Two companies have been fined after unsafe asbestos work was carried out on a property in Leatherhead, Surrey.
Staines Magistrates’ Court heard how Kingsley Asbestos Services Limited (KAS), although a licensed asbestos removal contractor, was sub contracted by Bourne Valley Construction Services Limited (BVCS) to carry out the work.
KAS removed some asbestos containing materials and agreed to carry out repair works on other water damaged materials within the properties. During works to cut away damaged wall coverings in the kitchen, one of the workers cut into a pale coloured board which after subsequent testing proved it to be Asbestos Insulation Board.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found BVCS failed to plan the work and pass on information to KAS. It was the responsibility of both BVCS and KAS to arrange for a refurbishment and demolition survey. As a consequence work was carried out without establishing the location, presence and extent of asbestos containing materials on site.
HSE Inspector Rebekah Dunn said: “Asbestos still kills around 5000 workers each year and around 20 tradesmen die each week as a result of past exposure.
“BVCS were in control of the works and should have provided information identified in such a survey or assessment regarding the presence of asbestos to KAS as their sub-contractor.”
Bourne Valley Construction Services Ltd of Salisbury, Wiltshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13 (2) of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007, was fined £8000 and ordered to pay full costs.
Kingsley Asbestos Services Ltd of Ferring in Worthing pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5 (1) (a) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, was fined £6000 and ordered to pay full costs.
Continuing our series from Milwaukee Heavy Duty Fest held in Berlin. Roger chats with Milwaukee’s Kom Shepherd and hears a different take on the problem of limiting exposure to vibration.
Get the job done quickly so you reduce your exposure.
Featuring the Milwaukee M18 CHPX SDS PLUS Hammer Drill.
Hardest hitting cordless SDS hammer in its class. Powerful hammer mechanism delivers 4.0 J (EPTA) of impact energy at low 8.6 m/s² vibrations thanks to the new dual rail anti-vibration system.
REDLITHIUM-ION™ battery pack delivers up to 2.5x more run time, up to 20% more power, up to 2x more battery life and operates better down to -20°C than other lithium-ion technologies.
Roger Bisby says Atlas Bolts are opening up a whole new world of fixings.
I have written several times on the dangers of using cheap fixings. All too often unbranded bargain screws and bolts lack adequate corrosion protection and are also made from inferior steel.
Atlas Bolts have been producing fixings since 1896 and are used in many of America’s skyscrapers so they better be good.
There are plenty of good quality fixings out there and the price difference is not the deal breaker that people might imagine it to be. Ohio based Atlas Bolts (distributed in the U.K by Samac) is a brand of world renown. They have been producing fixings since 1896 and are used in many of America’s skyscrapers so they better be good.
Atlas self-tapping boron steel bolts come in all popular sizes with a choice of torx or hexagon. Self tapping masonry fixings are now commonplace but it is not commonly appreciated that as well as working in brick and concrete these fixings are also suitable for timber, slate, natural stone and even marble. This means you can provide a threaded fixing through the timber into the substrate so the whole fixing acts as one. These fixings are now favoured by window fitters because the fixing is often close to the edge of the bring. They also don’t suffer from the line up problems you get with a screw and plug. If you use a multi-construction drill bit you can go straight through the frame into the masonry in one hit and not have to knock plugs through the frame.
The self tapping thread produces a secure fixing without placing any expansion stress (bulb pressure) on the material and the load is distributed deeper into the material than an expanding plug.
This means they can be used a lot closer to the edge than tapered fixings or wall plugs. The fact that these are resin free fixings means that you can use one at a time and keep a few on the van for all the times when a screw won’t do.
The pilot holes size is indicated on the side of the pack and you should drill very slightly deeper than the length of the bolt.
Wearer comfort is a key feature of the latest half mask from Scott Safety, the designer and manufacturer of respirators and personal protective equipment.
The AVIVA half mask, which is silicone-free but designed with silicone-like comfort, offers a reflex seal which allows the wearer added movement and flexibility, and a positive fit check button is built into the device which is said to guarantee a secure fit of the half mask.
