Our ability to provide ‘Ground Investig
ations of Quality and Value’ is confirmed, and to date we’ve completed more than 70 projects with contract values ranging from £450 to £45k, with many for returning clients and a high proportion negotiated. Feedback from regulators, including SEPA and local councils has been positive and encouraging.
There has been development aplenty at Insight GEO over the last year with new sample and equipment store; increased office space; and new computer software, making downloading and sending documents easy via the upgraded fibre optic broadband. We’re also in at the start with the new Keynetix Holebase SI software. Having upgraded to the professional packag
e, this will not only produce great exploratory hole records and AGS data, but the interactive mapping element will allow cross sections to be generated with a click (or two) for standard inclusion in our reports. Still at a trial and review stage, this software should transform the way we can interrogate and ultimately present field data – exciting stuff. The increased office capability has been ably supported by admin, accounts and IT input from Claire, Arlene and Gerard – many thanks.
The important commitment to Health and Safety has not been neglected: our NEBOSH qualified advisor, Stuart Beattie has developed the Insight GEO Health and Safety Management System, now in preliminary use and being tweaked to perfection. A new Professionally Qualified Person CSCS card and HSE certified First Aid at Work training for Judith emphasises this commitment.
On site ther
e have been upgrades too: the new company 4 x 4 vehicle, a capable beast, ‘just in case’ we end up somewhere muddy and slightly inaccessible. Providing project continuity, Judith is on site for the majority of fieldwork. For larger projects and days where being in two places at once would be handy, the experienced support of Gordon or Chrissie on site has proved to be invaluable.
And so to the future – although largely more of the same, and with increased capability we look forward to working with a wider range of clients who are hoping to find an approachable and professional specialist to implement and manage their ground investigations with competence, or add pragmatic geotechnical and geoenvironmental expertise to their projects.
Finally – let the blogging recommence. After many months of ploughing all spare energy into developing Insight GEO behind the scenes, it’s time to start broadcasting achievements and selecting the most useful and interesting industry updates to share. Watch this space in the coming months.
Hot off the Press – Publication of new BS10175:2011
What is BS 10175?
BS 10175 is the code of practice for Investigation of Potentially Contaminated Sites. It gives guidance on the investigation of potentially contaminated land. It also applies to land with naturally enhanced concentrations of potentially harmful materials to determine or manage any risks.
What's the risk?
In brief BS 10175 covers:
a) Setting the objectives of an investigation
b) Setting a strategy for the investigation
c) Designing the different phases of the investigation
d) Sampling and on-site testing
e) Laboratory analysis
f) Reporting, in order to obtain scientifically robust data on soil, groundwater, surface water and ground gas contamination.
Industry Views
Since publication of the initial BS10175 in 2001, investigation strategies and understanding of the risk based approach to sites and site investigations have evolved significantly. As part of the code update and revision process, a UK wide series of events were held in summer 2010.
Industry Views
Insight GEO attended the event in Perth, where the proposed draft was reviewed and feedback invited. Many revisions received a broad consensus of opinion across the industry representatives which included; regulators, environmental consultants, councils and ground investigation specialists. However, a few aspects such as investigation phasing, prescriptive sampling density and even the definition of potentially contaminated land, inspired lively debate; leaving the drafting committee with a wide variety of views to consider before publication.
Now that BS10175:2011 has been published and BS10175:2001 withdrawn, what difference will it make? - watch this space….
(A copy of the new code of practice can now be purchased from the BSI shop)