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Kier Living commits to creating new woodland to mitigate its carbon usage

Dylan Garton
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Kier Living commits to creating new woodland to mitigate its carbon usage

As part of its new Greener Living campaign, which launches today, Kier Living, part of the Kier Group, has partnered with Forest Carbon, a company leading the way in voluntary carbon woodland creation in the UK, and has committed to planting 45,000 new trees by 2020 to offset its carbon usage.

Through its partnership with Forest Carbon, Kier Living will create new woodlands totalling 15,000 trees per annum over the next three years – to balance, in time, its annual 3,500 tonne CO2 footprint.

As well as its work with Forest Carbon, Kier Living is implementing greener working practices across all of its development sites. This includes changes in the way it uses energy, disposes of waste and how it uses equipment. It is also helping new home buyers at all Kier developments to become more energy efficient in everyday life, providing guidance on using household appliances, transport and energy resources.

John Anderson, executive director, Kier Living, said, “Although we are pleased to be leading by example and to be the first UK housebuilder to commit to this initiative with Forest Carbon, we know that we – and the house building industry – need to do more for the environment. It is a major undertaking but one which we are 100% committed to achieve, and we’re looking forward to becoming a more carbon efficient house builder by 2020.”

“As well as rolling out the Greener Living campaign across our business, we are talking to the communities we work in about the impact everyday actions have on the environment. Our communication with a wider audience means we ensure as many people as possible benefit from our commitment to becoming a more sustainable business.”

Stephen Prior, Director at Forest Carbon, said, “UK forestry is in desperate need of expansion. We are among the least forested countries in Europe, and yet for example a staggering 80% of the timber we use is imported. We also need new woodlands for habitat, flood mitigation, cleaner rivers and community access, all on top of carbon capture. Kier Living’s tremendous contribution is across all these project types”

Forest Carbon has planted 5.5 million trees in the UK since 2006 and, through partnerships with responsible businesses like Kier Living, is removing over 1,200,000 tonnes of CO2 from the nation’s atmosphere.  Its efforts also support flood mitigation, river improvement and public access and are assured by the UK government’s Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) for important areas such as additionality, risk management and carbon capture estimates.

www.kier.co.uk

One-in-ten builders making a loss due to material price hikes

Dylan Garton
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0
One-in-ten builders making a loss due to material price hikes

A third of small building firms say that soaring material prices are squeezing their margins with more than one-in-ten builders report making losses on their building projects as a consequence, according to the latest research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Construction SMEs have reported a range of material price increases since the depreciation of sterling following the EU referendum in June 2016. Small building firms were asked which materials have increased the most and the results were as follows:

1) Timber
2) Insulation
3) Bricks
4) Blocks
5) Windows
6) Plasterboard / slate (joint sixth)
7) Boilers and radiators
8) Porcelain products

The impact of these material price increases have been wide-ranging and include:

• 85% of builders think material price rises could drive consumers to hire rogue traders in an effort to save money on their building projects;

• One third of construction SMEs (32%) have had their margins squeezed;

• Almost one quarter (22%) have been forced to pass material price increases onto their clients, making projects more expensive for consumers;

• More than one-in-ten builders report making losses on their building projects due to material price increases.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, says: “Material price increases have left builders under severe pressure. This research shows that following the fall in the exchange rate, timber is the material that the majority of builders say has increased most in price but the problem doesn’t end there – everything from insulation to windows to bricks and blocks are soaring in price.

“A third of builders report that these price increases are eating into their already razor-thin margins – and this on top of increased wages and salaries stemming from long-term construction skills shortages. Furthermore, one-in-ten builders say that they’ve actually made losses on projects due to material price increases – this is most likely to happen when a particular product or material jumps up in price mid-project when then builder has already quoted for the work. Perhaps unwisely, some builders are absorbing these extra costs as opposed to re-quoting for the project.”

Berry concludes: “Material price spikes aren’t just a problem for builders – they’re also a problem for the home owner, with almost one quarter of builders saying that they have had to pass on price increases to their clients. This means that building projects now cost significantly more than they did this time last year. What with stagnant wages and price inflation across the economy, consumers are feeling the pinch and it might be that they decide not to commission that loft conversion or extension after all. Or worse still, 85% of builders believe that home owners will be tempted to hire rogue traders who are quoting a lower price than a professional building firm such as those that belong to the FMB. If that’s the case, material price rises could lead to a flurry of botched jobs and distressed consumers. We’re calling on home owners to hold their nerve – they’re better off commissioning a more modest project from a professional builder than a high spec project from a cowboy. Don’t take the risk.”

Worker Killed by Collapsing Trench Wall

Roger Bisby
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Worker Killed by Collapsing Trench Wall

A North East based company Mike Neesam & Son Limited has been fined after a collapsing trench wall which led to the death of 43-year old Steven Ratcliffe.

Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard how Mr Radcliffe an employee of Mike Neesam & Son had been working on a toilet refurbishment project on Hall Hill Farm County Durham, when he attempted to walk out of a shallow trench he was struck and crushed by a collapsing wall weighing approximately 2.2 tonnes.

Mr Radcliffe died as result of crush injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the circumstances of this tragic incident found the company failed to take the appropriate measures to prevent structures from collapsing; it was found the wall in question was left unsupported at the time of the incident and put employees at risk of harm.

Mike Neesam & Son Limited of Coundon Industrial Estate, Bishop Auckland has today pleaded guilty of breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The company has been fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5928.28. A victim surcharge of £120 was also ordered.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Andrew Woodhall said: “The company failed to identify the risks associated with free standing walls and as a result this ultimately cost Mr Ratcliffe his life.

