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AXA Insurance Mandates Body Cameras for Cladding Safety Contractors

In a significant move towards bolstering safety protocols within the construction industry, AXA Insurance has recently announced a new requirement for cladding safety contractors to wear body cameras during their operations. This proactive step is aimed at ensuring heightened security and transparency in the construction process, particularly concerning the installation and maintenance of cladding systems.

The decision to implement body cameras for cladding safety contractors aligns with AXA’s commitment to prioritizing safety and risk management. The use of this technology is expected to bring several benefits to both contractors and the insurance provider, ultimately creating a safer working environment and minimizing potential risks associated with cladding projects.

One of the primary advantages of employing body cameras is the ability to document and review on-site activities comprehensively. By recording real-time footage, contractors can provide a visual account of their work, offering a valuable resource for analysis in the event of disputes or incidents. This footage may prove crucial in determining the sequence of events leading up to any untoward occurrence, helping to establish accountability and contributing to a more transparent claims process.

Moreover, the presence of body cameras is anticipated to act as a deterrent against unsafe practices or negligence on the part of contractors. Knowing that their actions are being recorded can motivate workers to adhere to safety protocols rigorously, fostering a culture of responsibility and caution. This, in turn, may lead to a reduction in the number of accidents and incidents related to cladding installation and maintenance.

The decision to mandate body cameras for cladding safety contractors is also in line with the broader industry trend towards adopting advanced technologies to enhance safety measures. AXA Insurance recognizes the potential of such innovations to revolutionize risk management and improve overall safety standards. By embracing cutting-edge solutions, the company aims to set a precedent for the construction sector, encouraging other insurance providers and contractors to explore similar measures.

It’s important to note that the implementation of body cameras does raise considerations related to privacy and data protection. AXA has assured that the collected footage will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and will only be used for safety and claims-related purposes. Contractors are expected to be informed about the specifics of data usage and consent before being required to wear body cameras.

Dougie Barnett, AXA Commercial’s Director of Customer Risk Management said: “We decided to use this cutting-edge technology to record evidence of the remediation work and securely store it in the cloud for reference. Our Business Resilience Team has been capturing videos of commercial risks in this way for the past three years for underwriters to review, so it made sense to extend this practice to these building remediations.

“It means underwriters can clearly see what’s been done when they assess risk and provide a quote with confidence, both now and in the future.”

AXA Insurance’s decision to mandate body cameras for cladding safety contractors marks a commendable step towards elevating safety standards in the construction industry. By leveraging technology to enhance transparency and accountability, AXA is not only safeguarding the interests of its clients but also contributing to the overall improvement of safety practices within the sector. This move reflects a forward-thinking approach that may well serve as a model for other insurance providers and construction companies looking to prioritize safety in their operations.

Construction News

Construction output in the UK increases by 0.2%

Construction output in the UK hit a record high in March, despite poor weather conditions and weak performances in the housing and commercial sectors

In March 2023, there was an estimated 0.2% increase in the volume of monthly construction output due to a 0.7% rise in new work, according to the latest ONS figures. Since records began in January 2010, construction output has reached its highest level of £15,616 million. This increase was partially offset by a 0.6% fall in repair and maintenance output.

“The modest increase in output will provide a measure of good news for the construction industry, especially given a large proportion of work during the month would have been impacted by it being the wettest March for more than 40 years,” said Clive Docwra, managing director of property and construction consultancy McBains.

Construction output varied across sectors

Four out of nine construction sectors witnessed an increase in output. Infrastructure and public work were the main contributors to the rise. Infrastructure work increased by 2.2% (£51 million), and public work increased by 6.5% (£48 million).

A rise in repair and maintenance output of 4.9% also contributed to an increase in quarterly construction output in early 2023. There has been continued strength within the repair and maintenance sectors across 2022 and early 2023, with all repair and maintenance sectors increasing in the quarter.

“The private housing and commercial sectors are still weak, with the 0.2% increase in the output being largely down to other work sectors. The picture in the housebuilding market in particular is not surprising because although reports elsewhere show house prices are rising, which would normally trigger an increase in construction activity,” said Docwra,

“Most developers are still planning to reduce by about a quarter the number of homes they planned, and further land purchase is also on hold until the economic forecast becomes clearer,” he added.

