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Contractor fined after worker fatally crushed

Dylan Garton
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Contractor fined after worker fatally crushed

CMF Ltd has been fined after 31-year-old sub-contractor Richard Laco died when working on large construction project in London.

Southwark Crown Court heard that Richard had been contracted by CMF to work on the Frances Crick Institute project. He was fatally crushed on 6 November 2013 by a concrete staircase that was in the process of being installed.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there was no safe system of work in place for the installation of the staircases throughout this project. It was also found the company failed to appropriately supervise this work activity.

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CMF Ltd of Central Way, Feltham, Middlesex has pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and has been fined £185,000 and ordered to pay costs of £20,606.14.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Stephen Farthing said: “This incident could have been prevented if the company had properly planned the lifting process before work had begun.

“Duty holders have the responsibility of ensuring that safe and suitable lifting plans are in place before carrying out any work involved with heavy loads.”

Peugeot launches Expert Long and Crew van models

Dylan Garton
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Peugeot launches Expert Long and Crew van models

The longest version of the PEUGEOT Expert van, the New Expert Long, will be launched at the CV Show today.

With a load floor length of 2,862mm, the New Expert Long provides a 350mm longer load floor than Standard models – 700mm longer than in the shortest Compact variant.

Opt for the Moduwork load through flap in the full steel bulkhead, with folding side passenger seat, standard on Professional and Professional Plus models, and the overall loading length can be extended to 4,024mm for items such as ladders or piping. New Expert Long load volume is extended to 6.1m3, or 6.6m3 with Moduwork.

The gross payload for New Expert Long van models ranges between 1235kg and 1435kg.

New Expert Long is also available as a Crew van providing the flexibility of seating for a driver and up to five passengers, combined with 4.0m3 of load space.

The vans provide a load floor length of 2,365mm and will carry a gross payload of 1,196kgs.

In the passenger compartment, the Crew van features twin glazed sliding side doors with fixed side windows, equipped with noise-reducing, dark-tinted glass.

A toughened plastic bulkhead is fitted behind the second row seats with a polycarbonate window enabling cab occupants to view the load area.

Equipment includes air conditioning, cruise control with programmable speed limiter, front electric windows, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors and a full-size spare wheel.

ESC electronic stability control is fitted as standard equipment along with remote central locking with deadlocks and separate locking for the cab.

A PEUGEOT Connect radio is fitted to the New Expert Crew van and features a 7-inch touchscreen with DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port and audio jack. Smartphone connectivity is enhanced with Mirror Link.

Roofing contractors sentenced over unsafe roof work

Roger Bisby
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Roofing contractors sentenced over unsafe roof work

Two roofing contractors have been sentenced after putting their workers at risk of harm during roof replacement works in Oldham.

MKM Fabrications Ltd had been employed as the principal contractor to carry out a roof replacement on one of the buildings at Valley Mills, Millgate, Delph, Oldham which is currently used for textile production.

The company subcontracted part of the project, which involved replacing a northern light roof structure with a modern composite roof, to Clad-It Limited, which effectively meant employees from two companies were alongside one another.

Images from prosecution file

Concerns were raised to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) claiming that men were working on the roof with nothing in place to prevent them falling off the edge or through the roof onto mill workers below.

The subsequent HSE investigation confirmed these hazardous working conditions were in place, with workers from both MKM and Clad-It at risk. Inspectors also established that these working practices continued during snowy weather.
The roof was covered in fragile skylights which had not been covered to prevent any person stepping onto them and falling through, nor were any measures taken to prevent a worker falling through the large gap created after the skylight had been removed. Mill employees were also at risk from being hit by falling tools or debris.

Prohibition Notices were served stopping the works until a safe method could be found and put into place.
As principal contractor for the works, MKM Fabrications had the primary responsibility for the health and safety of workers. MKM failed to effectively plan the safe completion of the project and failed to put in place measures to prevent anyone falling from the unguarded sections of the roof.