“This tragic case should act as a reminder to all duty holders that appropriate safety measures need to be taken to protect employees at all times.”

Heavy duty safety barrier

Dylan Garton
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Heavy duty safety barrier

The Oxford Plastics Strong Wall Heavy Duty plastic Pedestrian
 Safety Barrier is a robust and stable
 barrier system which is designed to meet the demands of
 providing safe access for pedestrians through 
construction works.

The barrier comes with an 18kg base which ensures that
 the barrier is stable in windy conditions.

Strongwall features include:

• Compliant with Chapter 8 Streetworks
• Heavy recycled base of 18kg – standard colour black
• Top section is supplied in orange
• High density (HD) moulded top section can be water filled,
  which will add a further 15kg
• Designed for compact stacking to provide low
  transport costs
• Anti-tamper linking system – prevents
  unauthorised dismantle
• Can be personalised with corporate colour and logo
  as standard
• Recycled and 100% recyclable
• Designed and manufactured in the UK
• Performs well in windy conditions.

www.oxfordplastics.com

Companies Fined £1m After Failure to Review Asbestos Survey

Roger Bisby
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Companies Fined £1m After Failure to Review Asbestos Survey

Three companies have been fined a total of more than £1m after workers were exposed to asbestos while refurbishing a school in Waltham Forest.

Southwark Crown Court heard that on 24 July 2012 a worker removed part of a suspended ceiling in one of the ground floor refurbished rooms at St Mary’s school and identified suspect asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos fibres were subsequently found in numerous areas in the school.

The court heard that the London Borough of Waltham Forest had a contract with NPS London Limited to manage development and refurbishment of its estate. At the time of the incident, the Principal Contractor for the work was Mansell Construction Services (aka Balfour Beatty) and the subcontractor was Squibb Group Limited.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that although an asbestos survey was completed, there were multiple caveats and disclaimers which were not appropriately checked.

Balfour Beatty Regional Construction Limited (previously Mansell Construction Services Limited) of Canary Wharf, London was fined £500,000 and ordered to pay costs of £32,364 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

NPS London Limited, of Business Park Norwich, Norfolk was fined £370,000 and ordered to pay £32,364.84 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Squibb Group Limited, of Stanford Le Hope, Essex was fined £400,000 and ordered to pay costs of £175,000 after being found guilty after a trial of a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Sarah Robinson said: “The principal contractor and contractors on site did not review the survey report in detail, and did not take into consideration the multitude of caveats.

“Therefore the work undertaken did not adopt the high standards of control expected for working where there was the potential to expose workers to asbestos.”

Growth Slows for Construction SMEs

Roger Bisby
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Growth Slows for Construction SMEs

The SME construction sector grew in the second quarter of 2017, albeit at a slower rate in most parts of the UK than the first three months of the year, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Key results from the FMB’s State of Trade Survey for Q2 2017, which is the only quarterly assessment of the UK-wide SME construction sector, include:

  • Q2 2017 was the 17th consecutive quarter of positive growth which means that the construction SME sector has been growing for more than four years.
  • Almost one in two construction SMEs predict rising workloads in the coming three months, with just 9% predicting a decrease in activity.
  • 83% of builders believe that material prices will rise in the next six months.
  • 60% of construction SMEs are struggling to hire bricklayers; 57% are struggling to hire carpenters and joiners, and 47% are struggling to hire plumbers.
  • Almost two-thirds (62%) of construction SMEs expect salaries and wages to increase in the next six months.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Rising material prices and salaries could be starting to dampen growth among construction SMEs.

However, it is encouraging to see that the sector has continued to grow despite the recent snap General Election and the resulting hung Parliament.

The construction SME sector is particularly vulnerable to any dips in consumer confidence that might come from periods of political uncertainty.

It may be that a number of homeowners decided to delay any big spending decisions on new extensions or loft conversions while the election campaign was underway – this would account for the slow-down in growth seen in the second quarter of 2017.”

Berry concluded: “Looking ahead, almost two-thirds of construction firms expect wages and salaries to increase over the next six months and this is in contrast to stagnant wages elsewhere in the economy.

Rising salaries are undoubtedly the result of the escalating construction skills shortage – construction workers know their worth and are demanding higher wages from their employers.

The majority of construction SMEs are struggling to recruit key tradespeople such as bricklayers and carpenters and we’re seeing shortages in other trades, such as plumbers and plasterers, starting to creep up.

With Brexit on the horizon and worrying talk of the so-called ‘Tier 2’ immigration system replacing the free movement of people, the construction industry urges Ministers to bear in mind their strategic house building and infrastructure targets before pulling up the drawbridge on EU migrant workers.”

See more on SMEs with Skill Builder.

JB Kind’s weather resistant door – easy to fit in a day

Roger Bisby
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JB Kind’s weather resistant door – easy to fit in a day

In this video Roger Bisby demonstrates how to fit a weather resistant door from JB Kind. 

Doors which swell in the winter and shrink in the summer are a common problem for homeowners.

JB Kind’s External Extreme door offers a more stable solution as it’s made with Medite Tricoya Extreme Durable MDF, a groundbreaking construction material which we have covered before on Skill Builder.

The exceptionally durable and dimensionally stable material means the doors can withstand all weathers – JB Kind is so convinced of its effectiveness they even offer a ten year guarantee.

The doors are issued factory finished and ready to use and as demonstrated they are also easily fitted in a day by a competent joiner into an existing or new wooden door frame.

www.jbkind.com

Scaffolding alternative supplied

Dylan Garton
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Scaffolding alternative supplied

Easi-Dec, the working at height safety specialist, has supplied Everest with 72 Roofline systems to provide installation teams with a safe, efficient and cost effective solution for accessing roofline level when carrying out gutter, soffit and fascia replacements.