The half mask’s low-profile head harness is said to offer greater stability and compatibility with safety helmets and eye protection.
Enhanced voice intelligibility enables the wearer to be clearly heard by those around, ensuring clear lines of communication.
The AVIVA half mask is available for use with a wide range of filters, permitting use of the device in a variety of applications and industrial situations, including asbestos removal.
Last year, around 33,000 workers suffered breathing or lung problems thought to be caused or made worse by their working environments.
One of the industry’s biggest issues is badly fitted, uncomfortable equipment, discouraging workers to use their kit correctly.
Scott Safety is helping to eradicate this problem with the introduction of this easy-to-use mask that provides complete respiratory protection, low breathing resistance and increased comfort and fit.
The AVIVA half mask is available in small, medium and large sizes and a variety of packaging types including Readypak options for specific applications, some of which have the advantage of permitting the user to regularly store the half mask, keeping it clean and correctly formed for optimum fit.
Coldmac Limited has been fined after one of its workers suffered life-changing injuries to his hand using an unsafe mixer which required surgical intervention.
Nuneaton Magistrates Court heard how Coldmac Limited had been appointed specialist contractors for a new footway. On 8 April 2015 the worker was using a screwdriver to scrape asphalt residue off the mixer they had been using when the screwdriver slipped causing the worker to catch on the lip of the mixer and causing him to lose middle and index fingers.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the guarding on the mixing machine was below the safety standard required in order for people to safely operate the machinery.
Coldmac Limited of Midland Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire pleaded guilty of breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and has been fined £6,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1995.92.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Luke Messenger said: “This case highlights the importance of safety checking equipment and machinery, ensuring that they have the appropriate guarding in place to avoid serious injuries like this.”
SsangYong has announced an increase in the towing capacity of its Musso one-tonne pick-up to 3,500kg following approval by the VCA – the UK Vehicle Certification Agency responsible for Vehicle Type Approval.
Powered by a smooth and refined 2.2 litre Euro 6 turbo-diesel engine, the Musso pick-up is designed to appeal to those who need a competitively priced work truck, the practicality of 4-wheel drive, the towing capability to haul up to 3.5 tonnes yet also the appointments of a family car – it’s ideal for towing a horse box, boat or work trailer.
“This is great news for customers looking for a value for money pick-up and who need to tow a heavy trailer,” says Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK.
“With one of the most powerful engines in its class, a refined automatic gearbox and car like ride – thanks to its multilink rear suspension, Musso sales have really taken off since its launch last autumn”, adds Mr Williams. “Tough and robust with a specification, price and warranty no others can match, the facts clearly position the Musso as the top value truck in the pick-up market.”
The Musso features a newly developed Euro 6 turbo-diesel engine to meet the demand for a more powerful performance and lower CO2 emissions at the same time. Maximum power is 178PS and torque 400Nm, with maximum torque delivered from a low of 1,400rpm and maintained through a wide range up to 2,800rpm for smooth, progressive driving from the start.
The Musso is fitted with multi-link rear suspension and progressive rear coil springs – the only pick-up at this price to offer such a system – which gives a relaxed and comfortable car-like ride, while also carrying over a tonne weight on its load deck.
There are two models in the range. The SE includes a new-look front grille and dashboard, as well as silver finish 18” alloy wheels and hard wearing ‘leather look’ TPU seat upholstery. It is priced from just £16,395 ex VAT.
The EX is distinguished by black 18” alloy wheels, roof rails, front LED daytime running lights, leather with heated front seats, power operated driver’s seat, automatic air conditioning, automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers, 7” touchscreen RDS radio with iPod and Bluetooth. The EX with manual transmission is priced at £18,395 ex VAT, and with a six speed Aisin automatic £19,395 ex VAT.
Roger Bisby looks at the latest Green Beam laser from Bosch.
It seems that manufacturers spent years getting people to buy red beam laser levels and no sooner had everyone got one than they introduced green beam lasers, brighter clearer, four times the visibility and ten times the price. The price has started to drop to the point where jobbing builders, plumbers and electricians are giving them serious consideration the question is ‘should you put your red beam laser on eBay and embrace green beam?’
