Skill Builder Guides & reviews for building and construction

Lucie Stephens, the daughter of a teacher who died of cancer linked to asbestos exposure, is campaigning for schools to be obliged to warn staff and pupils of its presence. Please sign and share the campaign as we think it’s one that deserves our support.  Here’s Lucie’s story: “Parents have been kept in the dark about asbestos risks for too …

With the industry suffering from a lack of skilled workers, Cembrit is helping to educate the roofers of the future by donating roofing materials to Leeds College of Building for the Roof Slating and Tiling apprenticeship scheme.   Cembrit has contributed approximately 1,000 Westerland fibre cement slates, 600 Glendyne natural slates and 120 angled ridges to help deliver valuable roofing …

A scaffolding company was sentenced today for safety breaches after a scaffold clip fell approximately 20m (60 ft.) and hit a member of the public walking below. Westminster Magistrates Court heard that, on 20 March 2017, the injured person was walking along Upper Street in Islington, London when he was hit on the head by the clip. He sustained numerous …

UK gas distribution company, SGN has teamed up with SmartWater in an effort to combat the growing trend in tool and van theft. The utlity provider, that provides gas to 6 million homes, has applied SmartWater’s forensic traceable liquid to all their liveried vehicles, as well as the tools and equipment onboard. The forensic formula contains a unique identifying code, …

On a treasure hunt with the smallest submarine in the world – and networked power tools from Bosch. He wears his passion on his sleeve like a tattoo: Andi Peters, wreck diver and treasure-hunter, owns the smallest submarine in the world. It is 2.80 m long, 80 cm high and you squeeze into it as if it were a tailor-made …

Redland – the company that invented dry-fixed roofing systems, with patents dating back to 1966 – has welcomed the introduction of BS 8612 Dry-fixed Ridge, Hip and Verge Systems for Slating and Tiling.

The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS) and The National Federation of Builders (NFB) have announced a new partnership to raise health and safety standards in the UK and make the world of work safer. The NFB represents small to medium-sized builders, regional contractors and house builders across England and Wales. As one of the UK’s longest standing trade bodies, …

As the economy continues to come to terms with the collapse of Carillion, the latest figures suggest that on the day of liquidation, the industry giant was the main contractor on 57 construction projects worth a total of £5.7 billion, including a £1.3 billion HS2 contract. This latest information comes from construction industry analysts Barbour ABI, who outlined that ten …

Two-thirds of those running small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms are struggling to hire bricklayers and carpenters as construction skills shortages hit a ‘record high’, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).   Key results from the FMB’s latest State of Trade Survey, the quarterly assessment of the UK-wide SME construction sector, include: More than two-thirds (68%) of construction …

Banks must show leniency to the thousands of SMEs in Carillion’s supply chain, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Following the news that Carillion has gone into liquidation the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) has issued a statement stressing the need to learn from the event and to use it as a catalyst for change. In its statement Carillion said: The news that Carillion has ceased trading is both sad and shocking. The clear priority is to ensure …

Andrew Pass, Global Engineering Manager for Fall Protection Engineered systems at MSA Safety explains why he believes engineered simplicity is fundamental to success in fall protection and explains how this has driven the design of the company’s new V-Series range. Fall Protection – A Tall Order With new designs and modern substrates, fall protection systems need the agility to perform …

A company has been fined after an employee died following a fall through a skylight. Leicester Crown Court heard how the deceased was working with another employee on the roof, re-siting a heater and new chimney flue when the incident occurred. He suffered severe injuries and died from these injuries approximately 6 months later. An investigation by the Health and …

Bosch Professional has added a high-quality thermal camera to its measuring device range. Its development is said to draw on the manufacturer’s deep understanding of practical problems faced by electricians, plumbers, builders and other trade professionals. The Bosch GTC 400 C Professional Thermal Camera is designed to bring competitive advantage to their businesses at an affordable price. Multiple uses It …