After working with scaffolding for several years, Everest investigated alternative working at height solutions. Having approached Easi-Dec about its Roofline system, the Everest health and safety and purchasing departments received numerous product demonstrations with the Easi-Dec team visiting Everest branches and existing projects to highlight how its system can accommodate different types of properties. Impressed by the safe, easy to use and cost effective system, Everest placed an order for 72 Easi-Dec Roofline platforms.

After working with scaffolding for several years, Everest investigated alternative working at height solutions.

The Easi-Dec system allowed trained operatives to erect the access equipment on the day of the installation and remove it upon completion, which caused less disruption to customers. The system removes the need to appoint external scaffold companies on some installations. Its individual platforms can also be used on window replacement contracts which offer further flexibility with the equipment.

The Easi-Dec system allowed trained operatives to erect the access equipment on the day of the installation and remove it upon completion, which caused less disruption to customers.

“The Easi-Dec Roofline system is well known within our industry and it not only offers a cost effective solution, but it also does not compromise on safety,” says Andy Hunter, Health & Safety Executive at Everest. “We purchased a significant amount of Easi-Dec equipment, and as a result, we worked closely with the company to deliver 72 training sessions around the UK in a very short space of time.  The service was excellent and the delivery of the equipment and training ran without any issues.  It was an absolute pleasure to deal with all of the team at Easi-Dec and I could not recommend them highly enough.”

Easi-Dec Roofline is a modular system incorporating one or more Easi-Dec platforms linked securely with Easi-Dec Catwalk to form a continuous fully-guarded platform. It has been designed to provide simple, rapid access to roofline level by eliminating the time constraints of erecting scaffolding and can be set up in less than 30 minutes. The 8 metre Roofline system comprises 2 Easi-Dec platforms and a Catwalk. It features telescopic legs that provide height adjustment in 30mm increments and can even cope with sloping ground. With a comprehensive range of accessories the Easi-Dec Roofline offers numerous benefits and can overcome a wide variety of challenging access situations.

The Roofline system is available with a standard leg height of 3.3m -5.5m, with alternative leg lengths also available enabling workers to cover the majority of properties, ranging from 2.34m (typical bungalow) up to 6.8m (2 storey town house).

easi-dec.co.uk

Firm Fined After Exposing Workers to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

Dylan Garton
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Firm Fined After Exposing Workers to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

An engineering firm has been fined for failing to control the risk to employees using handheld power tools from Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

Manchester and Salford Magistrates heard how Newfield Fabrications Co Ltd (NFCL) failed to ensure the risks to its employees from exposure was adequately controlled.

The company also failed to ensure its employees were given sufficient information, instruction and training on the effects of working with vibrating hand tools.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that sometime towards the end of 2015, a welder who had been working at the company for a number of years had been given a job that involved a significant amount of grinding and polishing.

After a number of hours on the task, the worker began to experience numbness and tingling. He asked to swap with another worker but was told to carry on.

Whilst his symptoms continued he was told by his supervisor to carry on using vibrating tools.

A few weeks later, a 20-year-old apprentice welder also began to suffer from vibration-related symptoms from using similar tools.

Newfield Fabrications Co Ltd of Sandbach, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 6(1) and 8(1) of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.

The company has been fined £120,000 and ordered to pay £7,241 costs.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Helen Jones said: “This is a case of the company failing to protect workers using vibrating tools.

Exposure to hand arm vibration is a well-known risk which the company failed to adequately control.

“The company also failed to ensure workers were looked after when symptoms did arise leading to further exposure.

This was wholly inadequate, and led to two employees suffering significant health effects.”

See more on Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome with Skill Builder.

LGA calls for ‘urgent and immediate’ building regulation review

Dylan Garton
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LGA calls for ‘urgent and immediate’ building regulation review

The Local Government Association has called on government to launch an “urgent and immediate” review of building regulations in the wake of the Grenfell Tower catastrophe.

Lord Porter, LGA Chairman, said: “Following on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, we want the Government to begin an urgent and immediate review of building regulations. We cannot wait for the result of the public inquiry or coroner’s report before this review is started. We have to act based on what we know now, while being prepared to revisit the building regulations again in the future if any additional lessons need to be learned.

“There is complexity and confusion in the current system that must be addressed and local government must play a central role in this review from the outset. The review needs to consider how easy it is to use, comply with and understand the building regulations and the associated documents supporting them, particularly those relating to the installation of cladding and insulation on external walls of buildings and how the building control, fire safety and planning regimes interact.

No time to wait

“Councils will do whatever it takes to ensure our residents are all safe in their homes. We have been clear all along that entire cladding panels and the insulation behind them need to be fire tested together as a system, rather than just the core of the panels on their own, and are also pleased these much-needed changes to the testing process will now happen. It is vital that we get this right and this whole-system testing needs to happen as soon as possible.

Lord Porter also urged that testing processes need to be more transparent. He said: “We are concerned that the Building Research Establishment (BRE), carrying out safety tests, does not feel able to release the results of previous cladding system tests, as these are deemed commercially confidential. If the public are going to have faith in this fire safety testing process then everything needs to be out in the open. It is no time for contractors or manufacturers to withhold test results from both councils and the public.

“The industry and BRE needs to waive this confidentiality in the public interest to assist the Government and councils in gathering as complete a picture as possible of what is and is not acceptable in cladding systems. These are exceptional circumstances when not only the safety of thousands of residents, but also the peace of mind of many more, is at stake.”

