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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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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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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.”

Wimbledon-based property developer chooses Lomax + Wood

Dylan Garton
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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.

Alba Krapf Murxi Bar Review

Roger Bisby
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Alba Krapf Murxi Bar Review

Roger Bisby takes delivery of two Swiss made heavy wrecking bars and goes in search of jobs that need this kind of leverage.

The Swiss made Murxi bar sounds like something you might want to eat but you would do serious damage to your teeth if you took a bite out of this drop forged wrecking bar from the Swiss engineering company Alba Krapf. There are wrecking bars that come out of China and have fancy names to make them sound stronger than they really are but these fellas are serious tools.

Give me a lever long enough and I could move the world said Archimedis in one of his more cocky moments. He was not taking into account the fact that a long lever would bend and therefore it needs to be, not only long, but very strong.

Never mind Archimedis, drop forges were thin on the ground in ancient Greece but we are a lot better equipped. If you are regulalry taking buildings apart and pulling nails from timber then these bars will do what other bars can’t.

Unfortunately I had a limited opportunity to try them out but even picking them up I was struck by just how much heavier they are than other bars I own. If you think that Swiss engineering is alll about fancy watches and cuckoo clocks then thing again.

For a start they are tunnellers which means they use massive machines that bore through rock and if they need a little leverage to free a jammed head or machine part then big bars are what they need and the Swiss know that the Alba Krapf forge is the place to go.

I have seen the process that goes into making these bars and the are still hand made by guys who sweat a lot and weild red hot heavy metal with big tongs.

What’s the state of the construction industry post-Brexit?

Dylan Garton
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What’s the state of the construction industry post-Brexit?

Ian Anfield, managing director for construction audit, contract and payroll provider, Hudson Contract, comments on recent talk of a recession in light of the Brexit vote and  considers the state of the construction industry post-Brexit.

“Whether we’re entering a recession or not is a big talking point at the moment. Certainly, we at Hudson Contract have seen that the number of operatives averaged per client has dipped by 4.5% in the last three months, but it’s unclear if that means an output dip or the beginning of a long downturn.

“There are so many factors to be considered but I have an impression that any downturn may be relatively short-lived. I read a piece written by HSBC’s chief economist who commented that the government has done a number of credible things since the vote. These included; ensuring new leadership headed by Theresa May, ruling out an early General Election and ruling out an emergency budget. Taking time to speak with European leaders and not triggering Article 50 this year all seems to make economic common sense.

“It’s certainly not all doom and gloom. The latest reports from the Purchasing Managers’ Index reveals that construction output also recovered last month following a seven-year low in July. It appears that business confidence is stabilising and the feared short-term effects of the referendum have been short-lived to a certain extent.

“Overall I’m definitely one for seeing the glass being half-full for the construction industry. Private business can and will build if the government act in a decisive and positive way to minimise the uncertainty the Brexit vote created. We’ve all seen how Team GB performed recently – it’s time the whole country took on the ‘Believe’ mantra.”

What are your experiences of the construction industry post-Brexit? We’d love to hear them.

Scangrip Nova work lights review

Roger Bisby
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Scangrip Nova work lights review

Although they’re not the cheapest models on the market, Roger Bisby finds the Scangrip Nova work lights are built to last.

Two or three (time flies) years ago I went to review some Scangrip LED work lights which shine their powerful beam under the name of Nova.

I was so impressed that I bought a pair together with stands and I am very glad I did. They certainly aren’t the cheapest work lights around but they are bright and robust. Before I bought the Novas I was using halogen (remember them?) which are hot, expensive to run and fragile. I used to buy the replacement filament bulbs by the box load because they were always going when the lights got knocked. The Nova Chip On Board COB technology gives you a brilliant daylight matched work light that is so powerful that most of the time I point them at the ceiling or a wall to deflect the beam and spread the light.

Working on loft conversions with halogen lights I used to find that they gave me a headache at the end of the day but since I changed to the daylight work lights those headaches have disappeared, that fact alone makes them worth the price but the ability to see the pencil marks and the bubble in the spirit level also makes the daylight colour temperature worth the money.

Since I bought my lights Nova has been busy upgrading its lights. It now has one that is twice as powerful as mine which is tempting in terms of being able to light up a large room but the one that really caught my eye is the new rechargeable unit.

This light has multi-stage control and an indicator to tell you how much runtime is in the battery. It also has a wireless control that can operate through your phone via the app. This allows you to remotely  switch up to four lights and also adjust the power settings on each lamp. This may be a bit more control than you need but it has a lot of benefits for people working on high end interior decorating and plasterers working on prestige developments with intricate mouldings. If you use a high quality daylight you are assured that you are seeing your work in the most critical light.

