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ForgeFix launches power tool accessories range

New Products

16th June 2016

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

News

Roger Bisby

16th June 2016

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

New Products

Roger Bisby

15th June 2016

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

15th June 2016

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

14th June 2016

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.

uk.gorillaglue.com

Breathe new life into patios and paved areas

Dylan Garton

14th June 2016

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

14th June 2016

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

14th June 2016

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.

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

News

Dylan Garton

10th June 2016

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

10th June 2016

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

News

Roger Bisby

9th June 2016

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.

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

9th June 2016

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

News

Dylan Garton

9th June 2016

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.

Scottish Apprenticeships Endangered by Levy Uncertainty

News

Roger Bisby

9th June 2016

Scottish Apprenticeships Endangered by Levy Uncertainty

Growth in apprenticeship numbers in Scotland could be scuppered unless the Scottish Government commits to ring-fencing the new UK-wide Apprenticeship Levy for training according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Responding to figures published by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), Gordon Nelson, Director of FMB Scotland, said: “Although the increase in apprenticeship numbers is welcome, the quality and employment outcomes of apprenticeships should take precedent. Equally there is now a fear that this good work could soon be undone if the Scottish Government doesn’t commit to re-investing funds raised by the new UK-wide Apprenticeship Levy. There is a leadership vacuum in terms of demonstrating how the Apprenticeship Levy will be implemented in Scotland.”

Nelson continued: “However, in the Scottish Government’s defence, the Apprenticeship Levy has been foisted upon them with no or very little consultation. The business community in Scotland has been particularly frustrated as it was impossible to properly engage with policy-makers on this important matter in the run-up to the Scottish Parliamentary elections. Now that the elections are behind us, and the relevant Ministers are in place, we want a clear message from the Scottish Government that they will engage with the construction industry and others to develop a workable policy for investing the Apprenticeship Levy that works for the Scottish construction sector.”

Nelson concluded: “It’s crucial that we get this right as the Scottish construction industry is already in the midst of a skills crisis – the FMB’s latest State of Trade Survey showed that nearly half of SME employers are struggling to recruit carpenters, and that more than one in three are finding it difficult to source plumbers. These kinds of shortages could have a potentially disastrous effect on the nation’s key housing and infrastructure objectives. The only way to ensure that Scotland keeps building is by developing more home-grown talent, and to achieve this, the construction industry needs the Government to prioritise quality apprenticeships and the upskilling of existing workers.”

Base extends safety trainers range

Roger Bisby

8th June 2016

BASE has extended its range of safety trainers with three new options, which the company says will make you feel like you are walking on air.

Frisbee, Be-Shiny (pictured) and Colosseum join the existing Martin and Opera BASE trainer line-up, and have a lot in common in terms of comfort and style. Among the lightest safety trainers on the market, Frisbee and Be-Shiny are designed to fit like a glove and feel almost weightless.

Be lighter on your feet

Both Frisbee and Be-Shiny trainers are fitted with BASE SlimCap – a metal-free toe cap which is said to be 35% lighter than standard steel toe caps and with a pre-shaped protective bend for additional protection. Both safety trainers also have a tough and slip-resistant TPU-Skin, which makes the soles of the footwear ultra-flexible, to cushion the foot and bend as required. With its steel toe cap, the Colosseum trainer is also flexible and comfortable to wear, thanks to its Airtech anti-fatigue sole.

Frisbee features BASE’s Dry ‘n’ Air technology, an ergonomic footbed for comfort plus air circulation to keep feet cool and fresh.

SmellStop technology

All three new trainers not only help to reduce foot fatigue thanks to features such as padded collars, they also have SmellStop technology, with a fabric lining that has a permanent anti-bacterial treatment to help prevent odours.

www.brianhyde.co.uk

Construction training charity to close

News

Dylan Garton

8th June 2016

Building Lives, the award-winning construction training charity, is to close at the end of the month due to a lack of sustainable funding.

Building Lives was started by Lakehouse founder Steve Rawlings in 2010 and has taken those furthest from the workforce and trained them for successful careers in construction.

The charity’s closure comes at a time when skills shortages in construction are undermining the Government’s aim of building a million new homes in five years.

Building Lives said: “Given the skills crisis in London, it is incredibly disappointing that we are unable to continue with our model, especially as it provides huge value for money for the tax payer.

“To put a young person through a Building Lives traineeship costs just £4,000. On average 8 out of 10 people on our Careership training programmes go into work or apprenticeships. This contrasts with the cost of a young person being out of work to the UK economy of £165,000. Last year, the Further Education (Skills Funding Agency) budget in England alone was £7.5bn. At the same time, the construction Industry Training Board raised £120m from across the construction sector to tackle the skills shortage.”

Building Lives Managing Director Sian Workman said: “In order to continue operating for another year, Building Lives needed £900,000 to deliver 380 Careerships across four Training Academies based in the heart of London Council Estates. That’s a drop in the ocean compared to how much money is spent for no guaranteed job outcomes. The bottom line is, although a Careership may not have fitted with existing government funding criteria, it led to real construction jobs, helping reduce unemployment and the skills shortage – ultimately, benefiting us all.

“I am deeply disappointed we have failed in our attempts to secure the financial support needed from government and the construction sector to continue. However, I am also incredibly proud of what the team has accomplished since Building Lives first opened its doors. Proud that we dared to be different and in the process supported more then a thousand people into construction careers. Proud that we genuinely tried to make a real difference to our society. And no matter what, that is something we will hold on to.

“We hope the legacy and learning left behind, will assist other organisations to support people into construction careers.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all partners, stakeholders and friends for their support and commitment over the years. Together we have built many lives across London.”

Training academies will be handed back to Building Lives’ partners to determine their future purpose from 30 June 2016.

