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Roofing boss prosecuted for worker’s fall

Dylan Garton
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0
Roofing boss prosecuted for worker’s fall

A self-employed businessman has been prosecuted after his employee fell from the flat roof of a building and died from his injuries.

Manchester Crown Court heard how, on 22 December 2013, father of two, Jason Fogarty, a casual employee of Roy Hardaker (trading as 9 to 5 Roofing), was working on a flat roof replacement project. He was working alongside. Hardaker.

The roof replacement was complete and the men were installing cladding and flashing around the top of the building to seal the edges of the roof. Mr. Fogarty was holding the cladding sheets in position from a ladder footed by his colleague, while Hardaker secured the sheets and the flashing from the roof.

Mr. Fogarty climbed up onto the roof and subsequently fell from the edge and was pronounced dead at the scene. The reason for him climbing to the roof was not discovered.

A joint investigation carried out by Greater Manchester Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the work was not properly planned in order to ensure it could be carried out safely. As a result, there were no measures in place, such as scaffold edge protection, to prevent falls from the edges of the roof.

HSE inspector Laura Moran said after the hearing: “The dangers associated with working at height are well known.

“Mr. Hardaker is an experienced roofer, who completely failed in his duties to properly plan the roof work and to ensure it was carried out safely. By failing to have suitable edge protection installed around the building, Mr. Hardaker put himself and his employees at risk, ultimately costing Mr. Fogarty his life.”

Roy Hardaker 9 to 5 Roofing, of Oldham, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for two years and 200 hours of unpaid work

Westferry Printworks demolition begins in London’s Docklands

Dylan Garton
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0
Westferry Printworks demolition begins in London’s Docklands

Westferry Printworks owner Northern & Shell and development manager Mace have this week started demolition of Westferry Printworks in London’s Docklands, paving the way for a new waterfront neighbourhood just minutes from Canary Wharf. 

Westferry Printworks demolition

Richard Desmond, founder and owner of Northern & Shell, together with his wife Joy and son Valentine, were on site for the proceedings. The Westferry Printworks development received planning consent in August 2016. The 16 acre site will provide over 700 new private and affordable homes which will be available to buy or rent.

The development is being designed with lifestyle at its heart, and it is hoped will become a place where people will want to live, work and spend quality time. Residents and locals alike will benefit from beautiful open spaces and waterside walks, two new parks and a new south-facing dockside waterfront promenade. They will be able to enjoy a mix of independent restaurants, bars and shops, great sporting facilities, a new community centre and crèche, healthcare amenities, a cultural ‘hub’ and a new 1,200-space secondary school. This will be a place where people will have space to breath, just a short walk from the Canary Wharf business district.

Richard Desmond, commented: “My company, Northern & Shell, was the first owner, developer and occupier in 1982 in London Docklands, and we moved our publishing business and headquarters there. This helped our small business then to expand and we have been proud to be associated with the regeneration of London Docklands for 35 years.  This connection was reinforced with our acquisition of the Express Newspapers group in 2000 together with its groundbreaking printing operation – Westferry Printworks which provided hundreds of jobs for the people of Docklands and the surrounding area.  I am therefore delighted to be implementing our vision for the next generation of Docklands residents with our new neighbourhood here in the centre of London’s Docklands, just minutes from Canary Wharf.”

CSCS to stop issuing CRO cards from 31st March 2017

Dylan Garton
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0
CSCS to stop issuing CRO cards from 31st March 2017

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is reminding industry to be prepared for the withdrawal of the Construction Related Occupation (CRO) card.

CSCS will stop issuing CRO cards from 31st March 2017 and all CRO cards issued since October 2015 will expire on 30th September 2017*.

CSCS Head of Communications Alan O’Neile said: “The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) announced (via the Industrial Strategy: Construction 2025) that skills certification card schemes carrying the CSCS logo must only certify those occupations with nationally recognised construction related qualifications, i.e. NVQs or approved equivalents.

“The CRO card is issued without the requirement to demonstrate the applicant has achieved an appropriate qualification and as such does not meet the requirements of the CLC.”