MKM Fabrications of Meek Street, Royton, Oldham pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates’ Court to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £66,000 with £3938.38 costs.

By allowing its employees onto site without a suitable and sufficient planning being in place, or any physical safeguards to prevent a fall from height, the company exposed its own workers to those risks.

As subcontractor for the works Clad-It had a duty to protect its own workers as well as anyone affected by its works. By allowing its employees onto site without a suitable and sufficient planning being in place, or any physical safeguards to prevent a fall from height, the company exposed its own workers to those risks.

Clad-It Limited of Trent Industrial Estate, Duchess Street, Shaw, Oldham pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £66,000 with £3938.38 costs.

HSE inspector Matt Greenly said after the case: “MKM and Clad-It failed in their duties to protect the roof workers and anyone working below them in the mill from a foreseeable risk of serious harm.

“The risks to workers here were obvious, and neither company thought it necessary to manage the work at height risks properly.”

www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/workingatheight.htm

Builders Bullish Despite Rising Costs

Roger Bisby
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Builders Bullish Despite Rising Costs

Small construction firms enjoyed rising workloads in the first quarter of 2017, despite growing concerns over the cost of labour and materials, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Key results from the FMB’s State of Trade Survey for Q1 2017, which is the largest quarterly assessment of the UK-wide SME construction sector, include:

•    UK construction SME workloads increased more significantly than at any time since Q2 2016 ie the quarter immediately prior to last June’s EU referendum;
•    One in two construction SMEs predict rising workloads in the coming months, with just 5% predicting a decrease in activity;
•    85% of builders believe that material prices will rise in the next three months;
•    58% of firms are struggling to hire carpenters, a post-financial crisis high.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The first three months of 2017 proved to be very positive for construction SMEs, which reported strong growth, underpinned by continuing resilience in the home improvement sector. Workloads rose in every part of the UK, with particularly positive results in the devolved nations. Given the concerns that wider consumer confidence might be weakening, it’s encouraging that smaller construction firms aren’t sensing any drop-off in demand for their services. Indeed, despite Article 50 being triggered and the growing likelihood of a hard Brexit, these latest results demonstrate that builders are increasingly confident about the immediate future, with one in two forecasting higher workloads during the next quarter.”

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Berry continued: “The survey covers the period before the announcement of a snap General Election, which may well cool consumer demand in the coming months. The results are also tempered by a clear rise in output costs for construction companies. Material prices and wages rose markedly in the first three months of this year, with larger numbers of construction SMEs believing that all three will rise further during the next quarter. Indeed, although only 20% of construction products and materials used in the UK are imported, the depreciation of sterling since the referendum last June has seen material prices shoot up – with 85% of builders predicting further rises – this pressure on margins looks set to continue. Such cost inflation presents clear challenges to the profitability of smaller building firms and in many cases, builders will be forced to pass these price increases onto their customers.”

Berry concluded: “The combined effects of rising material costs and the ever-worsening construction skills crisis will, therefore, be reason enough for SME construction firms to be cautious in their optimism. If growth in real household income remains flat, and if consumer confidence is shaken by the impending snap General Election and the triggering of Article 50, there are plenty of potential pitfalls for builders to navigate. Nevertheless, as of yet, the much anticipated ‘Brexit effect’ has yet to hit what is considered to be the bellwether sector of consumer confidence and wider economic health”.

Bringing comfort to construction

Roger Bisby
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Bringing comfort to construction

Having recently teamed up with safety shoe manufacturer Aimont, Supertouch – the PPE and workwear solutions specialist – is now providing its customers in the construction and building industry with an extensive range of boots and shoes.

Aimont range Aimont3

The Aimont range features Light Plus toe cap technology. Being polymer based, this toecap is extremely lightweight, without compromising on protective strength, matching the power of a classic steel toecap with a resistance of up to 200J. However, should a Classic toecap be the preferred choice, there are a number of Aimont options to choose from.

