FIAT Professional is launching its all-new Fullback pick-up truck to the UK market at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show held at Birmingham’s NEC (26-28 April, 2016). The new medium-duty pick-up will join the award-winning FIAT Professional range in June 2016, along with the new Talento and Fiorino, and will be available with a practical double cab body style configuration in …
Read More »Two companies fined after disturbing asbestos at flat conversion
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how two employees of 24-Hour Maintenance Services Limited disturbed asbestos insulating board (AIB) whilst they were doing refurbishment work at a former commercial premises undergoing conversion into flats, in Romford, London. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred between mid-July 2014 and 11 August 2014 found that the client …
Read More »Bad Weather Tops the List of Builders’ Woes
Travis Perkins has revealed the industry’s biggest headaches as part of its pledge to support customers by promoting and encouraging innovation. After speaking to contractors, housebuilders, manufacturers and staff, a number of common industry-wide problems became clear. The UK weather was a shared frustration, with high levels of rain blamed for construction delays, muddy working environments and the reduced effectiveness …
Read More »NASC updates free scaffold specification template
The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has launched an updated version of its user-friendly, free Scaffold Specification Template (Guide to Managing and Appointing Scaffolding Contractors). The popular scaffolding guide is designed “to improve the quality of scaffold structures erected on construction sites and other works of engineering maintenance in accordance with current legislation, guidance and protocol and to minimise …
Read More »Security upgrade for Mumford & Wood range
Mumford & Wood Conservation sliding sash windows are now SBD certified to meet Approved Document Q – Security. “To the untrained eye the Conservation sash window looks no different to its predecessor, so much so that even burglars won’t see this until they have struggled with the security features and, of course, timber offers better strength to weight ratios than …
Read More »Construction Company Sentenced
A London based construction company has been fined for safety failings. Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how RS Construction UK (London) Limited was working at a site on St Dionis Road, London which was inspected by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The inspector found there was an excavation directly behind the front door, which was the only entrance and exit …
Read More »Are you breathing safely?
UKATA explains the importance of following HSG247 guidance – particularly concerning respirators The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has highlighted the importance of government guidelines surrounding Asbestos: The licensed contractors’ guide (HSG247) to ensure proper removal of asbestos. One area of particular concern is people often not being aware of rules on wearing respirators, and thus significantly increasing the risks …
Read More »How to: Level a floor with self levelling compound
In this video Roger Bisby demonstrates how to level a floor with self levelling compound for the best results as well as talking through how to get the best out of latex modified self-levelling sub-floor compounds. In this example Roger uses Bostik’s Cempolatex to level a floor with self levelling compound, but the theory applies to most self levelling screeds …
Read More »Bond it shoots for charity goal
Staff from building chemicals manufacturer Bond It have helped to raise money for a worthy cause. A team drawn from across the manufacturer of sealants, adhesives and building chemicals recently took part in a five-a-side football tournament for Bond It’s chosen charity, Overgate Hospice. Located in Elland, West Yorkshire, close to Bond It’s head office and main manufacturing site, Overgate …
Read More »Checkatrade urges women to join the construction industry
With over 10,000 female members to date, trade vetting service Checkatrade.com recognises the need to attract women into the industry. Craig Phillips, TV personality, DIY and construction expert and ambassador for Checkatrade said: “If you’re an aspiring female tradesperson, I really do recommend becoming a member of Checkatrade. Not only will your potential customer be able to find you by …
Read More »Fein AFMT 12 Cordless MultiTalent
Powertool manufacturer Fein has released its latest “Feeling FEIN’ Cordless MultiTalent video tool review. The ‘Feeling FEIN’ reviews focus on getting FEIN’s products into the hands of professional tradesmen. Each tradesman has been using a specific FEIN power tool and has given their honest feedback on camera. In this review, Ian Ellis from IBE Joinery (Kitchen Fitters) tests the FEIN …
Read More »The best drill test on Youtube or a waste of time? You decide
Roger Bisby takes us behind the scenes of the latest Skill-builder 18-volt drill test which puts drills from Makita, Bosch, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Metabo, Festool, Hitachi and Panasonic through their paces. The Skill-builder 18-volt drill test has proved to be our single most successful YouTube video ever with over 3/4 of a million views and rising. It has also prompted more …
Read More »Man Sentenced After Worker is Fatally Crushed in a Trench
A self-employed contractor has been fined after an employee was fatally crushed when the trench he was working in collapsed on him.
Read More »Demolition Contractor sentenced over multiple safety failings
A Hertfordshire based contractor has been found guilty for a series of safety failings across two separate sites. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) received a complaint in March 2014 from a member of the public living close to the former Chesham Community Hospital site in Buckinghamshire, concerning activities taking place on the premises. When HSE inspectors arrived they found …
Read More »When asbestos removal goes wrong
UKATA explains what to do when the best laid plans fail. In the light of several cases where asbestos has been incorrectly removed, or improperly disposed of, the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is reminding everyone of best practice on how to handle asbestos and while all steps should be taken to avoid accidents, what needs to be done in …
Read More »Safe as houses (or schools?)
The partial collapse of a school wall in Scotland has led to the closure of 17 other schools in Scotland while urgent checks are carried out. Thankfully nobody was killed or injured in this incident but it does raise some interesting points; first about the design of these 10 year old buildings and also about the inspection during the build. A …
Read More »Plymouth Plumber Puts Lives at Risk with False Gas Safety Checks
A plumber arranged for fraudulent gas safety checks at landlords’ properties leaving a gas boiler in a dangerous state, putting lives at risk.
Read More »DEWALT introduces 18V brushless, cordless planer
New from DEWALT is the DCP580 Planer which the power tool manufacturer says is the world’s first 18V brushless, cordless planer. The new technology pairs an efficient brushless motor with a high capacity XR battery, working in tandem to provide maximum output and excellent runtime. DEWALT says the DCP580 has enough runtime for a typical day’s work from just one …
Read More »Local Firms Vital to Building More Homes, Says Labour Shadow Minister
Labour’s Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning John Healey MP visited a housing development in Aston, Sheffield last month to highlight the importance of local house building companies being able to deliver more new homes. Mr Healey was visiting the Parklands View development in Aston, built by Sheffield-based firm W. Redmile & Sons. The visit was organised by the Federation …
Read More »Which 18v Drill is Best?
If you're thinking of buying an 18v drill and you're wondering which 18v drill is best, Skill Builder has some useful resources that might help you to make a decision.
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