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Dewalt unveils 54V battery which provides power of corded with freedom of cordless

Dylan Garton
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0
Dewalt unveils 54V battery which provides power of corded with freedom of cordless

DEWALT is claiming to have “changed the game” in the power tool market as it unveils a range of 54V power tools that offer new levels of runtime and performance.

With the new XR Flexvolt range Dewalt promises tradespeople they will be able to undertake heavy-duty construction applications without the need for mains power.

This innovation means that you can have 54V power across a whole range of tools without the inconvenience of a cable. DeWALT XR FLEXVOLT can also switch from 54V to 18V, making it backwards-compatible with existing XR power tools.

The range includes an XR grinder, a circular saw and a cordless table saw to name just a few.

From Electricians and Plumbers to Carpenters and Roofers Dewalt claims “Whatever your trade, XR FLEXVOLT will change the way you work.”

On the jobsite of the future, as envisioned by Dewalt, there is no time wasted searching for power sources, no dangerous cables and complete freedom of movement.

Young entrepreneur designs kneepad to reduce osteoarthritis

Roger Bisby
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Young entrepreneur designs kneepad to reduce osteoarthritis

A young entrepreneur from Glasgow has redesigned the traditional kneepad to launch a product aimed at tradespeople which reduces pressure on the knee by 76%.

Vicky Hamilton, 25, a product design engineering graduate from the University of Strathclyde, originally developed Recoil Kneepads as part of her final year project. She was inspired to help her dad, Gordon Hamilton, 48 who suffers from osteoarthritis, which he believes has been caused by his lifelong career as a joiner.

The multi-award winning design sandwiches springs between two layers acting as a shock absorbing and pressure reduction system. Pressure is reduced across the entire knee joint rather than focusing on one small area. The double layer system pivots so the user can kneel from side to side without the kneepad slipping away and the strap rests on the shin rather than the back of the knee, improving comfort.

The product is aimed at construction workers with the annual rate of musculoskeletal injuries in the construction sector statistically significantly higher (approx. 2%) than all other industries (1.3%), according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Vicky said: “The idea for Recoil came about one evening when I was listening to my dad complain about his sore knees at the dinner table. None of the kneepads he had tried were helping and it suddenly clicked that I could create something that would improve life for him and other tradespeople.

“A huge amount of research has gone into the development of Recoil Kneepads over the last four years to create a product that outperforms those already available on the market.”

The kneepads have been put through their paces at the University of Strathclyde laboratories, with tests finding they decrease pressure by 76%, making them more effective at reducing pain than the major competitor brands. The nearest competitor reduces pressure by 60.7%.

Vicky’s dad, Gordon, said: “I am extremely proud of what Vicky has achieved. She has certainly found a solution to a problem myself and many others in the trade suffer from. I find Recoil Kneepads extremely comfortable and they make prolonged kneeling a lot more bearable. I never thought my complaining would have resulted in such a fantastic product!”

Vicky added: “I want Recoil to have a positive impact within the UK business community. We manufacture the kneepads in the UK in Edinburgh, and I plan to invest in job creation over the next year. I’m also very interested in connecting with potential stockists over the next few months.”

Price: £39.99 incl. VAT (introductory offer)
Dimensions: 26cm x 14cm x 13cm
Weight: 445g

www.recoilkneepads.com

How to: Lay floor levelling compound

Roger Bisby
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How to: Lay floor levelling compound

Further to popular demand on Skill Builder’s YouTube channel, in this video Roger Bisby provides an indepth guide that shows how to lay floor levelling compound in association with Bostik.

The first point Roger makes is that these are floor levelling compounds and not screeds, a screed is something that’s put down on top of concrete to form a level base and sometimes if that screed isn’t completely smooth a floor levelling compound is laid over the top. Floor levelling compounds can also be used on existing floors if they’re uneven or they’ve dropped when they can be used to level the floor out or if you’re trying to raise two floors to the same level, for example when one room has been knocked through to another. Floor levelling compounds can also be used on timber floors as demonstrated in this video.

 

Construction industry and Samaritans join forces to tackle mental health

Roger Bisby
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Construction industry and Samaritans join forces to tackle mental health

The Building Engineering Services Association (the BESA), the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and the CIBSE Patrons are joining forces with the Samaritans on a campaign to address the growing problem of mental health and workplace stress in the construction industry.