The removal of the CRO card will impact over 230,000 CRO card holders and the alternatives available will depend on the qualifications held by the applicant and whether their occupation is categorised as construction related.

In many cases CRO card holders will be required to register for existing or newly developed qualifications before their CRO cards expire. In others CRO card holders will be moved to one of CSCS’s Partner Card Schemes that are more appropriate for their occupations. For some, where their occupation is not construction related or no suitable qualification exists, a CSCS card will no longer be issued and it will be the responsibility of site supervisors and managers to ensure these workers are properly supervised and managed.

In many cases CRO card holders will be required to register for existing or newly developed qualifications before their CRO cards expire. In others CRO card holders will be moved to one of CSCS’s Partner Card Schemes that are more appropriate for their occupations.

CSCS Chief Executive Graham Wren added: “Together with our key industry stakeholders we have been preparing for the eventual withdrawal of the CRO card since 2015. This development is fully in line with the industry’s desire to ensure a fully qualified workforce and a lot of work has taken place to ensure CRO card holders know which qualifications are available and to make their transition to appropriate alternative arrangements as smooth as possible.

“The withdrawal of the CRO card is a practical step towards achieving the CLC’s requirement of ensuring nationally recognised qualifications are in place for all occupations. By certifying construction workers have the correct training and qualifications CSCS can play its part in improving standards and safety on UK construction sites.”

If you are a CRO cardholder visit www.cscs.uk.com/cro to find out what steps you need to take.

*For the avoidance of doubt, CRO cards issued before October 2015 will remain valid until their expiry date. All related occupation cards issued by the following Partner Card Schemes, SKILLcard (Construction Related Occupation), ECS (Related Disciplines), JIB-UK PHMES  (Plumbing Related Occupation), will also remain valid until their expiry date. A full list of the Partner Card Schemes is available here.

Worker loses leg in “accident that should never have happened”

Dylan Garton
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0
Worker loses leg in “accident that should never have happened”

A Canvey Island engineering firm has been sentenced for health and safety breaches after a worker suffered life-changing injuries.

Southend-on-Sea Magistrates’ Court heard that on 10 June 2015 Felix Trefas, 27, a welder for F. Brazil Reinforcements Ltd, was making large steel reinforcing cages which were moved by overhead travelling cranes.

When one of these cranes broke down, a colleague asked Mr Trefas to climb more than an estimated six metres up the crane supports to re-set the controls. While Mr Trefas was resetting the faulty crane, his left leg was crushed when he came into contact with another overhead crane. His leg was later amputated below the knee.

The District Judge heard the overhead cranes were poorly maintained so that workers regularly had to work at height to re-set them and during the night shift this often involved workers climbing the crane support column

Summing up he said this “horrific accident should never have happened” and that the company “should have had systems in place” to identify that unsafe access to the cranes was regularly occurring.

The court also heard the toilet and washing facilities for workers were in an extremely poor and dirty condition despite having been the subject of previous enforcement action by HSE.

F. Brazil Reinforcements Ltd of Romainville Way, Charfleets Industrial Estate, Canvey Island pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and to two separate breaches of Regulation 4 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

It was fined £277,000 in relation to the Section 3(1) charge, a single penalty of £5,000 in relation to the two breaches of Regulation 4, and ordered to pay £11,904 costs and £120 victim surcharge.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Sue Matthews commented: “It is essential that lifting equipment is properly maintained and that safe systems of work are in place for work at height. Employers have a duty to ensure that welfare facilities are kept clean.

“Felix is incredibly lucky that he was not killed in this incident but he has suffered permanent life-changing injuries. This preventable workplace accident has changed the life of a previously fit and hard-working young man irrevocably.” 

Screwfix opens 500th store

Dylan Garton
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Screwfix opens 500th store

Omnichannel retailer, Screwfix has opened its 500th UK store at Lumina Park, Enfield, north London, marking a major milestone in the retailer’s expansion of its store network.

