News

A pre-Christmas zero-tolerance nationwide crackdown on fly-tippers is underway  – as councils up and down the country use new powers to seize and crush vehicles used by the dumpers. Councils are also calling for a legal loophole – which means enforcement officers have to give some fly-tippers seven days written warning before inspecting them and seizing evidence – to be …

Two London based construction companies were prosecuted after a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection identified serious safety breaches on a double basement construction project. Westminster Magistrates Court heard that emergency services had been called to a property at Bathurst Mews, London, where excavation work to form a double basement was being carried out.  They rescued a labourer with a …

Baxi has welcomed and strongly supports the Government’s proposals on changes to Part L1b of the Building Regulations (Conservation of Fuel and Power in Existing Dwellings), outlined in a consultation document launched today (8 December 2016). Incremental changes to boiler installations are being proposed to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes, which will result in lower household energy bills …

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today informed BAM Nuttall Limited, Ferrovial Agroman (UK) Ltd, and Keir Infrastructure and Overseas Ltd that they will be prosecuted in relation to three incidents that took place during the construction of the new Crossrail railway tunnel construction, which runs east to west across London. All three companies will appear at Westminster’s Magistrates …

Anyone who has followed Addam Smith and the Band of Builders story in 2016 will know he doesn’t do things by halves. When at the beginning of this year the landscape gardening business owner found out his employee Keith Ellick had been diagnosed with terminal cancer he recruited a team of volunteers (the Band of Builders) from the Builder’s Talk …

The Government’s pledge to rollout smart meters to 30 million homes by 2020 could be delayed because of a lack of qualified engineers, new research suggests. Nearly one in five Brits, who have arranged for a smart meter to be installed in their homes, have experienced long delays because there are not enough engineers available to carry out the work. …

Kevin Skeith, 39, a flooring specialist from Sleaford, has been crowned UK Worker of the Year 2016, winning a Honda Crosstourer 1200cc motorbike and a year’s free shopping at ASDA. Kevin attended Brands Hatch over the weekend, along with five other finalists, all vying to become UK Worker of the Year, a competition run by  workwear brand Dickies, in association …

IronmongeryDirect, the online and mail order supplier of ironmongery products, is on the hunt for graduates to join its Graduate Management Scheme, as expansion across the business continues. As part of the bespoke programme, graduates will spend time working across all departments within the company, helping to develop their leadership skills and business expertise in a range of areas, such …

A real estate lettings company has been sentenced for safety breaches after a self- employed builder suffered 1st and 3rd degree burns to his face, hands, neck and chest. The injured worker, 50 year old Michael Phillips, suffered an electric shock in October 2015 when he was carrying out work for IPH Investments Ltd at an address in Station Parade …

A Derbyshire based engineering construction company has been prosecuted after a worker fell and suffered severe injuries. A worker was repairing a fibreboard roof of a barn and using two homemade crawling boards when he fell 6meters on to the floor below, sustaining serious injuries to his head, hip, and lungs. Derby Magistrates Court heard how at the time of …

The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council, HHIC together with the boiler manufacturers has this month launched the ‘Retro Boiler’ Label. The scheme aims to tackle the UK’s 9 million inefficient boilers by raising awareness of boiler efficiency with consumers. Registered gas engineers are now issuing an energy efficiency label, a ‘Retro Boiler’ label, on all non-condensing boilers with a permanent …

This morning’s autumn statement has at least one glaring omission according to GMB, the energy union – £14billion needed for the Government’s flagship smart meter project. In his ‘mini-budget’ Chancellor Philip Hammond promised huge investment in infrastructure – but made no mention of the vast sums required to install the 53 million new meters across the country. The project will …

Baxi has welcomed the HHIC’s decision to launch a retrospective boiler labelling scheme. The scheme aims to increase consumer awareness about boiler efficiencies and performance, and to highlight to consumers that upgrading old, inefficient boilers will reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. Jeff House, regulatory marketing manager at Baxi, commented: “There are approximately nine million inefficient boilers in the UK, …

An international engineering company has been sentenced following the death of a worker who fell 30 feet from an electricity pylon. Vincent John Richards, 49, from Walsall was installing fall arrest lines for painters to use on the pylon at Great Orton, Carlisle on the 5 July 2014 when the incident happened. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the …

Thanet District Council has been fined £250,000 after a worker was left with permanent injury after being diagnosed with hard arm vibration (HAV). Canterbury Crown Court heard how a worker from Thanet District Council was diagnosed with suffering from HAV after visiting his GP. Symptoms of the condition can include tingling, pins and needles, numbness and pain in the hands. …

Ahead of this winter’s ‘BIG FREEZE’ prediction, DR. Martens has revealed that the majority of outdoor workers suffer with cold, wet feet every winter, with many complaining of blisters and even chilblains. The survey, conducted on behalf of the iconic footwear specialist interviewed the UK’s outdoor workers in order to identify the core issues faced during the winter months. Key …

November 16th is World COPD Day, an event held each November to raise awareness of COPD worldwide. Sadly tradespeople are seriously affected by this disease with exposure to construction dust still a significant cause of COPD.  See Skill Builder’s video about the JSP Force 8 half mask for some useful tips on how to protect yourself against dust. World COPD …

A company, its director, and a self-employed contractor have been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), after Terry Lewis (a 65 year old retired mechanic) was fatally injured by falling through a roof light. Warrington Crown Court heard how on 11 June 2013, Terry Lewis was working with his friend, Leigh Bakewell. They were cleaning roof lights on …