Working with rock, soil and concrete exposes many workers to silica dust, one of the UK’s five big industrial lung cancer killers. Jon Herbert looks at how hundreds of lives can be saved annually. Silica dust is responsible for some 800 industrial deaths a year. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ranks it as the Read More …
Aviation is getting greener but at a pace far behind the rate at which international demand for air travel, and the development of new and expanded airports, is growing. Into this febrile environment, the Government has launched its plans for Heathrow. Jon Herbert looks at the conflicting agendas converging west of London. Istanbul’s new international Read More …
A growing range of automation and modern methods of construction (MMC) technologies are queuing up to replace human jobs and skills in a robotic revolution of UK building and construction. As Jon Herbert reports, some are already here. City of London skyscrapers could soon be built by robots rather than people, according to Alison Carnwath, Read More …
Could the need for extra gas-fired power stations to offset lulls in solar and wind renewable energy generation be replaced by smart energy metering and the Internet of Energy? And when? Jon Herbert looks at how software is beginning to beat the hardware. A problem with green wind and solar energy production is that standby Read More …
What precedents does the Government’s belated green light for a new Hinkley Point C nuclear plant in Somerset set? What are the commitments? What are the alternatives? And what will happen nearer the end of the 21st century Jon Herbert asks? Late September saw NuGen announce wide-ranging talks with overseas investors on options to fund, Read More …
A future internet of drones could improve safety by taking much of the human element out of construction sites and relying on microchips, Jon Herbert reports. With drones now seen regularly over UK construction sites, it is not uncommon for companies to warn their employees of survey flights in advance to avoid the impression of Read More …
A Government autumn “yes” or “no” to UK tidal energy lagoons could trigger large-scale infrastructure developments for an innovative technology with significant export potential. However, as ministers also contemplate the future of new nuclear power stations, a negative response might see a world first go to India’s Gujarat province. Jon Herbert looks at the details. Read More …
September 19 to 25 is the UK’s sixth annual Gas Safety Week, with many firms signing up to publicise the dangers associated with ordinary gas appliances, including deadly leaks of carbon monoxide (CO). However, carbon dioxide (CO2) also poses a significant industrial hazard, proving that life-giving carbon really isn’t always the good guy. Jon Herbert Read More …
The UK and the world are both thinking hard about maintaining supplies of the “most fundamental utility” (water) with challenges that it is widely predicted could make the financial crisis look like a well-brewed storm in a teacup. However, technology is creating optimism. Jon Herbert examines local and global challenges, and problems. Gold is not Read More …
Safety and wellbeing have become even more urgent issues following recent survey results showing that 59% of contractors, suppliers and clients worry about the increasing injury and fatality impact of drug and alcohol abuse on and around UK construction sites, says Jon Herbert. A survey (29 June 2016) carried out by the non-profit-making Considerate Constructors Read More …