HSE inspectors to target construction sites

construction sites

Construction projects across Britain are being urged to act now to ensure the health and safety of their workers is protected as the second phase of a targeted inspection initiative gets underway this week. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says 43 workers were fatally injured in 2015/16, and an estimated ten times that number died from construction related ill-health, …

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Snickers catalogue

Snickers catalogue

The latest full colour Snickers Workwear Catalogue can now be downloaded free of charge from www.snickersworkwear.co.uk The 148 page Snickers catalogue has all you need to know about the Snickers range of working clothes for professional tradesmen and women. According to the company, this workwear will work hard on site all year round, whatever the working environment you’re in. What’s …

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Introducing the Hilti TE 6-A22 Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill

Hilti TE 6-A22

“This is one fast drill,” says Roger Bisby of the Hilti TE 6-A22 Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill when he tries it out in this new video.  Don’t forget to like the video on YouTube if you’d like to see more – the products from the Hilti series that get the most likes will get tested in depth. Features Extremely powerful …

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Three quarters of Brits are fearful of connected homes

connected homes

Research undertaken by MoneySuperMarket has revealed that the nation has deep concerns about the impending smart home revolution, despite possible cost savings. 76% of Brits admitting to being ‘fearful’ of the smart homes concept, with unapproved data collection cited as the greatest worry. Other concerns about connected homes include the technology being hacked by criminals (51%), being made unusable by …

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This is the CITB’s last chance, says FMB

ITC Concepts

The CITB has one last chance to fundamentally reform and start facilitating quality training en masse among the construction industry’s smaller firms, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The FMB has announced its qualified support for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) as part of the consensus process, submitting its official letter to the CITB’s Chief Executive Sarah …

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Put a Spring in Your Step

Revolution Infinity

The Revolution Infinity safety shoe from Solid Gear comprises a high degree of cushioning and comfort and has a ‘bounce back’ mid-sole which is designed to give a 55% energy return that will put a spring in your step to reduce fatigue and stress on the back, legs and feet. The shoe’s stretchable upper with Cordura is water-resistant and is said to offer excellent performance when it …

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Scaffold Inspectors prosecuted after worker falls from height

Construction boss jailed

Two scaffold Inspectors have been prosecuted after a worker fell through a gap between the scaffolding and the building, resulting in serious injuries. Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how on 26th March 2014, the 49-year old worker was working on a re-roofing project. As he stepped down from the untiled roof onto a fixed scaffold, he fell through a gap …

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My Favourite Tools for Floor Laying

floor laying tools

Floor laying is a job that many builders hand over to the specialist but Roger Bisby explains why he is reluctant to kiss goodbye to what can be a good earner and shares his favourite tools for the job. My customer was fairly adamant that they didn’t want scotia or quadrant around the edge of their new oak flooring because …

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Hilti SID 4-A22 Cordless Impact Driver Preview

Hilti SID 4-A22 Cordless Impact Driver

In this video Roger gets a preview of the hotly anticipated Hilti SID 4-A22 Cordless Impact Driver. Hilti SID 4-A22 Cordless Impact Driver features Compact design allows easy use in tight corners and wherever space is limited Perfect balance and low weight Robust hexagonal 1/4″ quick-release chuck Brushless motor for long life and more work per charge 3 gears and …

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Firms donate construction materials to hurricane torn Barbuda

donate construction materials

IronmongeryDirect, the UK supplier of ironmongery to the trade, has partnered with supplier TIMco to donate a pallet full of fastenings and fixings which is being sent to hurricane torn Barbuda in the Caribbean. The pallet, which contains approximately 500,000 woodscrews, roofing screws, concrete screws, nails and masonry fixings, will help the residents of Barbuda rebuild their homes and communities …

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What’s all the fuss about Toggler High Performance Anchors?

Toggler High Performance Anchors

Roger Bisby gets a demonstration of the Toggler High Performance Anchors at a trip to Toolfair. Heavy Duty Plasterboard Fixings, Solid Wall Anchors, Cavity Walls, Thermalite – we’ve all been there and had at least one nightmare experience trying to get a secure fixing, which will not only provide enough support, but will last the test of time in substrates …

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Hi-Vis Tapes

Hi-Vis Tapes

Hultafors new Hi-Vis Tapes are said to provide excellent value and come with an EC Class II measuring accuracy. The Hi-Vis Tapes are also stamped with the Fisco brand hallmarks of quality and reliability. With a tough ABS case that has a high-impact rubber overmould, these tapes combine hardwearing reliability with ease of use. There are 3 different models, available …

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Cable right to call for councils to build, says FMB

councils to build

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) says its supports Lib Dem Leader Vince Cable’s call on the Government to allow local councils to borrow to build. Responding to the Party Leader’s speech at the Liberal Democrats’ Party Conference, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Mr Cable is absolutely correct in saying the Government must be bold if it …

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Is fear of falling fuelling roofing skills shortage?

roofing skills

A survey of over 200 trainee roofers has suggested that fear of injury or death is the biggest concern for 43% of them. Of the 212 surveyed by Redland, 63 said that they were most worried about falling from height, 12 cited health and safety issues, 11 said injuries and five said they feared death. The budding roofers are all …

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Warmth without weight: Dickies jacket review

Dickies jacket review

Roger Bisby weighs up the benefits of Dickies’ latest winter jacket. It might seem a little early to be thinking about winter and I for one keep my shorts on until October.  After that we are on the slippery slope into the cold and damp that has become the iconic image of this island, and what better for the cold …

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Celotex suspends sale of five insulation products

Celotex FR5000

Insulation manufacturer Celotex, who supplied insulation to Grenfell Tower, has recalled five polyisocyanurate rigid foam board based product lines after one of the lines failed fire rating tests. In a statement the company, which is part of the Saint-Gobain group, said: “After careful consideration, we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend supply of some of our 5000 product range …

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