The price has started to drop to the point where jobbing builders, plumbers and electricians are giving them serious consideration the question is ‘should you put your red beam laser on eBay and embrace green beam?’
The Bosch GCL 2-15 Professional has lots to offer. This is a compact self levelling cross hair laser with the usual functions of vertical and horizontal lines as well as a plumb spot in red for the ceiling and floor. You can lock the horizontal and vertical line to establish a gradient or a pitch. This is perfect for setting out rafters because you can be sure they are all absolutely in line without having to run a string across them. The same goes for setting out a patio. You will of course need a start and finish point as there is no display to tell you the angle you are at.
This is not a rotating laser but it does come with a nice little rotating stand so you can work your way around a kitchen, for example, to establish a datum around the room. There is also a nice little rack and pinion bracket which gives you fine adjustment on the magnetic back. Also in the box is a soft case for holding the laser on your belt and a target.
The sequential switch will turn the laser off without locking the gimble or pendulum which I don’t like because it is all too easy to put the laser in the case with the pendulum still active. If you are aware of this then you may remember to check that the slide is in the locked position but I can’t understand why they have moved away from the idea of the locking switch turning off the power.
That small niggle aside this is a well thought out instrument, I particularly like the side access panel for the batteries because you can change the batteries without having to remove the level from the tripod.
Having a good strong case to store and carry your laser is very welcome but it surprised me to find that this is not an ‘ I’ case for stacking with your other Bosch tools.
Safety footnote
There are rules governing the use of lasers on building sites but in my experience they are hardly ever followed. You should put up warning notices and you should set the laser above or below eye level to avoid people staring into the beam accidentally. Class 2 lasers are considered safe for site use only because the natural reaction is to close your eyes or look away if the beam catches you. So it follows that nobody should ever stare into the beam, it is as damaging as staring into the mid-day sun.
Two roofing companies have been fined after worker falls through skylight nine metres through a skylight onto concrete flooring below.
The man suffered life-changing injuries and required surgery to install metal rods into his back.
Coventry Magistrates Court heard how ACG Roofing Limited had been subcontracted by JDB Industrial Roofing Limited to complete re-cladding work on the fragile roof.
At the time of the fall, on 15 December 2015, no nets or guardrails were being used.
The Mobile Elevating Working Platform which had been provided as an anchor point for the fall arrest equipment did not have enough capacity.
When he fell the injured person did not have his harness attached to anything.
Worker Falls Through Skylight
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that JDB, the principal contractors of the work, failed to have effective management systems in place to control the risk associated with working at height and on fragile roofing.
JDB Industrial Roofing Limited of Brooklands Court, Kettering, Northamptonshire pleaded guilty of breaching Section 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, has been fined £112,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2216.68.
ACG Roofing Limited of High Street, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire have pleaded guilty of breaching Section 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and have been fined £35,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1721.78.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Edward Fryer said: “This incident could have been fatal; the worker has suffered life-changing injuries due to the company failing to properly plan and supervise work at height.
“This case highlights the importance of proper planning, supervision and implementation of work at height especially on fragile roofing.”
Designed to be robust, reliable and easy to use, the new 2R (270 N·m) and 2AR (340 N·m) torque wrenches, featuring a break-back torque signal, are the latest products from Norbar Torque Tools.
The new 2R and 2AR responds to the need for a smaller model of the enduringly popular industrial break-back torque wrenches.
Simple to use, the 2R and 2AR’s design offers a profiled cam and reaction plate, providing a much clearer ‘torque break point’. For the operator, this means that the possibility of over-torqueing has been reduced dramatically in comparison to traditional clicker torque wrenches, optimising performance and precision in any task.
The unmistakable torque signal that the break-back provides, means that the wrench can be safely used in noisy environments where the ‘click’ signal of other wrenches may be missed, such as when changing a tyre on the roadside. Furthermore, the ‘break’ can not only be seen by the operator, but also by supervisors, meaning they can visually check for correct operation of the wrench from many metres away.
The 2R and 2AR also feature an improved scale, which is said to be easy to read and set, and is fitted with a protective lens to shield the screen from dust, dirt and spray.