The other thing I really like about these lights is the new stands. They weigh a lot because they are tubular steel but they won’t get knocked over and you can set the lights high so they shine down onto your work area.

There are cheaper work lights but I don’t think there are better work lights and they are built to last. If you look at the cost in life you are probably not paying any more and you can be assured that they will work for you day in day out.

Scangrip

www.scangrip.com

Origin launches residential door

Dylan Garton
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Origin launches residential door

Origin has introduced the Origin Residential Door available in the UK to trade from 1st September 2016, or consumers from 1st October 2016. The Origin Residential Door can be used as a front or garage door for an integrated front of house look.

Manufactured with a high-grade aluminium, there are 35 panel choices on offer, available in over 150 different RAL shades; the Residential Door has been designed with heightened security and thermal efficiency in mind.

Front of house unity

Available as a front door (either as a single or French Door) or a garage door (French Door), means that homeowners can achieve a complete front of house integrated look.

When used as a garage door, it can be specified with no threshold for seamless access inside and out. In terms of threshold options, there are three available – weathered, non-weathered, or the specifically designed mobility threshold, standing at just 20mm when the doors are open. These are suitable for disabled access, internal use such as porches or flats, or exterior doors that aren’t highly exposed to the elements.

There are over 35 panel choices, ranging from traditional to ultra-modern. The Origin Residential Door has been engineered for optimum energy efficiency. Both the frame and sash feature an advanced polyamide break to limit heat transfer, while the panel is manufactured with a highly efficient Thermimax core and aluminium layers for optimum thermal performance.

Security

The Origin Residential Door locks and barrels and aluminium composition combine to offer an ultra-secure system. Two different locking systems are available; a 5-point multipoint lock, or Origin’s industry-leading 8-point multipoint locking system, with an offset spindle function for complete security performance. Additionally, Origin offer two barrel choices, both of which are 3 Star British Kite Marked, proven to protect against snapping, picking, drilling and bumping.

Bespoke

Personlisation on the Origin residential door is possible, from the size of the door, right through to the colour and handle choice.

An extensive colour palette is available with over 150 different RAL shades, ranging from bright primary shades to earthy tones. With a dual colour option also available on the frame, sash and the panel, it means the exterior colour can complement the building style, while the interior can suit the internal colour scheme.

A tailored range of handles and door pulls, unique door-knockers, spyholes and letterboxes are also available.

www.origin-global.com

Rockwool Sound Insulation review

Roger Bisby
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Rockwool Sound Insulation review

In this Rockwool Sound Insulation review Roger Bisby finds the product has come a long way since it’s ultra itchy conception.

It seems to me from my visits to sites  that many builders and loft converters don’t attach very much importance to sound insulation. This is a great pity because good sound insulation is an important indicator of a quality  extension or loft conversion.

Who wants to hear the person upstairs peeing  in the loo or doing anything else for that matter?  It is important enough to be included in the Building Regulations but it is rare that I see Building Inspectors taking a close interest in what is being used in between the floors and walls. Having said that I did once see one diligent inspector pick up a board and see nothing at all in between the joists and he made the builders take the whole floor up again in order to lay the sound slab and he was insistent that they use the real thing. Of course it is not just about sound, the incorporation of  Rockwool Sound Insulation Slab is also important for the prevention of fire spread. It is non combustible and dense so can significantly slow the path of a fire.

As the name suggests Rockwool is made from rock fibres and the important thing is that these are non-directional fibres which means it traps airborne sound a lot more effectively than some of the straight laid glass wool general insulation products out there which are designed to be full of air.  This density also slows the passage of fire you can fire a blowtorch at it and if you do it long enough it will glow but that is all. This combination of fire resistance and sound resistance is such a winning combination that it would seem to me a no brainer,  but I have seen plenty of jobs where the drawing shows sound slab in the stud walls and floors and the builder grabs the nearest (and cheapest) insulation roll on the stack believing that this does the same job.

Now I have to admit that the Rockwool of old was not a builder friendly product and those with long memories may remember that you would itch for days if you had to put it in.  I have a lot of that old style Rockwool in my  eaves cupboards and it is a constant reminder of how things used to be. I keep clear of it if possible. The newer Rockwool is a completely different proposition. You will notice  in the pictures I am not covered from head to toe in protective clothing. I am not advising anyone else to do this because it is always good practice to cover up but I am making the point visually that modern Rockwool is a lot more pleasant to use.

