UKATA explains what to do when the best laid plans fail. In the light of several cases where asbestos has been incorrectly removed, or improperly disposed of, the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is reminding everyone of best practice on how to handle asbestos and while all steps should be taken to avoid accidents, what needs to be done in …

The partial collapse of a school wall in Scotland has led to the closure of 17 other schools in Scotland while urgent checks are carried out.  Thankfully nobody was killed or injured in this incident but it does raise some interesting points; first about the design of these 10 year old buildings and also about the inspection during the build. A …

Dunlop has launched a brand new rapid-drying filler as an addition to its Pro Décor range. Now available at builders and decorators merchants across the country, Rapid Rescue Repair Filler, with Hydroloc is suitable for quick fix or emergency repairs. Available in 1kg bags, the rapid-drying filler helps decorators sort out the multitude of problems often faced before applying paint or …

Every diamond blade manufacturer claims to have a blade that cuts everything but we all know that no blade can be optomised for best performance in all materials. If it performs well on one material it will perform less well on another. Usually the division is between hard and soft and Husqvarna has acknowledged that fact in giving you the …

I first took delivery of this cordless jigsaw over six months ago, so it has had some good use! A few years ago I would have said a cordless jig saw is a tool to get you out of trouble, rather than as a replacement for a corded one, but battery technology is now so advanced that you could use this as your only jig saw. I don't think you would find a job that it would not do as well as the corded version.

The recent incident of The Apollo Theatre ceiling collapse thankfully resulted in no deaths, though it appears there are some very serious injuries. No doubt even many of those lucky enough to have escaped unscathed will have nightmares and may hesitate to enter old buildings for a while. At the very least they will become habitual ceiling watchers from now on.

Meanwhile back at my house, there are things that need doing. There are always things that need doing. My wife has a list as long as her arm and it never seems to get any shorter. A bloke I know told me a long time ago that you should never fix that sticking door, or whatever it is that your partner constantly complains about. His idea was that if you did that job, another one would be sitting in the holding bay ready to take its place. You would never be free, so the best strategy is to hold your ground against the onslaught.

The golden rule that I have followed through years of fault finding is ‘never assume and never jump to conclusions’. OK that is two fault finding golden rules, but the basic message is never say you know something until you prove it. This has stood me in good stead, where other tradesmen have come and gone from a job missing …