Offering impeccable control, the 2R and 2AR are calibrated to deliver accurate results within +4% of a reading, despite the demanding working conditions expected for the wrenches.
Additional features include the push-through ratchet which is easily replaceable and allows two direction torqueing, and the integral pull-out adjustment bar which means no additional torque setting tools are required.
The 2R and 2AR wrenches also come with a padded fabric shoulder bag, which also holds a set of instructions and a copy of the calibration certificate. This ensures all important documents are kept in one place, and alongside the wrenches.
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 fourth installment of the series Roger Bisby takes a look at the Roughneck 50cm Wide Mouth Tool Tote Bag.
Roger gets his hands on Triton’s pendulum action jigsaw for #powertoolfriday; find out if this cost-effective jig can cut it in this Triton Jigsaw review.
Product Features:
Dual axis grips and balanced body design keep the tool on the workpiece, and move the tool with improved stability
4-position mode selector with 3-stage pendulum action for optimised, fast cutting and reduced wear on the tool and blades
Constant speed under load maintains a stable cut rate with improved results over conventional jigsaws
Tool-free, quick-release blade change with T-shank bayonet mounting for fast blade changes and compatibility with a wide range of blades
Non-trigger variable speed control and sliding on/off switch with lock-on for easy presetting of speed without having to maintain trigger pressure in use
Includes 3 high-performance blades for curved cutting in wood, high speed cutting in wood and plastic, and straight cutting of ferrous and non-ferrous metals
Includes Triton track adaptor for short length internal/pocket cuts, cut-outs with straight edges below the length of the plunge saw blade or cuts to an exact length
Includes parallel guide for easy parallel cutting with fast set-up
Includes soft case with slot-in accessory organiser for easy portability and protection of the tool and all accessories
A London based construction company has been fined for safety failings after complaints from the public.
Basildon Magistrates’ Court heard how Malik Contractors and Engineers Ltd were working at a site St John’s Way in Corringham, Essex in 2016 when concerned members of the public contacted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Malik Contractors and Engineers Ltd are the principal contractors for the development of a public house and 24 flats.
Acting on the public concerns, HSE carried out three inspections of the site. On each visit the inspectors and visiting officers found numerous breaches of health and safety legislation, including dangerous electrical systems, unsafe work at height across the site, and no fire detection alarm. There was no fire-fighting equipment, despite workers sleeping on site.
As a result HSE issued four Prohibition Notices (PNs) and three Improvement Notices (INs) on the firm.
Malik Contractors and Engineers Ltd of Neasden Goods Depot, Neasden, London, was fined a total of £52,000, and ordered to pay £4,415 in costs after pleading guilty to an offence under Regulation 13(1) of The Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector David King said: “This case highlights the importance complying with enforcement action. Duty holders have the responsibility to provide their workers with appropriate training and equipment so they can work safely. In this case Malik Contractors failed to do so.
“It is essential those responsible for construction work understand they are also responsible for the health and safety of those on and around the construction site, and ensure suitable and sufficient arrangements are in place to plan..”
When it comes to making vital decisions regarding building work, women are twice as likely to have the final say on the style and scope of the project, according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
In advance of Mother’s Day this Sunday, the FMB also asked female homeowners if they have ever carried out a range of basic DIY tasks around the home and the results were as follows:
• Almost 80 percent have painted a room;
• 65 percent have put together flat-pack furniture;
• 58 percent have unblocked a sink;
• Over 50 percent have changed a fuse;
• 44 percent have unblocked a toilet;
• Over a quarter have cleared the guttering.
Jenny Carter, mum of one from North West London, said: “I’m happy to hire a builder for the big jobs but it would cost me a fortune if I had to pay a tradesperson every time I needed to change a fuse.
If I’m a bit unsure, I tend to search online for “how-to” videos to help guide me through the process – these videos give people like me a bit more confidence to tackle the smaller jobs.
Every family is different but in our house, when it comes to these sorts of tasks, I’m easily as handy as my other half.”