Since opening its first store in Yeovil in 2005, Screwfix has grown significantly and has opened one store per week for the past six years meaning 90% of the UK population is within a 20 minute drive time of a store.

Screwfix’s second store in Enfield – Southbury has brought 15 more jobs to the local community, bringing the UK Screwfix team to over 10,000 employees.

Andrew Livingston, CEO of Screwfix, commented: “We’re immensely proud to be opening our 500th Screwfix store. This is a significant moment for our business and demonstrates our focus on continued growth to meet the needs of our busy customers.

“As we reach this milestone for Screwfix, I want to thank our staff and, of course our customers.  Our success relies on their success, so we remain as committed as ever to making things easier for them.”

Since starting life as the Woodscrew Supply Company in 1979, Screwfix has always strived to deliver convenience, value and the wide product range required by its busy trade customers and serious DIYers. Its store network is visited by 2.9m customers a year and Screwfix.com by 2.5 million unique visitors each week.

Screwfix says its continued investment in bricks and mortar alongside other elements of its omnichannel retail model, ensures customer convenience is prioritised, as they know they can get the products they need at a store close by.  Screwfix understands that time is money for many of its customers and, as a result, offers other services for convenience such as its award-winning 24/7 UK contact centre, extended opening hours at its stores and next day deliveries seven days a week.

In addition, its ever-growing Click & Collect service, which enables customers to pick-up their goods in as little as one minute after ordering online or over the phone, has already received more than 13 million orders.

www.screwfix.com

Suspended sentence for unregistered gas worker

Roger Bisby
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Suspended sentence for unregistered gas worker

A man has been fined and given a suspended prison sentence after working on a number of boilers without being Gas Safe registered.

High Wycombe Crown Court heard how Philip Locke carried out work on a boiler in 2013 without being registered, faults were later found with the boiler.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuting issued a letter to Mr Locke informing him of his responsibility to be registered in order to work on boilers. Further information given to HSE suggested that Mr Locke failed to become Gas Safe registered.

Mr Philip Locke of Chalfont St Giles, High Wycombe pleaded of breaching pleaded guilty to two charges under the Gas Safety Regulations 1998 has been sentenced to four months imprisonment suspended for one year and fined £6500 and ordered to pay costs of £6280.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Stephen Faulkner said: “Philip Locke showed disregard for the law when he continued to work on gas appliances without certification.

“This case highlights the importance that plumbers must be competent and Gas Safe registered to work on gas appliances.”

Festool Kapex KS 60 Sliding Compound Mitre Saw demonstration

Roger Bisby
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Festool Kapex KS 60 Sliding Compound Mitre Saw demonstration

In February Skill Builder was invited to Festoool’s UK HQ for an exclusive demonstration of the new Festool Kapex KS 60 Sliding Compound Mitre Saw.

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In this video Philip Beckley, Festool’s training officer, provides a comprehensive demonstration of the new machine and talks through some of its key features and benefits.

www.festool.co.uk

Building contractor fined after death of casual labourer

Dylan Garton
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0
Building contractor fined after death of casual labourer

A Manchester building contractor has been jailed following the death of a casual labourer who fell nearly seven metres through a fragile roof.

The 45-year-old labourer from Manchester had been carrying out repair work at Witney Mill, Manchester when the incident occurred on 23 November 2013.

Saleem Hussain had been engaged by the warehouse owner, who believed him to be a competent building contractor, to carry out repair and maintenance work on the warehouse roof. He then hired two people to do the work.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that both workers were not qualified to carry out work at height. They had accessed the roof via a ladder in order to repair and seal leaking guttering. No safety precautions were in place to protect the two men from the danger of falling through the fragile roof.

Manchester Crown Court heard that Mr Hussain failed to assess the risks or put a safe working method in place. No suitable training or equipment to work on the roof had been provided.

Saleem Hussain of Birchfields Road, Manchester pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was sentenced to 8 months immediate imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing HSE Principal Inspector Mike Sebastian said: “The dangers of falls through fragile roofs and working at height are well known. Simple steps such as removing the need to access the roof directly by using mobile working platforms, or boarding out the roof, or using safety harnesses, can and should be used to prevent accident and injury.

