising, marketing departments can track success and gather data on users when they’re interacting with the code. With the data collected from campaigns like this, businesses can record contact information (such as email addresses) if users decide they want to opt-in.
When looking closer to news publications, many of them still offer printed versions of their product — blurring the line between print and digital. With an understanding of the influence they have online, they’ve been able to merge two channels together and to distribute stories to a wider audience.
Near field communication is another area that should be further looked into when it comes to the relationship between online and offline platforms. Essentially, near field communication is a type of technology that has the ability to connect two smart devices — often with the help of a print medium. For example, a section of a poster can be tapped with a mobile phone which will then take the user to the ecommerce site for a specific product.
Digital giants are employing print marketing
Online hospitality marketplace, Airbnb has made huge waves in the way that we now book our holidays. Predominantly a digital business with its own website and downloadable app, the company decided to launch its own magazine for registered hosts (those who advertise their property) which is around 18,000 people. This magazine included personal stories of hosts and their accommodation, encouraging interaction with the digital business through print. Although the magazine production has been put on hold since, it’s a good example of how an online business can promote its services elsewhere.
Remember those iconic Coca Cola bottles that had labels with your name on? The printed labels for the Share A Coke campaign allowed the drink manufacturer to become more personal with its customers and as a result, buyers then shared their bottles on social media which made it an integrated campaign.
As we can see, digital and print both play huge parts in the marketing of a business. But often, they can be most successful when they’re brought together.
from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2019/02/14/is-print-still-valued-in-our-digital-world/