This initiative will begin with a jointly hosted seminar to be held in central London.

BESA chief executive Paul McLaughlin, who will chair the event, said that 80% of engineering services firms believe that workplace mental health will have a serious impact on their businesses over the next five to ten years.

This worrying statistic emerged from an occupational health survey carried out by the BESA and the ECA, which also revealed that 31% of companies found on-site mental health issues “hard to manage”.

“Mental health is the forgotten health and safety issue,” said Mr McLaughlin. “As an industry, we have made impressive progress on workplace safety in the past 20 years, but on health  – and mental health in particular – we still have a long way to go.”

Samaritans regional partnerships officer Will Skinner, who will lead an interactive session at the seminar, pointed out that the vast majority of calls received by the charity are from people who are not suicidal, but just desperately need to talk to someone about how they feel and why they are struggling to cope.

He added that everyone could play a part in helping work colleagues to deal with depression and suicidal feelings.

Callers to the Samaritans range from individual tradespeople to senior managers feeling the isolation of leadership. Many small and medium-sized firms are also struggling to cope with stress created by tight deadlines and cash flow issues.

CIBSE Patrons chairman David Fitzpatrick pointed out that the impact of stress was apparent throughout the supply chain.

“For an industry that already has serious recruitment issues, tackling mental health has to be a priority,” he said.

“In order to make construction-related professions more attractive to a wider section of the population – particularly women, ethnic minorities and school leavers – we need to make sure we cover all aspects of worker wellbeing.”

ECA director of business Paul Reeve added that it was important that the sector worked together to help contractors tackle this issue.

“Unlike ensuring protection against physical health hazards, employees who face mental health challenges may be the least able to decide or follow the right course of preventative action,” he said.

The mental health seminar will take place at St Matthew’s Conference Centre, 20 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2BU on Thursday 21 July 2016 from 5.00 pm. Attendance is free to members of the BESA, the ECA and the CIBSE Patrons, who may bring a guest. Bookings can be made by clicking here.

Suspended Prison Sentence for Unregistered Gas Fitter

Roger Bisby
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Suspended Prison Sentence for Unregistered Gas Fitter

A gas fitter from Walsall has received a suspended prison sentence after he fitted a hob at a house in Tamworth when not on the Gas Safe Register.

Alan Nicholas Price’s work came to the attention of HSE after a registered fitter subsequently carried out repairs on the gas hob.

The unregistered gas fitter from Pelsall, was charged with breaching Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations.

He failed to appear in court on two separate occasions and was arrested. At Stafford Crown Court, he pleaded guilty and was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and pay £100 towards HSE’s costs.

Gas Safe Register maintains the register of businesses and operatives who are competent to undertake gas work.

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, for a gas engineering business or operative to legally undertake gas work within the scope of the regulations, they must be on the Gas Safe Register.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Wayne Owen said: “When working on gas systems it is vital that the person has sufficient knowledge, training and experience so that they are aware of safe working practices and standards.

This is due to the level of risk if gas systems are not worked on and fitted safely. The risk is posed not only to the person carrying out the work but to anyone else who may be in the vicinity of the systems afterwards; in this case the occupants of the house.”

UK pricing for Fiat Fullback pickup announced

Roger Bisby
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UK pricing for Fiat Fullback pickup announced

Pricing and specification for the hotly anticipated Fiat Fullback pickup truck have been announced today ahead of its UK launch on July 4th.

Available as a double cab only and with all-wheel drive standard on all versions you can own one of Fiat’s first pickup’s from £20,995 (excluding VAT, VED, delivery and plates) for the SX version.

The FIAT Professional Fullback SX is powered by an aluminium-block, 2.4-litre diesel engine with a variable-geometry turbo charger which produces 150hp and 380Nm of torque with an official combined-cycle fuel economy figure of 44.2MPG (6.4L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 169g/km. The standard SX transmission comprises a six-speed manual gearbox with on demand four-wheel drive system with three electrically-selected settings: 2H, 4H and 4L.

Meanwhile in the LX version which is priced from £22,995 (excluding VAT and OTR charges), t he power and torque outputs are increased to 180hp and 430Nm, while the full-time four-wheel drive system has four electrically-controlled settings: 2H, 4H plus 4HLc and 4LLc with a locking central differential for improved traction. Its official combined-cycle fuel economy figure is 42.2MPG (6.6L/100km) and its CO2 emission figure is 173g/km.

