News
4 | MARCH 2017
News
Mental health priority
British Safety Council in partnership with Health in Construction Leadership Group has launched the Mates in Mind programme to address mental health in the construction industry .
The second CEO health summit of the Health in Construction Leadership Group ( HCLG ) in London saw the launch of the Mates in Mind programme , which aims to raise awareness and understanding of poor mental health in the construction industry . It gives managers the tools , information and training to make construction a healthier workplace . It also helps them start conversations with staff about their mental wellbeing and address the stigma associated with mental health .
Supported by leading mental health charities , such as Mind , Samaritans and Mental Health First Aid England , and industry bodies , including BOHS , Build UK , CITB , HSE , IIRSM and IOSH , the event was attended by 300 construction leaders and key influencers in the industry . They gathered to review the industry ’ s progress in eradicating occupational lung diseases and the success of campaigns such as ‘ Breathe Freely ’ and ‘ No Time to Lose ’, as well as the growing importance of mental health issues in construction .
Launching the Mates in Mind programme , Mike Robinson , chief executive of the British Safety Council , said : “ In the UK , for every one working day lost due to injury , five days are lost due to ill-health , with nearly half of them relating to mental health issues , including anxiety and depression . The total number of working days lost each year in the UK due to mental health issues is 91m , which equates to £ 1,035 per employee ( according to the Centre for Mental Health ).
“ Approximately one-sixth of the 2.1m construction workers in the UK are likely to be suffering from a mental health issue at any one point in time ; a figure based on research by ONS . It ’ s a shocking statistic . Even more shocking is the fact that in the construction sector , people are ten times more likely to die by suicide than from onsite accidents . Considering these alarming statistics , I struggle to understand why there ’ s so little focus on reducing suicide , compared to reducing accidents .
“ The vision of the British Safety Council is that ‘ no-one should be injured or made ill at work ’. However , like the construction sector , historically , we ’ ve shouted safety and whispered health . The Health in Construction Leadership Group is determined to readdress this balance , and I ’ m proud to be the CEO of an organisation that isn ’ t just saying we agree , but is at the forefront of actually doing something about it .”
Unveiling the details of Mates in Mind , Steve Hails , director of health , safety & wellbeing at Tideway , an executive member of the Health in Construction Leadership Group and Chair of Mates in Mind , said : “ At the heart of the programme is a three-tier approach , starting with 45-minute general awareness training for operatives that will begin the conversation about mental health . Its third most advanced form is a two-day programme to train volunteer mental health champions who will support workers suffering from mental ill health . We are looking for 100 % support from the industry for this initiative .”
Leading mental health charities and social community organisations who are partnering Mates in Mind have expressed their support for the programme .
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PROVEN SYSTEM FOR OVERSIZED UNITS
Super Spacer ® Premium Plus from Edgetech UK is the perfect system for manufacturing oversized insulated glass units .
“ More of our customers are reporting an increase in demand for big glass units , in line with the growing domestic trend for widespan glazed doors ,” explains Chris Alderson , managing director at Edgetech UK .
“ Super Spacer Premium Plus has led the way in light commercial IG units , so it ’ s a proven system for IGU manufacturers who are making more oversized units for residential wide-span bi-folding and sliding doors .
“ Systems companies differentiate themselves from the competition by talking about the extra frame height or width they can squeeze out of a leaf . Even with these big sizes , they are still hitting U-Values that are lower than the Building Regulation requirement of 1.8 W / m2K . It ’ s the glass units that play a big part in delivering this thermal efficiency .”
MODELLING IN MINUTES
Eurocell – the manufacturer , distributor and recycler of window , door , conservatory and roofline products – has reimagined the way designers and specifiers access its Building Information Modelling ( BIM ) models . The result is the BIM Centre , where finding and downloading the right BIM models is quick and fast , and updates are delivered automatically .
Users can sign up free to the BIM Centre in a matter of minutes and then use Eurocell ’ s new search and filter tool to find the models they need . Rather than downloading models one-by-one , they all go into a BIM basket to be downloaded ‘ en masse ’ at the end of the process .
The models downloaded by each user will also be stored in a personalised BIM Library for quick and easy access at a later date . And by signing up for automated updates , BIM Centre members will receive an email to let them know when models have changed .
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the BIM Centre has a simple ‘ Request a BIM ’ function
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If specifiers can ’ t find the model they need , the BIM Centre has a simple ‘ Request a BIM ’ function which will be handled by Eurocell ’ s technical support team – who will always be on hand to help with queries . Eurocell will also be showcasing some to provide inspiration and know-how .
Triple glazing increases energy performance but the additional 6mm pane of glass in a 1.8m x 2.1m door could add up to eight and a half stone , making fabrication and installation tricky . A lighter solution is to use ‘ clever doubles ’ with Super Spacer Premium Plus warm edge technology .
“ It ’ s not just a case of making standard IGUs bigger – oversized units can ’ t be treated in the same way ,” continues Chris . “ Larger units increase the potential for issues with deflection and cavity expansion and contraction .
“ With a history in commercial glazing , Super Spacer has been successfully used in IGUs of up to 15 metres in length without issues of movement or deflection and comes with an industry best 40- year guarantee .”
As well as supplying the right products , Edgetech has the technical expertise to support insulated glass unit manufacturers who are facing this change .
For more information call 02476 639931
For more information about Eurocell , call 0800 988 3049 or visit eurocell . co . uk