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Win a Bosch brushless combi drill

Roger Bisby
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Win a Bosch brushless combi drill

Skill Builder has teamed up with Bosch to give you the chance to win a Bosch 18V-EC Kit.

To be in with a chance of winning just answer the following two questions (clue: the answers can be found in the video).

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Terms and conditions

By entering a competition on the Skill Builder web site you are agreeing to us storing and using your information for marketing purposes. We will not share your information with third parties.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook or Google. By participating you hereby release and hold harmless Facebook and Google from any and all liability associated with this promotion.

Entrants are providing information to Skill Builder and not to Facebook or Google.

Entries must be submitted by 20th November 2016. The winning entry will be announced on Saturday November 26th 2016.

Please read these competition rules carefully. If you enter one of our competitions, we will assume that you have read these rules and that you agree to them.

  1. To enter a competition, you must be 18 years old or over at the time of entry.
  2. Competitions are not open to employees (or members of their immediate families) of Robert Bosch Limited or Skill Builder.
  3. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are not received for any reason.
  4. Skill Builder reserves the right to amend the competition end date at any time.
  5. If you win the competition, we will notify you by e-mail. If we cannot get a response within 7 days, we reserve the right to offer the prize to another competition entrant.
  6. There is no cash, credit or other alternative to the prize offered.
  7. No refunds or exchanges are offered.
  8. Incorrectly completed entries will be disqualified.
  9. Skill Builder reserves the right to amend these rules at any time. If we do this, we will publish the amended competition rules.

 

Save the date: Wednesday 2nd November 9pm

Dylan Garton
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Save the date: Wednesday 2nd November 9pm

You could be a winner of a Bosch Blue Power Tool

Skill Builder is broadcasting a live recording from Bosch Power Tools at 9pm on Wednesday 2nd November 2016.

Roger Bisby is talking power tools with Martin Sibley, Senior Product Manager at Bosch and they will be joined on Skype by Peter Brett, Tool Tester from Tool Business and Hire magazine.

Tune in for the chance to WIN the Bosch brushless combi drill.

Send  in your comments as the show goes out and take part in the competition for that lovely new drill.

Where?  Skill Builder YouTube Channel

When? Wednesday 2nd November, 9pm

and afterwards on www.skill-builder.uk

bosch-professional.com

How to: Take the sweat and drama out of plumbing

Roger Bisby
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How to: Take the sweat and drama out of plumbing

In this video Roger Bisby looks at how a water distribution manifold from Abacus Bathrooms can take all the sweat and drama out of plumbing.

The use of water distribution manifolds in mains pressure installations is a useful way of giving ultimate serviceability to all your bathroom products. It also reduces the chances of any leaks because you aren’t teeing off a supply.

 

Roofers see the biggest increase in earnings among sub-contractors

Dylan Garton
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Roofers see the biggest increase in earnings among sub-contractors

The nation’s first construction pay trends index has revealed that across all construction trades, the highest increase in earnings year-on-year for sub-contractors was within the Roofing industry which experienced 6.1% growth, followed by 4.8% in Plastering and 4.2% in Scaffolding.

The index has also shown that Wales has seen the biggest (5.3%) year-on-year increase in earnings amongst self-employed tradesman – compared to just a 1.8% uplift nationally across England.

The new ‘Construction Pay Trends’ index which can be accessed at www.hudsoncontract.co.uk/construction-pay-trends has been  developed by workplace audit and contract solutions provider, Hudson Contract, and harnesses payroll data from over 2,000 building firms across England and Wales.

The interactive tool reveals weekly pay differences by region, age and sub sectors such as bricklaying and joinery through to roofing and surfacing contractors. Providing tradesman, building apprentices and other industry analysts with a unique insight into pay levels, it also reveals the impact weather, location and economic factors have on earning potential.

