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Addex Dustblocker review

Roger Bisby
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Addex Dustblocker review

Roger Bisby had a  Dustblocker from Addex on test for a month and found he didn’t want to let it go.

The ultimate seal of approval for me must be when I end up buying a product that I have tested. Yes, I admit, I sometimes get a deal, but I obviously have to justify the purchase to my accountant (wife) who ofen has more pressing needs for our money. Happily in the case of the MaxVac Dustblocker I can play the health card because it has clear medical benefits. Over the last few years I have developed an allergy to certain types of dust. This is presumably the result of years of abuse and now my lungs are saying “enough is enough”. My lungs have a language of their own and send me clear messages, it starts with a gentle wheeze and if I don’t take action to avoid the hazard the wheeze becomes a whistle like that of a far off steam train.

Enough about me already. The Dustblocker is designed to be left running in a property 24/7 where you are carrying out building work and the powerful fan pulls in the airborne particles and traps them in a three stage  filter. Ideally of course you would remove dust at source and you should still attempt to do that but we all know that when you are knocking buildings about you can’t catch all the dust. So the idea of the Dustblocker is to remove the free dust before it drifts around the building or settles on surfaces. Positioning the unit between the work area and the occupied  areas is a good strategy.  The filter has three stages from the coarse to the very fine. The final Hepa 14 filter removes particles that are invisible to the naked eye.

dustblocker

As a rough guide if you use the Dustblocker every working day the pre-filter needs changing every six months, or more if you are knocking down walls and chimney breast. It is a good idea to change the filters before they become so blocked that the air flow is impeded. In older style air filtration units they used to have  streamers on the outlet which give a good indication of the air flow as the streamers dropped you knew it was time for a filter change  but this unit has a warning light that will tell you when the air flow has dropped so low that you are not getting the full benefit from the unit.

One thing I have learned using this unit is that you can use it very effectively in a sealed room. Because the air is being cleaned and recirculated you don’t need to worrry about a through flow of air as you would with a large extractor unit. If you want to work with  negative pressure on the room you can direct the cleaned air out through a flexible duct, There are good reasons to do this because you draw air in around the door to minimise any migrations through to the occupied areas.

With the Hepa 14 filtration you can be certain that the filtration is to the highest standard protecting both you and the people you are working with.

Addex Dustblocker review

www.addex-group.com/en/

Gloves standard set to change

Roger Bisby
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Gloves standard set to change

During the second half of 2016, a new version of EN388, the mechanical hazards standard  for protective gloves will be published.

One of the key changes to the standard is that it will now include back of the hand protection and it should make it easier to identify which gloves offer which level of protection. From 21 April 2018, new impact-resistant gloves will have to pass specific tests in order to comply with the standard.

In this video Roger Bisby and Skill Builder Editor, Georgina Bisby look at some gloves from Polyco which have been designed to meet the new standard: The new Multi-Task E (Hi-Viz), Grip It Oil C5 TP, or Multi-Task E C5.

These products all feature a layer of thermoplastic rubber (TPR) applied to the back of the gloves that has been engineered to guard against injuries caused by impact.

Impact tests measure the amount of force transmitted to the hand after a blow to the back of it. To be effective in preventing injury, impact protection must be able both to divert the force of the impact and slow it down. The flexible TPR applied to the back of the Multi-Task E (Hi-Viz), Grip It Oil C5 TP and Multi-Task E C5 is soft, which means it deflects the force of the blow away from the hand without compromising dexterity. The engineered rubber is strong and durable and will not break down over time, unlike foam or gel. It is also lightweight, which helps alleviate hand fatigue over long periods of wear.

All three new gloves feature a tensile nitrile palm coating, designed to enhance protection and freedom of movement. In the Multi-Task E (Hi-Viz) and Multi-Task E C5 this coating has been slightly roughened to improve handling performance, particularly in light oil conditions. The former also boasts a high visibility lining and TPR, padding on key areas of the palm and a reinforced thumb crotch for extra defence against injury.

The Grip It Oil C5 TP comprises two layers of nitrile coating – a full, water-resistant layer and a second layer on the palm incorporating microfoam bubbles, which maximises grip in wet and greasy conditions. The soft, seamless liner in all three gloves is made from knitted nylon and, in the case of the Grip It Oil C5 TP and Multi-Task E C5™, it is cut-resistant. Both the latter and the Multi-Task E (Hi-Viz) have an elasticated neoprene cuff with an adjustable VELCRO wrist strap, which adds to their wearability and durability.

The gloves are suitable for use in a wide range of general handling activities and work environments, including automotive maintenance and repair, construction, light engineering and machine operation.

For more information on the new version of the standard, a fact sheet can be found on the Polyco website: www.polyco.co.uk/media/1357/en388-fact-sheet_220416.pdf

Star company of BBC series prosecuted over worker injury

Roger Bisby
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Star company of BBC series prosecuted over worker injury

A Bolton based scrapyard, The Scrappers Ltd, that featured in a recent BBC documentary series has been sentenced after an employee suffered facial injuries at work.

The vehicle breakers firm and Terry Walker, a consultant for the company, appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester where they denied breaches of health and safety law.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to health and safety charges in relation to the incident. Terry Walker was acquitted by jury after trial while The Scrappers Ltd was convicted.

