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Key findings from the FMB’s UK-wide research into the impact of ‘cowboy clients’ – clients who delay or withhold payment without good reason or make completely unreasonable demands – on small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms include: · Nearly three quarters think ‘cowboy clients’ are a serious problem f ... more
The number of incidents of asbestos fly-tipping in Wales hit a 10-year high last year, new figures have shown. In 2016-2017, 270 cases of asbestos fly-tipping were recorded, up from 172 the year before - a 57% increase. Merthyr Tydfil had the highest overall fly-tipping rate with one incident for every 30 people, compared to one incident for every 735 in Wrexham. Natural Resources Wales ... more
A ‘fire dog’ from Derby had his head for heights tested last month as part of his training to work with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service. Footage published by the Derby Telegraph showed the fearless pup dropping 15ft from the top of a tower as part of his training. Using his keen Spaniel senses, Dexter’s job is to sniff out accelerants, such as petrol at the s ... more
Back in 2012, the Facelift team was commissioned to put up the most important Christmas tree in the country, right in the centre of Trafalgar Square. It took the team five hours to put up the tree, which is gifted annually by the people of Norway as a token of gratitude for our support during the Second World War, a tradition which dates back to 1947. Two operatives used the Bronto ... more
Christmas is one of our busiest times of year at Facelift, and this Christmas season is no different. The festive season may have only just begun, but we’ve already put up trees and decorations at key spots including Wakehurst botanic gardens in West Sussex and the Cartier building in central London. In Wakehurst, we used Bronto 61 and Bronto 50 truck mounts to help decorate the 33 metre t ... more
An employer from Greater Manchester has been fined for exposing workers to dangerous work at height conditions. Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that Mr Ahmed Ali had unsafe scaffolding on all three sides of residential address n Bury (missing guard rails, missing boards and unsafe base materials for scaffolding) putting people at risk from a fall from height. An inspector from the Hea ... more
The Managing Director of a solar panel company has received a suspended sentence and been ordered to complete community service after he was found guilty of breaching work at height regulations. The sentence came after Gloucester Crown Court heard how a worker suffered serious injuries after falling through a fragile rooflight at a farm in Kemble. The worker suffered fractures to the skull and ... more
A Dudley based contractor has been fined after a 30-year old labourer fell more than six metres through a fragile roof. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how Mr Stephen Spreadbury hired the services of the worker to help him complete roof work at a site in Wolverhampton. In January of this year the man was walking along a solid section of the roof when his path became blocked off by Mr Spreadbury w ... more
Industry magazine Vertikal has published a video showing how the right health and safety precautions really do make a difference. While cleaning the glass window of a shop in Bournemouth using a truck mounted platform, a worker somehow managed to fall out of the basket. However, thanks to his harness, he was suspended in air rather than falling. Additionally, there was clearly someone on the gro ... more
Pokemon Go players who visit the ‘Pokestop’ at St Peter’s Church in central Brighton may notice some familiar yellow and black livery creeping into view… We were tickled to spot a Facelift machine featured in the Pokestop, which is a virtual location where players can collect items such as eggs and the ‘poke balls’ that are used to pin down and catch Pokemon ch ... more
