January 2022
MANAGING RISK IN GI MACHINERY
A look at how the risks posed by ground investigation machinery require close attention.
Image credit: Joanna Maplethorpe
REVIEW OF 2019 PROCUREMENT SURVEY
AGS ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT GEOTECHNICA 2022
BROWNFIELD REGENERATION WEBINARS
Analysis of findings from the GI Steering Group Survey conducted in Autumn 2019
First details on the AGS Annual Conference being hosted at Geotechnica
Annoucning AGS Webinars for 2022 including a series on sustainability
ABOUT THE AGS
Chair’s Foreword A happy New Year to you all and welcome to the January issue of the AGS Magazine. I hope you have had a restorative break, and you enjoy reading this month’s Magazine.
an informative Q&A session with a Geo-environmental Consultant with Arcadis.
You can also read up on the success of our recent industry events, many of which are available to view It’s time to get your cameras retrospectively, and which are out as we are launching reaching a wide and diverse another Photography audience in many countries. Do Competition! You are hopefully make a note of the up-coming familiar with the invaluable AGS events including our series free tool that is the AGS Loss of on-line seminars. I look Prevention Guidance. We are forward to seeing as many of updating the guidance this you as possible either virtually year and are seeking a creative or in person in the months to image reflective of our industry come. to have pride of place on the We are always on the lookout front cover. Read on for more for additional, informative details. content for the magazine, so In this magazine edition if you have a case study or we highlight the issue of technical article that you think machinery-related hazards in the wider geotechnical and ground investigation and how geoenvironmental public would to manage the associated risks. find beneficial, please do get in You will also find a summary touch. of the survey carried out by the collaborative Procurement We would be interested in your feedback on the magazine of Ground Investigation and our future plans. Please Steering Group, together with exploration of the implications contact ags@ags.org.uk if you have any comments. identified for our industry. You can read up on the activities of your peers as we feature an insight into the life of a Senior Geotechnical Engineer within one of the UK’s geotechnical and contaminated land specialist companies, and 2
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Sally Hudson AGS Chair
The Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) is a non-profit making trade association established to improve the profile and quality of geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. The membership comprises UK organisations and individuals having a common interest in the business of ground investigation, geotechnics, geoenvironmental engineering, engineering geology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, and other related disciplines.
EDITORIAL BOARD Sally Hudson, AGS Chair Caroline Kratz, Forum Court Associates (FCA) Katie Kennedy, FCA Julian Lovell, Equipe Group Calum Spires, Equipe Group David Entwisle, BGS Chris Vincett, Hydrock Lauren Hunt, Arcadis Adam Latimer, Ian Farmer Associates Dimitris Xirouchakis, Structural Soils Emma Anderson, HaskoningDHV UK Jonathan Gammon, Geotechnical Observations EDITORIAL STORY If you have a news story or event which you’d like to tell our editorial team about, please contact the AGS on 020 8658 8212 or ags@ags.org.uk. Please note that articles should act as opinion pieces and not directly advertise a company. The AGS is under no obligation to feature articles or events received. CONTACT US AGS Forum Court, Office 2FF, Saphir House, 5 Jubilee Way, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8GD ags@ags.org.uk 020 8658 8212 Association of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Specialists @agsgeotech www.ags.org.uk
Inside this month’s issue
Image Credit: Chris Wade
FEATURE PAGE 22
COVER STORY PAGE 17 A look at how the risks posed by ground investigation machinery require close attention.
Summary of the Autumn 2019 Procurement of Ground Investigation Steering Group Survey Stewart Jarvis, Associate Director at Arup, provides an overview of the results of the Autumn 2019 survey into GI procurement and summarises the key takeaways from thefindings.
AGS PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION PAGE 6 Details on the latest photography competition to provide the cover for the Loss Prevention Guidance.
INSIDE: GEA PAGE 28 A look inside Geotechnical & Environmental Associates with their Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Susie Marley.
Q&A: LAUREN HUNT PAGE 33 The AGS Magazine conducts a Q & A with Lauren Hunt, Geo-environmental Consultant at Arcadis.
MORE INSIDE
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News in Short: Incl. Annual Conference
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Webinar Update: Brownfield Regeneration
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Standards Update December 2021
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HOSTED BY
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For more information, get in touch via info@geotechnica.co.uk Magazine
News in Short AGS 2022 Events Programme (Live Events and Webinars) Here is an overview of some of the events that the AGS are planning for 2022. More information and events will be released in due course, but if you’d like further details or would like to enquire about sponsorship opportunities, please email ags@ags.org.uk.
Sustainability in the delivery of Brownfield Regeneration (webinar series) Sustainability in the Delivery of Brownfield Regeneration: Sustainable Remediation Solutions •
Date: Tuesday 17th May
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Time: 11am (approx. 2 hour duration)
Sustainability in the Delivery of Brownfield Regeneration: Sustainable Management of Soils: •
Date: Thursday 26th May
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Time: 11am (approx. 2 hour duration)
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Fee: £25 for AGS members and employees of members or £30 for non-AGS members for one webinar. Alternatively, AGS members can attend both webinars for £45 and nonAGS members can attend both webinars for £55.
AGS Annual Conference (live event) •
Date: Wednesday 6th July
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Time: 9am – 4pm
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Location: Geotechnica, Warwickshire Event Centre in Leamington Spa
Full details to be released in due course
Ground Risk (webinar) •
Date: September TBC
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Fee: £25 for AGS members or £30 for nonAGS members
Full details to be released in due course
Data Management Conference (live event) •
Date: November/December TBC
Full details to be released in due course
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AGS Photography Competition: Loss Prevention Guidance 2022 The AGS is pleased to announce it is holding a new photography competition, this time to source a new striking cover image for the 2022 edition of the Loss Prevention Guidance. This new document will consist of key papers which will provide members with in-depth advice and knowledge on multiple issues that could affect legal liability and financial exposure. Topics include liability, contract, insurance and health & safety. The AGS Loss Prevention Guidance was last reviewed in 2017 and the next review will be published in the New Year (2022). We’re on the lookout for your most creative images which are reflective of the industry. Ideally, the image will be free of people, however this isn’t essential and we’re happy to consider all images of a geotechnical, engineering and loss prevention nature. Entry into the competition is free and the winner of the competition will win a food hamper basket from luxury retailer, Fortnum and Mason, worth over £75, together with the prestige of their photograph featuring on this important document. Three runners up will each win a bottle of Champagne. There are no restrictions on the photography equipment used, so feel free to use a phone, computer, tablet or a traditional hand-held camera to capture your image as long as the criteria below are met. All entries will be reviewed by select members of the AGS Loss Prevention Working Group, who will decide on a shortlist and a potential winner. Full details will be announced in the April / May 2022 issue of AGS Magazine.
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IMAGE REQUIREMENTS The AGS is looking for high resolution jpeg images (300 DPI / over 1mb image file size) of a geotechnical, engineering or loss prevention nature. Images should be no smaller than 4200 x 3400 pixels. Please note that images in landscape orientation are preferred.
HOW TO ENTER Please email your image with; • A short description of what it showcases and where it was taken (up to 50 words) • Image credit information (if applicable) • Your full name • Company name • Postal address to ags@ags.org.uk with the subject title ‘AGS Magazine: Loss Prevention Guidance Photography Competition. • There is no limit to the number of images you enter. • The deadline for entries is Friday 25th February 2022 • Entry into the competition is free
TERMS AND CONDITIONS • • • • • •
Applicants must be aged 18 or over. All images must be high resolution and 300 DPI (dots per inch) / over 1MB image file size. Applicants must be based in the UK. Inclusion of any images on the final guidance document is up to the discretion of the AGS The photographer must have full copyright of all entered images. All images entered may be reproduced by the AGS and used in future AGS event and marketing literature without prior notice. This may include usage across the AGS’ social media channels, inclusion in the AGS Magazine, event programmes and on the AGS website. Please note that all images used will be credited.
Breaking Ground Podcast: Dave Petley discusses Climate Change and Slope Behavior Dave Petley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at the University of Sheffield stars in the November 2021 episode of Breaking Ground, the new podcast from the Ground Forum and Ground Engineering Magazine. In this episode of Breaking Ground, Steve Hadley (Chair of the Federation of Piling Specialists and Managing Director of Central Piling) is joined by Dave Petley. Dave is a geographer, scientist and global expert in slopes and landslides. In the podcast, Dave talks to us about slope stability and what effect climate change is having on the way slopes behave, while also giving Steve a refresher on anything he might have forgotten in this area since leaving university! Breaking Ground is available for free download on channels including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. To listen to the podcast, click HERE. The Ground Forum is an umbrella trade association made up of 13 industry bodies with an overall aim to provide focus for the UK ground engineering industry by effective communication between member organisations, enhancing their profiles, promoting awareness at a governmental and national level and taking the lead on common interests. For further information on the podcast or for podcast sponsorship opportunities please email gforum@ground-forum.org.uk.
