Construction firms will be able to remain open when England enters a four‐week lockdown from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December. The new restrictions include requiring people to stay at home except for specific purposes, not mixing with other households, and the closing of certain businesses and venues.
Construction and manufacturing should stay open across all four nations, during the latest response to the pandemic. Build UK has advised sites to review their social distancing measures and remind their workforce of the importance of complying with the Site Operating Procedures ‐ Version 6whilst on site, as well as the new restrictions off site to protect their family and colleagues.
Tradespeople can also continue to work in people’s homes as long as both the worker and household members have no symptoms of coronavirus. The Work Safe Safe Work Guide can be used to reassure householders.
Andy Mitchell, co-chairman of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), said:”To ensure the construction industry operates safely the CLC has developed a range of guidance relating to social distancing, use of PPE and face coverings, the safe operation of site canteens, the safe operation of builders merchants, the use of public and private transport to work, and the use of temporary accommodation for workers, amongst other important matters, all of which are covered and are available on the CLC website.
“During the recent times of the pandemic we have demonstrated that a wide range of construction types can be done safely – for our workers and the general public around us, and as an industry we have a huge responsibility to do the very best that we can at this very difficult time.”
Build UK is also reviewing the implications for construction workers’ accommodation for workers working away from home. It has also produced an authorisation letter template for employers in the event of workers being stopped on journeys to and from sites anywhere in the UK.
Walls & Ceilings International, the building supplies specialist, has introduced route planning, automated customer notifications and electronic proof of delivery software from PODFather as part of a commitment to improve services, reduce empty running and optimise fuel usage.
Distribution specialist Walls & Ceilings has invested into the latest transport management technology as part of its ongoing project to digitize its transport systems. Having historically relied on manual processes the firm’s team saw the need to update its systems to maximise and grow the business.
After researching solutions that the routing and ePOD market had to offer the Walls & Ceilings made the decision to go with PODFather based on the system’s breadth of functionality, ease of integration and proven track record in its industry sector.
The company will use PODFather to plan and optimise vehicle routes, gather vehicle check information, track deliveries, automatically send out customer ETA notifications, and collect electronic proof of delivery information via the driver smartphone app. With its cloud-based back office system and easy to use driver app PODFather has been able to deliver Walls & Ceilings an easy to use solution that meets the company’s business growth and customer service objectives.
Julian Workman, from Walls & Ceilings said: “The introduction of PODFather will give customers advance notification, and real time visibility, of order progress.”
Walls & Ceilings also expect to save fuel and cut empty running – as the system is rolled out.
Research from Gleeds, has revealed that Covid-19 encouraged moves to more collaborative, less adversarial relationships. It found that delays and in response to programme pressures two thirds of contractors will seek to incorporate modern methods of construction (MMC) on future projects as a direct result of the pandemic, with 35% reporting an increase in the use of MMC during 2020.
The firm’s Autumn Market Report surveys main contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, and colleagues operating in the UK construction market. More than 90% of contractors questioned suggest that the implementation of Covid-safe social distancing measures will lead to delays in project completion, with 10% believing that delivery schedules could be delayed by over 20%.
Programme pressures could explain the desire to expedite the adoption of MMC on future schemes which would not only help to improve the quality and predictability of delivery, but also potentially reduce the need for the presence of a considerable labour force on site.
A reduction in manpower would be particularly useful in addressing the fears of the 30% of respondents who are concerned that implementing Covid-19 safe distancing measures will be more difficult during the winter months.
Some sites had been using marquees or similar over the summer in a bid to extend usable outside space, however these solutions will be unviable in poor weather. It follows, therefore, that there may be a further impact upon productivity, with many in the industry believing that site output will not reach 100% until social distancing is fully relaxed and labour on site is at full capacity.
One positive to emerge from the pandemic is the apparent commitment to more collaborative ways of working. Previous surveys had indicated more adversarial approach to contracts was inevitable going forward. That figure has dropped by 30% this time round (71% in 2019), with only 41% of respondents noticing a more adversarial attitude over the quarter.
It would appear that many in the industry are taking a longer-term view, recognising the importance of supply chain stability and smarter, more collaborative procurement to achieve better project outcomes.
Douglas McCormick, executive chairman at Gleeds UK, said: “Over the past seven months there has been a conscious, collaborative drive to keep things moving. Our research shows that the construction industry has stood firm in the face of adversity, ensuring cost-efficient shut-down and reopening of sites; turning to innovative construction approaches, such as modern methods of construction (MMC); and maximising the use of digital tools, supporting revised site health and safety procedures.