Keylite Polar PVC Roof Window Review

Roger Bisby
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Keylite Polar PVC Roof Window Review

Keylite Polar is a brand new white PVC roof window which is said to establish a new standard in maintenance free, energy efficient roof windows. Roger Bisby takes a closer look.

It surprised me to learn that the number of white roof windows now being sold in the UK is almost half of the total and if the trend continues the Scandinavian style plain pine window will become something of a rarity if not an endangered species. I, for one, hope it doesn’t disappear because I like to see a bit of timber.

Part of this move to white is because customers now like the idea of the roof window blending in with the ceiling rather than being a stand out feature. They may also have white PVC windows in the rest of the house so suddenly switching to timber for the roof windows is somewhat illogical. So if customers have already embraced the idea of a white roof window, the Keylite Polar PVC roof window is bound to be received with open arms, which, coincidentally, is the way Polar bears tend to greet you shortly before having you for lunch.

If customers have already embraced the idea of a white roof window, the Keylite Polar PVC roof window is bound to be received with open arms, which, coincidentally, is the way Polar bears greet you shortly before having you for lunch

I don’t want to get into that tired old timber versus plastic argument, both have their place, but in practical terms PVC has a lot going for it in areas of high humidity such as kitchens and bathrooms.

It also has enhanced insulation because of the trapped air pockets in the multi-cavity PVC extrusion. So if you are looking for a good window to keep out the cold this window is right up there on top of the world, so to speak. It has been described as the ‘Daddy of roof windows’ which is not to belittle the contribution that female Polar bears make. All those endless shopping trips to Iceland and hours spent slaving over a hot stove.

But there is more to the Polar than high insulation levels, the Keylite Polar shares its pedigree with other windows in the Keylite range. It has the same Flick Fit brackets and spring-loaded finger hinges, that have proved such popular features.

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Easy installation

For those of you who have yet to fit your first Keylite window (Keylite virgins white as the driven snow) I can tell you they are an absolute doddle. The brackets are already attached to the window and, in this case that means they are fitted into the steel reinforcement inside the frame so you don’t have to do any drilling or measuring to work out the bracket positions. This is a bonus in any roof window but particularly so in a steel reinforced PVC.

Because of the way the Flick Fit brackets operate you can fit the window with the glazed sash in place and then take it out afterwards if you want to fit the flashing from inside the roof. When it comes to putting that glazed sash back in you will see another big difference between Keylite and other roof windows. Instead of having dangling finger hinges they are spring loaded. They have taken away the dangle so they stay in position rather than responding to gravity. It is therefore a very simple task to guide them in without one side slipping out while you put in the other side, and once they are, in you simply close the window as normal to activate the retaining buttons.

Thermal collar

The third stand-out feature of Keylite roof windows is the built in thermal collar. To be fair most, if not all, roof windows have an optional thermal collar to prevent cold bridging across the frame and these collars are highly effective in increasing the overal U value but very few installers bother to fit them. This could be because they don’t know about them or it could be that they simply don’t want to fork out the extra money for a thermal collar so, even though, everyone agrees that a thermal collar is necessary very few ever get fitted and that means that merchants tend not to stock them.

Keylite looked at this situation and decided to take responsibility for fitting this thermal collar in the factory as standard and rather than charging the extra they swallowed the cost. The bottom line is that the customer gets a warmer window for the same kind of money as other quality windows and the installer gets an easier life. Happy days.

If you want to see the Keylite Polar in action visit Keylite.co.uk and watch Roger Bisby demonstrating the way it works. No animals were harmed during the making of this video.

www.keyliteroofwindows.com

Mercedes-Benz pick-up truck revealed

Dylan Garton
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Mercedes-Benz pick-up truck revealed

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its first pick-up truck – the hotly anticipated Mercedes-Benz X-Class which will be available in Europe from November at a price of 37,294 Euro. 

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class is said to push the boundaries of the modern pick-up – designed to be used as a rugged, all-terrain pickup but also as a vehicle for urban lifestyles and families.

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class at a glance:

  • The Mercedes among pickups: The Mercedes-Benz X-Class is said to unite the typical traits of a pickup – robustness, functionality, strength and off-road capabilities – with the classical characteristics of a real Mercedes – design, comfort, driving dynamics and safety.
  • Brand characteristic SUV design: With the centrally positioned star, twin-louvre radiator grille, honed bonnet and headlamps extending far into the wings, the X-Class seamlessly fits in to the Mercedes-Benz portfolio.
  • Premium effect: There are three trim parts for the cockpit, six seat covers including two leather variants with contrasting topstitching, and two colours for the roof lining provide the widest choice of materials and colours in this vehicle segment.
  • A pickup to suit different lifestyles and work environments: The PURE basic variant is designed for classic robust use, PROGRESSIVE for higher requirements in terms of quality feel and comfort, and POWER as the high-end variant for urban lifestyles.
  • Individualisation on account of a diverse range of Mercedes-Benz accessories: As from its market launch, customers can add a styling bar, side bar, canopy, various covers as well as numerous cargo and off-road solutions – all developed and designed by Mercedes.
  • Enjoyable performance with four and six cylinders: As from its market launch, customers can choose between the common rail diesel X 220 d (120 kW/163 hp) and X 250 d (140 kW/190 hp) as well as a petrol engine (122 kW/165 hp) in selected markets. A top-of-the-range V6 diesel (190kW/258hp) will be released mid-2018 occupying a leading position in the segment.
  • Driving enjoyment on a par with passenger cars: Thanks to the wide track, the spring and damping system tuned for the comfort typical of a Mercedes, and the coil springs as well as internally vented disc brakes on the front and rear, the X-Class is said to offer off-road and on-road performance.
  • All-wheel drive for any surface: The engageable 4MATIC all-wheel drive with low-range gearing and optional differential lock on the rear axle masters any terrain. From the middle of next year a permanent all-wheel drive will be available.
  • Star safety: The X-Class features exemplary passive and active safety equipment including: Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Sign Assist, among others.
  • Intelligently connected: Thanks to Mercedes me connect, X-Class customers are connected to their vehicle via smartphone at all times and can call up useful information such as the location of the vehicle or the fuel level, and navigate from door to door.

