The importance of sustainability is recognised the world over but it means different things to different people. For many it is about low environmental impact, whether that is in terms of performance or delivery. However it is so much more than that and for a global business such as Sika, it is imperative that we fully embrace sustainability and practice what we preach.
As a business, sustainability is embedded into everything we do – it affects us economically, environmentally and socially. It is a fundamental part of our everyday business. As a leading manufacturer of products working across multiple industry sectors (see http://bit.ly/2o8Ca6Z) and as a responsible employer, sustainability affects our thoughts, behaviors and actions – everyday. For us, sustainability is a shared goal but one whose successes directly benefit all.
At Sika we strongly believe in the holistic approach to sustainability and as such have six sustainability target indicators which encompass the three traditional pillars of sustainability. These targets – economic performance; sustainable solutions; local communities/society; energy; water/waste; and occupational safety – define what we do on a day to day basis from a business strategy and culture perspective.
Transparency is the hallmark of an ethical company, therefore Sika has committed to using the GRIs (Global Reporting Initiative) sustainability reporting standards for our Annual Report, which details initiatives implemented and progress towards our six sustainability targets. GRI provides the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting standards – 92% of the world’s largest 250 corporations report on their sustainability performance and 74% of these companies use GRI’s standards.
Embracing GRI not only illustrates to Sika’s stakeholders the importance that we place on sustainability, but also demonstrates that we are not afraid of being open and honest – Building Trust with customers and local communities alike.
GRI compares Sika’s performance, year on year. This approach allows us to base our sustainability credentials on fact and not on green wash. This is exceptionally important for a company like Sika that produces hundreds of different products, in dozens of different countries, as customers need to have the confidence that what they are specifying or installing is not only fit-for-purpose but also meets their sustainability needs.
As a global company, a global approach to sustainability is required, as demonstrated by our membership of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and our commitment to the UN Global Compact.
Further illustration of our commitment includes 150 tonnes of waste saved and reused at a plant in Germany; a 60% saving of lighting energy at a number of our European factories and warehouses and 6% saving in electricity using outside cooling for processing at a plant in the US.
Sika also work with the Global Nature Fund who have developed partnerships with over 100 organisations to address drinking water conservation globally. Additionally, in Thailand and Vietnam, Sika staff have volunteered over 3,600 hours to support Operation Smile International which is dedicated to providing free treatment to children and adults suffering from cleft lips and palates.
Sustainability is in everything we do, every day. It affects all of us and as a business we are proud to practice what we preach and play our part in delivering a more sustainable future.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has appointed Graham Construction as sole contractor to deliver a £50m programme of works.
The project is another major coup for the contractor in the south east as it seeks to expand its presence across the region.
Over a five-year programme valued at £5m to £10m per year, Graham will deliver projects including new builds, refurbishment of historic Grade I and Grade II listed buildings, as well as the repair and replacement of M&E systems.
Key areas where the works will be delivered include The Herbarium, Palm and Water Lily Houses, Pavilion, Arboretum Nursey, and the Family Landscape Area.
Rob Joyce, Graham Construction’s London office director, said the firm would also deliver roof repairs at the Grade I listed Mansion at Kew’s sister estate, Wakehurst, in Sussex.
In addition to RBG Kew’s own staff and consultants, the team delivering the project also includes Donal Insall Architects (masterplanning), Ryder Architects (lead architect), and Mott MacDonald (M&E).
Stadium concerts, football matches, or any kind of big celebration are all hot spots for crowds. When a large number of people gather in one place at one time, a crowd is formed and there are dangers to be aware of. When communication is lost, huge disasters can unravel. Thankfully, technology is at hand to help battle the causes of crowd catastrophes and accidents. In addition, technology such as pedestrian modelling software, is now available to help architects to design buildings that are safe for their users.
Architects can plan ahead with crowd management in mind. Many firms are investing in technologies that analyse, evaluate, and provide data regarding the safety of a crowd. By law, event organisers are obligated to keeping crowds safe – so these technologies can be utilised efficiently within this endeavour. Dangers that are listed by the government are as follows:
Crushing between people
Crushing against fixed structures such as barriers
Trampling
Surging, swaying or rushing
Aggressive behaviour
Dangerous behaviour such as climbing on equipment or throwing objects
The dangers
Crushing tends to be the most common cause of disaster within crowds. Believe it or not, trampling does not cause it. It can be something as small as one person tripping or falling, and then that movement having a chain-reaction throughout the crowd and causing a huge crush against barriers or walls etc.