Sustainable Management Practices SuRF UK has recently published updated guidance on Sustainable Management Practices (SMP’s) which include 15 sustainable management practices posters. The SMP’s are “relatively simple, common sense actions that can be implemented at any stage in a land contamination management project to improve its environmental, social and/or economic performance”. ‘SMPs can be used to improve the benefits (e.g. resource efficiency, community satisfaction) or reduce the negative impacts (e.g. spillages, complaints, cost) of a project, leading to project ‘sustainability gains’, without requiring a formal sustainability assessment’. The SMP document describes a simple process to encourage sustainable thinking, decision making and action across all
land contamination management activities by using SMPs’. The process could also be applied to geotechnical projects. The posters include topics such as ‘Set project milestones to ensure periodic review and optimisation of activities’, ‘minimise vehicle miles’ and ‘don’t allow plant and equipment to run for no purpose’. These posters could be used in a variety of ways to encourage sustainable thinking, for example: • As a suitable ‘Sustainability Moment’ in a meeting; • As a slide in a presentation • At project commencement • As an aid in a site briefing The document and posters can be accessed at the following link: https://www.claire. co.uk/projects-and-initiatives/surf-uk/21executing-sustainable-remediation/84sustainable-management-practices
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The top three AGS publications in the last month 1. AGS Guidance on Waste Classification for Soils - A Practitioners Guide 2. AGS Guide: The Selection of Geotechnical Soil Laboratory Testing 3. Comment on the approach for classifying sites into green, yellow or red To download the publications for free; click here.
CLC Professional Indemnity Insurance Survey Results At the beginning of 2021, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) carried out an industry survey on Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII).
There were 1,066 responses to the survey, and the results highlight there is a problem for many organisations in that they are unable to obtain PI insurance cover or having limitations being placed on them by insurance firms. The full results and summary of the survey can be found on the CIC website.
New AGS Members in 2021 The AGS is pleased to announce that in 2021, nine member organisations, one affiliate organisation and three practitioner members were accepted by the Membership Panel and approved by the Executive. Six students and graduates were also accepted as AGS members. The new member organisations are Exploration and Testing Associates Ltd, GE Solutions Consulting Ltd, Orsted A/S, Sweco UK, Brownfield Solutions Ltd, Omnia Environmental Consulting, Eurofins Chemtest Ltd, London Bridge Associates and WDE Consulting Ltd. The new affiliate organisation is The CDS Group and the new practitioner members are Tim Rolfe, Janice Windle and Neil Chadwick. AGS Membership is open to geotechnical and geoenvironmental companies who employ specialists who can provide competent services and affiliate companies who provide support services and supplies to the members. Students and Graduates can also become members of the AGS. Full details of membership criteria can be found at http://www.ags.org.uk/about/ become-a-member/
Raising awareness of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) within the industry Following the article highlighting Dyslexia Awareness Week in the October / November issue of the AGS Magazine, the AGS is
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looking for volunteers to raise awareness of EDI within the industry. If there is an upcoming EDI event which you would like to
raise awareness for and you would be happy to provide a short article for the AGS Magazine, please get in touch by emailing ags@ags.org.uk.
Association of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Specialists WHY BECOME AN AGS MEMBER? Enhance your status in the industry. Make a statement about quality and good practice. Participate in the AGS Working Groups and help shape the industry and set the standards.
WHAT DO WE STAND FOR? ■ Good practice in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering ■ Quality companies providing a quality service ■ Health and Safety ■ AGS Data Format
WHAT DO WE OFFER? ■ Guidance to good practice ■ Listing in the Directory of Members ■ AGS Magazine focused on ground engineering ‘hot topics’ ■ Legal helpline ■ Chemical safety helpline ■ AGS Loss Prevention Guidance Document ■ Seminars, meetings, conferences and webinars ■ Collaboration with other bodies ■ Liaison with UKAS ■ Lobbying on matters important to the sector ■ Developing and maintaining the AGS Data Format
MEMBERS CAN CONTRIBUTE BY PRODUCING SUCH DOCUMENTS AS: ■ AGS good practice guidance ■ AGS publications ■ AGS safety guidance ■ AGS client guides
MEMBERS CAN PARTICIPATE IN AGS WORKING GROUPS: For further information on the AGS and details on how to become a member visit www.ags.org.uk Established in 1988, the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists is a non-profit making trade association which represents over 140 leading companies specialising in site investigation, geotechnics, geoenvironmental engineering, engineering geology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, and other related disciplines.
■ Laboratories ■ Contaminated Land ■ Safety ■ Business Practice ■ Loss Prevention ■ Data Management ■ Executive Committee ■ Geotechnical ■ Instrumentation and Monitoring
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AG S W E BI NAR
On 28th October 2021, Jonathan Gammon (NonExecutive Director and Advisor at Geotechnical Observations Limited and AGS Instrumentation and Monitoring Working Group Leader) headlined a webinar for AGS Hong Kong on the topic, Critical Links in Ground Engineering. This virtual event was a summary of the popular webinar which took place in November 2020. Over 350 delegates registered for this webinar which saw Jonathan describe the scope and types of instrumentation and monitoring (I&M) and identify the role of I&M as a critical link in Ground Engineering. He addressed the challenging issue of I&M data management and outlined the I&M situation in Australasia, based on a personal perspective on the challenges of I&M work in that region, which introduced a wider global dimension to the webinar.
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NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS
Jonathan also tackled the subject of international standards for geotechnical monitoring, tracing their development and content to the present day. Standards currently in preparation, as well as those anticipated in the future, were also identified, as were Technical Committees that have been formed to address I&M. He also identified the UK’s strategy to develop training for installation and monitoring technicians which dovetails in with the development of Vocational Qualifications and compliance with the Standards. If you missed this webinar, the replay is now live and available for free view on the AGS website. Please click HERE to view the webinar replay in its entirety.
On 25th November 2021, the AGS held its most successful webinar to date on the subject of, Sample Disturbance – What is it? This free, virtual event was sponsored by SOCOTEC and saw over 1000 delegates register to attend from over 40 countries across the globe. The event was spearheaded by Peter Reading with an aim to stimulate a discussion and start a process whereby the industry can start to decide on factors which might build a disturbance classification. The webinar itself was chaired by Sally Hudson (AGS Chair and Regional Manager & Associate at Coffey Geotechnics Limited), and our three guest speakers included David Norbury, John Powell and Tom Lunne. David Norbury (Director at David Norbury Ltd) discussed sampling methods and sample disturbance and checking up on the disturbance. John Powell sparked a debate on sample disturbance in stiff clay and finally, Tom Lunne (Expert adviser at Norwegian Geotechnical Institute) looked at sample disturbance in soft clay, causes and how it can be assessed. The event finished with a joint Q&A and discussion on samples. This webinar also covered: •
The sampling process and methods which may provide a Class 1 sample
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What constitutes a Class 1 sample and how do we recognise sample disturbance
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Are there grades of disturbance what is acceptable
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Should there be a scale to enable technicians and laboratories to recognise and report the degree of disturbance
This virtual seminar and all speaker presentations are available for free view on the AGS website. Click HERE for full information.
Image Credit: Tim Newman
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Image Credit: Alan Beattie
AGS Webinar Series: Sustainability in the Delivery of Brownfield Regeneration We’re pleased to announce the launch of a twopart webinar series on the subject of brownfield regeneration. The successful delivery of societal resilience to changing climate depends on increased adaptation and acceptance by both society and industry of the need to rapidly embrace change. Such is anticipated to drive both innovation and opportunity throughout all sectors, our sector is no different. In this two-part webinar series, we will share some of the more recent policy changes that will increasingly influence how we deliver sustainable brownfield development in the UK. This will include the provision of policy updates, their associated opportunity and legal perspective on responsibilities and risk.
