The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008 | U.K. Edition
Qatari government backs CISRS OSTS
CISRS have announced that the Qatari government has placed an insistence for CISRS-trained operatives in all its major construction project scaffolding tenders.
The procurement announcement was made by representatives from Ashghal, the department responsible for overseeing large-scale infrastructure, buildings and public utility developments across the country, during a visit to London. Ashghal safety officials met with officials from CISRS and Simian Risk at the training provider’s scaffolding training centre in Waltham Forest, formerly operated by NCC. Following a tour of the facility, CISRS Scheme Manager David Mosley gave a short presentation into the history of CISRS in the UK and the creation and ongoing expansion of the Overseas Scaffolders Training Scheme (OSTS). The benefits of OSTS training – with increased labour skills leading to increases in safety standards and productivity – and the recent establishment of two CISRS OSTS centres in Qatar were then discussed. David Mosley, CISRS Scheme Manager, said: “I welcome Ashghal’s announcement, which will encourage more scaffolders to undergo certified OSTS scaffolding training and lead to greater safety standards, improved knowledge and skill levels on sites throughout Qatar.New Technology To Revolutionise UK Construction
A whopping £18 million in funding from United Kingdom Research and Innovation is set to revolutionise the construction industry through new technology.
With this in mind, four new research projects aiming to speed up assembly, save money, and improve the quality of UK building projects have been announced by the cutting edge group. They Include: Manufacturing integrated building components using digital hybrid Concrete Printing (HCP) technology. This project utilizes 3D Concrete Printing to create an object slightly larger than the desired object or near net shape. It then uses subtractive processes including cutting, milling and drilling, to remove a small amount of material in creating the net-shape to sub-millimetre precision. HCP technology will enable the intelligent integration of building performance and energy production and storage technologies, freed from traditional constraints on form and finish. Applied Off-site and On-site Collective Multi-Robot Autonomous Building Manufacturing. An innovative multi-agent control framework will enable a team of robots to operate in a similar way to how social insects, such as termites, work. They will collectively design and build structures of substantial scale and complexity, by quickly and efficiently organising themselves. Automating Concrete Construction. A move to dramatically improve whole life construction sector sustainability and productivity. This will be done by creating a culture taking a fresh, holistic approach to the manufacture, assembly, reuse, and deconstruction of concrete buildings, leading to a healthier, safer, built environment. Integrating Conversational AI and Augmented Reality with BIM for faster and collaborative on-site Construction Assemblage. The challenge is to utilise Augmented Reality (AR) providing visual support to access BIM systems and installation guides, without obstructing or distracting the view of on-site workers. This project will exploit advanced AI, computer visions, and AR technologies to develop an end-to-end BIM solution to support on-site assembly operations. In addition to boosting the productivity of front-line assembly workers, it seeks to eliminate the tedious process of coordinating on-site activities which often involve multiple workers and machinery.Meeting New Challenges
The new £5 million Research Leaders programme will develop innovative solutions to transform the construction industry and deliver, better performing homes, better jobs and better value for taxpayers as part of the Industrial Strategy. In addition, UKRI announced £13.3 million, to fund 24 collaborative research and development projects, delivered by Innovate UK, in the construction sector addressing the three core aims of the Transforming Construction challenge programme. Sam Stacey, Director of the Transforming Construction Challenge, said: “These Research Leaders and Collaborative Research and Development grants are funded by the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and play a key role in advancing the transformation across the sector. They will help the construction industry work directly with talented researchers to explore new ways of working in construction that will speed up assembly, save money, and improve the quality of building projects.” Construction Minister, Richard Harrington, was keen to point out: “The use of Artificial Intelligence, digital techniques and off-site manufacturing, help us harness new methods of working. This delivers on the Government’s Construction Sector Deal which pledges to build better performing buildings, using less energy and providing better value for taxpayers. “These new methods to help the construction industry are a testament to the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy’s aims of building a better tomorrow for us all through scientific and technological advances.”Futuristic Opportunities
Professor Sir Mark Walport, UKRI Chief Executive, added: “Technologies being developed in the UK provide a significant opportunity to transform the way we build, such as the use of augmented reality to improve design or robotics to aid complex building assembly. “Through projects such as these, the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund allows us to catalyse innovation across the UK’s vital construction industry improving productivity, sustainability and safety.” A range of impressive project partners are involved in the projects including Loughborough, Cambridge, Sheffield, Bath, Dundee and West of England university’s, along with Imperial College London. Other well-known names include, KUKA Robotics UK Limited, Cundall Johnston & Partners, Laing O’Rourke plc, Geo Green Power and many more. Delivery of the funding is led by UKRI through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Innovate UK, under the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund’s Transforming Construction Challenge.TRAD make donation to Lighthouse Charity following win at Altrad President’s Safety Awards
TRAD UK proudly received the Best Team Contribution Award at the inaugural Altrad President’s Awards for Safety Ceremony in Montpellier at the end of 2018.
The Safety Award was in recognition of TRAD’s significant contribution towards improving safety within their own business and the wider construction industry. As winner’s of the prestigious award, TRAD have received £1,000 to donate to a charity of their choice.
TRAD UK has said they will double this amount, so the well deserved Lighthouse Club Charity, as chosen by TRAD UK CEO Des Moore, will receive £2,000.
The Lighthouse Club’s primary purpose is to provide financial and emotional support to construction workers and their families who have suffered hardship as a consequence of accident, illness or bereavement. They receive no public funding and rely on the generosity of those within the industry to help them continue their vital work.
At the NASC Annual Ball & Awards in November 2018, the Lighthouse Club received a huge donation of £30,000, which was generously raised by members of NASC, of which Des Moore is currently President. This donation was an initiative of Des Moore and TRAD UK, and as a result of this substantial contribution, the NASC has been placed on the Lighthouse Club Charity’s Wall of Fame.
It is thanks to generosity like this from the construction industry that the Lighthouse Club can develop their Building Mental Health programme. They have recently launched their Construction Industry Helpline App, which complements their existing 24/7 Helpline. Through the app, users can find out more information how about they can help themselves and take the next step in seeking professional help. TRAD’s more than 1,000 staff have adopted the use of this free mental health app, which will prove vital to those who feel they have nowhere else to turn. Two construction workers take their own life every single working day and stress, anxiety and depression accounts for a fifth of all work-related illness.
TRAD recognise the importance of driving the change in the construction industry towards mental health and wellbeing support. In 2018, TRAD signed the Time for Change Pledge and implemented a specific action plan to support the mental health and wellbeing of the Group’s 1,000 employees. A guidance booklet was distributed to all employees, which included information, support and advice and TRAD are currently in the process of training nominated mental health champions, who will encourage understanding and openness of mental health issues amongst all employees and offer support and guidance.
Des Moore comments, “At TRAD we are doing all we can to break down mental health stigma and support our employees’ mental health and wellbeing in an open and supportive way.”