“As we move forwards, the buildings we construct today will embody the resilience demonstrated during the pandemic. Flexible for adaptation to alternative uses, innovative in design from the outset, and future-proofed with the needs of their occupants at the heart.”
From 1 March 2021, the way VAT is collected in the construction industry is changing and to help contractors understand the impact the changes will have on how businesses are operated HMRC is holding briefing session for firm who will be affected.
The charge applies to standard and reduced-rate VAT services for individuals or businesses who are registered for VAT in the UK and reported within the Construction Industry Scheme
Changes to VAT charging are being introduced in order to tackle the growing problem of VAT fraud in the construction industry. HMRC’s new domestic reverse charge for construction services were due to come into force in October 2019 but were then delayed and pushed back to March during the summer response to the pandemic. When it does come into operation next year its introduction seems likely to have a significant impact.
How to apply the VAT reverse charge for construction services: Find out when to apply the VAT reverse charge, how to show the reverse charge on your invoices, how your business may be affected, and what to do if you make a mistake when applying the reverse charge.
A new online CPD-certified presentation focusing on how to achieve zero carbon through a fabric first approach has been released by Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA).
The CPD – Achieving zero carbon through a fabric first approach – will provide viewers with an understanding of the importance of achieving zero carbon and how widely available and cost-effective insulation technologies will help to achieve this. It outlines lambda, R and U-values, offers a comparison of insulation types and gives insight into regulations and voluntary schemes. A number of case studies demonstrate how PIR has been used to meet regulatory and voluntary scheme standards..
Suitable for anyone looking to learn about how to achieve zero carbon through a fabric first approach including specifiers, installers, clients and students, the CPD outlines why high performance insulation is one of the simplest and most cost effective ways to reduce energy demand and cut CO2.
“In new buildings the fabric first approach can reduce heating demand by 90-95% and is the secret to achieving more thermally efficient building envelopes,” commented Simon Storer, Chief Executive of IMA. “This CPD presentation explains how taking the fabric first approach using the best available wall, floor and roof insulation will be key to hitting our net zero climate change targets.”
To view the online CPD module, please click on the following link:-
The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has welcomed the latest proposals on competence requirements for those working on higher risk buildings released by the Competence Steering Group (CSG) in its final report ‘Setting the Bar’.
The report proposes an overarching system of competence made up of four key elements: a new competence committee sitting within the Building Safety Regulator; a national suite of competence standards – including new sector-specific frameworks developed by 12 working groups; arrangements for independent assessment and reassessment against the competence standards; and a mechanism to ensure that those assessing and certifying people against the standards have appropriate levels of oversight.
The ASFP is particularly pleased to see the proposals relating to installers working on in scope buildings. The report recommends that, wherever appropriate, Government should mandate persons working on higher-risk buildings to be registered / certified by a recognised professional or certification body. It also calls on the industry to adopt a framework for all the installer sectors that can later be applied to other project types and will consist of:
Accredited third party certification of companies
Level 2 or 3 qualifications for individuals
A card scheme such as, but not limited to, the CSCS
CPD refresher training and the maintenance of individual skills
The report proposes that all installers should possess a core knowledge of fire safety in buildings, with training to be standardised and made mandatory. It calls for all individuals whose work on higher-risk buildings is likely to materially affect safety outcomes, or who work unsupervised on these buildings, to meet the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours set out in the competence frameworks developed by the industry.
Having long campaigned for mandatory third party certification for installers of fire protection products, the ASFP welcomes the report’s recognition that the competency of all installers should be independently verified.
ASFP chief executive Niall Rowan said: “The ASFP has long recommended the specification of third party certificated products, installed by third party certificated installers. This ensures an auditable trail from the specialist that installed the relevant fire protection measure, back through to the product or systems manufacturer. For over 20 years, we have required all ASFP contractor members to be third party certificated.
“We welcome these new recommendations which place a strong emphasis on ensuring the competency of installers and recognise the importance of them having standardised and independently verified qualifications. We hope this brings us another step closer to mandatory third party certification for both products and installers and urge the industry and Government to rapidly implement these proposals.”