Any lingering gender stereotypes regarding domestic life are totally outdated. Not only do women lead on decisions regarding the style and scope of building projects, they also get stuck in themselves when hiring a builder isn’t necessary
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said: “This research shows that any lingering gender stereotypes regarding domestic life are totally outdated.
Not only do women lead on decisions regarding the style and scope of building projects, they also get stuck in themselves when hiring a builder isn’t necessary.
In 21st century Britain, you’re just as likely to find a woman up a ladder clearing out the guttering or battling with flat-pack furniture, as you might be likely to find her performing some of the more traditional domestic chores.”
Berry concluded: “On a more serious note, the construction industry is facing a massive skills shortage and we’re crying out for more female builders.
At present, only 2% of construction workers onsite are female and until we start to appeal to 50% of the population, we won’t be able to plug the skills gap.
It is my hope that these hands-on women, many of whom will be mums, are inspiring their daughters to think differently about what is an acceptable career path for girls.
There is no reason why young women can’t become the next generation of brickies and sparks and it’s our job to remind them of that.”
In this new 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 third installment of the series Roger Bisby takes a look at Irwin’s Vise-Grip Max Leverage Diagonal Cutting Pliers.
London startup Plentific.com, a growing home services marketplace, has announced a new feature that will allow customers to book home improvement jobs with just a few taps on their phone.
This new service lets customers skip the process of searching for potential tradesmen, comparing quotes and haggling for a fair price just to book a minor home improvement job such as a clogged sink.
Instant bookings are made possible by Plentific’s network of Verified Pros, who are now available to book for more than 90 home improvement services, though this will increase to 450 soon. These include hanging a picture, installing new flooring and rewiring a light fixture. Since only Verified Pros can take on these jobs, according to Plentific.com customers are guaranteed a top quality trade professional for every project.
Larger and more expensive jobs, which tend to require more consideration, dialogue and planning, can still be booked in the traditional way via Plentific.
This is not the first new feature that Plentific has introduced to the home service market. Late in 2016 the company launched the ‘Plentific Guarantee’, an insurance policy which protects homeowners when hiring trade professionals.
hiring someone for a repair, maintenance or home improvement project is now as easy as ordering food for delivery
Plentific Co-Founder Emre Kazan, who leads Product and Tech, said: “This is a huge step forward for both homeowners and trade professionals, whereby hiring someone for a repair, maintenance or home improvement project is as easy as ordering food for delivery.
It wasn’t that long ago that you had to go through page after page just to find the right tradesman for your home improvement work. Now, any jobs that you need doing can take just a couple of seconds to book.
It will give Pros an advantage as well. Tradesmen have to waste a huge amount of time looking for local leads, preparing quotes and chasing invoices to get paid, when they could be carrying out jobs and building their businesses. Once a Verified Pro accepts an Instant job, it’s theirs. All they have to do then is agree on a date with the customer, do a stellar job and see the payment go to their account without any delay.”
Once a Verified Pro accepts an Instant job, it’s theirs. All they have to do then is agree on a date with the customer, do a stellar job and see the payment go to their account without any delay
Plentific Instant is currently available in the Greater London and will be rolled out nationwide later on in 2017. It will also be available via several Plentific partner websites, including Zoopla, PrimeLocation and HomeOwners Alliance, as well as a number of large consumer brands thanks to several partnerships which will be announced shortly.
Baxi is opening two new training facilities in 2017.
The Crawley training centre, a partnership with Central Sussex College, opened in January and Godmanchester in Cambridgeshire, a standalone Baxi training centre, will open in March. Each will offer customers access to Baxi’s full range of comprehensive training courses.
Designed using feedback from its customers, Baxi training includes hands-on sessions, insider knowledge, tips from the company’s expert trainers and professional advice on products and troubleshooting.
Customers can choose to participate in a range of courses including free Baxi product training, repair and maintenance courses, system wiring and controls, and accredited courses such as G3 Unvented cylinder training and assessment.
Baxi now operates a total of 16 training centres across the UK and Ireland, with Baxi’s own centres carrying CIPHE accreditation.