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On a more practical basis we will also present awareness of the tools available to assist decision making to sustainable remediation options and waste classification. Each of the two webinars will be two hours in length and will feature three influential and leading UK speakers per session. These presentations will be followed by an opportunity for audience questions to the expert group. These virtual events will aim to share and increase awareness, direct listeners to available resource and provide an opportunity for open discussion and will be interest to developers, consultants and contractors alike. For further information on these webinar series or for sponsorship opportunities please email ags@ags.org.uk
Series 1: Sustainability in the Delivery of Brownfield Regeneration: Sustainable Remediation Solutions Date: Tuesday 17th May Time: 11am – 1pm Cost: £25 for AGS members or £30 for nonmembers. Prices exclude VAT. Register for both webinars for a reduced rate of £40 for AGS members or £45 for non-members. Prices exclude VAT In the first session we will introduce the Environment Act and the now mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) target for developments in England. We will discuss how it may profoundly alter the economics of site remediation, how developers may leverage opportunities to achieve BNG through development and how to maximise natural capital benefits in remediation. We will then take a tour of some of the tools currently available in the UK to support the decision-making journey and the identification of sustainable remediation solutions.
Series 2: Sustainability in the Delivery of Brownfield Regeneration: Sustainable Management of Soils Date: Thursday 26th May Time: 11am – 1pm Cost: £25 for AGS members or £30 for nonmembers. Prices exclude VAT. Register for both webinars for a reduced rate of £40 for AGS members or £45 for non-members. Prices exclude VAT In the second session, and continuing the theme of sustainability, we will look at soil’s management. We will firstly provide a policy update about the new Code of Practice for the Sustainable Use of Soils and its implications to development. This will be followed by a legal perspective on the liabilities imposed on developers and consultants under the revised Duty of Care and how to reduce these risks. Finally, we will hear tips and experience so as to better assist practitioners in the classification of soils. This is an area that remains on occasion bound by error yet easily avoided and can lead to poor decision making in the sustainable management of soils and costs.
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Webinar Replays - Available on Demand The AGS currently has 14 webinar replays, available for on-demand viewing on www. ags.org.uk. Webinar topics include our highly successful Improving Company Performance through Equality, Diversity and Inclusion virtual event, AGS 4.1, AGSi, the Standard Penetration Test, Critical Links in Ground Engineering and much more. To view our entire back catalogue, click HERE, visit the Webinar Archive section on the AGS website or take a look at some of our topics below:
Sample Disturbance: What is it? Cost: FOC Webinar Overview: This webinar replay aims to stimulate a discussion and start a process whereby we can begin to decide on factors which might build to be a disturbance classification. Speakers: Speakers include Sally Hudson (AGS Chair and Regional Manager & Associate at Coffey Geotechnics Limited, A Tetra Tech Company), David Norbury (Director at David Norbury Ltd), John J M Powell (Technical Adviser at Geolabs Limited) and Tom Lunne (Expert Adviser at Norwegian Geotechnical Institute).
AGS (HK) Technical Seminar – Instrumentation and Monitoring: A Critical Link in Ground Engineering Cost: FOC Webinar Overview: This webinar recording (completed for AGS Hong Kong) is a free summary of the presentations given in the AGS’ popular November 2020 webinar, Critical Links in Ground Engineering. Speaker: Jonathan Gammon (Non-Executive 14
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Director and Advisor at Geotechnical Observations Limited and AGS I&M Working Group Leader)
Geotechnical Engineering in a Net Zero Carbon World Cost: FOC Webinar Overview: This free webinar has been designed to inform and inspire ground engineering practitioners across the industry to meet the net zero carbon challenge that has been set by the UK government. Speakers: Speakers include Dr John Henry Looney (Director, Visiting Fellow, and Hon Professor at Sustainable Direction Ltd, University of Bristol and the University of Nottingham), Stephen Lawrence West (Director, ground engineering at Ramboll), Natalia Fernandez (Associate Director at Ramboll) and Tony Suckling (Director at A-squared Studio Engineers Ltd and A2 Site Investigation Ltd).
Laboratory Assessment and Sampling Practice Cost: £25 for AGS members or £30 for non-AGS members Webinar Overview: This webinar discusses various aspects of sample submission, discussing best practice and guidance for how to get the most from the laboratory, the testing and some pitfalls to avoid. Speakers: This webinar is hosted by AGS Chair, Sally Hudson (Regional Manager at Coffey Geotechnics Limited, A Tetra Tech Company). Speakers include Will Fardon (Technical Sales and Training Manager at i2 Analytical), Geraint Williams (Associate at ALS) and Dr John J M Powell (Technical Advisor at Geolabs Limited).
Ground Risk: Landslide Risk Reduction Cost: £25 for AGS members or £30 for non-AGS members Webinar Overview: This webinar looks at raising awareness of ground risks associated with slope instability, including landslides, touches on risk assessment of landslide hazards, and explores the practical features to look for in the field. Speakers: This webinar is hosted by AGS Chair Elect, Sally Hudson (Regional Manager at Coffey Geotechnics Limited, A Tetra Tech Company). Speakers include Professor Mike Winter (Director at Winter Associates Limited), Ian Nettleton (Technical Director at Coffey Geotechnics Limited, A Tetra Tech Company) and Dr Andrew Ridley (Managing Director at Geotechnical Observations Limited).
Improving Company Performance through Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Cost: FOC Webinar Overview: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is often spoken about at strategic, policy and procedural level. How can these be developed to raise awareness and influence positive actions within the geotechnical and geoenvironmental sector? The webinar discusses the barriers as well as positive approaches and initiatives to EDI, such as flexible working, which will help change attitudes, attract new talent and improve retention within the industry. Speakers: This webinar is hosted by AGS Chair Elect, Sally Hudson (Regional Manager at Coffey Geotechnics Limited, A Tetra Tech Company) and AGS Chair, Julian Lovell (Managing Director at Equipe Group). Speakers include Emma Stewart MBE, (co-founder of Timewise), Sharon Slinger, (Director at Constructing Rainbows Ltd.), Steve Hadley (FPS Chair and Managing Director of Central Piling) and Martin Griffin (Principal Geotechnical Engineer at COWI).
Commercial Risks and How to Manage Them: Limiting Particular Liabilities Cost: £25 for AGS Members or £30 for non-AGS Members Webinar Overview: Limiting Particular Liabilities is part two in the Commercial Risks and How to Manage Them webinar series from the AGS. This webinar provides in depth and practical advice on aspects of contractual risk and how to avoid the pitfalls and better manage your potential liabilities. Speakers: This webinar is hosted by Jo Strange (Technical Director, CGL). Speakers include Zita Mansi (Senior Associate, Beale & Company), Rachel Griffiths (Contracts Manager, Fugro) and Joe Jackson (Managing Director, Jackson Remediation)
Striding into the Future with AGS 4.1 Cost: FOC Webinar Overview: This webinar replay provides in depth detail on the new AGS 4.1 format. Speakers: Speakers include Jackie Bland (IT and Data Manager at Geotechnics and AGS Data Format Working Group Leader), Mark Bevan (Associate Director (Data Management Team Leader) at Structural Soils), Paul Chaplin (Data Manager, Ground & Water at WSP UK Ltd), Peter Hepton (Principal Geotechnical Engineer and Ground Investigation Engineering Manager at SOCOTEC UK), Leon Warrington (Principal Hydrogeologist at Hydrock), Romain Arnould, (Global Product Owner Digital Applications at Fugro), Philip Child, (Senior Consultant, Geotechnical Information Management at Bentley Systems) and Julian Lovell (AGS Chair and Managing Director at Equipe Group).
Please note: Speaker information correct at the time of the webinars.
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Since our first webinar in July 2020, our virtual events have been a huge success with almost 5,000 delegates registering to attend. We frequently have attendees from across the globe including countries such as USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, Italy and UAE to name but a few, and sponsorship provides a fantastic opportunity to put your company in front of a worldwide audience. The AGS have both Headline and Associate sponsorship packages available for all webinars. Packages are limited, however bespoke packages can be developed with companies (subject to space) to suit all budgets. Please see package details below:
HEADLINE SPONSOR
ASSOCIATE SPONSOR
*one package available per webinar
*10 packages available per webinar
Price: £800 (members) or £1,100 (nonmembers) • Company website link or pop-up promotion to feature during the live webinar
Price: £350 (members) or £650 (nonmembers)
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Large logo on sponsor slide during the webinar
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Company mention during webinar opening • and closing address
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Logo and overview in the event program
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Company Q&A feature in AGS Magazine (5,440 subscribers)
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Full page advert in AGS Magazine (worth £400)
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Two complementary event registrations (worth up to £180)
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Logo on sponsor slide during the webinar
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Logo and overview in the event program
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Company mention during webinar opening & closing address Logo featured in promotional marketing emails
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Company directory insert in AGS Magazine, worth £50 (5,440 subscribers)
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One complementary webinar registration (worth up to £90)
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Company logo and overview on the AGS’ Twitter page (3,208 followers)
Company logo and overview featured on the webinar registration page
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Company logo and overview on the AGS’ LinkedIn page (5,730 followers)
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Logo featured on promotional marketing emails
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Company mention in a follow up article in AGS Magazine (5,440 subscribers)
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Company logo and overview on the AGS’ Twitter page (3,208 followers)
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Company overview on the AGS website
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Company logo and overview on the AGS’ LinkedIn page (5,730 followers)
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Company logo featured on replay email campaigns
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Company logo featured on replay email campaigns
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Company inclusion in a follow up article in AGS Magazine (5,440 subscribers)
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All prices exclude VAT. If your company would like to support any AGS webinars or if you’d like any further information on the events, please contact Caroline Kratz on ags@ags.org.uk.