Last week at the NBS Construction Leaders’ Summit and looked at the big levers of change, political, economic and technological drivers, that those in the built environment should better understand and prepare for the challenges ahead. Delegates heard from a host of influential industry figures, including Dame Judith Hackitt (pictured above) and the construction minister Nadhim Zahawi MP. Themes highlighted the stark choice in the future is between short term retrenchment or embracing new models in order to successfully survive in a changing market.
The double-whammy of a pandemic and a recession has made 2020 one of the most challenging and disrupted years in living memory. Digital adoption has ramped up exponentially this year and played an essential part in keeping the sector open for business. However, evolution will not stop there, and delegates heard about the tsunami of change approaching.
Nadhim Zahawi, the construction minister, discussed the government’s objectives for construction and outlined its commitment to the sector, from decarbonisation and building safety to digital technologies and modular construction. He also touched upon ‘Project Speed’ and the forthcoming Cabinet Office ‘Construction Procurement Playbook’.
The Minister said, “We want to build dozens more hospitals, upgrade hundreds of schools and get thousands of new homes up on the market. We will only achieve this by working in unison, using our position as the sector’s biggest client. Our aim is to drive innovation, spark industry investment and create more opportunities for SMEs to deliver government projects.”
He concluded his speech by saying, “I spoke today about greener, quicker, safer and more efficient building. I’ve not said the word ‘better’ all that often. That is because this is precisely what we mean by ‘building back better’, recognising our economy and people need support, building in a way that helps both but focussing on what we need to renew and where we want to be in the future. We are ensuring we build a better country now and for the decades to come. By embracing the technology at our disposal today, we can make sure that everything we’ve built is the best it can be.”
Dame Judith Hackitt, chair of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, delivered an equally powerful speech about the changes which the construction industry must prepare for in the forthcoming Building Safety Legislation which is currently a Draft Bill yet to go through Parliament.
This will be the biggest shake-up in building safety for a generation. She outlined what will happen after it passes into law, specifically the implementation period before the regulator is up and running, not expected to be fully operational until 2023.
Earlier this year Dame Judith expressed her frustration with the lack of progress being made on resolving problems uncovered in high rise buildings since the Grenfell Tower fire. Today she again underlined the urgent need for radical changes in culture, competencies and processes. Digital will be the norm, so the sector can expect to see improved record keeping, less substitution, and ‘value engineering’ will move from being about cost reduction to focus on quality.
Dame Judith said: “The essence of the change that is needed is to stop looking at the letter of the law and finding ways to comply with minimum standards. The new approach to building safety must be about the opportunity to deliver buildings which we would all be happy to have our loved ones live in – confident that they feel safe and are safe. There is a moral imperative above the legal one.”
Richard Waterhouse, chief strategy officer at NBS, said: “We’ve seen that, if a major driver like the current pandemic comes along, all industries can change. Construction in particular, has really moved on. This was an industry known for being resistant to change, so it shows what’s possible in the right set of circumstances. Design teams used to working in co-located ways have found they can collaborate and communicate from their offices or from home, and can have their virtual teams working with the construction teams, still getting the input and the advice they need from manufacturers and sharing that with clients. New digital, collaborative ways of working have evolved and have been delivered rapidly.”
He added, “COVID hasn’t really changed things. It’s simply accelerating the things that were already happening. We wanted to curate an event which brings together the latest thinking and brightest and best minds to look at the construction ecosystem, and the opportunities technology offers to build a better world. Day one of The Construction Leaders’ Summit – The Digital Future succeeded in providing attendees with inspiration and practical guidance to equip them for the future.”
Mark Farmer, CEO of Cast, spoke about modular off-site construction and how key this approach will be in delivering the buildings the country needs. Mr Farmer said: “The ‘Modernise or Die’ challenge that I set out to the industry in 2016 has only become more urgent. Faced with a heady cocktail of Brexit, COVID-19, regulatory and policy reforms businesses have difficult decisions ahead. Economic headwinds are forcing a stark choice between short term retrenchment to business as usual, or embracing new models and innovation in order to successfully survive in a changing market.”
The NBS Construction Leaders’ Summit was organised by NBS, which has its roots in the UK’s National Building Specification, and for nearly 50 years has been helping the construction industry build better and with lower risk.
Building materials manufactured by some of the biggest names in the industry are now being delivered to sites nationwide aboard state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz trucks that have raised the bar in terms of safety and efficiency.
