AGS Affiliate member, Beale & Co have produced several materials including guidance notes and updates in relation to COVID-19 to assist with legal and commercial risks. These materials can be accessed on Beale & Co’s website: https://beale-law.com/coronavirus-covid-19-hub.php
If you’re an AGS Member and are looking for legal advice, please contact Beale & Co on 020 7469 0400 and quote ‘AGS Helpline’ where the first 15 minutes of legal advice will be free of charge.
Vivien Dent, AGS Contaminated Land Working Group Leader, has provided an update from the Groups most recent meeting, which was held virtually on 28th April. Here is an overview on the top topics which are currently in discussion:
AGS GUIDE TO ASBESTOS
We’re currently in the final stages of reviewing the AGS Guide to Asbestos, and are close to completion. The guide will be published on the AGS website in due course.
GRADUATE KEY READING LIST
The Contaminated Land Working Group have decided to create a key reading document. This will be primarily aimed at graduates or those new to the industry, and will feature a reading list of key documents across all areas to educate and guide individuals who are new to the field.
We’re keen to engage with graduates and early career professionals, so this working group task is specific for this new generation of geo-environmentalists.
UKAS INSPECTION BODIES SURVEYING CONTAMINATED LAND FOR THE PRESENCE OF ASBESTOS
UKAS plans to establish a pilot programme for the development of ISO/IEC 17020:2012 accreditation for the inspection of land for the presence of asbestos.
The AGS CLWG have concerns that the scheme has not considered broader land contamination issues and that people who are unqualified will attempt to do the role of a contaminated land engineer. Whilst an asbestos surveyor might be qualified to look into asbestos, it’s unlikely that they’ll understand all documentation and the processes for all contaminants.
Naturally we don’t want there to be a situation where projects are required to have both an asbestos surveyor and a contaminated land surveyor. This would be an additional project expense and create additional work and expense for the client.
WORKING OUTSIDE OF THE AGS
The AGS Contaminated Land Working Group have many members who are involved in a range of different projects and working groups; SAGTA C4SL project, the National Brownfield Forum, SiLC, SoBRA and more. This enables us to share new information within the Group but also relay the position of the AGS CLWG outside of the organisation.
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) which is commonly spread through coughing and sneezing, through close personal contact or touching an object or surface (fomite) that has the virus on it and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth without having first cleaned your hands.
The AGS Safety group has developed this guidance in anticipation of a general return to site to carry out geotechnical, contaminated land and other ground investigation activities. It will be reviewed and revised in the coming weeks in line with government and industry advice. Readers are encouraged to make comments, offer suggestions and send in photographs of site work that can be added to the document.
Any suggestions for modifications to equipment need to have been fully risk assessed for any risks they introduce. For instance, screens fitted to rigs reduce the ability to hear each other and Perspex scratches very easily and also goes opaque quite rapidly, reducing visibility. Likewise lifting “extensions” can introduce additional manual handling risks.
This guidance is based on UK Government and CLC advice. The Government issued generic guidance on 11 May 2020: Working safely during COVID-19 in construction and other outdoor work: Guidance for employers, employees and the self-employed. Other restrictions and advice may apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland however this guidance is intended to apply throughout the UK. The Construction Leadership Council (CLC), on 19 May 2020, issued Site Operating Procedures (SOP) version 4 based on this Government guidance. The key premise of this guidance is to stick as close as possible to the CLC v4 guidance as possible noting the CLC reminder to comply with the latest Government advice on Coronavirus (Covid-19) at all times.
The guidance can be downloaded here.
If you have any comments or suggestions for the guidance, please email ags@ags.org.uk.
In the face of adversity, it is uplifting to hear that during these unusual times created by the COVID-19 constraints many AGS members have adopted new and innovative ways to continue their work. For some members, the reality is the need to adapt to survive but for most it is the adeptness to change behaviour and attitude. Whatever the reason, it is a true sign of how our industry remains flexible and resilient and why it will emerge from this
Members have made widespread changes to how their normally office-based workers can continue to play an active part in the company activities or just simply carry out their normal work activities. In response to the ‘Stay Home Stay Safe Protect the NHS’ guidelines, many have set up home offices which have included some innovative woodwork solutions to create desk space or just a take-over of the family dining table. Some have decided to spice it up by moving around the house each day. We hear about daily and weekly virtual meetings and the words ‘Teams’ and ‘Zoom’ have now become part of everyday language. We are now used to seeing our colleagues with headsets on. Oh! and the long hair.