Workplace fatality figures reveal need for modern training methods

Roger Bisby
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Workplace fatality figures reveal need for modern training methods

The construction industry must do more to ensure health and safety compliance and avoid incidents, according to specialist training provider Develop Training Limited (DTL).

The company’s comments follow publications of the Health & Safety Executive’s annual workplace fatality figures, which revealed that across the UK, more than 135 workers were fatally injured between April 2016 and March 2017 with the largest share of fatal incidents in the construction sector.

There were 30 deaths in the sector in the 12 months covered by the report, and the annual average rate over the last five years in construction is around four times as high as the all industry rate.

Although the construction industry has made changes and reduced overall facilitates, national training specialist DTL believes that more effective training can still be deployed to reduce risks.

Steve Braund, Marketing Manager at DTL, explains: “The best way of preventing incidents is to ensure employees are trained efficiently using modern training methods that ensure people learn and retain vital information in a way that works for them. On top of that, and directly related to it, organisations in the construction industry need their people to put procedures in place – and follow them properly.

“As things stand, many construction companies rely on old-fashioned training models that deliver health and safety learning experiences that are soon forgotten. Modern training techniques, by comparison, ensure that responsible persons are trained more effectively than with traditional, classroom-only training. This, coupled with new competency qualifications and compliance processes, gives management real reassurance that employees are equipped to prevent incidents, and prepared for any incidents that do occur.”

www.developtraining.co.uk

Contractor fined £10,000 after electrician is paralysed falling off own ladder

Dylan Garton
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Contractor fined £10,000 after electrician is paralysed falling off own ladder

London contractor Meadows WR LLP (MWR) has been fined after a 60 year-old man fell off a ladder, through an opening and down to the lower floor of a house in St Albans.

St Albans Crown Court heard how the 60-year-old man, Mr Kundi, died three years after the incident. MWR contracted him to part demolish and refurbish a property in St Albans and convert it into four maisonettes.

The incident took place on 30 May 2012, when the electrician Mr Kundi was working on the first floor of the house. Access was through an opening to the first floor. He was working on his own stepladder on the first floor, when he fell off the stepladder and through the opening onto the ground floor.

The worker broke his spine in three places and was paralysed from the chest down; he spent three months in a coma and a total of twelve months in hospital.

Mr Kundi died in May 2015, with the cause of death being respiratory failure due to a collapsed lung and pneumonia alongside his spinal injuries and paraplegia.

The HSE found the opening onto the first floor had no edge protection to prevent the risk of failing through. It was also found that MWR failed to plan, manage and monitor the work to the required standard

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the opening onto the first floor had no edge protection to prevent the risk of failing through. It was also found that MWR failed to plan, manage and monitor the work to the required standard.

Meadows WR LLP of City Road, London has pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 22 (1) of the Construction (Design Management) Regulations 2007.

The company has been fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £10,000.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector John Berezansky said: “Working at height is a high-risk activity as well as all construction work, effective controls and management is essential to avoid serious injuries and incidents like this.

“The developer Meadows WR LLP failed in its duty to ensure such measures were in place to prevent this tragic incident.”

PassivSystems Partners with ENGIE

Roger Bisby
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PassivSystems Partners with ENGIE

Following ENGIE’s recent move into the UK home energy market ­ the energy and services company has announced it will provide smart heating controls from PassivSystems to customers choosing its new three-year fixed ENGIE Control tariff.

The controls, which are part of the PassivLiving HEAT service, will provide homeowners with the ability to regulate their living space and water heating from any location using a web-enabled smart device such as a phone, PC or tablet.

Eliminating the need for complicated timers, the smart heating system works with networked sensors.

It considers several factors, including weather conditions, the home’s thermal properties and boiler performance to make sure customers’ properties are heated to suit their needs, using as little energy as possible.

The flexible, smart thermostat controls are designed to improve comfort and heating control within the home, while aiming to reduce heat consumption.

Colin Calder, CEO of PassivSystems, said: “With no upfront costs required for the supply and installation of the smart thermostats, the partnership between ourselves and ENGIE announced today will deliver significant energy cost savings for customers.

More people will be given access to Passiv’s heating controls, while also benefitting from the protection of rising energy prices through choosing fixed tariff schemes such as those now offered by ENGIE.”

Paul Rawson, CEO of ENGIE’s UK home energy business commented: “The cost of heating our homes makes up the greatest proportion of household energy bills so it made absolute sense to us to make smart heating more accessible.

“By allowing our customers to only heat their home when they need to, we hope ENGIE Control will help them feel more in control, reduce the amount of energy they use and save money in the process.”

www.passivsystems.com

Lighting ideas to help sell a property

Dylan Garton
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Lighting ideas to help sell a property

Whether you are building a house or renovating a property for sale, it’s important to consider your lighting scheme from the outset, says Luke Czerpak.

