Tag Archives: Plumbing

Is Your PPE and Safety Equipment up to Standard?

Plumbing Supplies for House Builders, Refurbishing Contractors, Home Owners, Local Authorities, Tradesmen & Hoteliers

According to the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) a lot of personal protective equipment (PPE) on the market is inefficient, and does not offer the advertised protection. The federation has issued a warning to buyers of PPE and safety equipment to stay vigilant about possibly substandard products. The BSIF also operates a register featuring suppliers whose products are tested and compliant with current standards. These products are tested yearly, and if they fail to meet the strict criteria, must be addressed and put right If this is not carried out immediately, members cannot remain part of the scheme. The performance of these products is extremely important, particularly for those in the construction sector.

In 2022, 387 tests were carried out on these products, and 332 products (86%) passed, while the 55 (14%) that did not meet the standards soon had their issues resolved. The BSIF also tested 126 non-member products and only 18 (15%) were fully compliant and performed as advertised. So 108 products (85%) failed to meet the regulatory criteria, many of which are still on the market. Some of the failed products in 2022 included:

• An ‘indestructible safety trainer’ that failed the midsole penetration test.

• ‘Cut-resistant gloves’ that failed the cut test

• A ‘safety harness & lanyard’ provided with no user instructions or documentation.

Chief executive of BSIF Alan Murray said: “Our latest findings are very concerning and reinforce the importance of only using a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier when procuring PPE and safety equipment. “The reality is that selling PPE and safety equipment comes with complex responsibilities and it can be hard for even the most diligent suppliers to keep up with the rules and regulations. That’s why at the BSIF we maintain that even though anyone can sell safety, you shouldn’t buy safety from just anyone.

“We urge all buyers and specifiers to review their current processes and consider what assurances they have that the PPE and safety equipment they are being supplied with is fit for purpose.“Specifying a Registered Safety Supplier is the easiest way to ensure you are only dealing with compliant, competent and trustworthy suppliers.”

Bathrooms, Baths, Showers, Boilers, Heated Towel Rails, Plumbing & Heating Systems

Funding Available But Projects Must Get Going!

Plumbing Supplies for House Builders, Refurbishing Contractors, Home Owners, Local Authorities, Tradesmen & Hoteliers

In an effort to boost economic growth and urban renewal, the government has chosen 111 local council projects to receive financial support. A total of £2.1bn has being allocated for round two of the government’s ‘levelling up’ funding. The projects will include £10m for Barking and Dagenham to provide 316 new homes and protect 241 jobs. The ‘Up the Heathway’ project will see improvements to its public spaces, with a view to reducing crime.

Other projects included in the 111 include proposed Eden Project North visitor attraction in Morecambe, Cardiff City Council’s Crossrail phase one project, and a new train service in Cornwall. Each of these will receive £50m of Treasury funds while a university campus in Blackpool and projects in Peterborough and Dover will get £40m each. A new roll-on, roll-off ferry for Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands will be possible thanks to funding of almost £27m. Other locations will receive money towards things like improved transport links, community regeneration and local heritage restoration.

These allocations follow the £1.7bn granted to 105 projects from round one of the levelling up fund in 2021. A further round of funding at a later date has been confirmed by the government. There is however a catch to this funding, it must be spent by March 2025 or local authorities will not receive any of it.

Peter Hogg, Arcadis UK cities director, and adviser to local authorities about their bids, said: “The deadline for spending the money of March 2025 is a challenging one – particularly as inflation has soared in the interim. “Authorities will need to rapidly move projects through the design phases, complete any land acquisition, secure planning approvals, appoint contractors and move into delivery. No mean feat, especially with no shortage of competing priorities for local government time and resources.”

Bathrooms, Baths, Showers, Boilers, Heated Towel Rails, Plumbing & Heating Systems

Will There be Food Shortages?

Plumbing Supplies for House Builders, Refurbishing Contractors, Home Owners, Local Authorities, Tradesmen & Hoteliers

Recent years have seen many problems appearing that have negatively impacted food production, the latest being the terrible situation in the Ukraine. Food prices are likely to increase significantly, especially as Russia and Ukraine are among the world’s main suppliers of wheat. The conflict is expected to reduce exports meaning soaring costs for farms and food processors throughout the UK.

The price of gas needed to heat greenhouses and to produce fertiliser has also soared, prompting the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) to request urgent action. The NFU has asked the government for help to enable UK farmers to produce enough food. There is a risk of supermarkets and other food outlets not being able to meet customer demand. The NFU said: “The government must act now, with a clear signal that food security is a priority for the nation,”

There isn’t a quick end in sight for all the disruption to supply chains, food production, availability and affordability. There are worries that food production problems could last for years to come. The boss of one of the largest international fertiliser companies, Yara International warned of a shock to the global supply and cost of food. Escalating fuel prices will also mean people pay more in shops and restaurants.

Around 80% of the world’s sunflower oil and 20% of corn are produced in Russia and the Ukraine say the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Ukrainian workers account for 60% of the UK’s seasonal workers, their essential roles include planting, picking and grading produce. The NFU is urging the government to grant an additional 10,000 visas under the Seasonal Workers Scheme. The amount at present is 30,000. Some farmers are trying to be flexible by adjusting the way they do things to avoid shortages of wheat and barley.

Mark Spencer, commons Leader said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was “across the threats that we face”. He added: “There is no prospect of food shortages at any point in the future, and Defra are working with Treasury to try and make sure that that continues to be the case.”

Bathrooms, Baths, Showers, Boilers, Heated Towel Rails, Plumbing & Heating Systems

Is There a Use for Decommissioned Wind Turbine Blades?

Plumbing Supplies for House Builders, Refurbishing Contractors, Home Owners, Local Authorities, Tradesmen & Hoteliers

It seems everywhere you look these days there are exciting innovations in carbon reduction technology. The latest surprising discovery is that recycled wind turbines can be used as a material for making ‘blade bridges’. There are as yet only two of these structures using repurposed wind turbine blades, one is in Poland and one in Ireland. This is not just an extremely novel idea, it represents a solution to a problem fast appearing on the horizon. Wind turbine blades are functional for around 20 to 25 years, after which time they are replaced. Although wind turbine blades look majestic from a distance, once they are decommissioned they take up huge amounts of landfill space. These blades are around 150 feet in length and weigh dozens of tons per blade.

Approximately 85% of wind turbine components can be reused or recycled, as they are made up of copper wire, steel, electronics and gearing materials. The rest, including the blades, are composed of fibre glass which present a waste disposal problem. The blade’s sturdy, fiber reinforced plastics do not break down easily, and incineration creates further pollution.

Civil engineer Kieran Ruane, a lecturer at Ireland’s Munster Technological University, saw the concept of bridges built from these blades as ‘immediately appealing’. He says: “It was a no-brainer that this needed to be investigated and trialled at least.” Ruane is also a member of Re-Wind, the research network behind Ireland’s new blade bridge.

Due to properties such as lightweightness, strength and weather resistance, the blades are ideal as engineering support structures. When used to form blade bridges wind turbine blades can last at least a hundred years. Public comments about the bridges have been 80 to 90% positive with some finding the appearance to be a bit strange. There are hopes that these blades will eventually be put to other uses such as contemporary and stylish outdoor furniture.

Rhinos Plant Hire are celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year, and this is just one of the many innovations they’ve witnessed in that time!