Safe working across University construction sites

The latest construction period, which has now been completed, was described as ‘Tranche 1’ and represented a series of major building works across the Streatham, St Luke’s and Tremough campuses.  Projects included the Forum, Building One, and the development of new residences at Lafrowda and Duryard in partnership with UPP.  

Throughout this period 3.2 million man-hours were completed with up to 900 workers on campus at its peak. There were periods when there were over 20 concurrent projects running, with summer 2012 being an extremely busy period despite the appearance that major works had been completed.

Health and safety was always at the forefront of the Project Delivery teams mind to ensure safe working for all contractors, students, staff and visitors to the University. Two new senior posts were created in anticipation of the works for a Mitigation Manager and Construction Health and Safety Officer.  

Overall the reported incident rate was half the national average and within the target range set before the works were undertaken.  There were no working at height accidents nor were there any long term debilitating injuries.  The Forum project in particular was extremely successful with no reportable injuries, diseases or dangerous occurrences throughout the one million man hours which were spent on the various parts of the project.

Steve Jones Construction Health and Safety Officer said: “Our Health and Safety Construction record over the past three years has been fantastic.  This could not have been done without the co-ordinated effort of University staff and the construction companies we have been working with.  Our ultimate aim was to ensure it was business as normal and that the student experience was maintained during such an ambitious construction programme, and that staff students and visitors as well as the workforce were all kept safe – I think we can say now that we achieved that aim”.

Planning and works are now well underway for Tranche 2 and 3 which will continue to develop and enhance the University’s campuses.  To read more about some of the projects taking place you can visit the Estate Development website.