Steve Owen, national training manager at Baxi, comments: “At Baxi we’ve always been committed to providing industry leading training for customers, so we’re delighted to be strengthening our presence in 2017 with the addition of two new centres.
“We know that engineers are busy and it can be difficult for them to keep up to date with the latest products and practices. We also know that they need training opportunities to be close to them, to avoid them having to take additional time away from work to travel.
“Our courses have been designed to help engineers acquire the skills and expertise they need to grow their businesses and keep their customers happy. With a total of 16 training centres spanning Glasgow to Exeter we can make training more accessible than ever before.”
In the second part of our series of videos from Milwaukee’s Heavy Duty Fest 2107 in Berlin, Sendi Spoljaric shows us the M18 FUEL SURGE ¼˝ Hex hydraulic driver, said to be the quietest cordless fastening solution on the market.
Features include:
– On board fuel gauge and LED light
– Flexible battery system: works with all Milwaukee® M18™ batteries
– FLUID-DRIVE™ hydraulic powertrain reduces metal on metal contact within the tool, delivering quieter operation, smoother performance and increased durability over a standard impact
– Delivers same performance in wood fastening as standard brushless impact drivers
– POWERSTATE™ brushless motor delivers up to 0 – 3000 RPM with constant power output to drive screws faster
– REDLINK PLUS™ intelligence system delivers the most advanced digital overload protection for tool and battery and uniquely enhances the tool performance under load
– The Milwaukee® DRIVE CONTROL™ allows the user to shift into four different speed and torque settings to maximise application versatility
– Self-tapping screw mode is designed to reduce walking when starting self-tapping screws as well as reduce overdriving, breaking and stripping out screws
– REDLITHIUM-ION™ battery pack delivers up to 2.5x more run time, up to 20% more power, up to 2x more battery life and operates better down to -20°C than other lithium-ion technologies
– Individual battery cell monitoring optimises tool run time and ensures long term pack durability
Mira Showers is supporting the nation’s young installer talent by sponsoring this year’s HIP UK Heating Apprentice of the Year competition.
The annual event, launched in 2009, represents an opportunity to recognise the hard work, ability and dedication of the next generation of installers.
The regional heats offered apprentices across the country the chance to participate in a series of challenges and practical tasks to test their skills, and pit themselves against other students at a national level. With the heats now concluded, the winners of each, plus the person who received the highest score overall from all, are going forward to a grand final to be held in Cheltenham at the end of March.
Mira has donated over 100 mixer showers to the competition for competitors to install as part of their practical tests
For its part, Mira has donated over 100 mixer showers to the competition for competitors to install as part of their practical tests; and is providing prizes to the regional finalists and the overall winner.
Mira Showers is no stranger to supporting apprenticeships, having relaunched its own in-house programme in September 2015. Mira’s scheme emulates and exceeds the high standard of training offered by the company in the 1960s, and is designed to guarantee its reputation for engineering excellence well into the future.
With more than 300 people having passed through the course over the years, the original scheme celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2011. Dozens of its alumni are still with the business, including Sarah Sadler, Finance Director; Director, Supply Chain Tim Birch and Wayne Walker, VP Manufacturing – Global Faucets.
In 2017, Mira is seeking to add five new apprentices to its complement – two in business administration, and three in engineering.
Skill Builder’s ‘Day in the life’ feature takes a look at a typical day in the life of different tradespeople. In this installment, we talk to the inspirational Kevin Skeith who, against all the odds, recovered from a serious motorcycle accident which threatened to leave him as a quadriplegic. He now runs a thriving flooring business and became Dickie’s UK Worker of the Year 2016.
Name: Kevin Skeith Trade: Domestic and commercial flooring supply and installation Company: Kevin Skeith Flooring
Kevin won a Honda Crosstourer 1200cc motorbike when he was crowned Dickies UK Worker of the Year
What time does your day start?
The alarm goes off at 6.30am. I get our children (Hayden 3 and Reuben 1) up, washed, fed, dressed and ready for nursery.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Easy. I love my job, I enjoy meeting new people, I like being on my knees in the trades, I enjoy seeing the transformation that new flooring makes and I get a great satisfaction from seeing the end result of a completed flooring install, whether it’s a small bathroom or large commercial premises.
