The UK Construction Blog

Galliford Try Construction pays the price for poor planning and lack of supervision

A construction company has been prosecuted after a cherry picker operator was catapulted 4m into the path of a moving bus on London’s Euston Road.

Two workers from Galliford Try Construction Limited were working on an apartment near St Pancras Renaissance Hotels and Chambers on the 4^th of March 2011. As the cherry picket was being reversed onto Euston Road, a double-decker had just turned the corner and struck the operator platform, catapulted the driver from the platform onto the tarmac in front of the moving bus. Amazingly he was pushed along by the bus, found under the front nearside with serious head, arm, pelvis and leg injuries, but returned to work earlier this year, despite the severe injuries.

The construction company, of Uxbridge, Middlesex, were fined £12, 000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of over £16, 000 after pleading guilty to two serious breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The Health and Safety Executive’s investigation concluded that the incident could have been avoided if the firm had fulfilled their duties to properly plan and supervise safe work. The hearing took place on the 11^th of April and HSE Inspector Paul Hems said:

“This worker narrowly escaped death after a series of events which almost seem unbelievable but in fact could have proved fatal.

“A 14-metres long slow-moving machine, not suitable for use on a public highway, was moved against the flow of traffic on to a three-lane road. Both workers were without high visibility clothing and there were no visible warning lights on the cherry-picker despite it being early morning and still dark which made it, and the men, effectively invisible to the bus driver.”

Despite the risks of using cherry pickets being well-known, the company failed to ensure safe movement of the vehicle between different compounds, and also failed to provide adequate levels of instruction and information to their employees.

Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), cherry pickets, scissor lifts and vehicle-mounted booms provide a safe way of working at height, allowing workers to reach high tasks quickly and easily. They have guard rails round the edge of the platform to prevent workers from falling off the platform, and can be used indoors and out.

When using MEWPs construction companies are advised to check ground conditions to ensure there is no risk of the device becoming unstable or overturning. Operators should be fully trained and competent, and should check to ensure that the MEWP cannot be caught on any protruding overhead hazards including scaffolding, trees and power lines. They should also assess the risk of passing traffic and take measures to prevent the risk of collisions.

Alan Cairns writes on a number of subjects including cherry picker hire and health and safety

A £30m fund for self builders has been announced by housing minister Grant Shapps

At the same time Kevin McCloud, presenter of Channel 4′s Grand Designs and an architecture specialist, has been appointed by the self-build industry to support the national surge of interest in people looking to design and build their own home.

Shapps said the £30 million fund will provide short-term finance to help unlock projects where groups of self-build homes are built at the same time.

According to Shapps the self-build industry is “riding the crest of a wave” as the number of self-build mortgages is set to rise by 141 per cent, and over 100,000 people are looking for self-build plots across the country.

Yet despite this interest, Britain still lags behind the rest of the world, with just one in ten of all homes each year built by self-builders - so the government has pledged to double the size of the industry.

Dutch example

To mark the start of his new role, McCloud accompanied the housing minister as he leads a UK trade delegation to the Netherlands, to see what lessons can be learnt from the highly successful Dutch self-build industry.

They visited Almere near Amsterdam, the largest low-cost self-build experiment in Europe, which has grown rapidly in recent years.

These types of projects have been held back in the UK because of reluctance by lenders to provide finance. Self-build groups will now be able to bid for a slice of the cash to part fund land acquisition and early development costs with money being repaid on completion of the project.

Encouraging lenders to lend

Shapps is also writing to key players in the mortgage market, highlighting the strong business case for lending to self-builders.

Citing recent surveys by the Building Societies Association, Shapps said that 53 per cent of those asked would be interested in building their own home - while almost two thirds of those said they would like to begin building within the next two years.

In his letters to lenders, Shapps also highlighted a new ‘toolkit’ prepared by the BSA which will provide information and advice to lenders looking to expand into the growing self-build market.

Housing minister’s comment

Shapps said: “The self-build industry is riding the crest of a wave, with more people than ever wanting control over the design and build of their home.

“But despite this self-build surge, we continue to lag behind the rest of the world. I am determined to change this so anyone who wants to embark on a self-build project has the opportunity to do so.”

Self-build champion’s comment

McCloud commented: “In the past we have built some of the poorest performing, most expensive and smallest homes in Europe. That’s not something to celebrate.

“But there is another way. What if we became a nation of self builders like the Dutch? What if each household in the UK had the option to build their own place? What if large-scale developers provided finished-slab, fully-serviced sites for homebuilders?

“We’d see more customised homes that reflect where they are, to higher space standards and to a better quality. We’d see people sharing skills and saving money.

“We’d see neighbours working together on community self build schemes and local construction economies thriving. And we’d certainly see more energy efficient buildings and a wider embracing of green technologies.

“Self build is seen as a long, difficult and self-sacrificing process. But with the right planning, help and support it can be enjoyable and - on collective schemes - empowering.”