One man cladding device review

Roger Bisby

7th June 2016

Roger Bisby spends a day out on site with James Gibbens inventor of Cladman.

I had seen Cladman featured in Inventors Corner in an issue of Professional Builder and it whetted my appetite. I have done more than my fair share of cladding and weather boarding and for me it has always been a two man job. Nothing wrong with that, it is nice to work with someone and have a bit of banter but having one guy cutting the lengths while the other is fixing means you can fly through the job at three times the speed and the accuracy is assured.

The Cladman is adjustable to suit different board widths but it is also able to handle different thickness’s. There are other devices on the market that will do the same job but there isn’t one that works with cement fibre boards and timber feather-edge. The device I have seen for cement board, for example, has a thin strap that goes down the back of the board. It works well enough but when you pull the straps out they have a tendency to scratch the boards. That makes the customer unhappy so you have to get out the touch up paint. All of a sudden you are a decorator rather than a carpenter. That won’t make you rich or happy.

You can see that the Cladman has a rubber buffer on the front to prevent such scratches and the buffer is also the roller that supports the board above and allows it to roll along its length without marking

Claman looks simple enough but that is deceptive, it has gone through a lot in the design. Nobody ever gets it right first time and James has produced a series of prototypes in his workshop to get to the finished article. When I visited him he had finalised the tool but was busy designing a special carrying case to hold a pair of Cladmen.They are robust enough but they have precision adjustments that would be better off if they were not knocked about by throwing them into the back of the van.

Whilst on my visit I made a short video to help James promote

his tool.

New brick colour created

Roger Bisby

6th June 2016

A new red brick colour has been created for the Saint-Gobain Weber External Wall Insulation (EWI) system chosen by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) for their property upgrade programme in the Dinnington area.

The weber.therm XM EWI system, finished with weber.rend RB Render Brick in the new Georgian Red colour, has been created to accurately match the established red brick Georgian properties in the area. The senior Building Surveyor for RMBC required that the properties being thermally improved should match the traditional aesthetics, as far as reasonably practical, and the Saint-Gobain Weber laboratory at Flitwick, Bedfordshire, subsequently developed the new colour to add to the existing palette. Additionally, a distressed finish has been achieved by artistic application of weber.sil P, a silicone enhanced masonry paint, to create a more natural, aged brick effect.

The 88 properties in this project were built in the 1930s and were identified as hard to treat, some with solid walls and some with narrow cavities of varied dimensions. To achieve a target u-value of 0.28W/m²K from 1.48 W/m²K, 80mm of expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation has been fixed to the outer walls as part of the weber.therm XM system and finished with the weber.rend RB Render Brick finish, a combination of two coloured mortars used together to create the brick effect finish.

Once the insulation material has been fixed to the structure, an initial coat of weber.rend LAC render is applied over the insulation with a mesh-cloth reinforcement laid into it. A second pass of weber.rend LAC is then applied which is finished with a lightly comb-scratched surface to encourage the bond with the weber.rend RBB base coat which acts as the mortar line in the brick effect. This is applied at 7-8mm thick and ruled to achieve a flat, in-plane surface. When this has taken-up a 2-3mm coat of weber.rend RBF face coat is applied and the surface lightly textured with a soft bristle brush to create the brick face. When this coat has taken up the brick pattern is marked carefully and cuts are made through the face coat render to expose the base coat to achieve an authentic, bonded brickwork appearance.

The weber.rend RB system is a cost effective and attractive finish giving excellent weather protection for varying climatic conditions.

In conjunction with the brick effect, the existing rendered panels were replicated using weber.therm XP, a through-coloured one coat render in ivory achieving the welcome, fresh contrast RMBC required.
www.netweber.co.uk

80% of Builders Will Base EU Decision on Broader Personal Beliefs

News

Dylan Garton

3rd June 2016

80% of Builders Will Base EU Decision on Broader Personal Beliefs

More than 80% of bosses of small construction firms will overwhelmingly base their decision to remain or leave the EU on their broader personal beliefs instead of their business interests, according to a new poll by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The poll also showed that:

Builders rank the UK Government’s ability to freely legislate in a way that specifically meets the needs of British business as the biggest benefit of Brexit
Most support from builders for remaining within the EU stems from continued economic stability membership would be likely to provide
More than half of small construction business owners do not feel well informed when it comes to issues that might affect their businesses when it comes to the EU referendum.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The outcome of June’s referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU will have significant ramifications for construction SMEs, regardless of the outcome. That’s why it’s fascinating that more than 80% of our members have indicated that their vote will be determined by their personal beliefs ahead of anything else. It just goes to show that although it’s important to explore the business case for leaving or remaining within the EU, for many people their decision will be based first and foremost on other drivers. These could include the desire to be part of the wider European community or a compulsion to reclaim British national sovereignty.”

Berry continued: “However, a recent survey by Ipsos MORI revealed that the public wants to hear the perspective of SMEs more than any other type of business. Unfortunately, our research shows that the people who run small construction firms feel that the ongoing debate over Brexit has done little to enlighten them on the issues that really matter, with 52% stating they do not feel well informed on the issues that might affect their businesses. This is perhaps a reflection of how few of the impartial facts that are so widely craved have actually been offered by either side. No wonder then, that the vast majority of builders will be opting to vote based on their wider personal beliefs when the economic and business case of each argument remains so unclear”.

Berry concluded: “What’s clear is that few sectors are more sensitive to uncertainty than construction. Already, there are signs that the unpredictability surrounding the outcome is beginning to sag on industry confidence as investment is deferred and homeowner confidence wanes. This explains why continued economic stability has been cited as the best reason to remain in the EU. On the other hand, 40% of SMEs identified the potential freedom that Brexit could grant the Government to set legislation that truly meets the needs of British business as the biggest potential positive of Brexit”.