Improving safety and standards across construction

In a sector as complex and collaborative as construction and civil engineering, sharing knowledge and improving understanding across the supply chain is essential.

From health and safety to contract management and regulatory compliance, ensuring contractors, clients and consultants are aligned can make a significant difference to how successfully projects are delivered.

Supporting this approach is a key focus for Civil Engineering Contractors Association North East, as we bring together industry professionals through a programme of events and seminars to raise industry standards, improve safety and strengthen collaboration.

A safe digging event in May, for example, will highlight the importance of safe working practices when carrying out excavation works – an activity that remains one of the most common sources of risk in civil engineering.

By providing practical guidance on avoiding underground services and managing excavation risks, the session directly supports our aim of improving safety on sites while helping contractors and clients work more effectively together.

The event sits alongside the monthly NEC seminar series, delivered in partnership with legal specialists Bevan Brittan LLP.

NEC contracts can be complicated, and many in the industry report confusion about how they operate in practice.

Each seminar explores a different aspect of NEC3 and NEC4 contract administration, helping professionals understand what needs to be done to ensure everything is managed exactly as it should be, so disputes can be avoided.

Topics range from NEC overviews and Options C and D to JCT vs NEC comparisons, adjudication, claiming compensation events, dispute avoidance and construction-related case law.

By helping commercial directors, project managers, quantity surveyors and site managers understand the practical administration of NEC contracts, the regional body supports its members in reducing commercial risk and ensuring smooth project delivery.

We also run quarterly workshops focusing on the practical administration of construction contracts, delivered by Sunderland Ives, which provide hands-on guidance on managing NEC contracts day-to-day.

These sessions improve understanding of contract processes across the supply chain, helping organisations avoid disputes, enhance efficiency and achieve better project outcomes.

Alongside these events are sessions on research and development tax credits and briefings on evolving regulatory requirements, such as the Building Safety Act and Constructionline accreditation.

By keeping members informed, we are ensuring our community is compliant, competitive and supported to drive industry best practice.

Stuart Miller is director of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association North East

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