National Self Build Association

Chairman of the National Self Build Association Ted Stevens said: “Kevin is a fantastic ambassador for the self build sector, and we’re delighted he has agreed to become our champion.

“He has a real enthusiasm to see new types of self build happen in the UK - and I know he shares our interest in the innovative developments that are taking place in Continental Europe - particularly in the Netherlands and Germany. There are many lessons to be learnt from here that could have a huge impact if we applied some of them in the UK.

“We’re also delighted that he’s agreed to record a short welcome video for the new self build portal that the industry has just launched. This should be up and running in the next few days.

“The portal explains - in a very independent way - all the different ways of undertaking a self build project and helps would-be self builders figure out the best way of tackling a project for the money they have available.”

Government has pledged to double the size of the self-build industry and enlisted TV celebrity Kevin McCloud to promote Custom Build in the same week the Building Societies Association (BSA) publishes a toolkit offering advice on mortgage finance to sector newcomers.

The BSA reports that while one in 10 new homes in the UK are self built and the market generates £3bn annually for the UK economy, our European neighbours easily eclipse these figures. Of all French and German new builds approximately 60% are self-built and in Austria that rises to around 80%.

Nevertheless, describing the sector as “riding the crest of a wave”, housing minister Grant Shapps accompanied McCloud on a UK trade delegation to the Netherlands, to see Europe’s largest low-cost self-build experiment in Europe.

As he announced a £30m fund to provide short-term finance for self-builders, Shapps said: “More people than ever want control over the design and build of their home. But despite this surge, we continue to lag behind the rest of the world. I am determined to change this so anyone who wants to embark on a self-build project has the opportunity to do so.

“That’s why I am delighted Kevin McCloud has agreed to represent the industry, championing the cause of existing and aspiring self-builders across the country, and raising the issues and concerns that matter most to them.

“With the numbers of mortgages for self-build set to increase by a massive 141%, I will be watching with interest to see how further support from lending companies can help spur on this self-build revolution whose time has most definitely come.”

Shapps will write to “key players” in the mortgage market, highlighting the strong business case for lending to self-builders and helping to turn their housebuilding dreams into reality, after surveys showed said that 53% of those asked would be interested in building their own home. Almost two thirds of those said they would like to begin building within the next two years.

In these letters, he will highlight a new BSA toolkit providing information and advice to lenders looking to expand into this growing self-build market.

Kevin McCloud, presenter of Grand Designs (pictured) said: “In the past we have built some of the poorest performing, most expensive and smallest homes in Europe. That’s not something to celebrate.

“But there is another way. What if we became a nation of self builders like the Dutch? What if each household in the UK had the option to build their own place? What if large-scale developers provided finished-slab, fully-serviced sites for homebuilders?

“We’d see more customised homes that reflect where they are, to higher space standards and to a better quality. We’d see people sharing skills and saving money. We’d see neighbours working together on community self build schemes and local construction economies thriving. And we’d certainly see more energy efficient buildings and a wider embracing of green technologies.

“Self build is seen as a long, difficult and self- sacrificing process. But with the right planning, help and support it can be enjoyable and – on collective schemes – empowering.”

BSA head of mortgage policy, Paul Broadhead, added: “Many building societies began life by helping local people fund the building of their homes, so self-build fits well with the mutual lending model. We hope that the lender toolkit will help to promote this more innovative area of lending to more providers.

“The consumer demand is there and the need for additional housing is evident. On top of this the government has committed to maximise access for self-builders to land which is being released as part of its accelerated land-disposals programme and to require local authorities to take positive steps to facilitate this form of building. The barriers to self-build are steadily coming down.”

Self-build facts and figures:

• 13,800 self-build homes were completed in 2010/11 (DCLG estimate).
• 400,000 people searched Rightmove in September 2011 alone looking for a building plot.
• 100,000 people subscribe to one of the main plot-finding websites.
• 53% of respondents to a YouGov survey said they would be interested in building their own home.

Activity levels among building firms have begun to improve, the most recent Construction Market Survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has revealed.

Eight per cent more respondents to the research claimed their workloads rose rather than declined during the first quarter of 2012, which is a significant improvement when compared with the negative ratings for the previous three months.

However, the cost of raw materials continued to grow during the first quarter of the year, while staffing expenditures were reported to have remained static.

Contrasting these positive results, figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed the overall output volume of the construction sector dropped by 4.8 per cent during the first three months of the year when compared with the preceding quarter.

Rics chief economist Simon Rubinsohn said: “Workloads rose across the sector – albeit modestly – and this looks as though it could continue over the next twelve months.”

The Chartered Institute of Building has called for smarter regulation in response to the Government’s proposed changes to the Building Regulations.

Chris Blythe Chief Executive at the CIOB said, “Smarter regulation is not about diluting protection, but about making life easier for businesses who are stifled from over regulation.  Building Control plays an important role but that also needs to be resourced appropriately and we have to find ways to alleviate the pressure on them.”

