1. HSE: Delayed CDM 201x will be passed into law in April
The Health and Safety Executive insisted it was on track to bring far-reaching changes to the CDM Regulations into law by April this year – the last opportunity to pass new legislation before this year’s General Election. Read more…
2. EU votes ‘yes’ to BIM-friendly procurement shake-up
The European Parliament voted to support reforms to the EU Public Procurement Directive, which included clauses to encourage all European countries to recommend the use of electronic tools, including BIM, on public works contracts. Read more…
3. Chinese win race to 3D print houses
In April the Chinese appeared to have stolen a march in the race to build the world’s first 3D printed house when the Shanghai WinSun Decoration Design Engineering Co released images of a new type of printed house, of which it made 10 in a day. Read more…
4. Amphibious ‘Grand Design’ ready to take to the water
The UK’s first “amphibious” house, on the banks of the River Thames in Marlow was featured on Grand Designs in October and was expected to be habitable for its new owners in November. Read more…
5. HSE rethinks plan to drop Approved Code of Practice for CDM 2015 launch
The HSE partially reversed its plan to abandon the Approved Code of Practice when it implements the CDM Regulations 2015, and said it would publish a slimline version to accompany the new regs. Read more…
6. Arup team trials ‘Body Information Modelling’
A group at Arup devised an imaginative and ambitious way to get architects and engineers fired up about BIM. It is using everyday BIM technology to model the human body and show what can be achieved with the software available. Read more…
7. Carillion and Balfour Beatty shock the industry
Carillion and troubled Balfour Beatty shocked the industry in July with the news that the two businesses were in detailed talks over a possible merger. Read more…
8. Little robot with big ambitions to insulate 6m homes
Thousands of pre-1919 homes owned by the Peabody Trust, Westminster’s CityWest Homes and Camden Council could be the first to trial a new robotic system that sprays insulation underneath wooden floorboards. Read more…
9. Outrage over ‘insulting’ construction hoardings showing scantily-clad women
Construction hoardings on the Malmaison hotel project on Piccadilly, Manchester, which used images of scantily-clad female construction workers and bare-chested male models, were condemned as “insulting” and “naff” in November. Read more…
10. Adopt ‘silly ideas’ to connect with public, sector urged
Combined arts expert Roger Hartley, who heads up the Bureau Of Silly ideas, said in January that building sites should adopt “silly” ideas to help them engage with the public and remove feelings of annoyance towards noisy and obstructive building activities. Read more…
Top in Agenda
BIM journey – ready to take to the road?
With two years left before Level 2 BIM becomes mandatory on all central government-funded work, CM carried out a survey to determine who in the industry is on the right track… and who’s standing still. Read more…
Top in Comment
Balfour Beatty – a winning culture that struggled to adapt
An industry commentator shared his views on the underlying reasons behind Balfour Beatty’s shock profit warning, the departure of chief executive Andrew MacNaughton, and the announcement of the disposal of Parsons Brinkerhoff. Read more…
Top in Management
10 tips for attracting and retaining staff
Hays Construction’s Duncan Bullimore offered some choice advice on building a happy workforce, including flexible work and recruitment. Read more…
Top in International
The ‘worst countries in the world to work in’
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) published a report that ranked countries according to how well they protect the rights of workers. Read more…