The court heard that Mr Aaron Sparrow, an employee at the firm’s Waterloo Road site was working as a ‘spanner man’ which involved taking batteries, wheels, petrol and catalytic convertors (cats) out of the cars in order to be sold on by the company.

On 10 September 2014, employees were instructed to start taking the ‘cats’ and batteries off the cars. Giving evidence in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution, Mr Sparrow told the court he and his colleague raised cars off the ground slightly using a fork lift truck (FLT) where they would remove the wheels and the battery.

The FLT forks were then raised above head height so they could place fuel retrieval equipment under the car to take the fuel out. They would then cut the ‘cat’ off the exhaust using a petrol saw with a metal cutting blade. A number of separate cuts would be made into the exhaust depending on the type of car.

The court was told on that morning they had done this to around 10 cars. However, while taking a catalytic convertor off a car exhaust with the petrol saw above his head, the saw flicked back of the exhaust and spun 180 degrees in his hands before the saw hit him in the face.

The Scrappers Ltd
The saw that injured the worker

He was taken by ambulance to hospital and received over 40 stitches and underwent plastic surgery on his brow and eye lid. He was later told that the saw blade missed his brain by 3mm.

The HSE investigation found there was no record of formal training, and a tool specifically designed for the job was not generally used. There did not appear to be any formal supervision arrangements at the time, and there was no safe system of work in place for operating the petrol saw at the time of the incident.

HSE said the system of work described by workers demonstrated that using the petrol saw in this manner was custom and practice in the company. However the company denied this and told the court this system of work was not allowed and not carried out.

The Scrappers Ltd, of Watling Street Road, Fulwood, Preston was found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £26,687,88.

After the case, HSE inspector Mike Lisle said: “It is essential that companies devise, implement and monitor suitable safe systems of work for hazardous activities.

“This incident was entirely avoidable and had a safe system of work been in place then it would likely have been avoided. As it is a young man is scarred for life and could easily have been killed.”

Origin launches range of blinds

Roger Bisby
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Origin launches range of blinds

Origin the UK manufacturer of bi-folding doors, windows and blinds, has added a selection of Origin blinds to its Origin Home range. Designed to fit every door and window type, from bi-folds and French Doors through to bay and gable windows, the new range includes six different styles; Electric Roller Blinds, Pleated Blinds, Roman Blinds, Glamour Blinds, Venetian Blinds, and Vertical Blinds.

Origin says its blinds offer benefits all year around. During the summer, reflective exterior of the fabric prevents any heat build-up. When the weather turns cooler, Origin Blinds can boost a home’s thermal efficiency by preventing heat from escaping.

For safety, Origin Blinds do not use dangerous hanging cords, ensuring each design is aesthetically pleasing as well as completely child safe.

Origin’s made-to-measure blinds are all available in an array of different fabrics, with a number of bespoke options including power types, fascia options and number of panels, giving homeowners an extensive choice of blinds to enhance their internal décor.

Electric Roller Blinds

Origin’s Electronic Roller Blinds are sleek and contemporary, and can be specified with a Lutron motor for a near silent and smart operation. This technology allows homeowners to control and operate the blinds using a tablet, smartphone, or even to be connected to a home automated system. This can then be programmed to open and close at different times, for additional security and to reduce heat loss throughout the home. The motor runs on a sophisticated electronic drive system for near silent operation.

With a 10-year guarantee, including the Lutron motor and parts, the Origin Electric Roller Blinds are available in a range of fabric options, patterns and textures.

Homeowners can choose a customisable design, allowing any photo or image to be printed onto the blind fabric, and the selected fabric can also be purchased separately for cushions and throws, allowing the soft furnishings to co-ordinate the interior space.

Pleated Blinds

The new Origin Pleated Blind is practical and contemporary. The blind fits neatly to the beading of a bi-fold door or window for a minimalist look, with maximum light and heat control as it fits snugly against the glass. Available in six colour options, all fitted with pearlescent solar coating to reflect as much heat and light as possible, the pleated blinds come with a five-year guarantee.

Roman Blinds

Origin’s Roman Blinds create a warm and opulent feel to any interior, and are designed to stack levels of material, one on top of another, allowing the blind to fold in on itself. The Roman Blind comes with a thermal lining, as well as solar protection on the exterior of the fabric, to help improve thermal efficiency. Available in an array of fabric options, from plush and luxurious materials, to light and contemporary shades and patterns.

Glamour Blinds

The contemporary Glamour blind provides total light and privacy control. Consisting of alternating layers of opaque and translucent strips which can be moved independently and slid past each other, it allows homeowners to soften and filter daylight, reducing glare in a room. The blind works using a clever rotation wheel that aligns darker panels behind one another, letting light filter in, or alternatively, stacking darker strips on top of one another to block out light.

Vertical Blinds

The Origin Vertical Blind suits large areas of glass. The blind can be adjusted in a variety of ways, either by tilting the vanes open and closed, or pulling all panels back to reveal the whole view. The panel style can be straight, curved or wavy, in either 89mm, 127mm or 250mm widths, or alternatively, a combination. Panels can be the same or each a different colour, while the rail colour can also be coordinated.

Venetian Blinds

Origin’s Venetian Blind is available in three style options; contemporary aluminium, wood or stylish faux leather. The aluminium blinds are available in 30 different colours, including woodgrain effects and stainless steel effects, allowing for either a slick, modern look or a more traditional feel. The faux leather blinds are available in a choice of seven colours, including chocolate and tan, while the wood blinds come in over 60 different colour options.