My job is also the thing that provides for my family and I get a great buzz from showing my family the pictures of my work and knowing that my family also has pride in the work that I do.
What does a typical day entail for you?
I’m up and loading up the day’s work by 8am. Go to the store collect the day’s materials and tools, cut up any flooring required. Arrive with the first customer by 9am. I’ll fit carpets, vinyls, laminates, engineered and real wood, contract vinyls and luxury vinyl tile feature floors, I screed floors, ply floors, perform damp tests and damp proof floors too. My days are very varied and that’s all part of the joy of being a flooring fitter for me.
I might have up to six houses a day or I might be at one address all day long. I generally get home between 5pm and 6pm. If I can, I collect my children from nursery and walk home with them and I have Thursday afternoons with them too, but I work Saturday to make up for the lost time in the week. We eat tea as a family, I do the bedtime preparations and stories then after 7pm I’ll go out again and visit customers to do quotes and show them samples, often getting back in around 9pm. After 9pm I will email suppliers and order materials, type up quotes and deal with social media requests on facebook and twitter.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The customers and the job satisfaction; every day I see a room transformed and a customer who is happy and appreciates my work and the products I supply.
My customers are a vital part of my business; they champion my work in public, in the press and on social media and I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for their support.
What’s the worst thing about your job?
Having to challenge the sometimes negative perception of flooring fitters. Some say that anyone who can hold a knife can fit a carpet. To a degree that is true, the mechanics of fitting a carpet are not particularly hard but to be doing the job to a high standard, with a professional approach and covering a wide range of materials with great product knowledge takes dedication and commitment.
As a flooring fitter there is very very little room for error, and small mistakes can be very very costly so your concentration levels have to be high
Thankfully in recent years, I have seen a welcome change in the trade with the introduction of more professional qualifications and more fitters getting qualified and standards being raised.
What qualifications do you have?
I’m Grammar School educated with 9 GCSEs and a GNVQ in Construction & the Built Environment.
I started in flooring fitting before there were qualifications, you went with a fitter for two years who taught you the job and when he thought you were ready he told the boss, the boss went with you for a couple of weeks and if you met the standard they needed you were let loose with your knives among the general public.
Since then I have been on several flooring training courses. I am FITA (Flooring Industry Training Association) trained in resilient flooring and luxury vinyl tiles. I have been on several flooring industry supplier courses (adhesives and subfloor preparation) including Mapei, F Ball, Ardex, and Uzin.
I’m asbestos awareness and removal trained. Later this month I will be taking the Moduleo Moods advanced installer course and I’m also booked in for two further manufacturer installer courses for later in the year, one for laminate flooring and one for luxury vinyl tile installation.
I’m also currently doing my NVQ Level 2 in both hard flooring and my NVQ Level 2 in soft furnishings & carpets.
Measure twice, cut once – most serious errors in my job come about through mismeasurement, which result in miscalculating sizes and areas, which means either extra expense if there is wasted or excess material or stupid unnecessary delays if there isn’t enough
What tool couldn’t you live without?
There are two:
1. My phone. It’s my communication device, my calculator, my diary, my emails, my social media access and it’s my also my arch nemesis and the bain of my life.
2. My Stanley Tylon 8m tape measure. Measure twice, cut once – most serious errors in my job come about through mismeasurement, which result in miscalculating sizes and areas, which means either extra expense, if there is wasted or excess materia, or stupid unnecessary delays if there isn’t enough. I prfer tylon tape measures because in my experience metal ones twist and get bent too easily, then they either go brittle and snap or won’t retract correctly. I also find that the tylon ones don’t flick about as much when measuring down stair cases and the edges aren’t as sharp as metal tapes, so they don’t cut you by mistake.
What do you drive?
A high roof long wheel base Ford Transit, 200bhp and fully loaded with all the extra’s. I spend a massive amount of time in my van, if it doesn’t work I don’t work. I over-service it and treat it like a princess.
What do you do to unwind?
I love spending time with my wife Anna and children and our two dogs Missy and Sweep.
