A contractor, client and director have been convicted after conditions at a building site were found to be dangerous.
Southwark Crown Court heard that inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) visited the construction site on Gladesmore Road, London on numerous occasions in 2015 while building work was taking place at the property.
Inspectors found poor health and safety conditions on site including dangerous work at height, unshored excavations, and poor welfare facilities. This resulted in numerous prohibition notices, improvement notices and notifications of contravention being served on the contractor and client.
Inspectors found poor health and safety conditions on site including dangerous work at height, unshored excavations, and poor welfare facilities.
A HSE investigation found that the contractor, Mr Bodnariu, failed to plan, manage and monitor the work on site. The client company WEL Estates Limited failed to make suitable arrangements for managing a project, and the director of WEL Estates Limited, Mr Yoel Lew, had allowed the poor conditions on site.
Mr Bodnariu pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, 250 hours of community service, and ordered to pay costs of £1,000.
WEL Estates Limited was found guilty of breaching Regulations 4(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,000.
Mr Yoel Lew was found guilty of breaching Section 37(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and sentenced to 200 hours of Community Service.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Sarah Robinson said: “Dutyholders should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
Simon Thomerson has been sentenced to 8 months in custody after pleading guilty to a health and safety breach that resulted in the death of two brothers.
Luton Crown Court heard how Mr Thomerson, the sole owner and director of Clearview Design and Construction Ltd, had been contracted by the owners of an industrial park in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire to refurbish several of the units.
Brothers Ardian and Jashar Lamallari had been employed as labourers and were working inside the unit at 16:45 on 3 October 2015 when an explosive fire occurred within one of the units. Both brothers suffered near 100 per cent burns and died within 12 hours of the incident. A third man who was working with them also suffered severe burns, but survived.
A joint investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Thomerson had supplied the three men with several litres of highly flammable “thinners”, which they then poured onto the floor of the unit to remove old dried carpet tile adhesive.
The investigation found that Mr Thomerson had given no serious consideration to the safe use of the thinners, despite the obvious warnings on the containers. The vapour spread over an area up to half the size of a tennis court and was ignited by one of several possible ignition sources that were in the area.
Sole owner and director of Clearview Design and Construction Ltd, Simon Thomerson of Sutherland Avenue, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He received a custodial sentence of 8 months and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170.
Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit who led the investigation said:
“This was a tragic event that led to the death of two men in absolutely horrific circumstances. We have worked closely with HSE and our other partner agencies to ensure that the failings by those in control of the site were identified and prosecuted and are satisfied that the sentence delivered today reflects the seriousness of those failings.”
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Paul Hoskins said: “This tragic incident led to the wholly avoidable death of two brothers, Ardian and Jashar, destroying the lives of their young families.
“The risks of using highly flammable liquids are well known, and employers should make sure they properly assess the risks from such substances, and use safer alternatives where possible. Where the use of flammable solvents is unavoidable, then the method and environment must be strictly controlled to prevent any ignition.”
In a victim impact statement, Zana Lamallari, wife of Jashar said: “After the death of my husband, my family life has completely been destroyed. My children’s and my future has been completely destroyed. He was everything to me.”
In a victim impact statement, Ismete Lamallari, wife of Ardian said: “The impact in my life is so big. My family has been destroyed; my home, everything. My husband was very loving towards the children and everyone. He was an honest worker.”
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has this week released its annual figures for work-related fatal injuries for 2017/18, which has shown an increase in workplace fatalities with the highest number of fatal injuries occuring in the construction industry.
The provisional annual data for work-related fatal injuries revealed that 144 workers were fatally injured between April 2017 and March 2018 (a rate of 0.45 per 100,000 workers).
Although this represents an increase of nine fatalities from 2016/17, there has been a long-term reduction in the number of fatalities since 1981 and the number has remained broadly level in recent years.
HSE Chair Martin Temple said: “Despite the fact that Britain’s health and safety record is the envy of much of the world, the increase in the number of workers fatally injured is clearly a source of concern.
The new figures show how fatal injuries are spread across the different industrial sectors:
38 fatal injuries to construction workers were recorded, accounting for the largest share of any industry. The annual average rate over the last five years in construction is around four times as high as the all industry rate.
29 fatal injuries to agricultural workers were recorded. This sector continues to account for a large share of the annual fatality count. It has the highest rate of fatal injury of all the main industry sectors, around 18 times as high as the all industry rate.