These boots were made for working: Grubs boots review

Roger Bisby
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These boots were made for working: Grubs boots review

Not usually a “wellies man”, Roger Bisby is pleasantly surprised by the new Grubs boots. The only issue he seems likely to have is keeping hold of them.

If  a family has been making footwear since 1776  you can safely assume they have worked out how to do it. The Foster family has not only produced an impressive number of  inventions such as running spikes and cricket boots but two of the family went off to form Reebok.

They also made some of the world’s first football boots, a pair of which scored the winning goal in the FA cup final. If I give you the name Nat Lofthouse you might be able to tell me the team and the year.  There is lots more in the family history to feed your pub quiz but in this article we are looking at one of their modern day inventions.

These Grub’s Ceramic 5 boots are 100% waterproof and as warm as toast. They have a ceramic toe cap rather than a steel. The first pair of boots that were dispatched to me walked away on their own or, to be more accurate, with the help of some light fingered villan. Somewhere, somebody is enjoying the luxury of a pair of thermal lined Grub’s I only hope they appreciate the pedigree of the product.

I am not generally a wellies man, because I like good control over my feet, but these boots are a very good fit on me and having tried them on in the good weather I was looking forward to giving them a good wearing in this winter but now I will need to keep them under lock and key because they seem to be coveted by many. My daughter’s boyfriend dropped by the other day and his antenna picked up on them immediately. Unfortunately he has the same size feet as me so he tried them on.

“These are just the job for fishing” he said.

“Keep your hands off we have already lost one pair, beside these have special ceramic  toe caps”.

“Ceramic? I’ve heard of steel what is the ceramic about? ”

“It provides protection but saves you from electric shocks if you happen to come in contact with a mains cable”

I managed to head him off from taking the Ceramics but looking at the Grub’s website I see that they do have some superb boots for fishing so I now know what to get him for Christmas, a pair of Grubs without the steel toe caps but still with the extra grip soles for those wet slippery muddy banks and of course the warmth that keeps you warm even down to minus 10 degs cent. That is good for any boots let alone wellies.

For my part I am destined to start some extensive groundworks in January which will give them plenty to get their teeth into. Funny to think that I am actually looking forward to it. Good wellies get you like that, we all remember  tramping in the puddles as kids and marvelling at the fact our feet stayed dry, if indeed they did. It was not a given with cheap kids wellies and it isn’t with many adults wellies. but these are the the biz.

www.grubsbootsonline.co.uk

 

New Makita dust extractor removes 99.9% of dust

Dylan Garton
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New Makita dust extractor removes 99.9% of dust

The new Makita Dust Extractor, the VC3012M M-Class Dust Extractor removes 99.9% of dust with Limit Value for occupational exposure >0.1mg/m³. 

This means that the Makita dust extractor achieves performance levels better than the minimum legal limit for dust extraction when working with hazardous materials including silica sand in brick, masonry, concrete, gypsum and wood dusts and plastic composites.

The new Makita dust extractor is available in 110v with a 1000watt motor, or 240v mode with 1200w motor. The 240v model has power take off at 1800w to automatically link to the power tool.

Maximum airflow is 3.2 m³/minute for the 110v machine and 3.7m³/min for the 240v extractor, with maximum suction of 23.0 kPa and 25.0 kPa respectively. An airflow sensor gives an audible beep warning when flow is reduced by a full tank, blocked filter or other obstruction.

The ‘push and clean system’ switches the air flow routing to quickly clean the main input filter, dropping the waste into the container in just seconds. The motor turbine is protected by a washable PET cartridge filter which holds back fine dust and debris. The lightweight yet robust plastic container has two main wheels and two steering castors for excellent stability and manoeuvrability. The overall weight is just 10kg with a tank size of 30 litres with a disposable bag of 23.5 litres and a wet capacity of 19 litres.

The new Makita VC3012M dust extractor is delivered with 4.0m of suction hose, two adaptors and crevice nozzle and 7.5m of power cord and has storage capacity for tools, hose and cord on the back side of the tool box. Extension tubes and alternative floor nozzles are available in the Makita accessory range and can be fixed onto the body for convenient storage.

www.makitauk.com

Scaffolders get suspended sentence following worker’s death

Dylan Garton
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Scaffolders get suspended sentence following worker’s death

Two scaffolders from St Austell, Cornwall have received suspended prison sentences after a worker fell 7m to his death.

Roger Stoddern, 47 (pictured), was dismantling scaffolding on 24 June 2013, when he fell from a flat roof of a property in St Mawes. He was taken to Derriford Hospital but died three weeks later due to the severity of his injuries.

Truro Crown Court heard how Mr Stoddern was stacking 3m roofing sheets on the flat roof of the property without any edge protection. The safety railing had been removed to allow access to the flat roof so the sheets could be stacked. The court also heard how one of the defendants replaced the safety rail following the incident to cover up the cause of the incident.

The Health and Safety Executive’s investigation, alongside Devon and Cornwall police found that Colin Marshall Scaffolding was not qualified to erect the scaffolding and there was evidence no personal protective equipment, such as harnesses, was used. The condition of the scaffolding also failed to meet current safety standards.

Colin Marshall, of St Austell, founder of the business pleaded guilty to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was given a four-month prison sentence suspended for two-years. James Marshall, also of St Austell, Colin’s son and business partner was handed an eight-month sentence suspended for two-years. They were ordered to pay costs of £25,661.