The weather may have helped the repair and maintenance sector

According to anecdotal evidence, adverse weather conditions in January 2023 increased the need for repair work. However, weather conditions improved in February 2023, which allowed for more work to be done in general.

There was a 12.4% decrease (£1,571 million) in total construction new orders when compared to the previous quarter. This was largely due to a decline in private commercial and private housing new orders, which fell by 22.3% (£773 million) and 18.4% (£607 million), respectively.

Six out of the seven sectors witnessed a decrease in total construction new orders in Quarter 1 2023, with the largest contributor being other new work new orders (non-housing) which fell by 9.7% (£874 million).

Private commercial new orders saw the largest decline, decreasing by 22.3% (£773 million). This was due to falls in office and entertainment projects. Infrastructure decreased by 8.2% (£183 million). However, there was an increase of 11.1% (£177 million) in public new work new orders during the same period.

Furthermore, the annual rate of construction output price growth was 8.5% in the 12 months leading up to March 2023. Although this growth rate is still high, it has slowed down slightly from the record annual price growth of 10.4% that was observed in May and June 2022.

Source: pbc today

Civil Engineering News

HS2 accident leaves one worker dead

A worker has died following an accident on HS2 on Thursday at the Balfour Beatty VINCI site near Solihull in the west Midlands.

The Enquirer understands the victim, who is believed to be in his 70s, was carrying out drilling work when the accident happened causing him to suffer a cardiac arrest.

He was airlifted to hospital for treatment where he was later pronounced dead.

An HS2 Ltd spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that an employee working for a company in the supply chain of HS2’s contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI died today following an incident on site near Marston Green on Thursday 27 April.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time. We are working with our construction partner and the relevant authorities to understand the cause of this incident.”

Source: Construction Enquirer

Construction Contracts News Public Works Contract

February construction output shows encouraging bounce back of 2.4%

At the start of 2023, the construction industry showed positive signs of growth, with February construction output bouncing back by 2.4%. This is a welcome relief after a sluggish end to 2022. According to recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the construction sector has been steadily improving since last year, despite the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic.

Key Highlights

Construction output rose by 2.4% in February 2023, following a 1.8% fall in January.
The three-month on three-month growth rate was 1.9%, the highest level since July 2022.
The private housing sector saw the strongest growth, with a 5.2% increase in output.
The infrastructure sector also showed significant growth, with output rising by 3.8% in February.

The increase in construction output is a positive sign for the UK economy, and the industry as a whole. The strong growth in the private housing sector is particularly encouraging, as this is an area that has been struggling in recent years due to a lack of investment and high demand. The government’s recent efforts to boost housebuilding, through initiatives such as the Help to Buy scheme and the creation of a new Housing Infrastructure Fund, are starting to have a positive impact.

Meanwhile, the growth in infrastructure output is also good news for the industry. This is an area that has been neglected in recent years, with a lack of investment leading to significant delays in major projects. However, the government’s commitment to increasing infrastructure spending is starting to pay off, with projects such as HS2 and Crossrail showing signs of progress.

Road works — Image by Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay

Mike Hedges, director at Beard Construction, said: “Like many other key sectors, construction has been unable to avoid the challenges of the last nine months or so. However, it is positive to see the landscape beginning to improve with an increase in output and the highest monthly value seen since January 2010.

“While it’s encouraging to see a marginal increase in new work, we shouldn’t be surprised to see repair and maintenance continuing to lead the recovery effort. This could in part reflect customers being wary about committing to large new-build construction projects but could also reflect the emerging direction of trying to maximise value from existing assets, reducing waste and preserving embodied carbon.

“Looking beyond February at the three-month picture though, infrastructure new work was a key contributor to growth. This certainly mirrors the broad portfolio of projects we’re working on and the tender opportunities we’re currently seeing at Beard.

“It’s further proof that firms need to remain agile and pivot toward more resilient sectors that will continue to provide opportunities, such as specialised infrastructure projects for local and central government. This is especially true for those firms reliant on residential building or housebuilding, which continues to be challenging with higher mortgage rates and borrowing costs stifling new-build demand. It will be encouraging to see the challenges on these sectors ease later this year with the slowing of interest rate increases.”

