JULY
REUSE:
Internal and external
FDS continues its valiant efforts to maximise the re-use potential of materials and assets it encounters on its projects. A lesser discussed form of this is re-use within and by the contractor themselves. Recently, we were able to take all well-conditioned batten and timber out of our City Tower project and deploy it on other projects for both light formwork for new screed and for protection installations. This not only preserves the carbon, it reduces vehicle movements and emissions for all relevant sites due to their proximity.
Elsewhere, of course, we couldn’t help but dismantle the polished concrete display stands from the V&A and send them on to YesMake for deployment into community projects.
AROUND OUR PORTFOLIO
Project Updates:
At Park International Hotel FDS began the process of removing the roof structure across the seven contiguous buildings. This work is to be phased over the next couple of months with two buildings being stripped and then re-built before works progress onwards. Completion of this phase of works will bring FDS’s scope of works to a conclusion.
FDS were awarded and subsequently delivered a strip-out at Flitcroft House in the West End for a repeat customer. Despite heavily restricted access, we managed to de-rate four floors in just over two weeks.
Works are also well underway at City Tower in which we are assisting a Main Contractor client with a reception, mezzanine and EOJ overhaul. As ever, these projects present challenges as the works interact with the busiest thoroughfares of large buildings.
FDS returned for phase two of an old project to complete the hard strip inside an old gym that is buried in the structure of London Bridge. More on this project to follow next month, but it will suffice to say that the squash court walls could have doubled as air raid defense shields.
WORKING SAFELY
High Heat
Summer brings longer days and better weather, but it also presents additional challenges for those working on site. High temperatures can affect concentration, energy levels and physical performance, making it even more important that we all take simple steps to stay safe.
At FDS, the wellbeing of our team is always the priority. During periods of hot weather, site managers continually assess working conditions and make practical adjustments where needed. This includes encouraging regular hydration, increasing rest breaks, providing access to shaded or cooler areas and, where possible, planning more demanding tasks for the cooler parts of the day.
Recognising the early signs of heat-related illness is equally important. Symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, excessive sweating, muscle cramps or fatigue should never be ignored. If you or a colleague begin to feel unwell, stop work immediately, move to a cooler area and inform your supervisor so the appropriate action can be taken.
Looking after one another is part of our culture. A quick check-in with a teammate, offering a bottle of water or encouraging someone to take a break can make a significant difference during extreme temperatures.
By staying hydrated, planning ahead and working together, we can continue to deliver our projects safely while ensuring everyone returns home healthy at the end of each day. Working safely in the heat is a shared responsibility – and one that starts with every member of the FDS team.
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