HSE inspector said, “Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in Great Britain and businesses have to take the safety of their workers seriously. Colin Marshall and James Marshall are responsible for the death of Roger Stoddern. It was entirely preventable and should not have happened. The risks of working at height are known. Scaffolders must ensure they use the right protective equipment and have sufficient edge protection in place to prevent workers falling.”

Surrey construction company fined £800,000 after worker run over

Dylan Garton
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Surrey construction company fined £800,000 after worker run over

A Surrey construction company has been fined after a contractor was run over on a large site in Wokingham.

David Cole was a site foreman on the large housing development project, which started in April 2013 and has a completion date of April 2017. He was struck by and pulled under a large bulk powder carrier.

On 7 December 2014 Mr Cole who was contracted to Harlequin Brickwork Ltd was walking along the site road at Mulberry Grove toward the rear of a bulk powder (mortar) carrier. The vehicle was located on a T junction having just reversed into the junction. Mr Cole walked along the nearside of the vehicle as it pulled forward and turned towards the nearside. He was hit by the vehicle and pulled under it.

He suffered serious life threatening injuries. His skin was removed and split on his left arm and leg, he fractured his left hip requiring a pin to be inserted, and fingers on his left hand were broken. His left leg has been left permanently shorter than his right by 20mm.

Reading Crown Court heard the site, run by the Principal Contractor, Crest Nicholson Operations Ltd, had failed to plan and manage the workplace transport effectively. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuting told the court the incident could have been avoided had they monitored and taken action to ensure workers stayed behind the pedestrian barriers and not walked on the road, and prevented  large HGVs  reversing 100s of metres at a time.

Crest Nicholson Operations Ltd., of Crest House, Pyrcroft Road, Chertsey, Surrey, pleaded guilty to breaches of Regulation 36 (1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and was fined £800,000 plus £10,984 costs.

HSE’s inspector John Berezansky said. “David Cole suffered life changing injuries because Crest Nicolson Operations Limited did not properly manage and monitor the workplace transport on their construction site. When working with such large delivery vehicles and construction plant, especially on projects where there are lots of pedestrians,  the principal contractor much take responsibility and ensure the health and safety of all those involved.”

For further information on traffic management visit: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/vehiclestrafficmanagement.htm

Slow start mode on new Makita DTD170 impact driver

Dylan Garton
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Slow start mode on new Makita DTD170 impact driver

Makita has introduced a new operating mode with the launch of its latest 18v Brushless motor impact driver. The new Makita DTD170 impact driver is technically a 6-function impact driver, with four speeds and matched impact power. T-Mode is used for tightening self-drilling Tek screws and when in the new A-Mode (Assist mode) rotation is started slowly allowing maximum control of the screw as it starts to bite into the material.

Once the impact driver detects the screw tightening it switches to full speed and full impact power to complete the tightening sequence. The A-Mode is designed to eliminate ‘screw cam-out’ and ‘cross threading’ caused by high speed rotation before the screw bites in the material.

The new Makita DTD170 generates 175 Nm maximum tightening torque with four impact speeds and power stages ranging from soft setting of 1100 rpm and 1100 impacts per minute; through medium and hard setting levels up to a maximum of 3,600 rpm and 3,800 ipm. This impact driver handles high strength bolts up to M14 and 22x125mm coarse thread screws.

In line with all new Makita tools the performance increases while the overall size of the machines decreases. The new top-of-the-range Makita DTD170 impact driver has a compact overall body length of 117mm and weighs only 1.5kg.

Two further replacement models are introduced to Makita’s impact driver range: the DTD153 single- speed driver produces 170 Nm of torque, 3,600 ipm and runs up to 3,400 rpm whilst the DTD154 3-speed model also has the T-mode for self-drilling screws. All three machines have Brushless motors; ¼” hex; one-touch bit chuck; an electric brake; variable speed control trigger; LED job light with pre-glow and after-glow, and ergonomically designed soft grip handle.

www.makitauk.com

Klauke and Bosch tools get same battery

Roger Bisby
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Klauke and Bosch tools get same battery

Bosch is joining forces with Klauke to deliver high-performance 18 V batteries for all of Klauke’s Next Generation battery-operated hydraulic pressing and cutting tools. These batteries will have a running time of 2.0 or 5.0 Ah depending on the model.

They are part of the Bosch Flexible Power System and are compatible with all of Bosch’s professional cordless tools and chargers in the 18 V class.

The joint partnership will give professionals access to over 30 different types of Klauke tools which are powered by a Bosch battery. This will be of benefit to electricians and tradespeople working on sanitation and heating systems, for example, whose work requires not only Bosch power tools such as cordless screwdrivers, hammer drills and saber saws, but Klauke special tools as well. Using the same battery and the GAL 1880 CV Professional quick charger for both brands, they can now swap the battery between Klauke and Bosch tools quickly and easily. This results in increased versatility and productivity.

These Bosch batteries have a higher capacity than the previous batteries, and they are capable of providing all the power and endurance needed when pressing and cutting with Klauke Next Generation tools. When manufacturing electronic cable connections with duct-laid cable lugs, for example, extrusion can be carried out over a pressing area of up to 630 mm2 and with a force of up to 135 Kilonewtons, depending on the material and the application. These types of applications require high-performance batteries with a long run time – this is where 5.0 Ah batteries from Bosch come in. Another benefit is that thanks to the quick charger supplied, the batteries can be charged back up to 80 percent in just 35 minutes.