“Mr Hussain’s failure to take any such actions resulted in a tragic and needless loss of life”.

www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safety topics/workatheight.htm

The wearable technology revolution in working clothes

Dylan Garton
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0
The wearable technology revolution in working clothes

Snickers Workwear has always been well-known for its modern designs, innovative functionality and market-leading fabric technology.

Now its WorkTrousers are getting even ‘smarter’ with the integration of technology to improve performance and wellbeing at work.

201702025K2C tn2

Wearable Technology is already woven into our daily lives through smartphones, fitness devices, sports clothing and accessories – to help monitor and improve performance. A recent study carried out in Scandinavia showed more than 50% of the professional craftsmen there are cutting corners at work and don’t use the available health and safety equipment as they should.

David Clark, managing director of the Hultafors Group UK says: “Our experience is that craftsmen usually are so focused on getting the job done that personal protection tends to be overlooked.”

But repeated ‘corner cutting’ over the years definitely creates a long-term health problem – an issue that Snickers Workwear has been continually addressing with its patented KneeGuard System.

201702025IS1 tn2wearable technology revolution

Clark says: “The study shows that six out of 10 craftsmen are suffering from pain in their knees. So we see that there is definitely room for improving their wellbeing beyond just knee protection – and our ‘Smart Workwear’ is one way.”

‘Tracker 1’ is Snickers’ first prototype of wearable technology, a chip fitted to a pair of WorkTrousers enabling the user to monitor work place noise levels, heat conditions and knee impact. It’s currently being tested on site throughout Europe and will be more widely available later this year.

‘Tracker 1’ is Snickers’ first prototype of wearable technology, a chip fitted to a pair of WorkTrousers enabling the user to monitor work place noise levels, heat conditions and knee impact. It’s currently being tested on site throughout Europe and will be more widely available later this year.

Clark goes on to say: “Market-leading technology and innovation have long been hallmarks of Snickers Workwear. We are well known for our KneeGuard System, 37.5 Fabric Technology and technical functionality, but the integration of ‘smart’ wearable technology into our clothing shows the extent to which we are looking at working clothes and wellbeing on site in a completely new way.”

For more information about Snickers Workwear call 01484 854788; or visit www.snickersworkwear.co.uk and download a digital catalogue; or you can email info@snickersworkwear.co.uk

We need a construction miracle, says business Professor

Dylan Garton
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We need a construction miracle, says business Professor

Following the publication of the Construction Skills Network (CSN) report, Professor Linda Clarke, Professor of European Industrial Relations at Westminster Business School, believes the future for construction, and particularly for construction labour, looks bleak, especially in light of Brexit:

“The Construction Skills Network (CSN) forecasts a worrying outlook for construction activity over the next five years, hugely dependent on infrastructure projects and needing over 35,000 new construction workers every year. However, their forecasts are based on a demand-based model which bears no relation to supply, such as the amount of training taking place, which means that there is no attempt to try to link demand and supply.

Elsewhere in Europe, standards are higher as construction workers qualify to at least the equivalent of National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 qualification, whereas in Britain most construction trainees only achieve NVQ level 2.

“There are several problems with this method and with the forecasts. The first is the assumption of a relation between a particular occupational requirement and a particular type of output. However, if productivity falls, as it has been doing, then this relation no longer holds. Given the decline in levels of training and the threats posed by Brexit to recruiting skilled workers from the rest of Europe, we should expect productivity in the UK to fall rather severely.

“Elsewhere in Europe, standards are higher as construction workers qualify to at least the equivalent of National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 qualification, whereas in Britain most construction trainees only achieve NVQ level 2. In terms of migration and the Brexit threat to free movement of labour, the ability to make up for this training deficit by recruiting skilled workers from elsewhere in Europe is curtailed.

