British construction must recruit over 400,000 people each and every year between now and 2021 – equivalent to one worker every 77 seconds – if it is to create the homes and infrastructure the nation needs, according to the latest report from Arcadis. Failure to address the skills gulf could even see the earnings of some tradespeople sky-rocketing inside a …
Read More »Skanska to Trial Smart Hard Hat
Skanska UK is to trial the DAQRI Smart Hard Hat on-site – industrial grade wearable technology that provides users with instant and relevant information, overlaid on their line of sight. Skanska is the first UK contractor to become part of DAQRI’s early adopter programme, building on the relationship that has grown between Skanska and DAQRI over recent years. The DAQRI Smart …
Read More »Roofing boss prosecuted for worker’s fall
A self-employed businessman has been prosecuted after his employee fell from the flat roof of a building and died from his injuries. Manchester Crown Court heard how, on 22 December 2013, father of two, Jason Fogarty, a casual employee of Roy Hardaker (trading as 9 to 5 Roofing), was working on a flat roof replacement project. He was working alongside. …
Read More »Westferry Printworks demolition begins in London’s Docklands
Westferry Printworks owner Northern & Shell and development manager Mace have this week started demolition of Westferry Printworks in London’s Docklands, paving the way for a new waterfront neighbourhood just minutes from Canary Wharf. Richard Desmond, founder and owner of Northern & Shell, together with his wife Joy and son Valentine, were on site for the proceedings. The Westferry Printworks …
Read More »CSCS to stop issuing CRO cards from 31st March 2017
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is reminding industry to be prepared for the withdrawal of the Construction Related Occupation (CRO) card. CSCS will stop issuing CRO cards from 31st March 2017 and all CRO cards issued since October 2015 will expire on 30th September 2017*. CSCS Head of Communications Alan O’Neile said: “The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) announced (via …
Read More »Worker loses leg in “accident that should never have happened”
A Canvey Island engineering firm has been sentenced for health and safety breaches after a worker suffered life-changing injuries. Southend-on-Sea Magistrates’ Court heard that on 10 June 2015 Felix Trefas, 27, a welder for F. Brazil Reinforcements Ltd, was making large steel reinforcing cages which were moved by overhead travelling cranes. When one of these cranes broke down, a colleague …
Read More »Screwfix opens 500th store
Omnichannel retailer, Screwfix has opened its 500th UK store at Lumina Park, Enfield, north London, marking a major milestone in the retailer’s expansion of its store network. Since opening its first store in Yeovil in 2005, Screwfix has grown significantly and has opened one store per week for the past six years meaning 90% of the UK population is within …
Read More »Suspended sentence for unregistered gas worker
A man has been fined and given a suspended prison sentence after working on a number of boilers without being Gas Safe registered. High Wycombe Crown Court heard how Philip Locke carried out work on a boiler in 2013 without being registered, faults were later found with the boiler. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuting issued a letter to …
Read More »Building contractor fined after death of casual labourer
A Manchester building contractor has been jailed following the death of a casual labourer who fell nearly seven metres through a fragile roof. The 45-year-old labourer from Manchester had been carrying out repair work at Witney Mill, Manchester when the incident occurred on 23 November 2013. Saleem Hussain had been engaged by the warehouse owner, who believed him to be …
Read More »We need a construction miracle, says business Professor
Following the publication of the Construction Skills Network (CSN) report, Professor Linda Clarke, Professor of European Industrial Relations at Westminster Business School, believes the future for construction, and particularly for construction labour, looks bleak, especially in light of Brexit: “The Construction Skills Network (CSN) forecasts a worrying outlook for construction activity over the next five years, hugely dependent on infrastructure …
Read More »Carpenters & electricians to benefit from construction growth, says new report
Construction is set for growth over the next five years with carpenters, electricans and insulators among those to benefit most according to a new forecast from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The Construction Skills Network (CSN) report, predicts growth of 1.7% over the next five years, with 179,000 jobs to be created – a better outlook than was predicted …
Read More »Construction boss imprisoned after young worker blown from skip
The director of a construction company has been imprisoned for eight months after failing to take appropriate action which resulted in a young worker receiving serious burns. Cardiff Crown Court heard the young worker was instructed to stand on top of a skip and pour a drum of flammable thinners onto the burning waste to help it to burn. The …
Read More »Isuzu opens order books for new generation D-Max
The new generation D-Max arrives in the UK this Spring, and customers can now register their interest in the new truck. D-Max has been extensively overhauled with the biggest changes under the bonnet. A brand new 1.9 litre turbo diesel engine has been fitted, which produces 164 PS and 360Nm of torque. The engine builds upon D-Max’s workhorse character and …
Read More »Fencing business owners receive suspended sentences after worker injury
The two owners of Kidderminster based fencing firm Hoo Farm Fencing have been given suspended sentences after a worker was hit by timber posts and frames which fell from a fork lift truck. Forty-nine year old Raymond Lainsbury suffered injuries that still require regular physiotherapy sessions following the incident on 12 February 2016. Worcester Magistrates’ Court heard how Hoo Farm …
Read More »Overhead crane worker suffers life threatening injuries
A Cleckheaton engineering firm has been sentenced for safety breaches after a worker suffered life changing injuries. H E Realisations Ltd (now in liquidation, formerly Hogg Engineering Ltd) of pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Reg 8(1) of the Lifting Operation and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. Gateshead Magistrates’ Court heard …
Read More »Ivor Goodsite Hoarding Competition 2017 opens for entries
Entries for the 2017 Hoarding Competition which enables children of all ages to unleash their artistic skills on site hoardings are now open. Registered sites, companies and suppliers who are interested in the competition have until the 12th of May to complete an entry form. The entry fee is £400 (+ VAT), which includes two Ivor Goodsite promotional signs, two …
Read More »Baxi partners with Expert Trades
Baxi has joined forces with Expert Trades to try and make life easier for its installers, by helping them to win more business and spend less time on admin and paperwork. Expert Trades was set up in 2013 to provide tradespeople with business tools (accessible online and via an app) to help them manage and grow their businesses more effectively. …
Read More »Landlord Prosecuted for Gas Safety Failings
Gas safety failings of a Preston Landlord lead to a suspended prison sentence after failing to ensure gas appliances were checked for safety.
Read More »North/South divide threatens to wreck government’s smart meter target
An emerging North/South divide could derail the Government’s plan to install smart meters in 50 million homes by the end of the decade, new research suggests. Uptake of the money saving meters has been relatively strong in the north with 19% of homes in the North West and nearly a quarter of homes in the North East already having a …
Read More »Comparison site for building supplies launches
A building supplies e-commerce start-up is taking on industry heavyweights B&Q, Travis Perkins, Selco, Jewson and Wickes to offer savings of 20-35%. Go Banana is said to be the UK’s first comparison website for building and DIY supplies. With 50,000 searchable products Go Banana provides an online platform for builders, tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts looking to purchase supplies quickly and …
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