Dominic Ashley-Timms, CEO of performance consultancy Notion, examines how those managing work sites can foster an improved culture of safety in construction and motivation to improve efficiency and attract the next generation Construction is the UK’s most dangerous industry, reporting more than twice as many work-related deaths than agriculture, forestry and fishing, and manufacturing. For managers, efficiency is key, but keeping people safe is also the highest priority. What if there was a way to achieve both simply by learning to approach people management differently? What if managers could ..read more

Amberley Homes, a construction company in Kent, has been fined £25,000 after a sub-contractor fell from an unguarded scaffolding opening Mark Tolley, 51, fell nearly two metres through an opening in a scaffold on 5 July 2017 while working on the construction of six houses. He sustained several broken ribs and serious internal injuries, including a punctured lung. He later died on 13 July 2017. Mr Tolley had been installing vertical hanging tiles on one of the new properties when he fell 1.8 metres through an unguarded opening in the scaffold and landed on the ground below. Amberly Homes had no ..read more

Morgan Sindall has improved nuclear site safety following a crane incident at the Devonshire Dock Hall nuclear site at Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria On 21 August 2023, a rail load was dropped from a single crane operated by Morgan Sindall at the nuclear site in Cumbria. Fortunately, there were no injuries to people or the environment. Morgan Sindall was contracted by BAE Systems in 2016 to incorporate new manufacturing and installation capabilities for the £100m project. The ONR issued the contractor with an improvement notice In December 2023, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) ordered Morg ..read more

The British Occupational Hygiene Society has warned that “education, proper workplace controls and awareness” will be more effective at saving lives than a ban on engineered stone As companies in the UK start to follow Australia’s lead in banning engineered stone worktops, the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) has argued in favour of more moderate, widespread measures. UK kitchen company Herringbone was the first to ban the sale of high-silica quartz worktops, a popular type of kitchen surface, which can expose stonemasons to tiny crystalline particles of silica when working wit ..read more

An unexpected flare from a gas gun caused a roofer to stumble and fall, suffering multiple fractures in his legs Horizon Roofing Specialist Ltd had been appointed by principal contractor – Bromley-based Property Facilities Group Ltd – to originally undertake the installation of a new roof at Aspire Academy in Welling. As part of this work, three employees began work on replacing the roof of an existing modular building that was being refurbished, due to the original contractor becoming unavailable to complete the work. During the work on 29 September 2020, an unexpected flare from a gas gun ca ..read more

With National Apprenticeship Week running from 5 to 11 February, it is important to remember that today’s apprentices are tomorrow’s workforce and business owners. Sarah Meek, managing director at Mates in Mind, says it is vital to arm apprentices with not only technical skills but also the ability to spot, and talk about, the signs of poor mental wellbeing in themselves and others Research shows that approximately 35% of apprentices go on to run their own business. Therefore, if we, as a community, want to create safer workplaces, not just now but also for the future then it is imperative tha ..read more

Neglecting mental health awareness in construction can lead to anxiety, depression, burnout, substance abuse, and, tragically, suicide. Will Temperley, Fortis Foundations, explores how to recognise signs, provide support, and create a healthier work environment As the construction industry gears up to face the challenges of a new year, it is imperative to shed light on a crucial aspect often overshadowed by the physical demands of the job – mental health. Despite the physically demanding nature of the profession, the mental well-being of workers is often overlooked. This can lead to a range of ..read more

A variety of charities and helplines are available for those struggling with mental health, or construction managers seeking resources to better support their team In the steadfast world of construction, a silent struggle persists within the minds of the workforce. A study by IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect has illuminated the critical issue of mental health, revealing that an alarming 82% of builders in the UK grapple with work-related mental health problems every year. Despite this concerning statistic, an overwhelming 92% admitted to feeling uncomfortable discussing their mental heal ..read more

As Blue Monday approaches, Nicola Hodkinson, owner and director of Seddon and trustee of Mates in Mind, brings attention to the underestimated challenges encountered by construction workers during the winter season For many, the start of a new year often symbolises a period of renewed hope and resolutions. Yet, amidst the short, cold days of January, the construction industry confronts distinct challenges. While not scientifically proven, the concept of Blue Monday—considered the most depressing day of the year—is rooted in factors like gloomy weather and the post-holiday slump, which can sign ..read more

Nationwide Platforms, a powered access services and training provider, has been fined after a father-of-two was crushed to death in 2021 Lee Benham was working for Nationwide Platform Limited as a LGV driver when the incident occured on 4 November 2021. The 45-year-old was operating a scissor lift from the ground, using it to clear an access path so he could move pieces of machinery out of the workshop and load it onto his lorry at Nationwide Platform’s workshop in Liskeard, Cornwall. The controls were inverted on the scissor lift, meaning that when Lee operated the machinery, it instead came ..read more