Technical highlights across all FIAT Professional Fullback models include a one-tonne payload with a bed length of up to 1.52m, 3,100kg un-braked towing capacity (2,700kg for the SX model), best-in-class turning circle. Sophisticated double wishbone front suspension and a solid axle with leaf springs for maximum reliability and sturdiness.

Standard equipment on the LX includes keyless go, leather upholstery, electrically-adjusted and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, bi-xenon headlamps with washers, enhanced body styling, privacy glass and a 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with DAB, Bluetooth connectivity and satellite navigation as standard. Lane Departure Warning, a reversing camera and a comfort-oriented “Touring” suspension are also including in the generous LX specification When equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission, the LX version adds an upgraded 7-inch infotainment system and transmission paddle gear shifters.

www.FIATprofessional.co.uk

– TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION –

FIAT Fullback Version 2.4 150hp SX 2.4 180hp LX 2.4 180hp LX Auto
C02 169 173 189
Combined MPG 44.2 42.8 39.2
Combined l/Km 6.4 6.6 7.2
Displacement cc 2442 2442 2442
Max output hp / Nm 150 / 380 180 / 430 180 / 430
Fuel System Turbo Diesel Electronic Common Rail Direct Injection
Transmission MT 6-speed MT 6-speed Auto 5-speed
Steering Rack and pinion power assisted – 5.9m turning circle
Suspension (rear) Rigid, elliptic leaf springs
Brakes (F) 16-inch Ventilated Disc (R) 11.6-inch Leading and trailing drums
Tyres 205/R16C 245/65R17 245/65R17
Off Road Angles Approach 30° / Departure 22°/ Ground Clearance 205mm
Length mm 5285 5285 5285
Width mm 1785 1815 1815
Height mm 1775 1780 1780
Track (mm) (F) 1520 (R) 1515
Overhangs (mm) (F) 865 (R)1420
Kerb weight kg 1765 1875 1875
GVW kg 2800 2905 2910
Towing (unbraked) kg 2700 3100 3100
Payload kg 1035 1030 1035
Seating capacity 5 5 5

Stonemasonry firm fined after apprentice injured by power line

Dylan Garton
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Stonemasonry firm fined after apprentice injured by power line

A stonemasonry company in Perth has been fined after an apprentice stonemason was seriously injured from contact with an overhead power line.

Perth Sheriff Court heard how 20 year old apprentice Rodd McFarlane was working for T& M Stonemasonry, carrying out repairs at Waulkmill Cottage in Perth.

During this work, McFarlane erected a tower scaffold to carry out some re-pointing work.

While on the scaffold he came into contact with overhead 240volt electricity power lines that were supplying the cottage. The wind caused the power line to brush against his back causing him to turn around instinctively and grab the live wire. The flow of the current meant he was unable to let go for a few seconds until he jumped down from the board on the tower scaffold. His weight broke the wire and interrupted the flow of current.

He received an electric shock and suffered burns to both hands requiring graft surgery and a possible future amputation of a little finger.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred on 2 August 2012 found that the stone masonry company should have developed a safe system of work.

T&M Stonemasonry, of Highfield Road, Scone, Perth, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £16,000.

www.hse.gov.uk

ForgeFix launches power tool accessories range

Dylan Garton
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ForgeFix launches power tool accessories range

ForgeFix,  has introduced a new range of power tool accessories.

The range was developed drawing on ForgeFix’s thirty years of industry experience as well as specialist input from a panel of trade professionals including joiners, plumbers and general builders. Products, which will be sold under  ForgeMaster brand,  include high speed steel , SDS hammer drills for masonry, flat wood and auger drill bits.

The range also includes TileMax and MultiMax, two bits said to be widely respected for their tile drilling performance and versatility.  We have not had a chance to test these products yet to see if their claims stand up but we hope to run them up against a few well known brands such as Bosch.

All products are packaged in clear plastic tubes with hang tags which feature clear information on product type, size and use, helping to simplify product selection.

The tubes are also resealable and can be used to store and transport bits when not in use. This helps to keep the bits clean, safely secured and damage free.

