What are underground utility colour codes? Underground utility colour codes are used to differentiate and identify underground utilities to protect it from potential damage during excavation. There are different types of utilities and in order to tell them apart, either coloured lines or flags, or sometimes both are used. These lines/flags help mark the location… Read More
Posts By: Jim Burns
How to stay safe on construction sites during summer
Are you protecting yourself when working in this hot weather? Construction work is very physical at the best of times, but this kind of labour provides even more of a challenge during the warmer months of the year. While we may not get the best weather in the UK during the summertime, it’s always best… Read More
Using drones in construction
Is drone technology the future of construction? Technology is constantly evolving at a rapid pace, and makes our lives better and easier for the most part. From the fingerprint scanners to voice recognition to having the entire internet at the touch of a button, we are always surrounded by the latest innovative tech as part… Read More
Common causes for delays in construction (and ways to prevent them)
How many projects have you worked on that have suffered from delays? Delays are a nightmare for anyone involved in the construction industry, from workers to project managers to the client themselves. Having to stop or put a project on hold because of various reasons is a frustrating experience, and usually results in extra costs… Read More
Do you know what else we can do for you?
Utility searches have been our service for nearly 15 years. In that time, we have completed over 50,000 full searches and handled well over 500,000 plans. We have been successful through the systems and processes we have built and our clients depend on us as they do not have the capacity or desire to handle… Read More
Building the future of construction
Are we doing everything we can to secure the best for our industry? Construction has come a long way over the years, and as a whole is much better and safer industry to work in than ever before. But one of the biggest issues still facing the industry is the young people (or lack of,… Read More
ISO 9001:2015 surveillance audit success
This week, we had our annual surveillance audit for ISO 9001. Although we gained a 3 Year accreditation in early September last year, this is subject to an annual assessment. The assessment is to ensure we are still using the Quality Management System that we worked hard to put in place and are making the… Read More
Implementing renewable technologies in construction
Should the construction industry be embracing the use of clean energy? Right now more than ever, there is a huge push for trying to go “greener”. With the construction industry playing a large part in wasted energy, we need to look for more efficient and sustainable methods. Renewable technology has come a long way in… Read More
Physical & mental health in construction
How much of a toll can construction work have on our wellbeing? Everyone knows that construction work can be potentially dangerous if you’re not careful, and failure to comply with health and safety standards can have disastrous consequences. But how many people consider the effect that the day-to-day jobs have on your body – both… Read More
What will be big in construction in 2019?
What fresh, innovative ideas will take the industry by storm in 2019? After working in this industry for many years now, we’ve seen a noticeable change in the way that things are done. With all of the latest technology and the constant drive to find more efficient and more effective ways of doing things, this… Read More
Case Study: Sumo Survey Services
The client – SUMO – Unrivalled knowledge across the survey sector SUMO is one of the fastest growing multi-disciplinary survey practices in the UK, offering full visibility above and below the ground, with nationwide coverage. With over 30 years’ experience and some of the leading experts within the industry, they can offer unrivalled knowledge across… Read More
Case Study: BM3
The client – Birmingham/London based BM3 BM3 was established in 1989 and employs 72 people, managed by 5 Directors and 2 Associate Directors. Offices are located in Birmingham and London. BM3 prides itself on delivering high quality and innovative architecture. This is achieved by a consensual approach to regeneration, master planning and design that is… Read More
Controlling noise in construction
Are you subjecting yourself to permanent ear damage without realising? Working in construction naturally comes with a lot of noise, from the use of loud equipment to conversation amongst the team. But how much can a bit of noise really affect you? Overexposure to loud noises whilst working can actually have some serious consequences, causing… Read More
Harmful substances in construction
Are you aware of the dangers that come with breathing in toxic fumes? We’ve previously spoken about some of the more physical dangers of working in the construction industry, with the likes of electrical safety and manual handling procedures being a priority for workers. But now it is time to talk about something that is… Read More
Modular construction: the advantages & disadvantages
Modular construction has taken the industry by storm, but how much do you know about the concept? In an ever-changing construction industry, we are always seeing new concepts and ideas floating around. With the drive to find better and efficient ways to do things, we are always looking for the next big idea. The concept… Read More
Electrical safety in construction
Are you aware of the full dangers of working around electrics? Construction sites as a whole as safer than ever, with better resources for staff training available and new health and safety regulations to adhere to. But even with these advances in safety, there is still potential for things to go wrong. Electrical work plays… Read More
Dropped kerb: how to apply for planning permission
Do you know how to correctly apply to put a dropped kerb in front of your property? If you’re looking to create a driveway for your property, you’d probably be surprised that the process is not as easy as you think. In order to park your vehicle on the driveway, you’ll need to have the… Read More
Manual handling in construction
Do you know how many risks come with physical manual labour? Manual handling in the Construction industry is something that happens on an every day basis, but there are multiple different situations that could lead to some disastrous consequences. According to The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, employers must put procedures in place to reduce… Read More
What is the role of a principal designer?
Do you know what the role of principal designer entails? As we’ve spoken about previously, health and safety is and should be a big concern for anyone working in the construction industry. With so much that could go wrong, it’s important to protect ourselves and reduce the amount of risks that we subject ourselves to…. Read More
Working at height in construction
Are you fully aware of the dangers that come with working high above the ground? Construction has never been more safe as an industry, but there are still areas that can pose a potential threat. One of the biggest areas of risk in the industry is working at height, and the potential hazards that comes… Read More
The benefits of outsourcing utility searches
Are you aware of the benefits that come with outsourcing? Outsourcing is the idea of using an outside party for certain services that are usually done by the company in-house. By outsourcing this service to other people, you can save time by relying on experts to help complete the task. Outsourcing is a common practise… Read More
Smaller means more agile, more passion and for REAL!
I’ve said in previous blogs and articles that my career has always been in bigger businesses. Don’t get me wrong, I was at the forefront of technology, worked with some extremely bright and capable people. But, looking back, I lacked the passion and drive I have now working for a small and growing business. Strangely,… Read More
Cornerstone now on a mission with a vision & values
At the back-end of last year, my boss, Duncan (the creator and owner of the business) embarked on a leadership course. Aptly named “Growth Catalyst”, the course is a leadership development program for small businesses in Merseyside with 2-250 employees. It is developed by experts in the field of leadership and management and the program… Read More
Is construction the last challenge in the battle for gender equality in the workplace?
Could we be doing more to promote a more inclusive working environment? Construction has always been considered a ‘male dominated’ industry, but that statement may no longer be true in 2018. Times are changing and the presence of women in construction is a lot stronger than it ever was. While there are a lot of… Read More