The biggest drop in average weekly pay in the building industry was experienced in the North East which saw a 2.1% decrease in earnings year-to-date in 2016 compared to 2015. It was closely followed by a 0.4% decrease in London, with the regional trends illustrated in the following top 10:

1.      Wales (+5.3%)
2.      Yorkshire & The Humber (+4.2%)
3.      East of England (+1.8%)
4.      North West (+1.7%)
5.      East Midlands (+1.7%)
6.      West Midlands (+1.5%)
7.      South East (+1.3%)
8.      South West (+1.1%)
9.      London (-0.4%)
10.  North East (-2.1%)

Those working in the Equipment and Operator Hire industry witnessed a surprising 4.1% average drop in earnings year-to-date in 2016 compared to 2015. This was followed by a notable yearly pay decrease of 1% in Bricklaying and only a 1.1% average increase in earnings for Civil Engineering tradesmen.

Ian Anfield, Managing Director at Hudson Contract, said: “We’ve developed the Construction Pay Trends index to provide the most comprehensive insight into pay levels across the industry. It has revealed some fascinating trends on both a national and regional level, with tradesman in Wales experiencing the sharpest annual growth in earnings.

The index will update monthly to reveal the latest pay trends.

www.hudsoncontract.co.uk/construction-pay-trends

Wanted – Bosch tool testers

Dylan Garton
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0
Wanted – Bosch tool testers

Would you like an opportunity to test the latest Bosch tools – and then keep them, free of charge?

Bosch is looking for professional tradespeople to take part in its #builtwithBosch campaign. Each successful applicant will be given two new power tools to test over a 5 week period. In return, Bosch will ask them to post short film clips to Facebook and/or YouTube showing their reaction to the tools, introducing their features and recording their experience of the tools in use.

To apply, go to www.bosch-professional.com/builtwithbosch and complete the simple form. Three testers will be selected and will be testing the GOP 18 V-28 Professional Multi Cutter and the GSB 18 V-LI Professional Combi with Wireless Charging System. Everyone who applies will be entered into a draw to win a Bosch Dynamic Series GSB 18 V-LI Professional Combi with Wireless Charging Kit.

The application deadline for the tester recruitment drive is 7th November.

Launching #builtwithBosch in the UK, Steve Hillier, Marketing Director, Bosch Professional Power Tools, said:  “We’re always really keen to get feedback from trade professionals and this campaign is a great way of generating some social media fun as well as useful information. If you enjoy posting on YouTube and Facebook, you may be just the person we’re looking for to join our team of testers.”

Workwear with Italian flair

Dylan Garton
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0
Workwear with Italian flair

Performance is a brand-new workwear range from U-Power, said to feature the finest and most comfortable stretch fabrics, designed with U-power’s trademark Italian flair.

u-power workwear

The range includes the Quick soft shell unlined jacket, which boasts extras such as an internal multimedia pocket with Free Sound technology, a detachable hood engineered with a reflective rain visor, reflective panels for optimum winter visibility, and a breathable keep-dry membrane that protects from wind and water in autumnal conditions.

The new Performance Flash stretch canvas trousers feature a tool pocket, many extra pockets, and reinforced inserts in high-wear areas.

For those who like their arms free, the new Fast padded gilet is extremely smart, with its choice of trim colours, concealed hood and internal and external mobile pockets.

U-Power’s Tasty full-zip fleecy hoody is another fashionable option, made with scuba stretch jersey fabric and also featuring a Free Sound multimedia pocket.

Finally, the Performance range boasts a new line of all-natural fine merino wool socks, to keep feet warm and toasty without overheating, owing to their thermo-regulating properties.  The Polar and Frozen socks are available in both long and short and all have reinforced heel and toe and front padding.

Stuart Thorne, U-Power’s managing director, said: “U-Power continually strives to improve clothing for those at work, creating more high-performance and fashionable products specifically designed to give added comfort, style and all-round durability in the workplace. Workwear doesn’t have to be drab. U-power gives you the option to be both safe and stylish. And of course, most of our customers are very happy to wear our stylish workwear after work as well.”

