One of the most important regulations around is British Standard 8300 (BS 8300). These regulations focus on making sure that any fixtures designed to improve accessibility meet the requirements necessary to guarantee that they function in a way that best suits the needs of any client. 

Occasionally, these regulations require updating to continue to provide the highest level of accessibility for those that need it, and we want to make sure that every tradesperson is aware of these important changes.

We’ve put together a guide applying these updated regulations to some of our most popular products to make sure you’re fully in the know about all things accessibility!

Regulations are an important part of any project, ensuring that certain standards are met so that any building is safe and functional, as well as meeting the specific needs of the occupants. 

A life in the trades sometimes comes with setbacks, and these can affect how quickly you can attend requests for new work. Our recent research found that the average wait list for a UK tradesperson is five weeks, with roofers having the largest demand (nine weeks). 

Staff shortages (28%), finding staff with the right skillset (16%) and delays with parts (17%) are just some of the main reasons for these long waiting lists. 

With this in mind, here’s six tips to help you manage your waiting lists and keep your customers happy.

Prioritising your waitlist is crucial for ensuring your business runs smoothly. Review your list of jobs and identify those which are most urgent so you can complete these first. You may have an emergency call out, or some customers who have been waiting a number of weeks. Whoever you choose to prioritise, it’s important to keep all staff and customers updated and be transparent about why you have to push work back. 

No matter how long your wait list is, it’s crucial to keep a constant line of communication with your customers to let them know when planned work is due to commence. Be honest about waiting times from the beginning, and open about potential delays, such as materials shortages, or larger jobs taking longer than expected. Being clear with people will help to avoid any confusion and keep them happy. 

Suggest alternative businesses where possible 

You may find that customers were hoping to have the work conducted earlier and can’t wait for your available slots. If this is the case, you may want to suggest other businesses that may be able to take on the work sooner. Building relationships with other tradespeople can be a really positive thing to do, as if you recommend them to customers when you’re unable to take on the work, they might be able to return the favour at a later date to help you out. 

There might be cases where you’re unable to attend a job to complete it fully, but you’re able to provide a temporary solution or workaround for the customer while they wait. This shows commitment to the customer, while buying you some time. 

The most effective way to keep customers happy is to ensure that when you do get to their job, you do it to the highest quality possible, justifying their long wait for your time. Nothing is more important than doing the job well, so providing a brilliant service is key to a satisfied client base. 

Keeping organised can often feel like a mammoth task for a lot of people, but understanding what work you have coming in and when will help your business run more smoothly. 

Planning your calendar - having a work calendar will help you to view your upcoming jobs and when new work can be planned in 

Factor in time off – no matter the size of your business or how busy you are, it's important to plan in holidays and time off so you don’t experience burnout. Plan your leave in advance so you can move work around it 

Use your time wisely - seeing both planned and potential work in one handy document will help you to plan your time effectively. You may have jobs in close proximity that you can schedule together, which will help you cut down on travel time. 

For more advice on how to run a trade business, from social media marketing to inheriting a family firm, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog

How to manage your waiting lists effectively

A recent, tragic case of a toddler’s death once again raises important questions about the safety of opening windows in high rise properties across the country.  Our teams believe that further education regarding opening window risks, at the housing provision level, is urgently required. There is a requirement from the Department of Health, Health Building Note 00-10 Part D, to have window restrictors fitted in healthcare buildings so why not have similar guidance for other public risk environments such as high-rise buildings?

Following one inquest, after the death of a 6-year-old from a tower block window, the coroner stated in a letter to the landlord: “I recommend that you consider the feasibility of having fixed and permanent window restrictors fitted so that the window can only be opened to such a width as to prevent a child accidentally falling through. I consider the safety of a child or vulnerable occupant is of paramount importance.” 

The coroner also recommended regular inspections of the properties to ensure safety features are in place and working.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), more than 4,000 children under the age of 15 are injured due to falling from windows annually in the UK and approximately 10 children lose their life.

Similarly, the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) says that one child under the age of five is admitted to hospital every day after falling from a building.

Our experts believe that these tragic stories and statistics clearly demonstrate that there is a real need to seriously address this issue.  Both RoSPA and CAPT recommend fitting devices to prevent windows opening too wide.

All Jackloc window restrictor products are manufactured in the UK and have been independently tested to exceed every element of BS EN 13126 and BS EN 14351. 

