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Building a Neurodiverse-Friendly Work Culture in Construction
In this article, Katy Hall discusses neurodiversity in construction and how to build a neurodiverse work culture. Many people working within SC4 Carpenters from Directors to tradespeople, and within the Construction Industry as a whole, are neurodivergent, including Katy herself. Many of the challenges faced by ND people are invisible - don't assume everyone else is ok, just because you are not struggling with the working environment.

What Are The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation in The Construction Industry?
In this article, we will explore the dangers of sleep deprivation in the construction industry and how it can put workers at risk.‘Sleeping on the job’ is never safe in any sector, but in many construction roles, sleep deprivation can be extremely dangerous and have severe implications on a person’s physical and mental health, as well as increasing the risk of dangerous and potentially fatal injuries.

Why Are People Not Applying To Work In Construction In 2023?
Since Brexit and the Covid 19 pandemic, there has been an increased shortage of qualified tradespeople and industry professionals in the construction sector, and many contractors are starting to feel the strain from a lack of skilled workers to deliver their projects. Although this has meant an ‘employee’s market’ in which wages have increased for skilled workers, this increased pay is still not helping overcome the shortage.

Is Downsizing A Solution To The UK’s Housing Shortage?
In this article, we discuss the UK housing shortage and the role downsizing could play in more of the population having access to affordable homes. Despite the thousands of new build houses popping up like summer flowers all across the UK, the country is still facing a housing shortage. Or, to put it more accurately, the UK has a shortage of appropriately priced housing for certain demographic groups.

5 Ways To Look After Your Physical Health When Working In Construction
Long working hours, heavy lifting, and exposure to the elements can all take a toll on your well-being. Here are five ways you can look after your body and physical health while on or off the job. Looking after your body when working in construction is one of the most important things you can do. After all, your body is your most important tool in the day-to-day.

Examples Of The Effective Signage You Need On Your Construction Site
Clear and effective signs are mandatory on all construction sites according to UK Health and Safety Regulations, but how many types are there and what do their different colours mean? Construction sites can be chaotic, with multiple hazards surrounding workers and visitors. The best way to ensure safety on-site is by using unambiguous construction signage to communicate important messages and information.

Equal Representation in the Construction Industry - What Can You Do Better?
Whether you are a business owner, manager, or employee, we all have a part to play in creating a more welcoming and inclusive work environment within our industry. As business owners, it is easy to make all the right moves in our attempts to hire a more diverse team of tradespeople and on-site operatives, but what happens when they quit due to bullying, discrimination, or lack of accessibility?

6 Tips To Avoid Taking Dangerous Shortcuts On The Construction Site
In this article, we look at six ways you can avoid taking shortcuts while still remaining time-efficient and productive. Taking shortcuts can be tempting in construction, especially if you’re feeling pressured by deadlines or you feel that taking those extra steps in planning is unnecessary and too time-consuming. However, these shortcuts can lead to dangers on site and directly result in injuries and quality issues, causing a wide range of problems.

6 Tips For Fall Prevention On Construction Sites
In this article, we will look at six ways that you can limit yourself and your team from injuring yourselves or others. Falls from height are one of the leading causes of injury on UK construction sites for a variety of reasons, from careless behaviour on the part of the worker, to a walkway not being cleared properly and causing them to trip. That's why it's crucial to take extra precautions when working at heights.

5 Benefits Of Building Sustainably In Construction
Let’s take a look at the five main benefits of building sustainably in the construction industry and our best practices. Building sustainably is becoming the new norm when constructing new residential buildings, offices and even hospitals. As a responsible business owner in the construction industry, therefore, it is crucial to understand the benefits of sustainable building practices.

What Are The Stages of Timber Frame Building Installation?
Building a timber frame structure requires a well-planned and expertly executed installation process. Timber frames are gaining popularity in the UK, particularly in the construction of residential and commercial buildings, so as a construction site manager or someone overseeing the project, it's essential to understand the different stages of timber frame building installation to ensure a successful and timely project completion.

Is It True That Women Don’t Want To Work In Construction?
With the exception of a growing number of noteworthy and admirable examples, construction is still largely a male-dominated industry. Walk onto an average construction site and you’re not likely to see too many women in hard hats and vests, but this is changing rapidly due to changing societal attitudes, better promotion of STEM subjects as viable subjects for girls and young women in schools and universities, and more information about the wide range of job opportunities available in construction.

Kickstart Your Construction Career With A Joinery And Carpentry Apprenticeship: Find Out More During National Apprenticeship Week
UK National Apprenticeship Week 2024, taking place between 5th and 11th of February, is a great time to explore what a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship involves and its practical aspects, and if this could be the right path for you into the construction industry.

Diversity in Construction in 2023
In January 2024, the Sustainability Tool, in collaboration with the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Programme, published its UK built environment diversity survey. This survey of more than 526,000 people provides a detailed record of diversity data and pinpoints areas for improvement.

SC4 Completes A-rated Eco Home in just 7 Months
SC4 Carpenters Ltd completed the turnkey construction of this A-rated timber frame, timber clad, eco home in just 7 months. The finished home is a warm, efficient, bright, spacious and comfortable place to live. This bungalow is all electric with multiple eco and sustainable features including air source heat pump (ASHP), solar photovoltaic panels (PV) and storage battery, and a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) system.

Creating A More Inclusive Working Environment For Women In Construction
As we look forward to International Women’s Day next month (8th March 2024), a lot of construction industry stakeholders and thought leaders are reflecting on the position of women in the industry and how things can be improved. Without ignoring the huge improvements in female involvement in the sector, there is still clearly a long way to go – with at most 16% of British industry workers being women.

Men's Health Week 2024
10-16 June 2024 is Men's Health Week. Did you know that men are less likely to seek mental health support, and they account for 75% of all suicides worldwide? Men make up over 90% of those working on a construction site and workers in construction are at some of the highest risk of suicide in the country, with rates in the industry over three times higher than the national average.

10 Crucial Health And Safety Regulations For Your Construction Site
Following these top regulations, and more as specified on the Gov.UK website, will keep your construction site legal, and ensure you know how to identify and reduce the risks of working in this dangerous industry. Health and safety legislation is designed to encourage uniform safe working practices on construction sites throughout the country, and keep people safe at work.

Social Value Is Changing The Way We View Construction - Here Is What You Need To Know
The concept of ‘social value’ has been making headlines for quite a while and is a hot topic of conversation among decision-makers in many industries - among them, construction. The term social value refers to the creation of benefits in various spheres of society, from the environment to the economy. In other words, it implies making a wider contribution beyond profits.

SC4 Carpenters win Site Operative of the Month
SC4 carpenter, Josh Whitfield, and SC4 apprentice carpenter, Jason Randall, both received Lovell's Site Operative of the Month awards in July 2024 for "going above and beyond".