See the new Performance range at www.u-power.it/workwear/performance_en.html

 

Are you the tool trickster of 2016?

Dylan Garton
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Are you the tool trickster of 2016?

Ironmongery Direct has launched a campaign to find the ‘Tool Trickster of 2016’.

Tradespeople across the UK are invited to show off their best tool tricks, whether that is hammer flips, slick trowel spins, kicks, catches or any other impressive tricks, as long as they are safe. See some examples here: www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/tool-trickster-2016/

To be in with a chance of becoming the ‘Tool Trickster of 2016’ the potential candidate needs to prove his or her skills by sending a video clip of their trick. In return, IronmongeryDirect will give the winner 15 minutes of fame and the ‘Tool Trickster’ title.

Glen Eckett, Search Marketing Manager at IronmongeryDirect, said: “We want to make people take five minutes out of their day and have some fun with this. We are looking for skills that will blow us away – the kind of stuff that’s good enough for Britain’s Got Talent would be incredible. It’s a chance to bring the trade community together and show just how talented they are.”

To submit a clip, visit: www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/tool-trickster-2016/ fill in your details and upload a video clip.

The video clips should be no longer than one minute in length and no larger than 600 MB.

Nissan creates all-electric mobile office

Roger Bisby
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Nissan creates all-electric mobile office

Nissan has collaborated with UK-based design workshop Studio Hardie to transform its zero-emission e-NV200 van into an all-electric mobile office – the e-NV200 WORKSPACe.

The office on wheels features an integrated fold-out desk, touchscreen computer, wireless internet, smartphone-controlled LED lights, wireless phone charging, Bluetooth audio system, mini fridge and barista-quality coffee machine.

The e-NV200 WORKSPACe paints a picture of what desk-based employment could look like in the future as hot-desking and flexible working grows in popularity across the globe.

With electric vehicles costing as little as £0.02 per mile4 to run, the e-NV200 WORKSPACe offers a cost-effective desk space solution allowing users to work for free in some city-centres that offer free EV charging bays, or escape the city altogether for the countryside or coastal fresh air.

The e-NV200 WORKSPACe can be rapid charged from empty to 80 percent power in 30 minutes, and for those times when you want to leave the office parked and charging up, there’s an internal mount for a folding Brompton Bike, allowing users to make short trips around the city or complete the ‘last mile’ of any journey.

The Nissan e-NV200 is part of Nissan’s popular zero-emission range. It provides a zero-emission light commercial vehicle solution, offering low vehicle running costs of £2.00 per 100 miles and a range of up to 106 miles on a single charge.

www.nissan.eu/experience-nissan.html

Contractors fined after mast strikes power line

Roger Bisby
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Contractors fined after mast strikes power line

Two Norfolk-based companies have been fined after a worker suffered life-changing injuries following an overhead power line strike.

Norwich Crown Court heard that L F Papworth Ltd and T. W. Page & Son Ltd had organised drilling work for the purposes of crop irrigation at Felmingham, Norfolk.

On 29 April 2014 Jonathan Howes, an employee of T.W. Page & Son Ltd, was operating the controls of a lorry mounted drilling rig. A colleague moved the lorry and its mast came into contact with an 11kV power line over a field. Mr Howes suffered serious injury including extensive burns to his scalp, arms, legs and feet and loss of two toes.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident found that neither company had taken effective precautions to prevent work equipment, including the mast of the drilling rig, which was capable of extending to a height greater than that of the powerlines, from coming into contact with them.

L F Papworth Ltd of Felmingham, Norfolk pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £134,000 with £6484,45 costs.

T.W. Page & Son Ltd of Frettenham, Norfolk pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £80,400 with £6596,05 costs.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Jessica Churchyard said:

“This tragic incident has had devastating consequences for Jonathan Howes and his family.

“Similar incidents involving overhead power line strikes remain all too common in Great Britain and are almost always entirely avoidable.