Designed with comfort in mind, the technical composite Flex-System Zero midsole is both lightweight and flexible, making light work of manoeuvring around site, protecting 100% of the bearing surface. For those looking for a traditional steel midsole, Aimont also provides a Classic plate with a resistance of up to 1100 newton fitted in a selection of the shoes.

Many products within the Aimont range also feature a Comfort Plus footbed, made with a soft PU which is anti-static and anatomic. This provides excellent energy absorption in the heel area, making it ideal for those who come across heavy lifting duties in their day-to-day work.

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Other safety shoes are fitted instead with a Vento Plus footbed which is also antistatic and anatomic, offering stable support. This footbed is antimicrobial and anti-fungal, providing good protection and ventilation for those working in thermal environments.

“From robust classic boot styles, to smart office “look” safety shoes or lightweight trainers in leather or suede – there is something for everyone here and protection no longer needs to mean heavy, traditional work boots.” Stephen Beresford Strategic Marketing Manager at Supertouch commented.

“By joining forces with Aimont we’ve been able to provide our customers with the latest technologies in safety footwear, as well as respond to and alleviate some of the common complaints within the construction industry. We hope customers are as pleased with the range breadth and offering, as we are.”

Baxi Launches Nest Training Courses

Roger Bisby
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Baxi Launches Nest Training Courses

Boiler manufacturer Baxi is giving installers the inside track on how to fit the latest intelligent heating controls.

Starting this month, the manufacturer will offer dedicated half-day Nest training courses across the UK. These will give electricians and heating engineers the opportunity to get under the skin of the Nest Learning Thermostat and learn how to install it in their customers’ homes.

Baxi has been offering Nest training as part of its boiler courses for some time – and more than 2,000 professionals have completed training to date.

Installers who complete the new course will receive training to help them understand how to install and set up the thermostat, understanding how the device works alongside other Nest connected products in the home and how to hand it over to the customer. They can also sign up to the Nest Pro programme. Nest Pro installers get exclusive tools, VIP support and local customer referrals to help them grow their business.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is one of the leading intelligent heating controls on the market. It learns a homeowner’s routine and then adjusts the temperature accordingly. This means families never have to come home to a cold house, or leave the heating on when they go out.

Steve Owen, national training manager at Baxi, said: “At Baxi we’ve always been committed to providing industry leading training for customers, so we’re delighted to be strengthening our offering with a dedicated Nest Pro training course.

“Nest has transformed the way we look at controls in the heating industry. It is simple to use and helps to ensure that homes are heated to the correct levels, at the right times of day. Not only will Nest Pro help boost their business, it will also help make households more efficient and save customers money.

Baxi works closely with Nest Labs to promote the use of the Nest Learning Thermostat alongside its energy-efficient boilers to help save customers money and increase energy efficiency.

The manufacturer operates 16 training centres in the UK and Ireland from Glasgow to Exeter and from Belfast to Godmanchester. Designed using feedback from its customers, Baxi training courses include hands-on sessions, insider knowledge, tips from the company’s expert trainers and professional advice on products and troubleshooting.

www.baxi.co.uk

Airport Closed

Roger Bisby
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Airport Closed

There are lessons to be learned for Britain from Sri Lanka’s infrastructure problems, says Roger Bisby after a recent trip to the South Asian island.

Bandaranaike International airport was having a few problems. According to the official Sri Lankan Tourist Board statement it is closed during the day for runway resurfacing.

Our taxi driver laughed; he had a slightly different version. “There are cracks you could get your foot stuck in, it is sinking. It was built by the Chinese. They could use the other runway but that is worse.”

Later, en route to our hotel we passed a large public hospital that was also closed for urgent repairs. “Chinese” our driver said again. I felt a pattern was beginning to emerge.

“Are there any other Chinese buildings that are in trouble?” I asked. He told us that the main toll road that runs North to South is always sinking and being repaired.

“The Chinese built it and are taking the tolls until it has been paid for but nobody uses it so it will be a long, long time before they get their money back and by that time it will need rebuilding. ”

I asked him if he thought it was a bad thing to rely on foreign companies to build the essential services for the country.

