Workforce accommodation on major infrastructure projects

1 Introduction
2 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] Introduction

Major infrastructure and energy projects can require large numbers of workers to be based near a construction site for extended periods. Nuclear power stations, major rail projects, offshore energy developments and other large infrastructure schemes may employ several thousand people during peak construction phases, sometimes in areas where existing housing and visitor accommodation cannot absorb such demand.

Workforce accommodation is therefore an important element of project planning and mobilisation. It may include purpose-built residential campuses, temporary accommodation units, existing hotels and rented housing, or a combination of these approaches. Accommodation planning must take account of the changing size and composition of the workforce throughout the construction programme, as well as transport, welfare, local infrastructure and the potential effects on surrounding communities.

[edit] Workforce accommodation and site welfare

Workforce accommodation is distinct from the welfare facilities required on construction sites. Site welfare generally includes sanitary conveniences, washing facilities, drinking water, changing facilities and areas for rest. These facilities are intended to support people while they are working on site.

Workforce accommodation provides residential facilities for workers who need to stay near a project for periods ranging from days or weeks to several years. Depending on the scale and duration of a project, accommodation may include bedrooms, bathrooms, catering and dining facilities, recreation areas, laundry facilities, parking and transport connections.

The distinction is particularly important on large and long-duration projects. Welfare facilities are normally designed around the requirements of people working on site during particular shifts, whereas residential accommodation may need to support a substantial proportion of the total workforce outside working hours.

[edit] Why major projects require an accommodation strategy

The need for dedicated workforce accommodation is generally determined by the size, location and duration of a project. A large construction workforce can place significant pressure on local housing, hotels and other accommodation, particularly in rural or relatively small communities with limited spare capacity.

An accommodation strategy may be required to:

estimate the number of workers requiring accommodation at different stages of the project;
identify the availability of existing local accommodation;
reduce pressure on local housing and visitor accommodation;
provide suitable living conditions for workers staying away from home;
reduce unnecessary commuting and associated transport impacts;
coordinate accommodation with shift patterns and site access arrangements;
provide appropriate amenities and support services;
manage the social and economic effects of a temporary increase in population; and
establish what will happen to temporary accommodation when construction activity declines.

Workforce numbers can vary considerably during the life of a major project. Accommodation requirements may therefore need to be phased rather than providing the maximum capacity from the start.

Hinkley Point C in Somerset provides an example of the scale of the issue. The construction project has employed several thousand workers during peak periods, creating accommodation requirements that could not be met entirely through the existing local housing and visitor accommodation market. The project has therefore used a combination of purpose-built accommodation and other forms of housing.

[edit] Types of workforce accommodation

Accommodation strategies for major projects may combine several forms of provision.

Purpose-built accommodation can be located on or close to the construction site. This can reduce travel times and provide a controlled environment with shared amenities, although it may require significant investment in buildings, infrastructure and services.

Existing accommodation may also be used, including hotels, guest houses, rented homes and other residential properties. This can make use of existing facilities but may increase demand and prices in the local housing market.

Temporary accommodation can provide additional capacity where permanent buildings are unnecessary or inappropriate. Temporary accommodation units may include modular buildings and other prefabricated or relocatable structures. Depending on their design, they can provide individual bedrooms, shared facilities or complete residential units.

The most appropriate approach depends on the project's location, workforce profile, programme and planning constraints. A combination of accommodation types may provide greater flexibility where workforce numbers change substantially between construction phases.

[edit] The role of offsite and modular construction

Offsite and modular construction can be suitable for workforce accommodation because accommodation is often required early in a project and may consist of large numbers of similar rooms or units.

Manufacturing building components or complete modules away from the construction site can allow accommodation buildings to be produced while site preparation, foundations and infrastructure works proceed in parallel. This can reduce the overall programme, although the benefits depend on design completion, manufacturing capacity, transport arrangements and site conditions.

Factory production can also provide controlled conditions for repetitive work and enable elements to be inspected and tested before installation. However, offsite construction does not automatically guarantee higher quality or lower costs. Performance depends on the design, manufacturing processes, interfaces between components, transport and installation.

Moving part of the construction process away from the site may reduce the amount of on-site activity and waste. It can also reduce the number of construction workers required on a constrained site. However, large modules can require specialist transport, lifting equipment and sufficient site access, and these requirements must be considered at an early stage.

Temporary and modular accommodation may sometimes be relocated, reused or repurposed after a project's peak workforce requirement has passed. This depends on the design of the units, their condition, regulatory requirements, ownership arrangements and the cost of relocation.

[edit] Planning and community considerations

Workforce accommodation should be considered as part of the wider planning and delivery strategy for a major project rather than as a separate logistical issue. Important considerations include the number of workers requiring accommodation, the location and capacity of existing housing, transport connections, environmental effects and the relationship between the temporary workforce and the surrounding community.

Projects may also need to consider the provision of utilities, drainage, waste management, emergency services, security and social infrastructure. Large accommodation developments can create demands comparable to those associated with a small residential development.

Worker wellbeing is another important consideration. People living away from home for extended periods may require access to catering, recreation, healthcare and other services. The appropriate level of provision will depend on the duration of stays, the location of the accommodation and access to existing facilities.

Community impacts should also be assessed. A large temporary workforce can increase demand for housing, shops, transport and other local services, while potentially creating employment and economic benefits. Early engagement and appropriate mitigation can help to manage the effects of temporary population growth.

Planning permission and other regulatory requirements may apply to workforce accommodation depending on its form, location, duration and intended use. Temporary accommodation is not necessarily exempt from planning or building requirements simply because it is intended for a limited period.

[edit] Future use and legacy

Accommodation requirements normally reduce as a project moves from peak construction towards commissioning and operation. Decisions about the future of workforce accommodation should therefore be considered during the early stages of planning and procurement.

Possible outcomes include removal and restoration of the site, relocation of temporary units to another project, reuse for other temporary purposes, conversion to permanent accommodation or retention as part of the completed development. The feasibility of these options can be affected by planning requirements, building design, ownership and local demand.

Planning for the end of the construction phase can reduce the risk of redundant buildings and avoid unnecessary demolition or disposal. It can also influence decisions about whether accommodation should be designed as temporary, permanent or adaptable from the outset.

[edit] Workforce accommodation as part of infrastructure delivery

Workforce accommodation occupies a position between conventional site welfare and permanent residential development. It is intended to support the delivery of a particular project, but may need to provide residential conditions for large numbers of people over an extended period.

As major infrastructure and energy programmes continue to require large and mobile construction workforces, accommodation is likely to remain an important consideration in project planning, procurement and construction logistics. Effective strategies require accommodation capacity to be coordinated with the construction programme while balancing the needs of workers, the project and the surrounding community.