Knowledge Base

During the COVID-19 pandemic, construction projects have suffered both in terms of delays and additional costs. The Government has published guidance on how businesses involved in construction and other outdoor work can work safely during coronavirus. One of the seven steps to protect yourself, your staff and your customers during coronavirus is to make sure everyone is social distancing on site. One of the easiest ways to ensure this is possible is to limit the number of people, where practicable,…

Legislation regarding health and safety in construction and building design falls under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act. Everyone involved in a building project has legal obligations under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) to ensure the health and safety of all those who might be affected by the work, including site operators and members of the public. These regulations set out what people involved in construction work need to do to protect themselves from harm and anyone the work affects – including…

Health and Safety Legislation Everyone on site has a personal responsibility to behave safely. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, employers have duties to protect their employees from dangers to their health and safety and to protect others who might be affected by work being carried out on site. These responsibilities include proper design arrangements (including planning and risk assessment) and management (including supervision) of the works. Under the Equality Act 2010, there is also a…

Headlines about the southern border wall in the USA might be dominating the news agenda lately but, post 9-11, barriers, fencing, and other architectural safety measures are also trending topics. Today, historic buildings require 21st century security and safety measures, which are the least obtrusive and that may even enhance their beauty. One major example is the $20 million glass wall erected by the French authorities around the Eiffel Tower in Paris for security purposes. This transparent, bullet-proof wall provides…

What is the Food Standard Agency’s food hygiene rating scheme? The Food Standard Agency’s food hygiene rating scheme provides members of the public with information about businesses’ food hygiene standards. The scheme, which is run in partnership with local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, gives businesses a rating from 5 to 0 which is displayed at their premises and online so that the public can make an informed choice about where to eat out and shop for food….

Whether it’s waiting for a bus on a rail replacement day, joining the throng of passengers at passport control or in line outside the nearest Apple store on the eve of their next iPhone release, there’s nothing we Brits like more than forming an orderly queue. Researchers at University College London have even published an academic report on the subject. Brits have got it down to such a fine art that they have even been known to demonstrate queuing superpowers…

The use of drones in construction is an industry innovation which is really taking off. There are many site tasks which a drone can facilitate with greater speed and accuracy yet much less expense than traditional methods. So, how exactly can drones be used in construction, and what’s the future trajectory for using them in the industry? What’s a drone? A drone is a recognisable aircraft, usually of compact design but variable in size – from the size of a…

An organised building site is a safer building site, not least because the planning and compliance behind robust organisation and site management generally mirrors the planning, risk-minimisation, and attention to detail required to facilitate compliance in health and safety for workers, visitors and the passing public. But where do you start when it comes to getting a building site up and running for optimum safety and productivity? It can be helpful to know the key areas involved as ensuring these…

*Are you at risk or currently suffering from flooding? See our range of easy-install flood defence barriers 70 flood warning were issued across England in October and November 2019 with large parts of the country submerged under water. Places hit the hardest included areas of Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Around 22,000 properties were under protection by flood defences, including nearly 7,000 properties alone in Yorkshire. Record rainfall recorded Some areas endured their “wettest ever autumns”, with the…