The site-based activities have seen the largest disruption, change of processes and attitude. Whilst some sites have secured everything and literally closed the gates others have developed new working methods to keep them active. New policies and procedures have been developed with enhanced social distancing, hygiene, security, isolation, travel and transport aspects to cover COVID-19 requirements. Access to sites other than the critical workers have been reduced or banned. Site meetings have been taking place in the compound and we have all seen images of everybody standing 2m apart or walking around the sites 2m apart. Strange images which highlight what a truly unusual time this is.
We have also seen collaboration, not a common sight in our industry, which has resulted in innovative solutions and significant changes in working practices and behaviour. Other controls have also been implemented such as exclusion zones and new manual handling aids. Many of these changes could lead to a better and safer way of working well after COVID-19 has been supressed.
Training has also been greatly affected by the travel restrictions and social distancing requirements which rapidly made face to face training impossible. Although the delivery of the training has been affected the need is still there with members contacting the industry training providers on a daily basis for remote or on-line accessible courses. In response, the industry training specialists have started to deliver remote training. Equipe and LQM are now delivering remote training with live trainers for their Non-Licensed Work with Asbestos in Soils courses. Equipe are also due to launch their GEO Academy which will be a state of the art on-demand learning platform for geotechnical professionals and site operatives.
So is the industry laughing in the face of adversity or merely smiling. Well I’ll take a smile at this time as I know this will help us focus on the positives of which there are many. With a positive attitude, the industry will not only survive but be in a better place when we eventually return to ‘normal’ times.
Article provided by Julian Lovell, AGS Chair, Managing Director, Equipe Group
The Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists are pleased to announce the May 2020 issue of their publication; AGS Magazine. To view the magazine click here.
This free, publication focuses on geotechnics, engineering geology and geoenvironmental engineering as well as the work and achievements of the AGS.
There are a number of excellent articles in this month’s issue including;
FIDIC Emerald Book and Geotechnical Baseline Reports – Page 4
20 Years of SiLC – Page 6
AGS Members versus COVID-19 – Page 9
The Geotechnical Asset Owners Forum – Page 12
We’re going on a bear hunt… Safe access onto GI sites – Page 14
Q&A with Mark Beastall of SOCOTEC – Page 22
Advertising opportunities are available within future issues of the publication. To view rates and opportunities please view our media pack by clicking HERE.
If you have a news story, article, case study or event which you’d like to tell our editorial team about please email ags@ags.org.uk. Articles should act as opinion pieces and not directly advertise a company. Please note that the publication of editorial and advertising content is subject to the discretion of the editorial board.
Stephen West, Leader of the AGS Geotechnical Working Group, has provided an update on the top issues the AGS Geotechnical Working Group discussed at their last meeting which took place on 20th February 2020.
1. What are the top three issues in your Working Group at present?
• Issue 1: Improving soil and rock sampling quality for use in design
• Issue 2: Consideration of embodied carbon in design decision making
• Issue 3: Skill set of newly graduated entrants into the industry, reduction in numbers coming into UK universities studying geo-science subjects
2. What is the status of these issues within your Working Group?
• Issue 1: Sub-group producing a counter piece to article in last month’s AGS magazine
• Issue 2: Organisation of conference for 2021
• Issue 3: Drafting of poll for AGS members, engagement with key universities and STEM organisations
3. Why are these issues important to the AGS?
Delivery of technical excellence for clients and reduction in risk to clients and stakeholders. Contribution to UK Net zero carbon agenda, helping AGS members with carbon consideration for clients
4. What impact do these issues have on Members of the AGS?
Additional cost due to re-work, risk of PI related disputes with clients
5. What should the AGS do about these issues?
Provide forum for discussion within the AGS – conferences and webinars, liaise with fellow institutions to engage with UK Government
Full Name: Mark Beastall
Job Title: Operations Manager
Company: SOCOTEC UK
I have enjoyed being part of the Industry for 33 years, working my way up from a 16 year old Trainee Laboratory Technician through to my current role coming full circle to the Laboratory I started out at.