For more about Forgefix: www.forgefix.co.uk

BT Fined £500,000 After Fragile Roof Fall

Roger Bisby
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BT Fined £500,000 After Fragile Roof Fall

British Telecom plc (BT) has been fined £500,000 after an engineer fell seven metres from a loft in London, breaking his back and his ankles.

The Old Bailey heard how a BT engineer, David Spurgeon, was fixing a telephone fault in the roof void of a residential block of flats in Tower Hamlets, East London.

Mr Spurgeon was working alone when he lost his balance and fell through the ceiling, landing on a concrete stairwell, sustaining his serious injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred in May 2011 found there were a number of management failures by BT, including inadequate planning of work taking place near fragile surfaces and checking that it was carried out safely.

British Telecom plc, of Newgate Street, London, was found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Safety and Health at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £500,000 and ordered to pay costs of £98,913.51.

In his sentencing remarks, the judge criticised BT for attempting to blame its own engineers for the incident. He described their approach as being ‘not necessary, misplaced, and unfortunate’.

HSE inspector Kevin Smith said: “David Spurgeon is lucky to be alive.

“There were a number of failures of health and safety management by BT which related to planning the work, supervision, and checking it was being carried out safely.

Work at height needs to be properly planned, and this incident could have been prevented.”

For further information on fragile roofs visit: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/fragile.htm#fra

Origin simplifies online ordering

Roger Bisby
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Origin simplifies online ordering

British manufacturer of bi-folding doors and windows, Origin, has launched an online quoting and ordering system to help trade partners to quote and order products from the company’s Origin Home range with ease, accuracy and efficiency.

Origin’s Sale Safe (OSS) system, which is said to be the first system of its kind, was built in house to improve the ease and speed of ordering, as well as minimising the risk of any costly mistakes. By simplifying the overall ordering process, Origin’s trade customers will be able to save time with admin, turning around orders in record time and increasing overall productivity and sales pipeline.

Simplifying the quotation process

OSS is different from existing systems as it allows users to build whole customer projects, rather than quoting on individual products. This means that all the information on each customer is kept in one place, removing the need to have multiple orders and quotes pertaining to one customer. An unlimited number of doors and windows can be added, edited or removed at any time. Therefore, if a returning customer is undertaking another building project, their preferences would already be saved, removing the need to search and re-enter this information.

As a time saving feature, OSS offers the option for users to work from a popular configuration, which is based on the user’s order history, or alternatively, to build a project from scratch. Working from popular orders means that in its most basic form, customers could retrieve quotes simply by choosing the size and configuration.

Another key feature of OSS is its intelligent cascade system. This means that should a customer want to change an overall project preference, such as colour, OSS can push through this change to all products. This removes the need go in and edit every single product to accommodate this change.

Once a quote has been generated, a bespoke quote template, branded for the user and built by Origin, can be downloaded and printed for the customer to keep.

The flexibility of Origin’s manufacturing schedule also enables customers who use Sale Safe to make changes right until the order has been made.

Ensuring accuracy and precision

When making changes to a quote, OSS has an intelligent amendment system that highlights the changes that have been made from the previous revision to the latest. This reduces the amount of checking required, limiting the opportunity for human error at the quotation stage. Once an order has been placed, the Origin team checks each and every order, to further eliminate room for error.

Quoting and ordering instantly

OSS streamlines the ordering process significantly, allowing costs to be retrieved instantly and orders to be placed on the spot, if required. OSS also gives users the option of ordering in batches to meet the customer’s deadline and budget requirements.

www.origin-global.com

Costs of solar PV could tumble by 59 percent.

Dylan Garton
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0
Costs of solar PV could tumble by 59 percent.

The average costs for electricity generated by solar and wind technologies could decrease by between 26 and 59 per cent by 2025, according to a report released today by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).  The Power to Change: Solar and Wind Cost Reduction Potential to 2025, suggests that with the right regulatory and policy frameworks in place, solar and wind technologies can continue to realise cost reductions to 2025 and beyond.

It estimates that by 2025, average electricity costs could decrease 59 per cent for solar photovoltaics (PV). Electricity prices for concentrated solar power could also decrease as much as 43 per cent, depending on the technology used. By 2025, the global average cost of electricity from solar PV and onshore wind will be roughly 5 to 6 US cents per kilowatt hour.