“Duty holders planning, organising and carrying out such work must ensure that site-specific risks are identified and controlled. Where hazardous electrical conductors need to be kept live, workers and equipment must be kept at a safe distance from them.

“Here, no effective precautions were implemented and workers were put at potentially lethal risk with Mr Howes suffering injuries which will affect him for the rest of his life.”

Worker seriously injured in mobile platform fall

Roger Bisby
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Worker seriously injured in mobile platform fall

A Buckinghamshire waste equipment maintenance firm has been fined after a worker suffered serious head injuries when a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) overturned.

Geoffrey Hatton, 49, from County Durham, was in the process of dismantling a compactor at a site in Wilmslow, Cheshire when the incident occurred on the 19th January 2015.

Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Mr Hatton, who was in the MEWP, and a colleague, were taking large pieces of cladding off the frame of a compactor. A large piece of the cladding came into contact with the MEWP and caused it to fall over.  Mr Hatton fractured his skull and two ribs in the incident. He spent two months in hospital and has been unable to return to work.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found serious safety failings by Cole Mechanical Services Ltd. The MEWP was being used outside when it was only suitable for internal work, the firm’s employees were not trained in how to use MEWPS or how to safely erect tower scaffolding, and no risk assessment had been conducted for the work being carried out.  In addition, at the time of the incident another worker was working on a fragile roof with no protection to prevent falls.

Cole Mechanical Services Ltd of Ashbridge Road, Chesham, Buckinghamshire pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2(1)of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8995.00

www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/workingatheight.htm

Makita launches LXT 18V & 14.4V 10mm staplers

Dylan Garton
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0
Makita launches LXT 18V & 14.4V 10mm staplers

Makita has introduced two new 10mm battery powered staplers, which replace existing models, offering a host of new technical features.

The new Makita DST112 is powered by the Makita 18v Lithium-Ion battery while the DST111 model is a 14.4v version which will deliver 5,000 shots from the 3.0Ah battery whereas the 18v 3.0Ah version generates 6000 shots. Both new staplers have magazine capacity for 150 staples of 10mm width, either 7mm or 10mm depth and 0.5mm x 0.7mm wire size.

These new compact, lightweight Makita cordless staplers have selectable firing modes which offer the choice between bump firing and trigger sequential control. The anti-dry- fire safety mechanism requires the nose tip to be pressured against the material for firing to take place when the trigger is pressed. A trigger lock must always be applied when the machine is put down. The magazine is moulded from plastic to reduce the overall machine weight and has a viewing window to check remaining staple stock. The staplers have LED job light, belt-hook and soft grip ergonomically designed handle. Both staplers are available as body only options.

A new range of high quality staples is available in the Makita accessory range.

www.makitauk.com

Ford Transit family becomes world best seller

Dylan Garton
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Ford Transit family becomes world best seller

The Ford Transit was the best-selling cargo van family globally in 2015, with nearly 400,000 vans registered, according to IHS Markit registration data.

Transit is building on a 50-year legacy in Europe. In the past 25 months, Ford has seen its commercial vehicle market share grow from 10.8 per cent to 12.9 per cent in Europe.

This makes Ford the No. 1-selling commercial vehicle brand in Europe for the first time in 18 years, thanks to continued growing demand for its new and expanded Transit range – including Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Connect and Transit Courier – based on IHS Markit commercial vehicle registrations.

Transit Custom sales in Europe grew 23 per cent to 89,800 units year-on-year during the first three-quarters of 2016, and Transit sales grew 17 per cent to 64,800 units during the same period.

The success of Transit has also propelled Ford to become the top seller of commercial cargo vans in the U.S, accounting for 40 per cent of the full-size commercial van market in the country through September – up from 36 per cent in 2015. Strong demand for Transit is putting Ford on track for its best year for U.S. van sales since 1978, based on Ford-reported data. Transit now outsells even America’s best-selling minivan, based on industry-reported sales.