The power of good lighting is often underestimated when planning a new build or renovation, but it is one of the simplest and most cost effective ways of showcasing a property. The right lighting can highlight the best features of a room, create atmosphere and brighten a dark property, creating a feel of light and space.

It is also an important feature in creating great photographs – which are an important selling tool. The first thing most people look at when searching for properties online are the photos – or even virtual tours which are becoming increasingly popular. Having the right lighting can create the wow factor and show a property in the best possible light, even during the darker winter months.

All too often, lighting is considered as an after-thought, or the finishing touch, when it should actually form part of the initial planning process

However, all too often, lighting is considered as an after-thought, or the finishing touch, when it should actually form part of the initial planning process.

Choosing the right light source

There are many different types of light sources that are available, so it helps to be aware of the options. You may want different types of lighting for different kinds of rooms – for example, lighting requirements in kitchens and bedrooms are often very different. You might also want to ensure that your property has good eco credentials, in which case, choosing the right lighting source is very important. These are the most common lighting technologies currently available:

  • LEDs – This is a modern, low energy light source based on electronic light emitting diodes. A good choice for a green build, LEDs are long lasting (up to 50,000 hours) and versatile, available as lamps, modules and tapes. LEDs run on extra low voltage so a driver of some description will often be required, although this may already be inbuilt in some fittings. Care should be taken when planning to dim LEDs or control them with motion sensors or photocells as there may be compatibility issues.
  • Fluorescent – another low energy technology, although not quite as efficient as LEDs. The average life of these lamps is around 10,000 hours. Fluorescent lighting does have a slight delay before reaching full brightness after switch on. If dimming is required, you will need to fit special ballasts incorporating dimming technology such as 0-10V or DALI.  This kind of functional lighting is particularly suitable for places such as garages and attic spaces.
  • Halogen incandescent – This is a high-energy technology available in either extra low or mains supply voltage, so a separate transformer may not be required. Halogen lamps last an average of 4,000 hours but it’s important to note that these lamps burn at exceptionally high temperatures exceeding 400°C, therefore, extra care should be taken when positioning them near flammable surfaces. Despite being costly to run, halogen lamps have a high colour rendition index and dim very well with a wide variety of equipment.
  • Standard incandescent – This has been almost completely phased out as there are more efficient options.

Design and positioning

The next stage of planning is designing an efficient and effective lighting scheme for the property. My advice would be to focus first on people, then on architecture, then art. The purpose of lighting in a home is primarily is to enhance comfort as well as functionality for the people who live there. Using lighting techniques such as layering, grazing, silhouetting and wall washing can help create a range of different environments and moods.

Layering – Light layering uses four primary layers of light: ambient, task, accent and decorative:

  • Ambient is a soft, diffuse light that occurs naturally, entering through windows, doors and skylights before any additional layers are added. Ambient light creates an airy, relaxed atmosphere.
  • Task lighting provides the illumination required for activity – for example, the spotlights above a kitchen island.
  • Accent lighting is used to highlight and add emphasis to items and structural features such as exposed brickwork, nooks and joinery. It can help to have an understanding of how the finished room will be decorated and furnished.
  • Decorative lighting uses fixtures that are chosen for their aesthetics over their functional performance. Examples include lamps, wall sconces and pendants are examples of these. Again, it’s a good idea to tie this in with the interior scheme, matching themes, fabrics and finishes.

Positioning

  • Wall washing – this involves pushing light to the edges of the room, using the reflective properties of light bouncing off walls and surfaces to illuminate the room and achieve an ambient illumination rather than the harsh direct beam onto the floor created by grid lighting.
  • Silhouetting and grazing – these techniques enhance the visual appeal of a room. Silhouetting involves shining a light behind an object in an alcove or niche to create added interest and drama. Grazing involves passing a narrow-beamed light source over a texture to create stunning visual effects.Taking control of lighting
    Once you have decided on sources, fittings and techniques, the next step is to choose a method of control. The best way to do this is by visualising how the space will be used on a day to day basis and whether different areas are likely to be used at different times. This will help to determine the most appropriate location for the user interface or switches and to specify an appropriate lighting control system.

A good lighting control system will be adaptable, so the lighting can be altered to suit the occasion or mood. You can incorporate dimming to provide a softer, more subdued atmosphere, or movement sensors that switch the light automatically when they detect heat sources such as the human body.

Ultimately to get your lighting right, it’s important to seek the advice of a professional electrician, to ensure your lighting operates in the way that you want it to, with the facility to expand lighting options in the future.  Ensure that anyone you use is accredited by an industry body such as the ECA, which is a good marker of competence and offers various guarantees and warranties to cover projects completed by member companies.

A house is more than bricks and mortar- planning a successful build or renovation involves thinking about how each space will be used so you can create the kind of living space that will appeal to prospective buyers.  The right lighting can really help to achieve that.

Luke Czerpak is the Compliance Manager at Eaton Electrical (www.eatononline.co.uk) and has been involved in many heritage projects including museums and art galleries, as well as National Trust and Landmark Trust properties.

www.eatononline.co.uk

Construction lagging on gender diversity, says Pipeline report

Dylan Garton
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Construction lagging on gender diversity, says Pipeline report

Women Count 2017, the second annual report by the Pipeline, has tracked and analysed the number of women on Executive Committees of FTSE 350 companies and has found that progress on gender diversity in senior roles has regressed.

With only 16% of members on Executive Committees being women, the same percentage as 2016, there has been no progress. Also, more companies have no women on their Executive committees and have no women executives holding roles with profit and loss (P&L) responsibility than in 2016.