Image Credit: Joanna Maplethorpe
Managing risk within ground investigation (machinery) Article contributed by Julian Lovell, Managing Director, Equipe Group Jon Rayner, Director SH&E, EUR - UK & Ireland, AECOM
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ecently there have been a number of serious incidents/accidents involving drilling machines and recent site safety audits and inspections have discovered poorly maintained machinery and lack of demonstratable operative competency. This article explores the risk to safety posed by plant and in particular the compliance with
health and safety legislation and guidance relating to drilling machines which are used on almost every geotechnical project whether that be a dynamic sampling machine or rotary piling machine.
Legislative Framework There are numerous pieces of health, safety and environmental legislation which apply to ground investigations, but the control of the common safety aspects of construction work, of which ground investigation is undeniably part of, relies heavily upon the implementation of and compliance to the Construction
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Image Credit: Tom Androsiuk
(Design and Management) Regulations, 2015 (CDM).
Work Act 1974 and face a financial penalty and or a custodial sentence. If an incident occurs from a known and documented risk(s), then this will be looked upon unfavourably, if it is demonstrated as being ‘reasonably forseeable’ risks, which have not been managed and monitored sufficiently.
HSE also publishes guidance to help people to understand what the law says, to help duty holders comply with the law and to give technical advice. HSE guidance, which is generally not specific to a particular industry and The operation of drilling This guidance is further guidance including machines is governed British Standards and not compulsory, but by a number of specific industry specific guidance, legislative statutes and the HSE advises that may be used by the guidance most notably the if you do follow it, you regulator and the courts Machinery Safety Directive, will normally be doing to demonstrate that good Provision and Use of Work enough to comply with practice has been followed. Equipment Regulations (PUWER) and BS EN 16228 the law. This guidance is not – Drill Rig Safety. The compulsory, but the HSE advises obligations under these parts that if you do follow it, you will normally be of the legislative framework almost entirely doing enough to comply with the law. If an rest with the manufacturers, buyers and users incident occurs, health and safety inspectors of the equipment (the Contractors). However, and prosecutors will check for compliance and Clients and Designers must not forget their duty holders may well be found liable of a torte obligations under CDM as they also have a of negligence under the Health and Safety at duty to engage with competent Contractors
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and must make suitable arrangements for managing a project, including the allocation of sufficient time and other resources. In respect of Client duties, the regulations clarify that arrangements are suitable if they ensure that the construction work can be carried out, so far as is reasonably practicable, without risks to the health or safety of any person affected by the project.
is these DOSIWiG documents which will form the basis of the AGS Client Guides.
The Knowns
Throughout this programme, the major safety issues have remained consistent; a lack of awareness of legislative requirements, inadequate guarding of both the drill string and hot parts and under-rated or damaged lifting accessories including wire rope defects. The programme has determined that those employing, managing and operating the machines have little awareness of what full machinery compliance looks like. It has also identified a general poor understanding of what is required to fully comply with PUWER & LOLER (where applied) by those responsible for daily compliance inspection of the machines, with the industry often reliant too heavily on the manufacturers of the machines.
The AGS and BDA Safety Working Groups have published a number of safety guidance, safety alerts and Client’s guide documents to bring these safety issues to the attention of the industry. The AGS is also currently preparing a number of Client Guides which will provide guidance on known safety issues relating to ground investigation activities and in particular the machines and methodologies being used. The data for these documents have been derived from a programme of independent post-delivery (pre-use) inspections commissioned over the past three years principally by AECOM and delivered by Equipe, which itself resulted in production of the AECOM Drilling Operating Standards Industry Working Group (DOSIWiG) document series. It
A total of 114 inspections were carried out over a period from September 2019 to November 2021 and involved 18 different ground investigation contractors. The graphic above provides a summary of the key safety nonconformities found during the inspections.
The Unknowns The data highlighting these safety issues have been obtained from large projects and
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Image Credit: Tom Androsiuk from organisations who already implement an approved subcontractors audit process. Whilst the Client’s competency checks and onboarding process are vigorous, these nonconformities would not have been identified without the benefit of the independent preuse inspections. So how many non-compliant machines are in use today?
Recent site accidents would indicate otherwise. Likewise, a belief exists that the lack of paperwork does not inherently make a site or equipment unsafe, but lack of structured and recorded checking can allow unsafe equipment and operations to continue.
These attitudes are clear signs of a juvenile industry safety culture which is not learning The independent pre-use inspection initiative the lessons from the wider construction has provided invaluable insight and, more industry. Time and effort are being spent on importantly, data which discrediting safety practices or can be analysed and used identifying reasoning why Time and effort to create targeted guidance they shouldn’t be applied are being spent for the industry. The data to the ground investigation suggests some improvement, industry, rather than on discrediting but do the ongoing and adopting cross industry best safety practices or consistent trends suggest practise. Why? identifying reasoning that these issues are still not why they shouldn’t be Time, money and effort being seen to be significant should be balanced against applied to the ground by those appointing, engaging and managing investigation industry, risk, at least this is what the Health and Safety at Work drilling contractors? rather than adopting Act 1974 tells us. However, cross industry best The reason for the continuing when there is an inherent practise. Why? lack of compliance is not race to the bottom to win clear but anecdotal evidence work, anything which adds suggests that perhaps it is due cost is challenged by the to these non-conformities not being seen industry, as the industry is governed by those to be serious or a potential causal effect competing for the work. for incidents/accidents. Many parts of the Is this to the benefit of the Clients? Clients industry believe that when a wire rope fails, it will follow current industry guidance, setting will ‘fail to safe’ as any load being carried will these safety standards within specifications, simply drop safely to the bottom of the hole.
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project standards, etc. under the assumption that this constitutes best practice and will ensure a safe project. The reality is that these standards are watered down to keep the industry lean and value for money in the eyes of those appointing them, while retaining risk to those employed to engage in the work activities.
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The reality is that these standards are watered down to keep the industry lean and value for money in the eyes of those appointing them...
Summary Looking past the industry guidance, it is clear from the data that not enough is being done to ensure safety within the industry, with 52% of drilling machines still being deemed not fit for use. The AECOM pre-use inspection programme provides evidence that there are significant problems regarding compliance with drilling machinery legislation. Without such a programme these drilling machines would have been defective when in use machines which require operatives to work continuously in close proximity to them. Whilst Contractors will continue to carry the largest obligations regarding compliance, Client’s also have obligations under CDM 2015.
Clause 30 - ‘the client is required to make suitable arrangements for managing the project so that health, safety and welfare is secured.’ and
Clause 31 (f) ‘Arrangements should include setting out the means to ensure that the health and safety performance of designers and contractors is maintained throughout’. An independent pre-use inspection programme is a tool which can be used by Clients and Designers to meet obligations applicable to the safe use of plant and machinery and should, if adopted, lead to significant improvements of compliance and therefore safety within these areas. Clients can greatly help the industry to manage and maintain the machinery safety by instigating this or a similar approach on their projects. This will ultimately reduce accidents and incidents, and in turn reduce harm, project delays, maintain client reputation and increase productivity by the use of good quality, fully compliant machinery.
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Image Credit: Alan Beattie
Summary of the Autumn 2019 Procurement of Ground Investig Steering Group Survey Article contributed by Stewart Jarvis, Associate Director, Arup with acknowledgements to David Farmer and Mersade Cartwright, Arup for assistance with the original survey data and presentation.