“No, no the British built railways, British built tea factories, very strong, running one hundred years, still good. British good, Chinese bad, everything Chinese break.”

He may well be biased, maybe his Chinese passengers don’t tip as well as the British, but it was ringing alarm bells in my head. Britain has recently signed a deal with the Chinese for them to build nuclear power stations in the UK.

We must hope and pray that they will put all kinds of safeguards in place but given the performance of those charged with regulating the activities of the railways and our, now Chinese owned, utility companies you wouldn’t put a lot of faith in them, particularly as this new proposed nuclear technology is, as yet, untried.

Laying it on Thick – WT1 Review

Roger Bisby
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Laying it on Thick – WT1 Review

When it comes to sealants there are very few on the market that can match CT1, says Roger Bisby.

Not only is it strong and flexible it can also seal damp surfaces. I have tried many products that claim to do this but not all of them work. I first started using it when I was working on swimming pools because it was the only one the pool companies recommended for use in chlorinated water.

WT1 Review

WT1 is essentially the same product as CT1 but it is in a can rather than a tube. This allows you to use it on flat roofs, concrete floors and balconies as well as walls. You can even use it to tank out a ply-lined wet room prior to tiling.

Having used other liquid membranes I was initially thinking of applying it with a roller but I soon discovered that it is easier to pour it from the can and then use a trowel or a squeegee to spread it out.

The self-smoothing properties allow you to spread it out as you would a self-levelling screed and then you can leave it to settle down. If there are cracks or holes in the surface it will find them and seep down so you’re better off sealing anything obvious before you start.

The self-smoothing properties allow you to spread it out as you would a self-levelling screed and then you can leave it to settle down. If there are cracks or holes in the surface it will find them and seep down so you’re better off sealing anything obvious before you start.

In many cases you will want to continue the membrane up the wall in one continuous flowing coat. In fact, it is better to start on the wall and then work your way onto the flat surface.

You can brush it on the wall – if you are covering lead this might be the only way, but if the wall is straight you can also trowel it up from bottom to top. Bear in mind that it will slump if you put on too thick a coat, so if you are looking for a belt and braces treatment you are better off putting another coat on later on. You can then over-paint it when it dries.

If you have a leaking felt roof you have the choice of stripping the felt off or going over the top with WT1. If there are blisters it is best to cut them and then feed the compound under the felt to stick it down before you go over the whole roof.

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If you want to strip the roof back to the plywood deck you can then clean off the worst of the bitumen and then apply WT1 over the plywood to form a finished surface. Personally, I would use a non-woven membrane embedded in the WT1 over any joints in the plywood and then apply another coat over that.

There are a great many other uses for WT1 but if you are not sure about its suitability, the company has a good technical department to give you advice.

www.ct1ltd.com

Covers Raise Funds for Charity in Close Shave

Roger Bisby
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Covers Raise Funds for Charity in Close Shave

A group of staff at Covers depots in Chichester, Gosport and Portsmouth have raised a total of £564 for Comic Relief after undertaking a range of activities, including bake sales and a sponsored shave.

Covers raise funds Charity in Close Shave

Budding bakers at Chichester and Gosport depots sold a selection of delicious homemade cakes and treats to staff and customers during Red Nose Day last month, raising £224.50 and £122 respectively.

Meanwhile, a sponsored shave took place at Covers Chichester, with fundraising support from the teams at Covers Home Ideas, Covers Trade Centre and Covers Portsmouth, which collectively raised £217.50 for the worthy cause.

Lewis Benson, an electrician for the Covers group, who has been growing his beard for four months, volunteered to brave the shave.

He said: “I’ve been cultivating my beard for quite a while now, but as it needed a tidy up I thought what better way to do it than to shave it off for charity.

While it feels a bit odd having a clean-shaven face after all this time, I’m delighted to have done my bit.”

The funds raised by Covers will go towards one of the numerous projects supported by Comic Relief.

