Specialist contractor Cemplas Waterproofing and Concrete Repairs Ltd were asked by the Southern Housing Group Ltd to survey an external staircase to a residential block of flats they managed in Swindon. Cemplas reported that the condition and detailing of the asphalt was defective and allowing water ingress, and in addition to the poor cosmetic appearance it was felt the surface would become unsafe when wet as the asphalt did not afford any slip deterrent properties. Cemplas surveyors proposed the application of a fast cure waterproof coating incorporating an aggregate which was approved, and the order was given for Cemplas to proceed with the works.

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Interserve, the international support services and construction group, has handed over a bespoke new building for St Helens College in Merseyside, which forms a landmark structure for the city centre next to its high profile, listed Beecham factory building.

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Mitsubishi Electric’s commercial Ecodan® CAHV monobloc air source heat pump has received national recognition with the Heat Pump Product Innovation of the Year accolade at the National Heat Pumps Awards in Birmingham. The commercial Ecodan® CAHV-P500YA-HPB water and space heating system was judged to be the clear winner for its ability to deliver renewable heat to commercial buildings whilst providing high levels of efficiency, cutting running costs and CO2 emissions.

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Security needs are constantly changing with sites requiring robust and increasingly versatile and temporary solutions. Products fulfilling these specialised criteria have to be anticipated and developed ahead of market demand.

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Despite significant reductions in the number and rate of injury over the last 20 years, the construction sector remains a high risk industry with 50 fatal injuries to workers in 2010/11.

In the continuing challenge to reduce accidents and injuries, Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, has published the latest edition of its Construction catalogue. This comprehensive guide has all that’s needed on site to keep people safe from the latest gloves, footwear and clothing to site security, first aid stations, fire equipment and tools.

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In a recent survey conducted by PICS Ltd at the IOSH Conference and Exhibition, health and safety compliance was overwhelmingly voted the biggest issue facing managers. This was particularly true for multiple site organisations with a large contractor base. In fact, 65% named health and safety compliance as the most difficult contractor issues to manage.

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