Liverpool City Council and two of its contractors have been prosecuted following two separate incidents involving roadworks on a busy city centre road.

Consumer demand for building work remained resilient in the three months following the vote for Brexit, new figures from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) have revealed. Commenting on the results of the first UK-wide survey of the SME construction sector post-referendum, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Ongoing workloads for construction SMEs remained remarkably resilient in the …

Trimaco will be showing its range of heavy-duty surface protection and dust containment products at The Build Show, taking place this week from 17th-20th October at Birmingham’s NEC where visitors to the company’s stand will have the chance to win a whole pallet of Floorshell.  These include: From the Heavy Duty E-Z Up Dust Containment Poles to the X•Board Surface …

Roger Bisby takes a look at Blaklader’s head-to-toe workwear offering which even includes footwear for wider feet. Blaklader is a well established Swedish workwear company that has a growing range of workwear for builders. It is important to try the garments on because there are different weights for different times of the year and also for different kinds of work. …

‘Ferociously Strong Tape’ is the strap line on the American made Tyrannosaurus tape or T-rex tape. Roger Bisby took some out and about to try it in a variety of locations and applications. Internet searches throw up some funny connections T-Rex tape may take you to this builders tape or it may take you to a story of someone who has …

Two construction firms have benefited from a national scholarship scheme which enables them to take on an apprentice who is entirely funded to work for them for 12 months. The initiative was launched by construction audit, contract and payroll provider, Hudson Contract, to celebrate its 20th anniversary and also provide opportunities for two young apprentices hoping to take their first …

With winter approaching, Arco, the UK safety company is urging workers to keep warm and safe with its range of Winter Weatherwear, online Selection Tool and Expert advice sheet. The online Weatherwear selection tool is designed to help workers build a layering system suitable for their working conditions so that they remain warm, dry and comfortable in extreme weather conditions. Arco recommends …

A roofing company has been fined after a worker fell five metres through a roof sustaining severe injuries. St Albans Crown Court heard how a 32 year old labourer was working for Richardson Roofing Company Limited (RRCL) on a construction site at Kingsley Green, Radlett, Hertfordshire on 8 August 2013. The worker was fitting battens on the roof around holes …

Roger Bisby tries out the Button-fix system. Button-fix is an ingenious secret fixing system for panels of all descriptions. It can be used to secure bath panels, WC panels, wall panelling and even shower panels. It is also used on fitted furniture. Of course you could just get yourself a tube of panel adhesive but the difference is that Button-fix …

The creation of a dedicated fund aimed at lending to SME house builders will help to tackle the housing crisis but it must be easily accesible to small firms, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said in response to an announcement by Philip Hammond and Sajid Javid at the Conservative Party Conference. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, …

A Bolton night club owner has been sentenced after admitting a failure to carry out a survey for asbestos before starting on the refurbishment of a local night club. Manchester Magistrates’ court heard how UK Night Life Limited and its sole director, Charles John McGrath, undertook the management of a refurbishment project between 1 August and 12 August 2015 on …

London exhibition venue firm, The Business Design Centre Ltd, and a building contractor have been fined for safety failings after a specialist contractor fell through a fragile skylight. Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how the Business Design Centre allowed workers to cross an unsafe roof, which contained three fragile skylights and open edges, and failed to prevent contractors crossing the same …

A King’s Lynn roofing company has been prosecuted after a worker fell seven metres from a scaffold access ladder while assisting with chimney repairs. Kings Lynn Magistrates Court heard how the worker was subcontracted by J Webber Roofing Limited to assist with removing waste, mixing cement and bringing tools up to colleagues who were working on the chimney at a domestic …

A Bradford self-employed trader has been sentenced this week for safety breaches after poor scaffolding arrangements at a domestic property put himself and others at risk. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Mark Podstawski, 47, after an investigation found poor planning, the absence of guard rails and a scaffold not of a recognised design, put himself and others, including people on the ground at risk. …

Manufacturer of building chemicals, Bond It, claim to be breaking new ground in sealant and adhesive performance with the launch of a range of products based on advanced hybrid technology. The new Bond it hybrid range, which will be sold under the manufacturer’s PRO brand, offers users ‘best of both worlds’ solutions to a wide variety of trade and DIY …

Roger Bisby had a  Dustblocker from Addex on test for a month and found he didn’t want to let it go. The ultimate seal of approval for me must be when I end up buying a product that I have tested. Yes, I admit, I sometimes get a deal, but I obviously have to justify the purchase to my accountant …