New report anticipates global construction worker safety market to reach $5.6 billion by 2029

by ConstructionFeatured News

The worldwide market for construction worker safety is predicted to grow to $5.6 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9% over the forecast period, according to a fresh report by KBV Research.

North America leads in safety innovations

North America, known for its technical firms and safety-focused clients, is a major player in the construction worker safety market. The area’s stringent safety standards and government regulations are driving this growth. In 2022, the region accounted for $881.1 million in the safety market.

Latest market strategies

To keep up with changing end-user demands, major players in the market have focused on product launches. For example, Radians released a climbing-style safety helmet, Titanium, in July 2022. The Titanium and earmuff attachment provide a dual safety solution, ensuring both head and hearing protection in moderately high-noise environments. Furthermore, Hilti introduced 30 new cordless tools to its Nuron Range in January 2023. These tools have applications in numerous industries including construction, engineering, heavy industry, interior finishing, and metalwork.

Market frontrunners and innovators

Market leaders include 3M Company, Honeywell International, and DuPont de Nemours, according to the KBV Cardinal matrix. An interesting development was the extended partnership between DuPont and veteran-led humanitarian company, Team Rubicon, in December 2022. The agreement involved providing Tyvek protective clothing, safety content, and access to safety personnel and potential volunteers. Hilti AG and MSA Safety Incorporated are noted as key innovators in the safety market.

Growth factors and restraining factors

The construction sector’s expansion, driven by increased investment in infrastructure and rising private sector investments, is propelling the safety market’s growth. Technological advancements are also contributing, with smart personal protective equipment (PPE) that can transmit real-time safety data gaining traction.

However, high costs and difficulties associated with implementing safety systems may hinder the market’s growth. Smaller businesses in low-income countries might struggle to afford the installation costs of these safety solutions.

Market outlook by application, type, and region

In terms of application, the safety market can be divided into worker body safety and workplace safety. The latter garnered substantial revenue share in 2022 due to an increase in concerns about occupational safety.

The market can also be divided by type into personal protective equipment, fall protection equipment, and safe excess equipment, with personal protective equipment holding the highest revenue share in 2022.

From a regional perspective, Europe registered the highest revenue share in the safety market in 2022, with automation and industrialisation increasing the market’s demand. Demographic changes such as variations in economic activity and income distribution are also expected to drive the market.

Recent market strategies

Recent market strategies include partnerships, product launches, and expansions. 3M teamed up with connected safety software company Guardhat in March 2023, with a view to improving safety for more frontline workers. Similarly, Hilti partnered with construction robotics company Canvas, hoping to reimagine construction work through artificial intelligence and robotics. Product launches included DuPont’s Kevlar® EXO™ aramid fibre in April 2023 and Hilti’s launch of 30 new cordless tools in January 2023.

Key companies profiled in the KBV report include 3M Company, Honeywell International, Hilti AG, MSA Safety Incorporated, DuPont de Nem. The report can be accessed here.

A systematic approach to fire safety

by Breaking NewsConstructionIFSJ Exclusives

Fire Chiefs Call for Systematic Testing of Construction Products to Ensure Building Safety

In recent years, the construction industry has faced increased scrutiny over its approach to fire safety. Following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, there has been a call for change in how construction products are tested and how buildings are designed and constructed, pushing the safety of occupants to the forefront.

One of the key issues recently highlighted by fire service leaders is the need for testing within complete systems rather than solely on individual components. This recommendation comes following a review of the construction product testing regime by former government advisor Paul Morrell and legal expert Anneliese Day.

The importance of a systems-led approach to fire protection is by no means a new concept, but it has gained renewed attention in recent years, and rightly so. The idea is that, to ensure effective fire safety in a building, the sector needs to step away from its current mentality of treating a project as a collection of individual assets and instead see structures as one complete system, working in unison.

Systematic testing needed

This shift in mindset is crucial to guarantee that the construction industry erects buildings that safeguard occupants. Ian King, COO of fire protection technology company, Zeroignition, is among those who are deeply committed to this topic. He strongly supports the need for a methodical and systematic testing building approach. In his view, this is a non-negotiable element during the construction process.