However, despite the positive signs, the construction industry still faces significant challenges. The ongoing impact of the pandemic continues to be felt, with supply chain disruptions and a shortage of skilled workers affecting many companies. In addition, rising material costs and inflation are putting pressure on margins, making it more difficult for companies to invest in new projects.

Overall, the increase in construction output in February 2023 is a positive sign for the industry and the wider economy. While challenges remain, the government’s commitment to boosting investment in housing and infrastructure is starting to have a positive impact. Companies that are able to navigate the current challenges and position themselves for growth in these key sectors are likely to see significant benefits in the coming years.

Construction News Public Works Contract

Sir Robert McAlpine restructure plans will see 60 jobs axed

Sir Robert McAlpine is cutting around 60 jobs, waving goodbye to two senior directors and switching its focus to sectors rather than regions under a major rejig of the business by chief executive Paul Hamer.

The most eye-catching departures are the firm’s London boss, Alison Cox, a McAlpine board member who has been in the post for just 18 months, and the managing director of its Southern business Ian Cheung who has been with the firm seven years.

But McAlpine is bringing back Grant Findlay as executive managing director of a newly formed Buildings division and who will now sit on a refreshed group board.

It will prioritise sectors where it has been most successful; these include healthcare, commercial offices, industrial, as well as the heritage and complex schemes delivered by its Major & Special Projects team.

McAlpine restructure plans will focus on clients’ changing requirements and decarbonisation.

The recent announcement of Sir Robert McAlpine’s appointment to the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus for the University of Bristol is a good illustration of this vision in action. The company will be working closely with this key client on a project that will make a huge impact on the city of Bristol and the local area, both socially and economically.

It is also growing the rail, transport, and nuclear sectors of its infrastructure business to drive profitable growth and minimise its exposure to ongoing geo-political and market risks.

The business will move from a regional operating model to a sector-focused model, with national centres of excellence providing projects with swift access to expertise.

McAlpine restructure plans will reduce workforce by 2.5%, but vows to remain guided by strong set of value.

The McAlpine way of Build Sure continues to underpin the business’s approach to engineering and technical excellence, ensuring the delivery of exemplary projects safely, sustainably, on time, on budget, to the highest quality.

Paul Hamer, chief executive, Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We have been proudly building Britain’s future heritage since 1869, and, throughout our history, have successfully overcome obstacles by remaining agile and adapting to evolving market conditions.

“The challenges that the industry is currently facing are exceptional and unprecedented. In this turbulent market, we owe it to our people and our clients to carefully consider how we apply our focus and expertise over the coming years to seize the opportunities that will support us to thrive.

“These changes are needed to enhance our operational agility. They mean we can move rapidly whilst generating improved efficiency and productivity. This does, unfortunately result in a small number of roles becoming redundant, which is a difficult but necessary decision.

“This strategy provides the momentum to take Sir Robert McAlpine successfully into the next 150 years. It enables us to build on our existing strengths and realise our full potential.

“We want to be renowned for our work with clients and communities as we construct a better world for future generations.”

House Building News

The BBC returns with season two of Brickies

BBC Three’s Brickies is back for another season shining a light on life on site.

The first episode of series two of the popular docuseries, which follows the lives and loves of young recruits at Derby-based Hodgkinson Builders, airs at 9pm on Monday.

The full series is also available to view on BBC iPlayer on the same day.

Keeping the brickies in check is site manager Jack Smith. He said: “There are a few new faces – new apprentices and new labourers this time around.

“The show continues to follow the lives of brickies and labourers as they earn money and pursue jobs and careers.”

The programme proved so popular that earlier this year Brickies was up against Love Island in the British Broadcast Awards.

Smith said: “Going to the awards night was nice – it makes you realise how big the show’s been. Getting nominated against Love Island, it’s like ‘all of a sudden, this is really happening’. We just keep riding the wave of it and seeing where the show goes – hopefully there will be a Series three.”

Ian Hodgkinson, founder and managing director of Pride Park-based Hodgkinson Builders said: “To be asked to take part in a second series just proves how popular the show is. The reception received from Series one was absolutely phenomenal.

“Being a part of it has been so much fun, but it’s also been a fantastic platform in spreading the word about bricklaying as a career and the aspirations of our young workers.”

Source: Construction Enquirer

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