“A second problem with the recruitment predictions is that they rely on the standard occupational classification, which is particularly problematic in terms of construction occupations. So, unless a miracle happens – such as a massive injection of funds into further education colleges, training workshops, and the introduction of a comprehensive VET programme of at least three years duration to equip young people for a rewarding and productive working life ahead – the future for construction, and particularly for construction labour, looks bleak.”

Day in the life: Robin Clevett

Roger Bisby
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Day in the life: Robin Clevett

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 Carpenter and Joiner Robin Clevett.

Name: Robin Clevett
Trade: Carpenter and Joiner

What time does your day start?
Usually around 6am.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?
My mortgage!!!

What does a typical day entail for you?
Project management and all aspects of Carpentry and Joinery

What’s the best thing about your job?
The satisfaction of completing a complicated project.

What’s the worst thing about your job?
The weather.

What qualifications do you have?
London City and Guilds Craft Certificate in Carpentry and Joinery and The institute of Carpenters exams

Are you a member of any professional alliances/associations?
No.

What tool couldn’t you live without?
A hammer.

What do you drive?
A Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes Vito.

What do you do to unwind?
Work in the garden and cycling.

What piece of advice would you give to an up and coming apprentice?
Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut!!!!

www.robc.co.uk

Carpenters & electricians to benefit from construction growth, says new report

Dylan Garton
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0
Carpenters & electricians to benefit from construction growth, says new report

Construction is set for growth over the next five years with carpenters, electricans and insulators among those to benefit most according to a new forecast  from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

The Construction Skills Network (CSN) report, predicts growth of 1.7% over the next five years, with 179,000 jobs to be created – a better outlook than was predicted immediately after the EU referendum.

However, it still represents a significant slowdown from last January’s report, with a reduction in output growth down from 2.5% and in the number of new jobs by 53,000.

The new 2017-2021 forecast suggests the fortunes of the post-Brexit construction industry are heavily dependent on three huge projects – Hinkley Point C and Wylfa Newydd nuclear power stations and High Speed 2 – starting main works on time. Infrastructure represents a massive 45% of all construction growth over the next five years.

Private housebuilding is the only other sector performing strongly, with predicted growth of 2.2% each year.

Private housebuilding is the only other sector performing strongly, with predicted growth of 2.2% each year.

The CSN report shows there will be job opportunities aplenty, particularly for carpenters (+3,850 per year), electricians and insulators (+2,250), process managers (+2,150) and a range of IT and other technical workers (+5,240).

Steve Radley, Director of Policy at the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), said: “We expect construction to keep defying the economic headwinds, with almost half of its  growth coming from Hinkley, HS2 and Wylfa and other infrastructure projects.

“These huge projects give our industry a great chance to seize the initiative on skills and start investing in the next generation and upskilling the current one. So it’s vital that we don’t throw this opportunity away by allowing these projects to slip or get squeezed together and worsen the pressure on key skills.”

Nations and regions

There is a very varied picture across the UK, with Wales predicted to grow by 6.2%, and Scotland to decline by -0.4% each year. London remains a strong performer, growing by 2.4% each year, with employment growing by 6.6%.

Wales’ forecast growth of 6.2% – more than three times the national average – is largely attributable to the start of work at Wylfa and a series of major road improvements.

Scotland’s slowdown is due to major projects such as the Queensferry crossing and the M8 motorway coming to an end. In Northern Ireland, annual growth is expected to almost match the UK outlook at 1.6%.

In England, the South West (3.1%), the North West (2.5%) and the South East (2.2%) are expected to perform well. For the remainder of the English regions growth is predicted to range between 1.3% in the West Midlands to -0.1% in the North East.

Sarah Beale, Chief Executive at CITB, said: “While we are forecasting slower growth for our industry than we were last year, employers will still be creating tens of thousands of new jobs. We will be working with employers to attract new talent into our industry and to train them for rewarding careers in the sector.

“While we have factored Brexit into this forecast, there remain many unknowns to life after leaving the EU. We will be working with our industry to understand what it means for our migrant workforce and what we must do to attract and grow more of our own.”

