With the construction industry still booming albeit still with tight deadlines and profit margins which inevitably cause stress amongst the workforce.

Is it just me or are we starting to see a return of aggression among trades whereby they fall out with each other, want to argue or make threats?

I've heard from many peers of individuals being red carded from site. I'm wondering if this is what the future holds and in the very near future we could be investigation assaults onsite in-conjunction with the Met Police.

There has always been a fractious element within the different trades and status in the construction related industries. That said, with this incessant drive for 'zero accidents/incidents' on site I believe this has led to some poor and sometimes insidious practices which often fosters itself in a blame game when things go wrong and/or covering up. Not suprising really that these events manifest themselves in the prevailing safety culture where messengers get shot.

I could say more but tempus fugit...

I gather from wide discussion that one of the key stressors/ areas of conflict is the significant influx of migrant labour, willing to work longer hours for less money.
I do not make this observation with the intent of stirring xenophobia etc. - this is, I understand, a real issue for the local lads who are being squeezed out.

I agree, I have seen (especially in greater London) agression between different groups of trades. Our window fitters were mainly Romanian and good lads that were generally compliant but they had an unacceptable attitude to anybody of African / Carribbean descent. I had to throw a very good foreman off site for racist abuse.
The other issue is that main contractors are relying on subbies to manage and program themselves and every site manger appears to have a favorite trade. Its not an industry that I would encouarge my lad to join now, which is a shame.

I think at the minute everyone is painting a very bad picture of construction sites here. I think the guys are ok about rates of pay depending on their trade (plus different companies have different rates not to mention different working hours). I also dont personally think there is as much aggression that everyone is referring to or race related issues.

I do think that there is a lot of pressure put on the guys to get the job done fast, never mind safety or quality (unless there is an audit or accident) this may result in clashes with trades working on top of each other.

But I could be totally wrong, just my opinion.

Return to aggression?
How can you return to something that has never gone anywhere?
One trade arrives on-site to find that their job cannot be done because another trade is behind = instant irritation.
So they arrive, and read the method statement [falls over in hysterics and has to have first aid because of shortage of breath]....sorry....tradespersons arrive, method statement remains in unopened envelope, they get-on with the job as fast as they can, then go. Hopefully still in one piece. Injuries, unless emergency aid is needed, generally go unreported.
As for the immigrant labour force/farce, they generally are happy to work with each other and usually ignore everyone else. Usually most will have good understanding of English, unless you complain to them, in which case you need an interpreter.
If everyone goes home in one piece, site health and safety is good. If they don't all go home, someone else is generally to blame. if someone doesn't go home at all, ever, a scapegoat will get trotted out.
I'm assuming that "site health and safety" is an oxymoron?

And to complete the rosy picture:

http://www.ccscheme.org.uk/

Got one down the road from me....I assume that "considerate" (as mentioned on their large boards outside site) means plastering the road inches deep in mud.....telehandlers trundling along through red traffic lights loaded with pallets of thermalite blocks (at a 3-metre height) to the next set of [red] traffic lights, which they go straight through without slowing, in spite of traffic. Them good ole bois, as always..

That was #13

Chris