News from Thomas Consulting

This newsletter contains news and events of interest to companies operating in the construction industry

Issue 7

Office News
Following a serious accident whilst skiing in April this year, senior partner David Wyatt is getting his feet back under the table.

Cl:aire the definition of waste development industry code of practice
Contaminated Land: Applications in the Real Environment (CL:AIRE) together with the Environment Agency (EA) have produced a Development Industry Code of Practice applicable to both uncontaminated and contaminated excavated materials from development sites. All materials must have originated from the site where they are to used without or after on site treatment. In some circumstances the materials can be removed from site for treatment as waste and returned as being fully recovered i.e. not waste.

The State Of The UKs Infrastructure: 2010 and Beyond
The institution of Civil Engineers appraisal of the nation's infrastructure makes grim reading.

EuroCode News
BS5973 is to be formally withdrawn by end of 2010.

Health and Safety
The HSE Construction Division's Plan of Work for 2010/11 has been published. It sets out what the construction industry can expect from HSE Inspectors over the coming year. http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/work-plan-2010-11.pdf?ebul=cons/jun10&cr=1

Warning Issued Regarding the Danger of Building Alterations
The HSE is advising that the law requires that all alteration, demolition and dismantling work should be carefully planned and carried out by competent people to avoid unplanned structural collapse.

News From CROSS - Confidential Reporting of Structural Safety
Cross Newsletter 18 reports on lessons that can be learnt from failures and near misses in the construction industry. A selection of the issues are provided below.

EuroCode Assessments
Thomas Consulting have recently undertaken assessment of a range of bulk storage silos for compliance with EuroCodes.

Improvements to Police HQ
Thomas Consulting have been appointed by West Mercia Police to improve and extend parking facilities at Malinsgate Police Headquarters. We used Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) with only some 27 parking spaces constructed using traditional macadam. due to their gradient and proximity to the existing internal roads.

Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Manual of Health and Safety in Construction
The latest addition to the ICE Manuals series has recently been published. Written and edited by experienced construction industry professionals, ICE Manual of Health and Safety in Construction provides valuable practical guidance on how hazards can be removed, controlled or managed, from the initial design and planning stages, through construction, to asset maintenance and eventual demolition, to help maintain the safety and health of workers and others involved in or affected by construction projects. See http://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/icemanuals/MOHS

What's On
Subsidised training offer from HSE.

Something for the Weekend
Liverpool's Engineering History walk.

Issue 6

Expert Witness and Investigation Services
Thomas Consulting Invited to Address Waste Management Seminar
French will not be publishing Eurocode National Annexe in English
News From CROSS - Confidential Reporting of Structural Safety
EuroCode Training Continues
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Due in April
Health and Safety News
How to receive a cheque from your electricity provider instead of a bill!
Rapid Measurement Techniques Used in the Characterisation of Contaminated Land
Thomas Consulting Support Youth Music
Events for your Diary

Issue 5

A Warning To All Involved in Cleaning Up Contaminated Land
Appointed Persons - will they help construction?
Go-ahead for over 80 homes on former sawmill site
Thomas Consulting Undertake Bridge Inspection for United Utilities following Cumbria Floods
ICE Backs ABI Warning of Increased Flood Risk
Solidification/Stabilisation a New Way of Remediation
New Access Bridge for New Birmingham Hospital.
New Primarys Shool Construction
Health and Safety News
CROSS - Unauthorised substitution of materials on the rise?
Telford Office Raise Money for Princes Trust Charity
Events for the Diary

Issue 4

Thomas Consulting has completed 30 years of providing consulting engineering services.
Thomas Consulting Sign Three Year Contracts with British Energy Group
Geoff Charlton Steps Down as Senior Partner
Timber Frame Construction Continues to Grow Despite Recession
Waste Management Services
Thomas Consulting Invited to Address HSE Inspectors
Thomas Consulting Engineers Trained in use of New Eurocode
Thomas Consulting help to Resolve Personal Injury Case
Road Signage and Marking Problems
Government Support for House Building
Revision of Guidance to the Building Regulations
For the Diary

Issue 3

Work Progresses on a major re-development of historic city site
Will Planning delay your chances of recovery?
Flood Defences require £1bn per year
New Service for Traditional Housebuilders
The HSE issues further advice to Contractors involved in Refurbishing Housing
Gas Membranes aren't always a gas!
Timber frame continues to grow
What Lies Beneath!
Critical gable wall failure
For The Diary

Issue 2

Eurocode update
Bridge Collapse
Collapse of Guttering at School Could Have Lead to Tragedy
Japanese Knotweed a Growing Problem!
New Ferry Terminal for Liverpool
Consultancy Services to Nuclear Industry Continue to Grow
Prize Draw