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n 2019 a Procurement of Ground Investigation Steering Group survey was carried out. The survey was a collaboration between the Association of Geotechnical and Geo-environmental Specialists (AGS), British Drilling Association (BDA) and Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS). It built upon the AGS/ BDA 2017 survey ‘Spotlight on the industry’
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which identified that poor procurement of ground investigation was amongst the top three concerns of the responders. The purpose of the survey was to identify the level of understanding of, and detail the concerns with, the current procurement processes for UK ground investigation services. The results have been extensively used over the last two years to drive improvements through the procurement process and forms the basis of many decisions for the direction this action has taken, including the third revision of the UK Specification for ground investigation (The
are available on the AGS website.
Summary analysis
gation Yellow Book) due to be published mid 2022. Twenty one (21) questions were posed dealing with type of organisation, experience, size of projects and going onto familiarisation with contract mechanisms and documentation and concluding with questions on the way forward and improvements that could be made in the procurement process. The following is a short summary of our analysis of the survey results concentrating mainly on views expressed regarding the way forward for the industry; a more detailed article is due to appear on the AGS website shortly which will deal with the responses received question by question. The full survey results
Respondents Questions 1 to 10 looked at the details of the respondents in terms of affiliation, experience and qualifications, location and size and also their role in the procurement process. Responses were received from 175 individuals as indicated in the graphic above. Those affiliations not identified (18%) include BGS, Geological Society, GSHP Association, EIC, DPI, FAME, ICE, RCE Association and the ACE. This is clearly a small but active proportion of the ground investigation community. The majority of respondents are members of the AGS (59%), BDA (30%), BGA (23%) and FPS (10%). There are some multiple affiliations of course which makes the totals greater than 100%. Over 80% of respondents had more than 11 years’ experience and were at least at senior engineer level. Advisors/consultants and specialist ground investigation contractors provided nearly 85% of the responses with over
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90% degree qualified or of chartered status.
Improving the Procurement Process
A fairly even distribution of ground The latter part of the survey dealt with investigation organisations across the United questions around how the procurement Kingdom was indicated. Companies appear process should be improved going forward. to work across the UK with Q19 presented a series about 50% considering It is not clear of statements relating themselves to be national from the responses to GI Procurement and contractors though with what proportion of respondents were asked fewer in Northern Ireland. to rank these according to the respondents were Some 20% of respondents considered they were geotechnical designers importance. engaged in global activity. with a knowledge of the The results showed that
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proposed construction the vast majority of It is not clear from the participants considered that responses what proportion for which the ground of the respondents were investigation was being good formal specification with the objectives of the geotechnical designers with proposed. investigation outlined and a knowledge of the proposed the provision of a Bills of construction for which the ground Quantity was necessary. There was a strong investigation was being proposed. However, view that the tenderer’s estimator should some 40% of responses were from ‘Specifiers’ and a further almost 40% from ‘Estimators’ and always assess the risks and make allowances for them in the tender return. ‘Procurer/Buyers’. 24
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A more detailed analysis of the two main respondent groups i.e., Advisor/ consultants and Specialist ground investigation contractors reveals that there is general agreement in the responses to these questions. The low return rate from other groups (10 or less responses per group) means that it is not possible to draw any meaningful conclusions for them.
biggest “ The disparity in opinion
between the two main groups is regarding the statements that the contract is always awarded to the most capable rather than lowest cost.
The biggest disparity in opinion between the two main groups is regarding the statements that the contract is always awarded to the most capable rather than lowest cost. Also, the statement that the Designer should always specify the methodologies required appears to be more heavily divided in terms of opinions of the two parties.
At Question 20 respondents were asked ‘in thinking about the future of the ground investigation industry what changes from a list of 10 factors provided could most improve the procurement process’. The results of the responses are summarised below in terms of assessed importance.
By far the greatest factor identified was that procurers should have a good understanding of ground investigation process and there was considerable support expressed for early contractor involvement. Conversely the increased use of framework contracts, adopting new methods for measuring contract costs and establishing a protocol for premeasuring The GI works without resorting to Compensation Events was seen as having
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the least potential impact in improving the procurement process. Again, a more detailed analysis of the two main respondent groups i.e., Advisor/consultants and Ground investigation contractors reveals that there is general agreement in the responses to these questions.
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It is not clear from the responses what proportion of the respondents were geotechnical designers with a knowledge of the proposed construction for which the ground investigation was being proposed.
Summary The most important issues identified regarding improvements centred around the following themes: 1. The first priority was identified as the
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procurer should have a good understanding of the ground investigation process and method. This reflected concerns regarding non specialists being involved in the process without a full understanding of the issues.
2. The development of a GI focussed NEC contract or one specifically for GI was also considered to be a major priority based on the cumulative response from the two questions as flagged above. This was particularly supported by the Ground Investigation Contractors. This was also associated with significant support for
Image Credit: Chris Wade
improved training in the use of the NEC contract for GI 3. There was general agreement that early contractor involvement can be valuable in choosing an appropriate ground investigation design particularly where there are more specialist and perhaps less commonly specified requirements.
investigation specification to make it as prescriptive as possible and an improved BoQ was necessary to create a level playing field during tender assessment. As noted above a more detailed article is due to appear on the AGS website shortly which will deal with the responses received question by question.
4. The revision of the existing ground
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INSIDE
GEOTECHNICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATES (GEA) Getting to know GEA with Senior Geotechncial Engineer - Susie Marley. What does the company do and what areas does it specialise in? GEA is a geotechnical and contaminated land specialist. We carry out ground investigations, interpretive reporting and provide consultancy services, and specialise in basement impact assessments and ground movement analyses, foundation engineering and complex contaminated land investigations and consulting.
Where is GEA located? Our head office is based in Ware, Hertfordshire, and we also have offices in Nottingham and Manchester, along with a shared workspace at The Building Society in London.
How many people does the company employ? 25 (and nearly 50 % of our engineers are female)
How long have you worked at GEA? Five years
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What is your career background, and what enticed you to work for GEA?
approach of A number of getting graduates things stood out at GEA, including the out on site opportunity to work straight away and working on a wide range on their own of projects from projects early I started at on appealed small residential GEA a few to me too, and extensions to weeks after the converted larger commercial completing barn head basement type my final year office in a undergraduate projects... rural setting exams at and perks Camborne School like weekly of Mines/ University of Exeter. fresh fruit deliveries and I had completed a summer free gym membership were placement at a ground added bonuses! More recently, investigation company the GEA have supported me year before and used that in completing the Imperial experience and some of the College MSc Soil Mechanics projects that I worked on as course part-time, including the basis of my dissertation, a thesis project with some which led to an interest in real site data incorporated pursuing a career in the into the laboratory research sector. A number of things undertaken at ICL, and this is stood out at GEA, including the proving to be a of huge benefit opportunity to work on a wide to technical understanding range of projects from small and career progression. residential extensions to larger What is your current role commercial basement type projects, and in varying ground within GEA and what does a typical day entail? conditions on projects across the country. Our Managing As a senior geotechnical Director is of course extremely engineer, my role includes knowledgeable, but is also both office and field based very approachable, which was roles, including specifying clear from the start and can and pricing up new projects, be invaluable. The company’s
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completing desk studies including contamination risk assessments and basement impact assessments. I arrange and carry out all aspects of site work including setting out, instructing, supervising and working with crews, logging geology, logging foundation inspection trial pits and collecting samples, carrying out a range of in-situ tests and specifying standpipe installations. After fieldwork, I schedule geotechnical and contamination testing, carry out monitoring and groundwater sampling, review the fieldwork findings and write comprehensive (interpretive) ground investigation reports including preliminary pile designs,
retaining wall parameters, Damage Assessments hydrogeological assessments under the guidance of more and experienced quantitative engineers. I Over the past contamination also take an risk interest in year I have also assessments. started carrying out new starters I update and enjoy Ground Movement clients/ taking them Analyses, including structural out on site Thames Water Asset to help give engineers/ architects them as much assessments... throughout early site the project and experience as I liaise with Local Authorities, benefitted from when I started, and keep track of project and keep our Engineers spending against the budget Handbook up to date with our and produce bills of quantities. processes. I am also looking Over the past year I have forward to helping out in also started carrying out any way that I can with the Ground Movement Analyses, company’s goal of reaching including Thames Water Asset net-zero carbon. It may sound assessments and Building cliché but a typical day
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is hardly ever the same, and could involve a number of any of the above!