SME house builders have nowhere to build, research reveals

Dylan Garton
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SME house builders have nowhere to build, research reveals

Two thirds of SME house builders are struggling to find land for development, according to new research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

For the second year in a row, the FMB’s annual House Builders’ Survey has shown a lack of available and viable land as the biggest barrier to SMEs delivering more new homes.

  • Two-thirds of SME house builders cite a ‘lack of available and viable land’ as the biggest barrier to increasing numbers
  • Half of SMEs see the planning system and difficulties accessing finance as other serious challenges
  • 40% believe the construction skills crisis is now presenting a major impediment to building more homes
  • The under-resourcing of local authority planning departments is the most important cause of delays in the planning process
  • A high proportion of SMEs believe that consumer demand for new homes remains resilient, even in the wake of Brexit

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “The biggest challenge facing SME house builders is the planning process. Councils need to find a way of allocating and granting planning permission for more small sites. The current focus on large sites is squeezing out smaller developers, which is reducing competition in the housing market at a time when we need more, not less, choice. The limited supply of opportunities for small scale development is one of a number of key structural constraints that has seen the number of homes built by SMEs decline from around two thirds in the late 1980s to less than a quarter today.”

Berry continued: “It is absurd that the planning system treats a 300 home application in largely the same way it treats a three home application. While the Government has attempted to remove red tape in its drive to increase the number of homes being built, it would appear that its reforms have yet to make a difference. 95% of SME house builders report that the information demands being placed on them during the planning application process have either increased or remain as bad as they were before. Our survey shows that the primary cause of unnecessary delays is the planning process, with the under-resourcing of planning departments being the most important concern.”

Berry concluded: “SME house builders must be seen as a key component of the Government’s housing strategy. This means a renewed focus on granting planning permission to small sites. At the same time, the Government needs to press ahead with its proposed planning reforms, including a presumption in favour of small scale development. Planning departments also need to be adequately resourced so that they have the capacity to engage more closely with SME house builders and ensure planning applications are processed through the system as speedily and efficiently as they can be.”

Newquay gas fitter sentenced for unregistered gaswork

Dylan Garton
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Newquay gas fitter sentenced for unregistered gaswork

An unregistered gas fitter has been ordered to complete 250 hours of community service for illegally installing a LPG gas boiler and hob at a Newquay home as well as producing fraudulent documentation.

Dean Marshall, aged 47, of Dukes Way, Newquay, installed the gas boiler and gas hob at a property on Chynowen Lane, Newquay several years after his registration with Gas Safe Register had lapsed, meaning he wasn’t permitted to carry out gas work. His previous registration with Gas Safe Register did not cover any work on any LPG gas appliances as he had never completed the proper training for this work. Despite this he continued to use the Gas Safe Register logo on paperwork he issued.

Truro Crown Court heard on the 15th September that Mr Marshall’s illegal gaswork came to light when the homeowner, who had been repeatedly asking for the commission documentation for the new boiler, noticed that Dean Marshall had used another name and registration number on the commissioning certificate.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Dean Marshall had fraudulently used a Gas Safe registered engineers details to deceive the homeowners.

Mr Marshall pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(3), 3(7), and 33(2) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and was sentenced to undertake 250 hours unpaid work for each offence to run concurrently and ordered to pay £4,966.42 in costs.

HSE Inspector Simon Jones, speaking after the hearing, said:

“Only engineers registered with Gas Safe can legally carry out gas work.

“Mr Marshall undertook gaswork which he knew he shouldn’t do. He compounded his illegal work by fraudulently using firstly the Gas Safe Register logo on his paperwork and then the details of a properly registered gas engineer on a commissioning certificate that he issued in a clear attempt to deceive the homeowners.

“If gas appliances, such as ovens, cookers and boilers, are not properly installed there is a risk of fire, explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning.”

Further information on domestic gas safety issues can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/

Videos from the web: Clever idea

Dylan Garton
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Videos from the web: Clever idea

When you haven’t got a winch or a hoist but you have got a motorbike what else are you going to do?

Render can be applied at 1°C

Dylan Garton
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Render can be applied at 1°C

Saint Gobain promises that as well as being rain resistant, webermineral TF, a through-coloured, thin coat, decorative render finish, designed for use with multi-coat render systems can be applied at temperatures as low as 1°C.

The cementitious, even textured render has rapid drying benefits that can prevent wash-off in 1 hour making it good for winter working and achieves a durable, resilient and weather resistant finish for all year round protection.

“As we approach autumn and winter, applicators and developers will no longer be hindered by bad weather,” says Tracey Dempster, head of marketing, Saint-Gobain Weber.  “webermineral TF has been especially designed for application in temperatures between 1°C and 20°C making it versatile and convenient, overcoming expensive site delays.”

Polymer-modified webermineral TF can be applied by hand using a steel float and hawk. According to Sain-Gobain it should be applied to a prepared surface primed with weber PR310 to achieve coverage with no need to paint over.  It is suitable for application with Saint-Gobain Weber’s weberrend MT Render System or with External Wall Insulation (EWI) systems and is available in four core colours – White, Cream, Ivory and Stone Grey. It is supplied in 20kg sacks with only the addition of clean potable water required on site for ease of use.