Welsh properties get thermal upgrade

Dylan Garton
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0
Welsh properties get thermal upgrade

External Wall Insulation by Saint-Gobain Weber has been specified for the thermal upgrade of social housing properties in Bangor and Y Bala, North Wales. 

They have been transformed with the application of the webertherm XP External Wall Insulation (EWI) with u-values that have been dramatically reduced while the aesthetics of the properties have been changed completely.  Residents are praising these improvements, one reporting that their heating thermostat has been turned down to half its normal setting.

The properties, a combination of houses, bungalows and apartment buildings, are owned by Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd, the largest housing association in North Wales.  CCG was set up in 2010 to provide good quality, affordable homes and services, as an independent not-for-profit organisation which is registered and regulated by the Welsh Government. CCG has around 6,300 homes and is responsible for their maintenance and management.

Achieving Welsh Housing Quality Standard, in which social landlords are required to improve, meet and maintain their housing stock to an acceptable level before, or no later than, 2020 is an important part of CCG’s work.  A total of £136million has been committed to improving homes to meet the needs of existing and future residents since the organisation’s inception.

The houses in Britannia Square, Bangor, are post-war, system-built, non-traditional Unity Structures designed with storey-level precast reinforced panels, metal braced from within the cavity, and poorly insulated offering little thermal performance.  In Y Bala the homes are of 1960s non-trad Trusteel frame construction with similar thermal deficiencies.  While upgrading properties, Weber’s EWI extends the life of existing buildings, particularly hard-to-treat properties, by keeping the old structure warm and stable.

CCG awarded the main contract to Willmott Dixon’s Conway office who in turn appointed specialist EWI contractor R W Hough & Sons of Flintshire to apply the BBA certificated webertherm XP EWI system with webertherm M1 render.  Martin Hough rates the Weber system highly: “The webertherm XP system is a very good product. We have experienced no problems at all with these materials that offer speed and simplicity while protecting tired facades and minimising heat loss.”

Challenging u-value improvements for Britannia and Bala homes were calculated by Weber: properties at Britannia Square, Bangor were slashed from 1.42W/m²K down to 0.28W/m²K whilst an even more dramatic result at Y Bala saw the poor 1.60W/m²K pre-installation U-value reduced to 0.29W/m²K.

To achieve these target U-values the webertherm XP EWI system required 90mm of EPS insulation which was mechanically fixed to the external wall surfaces prior to the render application. The Britannia Square properties had an angled corner coin feature and the client required this to be altered to a normal square edge corner profile for a more modern look.  R W Hough masked this original feature with an extension of the EPS insulation prior to render application.

One-coat application

The webertherm M1 render is a through-coloured, factory-batched, lightweight mineral render formulated for one-coat application. The system was applied with a combination of pump delivery and skilled hand application. The first pass of render is applied at 6mm and the meshcloth laid-in and, as the render takes up, a second 6mm application is made to deliver a total of 12mm of render for durable, low maintenance protection.  CCG specified a dash finish to match other properties in the region and Ashton Cream was selected from an extensive colour palette.  Over 4336m² of EWI have been applied at these two locations.

www.netweber.co.uk

Construction boss imprisoned after young worker blown from skip

Dylan Garton
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0
Construction boss imprisoned after young worker blown from skip

The director of a construction company has been imprisoned for eight months after failing to take appropriate action which resulted in a young worker receiving serious burns.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the young worker was instructed to stand on top of a skip and pour a drum of flammable thinners onto the burning waste to help it to burn. The fireball that resulted when the thinners ignited caused the worker to be blown from the skip and he suffered substantial burns to his arms and legs.

The young worker was instructed to stand on top of a skip and pour a drum of flammable thinners onto the burning waste to help it to burn. The fireball that resulted when the thinners ignited caused the worker to be blown from the skip and he suffered substantial burns to his arms and legs

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company director did not ensure the burning of the waste material was being carried out in a safe or appropriate manner. He failed to administer any first aid to the young injured worker and did not send him to hospital, the most appropriate response given the severity of the injuries suffered. He failed to inform HSE of the incident, a legal requirement, and the incident was only reported sometime later by a third party

David Gordon Stead of Mildred Street, Beddau, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and also pled guilty to breaching Section 4 (1) of The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) and was sentenced to 32 weeks imprisonment, half on release under licence. He has also been disqualified from being a company director for seven years.