Wincanton’s construction operations received their first 14 new-generation Actros models from East Anglia Dealer Orwell Truck & Van, a trusted supplier to Britain’s largest third-party logistics company for more than 10 years. The 26-tonne rigids are fitted with rear-mounted cranes, and work with drawbar trailers at 44-tonne gross train weights.
Standard equipment on the fifth-generation Actros includes MirrorCam, Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ revolutionary replacement for conventional mirrors. Images relayed by the cameras to screens mounted on the A-pillars inside the cab are particularly helpful to drivers when working on building sites where difficult conditions – clouds of dust, for example – can severely restrict the view from conventional exterior mirrors. MirrorCam provides a clear view to the rear while also eliminating forward-facing blind spots caused by mirror housings.
“MirrorCam has elevated safety technology to a new level,” declared Wincanton’s construction Fleet Engineer Martin Reeve. “The improved visibility provided by the new cameras is an advantage, particularly when vehicles are manoeuvring on construction sites.”
The new trucks have 2.3m StreamSpace sleeper cabs – the narrower of the two widths available – and merit two stars from Transport for London’s Direct Vision scheme. As 2546 L models, they are powered by 340 kW (460 hp) 10.7-litre in-line six-cylinder engines.
Given the crane’s position at the back of the truck, the Wincanton team ensured compliance by opting for uprated rear-steer axles plated at 8,500 kg to give a 19-tonne bogie weight.
The vehicle bodies and the trailers were built in Sheffield by Massey Truck Engineering, and incorporate multiple lashing points for use with ratchet straps – 900 mm curtains provide additional load protection.
In another ‘first’, rather than specifying traditional keruing hardwood flooring for its new trucks and trailers, Wincanton has chosen a more sustainable alternative in the form of a honeycomb composite plastic that is also safer and lighter.
Meanwhile, Hiab’s 145DLL-1 HiPro long boom crane has a 14.4-tonne lifting capacity. ‘Power on demand’ technology contributes to fuel efficiency by ensuring that the vehicle engine responds directly, via the PTO (power take-off), to the crane’s requirements – so when the crane is not lifting a load, the engine runs on idle.
The Hiab HiPro comes with an advanced ‘joystick’ radio-remote control, which improves productivity, said Martin Reeve. “While safety is always our number one priority, offloading efficiency is crucial too, as these new vehicles are set up to make the most of the innovations available on these new products.”
Wincanton also specifies Hiab’s HiConnect telematics system. Working together, technicians from Hiab, Massey Truck Engineering, Mercedes-Benz and Orwell Truck & Van have programmed this to deliver key information via the 12in primary colour display in the upgraded interactive version of Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ radical new Multimedia Cockpit. This includes pictorial warnings that, for example, the crane boom or remote-control unit have not been correctly stowed.
Further enhancing safety and fuel-efficiency, the Hiab cranes have also been programmed with remote engine start/stop and PTO selection from the loader’s handset control.
Wincanton is accredited to the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) and Construction Logistics and Community Safety (CLOCS), upholding safety across the construction industry. It operates a fleet of over 200 trucks from 27 customer locations nationwide, which make bulk deliveries of materials to UK construction sites. Most work as drawbar combinations, and the majority of these are by Mercedes-Benz.
The Wincanton Group operates some 3,500 trucks in total, and the three-pointed star also features prominently in other parts of its business. Having taken its first two new-generation Actros tractor units from Orwell Truck & Van late in 2019, Wincanton commissioned a further 20 units earlier this year. Other orders fulfilled by the Dealer in the last couple of years included one for 25 truck mixers based on eight-wheeled Arocs chassis.
“Our latest Mercedes-Benz trucks are well tailored to the job,” continued Martin Reeve. “We’re confident we’ve got their complex specification ‘spot on’ when it comes to safety and efficiency, and that will help to reinforce Wincanton’s position in the sector.”
The Actros are fitted with microwave ovens and fridges, reflecting the fact that their drivers typically spend four nights a week in their cabs. “The Actros was already very popular with drivers but the new models take acceptance to a new level. The current shortage of driver and loader operators in the industry means that driver retention and attracting new talent is a key goal.”
It’s safe to say that the construction industry operates under a considerable amount of health and safety legislation – and for good reason. Before the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the industry regularly had 300 health and safety-related work deaths per year.
In 2018–2019, there were 54,000 non-fatal injuries, which is approximately 366 accidents per 100,000 employees and significantly above the UK average of 254 per 100,000. There were also 79,000 work-related ill-health cases reported for that timeframe, with 69 per cent of them being recorded musculoskeletal disorders.