After deciding I was staying in the industry I studied Civil Engineering part time to HNC level which really gave me a great foundation for furthering my career as did working for and being mentored by Peter Keeton my Manager at Soil Mechanics.
After 15 years at SM I moved into various Managerial roles at Laboratories within the Industry developing my knowledge of materials and in-situ testing alongside my core geotechnical testing.
What or who inspired you to join the geotechnical industry?
I fell into the Industry by accident after joining Soil Mechanics as a school leaver for a job I expected to last me through the summer prior to starting College in September to study Hotel Management and Catering. Little did I expect to be there for 15 year’s
I think that having my first working experience in an enjoyable environment and undertaking a technical role which was very different to anything I had known and in a unique sector was what led me to continue in the field.
What does a typical day entail?
As my current role is very varied I feel fortunate that no two days are the same. Looking after budgets and the financial performance of two divisions and responsibility of a small team in the North East as well as Doncaster Lab and Field and Reporting up to Directors occupies a significant part of my days.
I’m fortunate to have a very experienced Manager looking after our Geotechnical Laboratory supported by a committed team of almost 40 technicians.
I can be taking a call booking in plate CBR tests one minute and the next I’ll be being chased for completion dates for lab reports or being asked advice on the suitability of Type one sub-base.
Are there any projects which you’re particularly proud to have been a part of?
I wouldn’t put it down to working on any specific project that make me proud but more the organisations I’ve worked for and completing objectives I set out to achieve whether this was developing new test methods, multiple successful UKAS assessment visits, completing contracts to tight deadlines or over delivery of financial objectives.
What are the most challenging aspects of your role?
Managing client expectations, staffing issues and sample queries would be the main three that come to mind.
There always has been and continues to be a lack of appreciation of how Geotech Laboratories function and the length of time some of the tests can take.
Another frustration with many Lab Managers is sample volumes and sample quality. We face a balance of having to obtain results from inadequate / inappropriate samples with insufficient volumes for testing.
With regards staff it is a common theme that a lot of Laboratories employ Technicians who have generally fallen into the industry rather than it being the path they planned to take. This comes with challenges such as motivation, retention and career expectations for what for many is very little above living wage.
What AGS Working Group(s) are you a Member of and what are your current focuses?
I am currently leader of the Laboratories Working Group which has participants from the following fields: Geotechnical, Materials and Geo-Environmental Laboratories as well as UKAS and the BGS.
Current topics that we are working on are;
Assisting in the reissue of the “Yellow Book”
Input into the CIRIA document for “Asbestos in Soils”
Articles for the quality of samples for both Analytical and Geotechnical Labs
A review and reissue of “An introduction to Geotechnical testing for routine construction projects”
What do you enjoy most about being an AGS Member?
Being able to share best practice with like-minded people and sharing knowledge.
What do you find beneficial about being an AGS Member?
Regular updates from all the participating groups, however the LWG does lack participants. We are regularly trying to rally round our colleagues in the industry to up the attendee numbers yet it’s generally the same faces that we see at our quarterly meetings.
Why do you feel the AGS is important to the industry?
Until you start to participate in the meetings people don’t understand the good work and the huge amount of effort that the people within the individual groups do for the good of our industry outside of their day to day roles.
There is such a drive by the current AGS Chair Julian Lovell to give the AGS a real voice and push through so many changes.
What changes would you like to see implemented in the geotechnical industry?
I think that the industry is very stagnant and slow to change or to put on paper what changes do happen or adopt improved techniques.
The current drive of the AGS is to change this and I do see that changes will happen in the next couple of years.
In particular giving labs and the technicians within labs some formalised qualification and worth to ensure we can keep hold of the people and the invested time that labs have put into training and developing individuals.