12 fatal injuries to waste and recycling workers were recorded. Despite being a relatively small sector in terms of employment, the annual average fatal injury rate over the last five years is around 16 times as high as the all industry rate.
15 fatal injuries were recorded in both the manufacturing and the transport and storage sectors. Both industries have an annual average rate of fatal injury around 1.5 – 2 times the rate across all industries over the last five years.
The three most common causes of fatal injuries continue to be due to; workers falling from height (35), being struck by a moving vehicle (26) and being struck by a moving object (23), accounting for nearly 60 per cent of fatal injuries in 2017/18.
The new figures also highlight the risks to older workers; 40 per cent of fatal injuries in 2017/18 were to workers aged 60 or over, even though such workers made up only around 10 per cent of the workforce.
In addition, there were also 100 members of the public fatally injured in incidents connected to work in 2017/18 with just over half of these fatalities occurring on railways.
Mesothelioma, contracted through past exposure to asbestos and one of the few work-related diseases where deaths can be counted directly, killed 2,595 in Great Britain in 2016.
The current figures are largely a consequence of occupational asbestos exposures that occurred before 1980. Annual deaths are expected to remain broadly at current levels for the rest of the decade before beginning to decline.
A fuller assessment of work-related ill-health and injuries, drawing on HSE’s full range of data sources, will be provided as part of the annual Health and Safety Statistics release on 31 October 2018.
Roger and Robin review and demonstrate the Triton TPL180 Triple Blade 1500w Power Planer which they find to be big but easy to handle.
Triton TPL180 features:
Patented, 3-blade design and 10-position depth control knob for precise material removal.
Adjustable front handle with a soft grip for added comfort.
Power indicator with live mains connection, ultra-wide 7″ planing width.
Includes wrench, dust connector, set guide fence and 3 x HSS 180mm blades.
Cutting capacities: width 180mm, depth 2mm.
No-load speed 15,000rpm.
Weight 8.6kg.
Powerful 1500W motor for heavy-duty planing of the toughest wood surfaces.
Power-on neon indicates a live power connection.
Magnesium alloy for superior strength & durability.
Non-slip rubber over-moulded grip offers increased support, safety & control.
Fully cast base ensures flatness & increases the accuracy of cut low centre of gravity design for stability and control 3-Blade drum design for faster, smoother cuts & a superior finish 180mm / 7″ planing width for maximum productivity 10-Position depth control dial sets the cut depth from 0 – 2mm / 0 – 3/32″.
HSS Blades are reversible for extended life.
Adjustable bail handle for additional control & safety.
Dust port for connection to a dust extraction system.
Develop Training Ltd (DTL), is warning that firms will face a dash for compliance when new electrical wiring regulations are released next month.
DTL says many firms will be caught unawares by the scope of the changes in the new British Standard requirements for electrical installations.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology’s 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, which form the basis of the updated BS7671:2018, will require significant retraining for all UK electricians. It is due for publication in July but the major changes to the previous edition have already been announced, and DTL says they look set to have a big impact on the UK’s 265,000 electricians and electrical fitters as well as the organisations that employ them.
DTL suggests many operatives will need to attend a three-day course, rather than the one-day refresher courses that have previously sufficed after an update was released. This could place a huge operational burden on organisations employing multiple electricians.
DTL is recommending that only those who have gone through 17th Edition third amendment training in the past six months will be eligible for a fast-track one-day course.
Chris Wood, CEO of the training company, said: “The new regulations reflect the changing technological, regulatory and political environment. For example, there are new introductions covering energy efficiency, electric car charging and the way that wiring should be supported to protect it from a building collapse in the event of fire. There are many other changes, which amount to a very significant evolution in the regulations. Clearly, the fallout from a non-compliance event could be immensely damaging for any organisation that employs electricians. So the new edition is sure to have major implications when it comes to training people to ensure that the regulations are met.”
At long last it looks like we might be moving towards a universal battery system for cordless power tools following an announcement this week that nine manufacturers have joined forces to create the Cordless Alliance System (CAS).
Metabo, Rothenberger, Mafell, Eisenblätter, Collomix, Haaga, Starmix, Eibenstock and Steinel power tool and machine manufacturers held a joint press conference in the German town of Rottweil this week to present something which is unprecedented in the industry – a manufacturer-independent battery pack system.
So far it is an exclusively German club with no comment yet on whether this is something that is likely to change.
The basis of the Cordless Alliance System (CAS) is the Metabo’s battery pack technology an area where the German manufacturer has been innovating in recent years.