“We have already seen dramatic cost decreases in solar and wind in recent years and this report shows that prices will continue to drop, thanks to different technology and market drivers,” said IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin. “Given that solar and wind are already the cheapest source of new generation capacity in many markets around the world, this further cost reduction will broaden that trend and strengthen the compelling business case to switch from fossil fuels to renewables.”

Since 2009, prices for solar PV modules have fallen roughly 80 per cent. With every doubling of cumulative installed capacity, solar PV module prices drop 20 per cent due to economies of scale and technology improvements. Importantly for policy makers, cost reductions to 2025 will depend increasingly on balance of system costs (e.g. inverters, racking and mounting systems, civil works, etc.), technology innovations, operations and maintenance costs and quality project management. The focus in many countries must therefore shift to adopting policies that can reduce costs in these areas.

“Historically, cost has been cited as one of the primary barriers to switching from fossil-based energy sources to renewable energy sources, but the narrative has now changed,” said Mr. Amin. “To continue driving the energy transition, we must now shift policy focus to support areas that will result in even greater cost declines and thus maximise the tremendous economic opportunity at hand.”

https://bit.ly/233POFQ

O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream review

Roger Bisby
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O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream review
Roger Bisby tries out O’Keeffes Working Hands Hand Cream.

They used to say, back in the day, that when the revolution comes everyone will have to hold out their hands and those with soft hands will be put up against the wall and shot. A tad extreme, I grant you, but I always knew I would be safe from the firing squad. Like many builders I spent far too many years handling cement without gloves and it has caused irreversible damage. These days my skin splits as soon as I look at cement and of course it is always far worse in the winter. The most likely products to damage my hands in are any cement based products and, strangely, pressure treated timber which seems to draw the moisture like blotting paper. Often when I have been handling those materials all day I am woken up in the night with the pain from those deep cuts in my thumbs. If you know that one feel free to sing along;- anything that can help heal the damage and gives me a good night’s sleep is worth a try.

O’Keeffes Working Hands hand cream is an American producte that is being distributed in the U.K by Gorilla Glue. It is a lot cheaper than some hand creams and if you put it on your merchant account it is eligible for tax relief. Even better I discovered that it is even better value because you don’t need to use much,so it last quite a while. One tub lasted me twelve working days. Just keep it in your pocket and dab a little on through the day. Once the splits heal keep using it to prevent a return of the dreaded dry skin. It is particularly effective if you put a little on at night just after you have had your cocoa and cleaned your teeth. Make it part of your daily routine.

Even after a couple of days I noticed a marked difference, I felt human again. I was so pleased that I grabbed another couple of tubs next time I was in the merchants so I now have one in the van, one in my tool bag and another one at home. It is a non-greasy cream so I can put it on and settle down to the computer keyboard or even put some on when I am sitting in traffic jams without it making the steering wheel slippery. To say I am delighted with this product is an understatement. I have no idea who O’Keeffe is but if I ever meet him or her I will shake them by the hand.

Breathe new life into patios and paved areas

Dylan Garton
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Breathe new life into patios and paved areas

Adseal Colours has launched two new DIY concrete staining kits which include all the products needed to recolour or completely change the colour of both interior and exterior concrete surfaces. They contain a stain from a choice of 12 different solid colours as well as a paving sealer, an applicator brush, protective gloves and easy to follow instructions.

Kits are available to treat areas measuring up to either 10m2 or 37m2.

Commenting, Michael Palin, managing director at Adseal, says: “With summer rapidly approaching, many homeowners are now looking to make the most of their outdoor spaces. Our DIY staining kits can help with that goal.

“They provide a simple to use, all-in-one and permanent solution which can breathe new life into a tired patio or paved area.

“They can also be used to realise some truly impressive and creative transformations or flourishes thanks to the sheer breadth of colours available.

“This includes everything from neutral colours like terracotta and charcoal through to more vibrant hues such as red, orange, yellow and blue.”

Each of the stains featured in the new kits comes from Adseal’s ORIGINAL SOLID Colour Stain range.

These polymer modified stains are water rather than solvent-based. This makes them a more environmentally responsible solution as well as easier and less noxious to use with no unpleasant fumes and no potentially hazardous chemicals involved.