Introduction
The SiLC Register was launched as a consequence of the work of the Urban Task Force which recognised the need for competent people to work in a sector that embraces many different disciplines. The Register includes professionals from the broad range of backgrounds that advise on land condition matters and provides evidence of competence in this field. After 20 years it continues to this day, and this is testimony to the need for and value delivered by the Register.
History
The Urban Task Force was established in 1998 by then Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and chaired by Lord Rogers. Members were chosen for their expertise in the many elements which are necessary for an urban renaissance including sustainable development, urban design and urban regeneration. Its purpose was to identify the causes of urban decline and to establish a vision for our cities, founded on the principles of design excellence, economic strength, social wellbeing and environmental responsibility within appropriate delivery, fiscal and legal frameworks. At the time there was a Government target for 60% of new homes to be built on previously developed (aka brownfield) land.
The report from this taskforce, entitled Towards an Urban Renaissance was published in 1999 with over 100 recommendations which included the identification of the benefits of greater consistency in the handling of information on land contamination. It recommended the introduction of standard documentation describing the condition of the land, with the purpose of ensuring that during the sale, purchase and development of land, all parties had access to the same data sets and could therefore develop some general agreement between them on the levels of risk associated with that particular site or that particular use.
This concept was further developed by a working group chaired by Phil Kirby of BG Properties. Members of the working Group included Phil Crowcroft and Hugh Mallett. The working group also concluded that it would be essential to set up a qualification in order to sign off this standard documentation. The Specialist in Land Condition (SiLC) Register was therefore established in 2000 focused on setting high standards in the industry.
Mike Summersgill recalls that “Judith Lowe, who was technical co-ordinator for the working group, decided to put together a group of people, one from each Professional Institution and the AGS, to formulate an examination method to verify (by peer review, as still done now) those people that could ‘sign off’ the standard document. There were 6 grandparents, chartered professionals, including Judith Lowe, Peter Braithwaite (ICE), Paul Syms (RICS), Hugh Mallett (AGS), Colette Grundy (RSChem) and myself (CIWEM).
There was a pilot examination, with the above six being the Panel of Assessors; 13 people sat the exam, all passed. Those passing included, Phil Crowcroft, Doug Laidler, Jonathan Steeds and Peter Witherington. The next examination was in January 2002, with 13 passing including Roger Clark and Paul Nathanail. In June 2002, another 18 people passed including Padraig Daly and Claire Dickinson, bringing the total to 50 including the 6 grandparents. During that initial exam process, we identified those candidates who might be Assessors, so by early 2002 we had 10 more Assessors. In late 2002 they examined three of the six grandparents and verified us as SiLCs.”
From the inception of SiLC it has been administered by a Professional and Technical Panel (PTP) consisting of professional and technical representatives from each of the supporting professional institutions and the AGS, plus one or two co-opted members who provide a specific input to the PTP. The secretariat for the scheme is Forum Court Associates who were appointed in March 2015.
In 2011 Specialist in Land Condition Register Limited was established with a board of directors comprising representatives from the institutions and the AGS. The purpose was to protect the liability of those individuals who give their time and energy to managing the qualification process and to provide a higher-level approval process regarding the financial stability of SiLC and other key decisions recommended by the PTP.
SiLC Today
To become a SiLC it is necessary to pass an open book exam and an interview to demonstrate that a candidate meets the SiLC Criteria. SiLC are also the accreditation body in respect of Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) under the National Quality Mark Scheme (NQMS) promoted by the National Brownfield Forum (formerly the Land Forum). Passing the SiLC exam and interview, and a NQMS specific test, enables a candidate to also become an SQP. Chartership is a prerequisite for both. Hugh Mallet leads the exam sub-group who prepare each set of questions for the exam covering technical, legislation and formal guidance issues. Each year there are a number of Introduction Days around the country to explain the process of the exam. These events are mainly prepared and presented by Peter Witherington and Hugh Mallett.
There are now 195 SiLCs and 116 SQPs with another 7 candidates sitting the 2020a exam. It is true to say that the number of applications to become SiLC/SQP has increased in recent years since the launch of the NQMS. This underlies the determination of the profession to aspire to higher standards in the outputs they produce and to recognise the benefits of qualifications that demonstrate capability and quality.