Commenting at the launch, Horst Garbrecht, Metabo’s CEO, said: “This is wonderful.”
The latest step towards its vision of a cordless construction site is the 2nd generation of Metabo 18V LiHD battery packs, the 8.0 ampere hours (Ah) capacity battery pack with only 10 cells delivers a massive 1,600 watts of power. “With LiHD we have enough power even for the most energy-intensive applications. Therefore, we can today build any hand-held power tool as a cordless machine – and in such a way that it meets the requirements of professional users in terms of power and endurance”, says Garbrecht.
A system with great user benefit
The flexibility to be able to work with only one battery pack system and the machines of different manufacturers has been top of cordless power tool users wish list for some years so CAS is a step towards addressing this.
Explaining the basic idea of CAS, Garbrecht said: “From a technical point of view, no separate brand would be required for the cooperation. The compatibility of battery packs, chargers and machines would also be given, if all manufacturers would distribute the respective components under their traditional brands. Yet obviously, the cooperation brand is of enormous importance for the information of the users. With CAS they could automatically recognise which manufacturers work with the same battery pack system and are therefore 100% compatible with each other.”
It is our vision that CAS becomes the leading interface for the manufacturers of the industry that offers their target groups special solutions and competence products precisely customised to their requirements.
Metabo has a unique position in the industry, since the German manufacture are generalist and specialist in one. The brand offers mainstream tools for their two core target groups metal trade and industry, as well as building trade and renovation but they also offer a great wealth of special solutions and competence products. Garbrecht: “However, apart from the two named, there are many other applications for which we do not have special solutions ourselves, yet the CAS partners do. Therefore, it also is no problem, from our point of view, that some cooperation partners are competitors at first glance. On the one hand, the overlapping areas are very small, and on the other hand the partners sell their products sometimes through completely different trade channels than we do. It is our vision that CAS becomes the leading interface for the manufacturers of the industry that offers their target groups special solutions and competence products precisely customised to their requirements. For the large providers in the industry such products are often of little interest, since they do not reach the numbers required by large generalists to manufacture as economically as possible. Already the range of all CAS partners covers around 110 machines and this number will continue to grow very quickly.”
Partnership of equals
“We think in the system”, says Dr. Christian Heine, managing director of Rothenberger. “For the professionals in the SHK industry, already today we have an extensive system of pipe tools. However, with CAS we can also offer them a wide range of other cordless machines.” When choosing the technology partner, Rothenberger decided for Metabo for a number of reasons, says Heine: “Due to the developments in the past years, Metabo has conquered the technological leadership and currently offers the most powerful system in the industry, which is not least in terms of compatibility, very sophisticated. Furthermore, Metabo is of ideal size to further promote CAS: Large enough, to provide the required development effort – however with mid-size orientation and thus fast and flexible.” The idea of partnership was also decisive for Heine. “The cooperation with Metabo is always on equal footing. This equal footing is difficult if the differences in size between the partners is too large.”
Rothenberger is not the only CAS partner who responds precisely to the requirements of very particular target groups. By virtue of the different competence area of the companies, the CAS does not only offer a wide product range, but also unique special solutions for many applications. Whether the mitre rails and plunge saws from Mafell, the cordless stirrer from Collomix or the hot air guns from Steinel – all these machines are made for specialists, and all battery packs and chargers are compatible at 100 percent within the CAS.
Extremely powerful battery pack technology
For many cooperation partners, power and capacity of the battery pack technologies have a different meaning. “Our plaster processing machines, for example, are made for demanding construction site use. In the past, the battery pack technology was not powerful enough for this”, says Hendrik Kreutel, managing director of the power tool manufacturer Eibenstock from the mountain city with the same name in Saxony. Not only the processing of plaster, “even the production of hot air requires a lot of energy”, says Steinel principal Ingo Steinel. “CAS delivers the matching battery pack technology to the already very technologically sophisti- cated Steinel products”, he says.
Stronger together
Power and quality were also the decisive criteria for the Oberndorfer woodworking specialist Mafell. “With our target groups we are renowned to be a manufacturer with high-quality products”, says managing director Matthias Krauss. “We must constantly prove ourselves, and obviously a cordless tool from Mafell must not disappoint our customers and users. Therefore, only a top system is worth considering, and we cannot develop it that easily ourselves with our specialising and company size. However, we obviously know exactly that the users of our ma- chines, especially in the cordless area, expect a complete range, since they do not want to work with different battery packs and chargers. As partner of CAS we offer you together with the machines of the other and naturally with Metabo’s wide programme range such a system. Only together we can hold our own in the highly competitive cordless market”, says Krauss.
