News

Plumbers hit hard by tool thefts – 27% of Plumbers targeted in 2017

tool thefts

Plumbers incomes are said to have been seriously damaged this year by tool thefts from vans and job sites, with 27% reporting the loss of tools which damaged their ability to earn a living. The research carried out by warm.co.uk suggests that thefts are on the rise, and Plumbers are fully aware of the damage to their livelihoods of the …

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Construction Still One of the Most Dangerous Industries

construction dangerous

The latest annual injury and ill-health statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that the construction sector continues to suffer significantly higher injury rates than other industries with slips, trips & falls remaining the biggest cause of injuries. The latest HSE stats show 1.3 million workers were suffering from work-related ill-health – a decrease on 2015/16 (144) – …

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Introducing the Hilti DX 5 Powder-actuated Tool & Hilti Connect App

Hilti DX 5

Roger Bisby gets an introduction to the Hilti DX 5 Powder-actuated Tool which features Hilti Connect App. Direct fastening tools are among the quickest, easiest and safest for making serial fixing applications but it can be difficult to know when your tool is ready to be serviced. Or when it should be cleaned. And if it needs to go in for a repair, where should you …

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Insurance Associaton calls for overhaul of Building Regulations including a ban on combustible cladding

ban on combustible cladding

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has called for a change to the confusing and outdated fire safety regulations and a clearer framework of responsibility for all those in the protection of buildings from fire. Responding to Independent Review on Building Regulations and Fire Safety, led by Dame Judith Hackitt, the ABI says action is required by the government to …

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DeWalt Mega Kit giveaway & Faithfull Screwdriver Set review

Faithfull Screwdriver Set review

Skill Builder has once again teamed up with Real Deals for You to take a look at a selection of products from their Christmas campaign and bring you news of a major competition; Real Deals for You is giving away 12 DeWalt Mega Kits worth £1899 each.  In the first installment of this series Roger Bisby provides details of how …

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Construction workers spend 130 hours a year drinking tea

drinking tea

A survey of UK workers in the construction industry carried out by household appliances retailer, AppliancesDirect.co.uk, has revealed that builders spend on average 130 hours annually taking tea breaks. This is 20.34 hours more than the average British worker who spends 109.66 hours annually making tea. The research, which looked in to the building workplace eating and drinking habits, found …

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Anti-dozing collars and heat-stress detectors trialled by Amey workers

Anti-dozing collars

Wearable technology which could reduce risks to drivers and lone workers has been trialled by highways engineers working for service provider Amey. Biometric and location devices which detect when the body is under stress and help workers raise instant alarms at the touch of a button were piloted on a technology maintenance contract, where working in higher risk environments is …

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Hard hat or bump cap?

Hard hat or bump cap

What’s the difference between hard hats and bump caps and how do you know when to wear each one? Test your knowledge in our Skill Builder quiz in association with Scott Safety.   

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Construction workers think Brexit will hit government infrastructure projects and ‘intensify skills crisis’, research shows

Construction workers

More than 80 per cent of construction workers believe Brexit will damage the UK’s industry and prevent high-profile government infrastructure projects from being delivered, a new study suggests. Researchers at Birmingham City University have been examining the views of people working in the sector to see how they believe jobs, projects and industry will be impacted by Britain’s withdrawal from …

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Solecco Solar launches solar roof tile at UK Construction Week

solar roof tile

Solecco Solar is launching its solar roof tile solution at UK Construction Week this week. The eco-conscious brand has also chosen the event to launch its new website www.soleccosolar.com. The Solecco Solar solution is integrated into roofing via a unique interlocking method, with tiles fitting flush and seamlessly on up to 98% of roof surface area. The zero-glass system has …

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Basement waterproofing: Why belt and braces is often best

Basement waterproofing

Should basement waterproofing design use a barrier method or a cavity drainage system or both? A series of continuing professional development (CPD) seminars from Safeguard Europe – the specialist in damp-proofing and waterproofing technology – has been designed to help answer that question and more. The seminars are grounded on the latest documents and standards, drawing on BS 8102: 2009 …

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HSE inspectors to target construction sites

construction sites

Construction projects across Britain are being urged to act now to ensure the health and safety of their workers is protected as the second phase of a targeted inspection initiative gets underway this week. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says 43 workers were fatally injured in 2015/16, and an estimated ten times that number died from construction related ill-health, …

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Introducing the Hilti TE 6-A22 Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill

Hilti TE 6-A22

“This is one fast drill,” says Roger Bisby of the Hilti TE 6-A22 Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill when he tries it out in this new video.  Don’t forget to like the video on YouTube if you’d like to see more – the products from the Hilti series that get the most likes will get tested in depth. Features Extremely powerful …

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Three quarters of Brits are fearful of connected homes

connected homes

Research undertaken by MoneySuperMarket has revealed that the nation has deep concerns about the impending smart home revolution, despite possible cost savings. 76% of Brits admitting to being ‘fearful’ of the smart homes concept, with unapproved data collection cited as the greatest worry. Other concerns about connected homes include the technology being hacked by criminals (51%), being made unusable by …

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This is the CITB’s last chance, says FMB

ITC Concepts

The CITB has one last chance to fundamentally reform and start facilitating quality training en masse among the construction industry’s smaller firms, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The FMB has announced its qualified support for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) as part of the consensus process, submitting its official letter to the CITB’s Chief Executive Sarah …

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