Not everyone welcomes being next to a building site. While many construction sites are run by considerate people who care about their neighbours and the environment, there are always a few bad apples that ruin it for everyone.
Common problems caused by poorly run sites include:
- Delivery vehicles parked on the pavement
- Safety fences that offer no real protection
- Unprotected holes beside the pavement
- Loud construction noises
- Clouds of dust in the air
Sites like these make life difficult for members of the public who live and work nearby. Mums with pushchairs, the elderly and disabled, are typically the most affected.
There may be reasonable explanations for these problems. Maybe someone was off sick or there were unexpected delays. But this doesn’t excuse the inconvenience to the public.
To address this issue, a group of very experienced professionals founded what is now known as the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
What is the Considerate Constructors Scheme?
The Considerate Constructors Scheme produces a set of guidelines in simple, everyday language for professionals working in the construction industry. The main purpose of the guidelines is consideration – consideration for the public, for the environment, and for those working in the industry.
The Scheme has seen a very big take-up within the construction industry. It is now regarded as a template for good management of construction sites to the benefit of the surrounding community and stakeholders.
Clients use the Scheme as a standard they can use as a benchmark when evaluating competing construction companies. The Scheme has given contractors a higher standard to aim for and the motivation to improve their services in the interests of both the industry and the wider public.
The Considerate Constructors Scheme benefits everyone involved. The construction workers get better conditions. The clients are happy because they know that any contractor working within the Scheme is less likely to cause any problems or conflicts during the job. Most of all, the public receives more consideration, more courtesy and less inconvenience.
The aims of the Considerate Constructors Scheme
The Considerate Constructors Scheme aims to improve the image of construction in the following ways:
- The construction industry should strive to present a positive image of competent management, efficiency, awareness of environmental issues and above all neighbourliness.
- Construction sites registered with the Scheme are committed to upholding the aims of the Code of Considerate Practice regarding appearance, respect for community, protection of the environment and valuing their workforce.
- To check the Scheme’s guidelines are being followed, a team of more than 100 experienced Monitors visit every registered site and report on their findings. The Monitors also act as mentors and are on hand to discuss problems and suggest improvements.
The Considerate Constructors National Company Award
The Considerate Constructors National Company Award recognises construction companies for showing the highest levels of consideration towards the public, its workforce and the environment.
Award winners must demonstrate the highest levels of the Schemes’ Code of Considerate Practice: Care about Appearance, Respect the Community, Protect the Environment, Secure everyone’s Safety, Value their Workforce.
Fieldmans Access Floors was awarded the Silver Considerate Constructors National Company Award in 2019.
This marks Fieldman’s 7th Considerate Constructors Scheme award, the first being in 2011.
Want to know more about the Considerate Constructors Scheme and our work within it? Get in touch with our team of experts at Fieldmans Access Floors. Call us on 020 8462 7100 with any questions or book an appointment for a more in-depth discussion.