Worker paralysed by falling pipe

Roger Bisby
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Worker paralysed by falling pipe

An Essex company who are specialists in gas infrastructure have been fined after an employee suffered serious injury when a pipe fell into the trench he was working in and struck him.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how an employee of Forefront Utilities Limited had entered a trench in Rochester, Kent to connect gas pipes. The new pipes were rested on packing timber across the trench, but the weight caused the tarmac to give way. The pipe fell into the trench and struck the employee causing significant injury including a fractured spine. He is paralysed and has no feeling in his bowel.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred on 23 May 2014 found the method for jointing newly laid sections of pipe to previously laid pipe was unsafe.

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Forefront Utilities Limited, of Stephenson Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, were found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £56,686.

After the hearing HSE inspector Andrew Cousins said: “Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of working.

“If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to the incident, the life changing injuries sustained by the employee could have been prevented.”

For further information on safety in construction visit:

www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/contractors.htm

Electrician fined after apprentice left with life changing injuries

Roger Bisby
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Electrician fined after apprentice left with life changing injuries

A Birmingham electrician has been ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community after his trainee fell three and a half metres through a plasterboard ceiling.

Birmingham Magistrates’ Court heard that the apprentice electrician, Soheil Afrapour, spent 23 days in hospital after suffering head injuries. He was installing wiring above the false ceiling for Mr Soheil Alipour.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found there was no proper planning for work at height and Alipour did not fulfil his duty of care.

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Soheil Alipour of Selly Oak, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to breaching Work at Height Regulations 9(2) 2005, was given 120 hours unpaid Community work and ordered to pay full costs of £1152.24.

HSE Inspector Gareth Langston said: “It’s important that employers put the safety of their workers, especially young inexperienced apprentices, at the forefront of their plans and consider precautions when working at height. This incident could have been prevented if there was proper planning in place using boards above or scaffolding below.”

www.hse.gov.uk

Maxtop launches challenge to find UK’s top tosser

Dylan Garton
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Maxtop launches challenge to find UK’s top tosser

Kitchen and bathroom surface specialist, Maxtop Quartz, is on the hunt for the UK’s top (tea break) tosser with the launch of a new paper-toss style game, which it launched to its 7,000 plus social community on the 3rd April.

Created with installers in mind and designed to be played on a smartphone, tablet or computer during a tea or lunch break, players have just 60 seconds to get as many tea bags as possible into the three mugs presented. Bonus points are available for anyone who manages to get the tea bag into the Maxtop branded mug.

Stephen Moss, managing director of Maxtop Quartz Ltd, said: “Fitting out a kitchen or bathroom can be a long and tiring job and one that requires regular breaks, so we really wanted to develop a fun and engaging game that can be enjoyed by all in these precious moments.”

To celebrate the launch of the game, the company is offering an £80 Amazon voucher and Maxtop merchandise to April’s top scorer, with monthly prizes up for grabs for the remainder of the year.

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Stephen added: “With just 60 seconds on the clock, the game is quite a challenge and will be sure to bring out the competitive nature in even the most laid-back of characters!”

The game features Maxtop’s Black Onyx Sparkle surface which boasts a patented interior honeycomb structure, offering the aesthetic benefits of a solid stone surface, with the advantage of a deeper 40mm profile.

The worktops, which are available in a further nine finishes, also benefit from engineered enhancements, delivering a lightweight product which is both stronger than traditional stone and easier to install.

Stephen concluded: “We are certain the game will be enjoyed by our social community and encourage anyone with a spare minute or two to have a go!”

Play tea break tossers now to see if you’ll be crowned the UK’s top tosser and stay up to date with the leader board by following Maxtop on Twitter and liking it on Facebook.

www.maxtopquartz.co.uk

Real Deals for You: Big Wipes review

Dylan Garton
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Real Deals for You: Big Wipes review

In this series of videos Skill Builder is taking a look at a selection of products from Real Deals for You, the consumer campaign which provides big brand tools at competitive prices through local independent retailers.