The SiLC Affiliate Scheme was launched in 2018 and is intended to assist graduates, as well as more experienced individuals, to follow an integrated process towards full membership of a professional body and chartered status with the assistance of a professional body adviser, and then progress towards SiLC/SQP registration with the assistance of a SiLC mentor.
In January 2020 the Directors of SiLC Register Limited elected Roger Clark as Chair of the Board of Directors to succeed Phil Crowcroft who was Chair of the Board from 2011 to 2019 and Chair of the PTP from 2008 to 2017. The Board also elected Dr Paul Nathanail as Deputy Chair of the Board with the intention that Paul will succeed Roger as chair in two years’ time. The SiLC PTP is currently chaired by Ian Evans who in March 2020 succeeded Paul Burden (2017 to 2020).
In a recent interview published in the AGS eMagazine Phil Crowcroft said “SiLC delivers confidence that an individual has core competence in their own subject area whilst recognising and appreciating the parallel skills which are needed to deliver the reclamation and redevelopment of brownfield sites.” The dedication, hard work and leadership by Phil have brought SiLC as far as it has come today and the SiLC Register will always be grateful to him.
Looking Forward and Thanks
A big thanks to those mentioned in this article who have contributed to the success of SiLC over the last 20 years. Members of the Board, PTP and the SiLC Assessors are individuals who give their time and effort free of charge. Special thanks go to Doug Laidler who was one of the first Pilot SiLCs (8th). Doug sadly passed away in December 2019; he was a hugely respected professional consultant working on land contamination matters for many years and was the secretary of SAGTA.
SiLC looks forward to another 20 years of championing good quality in land condition.
Written by Grace Hawkins, SiLC Secretariat
SiLC and Affiliate Scheme application forms can be downloaded from https://www.silc.org.uk/application/becoming-a-silc/. Information on the NQMS can be obtained from www.claire.co.uk/nqms.
On 7 May 2019, FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers) published its First Edition of the “Conditions of Contract for Underground Works”, otherwise known as the “Emerald Book”, which was produced in conjunction with the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association.
The General Conditions of Contract in the Emerald Book are based on an earlier FIDIC publication, but the Emerald Book also features a new set of clauses and introduces a new document – the Geotechnical Baseline Report (“GBR”). These seek to achieve a balanced allocation of the risks arising out of the ground conditions, which for underground works such as tunnelling are not possible to assess with precision at tender stage. The new clauses and the GBR provide a mechanism for adjusting the completion time and the contract price remuneration according to the actual ground conditions encountered, in comparison with those outlined in the GBR. The GBR provides a model which serves as the sole contractual source of risk allocation related to subsurface physical conditions, and their geotechnical properties, and defines the ground conditions risks assumed at the outset by the Contractor. Hydrogeological, geological and geotechnical properties of the ground, or contamination conditions not addressed by the GBR are considered to be ‘unforeseeable’ and therefore any differences are then deemed to be at the Employer’s risk. The risks arising out of the foreseen ground conditions, as described in the GBR, are assigned to the Contractor. It will create a reasonably “level playing field” which will allow the various bidders to base their proposals on a similar risk basis.
Another key document is the Completion Schedule which specifies the “Time for Completion” based on the Contractor’s estimated rates of progress. These are calculated by reference to the ground conditions and working methods as described in the GBR. The Time for Completion can be extended if the conditions encountered are more onerous than those assumed, and it can also be reduced if conditions are less onerous than those anticipated from the GBR.
The Engineer has a central role in assessing the Contractor’s measurement of excavation and lining works against the baselines set out in the GBR. Adjustments to the Time for Completion and remuneration are based on this assessment. Appendix A to the Emerald Book provides guidance as to what information the GBR should contain.
Geotechnical Baseline Reports are significantly different from the traditional geotechnical factual and interpretative reports described in British Standards, and from the Ground Investigation Report (GIR) and Geotechnical Design Report (GDR) described in Eurocode 7. Geotechnical baseline reporting is used to manage the commercial aspects of geotechnical risk, not for geotechnical design, so will have a different emphasis than those elements more familiar to most geotechnical and geoenvironmental specialists.