The movement of people can become a powerful force, and in some cases, it can be up to a force of over 4500 Newtons, or 1,000lbs. Objects that are supposed to protect a crowd can also become a potential hazard, as steel railing can be bent and cause injury to passers-by. These types of pressures can cause compressive asphyxia, a leading cause of suffocation within a crowd and the most common cause of death.
Event organisers and venue staff should be using pre-emptive technologies to spot dangers before they happen. This technology can be crucial for preventing a potential disaster and saving lives. For instance, in 2003 70 people were crushed while trying to escape from pepper spray that was being used to break up a fight. This may not have happened if technology could have established that this wasn’t enough space per square meter for people to leave the building safely.
Examples
There are several reasons why a disaster can emerge in a crowd. The most common examples are:
Lack of communication: In 1981, Greek football fans were killed when they tried to leave a match in Athens stadium, finding the gates locked. The rear of the crowd had no way of knowing this was the case and continued to press forward, causing 24 deaths.
Reaction to perceived threat: A riot by English and Italian fans in 1985 at a European Cup Final in Brussels led to a flight by spectators trying to escape the violence, which led to 38 deaths by asphyxia. Over 437 people were injured.
‘Craze’ behaviour: in 1989, 96 people were killed and more than 170 injured at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, England. A larger than expected fanbase was trying to enter the stadium, which caused police to open gates to relieve crowd pressure. Instead, the crowd surged into the stadium, crushing fans into enclosed terraces.
How to avoid crowd disasters
Technologies are changing attitudes towards crowd disasters and making it easier for event organisers to prevent potential disasters. It is important to set a limit of the number of guests that can attend the event to make sure there aren’t too many people trying to squeeze into on space that simply can’t hold everyone – however, bear in mind that this can often be an unrealistic method at larger events such as religious gatherings.
It can be difficult to implement good communication in a crowd. The use of stewards to help promote communication is a recommended measure as they can prevent the issue that comes from a communication breakdown between the head and body of a crowd.
It’s vital to ensure proper access and exits are in place. This is something that can be considered in the design and construction phases of building a new venue. With new technologies, architects can plan for safe crowd management before the building is built. A timed exit in a large event, where people from different levels exit at different slots of time, is another popular prevention method.
Armstrong’s new Prelude 24mm TLS cross tees are Simple, Stable and Solid. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday
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Redrow PLC, one of the UK’s leading developers of quality family homes, has embarked on an eager expansion programme across the East Midlands. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday
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Private rented sector specialist Moda is linking up with taxi app Uber to cut the number of car parking places in its city centre developments.
Residents will receive up to £100 in Uber credits each month if they agree not to have a car parking space.
Moda will swap the space previously used for car parking for greater amenities within the developments like fitness centres and media rooms.
Moda, backed by Apache Capital Partners, is delivering more than 6,000 apartments across the UK with major city centre developments in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, and Birmingham.
Its first scheme, Angel Gardens in Manchester’s NOMA neighbourhood, is currently under construction and will house close to 900 residents when it completes in 2019.
Moda’s buildings are created only for rent, and include shared areas that mimic a high-end hotel.
Jo Bertram, regional general manager of Uber in the UK, said: “Cars are one of the most expensive assets most people own, but they’re used just five per cent of the time.
“Our mission is for everybody to have a reliable ride at the touch of a button so they don’t need their own car.
“These plans for what will be a unique partnership with Moda Living is a big step forward in making that a reality.
“By getting more people to ditch their own vehicles we can put some of the space wasted on parking to much better use.”
Johnny Caddick, managing director of Moda Living, said: “Our apartments are for rent rather than for sale so we need to consider how our customers will live in cities in the future.
“Embracing future technology is vital from day one and these plans for a partnership with Uber would not only give our customers an affordable ride at the touch of a button – it would also enable us to design better buildings with more space for social interaction.”
Business owners and entrepreneurs are being offered the chance to join Derby’s fastest growing business community – with a number of high quality office spaces now available in Connect Derby’s seven managed workspace schemes in and around the city. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday
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Fast growing developer, Galliford Try Partnerships North, is about to embark on three new projects with a combined value of £13 million. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday
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A land deal has been completed, paving the way for the development of 284 apartments for private rent in Warrington’s regenerated town centre. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday
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