The cordless segment is the future
The cordless manual sweepers from Haaga have already been running on battery packs, however with today’s outdated gel-lead technology. “The battery pack alliance brings us a great technological progress”, says Stefan Sander, managing director of Haaga. On the other side, the sweepers from Kirchheim unter Teck expand the product range of the other manufacturers with a competence product. Unlike for Haaga, the path to the cordless segment is still new for other CAS co- operation partners. “We would like to expand the cordless area over time”, says Gerd Eisenblätter, principal of the family company with the same name from Ger- etsried in Bavaria. Eisenblätter concentrates on metal-processing industries and starts with a cordless angle grinder and a cordless burnishing tool.
Also for the stirrer specialist Collomix from Gaimersheim, the hand stirrer is the first cordless product. “Collomix has been cooperating successfully with Metabo for many years in the motor area. For us it was clear that we would also like to cooperate in the cordless area with Metabo”, says Collomix principal Alexander Essing.
Both sides profit
CAS brings together various companies with very different competence areas. This makes working not only easier for professionals- even the companies themselves profit from the battery pack alliance. The vacuum cleaners from Electrostar, for example, that are sold under the brand name Starmix, are used by craftsmen from different industries. “If these craftsmen can then also operate a whole range of power tools with our battery packs, this would be a clear competitive advantage for us”, says Electrostar managing director, Roman Gorovoy.
CAS is to grow with additional partners
With the previous nine companies, CAS, according to Garbrecht, is to continue to grow even in the next years and more and more smaller and larger companies will join in the name of battery pack technology under one roof. Like the tower in Rottweil, in which they assembled on this day, the companies of the CAS count on foresight and good prospects with their battery pack interface partnership.
Few people are prepared for the amount of dust that knocking down an internal wall creates but thankfully there are some easy steps that can be taken to reduce the spread of dust.
In this video Skill Builder Editor, Georgina Bisby, shares some top tips for minimising the spread of building dust when knocking down a wall.
(For anyone following my Canon EOS M50 review series I shot this on the Canon M50 using a lapel microphone and the EFM/EF adapter with the Canon EF 50mm F1.8 lens which helped create the bokeh effect – blurred background with a sharp focus on the subject).
Contractor Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions has been sentenced after exposing workers to a debilitating health condition over a nine-year period.
Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Ltd was fined £500,000 after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that workers at the company were exposed to hand-arm vibration between 2002 and 2011 which put them at risk of developing Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).
HAVS is a permanent condition affecting the nerves and blood vessels of the hand. It can cause pain, tingling and numbness, making it difficult to carry out everyday tasks such as gripping and lifting objects, fastening buttons and zips, using a knife and fork or using a tooth brush. In some cases, the hands can have a continuous feeling of wearing mittens and hobbies such as fishing or gardening become impossible to do. Symptoms are often worse in winter when it’s cold. The condition can render a worker disabled, affecting their chances of employment.
Sheffield Crown Court heard that workers at the company’s sites were regularly exposed to hand-arm vibration while operating hand-held power tools such as hydraulic breakers and floor saws. An investigation carried out by HSE found that the company failed in its legal duty to ensure the risks to workers who used these tools was kept to as low a level as reasonably practicable. Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Ltd. failed to assess the risk to workers’ health, failed to put in place and monitor suitable risk control measures and failed to put in place a suitable system of health surveillance.
The company also failed to report to the enforcing authorities a significant number of cases of employees diagnosed with HAVS as was legally required.
Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Ltd of Thorncliffe Park, Chapeltown, Sheffield pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company also pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5 (1) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. These failings occurred between 2002 and 2011. The company was fined £500,000 and was ordered to pay costs of £195,000.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Christine Mellor said: “This case was about failing to protect workers. Exposure to hand-arm vibration is a well-known risk which Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Ltd. failed to adequately control.
“The company failed to heed warnings. Early health surveillance detected ill health but still this was not acted upon to prevent on-going exposure.
“This is a particularly serious case because of the extent and duration of failures. The breaches were repeated over several years and this resulted in persistent poor compliance.”
The country’s leading roofing apprentices are gearing up for the two-day final that will reward the best in each of the two roofing disciplines: pitched and flat roofing.
BMI, the UK manufacturer and supplier of flat and pitch roofing systems, is offering the two awards backed by its market-leading brands.
