How to run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ A hand-over guide book for Engineers Without Borders UK By Colin Younge How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License How to run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ Contents Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 3 Why run this course? ........................................................................................................................ 3 Organising the course ........................................................................................................................... 4 Finding a speaker .............................................................................................................................. 4 Marketing .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Food .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Payment ............................................................................................................................................ 4 Number of participants ..................................................................................................................... 4 Timing................................................................................................................................................ 4 The tricky bits ........................................................................................................................................ 5 Materials ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Getting the wood there .................................................................................................................... 6 Beg, Steal or Borrow ......................................................................................................................... 6 Storage .............................................................................................................................................. 6 Expense and authenticity.................................................................................................................. 6 Paperwork ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Risk assessment ................................................................................................................................ 8 Evaluation ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Joining Instructions ........................................................................................................................... 8 Appendices............................................................................................................................................ 8 References ........................................................................................................................................ 8 Appendix 1 ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Appendix 2 ...................................................................................................................................... 13 Appendix 3 ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 2 of 16 Introduction This course itself largely revolves around the construction of a medium-sized timber structure, possibly preceded by a couple of talks and a health and safety briefing. I canвЂ™t emphasise the simplicity of this course enough вЂ“ I began organising this on the Wednesday and was sitting down evaluating how it had gone on Sunday of the same week. Background Shelter Centre1 has put together a manual on the construction of вЂ�Emergency Relief InfrastructureвЂ™ (http://sheltercentre.org/sites/default/files/shelterproject_emergencyInfrastructure.pdf). Before the weekend was run the documentation was largely unproven. Shelter Centre wanted to do something about this, and EWB-UK decided to help them out! The idea was to prove or disprove that Shelter CentreвЂ™s ideas worked in practice and to test the ruggedness and вЂ�malleabilityвЂ™ of the design. The ultimate test was if the structure could be put up satisfactorily by untrained, unskilled workers, using only intuition and the manual. In a sense, it was the manual that was really on trial here. Stephanie Smithers and Tom Whitworth were the main leaders of the course, and are at least partially responsible for the content within the manual. If these arenвЂ™t available, suitable replacement leaders can be found. Why run this course? When I ran this, there was the dual benefit of Shelter Centre testing their ideas, but also (and mainly for us) there were the skills that each participant took away with them, and the knowledge of the context of these kinds of buildings. I also firmly believe that any good course like this is an excellent opportunity to network (I hate this word!) with professionals who have considerable experience in the field. Even the other participants themselves are often worth spending time with, and I have had many engaging conversations while sharing time on a workshop. The course is extremely simple to plan for and organise, and the initial outlay in financing has already been made. Plus it leaves participants feeling like theyвЂ™ve achieved something really ambitious! Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 3 of 16 Organising the course As with any course, you should start organising things AS SOON AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. ItвЂ™s not uncommon for events like these to be planned months in advance. Finding a speaker Speak to the EWB-UK training manager who has an EWB-UK speaker list of contacts interested in giving talks and running training. Talks of interest might include: п‚· п‚· п‚· Case studies of building experience in development contexts Representatives from Shelter about the purpose of Emergency Relief Infrastructure The economics of availability of materials, and adaptation, using for example bamboo or steel. In any case you should always have someone present with considerable skill and experience in construction. Marketing Shelter Centre are very fond of calling this project a вЂ�shed courseвЂ™. While this is strictly accurate, it doesnвЂ™t sell well! Upon editing the title from вЂ�How to Build a ShedвЂ™ to вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief InfrastructureвЂ™, there was an upsurge in subscriptions which simply enabled us to run the course! Food Your participants will need to eat! We provided lunches from a nearby patisserie, and then took everyone to the pub after for tea (which they paid for). Breakfast was supplied ad hoc by a friend of a participant. Payment If you are not familiar with the normal expenses procedure, please speak to someone at head office. Otherwise, Fran3 can arrange for the website to charge people for their attendance. Number of participants We had originally intended that there would be two teams of ten (hence two sets purchased). However, there were approximately fifteen participants at any one time, and this worked well with building one structure, given that we were out by (but only just by) six on Sunday. Timing The course is best run in the summer, obviously with the better weather, longer work hours, etc. As for the actual weekend itself, itвЂ™s best to run a two-day course with lectures on Saturday until 12 and building until 6 both days, with a 9ish start on Sunday. If you get everyone to sleep in the same place, it Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 4 of 16 prevents the slow diffusion of participants throughout the second morning that happens with people lying in. Clearly, this course works well run at the weekend to start Saturday and finish Sunday, although you may find it helpful to start it running on Friday night/evening. Permission DonвЂ™t forget to get permission from all attendees before distributing photos and email addresses. Use Blank carbon copy, or bcc wherever possible to contact participants. Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 5 of 16 The tricky bits Materials The one difficulty related to this course is the materials. The timber is actually very expensive вЂ“ approximately ВЈ500 a set. Very fortunately, EWB-UK has already purchased two sets! The material requirements are described in the bill of quantities in the handbook. This can be used to order replacement pieces, although in all honesty this isnвЂ™t a вЂ�kitвЂ™ project. Mistakes will be made, improvisation and misunderstanding are inevitable, and some sizes of timber have had to be cut for transport reasons. It is better simply to have enough wood so that you could join and cut two medium bits to get a long one than to order in more wood. Getting the wood there It is best for branches to arrange transport them-selves, although we will of course be available to help you in this respect, and we would much rather we paid for and ran the transport than the event never happened. You will need to hire a Long Wheel Base van, and recruit a more senior student (usually over 23, with a UK driverвЂ™s licence) to drive said van to Cambridge to pick up the wood. It would be helpful to bring some hands with you to move the timber, as it is quite a job loading up (it took us nearly one whole working day to pack away). Beg, Steal or Borrow I am going to be shameless here. Groundsman, estates managers, Workshop managers, these are all useful people for scrounging things off of. You will need at least two step ladders, and we only have seven hard-hats. We have enough tape measures, hammers, saws etc, but more of these are always useful. DonвЂ™t forget youвЂ™ll need to ask someone very kindly to desecrate their grounds by digging holes and leaving piles of materials around! Storage Security is only an issue for the hand tools and small items. It is very unlikely that the wood will be stolen, all the same all materials should ATLEAST be stored under tarpaulin (part of the kit, so donвЂ™t go buying any!) out of sight and away from main roads. The wood is cheap, untreated material, and will not cope well with being left in the cold or wet. Expense and authenticity It is better to go for cheaper replacements to expensive components in this event, as costs can spiral, and the structure will not be staying up for long. The plastic sheets used for the walls and roof are cheap, low-spec alternatives. We do, however, have a demonstration sample of the hi-spec material available for show. The main costs associated with the course are transport of materials (should cost about ВЈ50 a day for a van, hire on Friday and Monday) and Lunches, which could cost in the region of Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 6 of 16 ВЈ70 a day. Accommodation is another big expense, although if you do as we did and pinch some land at a sports centre you may be able to camp out in a pavilion or gym. Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 7 of 16 Paperwork Risk assessment A risk assessment is required for this course. See attached, appendix 1, the risk assessment used on this course. Note that site-specific hazards should also be quoted. Evaluation The feedback form used on our course is attached. It can be modified, particularly considering that we are now less concerned with thoughts on the manual. It could also be adapted to be more location specific. The version I have attached is the collated feedback, so that you can see what people thought, and the suggestions people made. To adapt it for your own use, just delete all the answers and comments! Joining Instructions People need to know where theyвЂ™re going, what to bring, among a plethora of other needs. Joining instructions are a good way to release this information in one hit. My joining instructions are probably far from exemplary, but they more or less give you something to work from! They are attached in appendix 3. Make sure yours are released good and early, so that people can book trains etc. Any Questions, comments, issues? Talk to either myself at [email protected] or the EWB-UK Training Co-ordinator Good luck with your course, and I hope to hear from you soon! Colin Younge Appendices References 1 http://www.sheltercentre.org/ http://www.sheltercentre.org/rp1/sheds 3 [email protected] 2 Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 8 of 16 Appendix 1 Training Risk Assessment Risk should be assessed where 1 = low severity/ seldom; 2 = serious severity / occasional; 3 = major severity / frequent The overall risk level = severity x likelihood Severity Seldom Slight Serious Major L (1) M (2) H (3) 1 2 3 2 4 6 3 6 9 L (1) Occasionally Likelihood M (2) Risk level Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 Frequently H (3) = (1-2) Low; (3-4) Medium; (6-9) High How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 9 of 16 Action and Timescale Risk level Trivial No action is required to deal with trivial risks, and no documentary records need be kept (insignificant risk). (1) L O W Acceptable No further preventative action is necessary, but consideration should be given to improvements that impose minimal or no additional cost burden. Monitoring is required to ensure that the controls are maintained. (2) Moderate M ED I Efforts should be made to reduce the risk. ( 3-4 ) U M Substantial The risk must be reduced. If the risk cannot be reduced then the activity must not be undertaken. (6) H Intolerable The risk must be reduced. If the risk cannot be reduced then the activity must not be undertaken. ( 9+ ) Hazard = task/ activity with the potential to cause harm Type of injury which could result if harm occurs Typ e of Peo ple & nu mb er affe cted Likelihood of injury occurring RISK LEVEL Current Control Measure s in place Further Control Measures required 1; With CURRENT CONTROL in place 2; or 3. 1 Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 Severity of Harm if injury does occur 2 3 1 2 Person Responsible to implement further measures required Date to implement 3 How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 10 of 16 I G H Digging post-holes Cutting foot with shovel X X 2 All H+S introducti on at beginning of course Clear and defined working area. Colin Younge (04/07/09) Sturdy footwear Lifting heavy / awkward objects Splinters from timber Falling Objects Sore back Splinters and cuts Head injury, cuts and bruises All X X All All X X X 2 3 X 2 H+S introducti on at beginning of course advising on good lifting technique Clear and defined working area. H+S introducti on at beginning of course Protective gloves. H+S introducti on at beginning of course Hard-hats to be worn wear necessary Colin Younge (04/07/09) Participants to avoid lifting more than comfortable. Colin Younge (04/07/09) First Aid Kit on site Colin Younge (04/07/09) Clear and defined working area Sawing Hammering Cuts and grazes Bruised fingers Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 All All 2 X X X 2 2 H+S introducti on at beginnin g of course Clear and defined working area. H+S introducti on at Clear and defined working Colin Younge (04/07/09) Protective gloves. Colin Younge How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 11 of 16 and cuts Unstable posts Bruises, head injury All X Tripping Bruises, cuts and grazes All X Sparks, dust and airborne material due to sawing Eyeinjury All Working at height Bruises, head injury, back injury etc All X X beginnin g of course area. 4 H+S introducti on at beginnin g of course All posts should be supported until structurally stable Colin Younge (04/07/09) 2 H+S introducti on at beginnin g of course Clear and defined working area. Colin Younge (04/07/09) X 2 H+S introducti on at beginnin g of course Eye protection to be worn where necessary Colin Younge (04/07/09) X 4 H+S introducti on at beginnin g of course All ladders to be supported by other participants Colin Younge (04/07/09) x X Working at height to be minimise d cuts Stepping on nails Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 All X X 2 H+S introducti on at beginnin g of course (04/07/09) Protective gloves. All ladders to be used on level and stable ground Clear and defined working area. Colin Younge (04/07/09) Sturdy footwear How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 12 of 16 Appendix 2 Training Feedback Participant The course was largely subscribed to by students, with a smattering of professionals. Most users found the manual helpful, although perhaps a little open to interpretation. People were at least reasonably happy with the introduction, although I didnвЂ™t provide any badges, which would have been helpful. It has also been suggested that two teams work in parallel, and while this was originally the plan, building one structure between fifteen people was just about possible. Most people found the course worthwhile, and there were no serious complaints. Participants would have liked more break-time and tea and biscuits made available, though they were happy to pay ВЈ15. Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 13 of 16 Appendix 3 EWB-UK Course: How to construct emergency relief infrastructure? (Formerly how to build a shed?) th 4 July 2009 вЂ“ 5th July 2009 Joining Instructions Venue Address: Wilberforce Road Sports Ground Wilberforce road Cambridge CB3 0EQ Organiser Contact Details Name: Tel: E-mail: Colin Younge 07595 826595 [email protected] Getting There There is parking available on site for those of you who wish to drive and your vehicle will be safe at the sports ground during the entire duration of the event. For anyone arriving by train, it might be worth getting a taxi as it is a significant trek (about 2530 mins from the train station. There should be a taxi rank in operation, this should cost approximately seven pounds. Maps are attached. Keep to the instructions at the back, then follow Wilberforce road down to the bottom where W road meets Adams road. You should see a chicane to the left of the big blue sign (there will be signage in place). The sports ground will be through the chicane and over the car park. Follow the signs. Arrival and Registration Registration will be from 9.00 AM, please be prompt! Signage will direct you from the front and main building entrances. Tea and coffee will be available. Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 14 of 16 If you think you might have a problem arriving so early, it MAY be possible to arrange somewhat вЂ�improvisedвЂ™ sleeping space for Friday night. Please print and bring a copy of these instructions with you. Saving my number in your phone would be advised in case of emergencies / getting lost! Things to Bring 1. Sturdy footwear, we really would recommend safety boots or walking boots. You will NOT be able to wear open footwear (i.e. flip-flops and sandals) during the construction phase. 2. Waterproofs, as we will be carrying on regardless of inclement weather. 3. Cash might be useful for food and Saturday night and the pub, if you wish to join us. 4. Notebook and pen if you want to take notes 5. Overnight kit / wash kit 6. Sleeping bag and mat (very important as accommodation will be on floorspace!) 7. Snacks (mainly for Sunday morning) 8. It may be hot, so remember to bring sun-cream, hat and sun-glasses Food Catering will be provided for Saturday and Sunday lunch. Sunday breakfast will have to be catered for by yourselves, but the bar SHOULD be serving sandwiches and snacks by 9-10 Sunday morning. Saturday evening we will be going to the Granta pub for food, with the fallback otion of having a take-away on the grass. It should be noted that any food other than provided by the caterers on Saturday and Sunday lunch time will be paid for by individuals. Notes on the programme Please check out the booklet вЂњguidelines for constructing a shed for use as emergency relief infrastructureвЂќ. It is available for free at the following website: http://www.sheltercentre.org/rp1/sheds During this weekend course, we will be working with a draft booklet written by a group of EWB Professional Network Members. This booklet provides a set of guidelines for constructing emergency relief infrastructure. The course will involve вЂњfield-testingвЂќ the booklet by putting together shed structures. This course will accompanied by a series of talks and look at how very small adjustments to information can make a huge difference to how it is used and its success. Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 15 of 16 The вЂњguidelines for constructing a shed for use as emergency relief infrastructureвЂќ provides step-by-step instructions on how to build a single-storey modular (a.k.a. a shed) building for use as a reception centre, way station, transit centre or warehouse from timber and plastic sheeting. It is intended to be easy to use and address all of the major issues affecting the construction of a shed. The booklet is designed for non-technical users who may have no prior construction experience and may not be native English speakers. The booklet was written by a group of former EWB-UK interns who worked as a Remote Project team. It was written with guidance and experience provided by Shelter Centre. The booklet is currently being reviewed by a large panel of emergency relief agencies. This weekend will be the first time that the booklet has been field tested. This event is an important part of the ongoing review of the guidelines, with a view to full publication in November 2009. Questions? If you have any questions then please donвЂ™t hesitate to get in touch, I will help in any way that I can. I look forward to meeting you all at the course! Colin Younge EWB-UK Training Programme Inter Last Updated: 15-Nov-2012 How to Run a вЂ�How to Build Emergency Relief Infrastructure CourseвЂ™ by EWB-UK is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Page 16 of 16