Thought it quite interesting that SGB got rapped with a hefty fine (35k), even though the faulty TSAs (Threaded Shoring Adaptors) had come from another manufacturer. Obviously its SGB's duty as supplier to have proper QA on everything it supplies, but should the manufacturer get away scott-free in a case like this? Full story: Laing ...

Having said that, I don't think much of their website - not sure what they've done to it but it has been crashing all week when I've tried to get on it.

Hear, hear. Come on Guests - what have you got to say?! You must have something to talk about in these troubled times!

I have been reading about the dangers of working with foamed concrete and the potential build-up of hydrogen, and wondered if anyone had any experience of this and tips for working with the stuff. In one instance, foamed concrete was used on a water works decommissioning project and sparks from an angle grinder ignited a build-up of ...

Anyone wondering why regular health and safety inspections are an absolute necessity, eg. Tories, should watch this video. Poor sod: Crane collapse operator paralysed

Yes, welcome to the forum Triumph. I think there are some things that shouldn't be 'left to the free market', which is the Tory doctrine, and health and safety is one of them. The HSE are much-maligned, but a role as important as theirs needs to be transparent and accountable.

I'm all for cutting red tape, but I'm not sure about allowing externally-audited safety inspections - how can you be sure the inspections will be suitably rigorous? Tories plan to bar HSE from sites

Old Artex - ie. stuff more than 25 years old - does contain asbestos. Anything dated since then does not, and should be safe.

I know most of the major contractors have made wearing safety gloves policy as mandatory, but I'm wondering if it's common on smaller sites. Is it difficult to enforce? Are there statistics to suggest it has reduced injuries?

On that note about 'short non-continuous' activities, this is unbelievable... Two firms fork out £115k after unlicensed asbestos removal That a company would allows its workers to carry with the job for 10 weeks even when it new asbestos was present. I wondered if a judgement like this would allow the workers to take out a civil action ...