The Redland Apprentice of the Year will recognise the best-pitched roofing apprentice, while the most promising flat roof apprentices will compete for the Icopal Apprentice of the Year.
The shortlist was selected from building colleges throughout England and Wales, from Erith to Bolton and from Newcastle to South Devon.
And they are not all straight from school, with some seeking a second career like Ceiran Peel-Price, 29, of Irby on the Wirral in Merseyside.
His first job after school was in the army but a discharge on medical grounds led him to a second career in roofing. His boss, Les Perry, of Les Roofing Contractors, encouraged him to start an apprenticeship. “He’s a good lad and a quick learner and we thought that the apprentice scheme would encourage him”, says Les.
The winners not only gain the title of Redland Apprentice of the Year 2018 or Icopal Apprentice of the Year 2018 – but also a £1,000 cash prize for each of them to invest in their future plus a goody bag of high-quality roofing tools and materials.
The winners not only gain the title of Redland Apprentice of the Year 2018 or Icopal Apprentice of the Year 2018 – but also a £1,000 cash prize for each of them to invest in their future plus a goody bag of high-quality roofing tools and materials.
And these prizes keep giving, as the winners are entitled to support from the two industry brand leaders at the group’s National Training Centre as well as a handsome trophy for the mantelpiece.
The finalists compete over two days at the BMI National Training Centre in Gloucestershire where they will receive professional coaching that examines every facet of running their own roofing business – including business planning, presentation skills, and technical skills.
Once they have been through this complete learning experience they are then assessed by a selection of leading figures in the roofing industry will be judging the candidates.
The judges will also participate in ‘knowledge-sharing sessions’ over the course of the two days to answer questions and share the benefits of their experience to this next generation of roofers.
Mat Woodyatt, BMI technical training manager, explains: “These awards are part of a wider group strategy to recognise and reward those coming into the industry.
We want to raise the appeal of roofing and motivate more youngsters and career-changers to get involved”.
The two-day final will culminate in the Apprentice of the Year Awards Dinner – consisting of the finalists, their tutors and employers, and judges – where the winners of the 2018 competition will be announced.
Finalists Pitched:
Jay Webster – Leeds College of Building
Lewis Potts – Wales National Roof Training Group
Richard Wilson and Joe Cook – CITB South (Erith)
Cieran Peel-Price – Bolton College
Luke Campbell and Phillip McBride – Eastern Region RTG
Ventilation manufacturer Nuaire, based in Caerphilly, Wales, hopes to prevent thousands of deaths caused by air pollution with what they consider to be a revolutionary technology for existing homes. To coincide with national Clean Air Day on 21st June, the company is launching the Noxmaster whole-house ventilation system for the retrofit market.
The Noxmaster combines a powerful carbon filter with a strategy invented by Nuaire over 45 years ago, Positive Input Ventilation (PIV). This combination removes up to 99.5% of nitrogen dioxide and other harmful pollutants generated by traffic emissions and industrial processes. The Noxmaster delivers clean, filtered air into urban homes, improving the indoor air quality to within safe levels, as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Until now, using carbon filters to scrub airborne pollutants from indoor air has only been used with mechanical ventilation systems which are ducted from each room in a new build property. Retrofitting these systems into existing dwellings is both difficult and highly intrusive. However, Nuaire’s Noxmaster invention now means that any urban home with a loft can have a carbon filter ventilation system installed.
Nuaire Business Ops Director, Andy Mudie, explains the thinking behind this product: “With rising air pollution levels, installing carbon filters in urban homes has become a planning condition in many parts of the country. But with an estimated 27 million existing homes in the UK, compared with 170,000 new homes built each year, the disparity is clear. The industry has been waiting for a solution for the millions of existing homes that are blighted by poor air quality, and this exciting new development addresses the issue for the wider population.”
Positive Input Ventilation is a popular strategy invented by Nuaire in 1973 with the launch of its Drimaster range. Today, PIV is recognised as an alternative system in Building Regulations, as certified by the BBA, and is considered the most effective method of curing and preventing condensation dampness, as well as being a recommended method of reducing Radon gas levels in affected areas.
With concern over air pollution levels, many homeowners are taking steps to monitor and control the quality of air in their homes with consumer products
The Noxmaster system combines the PIV approach with a powerful carbon filter that removes up to 99.5% of Nitrogen Dioxide and up to 75% of harmful particulate matter (PM2.5). Exposure to NOX and PM2.5 reduces life expectancy through a range of diseases including lung cancer, dementia and diabetes.
