12

The percentage of workers on T5 testing positive for cannabis, and that's an improvement on the figure they started with which was one in five — around the national average for 20- to 30-year olds.

The project has achieved the reduction with a zero tolerance policy and drug tests on around three workers every day. Anyone found with drugs in their system, or alcohol over the safe driving limit, is booted off site.

Employers have a duty under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to assess the risks to an employees' health and safety.

On 29 January, cannabis was downgraded from a class B to a class C drug. This means that people caught with a small amount on their person, are likely to have it confiscated and get an on-the-spot warning.

21

The number of days notice which insurers have agreed to give contractors for renewal of their employers' liability cover.

The Construction Confederation wants contractors to keep a record of how much time their insurers are giving them before renewals. Guidelines agreed by the Association of British Insurers and British Insurance Brokers' Association say that insurers should give at least 21 days' notice. They also say that insurers should extend cover if they do not intend to reinsure but fail to give the notice.

If insurers breach guidelines, the Construction Confederation wants to push for legislation.

The agreements came after rocketing insurance costs – up to 3005 rises - which hit specialist contractors particularly hard (see CM, May 2003). Late notices of renewal forced some firms to pay the higher prices or operate without cover.

50

The height in metres of a special tower which the developers of Battersea Power Station, Parkview International, hope will be a temporary home to a pair of peregrine falcons while the building is redeveloped. It is based on artificial habitats which have been built for peregrine falcons on tall buildings in the US. This is the first ever stand-alone version of the structure.

The peregrines, the first ever breeding pair known to nest in London, took up residence in the foot of one of the power station's towers in 2000. Construction work on the mixed-use scheme, which will include retail, entertainment, residential and offices, will begin later this year and is planned to take until 2007.

Contractor Edmund Nuttall built the foundations for the tower, and Falcon Cranes erected the boxed girder tower. Both contractors supplied their materials and services for free.

7.75bn

The value of construction output in public non-housing work in 2004, according to the Construction Products Association's forecasts, a rise of 12% compared to last year. The rise, which follows a 17% one for 2003, depends on the government's continued spending in the health and education sectors. 2004 and 2005 will see sector activity stabilise, with output at £7.84bn and £7.81bn respectively.

New build in public housing is expected to grow by a similar percentage, although the spend in this sector is small by comparison at £1.83m. But the CPA says that for smaller contractors repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) in public housing is where it's at: it is predicting a 10% rise to £7.05bn.

The commercial sector will continue to suffer, falling 4.7% in 2004, following a 6.2% tumble in 2003. But this sector is still big, worth £11.52bn in 2004.

16bn

The combined turnover of six contractors who are plotting to form an alternative to the Major Contractors Group, limited to the biggest players. They are concerned that the MCG does not have sufficient lobbying power with the government, particularly on procurement issues such as PFI.

Bosses from Amec, Mowlem, Balfour Beatty, Bovis Lend Lease, Carillion and Sir Robert McAlpine met up in a London hotel last month. Balfour Beatty, Amec and Mowlem have already left the MCG. At the moment MCG members must have a turnover of over £300m to join. The big boys' club would be likely to set the barrier at £1bn.

n  MCG director Bill Tallis will leave the role in May this year. Construction Confederation chief executive Stephen Ratcliffe, who has many years' experience in government as a civil servant, will take on the role in addition to his current responsibilities.