Two Hampshire based companies have been fined after the death of a 42-year old man. Bournemouth Crown Court heard that on 20 July 2012 the sub-contractor working for Quality 1st Building Services Ltd was undertaking remedial work to a roof at a domestic property in Ringwood, Hampshire when he fell seven metres from the roof to the ground and later …

Roger Bisby considers the benefits of investing in a decent set of Pilot Marker Pens. There are so many occasions in my daily work when I have need of a permanent marker that I always have a set on the van. One common application is underfloor heating where it pays to identify each circuit as you bring it up to …

‘Look after your health – it’s your greatest asset,’ is the message to trade professionals from Bosch as it launches the GDE 18V-76 Professional Dust Extractor. Designed as an active integrated attachment for all Bosch GBH 18V-26 (F) Professional Rotary Hammer Drills, its development ls part of a continuing drive by the manufacturer to minimise dust-related illness. While asbestos is …

Darren Hook, CEO of English Heritage Buildings, discusses the benefits of this often overlooked construction method. The construction industry is constantly looking for faster, innovative and more economical methods to reduce costs, construction time and waste, whilst also considering the impact on the environment. Larger businesses are quick to change, but often smaller companies get left behind because of cost …

Supplier of quality hand tools and security solutions Carl Kammerling has launched a fixed blade VDE stubby screwdriver. After undertaking research with professional electricians, Carl Kammerling identified that most carry a non-insulated stubby screwdriver. Despite understanding the importance of using insulated tools, electricians often encounter situations where their usual VDE screwdriver won’t fit. The new C.K Stubby VDE Slim Screwdrivers …

Season to Season Employment – a recruitment company that specialises in seasonal employment is currently looking for skilled carpenters and/or flooring and tiling specialists to work in the French Alps. The company says successful candidates will enjoy the summer season and pre-winter delights in the French Alps honing their skills in and around luxury chalets. Those who want to continue …

While fabric, functionality and fit have always been hallmarks of its working clothes, Snickers says it’s the innovation and technology in the design of FLEXIWork garments that sets them apart from other brands. They’re designed for fast-paced working environments with body-mapping designs said to ensure superior freedom of movement on site. There are waterproof jackets, fleeces, t-shirts and hoodies, plus …

A North East based company Mike Neesam & Son Limited has been fined after a collapsing trench wall which led to the death of 43-year old Steven Ratcliffe. Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard how Mr Radcliffe an employee of Mike Neesam & Son had been working on a toilet refurbishment project on Hall Hill Farm County Durham, when he attempted to …

Three companies have been fined a total of more than £1m after workers were exposed to asbestos while refurbishing a school in Waltham Forest.

The SME construction sector grew in the second quarter of 2017, albeit at a slower rate in most parts of the UK than the first three months of the year, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Key results from the FMB’s State of Trade Survey for Q2 2017, which is the only quarterly assessment of the UK-wide SME …

Keylite Polar is a brand new white PVC roof window which is said to establish a new standard in maintenance free, energy efficient roof windows. Roger Bisby takes a closer look. It surprised me to learn that the number of white roof windows now being sold in the UK is almost half of the total and if the trend continues …

The construction industry must do more to ensure health and safety compliance and avoid incidents, according to specialist training provider Develop Training Limited (DTL). The company’s comments follow publications of the Health & Safety Executive’s annual workplace fatality figures, which revealed that across the UK, more than 135 workers were fatally injured between April 2016 and March 2017 with the …

Following ENGIE’s recent move into the UK home energy market ­ the energy and services company has announced it will provide smart heating controls from PassivSystems to customers choosing its new three-year fixed ENGIE Control tariff. The controls, which are part of the PassivLiving HEAT service, will provide homeowners with the ability to regulate their living space and water heating …

Roger Bisby revs up with the Triton Geared Eccentric Orbital Sander. Ah! life can get very confusing. No sooner do we all get used to a random orbit and then Triton comes out with ‘eccentric’ orbit. When does an orbit cease being random and become eccentric or is it the other way round? Is there a difference? No sooner do …

Roxil? If you have never heard of it join the club, this is my first brush with the product, says Roger Bisby in his review of the Roxil Outdoor Protection Range from Safeguard Europe.

V12 Puma IGS work boots review. Roger tries out a pair of V12 Honey Nubuck Safety Boots.

A London based roofing company has been fined after a 56-year old worker fell through two storeys onto a concrete floor.

Balfour Beatty believes the construction site of 2050 will be in stark contrast to what we see today – predicting it will be human-free with work moved off-site, remote control of machinery and new materials and techniques exploited to improve cost, safety and efficiency. The international infrastructure group has laid out its vision in its paper “Innovation 2050: A Digital …