The carbon filter also removes other harmful gases produced by traffic emissions, including sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), helping to clean up the indoor air and protect the long-term health of the occupants.
Testing Noxmaster on the most polluted street in Wales
Nuaire is currently running tests with Noxmaster at Hafodyrynys, Caerphilly – the most polluted street in Wales. A controlled test house has been monitored for a number of months to show the difference between the pollution levels at the roadside, the pollution levels in a typical property, and the greatly reduced NOX levels with the Noxmaster installed. Test results are likely to be available in early August.
With concern over air pollution levels, many homeowners are taking steps to monitor and control the quality of air in their homes with consumer products. Nuaire product development manager, Richard Jenkins, believes this may lead to a false sense of security. He commented: “Removing gases and particulates from the indoor air is a complex process which requires mechanical ventilation to filter the air throughout the property simultaneously. Air purifiers can only treat the air in one room, and their effectiveness depends on the room’s exact size, the proximity to the source of incoming pollution, and how the air purifier is operated. In short, you would need a purifier for every room in the home, and that would still be far less effective than providing a single source of filtered air via a mechanical system, as the Noxmaster does.”
Adding carbon filtration to PIV has another major benefit in that it keeps condensation levels low. The PIV process used by Noxmaster treats the whole property, ensuring the air is constantly diluted and replaced with fresh, filtered air.
Adding carbon filtration to PIV has another major benefit in that it keeps condensation levels low. Mr Jenkins explained: “The PIV process used by Noxmaster treats the whole property, ensuring the air is constantly diluted and replaced with fresh, filtered air. Humidity is a major indoor pollutant, which leads to condensation dampness and mould growth. It keeps moisture levels low, whilst also forcing out pollutants generated by household cleaning and beauty products, cooking with fuel and using wood-burning stoves.”
Noxmaster is the first time a retrofitable whole-house ventilation system has addressed air quality with carbon filtration. “Noxmaster is about giving homeowners and tenants living near busy roads the peace of mind that by installing a system in their loftspace, their long-term health will be safeguarded” states Mr Mudie. “For social housing providers, the Noxmaster means that tenants living within Air Quality Management Areas can now live comfortably in their homes, benefiting from clean, safe air during the average 16 hours each day that is spent at home.”
In 2017 Makita launched the in-demand DSP600 Twin 18v Brushless Plunge Saw. Now, the same model, but featuring a 36v motor and the Makita Auto-Start Wireless System (AWS) has landed.
AWS technology allows the new DSP601ZJU plunge saw to automatically connect to the compatible Makita dust extractor saving the effort of manually switching it on. A unique chip is supplied with the new plunge saw that enables the user to pair it up with the selected dust extractor. Once paired, the dust extractor will automatically start once the trigger on the saw is pulled.
This plunge saw is powered by two 18v Lithium-Ion batteries in series to supply energy to the 36v DC motor drive system. It generates as much power as the AC mains machine that can drive the 165mm blade up to 6,300rpm, and provide a maximum cutting depth of 56mm with the vertical blade setting. The bevel range is -1° to +48° and the position of the cutting line is always the same regardless of the bevel angle. Splinter free cutting is achieved by engaging the depth stop which enables a 2mm preliminary groove to be cut before the full depth of cut is made.
As with the DSP600 the new DSP601 is equipped with a variable speed control dial, soft start and electric brake, and the innovative Automatic Torque Drive Technology (ADT), which automatically changes the cutting speed for optimum operation; effectively by sensing the load conditions on the blade and adjusting the power supply will maintain drive shaft speed.
Makita has also introduced a new 1m Guide Rail with a replaceable splinter guard, anti-slip strips on the underside and top running strips for a smooth glide. A new Guide Rail Bag is also now available which is designed to hold two guide rails, up to 1.5m in length, and a connector, all designed to provide ultimate protection for these high performance accessories.
The new DVC864LZ Twin 18v (36v) Brushless L-Class Dust Extractor is the first extractor to feature the new AWS technology. It has maximum sealed suction power of 9.8kPa with the powerful 36v motor system producing a maximum air flow of 2.1m³/min. This is a dry type vacuum with HEPA filter that removes 99.0% of dust with Limit Value for occupational exposure >1.0mg/m³ which means this extractor can be used for processes involving mica, china clay and gypsum. Up to 10 tools can be paired to the DVC864LZ via AWS at the same time.