What are the company’s core values? Enthusiasm: we enjoy what we do and are passionate about doing our best every day. We nurture ideas, promote excellence, and find creative ways to eliminate obstacles to achieving objectives. We share our enthusiasm and passion with our clients and suppliers.
provide an environment in which our staff can thrive. Innovation: we encourage curiosity and new ideas, learn from mistakes, and constantly strive to exceed expectations. We always look for new and better ways of doing what we do. Through innovation, we generate better solutions for our customers and our staff. Safety: we place the safety and wellbeing of our staff at the centre of everything we do.
Kindness: We are kind to each Sustainability: we are other, our suppliers and clients, committed to monitoring and and to the environment. reducing the environmental impact of what we do. Integrity: We act with honesty, fairness, and respect for clients Community: we are mindful of and colleagues alike and strive the communities in which we to do the right thing always. work and committed to giving to those in need. People: We embrace the collective experiences, varied Are there any projects or skills, and unique talents of achievements which GEA every member of staff. We are particularly proud to encourage development and have been a part of? reward performance and GEA are particularly proud to treat people equally without have built a good reputation prejudice. Above all else, we 30
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for quality reports. Our main achievement is to have developed a company that is well-regarded and successful, provides an excellent place for people to work and a quality service to clients. This is reflected in the fact that most of our work is repeat business and generated by recommendation. We have built an established reputation for dealing with particularly difficult contaminated land conditions in a number of London boroughs. We are proud to have worked on a number of projects with extensive and high specification investigation at the high profile former US Embassy, carrying out interesting foundation analyses at Westminster Abbey, and providing investigations and complex ground movement analysis on the congested Creed Court site, and a number of other large projects are detailed on our website. Completing a
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ground investigation overnight at the Museum of Childhood, enabling it to reopen as normal the following day, is a project that I personally am particularly proud of.
How important is sustainability within the company?
empowering engineers and providing support to enable them to take on responsibility as soon as they are able, and have a Geological Society of London accredited GEA Training Guide to help engineers work towards chartership. All engineers are supervised by a more senior engineer, and ultimately by our Managing Director, to provide support at every stage of a project.
It is one of our core values and we have a number of schemes in place, such as no general bins in the office and extra recycling We were one of We were one facilities, the founding of the founding sample bags industry made from industry partners partners for recycled for the University of the University plastic, and of Portsmouth Portsmouth BEng new electric Engineering Geology BEng vans on the Engineering and Geotechnics way to replace Geology and diesel ones. bursary scheme. We Geotechnics We also don’t have a placement bursary print anything, scheme. student with us including We have a for some 44 weeks reports or placement at the end of their emails, unless student with essential. We second year of us for some are part of study... 44 weeks at the UK Climate the end of Business Hub their second year of study, as and hope to be part of the well as an 8-week period at solution as a SME, with plans the end of their first year. We to go further and find and also frequently take 6th Form implement more sustainable students for work experience solutions. from local schools to give
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How does GEA support graduates and early career professionals who are entering the industry? Firstly, we aim to recruit graduates and promote internally, and believe in
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them an insight into a career in geotechnical engineering.
How has COVID- 19 effect the day to day running of the company? How have staff adapted? GEA have always had a
flexible approach to working and we all have laptops so that we can work at home or remotely, so the transition to full-time home working was very straightforward. We have now returned to the office, but with a combination of home and office working. Some site work was impacted during the first lockdown during the uncertainty over whether ground investigations should be continuing, but this was fairly short-lived and other than introducing new health and safety measures it didn’t really affect us.
Why do you feel the AGS is important to the industry? It provides a voice for the industry when required, encourages collaboration between members and allows us to demonstrate our commitment to clients.
What are GEA’s future ambitions? •
To achieve net zero carbon
•
To continue to improve and grow through providing a quality service
•
To provide a positive and enjoyable working environment for our staff
GEA were headline sponsors of the Geotechnical Engineering in a Net Zero World webinar. To view the webinar click HERE.
Q & A with...
Lauren Hunt BSc FGS
Job Title: Geo-environmental Consultant Company: Arcadis Brief Biography: I am a geo-environmental consultant with Arcadis and joined two years ago after graduating with a first-class degree in Geology, from the University of Leicester. I’m based within the Site Evaluation and Restoration (SER) team which works on a variety of environmental / geotechnical risk assessment and ground remediation projects. We provide sustainable solutions to a host of geoenvironmental challenges and I am fortunate to be part of such a friendly team, getting to work with experts and specialists, learning and discovering more every day! Outside of work I play cricket, go on hikes, and I absolutely adore sloths!
What is your background and how did you end up working within the geotechnical industry?
rewarding aspects of what I do is knowing how sites we are able to remediate end up providing sustainable and safe places for people to live and work!
I’ve been collecting rocks and fossils since I was about 3 years old and have been fascinated with the ground beneath our feet and the What does a typical day geological processes that entail? have formed our planet. I really enjoy being outside That depends…no two days and exploring so loved all are the same! If I am based in the fieldwork modules at the office, a typical day would university, therefore I wanted entail geo-environmental a job where I could be most risk assessment, baseline active and at the forefront reviews, factual reporting or of site work. I found the working on ground toxicology and investigation I learned about geochemistry specifications. modules at environmental If I am on university consultancy, site, I will be interesting supervising specifically land and ended up drilling works, remediation at a writing my logging, university careers dissertation groundwater / discussing meeting... gas monitoring the sources of and sampling. Phosphorus, its I continuously engage with fate in the environment, and health and safety throughout its role in eutrophication. I all stages of the project, from learned about environmental planning to implementation consultancy, specifically land on site, adopting the fantastic remediation at a university TRACK to 0 Heath and careers meeting, and knew it Safety Policy set by Arcadis. would be a good fit as I want to Throughout everything I do, I be part of making the world a work with amazing people, better place. One of the most
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learn new skills and gain a wide variety of experiences within geo-environmental consultancy.
Within your career to date, what is your greatest achievement? My greatest achievement in my early career is not one I can single out. I am most proud of the determination and drive I have shown as a woman in this industry disproving the stigmas facing women in construction and speaking out against site-based intimidation. I am proud of all the projects I have worked on and contributed towards and am proud to be part of an industry that is moving towards a future of exciting and equal opportunities and supportive and enriching working environments.
What is your favourite part of your job? I love the variety in every day and how each different site I work on presents new opportunities for providing a better quality of life for local and wider communities. The variety constantly keeps me on my toes and presents new challenges to thrive on. I feel directly involved in the project lifecycle and undertaking work typically earlier on in this cycle means I have the opportunity to set a project on the right path, which is a great thing to be part of. Being at Arcadis also allows me to work alongside a
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rich ecosystem of teams and disciplines and my enjoyment within my role stems from helping Arcadis deliver valuable and high-quality projects.
What are the most challenging aspects of your role? Possibly the most challenging aspect of my job that I have faced are the negative and discourteous comments sometimes received out on site about being a woman from individuals who fail to realise the incredible work that women are doing within construction. There is a fantastic change going on in
the industry whereby women are empowered to take on roles in construction and engineering. Unfortunately, bias against women in construction / engineering still exists and the best thing that can be done is to open conversations about this topic at all career levels from the office and from site to oppress the stigma and change perspectives. Within Arcadis SER, a working group has been formed to address site-based intimidation and harassment. This includes any intimidation, confrontation, violence, bullying, sexual harassment and any situations which make individuals uncomfortable.
This has formed an amazing platform to openly discuss these issues and support those that have sadly experienced this kind of issue. Additionally, being out on site all year round poses the challenge of working in all weather conditions and this in turn leads to complications around plant, monitoring, sampling and site safety.
If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same career path for yourself? And if not, what would you change? I am new to the world of consultancy but I love it and would choose the same career path. It is the variety of projects I am involved in and the different challenges and tasks experienced every day that make it such a fulfilling and worthwhile career path. I am proud of what I have achieved since graduating and can see myself flourishing in this industry with many exciting opportunities to be taken in the coming years.
What AGS Working Group(s) are you a member of and what are your current focuses? I am an Early Careers Professional within the Contaminated Land Working Group. Another Early Careers Professional and I are currently working on producing an interactive mind map that will house guidance, industry
standards and useful in the geotechnical documents containing best industry? practice advice. This will I would like to see more provide a single source of women and minorities feeling truth and act as a platform empowered to take on a career for training in the industry, and project with increased I would like to support. The mind see more women opportunity for promotion map is in its and minorities and career developmental feeling empowered development phase and we to take on a career in as well as are working support for the industry... on improving roles out on interactivity, site. application of updates and revisions and Lastly any advice or user experience. This will words of wisdom that provide support to all career would you give someone levels but primarily aid early who is either considering career professionals to locate this type of job or who standards and undertake are progressing towards training. chartership?