Transit also remains the UK’s favourite van after over 50 years of sales leadership and after a successful March, commercial vehicle sales are said to be on track to be at a record high at year end.

www.ford.co.uk/CommercialVehicles

How not to repoint a wall?

Roger Bisby
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How not to repoint a wall?

Is it us or is almost every single detail in this B&Q video wrong?

There are so many good pointing videos on YouTube, nobody needs a bum steer.

Council and Contractors Fined After Man Dies

Roger Bisby
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Council and Contractors Fined After Man Dies

Liverpool City Council and two of its contractors have been prosecuted following two separate incidents involving roadworks on a busy city centre road.

One man died and another was seriously injured while attempting to cross Queens Drive in Liverpool during major resurfacing works in the summer of 2012. Enterprise Liverpool Limited and Tarmac Trading Limited were contracted by Liverpool City Council to carry out the works.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how on 3 July 2012 a 74-year-old man suffered head injuries after he was hit by a car while using a crossing at temporary lights. One side of the Queen’s Drive dual carriageway had been put into a contraflow to allow vehicles to travel in both directions.  However the temporary pedestrian lights were not working and no alternative was provided.

The Court also heard that the following month on the 19th August 2012, 69-year-old Ernest Haughton died after he was hit by a car while attempting to cross a single lane of traffic on the same road using a temporary pedestrian crossing.  However, following complaints from motorists, changes were made to the traffic control lights to alleviate congestion but this removed the natural break in traffic flow needed to allow pedestrians to cross the carriageway.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Liverpool City Council failed to ensure that the arrangements for managing the roadworks were suitable, including failing to appoint a suitable co-ordinator for the work. Instead they had sought to delegate responsibilities to Enterprise Liverpool Limited.

The investigation also found that Enterprise Liverpool Limited failed to ensure the designs for the traffic management were checked or approved, the construction plan for pedestrian routes and provision of barriers was being followed, and at the time of the incidents provided no safe means of pedestrians crossing the works area or the carriageway.

Tarmac Trading Limited who were responsible for the provision and installation of the traffic and pedestrian management failed to provide alternative assistance for pedestrians at the time of the first incident despite it being known that the temporary lights were broken. A temporary bus stop had also been placed in the middle of the road at the crossing.

When Mr Haughton was killed the temporary lights had been removed but no alternative control measures were put in place to enable pedestrians to cross the live lane of traffic. In addition a large A-frame sign was placed on the crossing obscuring the view of both pedestrians and motorists.

Liverpool City Council of Dale Street, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM) and were fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £100,000 costs.

Enterprise Liverpool Limited of Newton Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 22 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM) and were fined £25,000 and ordered to pay £80,000 costs.

Tarmac Trading Limited of Portland House, Bickenhill Lane, Solihull, pleaded guilty to Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, 1974 and were fined £1.3 million and ordered to pay £130,000 costs.

Speaking after the case HSE Inspector Jacqueline Western said: “The risks associated with road works are well known in the industry and specific guidance is available to assist with the planning and implementation.

“It is not unreasonable to expect that those who regularly engage in this type of construction work should be well aware of their roles and responsibilities.

“The combined failure of all three dutyholders to comply with their duties on more than one occasion during the Queens Drive resurfacing project, led to one man losing his life and another suffering serious injury. It could quite easily have been two fatal incidents.

“By engaging with the entire project team at the very start of a project, clients like Liverpool City Council, can ensure that a good health and safety culture is embodied throughout the life of the project. Ongoing communication and cooperation between the principal contractors and sub-contractors ensures that the project is being adequately planned, managed and monitored.”

Health & Safety gone mad?

Roger Bisby
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0
Health & Safety gone mad?

Addam on Track to Meet £100k Target

Dylan Garton
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0
Addam on Track to Meet £100k Target

When fencing and landscape gardening business owner Addam Smith found out his employee Keith Ellick had been diagnosed with terminal cancer he couldn’t stand by and do nothing.