It is Ian’s view that to make this approach successful, the construction industry must adopt a checklist-style approach to fire safety, like that used in the automotive and aviation industries. Embracing the digital revolution will enable the sector to create ‘digital footprints’ that prove the right building criteria and safety checks have been adhered to – a critical step in creating the ‘golden thread’ of information. This will become essential in the handover process so occupants can feel assured rigid safety checks have been carried out.

System-led design

A systems-led fire protection design method must also be adopted. This involves checking the specified components work both individually and holistically. Without this joined-up approach, we can’t be sure individual elements will perform as they should in an emergency. System components will generally include active fire protection measures such as sprinkler systems and smoke alarms, as well as passive fire protection measures such as fire doors and fire-retardant materials.

A systems-led approach can combine compartmentation, including fire doors, sprinkler systems and FR-rated products. Each fire safety component used in a structure must be assessed for its individual performance and how it works in combination with other components.

For a systems-led approach to fire protection to really work, a shift in mindset, knowledge and awareness must be encouraged across all areas of the industry. Adopting this approach will feed into wider goals of safe and fit-for-purpose buildings and structures.

It is a systems-led approach to fire protection that will help ensure the safety of occupants. The time for the construction industry to adopt a methodical and systematic testing approach that considers complete systems rather than just individual components is now. Let’s embrace the digital revolution and adopt a firm checklist-style approach that will record the right building criteria and safety checks have been adhered to. This, in turn, will feed into wider goals of safe and fit-for-purpose buildings and structures, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of occupants.

Future-proofing car parks: New guidance tackles changing vehicle landscape

by ConstructionFeatured News

The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) has unveiled its latest guidance, entitled “Car Park Design,” addressing the evolving challenges and demands that contemporary car park structures face.

Reflecting a shift in the usage of car parks from just parking cars to recharging and storing them, as well as e-bikes and e-scooters, the guidance is both timely and necessary. The change in vehicle design, including the average weight increase from 1.5t in 1974 to almost 2t today due to electric and hybrid batteries, prompts a reconsideration of the design, construction, and maintenance of both new and existing car parks.

The impact of electric cars

“There are myriad considerations the design of a modern car park needs to address, particularly as selling petrol and diesel cars and vans will be banned in the UK by 2030, and hybrid cars and vans by 2035,” stated Chris Whapples, a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers (FIStructE) who served as overseeing consultant on the guidance.

The guidance, which involved ten expert contributors, uses structural failures such as the Pipers Row floor collapse in Wolverhampton, UK in 1997, and a recent tragic car park collapse in Manhattan, New York as significant points of reference and learning.

The report is divided into two parts: one for those involved in procuring a car park, including clients, architects, and project managers, and the second covering more in-depth design issues for those responsible for detailed design, such as structural and civil engineers.

Addressing the concerns

The report also highlights a serious concern regarding car park fires. Several severe fires have occurred in car parks designed according to current guidance, leading to questions about whether this produces a fire-safe design in all circumstances.

“As we move to using more electric or hybrid cars, we are now exposed to risks from vehicle compositions and propulsion systems which current design guidance does not acknowledge,” explained Mark Punsdack, Chair of the Contributor Group and also a Fellow of IStructE.

The guidance recognises the importance of accessibility in car park design, given that people are living longer and with more independence in the UK and many other countries. The document also gives significant attention to mental health aspects, focusing on physical measures that can deter suicide attempts within these structures.

Punsdack concluded, “The car parks built today or those being renovated and re-used need to be designed with all this in mind if these structures are to remain viable and useful in a rapidly changing world.”

The “Car Park Design” guidance covers design, construction, and asset management of all car park structures, offering an indispensable resource for architects, engineers, developers, funders, and those servicing and maintaining car park facilities. With this guidance, the Institution of Structural Engineers continues to be a leader in addressing the evolving demands of structural engineering.

Digital solutions key to curtailing construction rework costs

by ConstructionFeatured News

In a revealing analysis by digital construction management software company PlanRadar, construction errors are reportedly costing UK and EU economies a hefty 11% of total project expenditures.

The study, which sought insights from over 2,500 clients spread across the UK and EU territories, found that ‘poor communication amongst teams and stakeholders’ was the principal factor necessitating costly and time-consuming remedial work.