The Beast from the East, rising costs and Brexit are to blame for the sharp drop in construction output, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said in response to the April 2018 construction output figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Too cold to build?
Commenting on the construction output figures for April 2018, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The UK construction sector declined by 3.4% in the three months from February to April compared with the previous three months. This is the biggest fall since the latter stages of the recession in August 2012.
The Beast from the East has certainly played its part as it forced many construction sites to close in March. Indeed, builders were reporting that it was too cold to lay bricks.”
Berry continued: “Alongside the cold snap, the drop in construction output can also be attributed to rising costs for construction firms large and small. While wages are continuing to rise because of the acute skills crisis in our sector, firms are also feeling the pinch thanks to increased material prices.
The depreciation of sterling following the EU referendum has meant bricks and insulation, in particular, have become more expensive. We expect material prices to continue to squeeze the construction industry with recent research by the Federation of Master Builders showing that 84 per cent of builders believe that they will continue to rise in the next six months.”
Construction Output
Berry concluded: “In the medium to longer-term, with nine months until Brexit-Day, the future is uncertain for the UK construction sector. The Government is still to confirm what the post-Brexit immigration system will look like.
The construction sector is largely reliant on accessing EU workers with more than 8 per cent of construction workers coming from the EU. It is therefore imperative that the sector knows how, and to what extent, it can recruit these workers post-Brexit.”
Snickers’ new versatile and adjustable Tool Vest features a wide range of hard-wearing pockets for a variety of tools fixings and accessories. It’s lightweight, hard-wearing, comfortable and easy to keep clean.
The Tool Vest’s ergonomic comfort also looks after your back by providing for comfortable heavy tool carrying through the specially designed wide shoulders, elasticated back and an integral waist belt to take pressure off your shoulders.
It comes with Cordura 500 reinforced front holster pockets for enhanced durability and easy-access angled rear holster pockets. There’s also Cordura reinforced breast pockets plus a knife fastener, an easy-access padded mobile phone compartment and detachable ID badge.
The integrated internal expander means the tool vest can be easily expanded and worn over a jacket in colder weather.
Snickers Workwear says the new range of cool and functional Snickers Hi-Vis summer clothing is streets ahead of anything else.
With an extensive range of Jackets, Trousers, Shorts, Toolvests, Shirts and Fleeces from Snickers’ LITEWork, FLEXIWork and ALLROUNDWORK families, there’s a host of different garments in the range to satisfy the specific requirements of Classes 1, 2 and 3 protection levels.
These ‘outstanding’ products combine Snickers’ hallmarks of functionality and comfort with the requirements of the EN471 standard for high visibility warning clothes.
With advanced designs and high-tech fabrics, all the garments haver durable, colour-fast protection that will last for wash after wash, retaining shape and comfort throughout the life of the garments. Added to which, all Snickers Hi Vis garments can be custom-profiled to ensure ‘stand out’ coverage for your corporate brand.
Combining a lightweight athletic look with maximum breathability and safety features, the new Solid Gear VENT safety shoe is said to be ideal for workers who are constantly on the move.
The Solid Gear VENT’s upper is made from lightweight mesh combined with Cordura and a TPU reinforcement to ensure cool comfort, maximum breathability and enhanced durability.
While the shoe’s two midsoles deliver stability, flexibility and optimal energy return for enhanced comfort on your feet, the rubber outsole provides a high level of anti-slip protection.
For added protection, the shoe’s NANO toe cap is 40% stronger than fiberglass and has a more athletic look that conventional metallic ones. What’s more, the BOA fastening system provides flexibility and high precision adjustment of the shoe.
In this video Roger Bisby demonstrates how to install a Korniche Roof Lantern from Made for Trade which is engineered and developed specifically with the trade and installer at the heart of the process.
Although this video is sponsored by Made for Trade this is Roger’s genuine experience of fitting a Korniche Roof Lantern for the first time.
The Korniche Aluminium Roof Lantern arrives as a kit with full instructions and components safely wrapped and boxed.
With no cutting or silicone required within the roof structure, the Korniche is distinctively easy to install.
The slim elegant proportions make it suitable for any home by retaining traditional features in a contemporary setting. The slim of sections are married together through carefully sculpted bosses and entirely hidden fixings to ensure that the sight-lines flow unbroken and gracefully from the ridge down through the spas.
Thermal efficiency is guaranteed through thermally broken eaves beam and insulating T-bar combined with high-performance glazing.
