Rebuilding the UK’s infrastructure at Civils Expo 2017

Civils Expo, the UK’s leading event dedicated to civil engineering and infrastructure, will once again bring together leading suppliers of the latest technologies, systems and products for the sector when it returns to Birmingham NEC from 10-12 October 2017.

 

Exhibitors already signed up to launch new products, showcase software and provide technical advice include HS2, CEMEX, Breedon Group, Creagh Concrete and Bluebeam. Leading figures from across the industry will also attend the show, such as Crossrail, Heathrow, BAM Nuttall, Kier, Transport for the North and Highways England, where they will debate the industry’s most pressing topics and discuss the challenges and opportunities currently facing the sector.

 

The seminar programme for Civils Expo has been designed to inform and educate visitors about the planning and implementation of significant projects, as well as introduce them to suppliers so they can learn about new products, gain skills and make long-lasting contacts. One of the show’s biggest attractions will be The Infrastructure Hub, which will explore the process of planning, designing and building a variety of projects from road infrastructure and rail infrastructure through to airports and seaports. Topics such as future proofing infrastructure and construction, sustainability in business, drones, offshore wind turbines and connecting Britain to the world post-Brexit will be discussed at the show, while projects that are having an important impact on the sector such as Crossrail, Ordsall Chord and Hinkley Point will be explored by those leading them in front of a live audience.

To tackle the issue of building safety head on, Civils Expo will also bring together leading authorities to deliver free CPD advice and guidance on key issues such as fire prevention and safety in buildings; guidance on sprinklers, fire doors and dampening; health and safety and how to improve safety through technology, as well as the latest advice on cladding and other flammable building materials. These free CPD and workshop sessions will be hosted at The Infrastructure Hub and have been specially tailored for those responsible for building safety. The sessions are expected to book up quickly, so registration is encouraged.

 

Nathan Garnett, Event Director at Media 10, which runs the show, said: “This year’s Civils Expo will bring together the UK’s largest and most important infrastructure projects with the latest products and innovations being used to build them. Our programme is evolving with more speakers, exhibitors and suppliers signing up every day, and we’re committed to making this our most successful show to date. In addition to showcasing new products for the sector, we will also tackle the issues surrounding building safety head on with a carefully chosen schedule of talks, workshops and events.”

 

Consisting of Build Show, sponsored by Easy-Trim, Civils Expo, Plant & Machinery Live, Energy 2017, Smart Buildings 2017, Surface & Materials Show, HVAC 2017 and Grand Designs Live, UK Construction Week caters for the entire spectrum of the industry from builders, architects, innovators and consultants, each show provides exhibitors with the opportunity to network alongside decision makers and purchasers while showcasing their services and products to thousands of visitors.  For more information and free registration visit www.ukconstructionweek.com.

from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2017/09/11/rebuilding-the-uks-infrastructure-at-civils-expo-2017/

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4 tips for a clean construction site

Health and safety on a construction site is most closely associated with the use of heavy equipment and hazardous materials.

But each year in the UK, there are 1000 slips or trips on worksites that cause fractured bones and dislocated joints.

And many of these accidents are caused by a messy and disorganised work environment.

So here are four tips for a clean construction site that keeps your staff safe.

Safe storage

Clients, contractors and suppliers should all be clear about where certain types of materials and equipment are stored onsite and any materials that are flammable or hazardous should be separated and labelled clearly.

Large pieces of valuable kit can be kept safely overnight in vandal-safe storage containers but secure portable cases for smaller tools are also useful.

And if you store materials and equipment that only certain workers are qualified to work with, then it might be wise to only provide keys for these zones to qualified staff.

Once you’ve decided where various materials and equipment should be stored, be sure to leave pathways for workers to travel safely on foot.

Waste management

There are stringent guidelines regarding the collection and disposal of hazardous waste materials.

But even more commonplace waste like rubbish and rubble can cause serious accidents if it’s allowed to pile up.

Rubbish chutes offer a solution to this problem — waste is collected by workers and slid down smoothly into skips positioned below.

