The online “Best Practice Hub” from the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) is celebrating its first 12 months of successful operation, informing the industry about everything from bug hotels to occupational health.
The Hub is a free online resource for the industry to share good practice by showcasing examples, innovations and case studies which are uploaded by contractors to spread the word on their good ideas.
More than 1,100 examples of best practice have been uploaded so far, with companies topping the league table of contributors including: Bouygues UK, Jerram Falkus Construction, Kier Group, Mace, Mick George, Skanska, the Berkeley Group and Wates.
The case studies are easily searchable using keywords or by filtered search, with best practice covering site appearance and presentation, community, environment, safety and workforce.
To date, the issues of mental health, noise and protection from the sun are the most searched topics. During 2015, the Scheme also collated guidance on mental health and occupational cancers for its “spotlight on….” series.
Kier Group’s director of group corporate responsibility, Alan Smith, said: “We are pleased to be one of the top contributors to this brilliant hub. It is in every contractor’s best interest to share their innovative examples for improving the image and reputation of our industry among the public and customers alike. These don’t have to be either major or expensive examples; often the best ideas are the simplest.
“The best practice examples Kier project teams have loaded into the Hub to date clearly demonstrate the breadth and simplicity of being considerate – from green travel plans and bug hotels to health & well-being toolbox talks and restroom posters.”
Helle Dorrington, an architect from Berkeley Homes West London, commented: “The Hub has provided an invaluable tool for our teams to use. We regularly use it to get inspiration and share best practice. There are lots of great ideas about how to work better with local communities, improve safety and look after the wellbeing of staff.”
CCS chief executive Edward Hardy said: “The industry is recognising how collaboration is fundamental to addressing key issues such as mental health, occupational cancer risks, improving community relations, tackling skills shortages and encouraging innovation.
“The Best Practice Hub is proving to be an essential way for the construction industry to achieve this greater collaboration and, by doing so, helps continue to raise standards across the industry as a whole.”