Real Deals for You is a year-round campaign run by one of Europe’s leading hand and power tool distributors, Toolbank, and created to support a network of participating retail outlets and trade merchants across the UK and Ireland.

Over 2,000 stockists throughout the UK and Ireland feature the Real Deals for You promotion, which is designed to provide significant savings on leading brand products while helping to support local trade. 

In the sixth and final instalment of this series Roger Bisby takes a look at the Big Wipes range.

www.realdealsforyou.com

Hilti SF 6H-A22 Cordless 22v Hammer Drill Driver review

Roger Bisby
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Hilti SF 6H-A22 Cordless 22v Hammer Drill Driver review

Roger talks to Phil Read about the Hilti SF 6H-A22 Cordless hammer drill driver in the build-up to next week’s test.

With the new SF 6H-A22 Cordless hammer drill driver, Hilti says you can finish your applications fast, in comfort and with complete confidence.

The newest addition to the 22 V battery platform combines a powerful motor and gearing with the latest technology from Hilti.

An electronic clutch delivers the powerful performance you want, while Active Torque Control (ATC) offers the improved safety you need. Advanced sensors and a motor brake built into the tool prevent kickback by stopping the motor almost instantly – so you no longer need to hold on for dear life.

www.hilti.co.uk

 

Mira addition allows you to control your shower from your phone

Dylan Garton
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0
Mira addition allows you to control your shower from your phone

Mira Showers has enhanced its range of digital showers with the introduction of Mira Mode: a high aesthetic, accessibly-priced mixer that offers users the added convenience of app control from smartphones.

Screen Shot 2017 04 07 at 08.05.33

Mira Mode is said to respond to a growing consumer demand for technologically advanced home appliances that are also simple and intuitive to use; while meeting the needs of a demographic that increasingly requires multi-generational bathroom installations. As the ‘Smart Home’ concept takes hold, insights into consumer attitudes towards technology purchases suggest that digital could rise to up 59% of shower installations in time.

The Bluetooth app allows on/off operation, while enabling the user to programme maximum temperatures and shower duration. Additional features include switching the shower on via the app to warm-up, remote control set up and up to 10 personalised bath-fill settings (with the appropriate Mode variant).

As the ‘Smart Home’ concept takes hold, insights into consumer attitudes towards technology purchases suggest that digital could rise to up 59% of shower installations in time.

For the commissioning installer, the app allows for straightforward set up, maximum temperature setting and easy troubleshooting. A crucial benefit is the ability to configure feeds and outlets with the app. This means pipework can be installed as convenient or obviates the need for awkward additional work – such as passovers – when trying to align with existing pipework; as outlets can be nominated subsequently through the app.

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The Mira Mode wall-mounted main and remote controls are clean, contemporary devices that provide on, off or outlet selection at the touch of a button. Twelve Mode product options are offered with either ceiling or rear fed fittings available, and a choice of valves – a high pressure valve for mains pressurised systems or combination boilers or a pumped valve for low pressure or gravity fed systems – to choose from. Eight valve-only options are also available.

Outlet options include a single outlet shower; a dual outlet with a 200mm drench head and handset that can be used together or independently; a shower and bath fill option (rear-fed, single shower outlet only) and a solus bath-fill.

Installation is swift and simple. Connection between the controller and valve unit is by low-voltage data cable – typical for these kind of applications – and such is the flexibility of Mode that the valve can be sited somewhere discrete be it in the loft, under a bath or other convenient location up to 10 metres from the controller.

The launch of the Mira Mode provides upselling opportunities, flexibility and ease of installation to the trade

It comes complete with an elegant fittings kit, which includes the new 130mm Mira Switch handshower and a friction clamp bracket that can be operated single-handedly. Mira Switch enables users to choose between four unique spray modes by simply pressing a button at the base of the showerhead. Single-hand clamp bracket operation benefits elderly or vulnerable users with grip or balance issues; and is considered ‘inclusive’ by occupational therapists.