They can be used on both flat and vertical surfaces and on substrates that include concrete slabs, flags, blocks, pavers, imprinted (stamped) concrete and many other porous substrates.

After application, the stains will dry to leave a uniform, completely opaque and natural looking finish. In addition, they will cover over any existing discolourations, stains or blemishes.

Similarly, the featured sealer – known as Adseal WB25 Sealer – is also water-based. Thanks to its proprietary formula, it dries quickly to create a durable, low sheen finish that is free from the milky opalescence that can occur with solvent-based sealers (known as blushing).

Adseal WB25 Sealer also offers excellent abrasion and chemical resistance, preventing unsightly marks being left on a treated surface by hot tyres, rain, UV exposure, grease, oil or most common household chemicals.

Finally, those looking to add a contrasting coloured area to their project or to create highlighted edging stones (a soldier course) have the further option of a huge range of secondary colours from the wider Adseal Colours’ range.

www.adsealcolours.co.uk/DIY

Gas engineer sentenced for putting tenants at risk

Dylan Garton
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0
Gas engineer sentenced for putting tenants at risk

A gas engineer has been sentenced to 120 hours of community service for putting tenants at risk in rented homes in Chelmsford.

Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard that James Wilkinson was Gas Safe- registered for some types of gas appliances, but had been carrying out work for which he was not competent.

Wilkinson was contracted to work on gas warm air units at five rented homes, including a house in Bouchers Mead, Chelmsford. He did not hold the required qualification to undertake the work. Wilkinson twice left the gas installation at Bouchers Mead in an immediately dangerous condition. He left a gas leak following a repair and then failed to service the warm air unit correctly, leaving the tenants exposed to carbon monoxide. They were only alerted to the danger by their carbon monoxide alarm.

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and toxic gas that can cause unconsciousness and death at high concentrations. About seven people die each year as a result of exposure to carbon monoxide from poorly maintained gas appliances.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Wilkinson worked on warm air units when he was not competent to do so and not Gas Safe-registered to do the work.

HSE inspector Susan Matthews said: “It is essential for public safety that gas appliances are only maintained by gas engineers who are competent to work on them and registered with Gas Safe Register for that work.”

James Douglas Wilkinson, of Falmouth Road, Chelmsford, Essex, pleaded guilty to breaches of Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and Regulation 3(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was sentenced to 120 hours community service and ordered to pay costs of £2,527 and a victim surcharge of £60.

For more information about gas safety visit: www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/

Plasterboard you can fix to without plugs

Roger Bisby
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Plasterboard you can fix to without plugs

In this video Roger Bisby finds out more about the new Gyproc Habito plasterboard which you can screw straight into without the need for plugs or special fixings.

The high-performance plasterboard from British Gypsum is the latest addition to the Gyproc performance board range and has been designed for use in the residential sector.

You can hang radiators and kitchen cabinets straight onto it. No more looking for the stud or cutting out sections to insert noggings. It is suitable for direct decoration or a Thistle plaster finish.

Gyproc Habito uses patent (s) pending technology to provide inbuilt fixing performance in a plasterboard. A no. 10 woodscrew will provide a safe working load (SWL) of up to 15kg per fixing. We recommend that you follow the manufacturer’s guidance as to the number of fixtures required to mount a fixture. Example: If a TV weighs 15kg with its bracket and the bracket accepts four fixings, you should use four screws, even though this provides 60kg safe working load.

https://goo.gl/n35XvD

What is a safe working load for Gyproc Habito?

British Gypsum states that Gyproc Habito has a safe working load of 15kg when used with a no. 10 woodscrew. The safe working load is calculated by this fixings failure point divided by a factor of four, so a no. 10 woodscrew would require 60kg to fail in Gyproc Habito.

Can I use any woodscrew with Gyproc Habito?

No. British Gypsum recommends that a standard single thread woodscrew is used. Fixings with cross threads for chipboard will reduce fixing performance. You also need to ensure the woodscrew does not have a threadless shank. The length of the screw used should be sufficient to pass through the fixture being mounted and completely through the board. Be aware of the substrate the board is fixed to and always check for pipes and electrical cables prior to fixing.

 www.british-gypsum.com

Free apprentice for a year

Dylan Garton
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Free apprentice for a year

A new apprenticeship scholarship programme has launched today, which will give two construction companies the chance to benefit from the placement of an apprentice who will be completely funded to work for them for 12 months.