I now also ride a motorbike again, I’ve been a fan of motorbikes and motorbike racing since I was young. I broke my spine in 2010 in a horrific motorcycle accident and was told to expect to be a quadriplegic for the rest of my life. Thankfully the amazing doctors and specialists at Queens medical centre in Nottingham saved my spine and gave me my life back. The accident was a turning point in my life and a catalyst to get me to where I am today.
Since recovering from the spinal injury, I have got married and had two beautiful children, I have worked tirelessly to get us out of the financial debt the accident caused, to build myself back up and to get back to work, and to build up my reputation and customer base.
The accident was also a significant part of my story and it explains where I came from, went through and why I went on to win the Dickies UK worker of the year in 2016.
What advice would you give an up and coming apprentice.
1. Take the grief the ‘old boys give you’, it’s meant in jest and if they are having a laugh with you, it’s because they like you. The other reason they will give you grief is because they can see your potential, we know if you are a natural with a knife, and if you are we want you to be the very best you can be, we aren’t going to get off your back until we have seen that you have got to where you deserve to be.
2. Train hard, work hard and make the customer the focus of your work. Customers are the people you need to please, if the customer is happy, your boss is happy and in turn you’ll be happy.
3. When you do think you’ve qualified and you ‘know’ it all, think again, there is always something new to learn, a new approach to try and a new skill to gain and a new product to learn about that you haven’t heard of.
4. Never sell yourself short. If some one calls you it is because they want you to use your skills for them. Never forget that.
and finally
5. Be kind…. you never know what is going to happen, so you never know when you might need a favour back.
I was visiting a manufacturer of safety equipment recently and went to use the gents and found the place flooded out. There was one guy with a mop trying to clear it up but he was like the Sorcerer’s apprentice, the loo just kept overflowing. As fast as he cleared it up more appeared. Even though I was dressed in my smart(ish) clothes and had no tools with me I managed to stop the overflowing loo and, more importantly clear the blockage with a mop wrapped in a polythene sack to act as a plunger. They offered to pay me but I refused, preferring to bask in the glory of being their knight in shining armour.
They offered to pay me but I refused, preferring to bask in the glory of being their knight in shining armour.
This is a feeling that every plumber knows and, for me, it helps to have some motivation that goes beyond money, but it is a bit of a drug and if I am not careful I find it creeps into other areas of my life. If for example I am walking down the street with my wife en- route to a nice restaurant and I see somebody with their car bonnet up and their head bent over it I find it difficult/impossible to walk past. I am ashamed to say that it is even harder if it is a pretty woman, but usually in that case there’s a queue of similarly motivated men in front of me.
It was only relatively recently that I discovered that there is a term for what I do and that is a ‘rescuers syndrome’. Most of the published research on this is to do with relationships not plumbing. People find emotionally vulnerable or damaged partners and ride in on a white charger to put everything right. My wife certainly doesn’t fit into this category so I must assume that my rescuer’s syndrome is more a hobby than a life force. Nevertheless it is there and it has manifested itself most noticeably in my plumbing and building work by doing favours for people that I hardly even know. In other words not charging them for extras I should have charged for or giving them a discount if I felt they were strapped for cash. The psychiatrist concludes that this is not really an attempt to rescue strangers but all about rescuing myself. Apparently I am trying to slay the dragons that developed in childhood.
It was only relatively recently that I discovered that there is a term for what I do and that is a ‘rescuers syndrome’ – it has manifested itself most noticeably in my plumbing and building work by doing favours for people that I hardly even know.
Even more alarming is that the experts say this doesn’t work and very soon frustration and resentment creeps in. That bloke down the road who’s leak I fixed for a tenner has just come back from a Caribbean cruise. In truth he never asked for the discount but I feel he owes me and I am now giving him evil stares.
Armed with this new self awareness, I am resisting all urges to act as The Good Samaritan. From this day forward it is all about me. Me first, me first. I will not simply pass by on the other side. I will cross the road, give them a good kicking and then walk away laughing. I am now operating on jungle law, survival of the fittest, kill or be killed. Apparently it is a much healthier attitude.