Speaking after the case HSE inspector Adele Davies said “David Stead failed his employees. His actions could have resulted in the death of this worker. The young man suffered unnecessary life threatening injuries due to poor working standards.

“We hope this sentence sends out a message that directors of businesses must take their health and safety responsibilities seriously.”

Isuzu opens order books for new generation D-Max

Dylan Garton
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0
Isuzu opens order books for new generation D-Max

The new generation D-Max arrives in the UK this Spring, and customers can now register their interest in the new truck.

D-Max has been extensively overhauled with the biggest changes under the bonnet. A brand new 1.9 litre turbo diesel engine has been fitted, which produces 164 PS and 360Nm of torque. The engine builds upon D-Max’s workhorse character and retains the 3.5 tonne towing capacity and 1 tonne payload whilst providing a quieter, more refined and economical driving experience. Another key benefit is that the new engine meets Euro 6 standards without the need for addition of AdBlue.

As per previous D-Max models, Shift-On-The-Fly 4×4 is a key feature of the 17MY truck. The rotary dial allows the driver to select four-wheel drive on the move as well as low range gears.

Finally, the D-Max comes with a five-year / 125,000-mile warranty, and is said to be the first pick-up in the UK to be offered with such a comprehensive peace-of-mind package. Running costs are kept down by 12,000-mile or 24-month service intervals, five years recovery and European cover, a three-year paint warranty, and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty.

isuzu.co.uk

Fencing business owners receive suspended sentences after worker injury

Dylan Garton
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0
Fencing business owners receive suspended sentences after worker injury

The two owners of Kidderminster based fencing firm Hoo Farm Fencing have been given suspended sentences after a worker was hit by timber posts and frames which fell from a fork lift truck.

Forty-nine year old Raymond Lainsbury suffered injuries that still require regular physiotherapy sessions following the incident on 12 February 2016.

Worcester Magistrates’ Court heard how Hoo Farm Fencing’s method of working was unsuitable for the task they were carrying out at the time of the incident. Mr Lainsbury was helping to dip timber posts and frames in preservative, when they fell from the metal frame on the fork lift truck, striking him.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the company had not been using the suitable equipment for the task. The operator had not been properly trained to operate a fork lift truck. The company also failed to have the fork lift truck in question thoroughly examined up to required standards.

Maurice James Blackford of Minster Road, Stourport, Kidderminster pled guilty to breaching section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Susan Hawthorne of Blackthorne House, Hartlebury Road pled guilty to the same breach.

Both were sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years and fined £10,000 each. Full Prosecution costs of £4318 split between the two defendants, were awarded to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that prosecuted the case.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Tariq Khan said “The seriousness of the safety failings could have resulted in much more severe injuries to Mr Lainsbury who was lucky to walk away from this incident.

“This case highlights the importance of maintaining proper safety practices and also all duty holders will be held accountable for failing to do so.”

How to: Apply Weber One-coat Weberpral Monocouche Render

Roger Bisby
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How to: Apply Weber One-coat Weberpral Monocouche Render

In this video, Roger and Duncan get stuck into Weber’s one-coat, through-coloured, water-resistant Weberpral monocouche render and find that it’s not quite as difficult as they expected.

Weberpral M is a one-coat, ready mixed, cementitious, weather-resistant, external decorative, through coloured render, suitable for most types of brick or blockwork.

Factory-produced from carefully selected raw materials for product consistency, it only requires the addition of water on site.

The through colour and one coat features allow fast application with shorter programme periods, thereby reducing associated scaffolding and site costs and permitting the completion of ground works at an earlier stage. weberpral M has been awarded an A+ Green Guide Rating as defined in the BRE Global 2008 Green Guide to specification.