Weber’s Technical Department has a team of experienced advisors available to provide on-site advice both at the specification stage and during application.  Detailed specifications can be provided for projects and on-site support can be arranged on request.

www.netweber.co.uk
www.weber.ie

Gangway access incident leads to £400,000 fine

Roger Bisby
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Gangway access incident leads to £400,000 fine

Valero Energy UK Limited has been fined £400, 000 following a serious accident at its Pembroke Refinery.

Judge Peter Heywood sitting at Swansea Crown Court heard the Berth 6 access tower walkway that provided gangway access to a stationary tanker vessel on 5 March 2012 had dropped 3.5 metres, causing operator David Thomas to be trapped by a slack wire rope.

He suffered fractures and lacerations to both legs and a dislocated knee.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found multiple failings leading up to the incident which led it to launch the prosecution. The court heard numerous failings included:

  • failed to carry out a sufficient risk assessment of the use and operation of the access tower, with the result that the dangers of jamming, slack cable, and personnel accessing the walkway without engaging the scotching pin were neither identified or addressed and the hierarchy of risk control was not applied
  • failed to provide adequate information, instruction and training to employees as to the safe use and operation of the access tower
  • failed to carry out adequate investigations into the previous and related incidents of September 2011, February 2011 and, in particular, August 2010
  • failed to review the check-list risk assessment in light of those incidents
  • failed to act on the recommendations of their inspection contractor, particularly in respect of the jamming problem and the absence of any access gate interlock and ignored comments on one report of their that there was a ‘’potential fatal accident waiting to happen’’.
  • failed to install any means of detection or prevention of slack cable in the mechanism
  • failed to detect that the access tower was neither CE marked, nor subject to a Declaration of Conformity, as required.

Valero Energy UK Limited (previously known as Chevron), of Pembroke Refinery, Pembrokeshire, pleaded guilty to a single charge of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at a previous hearing. It was fined £400 000 and ordered to pay costs of £60 614.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Andrew Knowles said: “It was particularly disappointing to find that although the company knew there had been problems with the operation of the access tower the company had failed to investigate these properly and had relied on changes to instructions, rather than taking action to modify the defective hardware, as required by the hierarchy of risk control.

“This was even more surprising in view of the fact that the company operates a major hazard refinery site where you would expect such problems to be taken more seriously and effectively investigated, with suitable corrective actions implemented.”

More information on health and safety in the chemical industry is available at www.hse.gov.uk/hid 

New offers on Volkswagen Amarok

Roger Bisby
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0
New offers on Volkswagen Amarok

All highline Volkswagen Amarok models registered from now until the end of September come with a factory-fit RNS 315 satellite navigation system as well as a choice of two chrome packs with a number of competitive finance offers available.

Customers can get a top-of-the-range Amarok Highline 2.0-litre Bi-TDI 180 PS with sat nav on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Solutions Personal Contract Plan (PCP) for £299 per month (0% APR representative), based on a 36 month 10,000 miles per annum agreement.

Available to private buyers, the Solutions PCP provides a flexible  route to buy a new vehicle. An agreed future value of the vehicle, flexible annual mileage limits and variable deposit amounts enables customers to reduce monthly repayments.

Chrome it up

Extra spec is also standard this month on the Highline: an RNS 315 sat nav system is integrated in the Amarok’s dashboard, while two chrome pack options are said to make the pick-up stand out from the crowd. One includes chrome door handle covers, chrome side indicator surrounds and mirror caps plus a polished steel rear styling bar. The second removes the rear styling bar to allow the fitment of a hardtop from the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range. With this option, the customer is given a £500 contribution towards a hardtop of their choice.

Businesses interested in the Amarok can take advantage of a number of finance lease deals, for example an Amarok Trendline from £239 per month.

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.

How to remove a load bearing wall safely and easily using brick brace

Roger Bisby
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0
How to remove a load bearing wall safely and easily using brick brace

In this video Roger Bisby demonstrates how to support brick work safely using the brick brace system during load bearing wall removal. 

“It seems like years ago that I was first introduced to the Brick Brace. It is no illusion, time flies and in all that time I have been waiting for the right job to try it out on. That’s strange because knock throughs are bread and butter work for small builders. So why has it taken me so long to get out on site with this little device? Well to be quite honest with you I was clinging on to the security of the Acrow prop and Strong Boy. For someone who has been testing new products for over 30 years this is a surprising confession. I was shown structural calculations and test certificates for the Brick Brace but it was the scaffold tube ingredient that worried me. The company told me that the tube is used to connect all the tools together. We are talking about a triangle of brickwork and the fact that the tube is clamped securely at each end means that in order for it to bend it needs to find the extra length to do so and the couplers bolted into the brickwork stops that. This was the bit I hadn’t really appreciated and is why scaffolding works, the tube has hardly any strength but it works like the wire in a PSC beam.

https://goo.gl/n35XvD

“So having accepted that it is possible to calculate the exact load on that triangle and prove that the tube will cope easily I felt a lot happier. If there is a point load, such as floor joists then you must prop the floor in the usual way so you are then certain that it is only the self weight of the brick triangle being supported. That, in essence, is how permanent lintel loads have been calculated since the Ancient Greeks built the Parthenon (still standing) in Athens.