All onsite workers should be responsible for clearing their own work areas throughout the day and a rubbish rota can be used so there’s a shared responsibility for cleaning general areas.

Clear floor spaces

Trailing cables and abandoned equipment can present risks from falls.

But workers’ dirty boots can also drag mud and hazardous materials from one area of your site to another, resulting in risky cross-contamination.

So plastic shoe covers should be worn in certain areas, while floor mats should suffice for keeping shared canteens and restrooms clean.

And don’t forget the basics — buy sufficient stocks of brushes, brooms and dustpans that can remain in arm’s reach in every area.

Dust control

Construction dust is another substance subject to regulatory control in the UK — it can cause serious diseases like asthma and cancer.

And many tasks carried out onsite create dust, so it’s essential that workers are provided with protective equipment like masks and suits.

But a specialist dustguard machine can be used for dust control and washing equipment on larger sites.

As with any construction housekeeping task, keeping dust at bay relies on team members working together to ensure it doesn’t build up until it’s unmanageable.

The success of a construction project isn’t just based on the quality of the finished building — it relies on a safe and efficient site that’s kept in good shape throughout.

These four tips for a clean construction site should ensure your project runs smoothly from start to finish.

Do you have other tips for keeping construction site clean? Share your advice in the comments section.

from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2017/09/07/4-tips-for-a-clean-construction-site/

Impact of Brexit on Construction Industry

After the decision of Brexit, there is an uncertainty in the economic sector in Britain. Consequently, construction industry is currently facing a slowdown as many projects are being put on hold. In August, the growth in construction sector unexpectedly fell to a one year low.
Economic activity slowed down to 51.1 in August from July’s 51.9 indicating expansion of marginal size according to a survey published with the help of Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). While 50 is stagnation, anything below that shows contraction in a business sector. Samuel Tombs from Pantheon Macroeconomics who is a major UK economist, states that, the figures indicate that construction sector is currently flirting with recession.

If Brexit talks don’t progress well, then large firms will be forced to relocate activities to Europe. A range of banks including Goldman Sachs and HSBC have previously stated the possibility of moving staff. Mr. Tombs believes that the negotiations for Brexit will continue progressing slowly. This will lead to more firms acting on contingency plans, through freeing up offices resulting in exhaustion of demand for commercial projects.

After commercial building work dropped at a quick pace since July 2016, the civil engineering sector came close to stagnation but the construction industry kept growing due to house building activities. The employment rose at the slowest pace due to completion of more projects and lesser new projects.

Reason for slowdown in construction sector:
Duncan Brock, who works with CIPS, believes that there are more than one interrelated factors for this situation. The major factors are economic uncertainty, delayed decisions due to Brexit and reduced expenditure by government. These factors if not improved immediately can easily lead to a recession in construction.

The survey was done after the recent fall in Sterling value which increased pressure on the construction sector. Consumers in UK need to pay more costs and businesses who have to purchase products from abroad have lower purchasing power thus making the market slower. This, if not mitigated, will lead to accelerated inflation forcing the Bank of England to increase interest rates for coping up.

The survey also took into account the slowing down of house prices since the middle of last year after Brexit. This was pointed out previously by the Office for National Statistics. But, since the mid 70’s, house prices have garnered a support from even the lowest brackets of unemployed people and low interests reducing mortgage costs.

Possible outcomes:According to these results, the construction sector may contribute only a little portion to GDP in the economic quarter ending in September. Many firms are also preparing themselves if these conditions continue into autumn and lower confidence in firms leads to weak trends for creating jobs.

Joshua Mahony, who is a market analyst at trading firm IG, believes that according to current situation, there is a strong possibility for construction sector to move into contraction in coming months. But, there is also a potential for robust production especially if the Brexit discussions go well. Also, since homes are a necessity, the government may subsidize house owning with the decrease of Sterling value. Until final decisions are made and market stabilizes, the construction industry will keep flirting with recession.

The post Impact of Brexit on Construction Industry appeared first on Econ Construction LTD.

from Econ Construction LTD http://www.econconstructionltd.co.uk/impact-brexit-construction-industry/

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