Find out more at: www.uk.weber/renders

Overhead crane worker suffers life threatening injuries

Roger Bisby
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Overhead crane worker suffers life threatening injuries

A Cleckheaton engineering firm has been sentenced for safety breaches after a worker suffered life changing injuries.

H E Realisations Ltd (now in liquidation, formerly Hogg Engineering Ltd) of pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Reg 8(1) of the Lifting Operation and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.

Gateshead Magistrates’ Court heard that on 24 February 2015, Kevin Tait was using equipment to lift an 18 tonne steel roll at the company’s premises at Carlington Court, Factory Road, Blaydon-on-Tyne. The equipment being used was not suitable for the lifting operation due to the fact that the load being lifted exceeded the equipment’s safe working load.

During the lift, part of one of the shortening clutches sheared causing the load to swing and strike Mr Tait on the head. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuting told the court the lifting operation had not been suitably planned and the equipment in use was poorly maintained. 

H E Realisations Ltd of Moorland House, Snelisins Road, Cleckheaton was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £2230 costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Laura Catterall commented: “Lifting operations are hazardous and require a competent person to properly plan and supervise them to ensure that suitable and properly maintained equipment is used in the right configuration to avoid exceeding safe working loads.

“Kevin is incredibly lucky that he was not killed in this incident and he has suffered permanent life changing injuries as a result. This workplace accident has changed the lives of Kevin and his family irrevocably.”

Ivor Goodsite Hoarding Competition 2017 opens for entries

Dylan Garton
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Ivor Goodsite Hoarding Competition 2017 opens for entries

Entries for the 2017 Hoarding Competition which enables children of all ages to unleash their artistic skills on site hoardings are now open.

Registered sites, companies and suppliers who are interested in the competition have until the 12th of May to complete an entry form.

The entry fee is £400 (+ VAT), which includes two Ivor Goodsite promotional signs, two A2 posters to promote entry in the competition, and prizes for up to 40 participants.

This year, the competition’s fifth year, it has been agreed that sites with a project value of under £2m can enter the competition for a reduced fee of £225 (+ VAT), which includes one promotional sign, one A2 poster and prizes for up to 20 participants.

Entrants should then organise an event with a local school, local community centre or any other local group to help them design and decorate their hoarding around a chosen theme.

All participants will receive Ivor Goodsite prizes including trophies, medals, certificates and fun packs.

 www.ivorgoodsite.org.uk/hoarding-competition

Van Guard roof rack review

Roger Bisby
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Van Guard roof rack review
Roger Bisby installs a new Van Guard roof rack.

When I sold my old Mercedes Vito I sold the roof rack with it. It was a Van Guard roof rack made for the van so there was little point in keeping it besides I really fancied the look of the new Van Guard roof rack with the aerodynamic Ultibars. All I had to do was tap in my registration number on their website and it found my vehicle, a long wheelbase Vauxhall Vivaro. The side bars and the aluminium roof-bars are part of their standard kit but the bits that vary from vehicle to vehicle are the steel roof brackets. On my van there are three two hole fixing points on each side and for reasons I don’t quite understand, a single hole fixing above the cab.

Fitting a Van Guard rack was a simple job on my last van but it is now even easier. The side bars and the filling in cross bars simply clip into position but, once fitted and clicked down they are very solid and won’t move.

The bolts that secure the brackets to the van roof need to be torqued up to 8Nm so you will need a torque wrench to do the job properly. I decided to go for a rear roller bar because the van is quite high and it is impossible to side load the rack. The roller is not essential because you can slide ladders on the rear bar and there is no real friction but I find the roller really useful for 8 x 4 sheets.

I decided to fit a new lined tube carrier to complement the look. The lining is to prevent plastic conduit from getting scratched and it is also good for all manner of trims. The tube carrier is lockable but these days I tend to leave mine unlocked on the assumption that anyone who is looking to steal copper tube is unlikely to worry about having to jemmy open an aluminium tube. I suppose I could put a sign on saying ‘No copper tube left in here overnight’ but that presupposes the thieves can read.
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