The launch of the Mira Mode is said to improve choice, convenience and control for the consumer; while providing upselling opportunities, flexibility and ease of installation to the trade.

www.mirashowers.co.uk

Two construction companies fined after worker suffers severe electric shock

Dylan Garton
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0
Two construction companies fined after worker suffers severe electric shock

BAM Construction Limited and Shoreland Projects Limited have been fined after a man suffered multiple life changing injuries including severe burns to his neck.

Winchester Crown Court heard how BAM Construction had been appointed by Network Rail to construct a new railway operating centre in Basingstoke. BAM later appointed Shoreland Projects Ltd as the groundworks contractor for this project.

On 26 January 2015, when work began to install lampposts on the site entrance road, the fifth lamp post touched the 11kV overhead power lines when it was being lifted into position by an excavator, causing Mark Bradley to suffer his injuries. A colleague rushed to Mark’s aid, using a piece of timber to push him away from the lamp column.

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An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found a failure to properly identify the presence of the overhead power lines and appropriately plan this work activity.  No suitable control measures were in place to prevent contact with the overhead power lines.  A number of workers were put at risk, including Mr Bradley.

BAM Construction Limited, of Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The company has been fined £260,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9415.13.

Shoreland Projects Limited of Woodhouse Lane, Botley also pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, has been fined £22,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8442.53.

Speaking after the case HSE inspector William Christie said: “While this entirely preventable incident has had a permanent and very substantial effect on Mark’s life, his very serious injuries could have been even worse had it not been for the quick thinking of his colleague.

“This case highlights the importance for all work to be planned properly by all duty holders. Overhead power lines pose a significant threat to the safety of workers.  Construction work in the vicinity of live conductors must be properly planned, managed and monitored to ensure the risks are controlled.”

For further information please visit www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/overhead.htm

Yes, yes, yes! Clever cot simulates car journeys

Dylan Garton
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Yes, yes, yes! Clever cot simulates car journeys

Not strictly a trade product but given that we love any products that can make you more productive we had to share this for any builders with babies out there. 

For many new parents, there is only one guaranteed solution to putting their baby down at the end of the day – a night-time drive that soothes, calms and eventually helps little one nod off.

But that still means a disrupted night for mum or dad, who research shows can typically expect little more than five hours sleep a night while losing the equivalent of 44 days sleep in just the first year of their child’s life. Help, however, could soon be at hand.

Ford has developed a cot that could simulate – in the comfort of your own home – the motion, engine noise, and even the street lighting of those night‑time drives.

Ford has developed a cot that could simulate – in the comfort of your own home – the motion, engine noise, and even the street lighting of those night‑time drives. To all appearances a regular cot, the Max Motor Dreams, comes to life using a smartphone app. This enables it to record and then reproduce the comforting movement, lights and sounds of a particular journey.

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“After many years of talking to mums and dads, we know that parents of newborns are often desperate for just one good night’s sleep. But while a quick drive in the family car can work wonders in getting baby off to sleep, the poor old parents still have to be awake and alert at the wheel,” said Max Motor Dreams designer Alejandro López Bravo, of Spanish creative studio Espada y Santa Cruz, which produced the award-winning design. “The Max Motor Dreams could make the everyday lives of a lot of people a little bit better.”

For now, the Max Motor Dreams is a one-off pilot. But following numerous enquiries, the company is considering putting the unique cot into full‑scale production.

Style a deciding factor when choosing a hard hat

Dylan Garton
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0
Style a deciding factor when choosing a hard hat

Research from Centurion, the above-the-neck PPE specialist, has  revealed that style is the fourth major trigger for customers changing a helmet or brand, after cost, comfort, and change in company policy requirements.

Renowned for its head protection systems, the global company conducted a survey of 250 wearers across UK organisations to understand the opportunities and challenges faced by the changing landscape.

The research revealed that 11% of people said style is a key contributor when changing a helmet – a factor more significant to workers than the design, quality and specific brand of a helmet.