The Pipeline, looked at construction companies in the FTSE 350 and found there is much work to be done:

  • Just 6% of construction companies in the FTSE 350 have Executive Committees which are at least 25% female, which is nineteen points below the average.
  • Construction companies are below average in the proportion of women executives that operate in P&L roles (27% compared to 35% across the FTSE 350).
  • The construction sector is slightly above average in terms of women executives that sit on main plc boards (22% compared to 16% across the FTSE 350)

Electricity, Oil, Gas, Steam, Waste and Water appeared in the top quartile for companies with at least 25% women on Executive Committees, proportion of women executives in P&L roles and companies with women executives on main plc boards. Although this is based on a low baseline (ie disappointing numbers of women in senior roles) it does show that companies, where STEM based skills are important to their business, are making progress. This shows it is possible for construction companies, who also recruit employees with STEM based skills, to make the right interventions to achieve higher numbers of women in senior roles.

Analysis from Women Count 2017 also showed the demonstrable economic benefits for companies who have women in more senior roles. Net profit margins almost double in companies with at least 25% females on their Executive committee compared to those with none.

  • If all FTSE 350 companies performed at the same level as those with at least 25% females on their Executive Committee, the impact could be a £5bn gender dividend for Corporate UK
  • Companies with a female CEO have, on average, almost twice the number of women on Executive Committees than those run by men and more than three times the number of female executives in P&L roles than those led by men

Commenting on the findings, Donald Brydon, Chairman of the London Stock Exchange Group said: “Women Count 2017 continues to confirm that FTSE 350 companies with 25% or more women on their Executive Committees perform better financially. It is therefore concerning that the percentage of women on Executive Committees has stagnated at 16% for the second year. It is clear that companies will have to do more systematically to meet the Government’s target of 33% by 2020.”

Lorna Fitzsimons, Co-founder of The Pipeline said: “This report is ringing a very loud alarm bell for business. With agendas dominated by Brexit, the focus on gender diversity at senior levels has been slipping.  Women Count shows there is an increase in profit for companies who have over 25% women on their Executive Committees. In this post Brexit era can this return be ignored by construction companies?

“This is a wake-up call for everyone who supports the Hampton-Alexander recommendation to Government to achieve 33% representation of women on FTSE 100 executive committees and their direct reports by 2020. This target is in danger of being missed. Businesses and Government need to renew their drive and be relentless to achieve this goal.

“This is not an equality issue. This is an economic issue and there are signs we are starting to slip back. This report should serve as a call to arms for us all.”

Redland Apprentice Roofing’s Top 10

Dylan Garton
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Redland Apprentice Roofing’s Top 10

Somerset’s Joe Stradling has won the prestigious title of Redland Apprentice of the Year against stiff competition as one of ten of the country’s best roofing apprentices.

In a West Country double, Cornishman Tom Knight was awarded Highly Commended, a category created to acknowledge how close he was to the top award.

Joe, who works West Country Tiling in Frome, has won a £1,000 cash prize to invest in the future, the title of Redland Apprentice of the Year 2017; together with a trophy, and a lifetime supply of free-of-charge courses at the Redland National Training Centre.

Both Joe and Tom said they found the competition not only challenging but also rewarding, introducing them to another side of the industry.

“The competition was really good but it wasn’t what I’d expected and took me and everyone else out of our comfort zone,” commented Joe, while Tom could see it furthering their careers in the long term. “It really boosted my confidence and taught me skills that I would need to run my own business, presentation particularly,” he said.

As Joe’s tutor, Alan King of NCC South points out, the competition was not simply to reward roofing skills but also to highlight the industry’s future leaders and entrepreneurs.

“This fantastic initiative wasn’t a skills test but was about the lads applying themselves and learning to present themselves as young businessmen,” he said.

“I saw lads that were shy to begin with but by the end, they were confident enough to give a 10-minute presentation in front of a room full of people they’d never met before.”

Joe and Tom are the cream of a crop chosen from building colleges throughout England and Wales, from County Durham to Truro and from Tonypandy to Chelmsford.

And they come from all manner of backgrounds, proving the attractions of skilled trade in construction.

The competition is part of a strategy by Redland –  one of the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of pitched roof systems – to address the challenges faced by the industry in meeting the ambitious Government housing targets.

The competition is part of a strategy by Redland – one of the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of pitched roof systems – to address the challenges faced by the industry in meeting the ambitious Government housing targets.

The sector must recruit 700,000 more people to replace those retiring or moving on, plus an extra 120,000 if the government’s aim to build one million new homes by 2020 is to be achieved.

“We recognise the need to ensure new joiners to the industry receive the necessary levels of support that they need to develop and succeed which is why we launched this programme,” commented David Patrick, Redland’s Head of Marketing.

The final took place over two days – 27th and 28th June – at the Redland National Training Centre. Finalists will receive professional coaching on all aspects of running a roofing business – including business planning, presentation skills, and technical skills – before being assessed, making this a complete learning experience.

A selection of leading figures in the roofing industry judged the candidates and participated in “knowledge-sharing sessions” over the course of the two days.

In these the apprentices put questions to the panel, enabling the judges to this next generation of roofers the benefit of their experience.

“The knowledge sharing session was very useful too, and I learnt a lot from being able to ask questions about how to run your own business and listening to the others asking questions that I hadn’t thought of,” thought Tom.

Tutor Alan Lander of the South West Roof Training Group further said that the competition is the first of its kind in the roofing sector and a real boost to the contestants.

“The competition itself was brilliant and it really stretched the lads – you could actually see them growing. This is typical of the investment that the company makes in our industry,” he commented. “We really couldn’t deliver the training that we do without Redland’s support, it’s priceless.”

