As tool thefts from vans soar across the nation and there is increasing unrest among tradespeople whose livelihoods depend on their tools, Skill Builder returns to Sussex Installations to find out more about the specific issues associated with Ford Transits and find out what can be done about them. The problems associated with Ford Transits are well known with the …
Read More »Women Need More Shoes – Footwear on International Women’s Day
On International Women's Day Georgina Bisby shares her findings after trying out some safety boots from Dr Martens new women's range and discusses the problems women face finding good fitting PPE.
Read More »5 Warning Signs of Asbestos Poisoning
OSCHR has compiled a list of five signs to watch out for that may indicate that you're suffering from an asbestos-related disease.
Read More »WIN a Snickers workwear bundle worth over £300: Competition closed
This competition is now closed. Skill Builder has teamed up with Snickers Workwear to give away a set of premium workwear from the company’s brand new high vis range as modelled by Roger in this video. The prize package which is worth over £300 includes: Allroundwork Insulated high vis jacket RuffWork Heater Hat Flexi Work Wool ½ zip top Litework …
Read More »Construction sites grind to a halt in snowy weather
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) says work on many construction sites has ground to a halt as heavy snow continues to fall in parts of the country. Sarah McMonagle, Director of External Affairs at the FMB, said: “Heavy snow showers have led to many construction sites across the UK grinding to a halt. “Some construction bosses have told their …
Read More »Prop Pal invention offers builders some support
Bricklayer and general builder Stephen Cheshire is, like many builders, often faced with the prospect of trying to hide a steel beam in the ceiling. The problem, as you will no doubt know, is not hiding the beam but how to safely prop the wall above the upstairs floor level so you leave the ceiling void clear to place the …
Read More »Trade apprentices wages set to rise above national average by 2022
Screwfix is calling for the next generation to consider a career in the electrical trade as new research shows a job in the trade could lead to higher wages than other career choices. Future electricians could earn at least £2,500 a year more than the national average by 2022, bringing their average salary to over £27,500. In addition, apprentices can …
Read More »Roofing materials donation
With the industry suffering from a lack of skilled workers, Cembrit is helping to educate the roofers of the future by donating roofing materials to Leeds College of Building for the Roof Slating and Tiling apprenticeship scheme. Cembrit has contributed approximately 1,000 Westerland fibre cement slates, 600 Glendyne natural slates and 120 angled ridges to help deliver valuable roofing …
Read More »Company fined after falling scaffold clip hits pedestrian
A scaffolding company was sentenced today for safety breaches after a scaffold clip fell approximately 20m (60 ft.) and hit a member of the public walking below. Westminster Magistrates Court heard that, on 20 March 2017, the injured person was walking along Upper Street in Islington, London when he was hit on the head by the clip. He sustained numerous …
Read More »Why did we make an impact driver test?
On Friday 9th February we released our showdown of eight of the big players in the impact driver arena to help you identify the best impact driver for your needs. Roger Bisby put drivers from Bosch, Dewalt, Hitachi, Hilti, Makita, Metabo, Milwaukee and Panasonic through their paces. Explaining the thinking behind the latest test, Roger comments: “We set this test …
Read More »SGN partners with SmartWater to prevent tool theft
UK gas distribution company, SGN has teamed up with SmartWater in an effort to combat the growing trend in tool and van theft. The utlity provider, that provides gas to 6 million homes, has applied SmartWater’s forensic traceable liquid to all their liveried vehicles, as well as the tools and equipment onboard. The forensic formula contains a unique identifying code, …
Read More »BS 8612 – A Watershed For Pitched Roofing
Redland – the company that invented dry-fixed roofing systems, with patents dating back to 1966 – has welcomed the introduction of BS 8612 Dry-fixed Ridge, Hip and Verge Systems for Slating and Tiling.
Read More »CHAS & NFB partner to promote health & safety standards
The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS) and The National Federation of Builders (NFB) have announced a new partnership to raise health and safety standards in the UK and make the world of work safer. The NFB represents small to medium-sized builders, regional contractors and house builders across England and Wales. As one of the UK’s longest standing trade bodies, …
Read More »Carillion contracts worth 7.5 billion
As the economy continues to come to terms with the collapse of Carillion, the latest figures suggest that on the day of liquidation, the industry giant was the main contractor on 57 construction projects worth a total of £5.7 billion, including a £1.3 billion HS2 contract. This latest information comes from construction industry analysts Barbour ABI, who outlined that ten …
Read More »Bricky and chippy shortage reaches record high
Two-thirds of those running small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms are struggling to hire bricklayers and carpenters as construction skills shortages hit a ‘record high’, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Key results from the FMB’s latest State of Trade Survey, the quarterly assessment of the UK-wide SME construction sector, include: More than two-thirds (68%) of construction …
Read More »Safety Stand-Down to Cover Whole of Construction Sector
Following a successful launch in 2017, the first UK-wide stand-down for the infrastructure sector has plans for growth in 2018 with plant safety and mental wellbeing two key priorities for the coming year.
Read More »Banks Must Show Leniency to Carillion’s SME Supply Chain
Banks must show leniency to the thousands of SMEs in Carillion’s supply chain, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Read More »Carillion collapse must be a catalyst for change, says BIFM
Following the news that Carillion has gone into liquidation the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) has issued a statement stressing the need to learn from the event and to use it as a catalyst for change. In its statement Carillion said: The news that Carillion has ceased trading is both sad and shocking. The clear priority is to ensure …
Read More »Worker Killed Falling Through Skylight
A company has been fined after an employee died following a fall through a skylight. Leicester Crown Court heard how the deceased was working with another employee on the roof, re-siting a heater and new chimney flue when the incident occurred. He suffered severe injuries and died from these injuries approximately 6 months later. An investigation by the Health and …
Read More »What Will The New Year Have in Store for the Construction Industry?
Ian Anfield, Managing Director for construction audit and contract provider, Hudson Contract, shares his construction industry predictions. “This time last year, I shared my thoughts on what would dominate the construction agenda in 2017. Some of the observations I made, such as Brexit being linked to skills shortages, were fairly safe, while others, like losing one of the major contractors …
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