“The second factor working in its favour is the compression that the brick courses are under. Anyone who has knocked out a prop by accident and seen that the wall doesn’t immediately collapse knows that the compressive strength is a significant factor. The Brick Brace system was originally developed for sand and lime to increase that linear compression but is also used in sand and cement mortar. In the case of sand and lime you need a safety tool every other joint but in sand and cement it is every third joint.

“Taking out the perps with an SDS bit proved a lot easier than I anticipated, so there is no need to kit yourself out with specialist tools. Once that bit is done you anchor bolt the scaffold clips (all supplied) to the course above and the safety hooks are then hooked onto the scaffold pole. That is the work done. You are now at the same point you would be if slotting in Strongboys.

“Now I wouldn’t say that you should remove the brickwork and leave for any longer than necessary but that is the same with all temporary support. If you are needling through with timber or using Strong Boys you will also be keen to get the lintel or steel beam in place and mortared up. Trying the Brick Brace you may feel that you would still want to use a prop or two but if the Brick Brace is nothing more than the braces to your belt then that is not a bad thing.

“A surprising number of these jobs go wrong for one reason or another. I am sure you can write a list of reasons as easily as I can and I will confess that when struggling to fit a steel with props in the way we have quickly angled other props above and removed the Strong boy for a few minutes, or hours.

It is unlikely that such actions end in catastrophe but it does happen. More common is that you end up with cracks which are often difficult to fill and never the same as before so why take the risk if there is a solution?

Having used the Brick Brace System I feel I have finally knocked that little nagging doubt out of my system and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again. You might not need them for every knock through but they take up no space in your van and they certainly ease a difficult job.

Business as usual for two thirds of SME house builders

Roger Bisby
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Business as usual for two thirds of SME house builders

Two thirds of SME house builders are yet to see any significant changes to their project pipelines in the wake of Brexit, new research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has revealed.

The survey – which is the first to be conducted among SME house builders since the EU referendum – found that 69% of firms are yet to see any changes to their businesses resulting from the referendum.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “SME house builders are crucial to achieving the Government’s ambition to build one million homes by 2020, so Ministers will no doubt be bolstered by these initial post-Brexit findings. Despite some fears that the referendum result might put new projects on hold, the overwhelming majority of SME house builders are reporting that no decisions have yet been influenced by the referendum result. This matches the view expressed by many small construction firms that so far, the market appears to suggest that it’s ‘business as usual’. Only one quarter of small house builders have seen any negative effect on their projects from the Brexit decision, and most of these are the result of delayed decisions rather than actual project cancellations.”

Berry continued: “Brexit aside, we should not paint an overly rosy picture of the situation facing SME house builders. The barriers to building that existed prior to the referendum are still hindering delivery, and as the housing crisis continues to be a pressing concern, the need to empower smaller developers must be a priority for May’s Government. To this end, it’s worth noting that more than half of SME house builders state that the removal of unnecessary red tape should be the most important consideration for the new Government as they begin to negotiate the UK’s exit from the EU.”

Berry concluded: “More than one fifth of SME house builders are demanding that the Government finds a way of ensuring a sufficient number of skilled tradespeople from the EU are still able to enter the UK. The Prime Minister insists that freedom of movement is now over and if this is not likely to be replaced by a points-based system – as reported this week – crucial sectors like the construction industry must be reassured that whatever system does replace it, it is flexible enough to respond to our needs. Otherwise, the construction skills shortage will be exacerbated and ultimately, it will become a major barrier to delivering the housing and infrastructure projects we so desperately need.”

Speedskim review – updated

Roger Bisby
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Speedskim review – updated

Since our first look at Speedskim the range is now being distributed by Ox Tools. It is fair to say that the Speedskim is not for everyone as some plasterers simply could not adapt to it but for those plasterers who have embraced it the main benefit is they can complete the laying down of finish plaster without the trowel. If you are suffering from RSI this gives your wrist  a welcome break and the Speedskim is faster than even the widest flexi trowel. Using the pole, which is sold separately, you can lay down a ceiling simply by walking up and down the room first one way and then the other to achieve a level of flatness that trowels simply can’t achieve.

The Speedskim was originally designed for first coat finish but since the introduction of the stainless steel blade there are many plasterers who are now successfully final coat finishing with the tool with just a last trowel over with a flexi blade trowel to remove the odd dog ear.  Like all new ideas it takes a bit of getting used to but once you get the hang of it you won’t look back.

Original Speedskim review

Roger Bisby tries out the Speedskim and gives his initial findings on this revolutionary tool.

I have watched the development of Speedskim over several years. Like all good inventions it has evolved and, along the way,  it has also created a lot of lively debate. Plasterers are an interesting breed, they defend their craft and traditional practices with a passion and I admire them for that. There are those who see Speedskim as the devil’s work, a direct attack on the supremacy of the trowel, and there are those who wouldn’t be without it.

The first thing to acknowledge is that you still have to put the plaster on the wall or ceiling and for most that remain the domain of the hawk  (hand-board) and trowel (float) and it is where most of the hard work is. However as soon as the plaster is on you can run across the surface with the Speedskim to flatten it. This is a quicker, and more accurate process than a trowel and  it will  save you a significant amount of time and effort.

