The offsite construction sector is now established as a significant contributor to the delivery of UK construction industry output. The exact value of this contribution is questionable and has been subject to substantial debate in recent literature. Existing offsite construction sector valuation methodologies have been based upon market research questionnaires and estimates of turnover and manufacturing output. Considerable attention has been given to the definition of the terms used to describe the various constituent technologies and manufacturing processes. However there has been limited reference to its size, sector classification, employment statistics and value added to the UK gross domestic output. A method is presented for the determination of the UK offsite construction sector gross output and value added. Historical data for the period 1998 to 2008 with growth forecasts up to 2013 are offered. A breakdown of the sector, examining the common standard industrial activity classification codes (SIC), the gross output and value added for each sub‐sector is provided. The results show that there has been significant underestimation of the gross output and value added when compared to previous studies. An understanding of the broad and diverse nature of the offsite construction sector is provided with data that demonstrate an overview of the sector’s historical performance. The data will assist government and industry in benchmarking, market research and forecasting the further growth and diffusion of offsite construction techniques.Offsite construction, prefabrication, gross output, value added,

Ten years on the offsite construction (OSC) industry continues to be held high as a panacea to the inefficiencies, labour shortages and environmental impact of the construction of our built environment. Speculation concerning the gross output and the debate over the subject of value added continues. The market research questionnaires remain abundant and we have witnessed a deluge of revisions to the categorisation of the sector with some significant new contributions. Sector growth is critically linked to the availability of skilled labour, the mechanisation of manufacturing processes and data driven processes. We require a new approach to engineering education to deliver our modern workforce and cross-disciplinary education and training is of fundamental importance for the delivery of Construction 4.0. Historical financial data for the period 2000 to 2018 is presented. A breakdown of the sector, examining the standard industrial classification codes (SIC 2007), gross output and value added for each categorised sub-sector is provided. The data will continue to assist government and industry in benchmarking, labour forecasting, market research and forecasting growth and diffusion of innovative delivery of offsite built environment infrastructure.

The present study involved performing an experiment to clarify whether vibration measurement values on the tool handle, in accordance with ISO 5349-1, can assess risk from workplace environments. The study investigated the relationship between the vibration magnitude of a hand-held electric drill with different operating postures. The experiment included the determination of the participant’s temporary threshold shift (TTS) of vibrotactile perception threshold (VPT) at the tip of the index finger. The experimental hypothesis was that the vibration measurement values on the tool handle, in accordance with the ISO 5349-1 standard, include the effect of posture on the vibration measurements obtained despite the variation in posture and test participants. The hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) was applied using a hand-held electric drill applied to a pre-cast concrete paving slab substrate (600 × 600 × 50 mm, 55 MPa) using a 10 mm diameter masonry drill bit (without hammer action). The tool was operated using the right hand on twelve male subjects with three working postures (n = 36). Vibration was measured in three orthogonal directions according to the international standard ISO 5349-1 procedure. Vibration magnitudes were expressed as root-mean-square (r.m.s.) acceleration, frequency-weighted using the Wh frequency weighting. Clause 4.3 states that the characterisation of the vibration exposure is assessed from the acceleration of the surface in contact with the hand as the primary quantity. The experimental results indicate that the TTS following vibration exposure is not related to the measured vibration magnitude on the tool handle. Therefore, the automatic inclusion of posture and test participant variation is not proven. The results suggest that the vibration measurement values on the tool handle do not predict the TTS after hand-transmitted vibration in varying posture across the test participants. The research concludes that tool handle vibration measurement, in accordance with ISO 5349-1, does not properly assess the potential hazard from authentic workplace tool usage conditions of varying postures.

Limited information is currently available regarding the hand-arm vibration (HAV) exposure for professional off-road cyclists.  Previous reports have suggested that commuting and recreational cyclists are at risk of exceeding exposure limit values (ELV) in a single ride and, therefore, further investigation of HAV exposure in competitive mountain biking is warranted.  Partial and total eight hour exposure data (Ai(8), A(8), ms-2) are presented for a national level mountain bike race.  Assessment of hand-arm vibration meets the requirements of BS EN ISO 5349-1:2001 (BSI 2001) whereby recording frequency was 3.2 kHz and frequency weighting filters were applied (Wh).  The data presented shows that HAV exposure during one day of competitive enduro mountain bike racing exceeds ELV and is greater than the HAV exposure observed in recreational cycling.  This suggests that further work is required to determine the exposure associated with changes in equipment, technique and international racing events in professional athletes.

A defective pavement surface discourages cyclists from selecting certain routes and vibration exposure is a noticeable consequence of reduced path surface quality. Current asset management practice includes walkover surveys and cyclists reporting defects direct to the local authority. The research proposes the use of an instrumented probe bicycle to collect data for the assessment of pavement condition and rider comfort. Furthermore, the collection of hand-arm vibration exposure data is proposed as a means of assessing pavement surface condition and suitability. Hand-arm vibration exposure has been measured in compliance with EN ISO 5349-1:2001. Root-mean-square vibration total values, vibration dose value and exposure values (15, 30 and 60 minutes) are provided for 13.682 km of pavement surface. The vibration exposure values are compared to the EU Directive 2002/44/EC11. Power spectral analysis is also provided to indicate power transferred to the cyclist hands and arms. The collated vibration data may be used as a means of assessing pavement surface condition. Such data may prove beneficial for local authority asset management associated with resurfacing or repair works.