According to the research, this communication issue was prevalent in 12 out of 15 surveyed countries, including key construction economies such as the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. Another major contributor to construction defects was the lack of quality control, cited as a problem in 11 countries, along with organisational inefficiencies, noted in eight countries.

Interestingly, the UK, despite grappling with quality issues impacting 40% of projects, was surpassed by Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, where it surfaced as a key concern in 57% of projects. Nonetheless, the UK uniquely struggled with ‘poor quality materials’, causing the most rectification work compared to other countries.

Serious issues

Beyond inflating project costs, the need for rework reportedly resulted in project completion delays, strained contractor-client relationships, reputational harm, and declined customer satisfaction. PlanRadar’s Co-Founder and CEO, Ibrahim Imam, remarked that “avoidable rework is costing companies millions each year,” adding that “11% is a significant amount, indicative of serious issues.”

He stressed the role of digital platforms in combating these problems, stating that they can “capture and record quality control measures to lift building accuracy, boost bottom lines and reduce material waste.” Imam further argued that “with the right digital tools, rework can and should be avoided.”

‘A wake up call’

However, the implications of rework extend beyond finances. The study underscored that it also instigates legal complications like contract breach claims, ethical dilemmas related to wasted materials’ environmental impact, and morale issues leading to job dissatisfaction and potential productivity declines.

Echoing Imam’s call to action, Co-Founder and CEO Sander van de Rijdt emphasised the need for innovation in light of these findings. He recognised the pervasive nature of rework in the construction industry, acknowledging its wide-reaching consequences not only economically but for “the entire project and business as a whole.”

He remained hopeful, citing the “rapid evolution of construction technology” as a cause for optimism. Van de Rijdt’s parting words were a clear call to the industry, stating, “I hope these figures are a wake-up call for everyone experiencing regular rework.”

Gove vows to make Arconic pay for their role in building safety crisis

by ConstructionFeatured News

On March 29th, 2023, a letter from Michael Gove (published on Twitter) was sent to Arconic, urging the company to acknowledge their role in the use of flammable cladding and insulation products. The letter stated that those who manufactured and sold these products have a moral and financial obligation to contribute to the remediation costs for unsafe buildings in the United Kingdom.

The letter specifically addressed Arconic, highlighting their lack of engagement in industry-wide negotiations that took place in 2022 and the fact that they have not contributed any funding towards the cost of fixing dangerous buildings.

Gove’s letter expressed his disappointment in Arconic’s failure to engage in any meaningful way and noted the company’s spending on legal advice and representation on Grenfell-related matters between 2017 and 2022. The letter invited Arconic to meet with officials to explain how they intend to scope, identify and pay for remediation works.

Gove also mentioned the steps taken by other companies, such as Kingspan and Saint-Gobain, to acknowledge their responsibility and role in paying for remediation. He stressed the importance of a comprehensive package of financial support from construction product manufacturers to restore confidence in the sector and protect people in their homes.

The letter concluded with a deadline of April 12th for Arconic to respond to the request for engagement. Gove emphasised that his department will continue to be driven solely by their commitment to protect people in their homes and that those companies that do not share this commitment must expect to face commercial consequences.

The use of flammable cladding and insulation products was a contributing factor to the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, which claimed the lives of 72 people. The aftermath of the tragedy revealed an industry-wide disregard for the safety of residents in their homes, and the UK government has been working to address the issue ever since.

Michael Gove invites Kingspan to discuss remediation works

by ConstructionFeatured News

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, Michael Gove has written to to the chairman of the Kingspan Group, Gene Murtagh, inviting him for talks with government officials in a letter dated 23 March.

The letter, which Gove posted on Twitter, said:

“I have long argued that those who manufactured flammable products and sold them have a moral and financial imperative to recognise their role in the proliferation of unsafe buildings. The testimony at the Grenfell Tower Inquiry uncovered shameful practices and an abhorrent culture of disregard for the safety of residents in their homes. I was appalled by the evidence heard by the Inquiry about the reckless and deceptive behaviour within your company.