There are currently no UK industry guidelines on how GBRs are prepared, or what they should include. However, the objective is that their use in tunnelling contracts can benefit both the Client and the Contractor by leading to effective and fair risk control.
The Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) has a project underway, P3165 – Geotechnical baseline reporting, which aims to provide good practice guidance on geotechnical baseline reporting, provide industry with a consistent approach to producing GBRs, encourage the use of GBRs on smaller scale projects and provide better outcomes for managing geological and geotechnical risk. The project should be completed in early 2021. See the CIRIA website for more details.
Unsurprisingly, there are no reported decisions of disputes arising under the Emerald Book as yet, or of disputes that may have been avoided through its use. The AGS Loss Prevention Working Group will keep this under review and will provide further guidance in due course regarding the opportunities and risks that the Emerald Book and the use of Geotechnical Baseline Reports present for AGS members.
Article provided by Zita Mansi, Senior Associate, Beale & Co
The Geotechnical Asset Owners Forum (GAOF) was formed in 2008 by like-minded organisations from the transport sector which manage geotechnical and related assets. The Forum usually meets four times a year and provides a platform for the sharing and exchange of ideas. The Forum facilitates topical, important and forward thinking discussions for the mutual benefit of the asset owning community and the users of those assets.
The scope of the Forum comprises the management of geotechnical and related assets, which include the following: earth structures – typically embankments and cuttings; foundations; retaining structures; geotechnically processed ground – typically stabilised or improved ground; and earthworks drainage.
GAOF is a self-financed membership based forum, endorsed by the Department for Transport. The Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) provides the administration.
Objectives
The Forum aims to:
Geotechnical Asset Owners Forum Founding Members
Highways England
Network Rail
Transport for London – London Underground
Geotechnical Asset Owners Forum Supporting Members
Transport Northern Ireland
Welsh Government
Geotechnical Asset Owners Forum Regular Contributors
ADEPT North (Lincolnshire County Council)
ADEPT South (AECOM)
Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS)
Canal and River Trust
Environment Agency
HS2
Scottish Canals
Translink (Northern Ireland)
Transport Infrastructure Ireland
Transport Scotland
The AGS is represented on the Forum and contributes to its discussions and when appropriate puts forward the geotechnical and geoenvironmental industries’ viewpoint on matters of interest to GAOF members. Should AGS members have any particular issues they would like GAOF to consider, or would like to present to the Forum some research, new technical development, or a case history that is relevant to the aims of the Forum then in the first instance please contact the AGS secretariat.
To find out more about GAOF visit their website www.ciria.org/gaof
The below advice and guidance is correct as of 5th January 2021. This list will be updated as further guidance is published.
The current advice from the Government is to:
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) have published an updated Site Operating Procedures Version 6 on 20th October 2020. SOP V6 can be found HERE
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) have published an update on their advice regarding face coverings (4 August 2020). This can be found HERE
Government guidance for the latest national lockdown, announced on 4 January, can be found HERE
Government guidance (as of 21st December 2020) for those working in the construction industry can be found HERE
(General) Government guidance on the current period of restrictions which can be found HERE
For up-to-date guidance and advice, please visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus, http://cic.org.uk/ and http://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/
The Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists are pleased to announce the March/April 2020 issue of their publication; AGS Magazine. To view the magazine click here.
This free, publication focuses on geotechnics, engineering geology and geoenvironmental engineering as well as the work and achievements of the AGS.
There are a number of excellent articles in this month’s issue including;
Update from the AGS regarding COVID-19 – Page 4
Are traditional sampling techniques really that bad? – Page 6
A Candid Look at Responses to SiLC Membership Questionnaire 2019 – Page 12
AGS Guide to Occupational Stress – Page 16
Q&A with Chaido Doulala-Rigby (Yuli) of Tensar International – Page 22
Advertising opportunities are available within future issues of the publication. To view rates and opportunities please view our media pack by clicking HERE.
If you have a news story, article, case study or event which you’d like to tell our editorial team about please email ags@ags.org.uk. Articles should act as opinion pieces and not directly advertise a company. Please note that the publication of editorial and advertising content is subject to the discretion of the editorial board.
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