As part of its call for smarter regulation, CIOB has backed the proposal for an agreed ‘service plan’ that allows better use of building control bodies’ time and resources, and that will also reduce costs and delays for construction companies.

In its response the CIOB supported the removal of fire protection provision in Local Acts, but has urged government to ensure key parts are harmonised nationally to maintain robust fire protection provisions. The Institute has also supported the removal of the Warranty Link Rule, which has proved ineffectual since its introduction in 2005.

The CIOB welcomes a greater emphasis for a ‘fabric first’ approach to Part L, though has highlighted the energy performance gap as an important issue to tackle, from both a Part L and Green Deal perspective. The Institute has strongly encouraged the use of regularly updated user guides for building occupants as a means of tackling this gap and to advise users on how best to operate low carbon technologies in buildings.

“It is vital that there is a joined-up approach across different government initiatives. Recently  the UK Contractors Group made the point that implementation of Part L should link with the work of the Green Construction Board on low carbon build and we would echo that,” continued Blythe.

He added, “It’s difficult to get a coherent direction on green policy and perhaps the government needs less cooks spoiling the broth. The recent decision to reduce solar feed-in tariffs for example impacted on contractors gearing up for an expansion of that market.”

A number of organisations say that VAT for repairs and alterations to listed buildings should not be increased to 20 per cent.

A letter to chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne opposing the move has been signed by 17 groups, including the Royal Institute of British Architects, the National Home Improvement Council, the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the Federation of Master Builders.

The correspondence sent to the politician claimed this measure has already caused disruption to a number of intended construction projects and might threaten the future of some of the UK’s historic structures.

FMB chief executive Brian Berry pointed out “sympathetic alterations” are often required so listed buildings can maintain their economic, cultural and social value.

“We shouldn’t underestimate the role these buildings play when it comes to supporting our local economies,” the expert added.

Heritage tourism boosts the UK’s economy by £20.06 billion every year and supports the employment of 466,000 individuals, the letter stated.

Crest Nicholson has been given £2.3 million through the Get Britain Building scheme, heralding the first project to have been financed through this programme. The money will be used to release 100 homes on a stalled project in the south-east of Ashford, which has already been granted planning permission.

Permits to construct at least 1,000 houses and community facilities such as buildings for healthcare and sports and a primary school on the site have similarly been attained.

Stephen Stone, chief executive of Crest Nicholson, stated: “This funding allocation is not only great news in terms of the delivery of much needed new housing, but will also inject a welcome boost into local economies.”

Get Britain Building could unlock the construction of more than 15,000 new homes.

It has £570 million in its funds, which is earmarked to kick-start work on stalled building sites that have been given planning permission.

The coalition government set up the policy in order to address problems construction firms currently have in attaining finance.

The construction sector ought to be a vital part of the UK’s economic recovery.

This is according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), which made this statement in response to figures from the Office for National Statistics revealing the UK has fallen into another technical recession.

Gross domestic product dropped by 0.2 per cent during the first three months of 2012, while construction sector output declined by three per cent in this timeframe.

FMB chief executive Brian Berry argued the industry is “essential to the wellbeing of the wider economy because of the variety and quantity of job it creates”.

He suggested that ministers implement steps to stimulate the sector, such as by reducing VAT on property repairs, scrapping VAT on heritage buildings, providing public sector procurement projects to smaller enterprises and taking action against banks and moneylenders that discriminate against building companies and their customers.

Parliament ought to “invest in capital projects rather than just focusing its attention on budget cuts”, the specialist remarked.

Personalisation is becoming more commonplace in interior design, according to Dulux colour and design manager Rebecca Thompson, who claimed members of the public “want to be putting their own stamp on the place”.

People who are engaged with decorating are using colours instead of blank canvasses, with red “filtering down from fashion” and reaching the mainstream, the specialist remarked.

The psychological effect particular tones have is “personal and incredibly subjective”, which makes it a “difficult thing to ground”, she declared.

However, certain hues can alter an individual’s mood and result in an emotive impact, the expert continued.

A Chartered psychologist Dr David Lewis recently claimed subdued tones such as brown, green and earthy colours can assist in comfort and relaxation, while red can create a sense of excitement.

Ms Thompson claimed Dulux is currently encouraging men and women to refresh their home decor in an uplifting and emotional way.

This “affects any space you create and how you would interact in it”, the representative pointed out.

First quarter of 2012, the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 0.2 per cent, with the output of the construction sector falling by 0.3 per cent, figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed.

In volume terms, GDP remained flat in this timeframe when compared with the same period one year earlier.

The figures represent two consecutive quarters of contraction within the UK’s economy, which means the nation has returned to recession.

Every £1 spent in the building sector generates £2.84 for the wider economy, commentators called on the government to switch its outgoings towards “more productive capital spending”.