The initiative is being launched by the construction audit, contract and payroll provider, Hudson Contract, to celebrate its 20th anniversary and also provide opportunities to two young apprentices hoping to take their first steps on the construction career ladder.

Hudson Contract will sponsor the apprentices by covering their salaries for up to a year. To be in with a chance of gaining one of the apprentices, visit www.hudsoncontract.co.uk  and describe in up to 100 words how an apprentice could benefit your company.

The scholarship scheme is designed to help support the future of the construction industry. Latest government figures show that there has been year-on-year growth in apprentice starts across England. A record 18,290 construction apprenticeship programmes started in 2014/2015 compared to 15,890 in the previous year.

Managing director of Hudson Contract, Ian Anfield, comments: “Having worked in the construction industry for 20 years, we’re a business that is passionate about investing in apprenticeships.

“The building trade is one of the biggest apprenticeship employers, and with a serious skills shortage impacting the sector we really wanted to give something back to construction firms of all shapes and sizes. Hopefully it can also provide the perfect platform for two apprentices to kick-start their careers.”

The scholarship offers coincide with Hudson Contract’s ongoing apprentice support. Through its Apprenticeship Scheme, the company has now part-funded over 70 apprentices since 2011.

Ian Anfield added: “The scheme was put in place after discovering construction students were struggling to find companies willing to take on apprentices, particularly small firms that couldn’t afford to do so. We’re now building on this heritage of supporting apprentices by completely removing the financial headache for two more firms through our 20th anniversary scholarship programme.”

The winning apprentices will start their scholarship in Autumn 2016, and will produce a video diary of their experiences throughout the year.

www.hudsoncontract.co.uk

Contractor fined for safety failings

Roger Bisby
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Contractor fined for safety failings

A company based in Cardiff has been fined for safety failings during a property development which included breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court heard Ziman Trading Limited, formerly Ziman Investments Limited (Ziman), was acting as the principal contractor at the property development of the former New York Hotel, York Street, Porth.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company failed to ensure that appropriate measures were in place to control risks onsite, including falls from height, exposure to asbestos and the risk from fire.

Failure to plan

The company failed to effectively plan and manage the work which put workers at risk. Ziman did not cooperate with the investigation and failed to comply with enforcement action taken by the HSE.

Ziman Trading Limited, of Cefn Coed Road, Cyncoed, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and Section 33(1)(G) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,478.

For further information construction sites visit: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/areyou/commercial-client.htm

Roofer fined after passer-by reports unsafe work

Roger Bisby
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0
Roofer fined after passer-by reports unsafe work

A Bracknell based roofer has been fined for safety failings after a complaint was made to the HSE regarding unsafe roof work.

No-one was injured in the incident at Sabine Gates, Old Bracknell Lane, Bracknell on 27 August 2014, however members of the public were endangered by the potential for falling objects.

unsafe roof work

Reading Magistrates’ Court heard that Terry Colwell trading as T Colwell Roofing, from Bracknell had been contracted to undertake roof repairs to the property by Grosvenor Court (Bracknell) Management Company Limited (Grosvenor Court).

Terry Colwell chose to carry out the work without a scaffold, working at heights of up to eight metres with no fall protection or falling object protection to protect members of the public.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) established that Terry Colwell undertook the work for £650. The price of a scaffold would have been between £1400 and £1500.

Terry Colwell, trading as T Colwell Roofing, of Hardwell Way, Harmans Water, Bracknell, was fined a total of £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,966 in costs after pleading guilty to a single breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

After the hearing HSE Inspector John Caboche said: “This was a serious incident that could have ended in tragedy for Mr Colwell or a member of the public had he fallen or had a loose roof tile been dislodged during the repairs.

“The incident was wholly preventable and could have been avoided had Mr Colwell used a scaffold and not undercut the other roofing company and if the operation been better planned and managed.

“It is essential that roof work is carefully assessed by competent persons, with a plan in place to prevent falls of persons and objects. Roof work remains one of the most dangerous activities in the construction sphere.

“Terry Colwell was fully aware of the dangers of roof work and HSE publishes extensive guidance that is readily-available of how to safely manage this type of work.”