Knowing that Keith’s biggest worry was for the welfare of his family Addam, who owns ALS Fencing & Lanscaping, took to the popular Facebook group Builder’s Talk to see if he could raise some funds to help. He was overwhelmed by the response.

Addam had a target of £2000 in mind but within 24 hours of posting he had raised over £8,000 and he also started recruiting the group’s members to complete a DIY SOS style renovation of Keith’s home. Volunteers from across the trades and around the country, who Addam jokingly referred to as the Band of Builders (BoB), came together and within a week completely transformed the two bedroom house that Keith shares with his partner Sasha and five year old son Leighton.

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But Addam didn’t stop there. The Band of Builders (BoB) name caught on and Addam has now launched a website www.bandofbuilders.com and shop selling BoB merchandise to raise further money for good causes with the first target being to raise £100k to buy Keith’s council house.

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“But it’s not just about raising money,” explains Addam. “Many tradespeople are incredibly generous with both their money and time and Keith’s house makeover showed just what can be achieved when you channel that generosity.”

Addam has his sights set firmly on the £100k target for the moment but he recognises from the generous support he’s had for BoB already that its potential is huge.

The next step is to turn Band of Builders into a registered charity dedicated to helping tradespeople and their families in need.

Donate now and help Addam reach the £100k target.

www.gofundme.com/Liftkeith

Check out the BoB website and shop.

www.bandofbuilders.com

www.alsfencingltd.com

Landlord Given Suspended Prison Sentence Over Gas Failings

Dylan Garton
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0
Landlord Given Suspended Prison Sentence Over Gas Failings

A Durham landlord has been given a suspended prison sentence following his failure to maintain or check the gas fittings in one of his properties.

A gas fire with back boiler at a tenanted property in Wilton Street, Middlesborough, was found to be immediately dangerous when examined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). HSE prosecuted Christopher Hobaiter after it was found that the appliance was leaking deadly carbon monoxide into the ground floor sitting room. Windows were sealed shut and wall ventilation grills had been blocked over for some time, exposing the tenant to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Christopher Hobaiter of Lyndon Avenue, Hartburn, Stockton on Tees pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 36(2) of the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations 1998 and was sentenced to a 26 week prison sentence suspended for 24 months with £1904.02 costs by Teesside Magistrates Court.

After the hearing, HM Inspector of Health and Safety, Richard Bulmer commented: “Low level carbon monoxide poisoning can be severe and debilitating and almost always fatal at higher levels.

“Falling asleep in the vicinity of a carbon monoxide producing gas fire is highly likely to lead to death .

New Approach to Electrical Safety Training Vital to Save Lives

Dylan Garton
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0
New Approach to Electrical Safety Training Vital to Save Lives

Develop Training Ltd (DTL), the UK training and consultancy specialist, warns that with more than 1,000 electricity-related accidents reported at work in the UK every year, a new approach to electrical safety training is needed to save lives.

To raise industry awareness and to provide one clear voice for Authorising Engineers and Authorised Persons working in high voltage environments, DTL is hosting its first Authorising Engineer Forum at The Hawkhills in Easingwold, near York, on 9 December 2016.

Electrical Safety Training Forum

This free-to-attend, all-day forum will bring together Authorising Engineers from across the country in order to discuss key issues, regulatory developments and best practice.

The event is intended to play a significant part in shaping the way that electrical training is delivered in the future.

DTL believes that effective training can play a major part in reducing unsafe working practices. Many accidents are caused by inadvertent contact with energised and exposed live conductors and faulty equipment.

The resulting shocks or arc flashes can lead to falls, burns, fire and explosion and result in severe or fatal injuries.

Develop Training Ltd

Chris Wood, CEO of DTL, explains: “We have launched our first dedicated Forum for Authorising Engineers, as we believe that the industry needs to come together to ensure an appropriate level of training is being delivered to those working with electricity.