One glaring example of construction negligence is the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy that resulted in 72 individuals losing their lives. The fire started in a fourth-floor flat and quickly spread.
Within minutes, all sides of the 24-storey tower were in flames. The subsequent inquiry concluded that the main cause of the fire’s spread was the presence of aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding, which was installed as part of an ongoing refurbishment from 2012 to 2016.
But several non-compliant systems also contributed to the disaster, some which hadn’t been replaced or upgraded since its original build in 1974. Later, when tests were performed on cladding samples from 34 high rise buildings across 17 different local authorities, all of them failed the combustibility test. These findings showcased a significant fault in how health and safety is approached in construction – including how the importance of such a topic is perceived.
In the wake of the fire, the Government commissioned a thorough review of building regulations and how they incorporated fire safety. Known to many as the Hackitt Report, the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety was issued in May 2018.
In response to its findings, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) introduced new measures that improve how it addresses health and safety to fit with the report’s recommendations when it released its Plan of Work for 2020.
Key legislation and regulation
The following information highlights the key legislation and regulation that surrounds, and often poses challenges for the construction industry.
What kind of health and safety legislation applies to the construction industry?
The amount of construction-related health and safety legislation is extensive, with the key one being the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. It’s almost impossible to be an expert in every aspect of it, but, if construction and design is to take place, then it’s vitally important to at least be aware of its existence.
Who regulates health and safety, and where can I find guidance?
In the UK, the industry is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who provides information and guidance in all aspects of health and safety. It places the welfare of people at the core of everything that is done and should be built into the environment – at work, at play, at rest.
Also, in response to the Hackitt Report, HSE have started to oversee a new building regulator that will focus on the safe design, construction and occupation of high-risk buildings. While HSE serves as a vital source of information, instruction and guidance, it is ultimately up to everyone involved with a project to ensure that your building plans and work comply.
Pre-construction and Hackitt Report recommendations
What is pre-construction information and when should it be provided?
According to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM 2015), ‘A client must provide pre-construction information as soon as it is practicable to every designer and contractor appointing, or being considered for appointment, to the project.’ It goes on to describe pre-construction information as:
‘…information in the client’s possession or which is reasonably obtainable by or on behalf of the client, which is relevant to the construction work and is of an appropriate level of detail and proportionate to the risks involved, including–
(a) information about–
the project;
planning and management of the project;
iii. health and safety hazards, including design and construction hazards and how they will be addressed; and
(b) information in any existing health and safety file…’
What does the Hackitt Report recommend about specification?
In its recommendations, the Hackitt Report highlights the need for better specifications around everything from testing of products and systems to improving information quality and providing more precise and transparent tracking.
This article is based on an NBSwebinar featuring Sarah Susman, Head of Technical Development at Scott Brownrigg Architects, and NBS Technical Author Roland Finch.
The latest edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review from industry analysts Barbour ABI, highlights has reported that the total value of construction contract awards in September 2020 was £5.4 billion based on a three-month rolling average. This is 21.2% higher than for August and is also 13.8% higher than September 2019, .
Quarterly analysis indicates that total construction contract awards were valued at £13.5 billion in Q3 2020. This is 47.1% higher than Q2 but is 8.4% lower than for Q3 2019. Raw monthly data has seen significant uplift in September to £6.0 billion which is an increase of 52.5% on the £3.9 billion in August.
Analysis by sector indicates that residential maintained lead status in September accounting for 32.8% of awards. Infrastructure was the second largest sector in September with attributable share of 20.8% of awards. The commercial & retail sector was the third largest this month accruing 16.1% of the total.
Regional analysis shows that London was the leading region in September with 22.6% of awards. The second largest region was the East of England with 13.7% of awards and was followed by the West Midlands which accounted for 11.0% of awards.
Commenting on the figures, Tom Hall, chief economist at Barbour ABI and AMA Research said: “After three months of recovering activity, contract awards over July-September returned to pre-Covid 19 average levels. Given the size of the shock to the construction industry and the wider economy that is cause for celebration. However, these numbers will contain an element of catch-up from the lost activity in April-June, so underlying activity is likely to be somewhat weaker than the headline numbers.
“The recovery so far has been evident more in the public and infrastructure sectors, with the commercially minded sectors remaining slightly subdued. With significant uncertainties remaining it will be interesting to see how the situation evolves over the coming months”
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