Further information on how to properly manage roof work can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/roofwork.htm

Further fall in construction inspections

Roger Bisby
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Further fall in construction inspections

The number of unannounced construction inspections being undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive continued to drop last year according to construction union UCATT.

In 2015/16 there was a total of 9,219 inspections compared to 9,656 in 2014/15, a decrease of 4%.

The number of construction inspections has been declining steadily in recent years with figures revealing that in three years the number of inspections has fallen by 13%.

Most regions in the UK saw a decline in inspections in 2015/16. The biggest drop was in the South East where inspections fell by 26% which comes on top of a 19.6% reduction in the previous two years.

Other regions to record declines in 2015/16 were: Wales 18%, Eastern 13%, Yorkshire 13%, North East 10%, West Midlands 7% and London 5%.

Brian Rye, Acting General Secretary, of construction union UCATT, said: “These statistics are far from meaningless. They paint a serious picture of how a resource starved HSE is increasingly unable to do its job.”

Mr Rye added: “Inspections save lives and prevent accidents. The reduction in inspections is endangering the lives, health and wellbeing of construction workers. This is a political decision by the Government which have decided that it is financially justified to play fast and loose with the safety of construction workers.”

No excuses for being overweight

Dylan Garton
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No excuses for being overweight

With figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) revealing that almost nine in 10 (88.5%) of the 2,381 vans it weighed last year were overloaded, Venson Automotive Solutions is urging van owners to ensure their vehicles are safe and legally road compliant.

Van operators need to take into consideration how their vehicles are used, including the working environment and the payload of the goods and equipment they are carrying. Crucially, these need to be considered prior to any conversion. Organisations also need to make sure staff know how to operate the vehicle and the on-board equipment.

“When it comes to equipping vehicles, it’s essential to keep in mind the payload quoted by the manufacturer,” explains Operations Director, Gil Kelly at Venson Automotive Solutions. “Fitting crash tested storage equipment, such as racking, and including a bulk head in the vehicle helps improve driver safety.  And whilst equipment can be recycled, where appropriate, it’s important any products being reused should meet current legislation. Fitting telematics can also help with some aspects of driver safety and security, as well as providing businesses with the data they need to improve operational and business efficiency.

“Too many businesses cut corners when it comes to equipping their vehicles, or don’t recognise the impact an inferior product could have on vehicle or driver safety. The worst offenders include overloaded vehicles, poorly secured equipment and a lack of pedestrian warning systems.”

Gill Kelly concludes, “Getting the vehicle specification correct at the outset can save businesses time and money but more importantly improve staff safety. We work closely with clients and using years of experience are able to fit out all sorts of vehicles for all kinds of industries. Our purpose built workshop in Yorkshire is a destination centre for all the main vehicle manufacturers, which means cars and vans can de delivered direct to us for conversion/fitting out, ready then for onward delivery to the client and into active service.”

Venson offers SMEs top tips on best practice to ensure vehicles are safe and legally road compliant.

Vehicle Loading Safety Tips 

  • Know the weight and weight limits of your vehicle. Maximum permitted axle weight and Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) can be found in your driver handbook or sometimes on a plate located by the bulk head or by the driver or passenger door.
  • Be careful not to mix up the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) with the Gross Train Weight (GTW). The GVW is the maximum permitted weight of the vehicle (plus any load it is carrying), while the GTW is the maximum permitted weight of the vehicle plus any trailer being towed (plus any load being carried in the vehicle and trailer)
  • Ensure the load is distributed evenly. After any drop-offs, re-check the distribution of the remaining load and that it is secured safely – heavy items on the bottom, lighter items on the top.
  • Ensure the GVW is checked before setting out using your own weigh pads or use a public weigh-bridge. Alternatively consider having your vehicle fitted with on-board weighing systems.
  • Never automatically trust declared weights, invoices or delivery notes given to you by customers. Remember that you and your employer hold the responsibility for not overloading, not the customer.
  • Loads should be secured to make sure they do not slide around during transport. In vehicle storage solutions may help.
  • Carry out health & safety assessment for loading and unloading the vehicle, both internal items and external items such as ladders, materials etc.
  • Consider alternative storage solutions. What was once carried on the roof/side of vehicle is now not necessarily required.
  • Is everything that is being carried in the vehicle required? Consider alternative solutions such as onsite delivery from suppliers.
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