The Korniche is said to be unparalleled in strength through an engineered structure alongside the innovative glass lock system and tamper-proof fasteners.
A landscaping services company has been sentenced after a worker was seriously injured when a retaining wall collapsed into a trench.
Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 7 November 2016, an employee of Award-Winning Greenfingers Limited was undertaking groundworks to install a new timber retaining structure in the rear garden of a property at Beamish, County Durham.
While excavating a trench in front of an existing blockwork wall, a section of the wall collapsed and fell onto the worker, trapping him underneath.
As a result, he sustained a complex fracture to his pelvis which required surgery and he has not been able to return to work since the incident.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company failed to properly plan and manage the installation of the timber structure, and had not put sufficient control measures in place to prevent the collapse of the existing blockwork wall.
Award-Winning Greenfingers Limited of Saltwell View, Gateshead pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 19 (1) of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1048.86 and a victim surcharge of £220.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Cain Mitchell said: “This case highlights the dangers of undermining a freestanding wall by excavating alongside the structure without appropriate planning and the necessary precautions in place.
“If the company had implemented reasonably practicable measures that minimised the risk to persons working next to such structures this incident could easily have been avoided”.
A longer video from Roger this time talking through how to install a bathroom which contains useful information for plumbers, installers and householders alike.
Roger is installing a bathroom from Abacus because he likes the way the British manufacturer designs its bathrooms with British plumbing systems in mind making them easy to install.
Dame Judith Hackitt’s Review into Building Regulations which has been published today provides a blueprint for ensuring competence in construction which should be extended across the industry, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
The review of building regulations set up after the Grenfell tragedy has called for a “radical rethink” of the current safety system, but has not gone as far as to propose an outright ban on flammable cladding.
Dame Judith Hackitt Review
Commenting on Dame Judith Hackitt’s Review into Building Regulations, published this morning, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said:
“Today’s report is the culmination of a long and thorough review into the weaknesses of the current approach to competency and compliance in the sector, weaknesses which can serve to undermine safety.
It is a suitably serious response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Dame Judith has understandably focused the attention of the review on high rise residential buildings, but we believe strongly that some of the recommendations must be taken as a blueprint for the wider industry. In particular, the industry as a whole needs to develop a comprehensive approach to competence.
There is an opportunity here for the whole industry to step up and ensure we have adequate levels of competence across the sector. Without this, significant parts of our industry will continue to be plagued by incompetent and unprofessional outfits.”
Berry concluded: “Furthermore, a comprehensive competency framework should be underpinned by a licensing system for all builders and contractors operating in the construction industry.
This is the only way we will ensure that a baseline for competence is both recognised and complied with. The FMB has already started a conversation about how we can put this into practice and is engaging with other industry bodies to this end.
The FMB’s new Agenda, published last week, calls on the Government to introduce a licensing scheme for builders. We already know that nearly 80% of construction SMEs are in favour of introducing a licencing scheme. Licensing would remove the scourge of rogue and incompetent builders from the industry and in turn provide a much higher level of consumer protection.”
A groundworks company has been fined after an employee suffered serious internal injuries while working in an excavation at Ghyllgrove Junior & Infants School in Basildon.
Southend Magistrates’ Court heard how a site dumper was parked at a slight incline on a heap of excavated soil, adjacent to a partially backfilled trench. The dumper had been left unattended with the engine running when the failure of its handbrake caused it to roll forward into the trench and pin a worker against a pile of stacked concrete blocks. The worker suffered six broken ribs, a collapsed lung, multiple arm fractures and a broken nose.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, which occurred on 24 February 2017, found the company had failed to regularly inspect and maintain the handbrake of the dumper, to ensure it remained effective. The soil heap had been placed too far back from the excavation, preventing it from acting as a safety barrier and there were no wheel stop blocks or chocks available for use by workers. The investigation also found the company failed to ensure this work was appropriately supervised and effectively monitored by management.
S & K Groundwork Solutions Limited, of Maypole Road, Maldon, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, and Section 22(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and has been fined £23,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5220.65.
Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Glyn Davies said “This case highlights the importance of regularly inspecting and maintaining construction vehicles, including site dumpers, to ensure they do not deteriorate to the extent that they put people’s safety at risk.
“In this case, the employee’s life-threatening injuries could have been avoided if the company’s management had regularly and effectively monitored and audited their safety management systems. Use of suitable stop blocks near the edge of the trench excavation, or use of wheel chocks, is one such method that may have prevented this incident, which could easily have been fatal.”