“I recently read in the Observer that you believe Kingspan should pay where cladding products have been inappropriately used on buildings. If the report was accurate, this acknowledgement is a positive step. I sincerely hope it is a first step only, in what should be a comprehensive package of financial support from Kingspan and other construction product manufacturers. Your record trading profit of £382.8m will, I presume, help to fund this commitment.

“I invite you to meet my officials to discuss how you propose to scope, identify, and pay for remediation works. This would go some way to restoring confidence in the sector in the way that we have recently seen from developers.

“My department will continue to be driven solely by our commitment to protect people in their homes: people who bought or rented homes in good faith, whose safety continues to be threatened by your products and who deserve better from the companies that have exploited their basic need for a home. Those companies who do not share our commitment to righting the wrongs of the past must expect to face commercial consequences.”

39 UK developers building safety contract

by ConstructionFeatured News

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, has secured the signatures of the country’s biggest housebuilders on the developer remediation contract, marking a major step in UK building safety.

Thirty-nine developers, including the top ten biggest housebuilders in the UK, all signed the legally binding document before the deadline earlier this month and committed themselves to fix unsafe buildings they have developed or refurbished.

The signatories represent a large proportion of the housing market and the signed agreements will raise at least £2 billion for remediation costs.

The news is likely to come as a moment of relief for the thousands of innocent leaseholders and tenants whose homes are covered by the contract.

These developers are now legally bound to pay to fix their unsafe buildings and eligible developers who fail to sign will not be able to operate freely in the housing market.

For developers who have signed, their obligations start immediately. Leaseholders will benefit from a common framework of rights and responsibilities that will get their buildings fixed without them having to pay, and developers will be required to inform residents in affected buildings how they will be meeting these commitments.

A turning point

Following the contract deadline passing, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, said: “I have been clear all along – those that are responsible for this crisis must pay. So, I am grateful to those developers who have done the right thing today by signing this legally binding contract. We will be monitoring their progress on remediation very closely, to ensure this work is completed urgently and safely. For those developers that have taken responsibility, today offers the chance for a reset, so we can get on and build more of the safe, decent and affordable homes we so desperately need.

“To those developers that have failed to sign the contract without good reason, let me be very clear – we are coming after you. If you do not sign, you will not be able to operate freely in the housing market. Your investors will see that your business model is broken – only responsible developers are welcome here.

“But today should not be about developers, or about government. Today is about innocent leaseholders. I want to put on record my apology to all leaseholders for the years of misery and hardship you have endured. You should never have been ignored, asked to pay and let down.

“Today marks a turning point – and an important step towards resolving this crisis. There is so much more to do, but I will always act to protect leaseholders and end this injustice.

“Signatories are required to fix all life-critical fire-safety defects in all English buildings over 11 metres they had a role in developing or refurbishing. It also requires them to reimburse the taxpayer where government funds have already paid for remediation, with that money being used to make other buildings safe faster.”

Fire safety regulations to become mandatory in buildings over 22 floors in Mumbai

by ConstructionFeatured News

Following major fires in recent months in city high-rises buildings including in Kurla, Dadar and Malad, have led to the Mumbai state government moving a new fire safety bill, which moved in the state assembly on Tuesday, making a fire safety officer and a supervisor mandatory for buildings taller than 22 floors.

Under the provisions of the bill buildings—both residential and industrial with hazardous activities— will have to set up an IoT-enabled fire safety mechanism that includes round-the-clock monitoring of premises to watch for potential fire incidents as well as a bi-annual fire safety audit to assess preparedness.

Violation of the new safety laws can invite imprisonment of up to three years and a penalty of up to ₹1 lakh.

The bill has been moved to amend the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act and bring it on the lines of the National Building Code (NBC) revised by the central government in 2016.

It will provide a legal framework to the fire safety norms that are currently in place in Mumbai and a few other cities in the form of orders passed after the massive fire at Mantralaya that gutted three floors in 2012.

The bill also permits an increase in the height of educational institutions in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Pune Metropolitan Region from the current 30 metres to 45 metres (over 15 storeys). Automated parking lots too can now go up to 100 metres against the present 45 metres.

An official from the urban development department said: “Once the act comes into being, buildings and housing societies will have to mandatorily follow the norms. The IoT-enabled system will have to be monitored by Building Management System (BMS) round the clock.