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Why do you feel the AGS is I believe the key to those important to the industry? wishing to embark on this The AGS is important as it brings together many industry specialists and allows everyone to keep up to date with standard changes and allows you to create a large professional network. The AGS also provides early careers professionals with guidance and training in the form of insightful webinars and a variety of online resources. It acts as a platform to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across the industry, ensuring companies and clients work towards common goals.
What changes would you like to see implemented
career or to progress further towards chartership is to gain as much site experience as possible. This will help individuals put into context work that is undertaken in the office and consolidate an understanding of where the data comes from, how it is collected, the limitations of it and identify key observations that might be overlooked from desk studies. Longer term, this supports the writing of robust reports, improved all round health and safety best practice and not to mention the ability to see directly how the work you are doing contributes to the wider project in the real world. January 2022
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Standards Update
December 2021
PAS 128 revision)
RECENTLY PUBLIS SUBJECT / TEST SUP Methods of tests for soils for civil engineering purposes – Part 3, Chemical and BS1 electrochemical testing Geotechnical investigation and testing – Laboratory testing of soil – Part 12: BS E Determination of liquid and plastic limits Geotechnical investigation and testing – Sampling methods and groundwater BS E measurements – Part 1 – Technical principles for the sampling of soil, rock and groundwater Geotechnical investigation and testing – Field testing – Part 4: Prebored BS E pressure test by Ménard procedure Soil quality – Determination of selected explosives and related compounds – New Part 3: Method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) Characterization of waste – Preparation of waste samples for ecotoxicity tests BS E Environmental matrices – Determination of total dissolved solids (TDS) in water BS E and eluates BRITISH STANDARDS ON SOIL, GROUND SUBJECT / TEST SUP Methods of tests for soils for civil engineering purposes – Part 2 Will that EN I Underground utility detection, verification and location – Specification PAS
STANDARD ISO CD 4974
SELECTED INTERNATIONAL & EUROPEAN STANDA SUBJECT / TEST SUP Soil quality – Guidance on soil temperature measurement New
STANDARD BS1377-3:2018 +A1:2021 BS EN ISO 1789212:2018+A1:2021 Bs EN ISO 224751:2021 BS EN 224764:2021 BS EN ISO 119163:2021 BS EN 14735:2021 BS EN 15216:2021
STANDARD BSI 1377-2
ISO NP 7303 (New project) ISO NP 8529 (New project) CEN FprEN 15936 CEN prEN 17505 CEN FprEN 17516
ISO 18400-301 ISO FDIS 23400 ISO CD 24212
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Simplified method for oral bioaccessability of metal(oids) in soils
New Will Soil quality – Bioaccessibility of organic and inorganic pollutants from New contaminated soil and soil-like material Will Soil, waste, treated biowaste, and sludge – Determination of total organic carbon BS E (TOC) by dry combustion Soil and waste characterization – Temperature dependent differentiation of total New carbon (TOC400, ROC, TIC900) Waste – Characterization of granular solids with potential for use as construction New material – Compliance leaching test – Up-flow percolation test stan Cha Soil quality – Sampling – Sampling and on site semi-quantitative determinations New of volatiles in field investigations Guidelines for the determination of organic carbon and nitrogen stocks and their New variations in mineral soil at plot scale Soil quality - Remediation techniques applied at contaminated sites New
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SHED STANDARDS PERSEDED/WILL SUPERSEDE 1377-3:2018
STATUS Published
PUB DATE Sept 2021
EN 17892-12:2018
Published
Sept 2021
EN ISO 22475-1:2006
Published
Nov’ 2021
EN ISO 22476-4:2012
Published
Sept 2021
w Standard
Published
Nov’ 2021
EN 14735:2005 EN 15216:2007
Published Published
Nov’ 2021 Nov’ 2021
STATUS Comment period on Draft for Public Comment ended 23 October 2021
PUB DATE 2022
D & SITE ASSESSMENT - In preparation PERSEDED/WILL SUPERSEDE l cover those tests in Parts 2-8 of BS 1377:1990 t have not been replaced by Parts 1 to 12 of BS ISO 17892 or BS 1377-3:2018. S 128: 2014
Public comment period ended 16 March 2020 2021?
ARDS ON SOIL & SITE ASSESSMENT - In preparation PERSEDED/WILL SUPERSEDE STATUS w standard Comment period ended 29 April 2021
PUB DATE 2022
w standard l complement BS ISO 17924 – see also NP 8529 w Standard l complement BS ISO 17924 – see also NP 7303 EN 15936:2012 and BS EN 13137
Comment period ended 24 May 2021. Not approved. Second ballot to be held. Comment period ended 9 August 2021
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Comment period ended 4 November 2021
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w standard
Not approved. Second enquiry pending
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w standard - Text will be identical to that in revised Further consultation on the two parallel ndard CEN TS 16637-3 Construction products – documents in progress. aracterization... upward percolation test w standard Closing date for comments on DIS 16 February 2022 w standard Comment period ended 27 July 2021
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w standard
2023
Second CD in preparation
2022/23 2021
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Standards Update
December 2021
SELECTED INTERNATIONAL & EUROPEAN “GE STANDARD CEN prEN 1997-1
SUBJECT / TEST Eurocode 7 - Geotechnical design – General Rules
SUPER Will par
CEN prEN 1997-2
Eurocode 7 - Geotechnical design – Ground properties
Will rep
CEN prEN 1997-3
Eurocode 7 - Geotechnical design – Geotechnical structures
Will par
EN ISO 18674-7 (New project) EN ISO 18674-8 (New project) ISO DTS 24283-1 ISO DTS 24283-2 ISO DTS 24283-3
Geotechnical investigation and testing – Geotechnical monitoring by field instrumentation – Part 7: Measurement of strains: Strain gauges Geotechnical investigation and testing – Geotechnical monitoring by field instrumentation – Part 8: Measurement of forces: Load cells Geotechnical investigation and testing – Qualification criteria and assessment – Part 1: Qualified technician Part 2: Responsible expert Part 3: Qualified enterprise
New sta
ISO DIS 22476-1
Geotechnical investigation and testing – Field testing – BS ISO Part 1: Electrical cone and piezocone penetration test Geotechnical investigation and testing – Testing of geotechnical structures – New sta Part 2: Testing of piles: static tension load test Array measurement of microtremors to estimate shear wave velocity profile New sta
ISO CD 22477-2 ISO CD 24057
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New sta
Part 1Part 2 Part 3-
EOTECHNICAL” STANDARDS – In preparation
RSEDED/WILL SUPERSEDE rtially replace BS EN 1997-1: 2004 + A1: 2013
place BS EN 1997-2: 2007
rtially replace BS EN 1997-1: 2004
andard
andard
New standard - ISO TS 22475-2:2006 (BS ISO 22475-2: 2011) - ISO TS 22475-3:2007 (BS ISO 22475-3: 2011)
22476-1:2012
STATUS Comment period for prEN ended 6 January 2021 Comment period for prEN ended 6 January 2021 Comment period for prEN ended 6 January 2021
PUB DATE 2023
Approved to proceed by ISO TC 182 & CEN TC351 in June 2021 Approved to proceed by ISO TC 182 & CEN TC351 in June 2021 To be published as Technical Specifications Second consultation in progress to comply with ISO/CEN rules. Comment period ended 23 October 2021 ended Comment period ended 21 August 2021
2023
2023 2023
andard
tandard
2023 2021
2022 2023
Comment period ended 8 March 2021
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Training Courses Equipe Training: Specialist Geotechnical Courses Equipe Training are delighted to confirm that their specialist geotechnical training courses are continuing to be delivered, both in person at our dedicated training facility just outside of Banbury, Oxfordshire., and also online via Zoom! The in-person courses will be operating with limited places to ensure social distancing. Available upcoming dates are provided below: •
26th January 2022 - Professor David Norbury’s Rock Description Workshop
•
26th January 2022 - Geotechnical Foundation Design (Online Course)
•
27th January 2022 - Earthworks Design and Construction (Online Course)
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16th February 2022 - Professor David Norbury’s Soil Description Workshop
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22nd March 2022 - Slope Stability Design (Online Course)
Places on these courses can be booked online here, or via contacting Equipe on +44 (0)1295 670990 or info@equipegroup.com
Equipe Training: Specialist Geotechnical Heath and Safety Courses Equipe Training and their health and safety training partners RPA Safety Services and EB Safety Solutions are delighted to announce their collection of specialist health and safety courses for the geotechnical market have resumed being delivered in person, as well as being delivered online where required. These courses are approved and certified by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and meet the requirements of UK Health and Safety regulations for working on geotechnical and land drilling sites. Upcoming courses have limited numbers of places available in order to maintain social distancing within the classroom environment. Upcoming dates include: • •
22nd – 24th February 2022 - IOSH Safe Supervision of Geotechnical Sites 3rd February 2022 - IOSH Avoiding Danger from Underground Services
Places on these courses can be booked online here, or via contacting Equipe on +44 (0)1295 670990 or info@equipegroup.com
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WITH WORLD CLASS GEOTECHNICAL TRAINING FROM EQUIPE Health and Safety Courses
Delivered in partnership with RPA Safety Services
IOSH Safe Supervision of Geotechnical Sites (3 Days) - £495 + VAT
Learn in detail how to keep yourself and your on-site operatives safe in the field - industry SSSTS equivalent
IOSH Avoiding Danger from Underground Services - £175 + VAT
In accordance with the requirements and guidance set out within HSG47
Other Health and Safety Courses Delivered in partnership with EB Safety Soltuions & RPA Safety Services
MARGI - Managing & working with Asbestos Risk in Ground Investigation - £225 + VAT
Comprehensive guidance to deal with asbestos in a GI environment, including CAR 2012
Geotechnical Courses
Prof. David Norbury’s Soil Description Workshop - £295 + VAT
Providing a detailed approach to soil description practices and techniques
Prof. David Norbury’s Rock Description Workshop - £295 + VAT
Providing a detailed approach to rock description practices and techniques
Online Geotechnical Courses Delivered in partnership with Plough Geotechnical
Geotechnical Foundation Design - £250 + VAT
Comprehensive overview for geotechnical practitioners and engineers
Earthworks Design and Construction - £250 + VAT
A general overview of materials sourcing / selection for design & construction
Slope Stability Design - £250 + VAT
Comprehensive overview for geotechnical practitioners and engineers
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Upcoming Events SiLC Annual Forum 2022 The SiLC Annual Forum will be taking place virtually on Tuesday 22nd March between 9:30am – 1:30pm. This half day conference will consist of six expert speakers which will be presenting across two themes: •
NQMS; 5 years on – where has it added value?