The research revealed that 11% of people said style is a key contributor when changing a helmet – a factor more significant to workers than the design, quality and specific brand of a helmet.

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As a result of the research, Centurion has started developing new products, bringing in style as a core focus including its latest Safety Helmet range, Nexus. Bridging the gap between stylish recreational helmets and the standard industrial safety helmets of today, the Nexus range consists of the CORE, (a base, general purpose safety helmet), LINESMAN, complete with a four-point harness for added security, and the HEIGHTMASTER, a working at height helmet.

Stylish features include an ABS shell that provides a favourable strength-to weight ratio, with optional accessories including integrated eyewear and high-intensity reflective stickers available in six colours.

Andrew Gordon, Marketing Director at Centurion, said: “At a time of rapid change for our customers, we believe Centurion’s above the neck expertise and specialism is more important than ever, and carrying out this research has allowed us to further understand the needs of the market and more importantly, our customers.

The industry is changing and it’s evident that workers are becoming more conscious of how they look. Rewind 20 years, and this wouldn’t have been the case but now poor looks is one of the top reasons for non-compliance in wearing PPE

“The industry is changing and it’s evident that workers are becoming more conscious of how they look. Rewind 20 years, and this wouldn’t have been the case but now poor looks is one of the top reasons for non-compliance in wearing PPE.

“Being safe never looked so good and our ambition is to continue creating products that are safe, innovative and stylish – something which our Nexus range epitomises perfectly.”

www.centurionsafety.eu

Baxi Joins Carbon Connect to Help Shape Future of National Heating Strategy

Roger Bisby
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Baxi Joins Carbon Connect to Help Shape Future of National Heating Strategy

Boiler manufacturer Baxi has joined Carbon Connect, an independent, cross-party forum that aims to inform and guide the transition to a low carbon future underpinned by sustainable energy.

Together with its members and a variety of sector experts, Carbon Connect analyses the opportunities and challenges presented by moves to a low carbon future, and provides a platform for discussion between industry, academia and policymakers.

It has built up a portfolio of parliamentary roundtables and conferences, detailed policy briefings, research and highly respected reports by drawing on the expertise of Carbon Connect members, which include manufacturers, low carbon industries and chartered professional bodies.

It also works with politicians, civil servants, business leaders and academic experts.

As a member, Baxi will be actively taking part in a programme of events and meetings in Parliament, and supporting and contributing to policy research.

Jeff House, regulatory marketing manager at Baxi, said: “Through our continued activity in this area, Baxi is helping shape the future of heating, and we continually work with industry colleagues to help implement and improve associated policy.

Joining Carbon Connect will put Baxi at the forefront of important discussions that affect the heating industry, and will enable us to contribute further to the debate.

“Carbon Connect is currently undertaking a cross-party research project to investigate the opportunities offered by low carbon gas and how policy can support it.

In particular, it is investigating how low carbon gas can contribute to heat decarbonisation and help the UK to meet 2050 emission targets.

“The project will examine issues related to the gas distribution network and local storage, the production and bulk storage of low carbon gas, consumer challenges and the development of compatible appliances.

As a leading gas boiler manufacturer that has been in business for over 150 years, it is essential for us to be part of these discussions, and we are proud to support research like this.”

www.baxi.co.uk

Real Deals for You: Rapid Hammer Tacker review

Roger Bisby
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Real Deals for You: Rapid Hammer Tacker review

In this series of videos Skill Builder is taking a look at a selection of products from Real Deals for You, the consumer campaign which provides big brand tools at competitive prices through local independent retailers.

Real Deals for You is a year-round campaign run by one of Europe’s leading hand and power tool distributors, Toolbank, and created to support a network of participating retail outlets and trade merchants across the UK and Ireland.

Over 2,000 stockists throughout the UK and Ireland feature the Real Deals for You promotion, which is designed to provide significant savings on leading brand products while helping to support local trade. 

In the fifth installment of the series Roger Bisby takes a look at the Rapid PRO R311 Quick-load Hammer Tacker.

www.realdealsforyou.com

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