“The sensor-based system will monitor the water level in tanks, the condition of fire pumps near the water tank, the alarm system and sprinkler system among others. The fire brigade will get alerts about the lacunae and appropriate action will be taken against the societies.”

The officer also said that in Mumbai, the new Development Plan for the city has provisions for fire safety compliance for buildings above 32 meters: “They will now get a legal framework for action against violations. Unlike in the present system, the enactment will give legal powers to the authorities to hold auditors and societies responsible.”

The bill is expected to be passed in the state legislature this week. Once approved by both houses, the amendment will come into force immediately.

Hackney Council urges government to go further on fire safety measures

by ConstructionFeatured News

Responding to the government’s consultation on changes to fire safety regulations for residential buildings, the Hackney Council has urged the government to go further than its current proposal for new residential buildings above 30 metres to have at least two staircases, calling for the rule to apply to buildings over 18 metres high that have not yet received planning approval.

Hackney Council said it will go a step further by updating plans for its own new buildings where construction has not begun that will be above 30 metres, even where planning permission has already been secured.

Later this month, the Council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve the appointment of a contractor to build new homes on the site of the former Britannia Leisure Centre as part of its flagship Britannia development. As part of the agreement, the Council will work with the contractor to make changes to plans in order to incorporate a second staircase in the project’s three out of four buildings that are at or above 30 metres tall.

Philip Glanville, Mayor of Hackney, said that since the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower, the Council has led the way not only in encouraging government to take action on fire safety but in doing the right thing themselves: “Whether by upgrading our own buildings without passing the cost to leaseholders or working with other landlords to ensure they address fire risks. This work has also been undertaken with little government financial support.

“That also means keeping our own building plans up to date with best practice in fire safety. While our Britannia project has already been designed to meet and where possible exceed current building regulations, updating the plans now shows an example to other developers in Hackney and elsewhere and will ensure we build much-needed new Council homes that meet the highest fire safety standards.”

Boston Fire Department requires FPPM training prior to construction work

by ConstructionFeatured News

In response to the growing number and severity of construction fire incidents in the City of Boston, the Boston Fire Department has established a new training requirement through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for Fire Prevention Program Managers (FPPMs) working on construction sites in the city, effective January 1, 2023.

The training, Fire Prevention Program Manager Online Training Series, supports the building industry through the requirements and guidelines defined in NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations, which calls for a fire prevention program and a designated manager to enforce safety on construction sites. 

The NFPA training program is the only such program currently recognized by the Boston Fire Department.

NFPA president and CEO Jim Pauley explained: “Today’s building environment demands that professionals responsible for safety on construction sites be formally trained on ways to reduce the risk of fire and other hazards to protect workers and property. Working closely with the Boston Fire Department in this effort illustrates our shared alignment and mission of promoting effective fire safety outcomes in communities.”

For every city construction, alteration, or demolition project necessitating a construction safety permit, the Boston Fire Department requirement mandates that a FPPM and Alternate FPPM complete an affidavit acknowledging the completion of the NFPA Fire Prevention Program Manager course.

The form is then signed by the licensed builder associated with the Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD) building permit for the location.

‘A serious issue’

The NFPA training program helps ensure that NFPA 241 is followed and confirms for construction companies, building owners, and supervisors that designated personnel are on site to manage an effective fire prevention program and that construction sites maintain the needed: building safety and fire protection systems; hazard protection; and inspections, permits, and procedures.

Construction fires remain a serious issue of concern, risking lives and causing millions of dollars in damages each year. Each year in the United States, fire departments respond to an average of 4,300 fires in buildings under construction, according to a report released by NFPA last October. The economic impact of these blazes is significant, with an average annual estimate of more than $375 million in direct property damages. They also cause, on average, 62 annual civilian injuries and five annual civilian deaths.

Pauley added: “With building projects across the City of Boston on the rise the new requirement helps FPPM professionals gain the critical skills needed for this position and apply their knowledge and training, solving for the inherent safety challenges that exist on construction sites today.”

NFPA will host a related webinar, Tackling the Construction Fires Crisis, on March 21, 2023, to address construction site safety and the role of the FPPM.