News

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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.

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, …

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 …

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 …

Banks must show leniency to the thousands of SMEs in Carillion’s supply chain, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

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 …

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 …

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 …

Redland – the manufacturer and supplier of pitched roof systems – has announced the launch of the Apprentice of the Year with an important twist.

HSE is reminding companies of the necessity of monitoring workers’ health after a South Wales Housing Association was fined for exposing workers to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court heard how Charter Housing Association Ltd. reported six cases of HAVS following a health surveillance programme launched in June 2015. The affected employees were all part of the maintenance …