Rockwool_3687

www.rockwool.co.uk

How to silicone seal a basin or bath with Abacus Bathrooms

Roger Bisby
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How to silicone seal a basin or bath with Abacus Bathrooms

In this latest video on the Skill Builder You Tube channel Roger Bisby shares some tips on how to silicone seal a basin or bath and explains some cheats which can make the job easier.

Among Roger’s tips are making sure that the surface is clean and dry before beginning the job. Roger also demonstrates a tool from Abacus which he says can make up for a lack of talent in the siliconing area.

Meanwhile Mark from Abacus Bathrooms takes up the challenge of perfecting silicone sealing with no cheats.

www.abacus-bathrooms.co.uk

Construction Firm in Court After Worker Fractures Spine in Roof Fall

Roger Bisby
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Construction Firm in Court After Worker Fractures Spine in Roof Fall

Construction firm Montway Ltd has been fined £144,000 after a worker was seriously injured when he fell off a roof during demolition work.

Southwark Crown Court heard that on 25 February 2013 two workers were working on the roof of a two-storey detached house at 17 Basing Hill, Golders Green in London.

Romanian Worker Fractures Spine

Romanian labourer Mr. Ioan Vancea fell from the partly demolished roof and suffered serious injuries.  No scaffolding had been provided and the work was not being supervised.

Mr. Vancea fell some five metres from the roof to the ground and sustained a series of injuries including a fractured spine.

He was in an induced coma for two weeks and remained in the hospital for three months.

The site was inspected by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) two weeks after the incident and unsupervised demolition work was still being carried out.

A number of serious matters were identified including asbestos which had been removed from the house and was found in a pile by a neighbouring property’s hedge and in broken pieces mixed in with other debris.

Worker Fractures Spine in Roof Fall
Worker Fractures Spine in Roof Fall

Enforcement Notices were immediately served to ensure workers and members of the public were protected.

Montway Limited of Batchworth House, Batchworth Place, Church Street, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1JE pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £144,000 and ordered to pay £43,606.15 in costs.

Montway Ltd originally pleaded not guilty, but changed their plea and sought a Newton Hearing to determine numerous issues it disputed.

The Newton Hearing took place before District Judge Roscoe between 23-24 May 2016.

HSE inspector Andrew Verrall-Withers commented after the hearing:

“Mr. Vancea’s injuries were life changing and he could easily have been killed.”

“This serious incident would have been avoided if scaffolding had been provided. Montway Ltd’s site documents even identified it was needed.”

“Montway Ltd sought a Newton hearing so they could dispute numerous issues in front of a District Judge. They were unsuccessful and the Judge’s ruling confirmed she was satisfied that their approach towards the welfare of their employees was lax and casual, and it was their overall poor management of health and safety that directly led to this incident.”

See more on safety failings with Skill Builder.

Limited edition Irwin tool organiser

Roger Bisby
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Limited edition Irwin tool organiser

Skill Builder went to Toolbank‘s headquarters to take a sneak preview of their Real Deals Christmas promotion (yes sorry to mention it so early) and among the things we saw was this Irwin tool organiser packed full of Irwin’s best selling tools. It is ideal for the jobbing builder who never knows quite what they are going to come up against and it is particularly suitable for people working in properties with limited vehicle access. In other words if you have to carry all your tools in and out of the site then this soft sided organiser will help you do that in fewer journeys.

This is a limited edition so when it is gone it is gone and we know from previous years that there will be a phenomenal  uptake on the Christmas offers so we asked Toolbank if we could do a preview on this. This set will be in the merchants in October/November but to make sure you secure one of the sets before they go you can pre-order it from your merchant. The saving on this tool set is not to be repeated so it is well worth asking your merchant to reserve you one.

In the soft sided organiser you get 45 tools:

2 Quick-Grip 6 inch clamps
1 15 inch Jack Saw
1 3 piece set of Marples chisels
1 folding knife
1 8 metre tape
1 bolt grip set
1 Joran cordless drill bit set
1 Blue Groove auger set
1 Vise-Grip 10 inch plier
1 Hacksaw
1 Vise-Grip Fast Release 2 piece plier set
1 Vise Grip Combination Plier 7inch
1 T handle hex key set 8 piece
Twin pack hacksaw blades
Record Block plane
2 heavy duty G clamps

We fully expect these quality Irwin kits to be snapped up as soon as they hit the shelves so Skill Builder readers are among those to get first dibs.

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