Skill Builder Guides & reviews for building and construction

Kevin Skeith, 39, a flooring specialist from Sleaford, has been crowned UK Worker of the Year 2016, winning a Honda Crosstourer 1200cc motorbike and a year’s free shopping at ASDA. Kevin attended Brands Hatch over the weekend, along with five other finalists, all vying to become UK Worker of the Year, a competition run by  workwear brand Dickies, in association …

Ford has revealed exclusive new variants of the Transit Custom one-tonne commercial vehicle. The new Transit Custom Colour Edition van offers four colour schemes that feature contrasting roof, mirror caps, skid plate and side stripes, along with unique black 17‑inch alloy wheels. The Transit Custom Sport series van with its signature twin bonnet stripes is also now available in a …

IronmongeryDirect, the online and mail order supplier of ironmongery products, is on the hunt for graduates to join its Graduate Management Scheme, as expansion across the business continues. As part of the bespoke programme, graduates will spend time working across all departments within the company, helping to develop their leadership skills and business expertise in a range of areas, such …

Roger Bisby tries out a few Milwaukee redsticks for size and accuracy. Milwaukee is continuing its journey into the wonderful world of hand tools with the introduction of a range of Redstick spirit levels. On paper they seem to tick all the boxes but it is early days so we will have to see how they stand up to life …

Volkswagen Van Centres across the UK have started taking orders for the new Amarok model which is priced from £32,493 (RRP OTR). Replacing the previous model’s 2.0-litre TDI engine, the new Amarok features a 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine, making it the only six-cylinder model in the segment. The top-of-the-range version of this 3.0-litre V6 delivers 224 PS and 550 Nm …

A real estate lettings company has been sentenced for safety breaches after a self- employed builder suffered 1st and 3rd degree burns to his face, hands, neck and chest. The injured worker, 50 year old Michael Phillips, suffered an electric shock in October 2015 when he was carrying out work for IPH Investments Ltd at an address in Station Parade …

A Derbyshire based engineering construction company has been prosecuted after a worker fell and suffered severe injuries. A worker was repairing a fibreboard roof of a barn and using two homemade crawling boards when he fell 6meters on to the floor below, sustaining serious injuries to his head, hip, and lungs. Derby Magistrates Court heard how at the time of …

The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council, HHIC together with the boiler manufacturers has this month launched the ‘Retro Boiler’ Label. The scheme aims to tackle the UK’s 9 million inefficient boilers by raising awareness of boiler efficiency with consumers. Registered gas engineers are now issuing an energy efficiency label, a ‘Retro Boiler’ label, on all non-condensing boilers with a permanent …

This morning’s autumn statement has at least one glaring omission according to GMB, the energy union – £14billion needed for the Government’s flagship smart meter project. In his ‘mini-budget’ Chancellor Philip Hammond promised huge investment in infrastructure – but made no mention of the vast sums required to install the 53 million new meters across the country. The project will …

In response to demand for a dependable and versatile handheld insulation tester capable of operating at up to 2.5 kV, portable test equipment specialist, Megger, has introduced the new MIT2500 instrument, which offers accurate measurements up to 200 GΩ. The MIT2500 insulation tester has feedback-stabilised test voltages to ensure that tests are always carried out to Megger’s tight specification. The …

Baxi has welcomed the HHIC’s decision to launch a retrospective boiler labelling scheme. The scheme aims to increase consumer awareness about boiler efficiencies and performance, and to highlight to consumers that upgrading old, inefficient boilers will reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. Jeff House, regulatory marketing manager at Baxi, commented: “There are approximately nine million inefficient boilers in the UK, …

An international engineering company has been sentenced following the death of a worker who fell 30 feet from an electricity pylon. Vincent John Richards, 49, from Walsall was installing fall arrest lines for painters to use on the pylon at Great Orton, Carlisle on the 5 July 2014 when the incident happened. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the …

Roger Bisby wears JCB’s latest trousers. JCB has introduced two stand out work trousers to its range. The Camo trousers are a popular look for builders, especially those who enjoy country sports, but these are dedicated work trousers. They have knee pad pockets and a zipped thigh pocket but no external pouches so they wouldn’t look out of place in …

Thanet District Council has been fined £250,000 after a worker was left with permanent injury after being diagnosed with hard arm vibration (HAV). Canterbury Crown Court heard how a worker from Thanet District Council was diagnosed with suffering from HAV after visiting his GP. Symptoms of the condition can include tingling, pins and needles, numbness and pain in the hands. …

So what’s it like to work in the cold with freezing hands? Well, as you may know, it’s not pleasant. Everything you do is that bit harder and it can be extremely dangerous. With cold hands and fingers, you are more likely to fumble with numb fingers, which is not only dangerous to yourself but also to others. Gloves for cold weather The TraffiGlove range …