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 following the devastation brought about by Hurricane Irma and more recently Hurricane Maria.

When Irma struck, it literally flattened virtually every building on the small British Commonwealth island which has a population of 1,600. Hurricane Maria has brought about further devastation so the islanders are completely reliant on outside help to re-construct their homes, businesses, and other infrastructure.

Managing Director of IronmongeryDirect, Wayne Lysaght-Mason, commented: “Along with our partner, TIMco, we’re delighted to do what we can to help the residents of Barbuda to recover. We can only imagine what it must be like to have to contend with the aftermath of these hurricanes and we hope that our contribution will help.”

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 in light of a recent and unexpected test result. This relates to Celotex FR5000, Celotex CG5000, Celotex CF5000 and Celotex SL5000 which share the same insulation core and facer.

“We recognise that this decision could have some practical implications for some of our customers for which we apologise. We hope in the present circumstances which are explained in further detail below, that customers will understand the reasons behind our decision.

“A sample of our 5000 product was tested under Parts 6 and 7 of British Standard 476 (“BS 476”) in 2011 and achieved a Class 0 fire rating.

“In April 2017, we sent a sample of RS5000 for independent testing under both Parts 6 and 7 of BS 476.  We were surprised when we learned, in August 2017, that whilst this sample continues to meet the standard for Class 1, the sample did not achieve a Class 0 rating. A sample of this product was used in a full system test for a rainscreen cladding system in 2014, where the system passed. We understand that in August 2017 a sample of the same product passed the DCLG test for a full rainscreen cladding system.

“All the products in the 5000 range share a core which is made of the same material (Polyisocyanurate or “PIR”).  They are marketed under different names according to their intended application (CG5000, FR5000, RS5000 etc.).  The sample tested in 2011 was of the product marketed as FR5000.  We applied the 2011 test results in relation to Celotex RS5000, Celotex CG5000, Celotex CF5000 and Celotex SL5000.

“We do not currently know why the RS5000 sample did not achieve a Class 0 rating in these later tests, given the results from 2011 and we are investigating this.  In light of this test result and the desire to act responsibly, we believe it is right to temporarily suspend supply of these 5000 ranges.  We would like to reassure all of our customers that we will provide additional information once we are in a position to do so in respect of both the results and the applications of these 5000 ranges, and following engagement with the relevant third parties.

“We appreciate that many uses to which a product from these ranges is put will not require it to have the Class 0 rating.  However, in the current circumstances, we believe it is important that there should be clarity as to the applications the product can be used for with its revised rating. A temporary suspension of supply is the right thing to do in the circumstances and will, we anticipate, also help to achieve that clarity.  We shall be making appropriate amendments to our marketing materials. We are recommending to our distributors that they do not sell existing stock in this period and we shall collect any relevant 5000 series products in its original packaging and will credit customers seeking to return such product with the purchase price with no restocking charge, regardless of when the product was supplied to the customer.

“As a business, our focus has always been to supply safe insulation products to make better buildings. We believe that taking the time to understand and respond to the test results is in line with these values.”

A builder has been fined after carrying out unsafe gas work at a property in Hall Green.

Birmingham Magistrates’ Court heard how on 23 October 2016 Mark Titmus, trading as Titmus Builders, was contracted to build an extension to three sides of a property.

During the work a gas boiler was moved and fitted with a temporary flue. The gas boiler was not functioning properly and on New Year’s Day the family contacted British Gas Homeserve.

A British Gas Engineer identified that the position of the boiler’s flue posed an immediate danger to the residents and isolated the gas supply to the property.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mark Titmus failed in his duty to ensure that the gas flue installation and building work did not create a risk to health and safety.

Mark Titmus of Station Road, Harborne, Birmingham pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8 (3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and has been sentenced 20 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay £500 in costs.

Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector John Glynn said: “Any one in charge of a construction project, including sole traders, has a responsibility to ensure that they do not do anything that could affect the safe operation of any gas appliance.

Correct operation of gas flues is vital to ensuring safety because you cannot see, taste it or smell carbon monoxide but it can kill quickly without warning.”

The UK construction sector’s efforts to improve the health and mental wellbeing of its workforce have been stepped up with the full roll out of the Mates in Mind initiative.

Mates in Mind has led in the creation of a flexible and joined up approach that is tailored to the needs of individual construction companies as they seek to tackle poor mental health whilst also nurturing positive mental wellbeing amongst their workforce.

The programme is being delivered to the UK construction industry in support of the Health in Construction Leadership Group and in partnership with a number of industry representatives and mental health charities. Key to its success is breaking the silence and stigma that can surround mental health in society in general and the construction sector in particular by promoting a culture of positive wellbeing.

According to Health and Safety Executive figures, 18 per cent of reported work-related illnesses in the UK construction industry are the result of mental health problems, such as stress, depression or anxiety – accounting for 400k working days lost each year. Furthermore, industry data reports that 55 per cent of construction workers had experienced mental health issues whilst 42 per cent are living with these issues at their current workplace. Construction deaths from suicide are also believed to be potentially ten times higher than that of fatal accidents at work.

Central to the Mates in Mind framework is providing construction firms with a joined up approach to mental health, from support to employees, line managers and the organisation, through to a tiered training framework developed in collaboration with various organisations including British Safety Council, Mind and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England. This builds understanding, knowledge and confidence amongst all workers, throughout the business, so that they can get the help they need as well as to identify colleagues who could benefit from further support.

More information on Mates in Mind and details on how to access its training materials and support resources are available at: www.matesinmind.org