Call for Proposals to Mitigate Working at Height Risks during Property Inspections

We are excited to announce an open call for proposals aimed at addressing the critical issue of working at height in the construction industry. As part of our Zero Harm culture United Living is committed to promoting safety, efficiency, and innovation within the construction sector, and we believe that your expertise and innovative ideas can help us achieve this mission.

Background The construction industry has long been plagued by the inherent risks associated with working at height. While it is impossible to eliminate this risk entirely, we are actively seeking proposals that can significantly mitigate these dangers through innovative technologies, methodologies, or best practices. By doing so, we aim to enhance the safety and well-being of our staff and supply chain partners while also improving project timelines and reducing costs.

Scope of Proposals We invite proposals that eliminate the need for temporary scaffold / access systems to allow surveyors to inspect domestic properties at height. Your proposals should also address the need for our operatives to undertake intrusive surveys such as structural inspections. We are open to all types of solutions but keen to focus on innovative technologies, such as robotics, drones, or advanced equipment, that can eliminate the need for human workers to be at height.

Submission Guidelines We are happy to consider solutions at all levels of readiness. Collaborative projects are encouraged, and partnerships between research institutions, construction companies, and technology developers are welcomed. All proposals must include a detailed description of their solution, stage of readiness to implement (e.g. TRL Level), budget estimate and timeline to further develop (if needed), typical costs, and a clear explanation of how the proposed solution addresses the working-at-height issue. Proposals should demonstrate the feasibility, scalability, and potential impact of the proposed solution. The United Living Group may consider investment for ideas that require further development and offer significant safety / cost benefits to ourselves and the wider construction industry. Proposal submissions should be sent electronically to innovation@unitedliving.co.uk by the submission deadline.

Selection and Review Process A review committee comprising construction and safety specialists will evaluate all proposals in accordance with the time frames below. The selection process will be based on the following criteria:

• Innovation and Originality
• Feasibility and Scalability
• Potential Impact on Safety
• Cost-effectiveness

Funding and Support Selected proposals may be eligible for funding and support from the United Living Group (if appropriate). The amount of funding will be determined based on the scope and requirements of the selected projects.

Important Dates Call for Proposals Announcement: 9^th October 2023 Proposal Submission Deadline: 9^th November 2023 End of Evaluation Period: 2^nd December 2023 Announcement of Selected Proposals: 16^th December 2023 We look forward to receiving your innovative proposals and working together to enhance safety in the construction industry. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at innovation@unitedliving.co.uk

About United Living Group United Living is headquartered in Swanley, Kent, and trades through three main operating pillars: United Living Infrastructure Services (ULIS), United Living New Homes (ULNH) and United Living Property Services (ULPS), which collectively provide essential services to critical infrastructure and property assets, creating a safe and sustainable future for our customers, employees and the communities in which it works.