This is relevant to staff at all levels. Competence means having suitable training, skills and knowledge; it must involve tailored instruction, practical experience and individual assessment.”

DTL’s inaugural Authorising Engineers Forum will feature several keynote presentations, which will include:
• NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in Workplace
• Manufacturer presentation from Reyrolle Switchgear
• DTL’s Curriculum Project
• The event will also feature an interactive case study session

To find out more about this event and to register please visit: www.developtraining.co.uk/news/dtl-launches-dedicated-authorising-engineer-forum

More on safety from Skill Builder.

Demand for building work bucks Brexit

Roger Bisby
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0
Demand for building work bucks Brexit

Consumer demand for building work remained resilient in the three months following the vote for Brexit, new figures from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) have revealed.

Commenting on the results of the first UK-wide survey of the SME construction sector post-referendum, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Ongoing workloads for construction SMEs remained remarkably resilient in the months following the referendum vote, suggesting that consumer demand – which accounts for the bulk of SME work – has held up far better than anticipated. Some of the other key indicators of SME activity, such as employment levels, anticipated workloads and new work enquiries, are all positive, albeit showing slowed growth compared to the previous quarter. If we all agree that construction is a “weather vane” industry, and demand for home improvement and new build homes an important gauge of consumer confidence, then our results chime with the cautious positivity demonstrated across construction and the wider housing market.”

Berry continued: “That being said, construction bosses will be taking nothing for granted. Growth has softened compared to the buoyant first half of the year and some parts of the UK have gone into decline. In particular, London is flat-lining which is concerning given that it is typically one of the strongest markets for construction SMEs. Our feeling is that the construction skills shortage, which we know is particularly pronounced in London and the south east, is starting to bite.”

Berry concluded: “Our latest figures show that nearly two-thirds of SMEs are struggling to hire bricklayers and 55% are having a hard time sourcing carpenters and joiners. This highlights a different potential consequence of Brexit – the possibility that we will have a less flexible workforce. 12% of construction workers working in the UK are of non-UK origin, forming a vital part of a labour force that is already stretched. Given that the skills gap is only expected to grow over the next decade, it’s vital that talented tradespeople continue to come to the UK. For this reason, we welcome the Government’s u-turn on requiring companies to publish data on the percentage of foreign workers they employ. Such a move would send completely the wrong message to foreign workers currently living and working in the UK and those who might consider coming here.”

www.fmb.org.uk

Win a free pallet of Trimaco Floorshell at The Build Show

Roger Bisby
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0
Win a free pallet of Trimaco Floorshell at The Build Show

Trimaco will be showing its range of heavy-duty surface protection and dust containment products at The Build Show, taking place this week from 17th-20th October at Birmingham’s NEC where visitors to the company’s stand will have the chance to win a whole pallet of Floorshell.  These include:

From the Heavy Duty E-Z Up Dust Containment Poles to the X•Board Surface Protector, Trimaco says they have a product for every job suitable for new construction, high-end builds, hospital maintenance, renovations and more. Products include:

FloorShell Surface Protector: A heavy duty construction board that is liquid resistant and breathable to allow concrete to continue curing. It’s strong enough for forklifts and other demands of the job.

Aqua Shield Surface Protector: A fire retardant, leak proof, slip resistant, dust free and durable surface protector that can be used time and time again.

Heavy Duty E-Z Up Dust Containment Poles: The heavy-duty aluminium poles work with plastic sheeting to create a dust barrier on the jobsite. Simply clip plastic onto the quick clip and adjust the pole to the ceiling height. The unique foot pedal ensures a snug fit.

Trimaco E-Z Floor Guards: An alternative to shoe covers, they work by placing a sheet of adhesive plastic film on the bottom of footwear to avoid tracking dirt and debris into a clean area. Simply STEP, PULL and TEAR.

Visit Trimaco on stand B3/915 to find out more and to enter your name into a prize draw to win a free pallet of FloorShell.

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