Skill Builder Guides & reviews for building and construction

Superglass CEO Ken Munro has been appointed chairman of the mineral wool insulation manufacturers’ representative body, MIMA, taking over from David Travill, Managing Director at Isover Saint Gobain. Ken Munro said: “I would like to thank David for his leadership and contribution, and I am pleased to be assuming the chair at such a critically important time for energy efficiency …

The Access Industry Forum (AIF), the forum for nine of the leading trade associations and federations involved in work at height, has announced details of its first national, one-day conference. Supported by the Association for Project Safety (APS), Hire Association Europe (HAE) and the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), Implementing change and innovation in work at height …

Provisional annual data for work-related fatal accidents in Great Britain’s workplaces has shown a rise in deaths among construction workers. Forty three construction workers were killed while at work in 2015/2016 – up from 35 in 2014/5. The construction industry has the highest death rate of all industries. HSE figures show 144 people were killed accross all industries in 2015/2016 …

A Somerset based Timber company has been sentenced for safety failings relating to a construction project which an HSE inspector has said should act as a warning to other construction firms. Oxford Magistrates’ Court heard how The Timber Frame Company (TFC) was contracted to work at Tracey Farm, a country retreat. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) served a Prohibition …

Latest construction statistics for June, which show the weakest sector performance for seven years, are a cautionary sign of the damage that current uncertainty is causing to the building industry. according to the Federation of Master Builders. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “June’s PMI figures, which show a huge dip in construction output, reflect our fears that …

Arco, one of the UK’s leading safety companies has recently undertaken tests that reveal some of the safety footwear being used by tradespeople may not be fit for purpose. In order to adhere to EU standard EN ISO 20345 2011, midsoles must be able to resist a penetration test using a nail with a force of 1100N and a corrosion …

Shortlisted for the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) Awards 2016, The Harley Scientific Fibrecheck 6 (HS-FC6) from SMH Products provides a real-time warning for tradespeople and others at risk of inadvertent exposure to airborne particulate. Fibrous particles, such as asbestos, produce distinctive scatter patterns when they break a beam of light. The HS-FC6 works by drawing a constant air sample …

Hultafors Tools has extended its range of Knives specifically for craftspeople. With a selection of Heavy Duty Knives, Safety Knives, Chisel Knives and Utility Knives already available from Hultafors in the UK, there’s also specially designed and developed products for Electricians, Plumbers and Painters. The new Knives include those for general-purpose outdoor use as well as ones for precision tasks. …

A gas engineer undertook gas work despite his registration with Gas Safe Register (GSR) lapsing and produced false gas safety checks.

The first sketches of the new Volkswagen Crafter from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles which is due to be launched this autumn, have been revealed today. Conceived as the ‘big brother’ of the T-series, Volkswagen says the new Crafter promises innovation alongside a high level of functionality and quality. Experts at Volkswagen Commercial vehicles say they have worked closely with current customers, frequently …

Two companies based in Northamptonshire have been fined after a worker died following a fall through a roof. Northampton Crown Court heard how an employee of A-Lift Crane Hire Limited, who had been hired by Premier Roofing Systems Limited to provide them with a crane to lift roofing sheets onto a factory roof at Virani Foods Limited in Wellingborough. Whilst …

St Helens plasterer, River Humphreys, 25, has beaten off stiff competition from across the UK to win the Fiat Professional Tradesman Trials – a search to find a tradesman who has the talent to make it as a professional footballer in the English Football League. River, a plasterer for Rob Ewan construction, was one of 20 tradesman footballers who took …

If you are considering replacing your current windows or designing a new home,  Neil Ginger, CEO of Origin, a UK specialist manufacturer of bi-folding doors and windows, has 10 tips to help you choose the right window for your property, things to look out for and the questions to ask. What type of window do I need? Selecting the right …

Casella, the provider of dust and noise monitoring equipment is inviting anyone in need of  workplace noise monitoring to attend a one day noise at work training course on 19th July in Bedford. Casella’s one day course has been created to equip attendees with the knowledge and skills required to effectively monitor workplace noise in accordance with the Noise at …

The Government must prioritise investment in apprenticeship training as well as ensuring that our new system of immigration provides the construction sector with enough skilled workers to build the homes and infrastructure projects we need, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has urged. Responding to the British electorate’s decision to leave the European Union, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the …

Roger Bisby sets out on a quest to find a better level and discovers a few things he didn’t know about spirit levels. Earlier this year I had a run of spirit level trouble which cost me half a day putting right a structure. I always check my level by turning it through 180 degs. but I didn’t check both …

Bosch has launched a new generation of 18 V cordless screwdrivers; the new ‘dynamicseries’ and a ‘robustseries’ which are now available from specialist retailers from £236 to £405. All four models have new functions which Bosch says offer a higher level of comfort for professionals such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers and heating installers. The compact ‘dynamicseries’ range of tools combines …

DeWalt has confirmed that the DeWalt XR Flexvolt battery, a 54 v battery which can power even heavy duty construction power tools which the company unveiled earlier this week, will be available from August. Completely backwards compatible with existing DEWALT XR 18V products, the DeWalt XR Flexvolt battery is said to offer market-leading runtime in 18V products, with the option …

A man who fitted central heating boilers at two houses in Greater Manchester has received a suspended prison sentence, after he admitted he did not have the required safety registration to do the work. Christopher Dignam, trading at Blue Flame Plumbing and Heating Services, has never been on the Gas Safe Register, the body which ensures those who carry out …