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Sustainable Remediation and Climate Change
Tickets cost £50 for SiLC Members, £20 for retired SiLC’s, £80 for nonSiLC’s and £40 for Affiliate Scheme members. Prices exclude VAT. Local authority staff, students and job seekers may attend the event free of charge. To register your attendance, click HERE to download a registration form.
Sponsorship SiLC has a limited number of Associate Sponsor packages available for companies wishing to support the event. This package provides an affordable way to raise company’s profiles during the live event and within the SiLC and AGS networks. Please see details below Associate Sponsor £250 + VAT •
Logo on sponsor slide during the webinar
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Logo and overview in the event program
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Company logo featured on the SiLC Annual Forum holding slide
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Company logo featured on the comfort break video
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Company credit during webinar opening & closing address
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Company Logo featured in promotional marketing emails
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One complementary webinar registration
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2x Twitter posts including your company logo and overview (120 followers)
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2x LinkedIn posts, included your company logo and overview (396 followers)
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Company logo and overview featured in a follow up SiLC article in AGS Magazine (5,440 subscribers)
If your company would like to confirm sponsorship of the Annual Forum, please email Caroline Kratz on SiLC@silc.org.uk before Friday 28th January.
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How to become a Member of the AGS AGS Members all share a commitment to quality in the geotechnical and geoenvironmental industry. This has become widely recognised by clients, governmental bodies and other associations that touch issues to do with the ground. We welcome both companies and individuals who want to be recognised for their quality of practice to join our growing membership of over 130 Members. We shape our industry, continually improve practice and collaborate on issues that affect us all; from clients, all the way through to the people who use the land and the buildings we help develop. To become a Member of the AGS, please visit http://www.ags.org.uk/about/become-a-member and submit your application online. Please note that all membership applications are reviewed by the Membership Committee 6 weeks in advance of each quarterly Executive meeting. The deadline for the next round of completed applications is Tuesday 18th January 2022.
AGS Chemical and Legal Helplines All Members of the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists are entitled to free chemical and contractual advice through the use of Loss Prevention Committee Members, Marquis & Lord and Beale & Co. For advice on chemical safety and best practice, Marquis & Lord will provide 30 minutes of free advice to all AGS Members. Additionally, if you’re an AGS Member and are looking for legal advice, please contact Beale & Co and quote ‘AGS Helpline’ where the first 15 minutes of legal advice will be free of charge. CHEMICAL SAFETY HELPLINE Marquis & Lord Tel: +44 (0) 121 288 2386 www.marquisandlord.com
LEGAL HELPLINE (Please quote Beale & Co ‘AGS Helpline’) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7469 0400 www.beale-law.com
Member Reporting Service for Industry Issues If you have any queries regarding AGS Data Format, there is a discussion forum on the AGS Data Format website, where queries can be posted and answered by the Data Format team. If a Member has any issues with regard to Safety, Contaminated Land, Geotechnical, Instrumentation & Monitoring or Laboratories which you think the industry should be aware of please email ags@ags.org.uk, we will then forward your email to the relevant AGS Working Group.
Disclaimer These articles are the opinions of the authors and are not intended to be a complete or comprehensive statement of the law, nor do they constitute legal or specialist advice. They are intended only to highlight current issues from date of publication that may be of interest. Neither the writer, nor the AGS, assumes any responsibility for any loss that may arise from accessing, or reliance on the material and all liability is disclaimed accordingly. Professional advice should be taken before applying the content of the articles to particular circumstances.
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Advertising and Rates An online advertising campaign within the AGS Magazine will help to build and increase industry awareness of your company’s profile, initiatives and offerings. The AGS can help build a package to suit your needs and budget; whether it’s a series of adverts across multiple issues, a combination of event sponsorship and advertising, or a single advertorial. How to Advertise in the AGS Magazine The AGS Magazine is a free email publication that looks at a range of topical issues, insights and concerns, whilst publishing new guidance notes, working group activities and information on upcoming industry seminars. With 6 issues each year, our subscribers include industry professionals such as practitioners, chartered specialists, senior decision makers and managing directors To receive a media pack or to discuss advertising rates, please contact Caroline Kratz on 0208 658 8212 or email ags@ags.org.uk
Adversiting Requirements
Advert Sizes and Rates
All adverts should be sent in a PDF, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, PSD (Photoshop) or EPS (Illustrator) format.
FULL PAGE W: 210mm H: 297mm RATE: £400 HALF PAGE W: 210mm H: 145mm RATE: £250 QUARTER PAGE
COMPANY NAME ADDRESS CONTACT NUMBER EMAIL
W: 105mm H: 145mm RATE: £160
LOGO
DIRECTORY Company name, address, contact number, email and one logo.
RATE: £50
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All advertising artwork must be supplied in 114 dpi resolution.
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Artwork must be delivered to the AGS using the agreed artwork specification size listed left. Artwork should be emailed to ags@ags.org. uk no later than 10 days prior to publication.
Directory Jackson Remediation
Stuart Wells Limited
The Long Barn Cobham KT11 3NE
Stuart House Hargham Road Shropham, Norfolk NR17 1DT
+44 01932 550911 www.jacksonremediation.co.uk hello@jacksonremediation.co.uk
01953454540 www.stuartwells.co.uk enquiries@stuartwells.co.uk
AGS Dates for Your Diary Sustainability in the delivery of Brownfield Regeneration (webinar series) Sustainability in the Delivery of Brownfield Regeneration: Sustainable Remediation Solutions • Date: Tuesday 17th May • Time: 11am (approx. 2 hour duration) Sustainability in the Delivery of Brownfield Regeneration: Sustainable Management of Soils: • Date: Thursday 26th May • Time: 11am (approx. 2 hour duration) • Fee: £25 for AGS members and employees of members or £30 for non-AGS members for one webinar. Alternatively, AGS members can attend both webinars for £45 and nonAGS members can attend both webinars for £55.
AGS Annual Conference (live event) • • •
Date: Wednesday 6th July Time: 9am – 4pm Location: Geotechnica, Warwickshire Event Centre in Leamington Spa
Full details to be released in due course
Ground Risk (webinar) • •
Date: September TBC Fee: £25 for AGS members or £30 for nonAGS members
Full details to be released in due course
Data Management Conference (live event) •
Date: November/December TBC
Full details to be released in due course
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