Picking up discarded syringes left by local drug addicts was one of a number initiatives by workers from Clayfield Construction which helped the firm win the UK's most considerate site award for 2010.
The remote housing project near Barnsley saw off competition from 7,600 other sites to clinch the Considerate Constructors Scheme's top prize.
The new-build accommodation scheme known as T4 Beevor Court was operated by Doncaster-based Clayfield.
It was located away from public visibility and access, making it more difficult than usual for the site team to demonstrate consideration to the general public. The project was of a sensitive nature locally, and there had even been public opposition to it being constructed at all.
However, site manager Bryan Rooth managed to embed considerate site techniques in the culture of the 12-strong workforce.
Besides creating a safe, clean and tidy site, Clayfield introduced the following initiatives during the project:
- A school visit arranged by the team to a new local waste facility.
- The display of regularly updated large photos at the site entrance to highlight safety observation.
- In thanks for the use of parking space at the adjacent football club, the site team cleaned all the car park kerb sides and road gulleys with a mechanical sweeper, and did a full litter-pick after every home game.
- The woodland behind the site was also litter-picked, extending to the purchase of sharps-gloves to enable site labourers to safely collect the many discarded syringes left by drug addicts in the area.
- A reptile search, the construction of a slow-worm habitat, and the provision of both bat and owl boxes.
Clayfield Construction’s Managing Director, Richard Watson, explained the company’s attitude to the Scheme, and to considerate site practices:
“There’s no doubt the Scheme has set important standards. As a family-run firm we like to think that we’ve always looked after our workforce, and used our best efforts to be considerate to site neighbours.
“However, the Scheme sets measurable targets and makes us all aim a little higher, so it drives constant improvement.
“Smaller companies such as ourselves do have to keep a very firm eye on costs at each site, so it’s particularly pleasing that this site team did so well without significant outlay.”
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