Once you have made a pass each way on the wall or ceiling it will have taken off the high spots and, to a certain extent, filled in the hollows. It really depends on the angle you hold it at. If you hold it at 90 degrees it will take material off in the same way as a feather-edge but if you hold it at 45 degrees or even flatter it will lay the material down. This is achieved by a row of small ribs on the blade that helps limit the amount of material that moves up towards the handle.

There are those who worry about the fine lines created by the corners of the blade, you can round the blade off slightly, which helps, but the best way is to just tidy the surface up with a trowel as the plaster picks up and you close in the second coat. For some Speedskim is a tool for flattening and straightening and for others it is a tool that can also be used for finishing. If you are going to finish with it then I would recommend a pump up spray bottle to wet the surface. That will prevent any shuddering.

Available in three lengths
You can buy the Speedskim in three different lengths 600, 1200, 1800mm. Most people tend to buy a set but if your main aim is to flatten ceilings I would suggest that the 1800 is a bit too wide to use on the pole. In fact I know some people who use the 600 on the pole, claiming that they get much better pressure and control.

Having used the Speedskim for a few weeks now I am persuaded that it has its place. Certainly for me, a plumber who does a bit of plastering, it is a great help. It allows me to flatten walls after hacking off tiles and when I say flat I mean flat.  All too often I have had plasterers in to do this job and found that I am still having to make up tile beds to overcome their sweeping curves. The chief gripe for me is the way that they ramp up  the corners. With the Speedskim this is rectified immediately. The same goes  for the ceiling line, the speed straightens it in one pass,  and it is  pure joy on up and over skeiling (sic) sweeps in loft conversions. In fact it you bought just for lofts it would earn its keep.  I plastered a  kitchen recently and the guys who came to fit the granite worktops were surprised by how straight the walls were. I asked them if it was unusual and they said it is very rare for them to be able to fit straight to the wall. That tells you something about our present method of using hand and eye.

Notwithstanding my success with the tool  I know plasterers who have bought Speedskims and gone into rages of frustration because they can’t get the hang of them. In that respect it may be easier to get a non-plasterer up to speed than an old hand but it is the older guys who are suffering with repetitive strain injury from years on the trowel who will benefit the most. It won’t get the plaster on the wall or ceiling and it may not give you the final polish but it could save you 500 sweeps of the trowel in a day and that has got to give your wrist a rest. That figure of 500 is entirely a guess by the way. I have never counted how many movements of the trowel it takes to flatten a wall or ceiling and I probably never will. In the end I suppose  it depends how well you put it on.

Further impressions
Over the coming months I am going to keep a set of Speedskims in the van and as I travel about the country I will let plasterers give them a try to gather some further impressions. Certainly my old mate Dave Pederson and his sons are interested in trying it on some big ceilings that they have coming up soon.  They have what you might call a ‘healthy level of scepticism’  about anything that doesn’t hurt. They believe that work = pain and that is why people pay you to do it.

Let us know your experiences with Speedskim.

speedskim.co.uk

Wimbledon-based property developer chooses Lomax + Wood

Dylan Garton
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0
Wimbledon-based property developer chooses Lomax + Wood

High performance, made-to-order wooden windows and doors have been specified by a leading London-based property developer who has  chosen Lomax + Wood for their most recent project in Wimbledon, South West London.

The four-storey, period style private residence, which includes a converted basement and contemporary light wells, is built of brick with lavish use of stone to back and front facades, around window openings and in the colonnaded portico entrance.

A deep, decorative soffit at roof height is a characteristic feature of this developers period property designs.  The home offers over 5,000 sq ft of living space, has six double bedrooms, reception rooms, a kitchen/family/dining room and a lower ground floor media and family room.

Double glazed Victorian-style spring box sash windows from Lomax + Wood’s Kensington & Chelsea collection feature a non-bar lower pane with lamb’s tongue mouldings, and an upper pane with a single vertical lamb’s tongue glazing bar, designed in single, double and triple window configurations.

Kensington & Chelsea semi-glazed wooden French doors with fixed glazed side panels allow light and space into the large kitchen diner which are set into a proud stone façade externally.  The master bedroom above has a feature double French door, flanked with non-bar spring box sash windows either side, lead to a Juliet balcony arrangement overlooking the patio and landscaped garden.

Kensington & Chelsea factory-finished, double glazed windows provide modern acoustic and thermal performance which meet and improve upon the requirements of current Part L Building Regulations’.  Suitable for both new build and heritage work the range offers a coordinated collection of high performance wooden sash windows; beautiful flush timber casement windows; single, Bi-folding and timber entrance doors in a variety of designs.

This property features a grand entrance door with vertical and horizontal insulated raised and fielded panels, crowned with a plain and elegant fanlight that allows maximum light ingress into the welcoming hall.  Kensington & Chelsea entrance doors meet Part L Building Regulations’ and incorporate a turn-key espagnolette which has been tested to Secured by Design standards.  Entrance doors incorporate the security features of the Lomax + Wood Heritage Locking System.  Hardware has been chosen in polished chrome from a range of designs and finishes.

Kensington + Chelsea products are delivered to site and factory-finished with three coats of highly durable, micro-porous paint as standard which is available in white and a choice of fashionable heritage colours, as well as stain and dual colour.

This property in Wimbledon offers the latest innovations and technology for contemporary living, including underfloor heating throughout, a Sonos sound system in the main rooms; Rako lighting; low emissions air-source heating and low energy lighting and air-conditioning.

Visit www.lomaxwood.co.uk for free CAD drawing downloads.

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