The competition peaked with the Apprentice of the Year Awards Dinner – consisting of the 10 finalists, their tutors and employers, and judges.

The other eight finalists in the Redland Apprentice of the Year competition were:

Redland Apprentice

  • David Crank, Stanley, County Durham. Training with Newcastle College and apprentice to Hodgson Sayers.
  • Ben Kearns, Stoke-on-Trent. Training with NCC Midlands and apprentice to Novus Property Solutions.
  • Kieran Langhan, Selby, Yorkshire. Training with Leeds College of Building and apprentice to David Langhan Roofing Contractor.
  • Gavin Metson, Chelmsford, Essex. Training with Eastern Region Roof Training Group and apprentice to Avonside.
  • Ceiran Peel-Price, Irby, Wirral, Merseyside. Training with Bolton College and apprentice to Les Perry Roofing Contractors.
  • Liam Smy, Ipswich, Suffolk. Training with Eastern Region Roof Training Group and apprentice to Scofield & Lait.
  • Moy Trott, Tonypandy, Wales. Training with Wales National Roof Training Group and apprentice to Trottsco.
  • Ollie Young, Bath. Training with Cornwall College and apprentice to Young’s Roofing.

Check out the Redland website: www.redland.co.uk

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Triton Geared Eccentric Orbital Sander review

Roger Bisby
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Triton Geared Eccentric Orbital Sander review

Roger Bisby revs up with the Triton Geared Eccentric Orbital Sander.

Ah! life can get very confusing. No sooner do we all get used to a random orbit and then Triton comes out with ‘eccentric’ orbit. When does an orbit cease being random and become eccentric or is it the other way round? Is there a difference?

No sooner do we all get used to a random orbit and then Triton comes out with ‘eccentric’ orbit. When does an orbit cease being random and become eccentric or is it the other way round?

So many questions so little time so move on because there is even more to consider here. A robust and positive lever on the side changes it from ‘free run’ random, AKA eccentric, to geared fixed for more grunt and less finesse which is what you need for higher stock removal when swirl marks are not a consideration. You wouldn’t, I know, but somebody might operate that button with the machine in motion which is a bad idea because it will crunch the gears.

Triton 3

So now we have sorted out what this 500 watt sander can do for you let’s look at the rest of it. The disc size is 150mm with 16 holes for 8 or 16 holes pads. There is also a dust extraction port but no bag which is a shame if you are using it untethered because it kicks the dust out the back and onto the user.

Like all Triton tools it is out of China but designed in York. If anything, it is over engineered with lots of magnesium alloy where other manufacturers might use plastic and it has nice big vibration damping grips which allow you to hold it comfortably even with gloves on.

That is a good idea but my instinct and, that of the people in Triton’s pictures, is to hold the back end with one hand for better control and there is no rubber over moulding on the back end. Presumably the tests have shown that most of the vibration is on the head and not the body. The large front grip has a quick adjustment lever which moves it up and down and from side to side which is a nice touch.

There is a rubber-covered lockable on/off switch on the top and there is a small thumb wheel tucked into the back end which operates the electronic speed control for constant speed to help prevent scorching or melting and clogging, that sometimes occurs with paint removal. It even has an indicator to show you what speed you are doing but if you can’t judge that by looking at the disc you really shouldn’t be driving this thing.

Triton lever

I like the fact that is comes in a Triton zipped holdall with a generous starter pack of discs and a set of spare carbon brushes that are easily changed from the outside. I also like the 3 year warranty and the price is nice.

Safeguard Roxil Range Review

Roger Bisby
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Safeguard Roxil Range Review

Roxil? If you have never heard of it join the club, this is my first brush with the product, says Roger Bisby in his review of the Roxil Outdoor Protection Range from Safeguard Europe.

Roxil Wood Protection Cream

Roxil Wood Protection Cream is a colourless cream that gives softwood a water resistant silicone coat that also penetrates the fibres to help prevent rot.

The cream is white when you apply it to give a trace and help achieve even coverage but it dries as clear as water with no sheen.

It is said to give protection for 10 years and re-coating requires nothing more than a quick clean down, preferably with Roxil wood and patio cleaner to help eliminate any bio mould growth.

There is no need for sanding or keying of the surface because the protection cream is absorbed rather than sitting on the surface.

Roxil 0677

This product is perfect for any situation where you want to maintain the appearance of the timber whilst giving it protection and improving the stability.

The stability is an important consideration because, all to often, timber with fluctuating moisture content will warp and twist.

Of course, it needs to be said that there are plenty of oils and waxes out there which will do roughly the same thing but some of those natural oils actually promote mould growth so you need to know what to apply and where if you are to avoid making matters worse.

Obviously, North facing elevations are more prone to mould growth and moisture doesn’t evaporate from them as readily so they may stay permanently damp during the winter.

Roxil Patio Cleaner

The easy way to clean a patio is with a pressure washer but often it removes pointing or joint fill and it can also cause surface erosion which gives a key for algae.

Using a cleaner such as this Roxil wood and patio cleaner removes mould and dirt and prepares the surface for a protective coating such as Roxil Patio cream.

Roxil 4 1

Patio Cream

It may well be that this is the same product as their timber cream since it penetrates and protects in a very similar way.

You even apply it in the same way with a brush or roller so who knows. The important thing is that it helps prevent future staining and helps reduce mould growth so you may not be out there every spring scrubbing and sweeping.

I am no chemist so I won’t pretend to know the ins and outs of this magic potion but it seems to work. I used it on my neighbour’s new patio so it had better work or my name will be mud.

Roxil 75

www.safeguardeurope.com

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