WINNER

Marshalls Plc - Concrete Batching System Cleaning Process Improvements   

The judges felt the project eliminated or reduced a number of significant risks, designing out some hazards contributing to a safer maintenance operation, reduced downtime and increased production. Access to such areas has been an issue to the industry for some time and the entry reduced noise exposure, Hand-Arm Vibration risk, dust exposure, working at height, within confined spaces eliminated contact with wet concrete.

2nd PLACE

Brett Landscaping - Slips, Trips and Falls Campaign     

Recognising that slips, trips and falls are the largest cause of accident in general, and that this was also the case within their own works, the company identified and targeted this area by introducing an innovative, personalised scheme which included using local staff in a poster campaign. An outstanding reduction in slips, trips and fall incidents was achieved by utilising working involvement to help effective communication of a key message, in a cost effective and personalised way.

3rd PLACE

Tarmac Building Products - Vehicle Management Plans    

Tarmac undertook a comprehensive, wide ranging audit and review, with extensive worker involvement, of their vehicle types, equipment and procedures. Vehicle related accidents are an area that cause high instances of fatal and serious incident. By means of extensive work on a wide variety of vehicle types, Tarmac tailored solutions to individual vehicles and locations.

COMMENDATION

Bell and Webster - 'A' Framework Platform     

Understanding that the use of ladders to gain access at height to the top of 'A' support frame was recognised by Bell & Webster as a high risk acitivity.The use of ladders at height, albeit for a short-term task, the need for a minimum team of two loaders per operations to climb and disengage the lifting equipments and general wear and tear maintenance costs of replacing the ladder, all contributed to the problem.

The solution was to create a frame whereby operatives could use a ladder on the back of the vehicle to gain access to all points and safety move along the length of the vehicle to disconnect any lifting accessories.

COMMENDATION

FP McCann - Easi-Safe - Manhole Cover Slab Fall Arrest System

The task was to design and manufacture a fall arrest system to protect operative working at surface level around manhole openings. Easi-Safe is a temporary or permanent fall arrest system incorporated into standard precast concrete manhole cover slabs. the mild steel grid is seated on load bearing corners precast into a standard range. This grid can be removed prior to fitting the ironwork or left as a permanent fixture beneath the manhole lid. The spacing between the bars allows for easy inspection and jetting of the manhole base during maintenance work. The eventual adoption of Easi-Safe on all manhole builds will completely eliminate the fall hazard.

Sustainability Award – sponsored by Hanson Cement

Corporate category

WINNER

Tarmac Building Products - Tarmac Homes Project

Tarmac Building Products has built two homes at the University of Nottingham to provide housebuilders and Registered Social Landlords with a template for affordable low and zero-carbon housing.

The project is a first in demonstrating the commercial viability of two simple house types, which offer the potential to be built in volume by private and social housing sectors as well as demonstrating that concrete products can be used to build low and zero-carbon properties. One Tarmac property has been built to Code Level 4 of the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes. The other property is zero-carbon and has been built to meet Code Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, the requirement for all new builds by 2016.

The construction of both the Tarmac properties uses existing masonry products to deliver thermally efficient building envelopes which make full use of the long term benefits of thermal mass. Success of the approach will actually be confirmed as the houses will be occupied and their performance in-use measured.

COMMENDATION

Evans Concrete Products - Sustainability High on the Evans Agenda

A contract of £1.5 million won by Evans for 440 units of precast concrete units for temporary bridges each weighing 10 tonnes were transported by rail from Toton to London a 200km distance. A CO2 savings of 26g per km was achieved and 15% of the entire final product transported was made from recycled materials.

COMMENDATION

H+H UK- Responsible Sourcing of the H+H UK Supply Chain    

H+H is the first company to achieve “very good” in the BES 6001:2008 Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of construction Products. The benefit to aircrete users is that this certification translates into the maximum 3 credits available on the Code for Sustainable Homes, which is the same available to a timber frame construction with an FSC certification scheme.

COMMENDATION

Hanson Building Products - Options for Safe Passage of Mammals in Culverts    

Consideration for biodiversity and wildlife are the main focus during the production of purposely cast in mammal ledges within these box culvert profiles. Two variant types of ledges produced by Hanson help in facilitating an ecological corridor for wildlife.

WINNER

Marshalls Plc - Water and Waste Savings    

The factory, situated on the outskirts of Falkirk town centre, has four production departments on site. The first plant is the Flag Plant which has six press machines manufacturing flags, kerbs and edgings. The second is a semi dry block paving plant manufacturing 50, 60, 80mm blocks. The third is the Secondary process unit that tumbles and shot blasts, and finally the Bollard manufacturing unit.

In late 2008 Marshalls Falkirk applied for capital expenditure to put a water recycling plant on site at the rear of the Flag Plant department. The main reason for this was the environmental impact it was causing to the site and also the waste sent to landfill.

The project was started in 2009 and the area around the department was always covered in sludge and water, especially during heavy rain. The area was also trafficked by vehicles so it meant that the sludge was being transported around the site by vehicles tyres. Since the scheme began Marshalls Falkirk has reduced the amount of waste being generated, which in turn has reduced the amount of waste being sent to landfill, resulting in a saving of over £30,000 in waste disposal costs. The site has reduced the amount of fresh water being used within the plant by using the recycled water from the recycling system.

The area has been made safe, reducing the risk of anyone being injured by having a dry, clean, non-slip area. There has also been a reduction in the amount of dust in the area making Marshalls a better neighbour.

COMMENDATION

Hanson Building Products - Thermalite - Water Usage, Monitoring and Reduction     

Actions proposed by Waterscan which include monitoring of discharge water to the River Tame, monitoring of discharge Water temperature and mains water discharge lead to high standard housekeeping and installation of data logger to monitor pH levels. Ph levels are now with consent limits and discharge has been monitored by the Environment Agency.

COMMENDATION

Marshalls Plc - On Site Energy Management     

Energy management improvements by the energy teams in Ramsbottom site has led to major site improvements, this includes; installation of new compressors with a savings of £25,000 per annum, reduction of pressure on hydraulic pumps with an a annual savings of £500 per press, heating management system monitoring leading to a 21% savings on fuel, 98 tonne reduction in CO2 and a calculated savings of £13,132.