Unfortunately, though, not all window restrictors are fit for purpose and meet these rigorous standards. IronmongeryDirect were Jackloc’s first Approved Retailer and we recognise that the quality of the Jackloc products is second to none.  As a company, we have been in business for over 50 years and are committed to offering the safest solutions to our valued customers.

The full Jackloc range is stocked by IronmongeryDirect and we have a fully trained team who understand the Jackloc products.  Together Jackloc and IronmongeryDirect are trusted as reputable suppliers to many social housing providers, whether in the private or public sector.

However, our teams have major concerns over those social housing providers that aren’t reviewing the need for window restrictors in their properties, or where they are specifying sub-standard products.  In extreme cases, where the issue has already been highlighted, organisations could potentially be subject to negligence and senior individuals may, in some circumstances, be personally liable.

Opening window safety can no longer be ignored and must be considered a key priority in the social housing sector, and their tenants demands listened to. We strongly believe that this recent reported incident, along with previous inquest outcomes, highlights the urgent need for window safety, particularly in tower blocks, and for immediate action to be taken to stop repeated preventable deaths.

You can view our full range of Jackloc here or visit the Jackloc website here.

IronmongeryDirect and The Jackloc Company are combining forces to highlight the concerns and dangers surrounding potential negligence through lack of awareness, by some social housing providers, relating to the risks of accidental falls from opening windows, particularly in high rise properties.

IronmongeryDirect and Jackloc appeal to social housing providers to urgently review opening window safety.

A life in the trades often involves spending long periods around loud equipment or in noisy work environments. Our recent research found that this is taking its toll, with one in five (21%) tradespeople experiencing hearing problems.

Sadly, symptoms appear to begin early on in trade careers, with almost half (49%) of 18-34-year-old workers already having trouble hearing.

With this in mind, we’ve partnered with Nic Wray, Communications Manager at Tinnitus UK, to discuss the importance of protecting your ears while working, and the potential consequences of not doing so.

Nic says: “Protecting your hearing is very important. Exposure to loud noise can damage your ears, leading to hearing loss and tinnitus. Once the damage has been done, it cannot be repaired, only managed. 

“Tinnitus affects one in seven adults in the UK (7.6 million people), with severe impact on one in six of those living with the condition. No known cure exists, and dissatisfaction with current treatments is widespread.”

Nic says: “Noise starts to become a risk to hearing at 80 decibels (dBA) and in a working environment, hearing protection should be provided at 85 dBA or above. Sounds over 85dBA can damage your hearing – the safe listening time is cut in half for every 3dBA rise in noise levels over 85 dBA. 

“But most people don’t carry a sound level meter with them (although there are some pretty good apps out there if you want to have one with you!) so how can you know if noises are too loud and could lead to tinnitus?”

You can’t hear or understand someone one metre (three feet) away from you

Speech around you sounds dull or muffled if you move away from the noisy area

You have pain in your ear, or perhaps a headache, after you hear the noise

You have sounds in one or both ears, or your head, that have no external source. These could be ringing, buzzing or whistling. This is tinnitus. It may only last a short time, but it could persist.

How to protect your hearing while at work

Nic says: “Being aware of the problems that loud noise can cause, and the steps you can take to protect yourself, is vital. 

“Your employer has a duty to protect you and should be taking steps to reduce the risks caused by a noisy environment or noisy equipment. If you are self-employed, you must ensure that your work does not put you or others at risk.”

Co-operate with your employer to do what is needed to protect your hearing

Wear any hearing protection given (or obtain and use hearing protection if you’re self-employed). Training should be given on how to do this properly.

Get the right type of protection and with the right levels of sound reduction

Keep your hearing protection safe, clean and in good condition

Take regular breaks in a quiet(er) location

Drink lots of water – staying hydrated is essential for ear health

Have your hearing checked regularly – many High Street providers offer free hearing tests, or your GP can arrange one for you.

It’s crucial that tradespeople keep themselves safe while working. Visit our Safety range for everything you need to protect yourself, including a wide variety of PPE.

We take a look at the essentials that any tradesperson will need for their toolbox, and the maintenance tips and products that will extend the life of any larger tools that you may need for a job. 

A good selection of screws should never be underestimated. The chances of their ever being a job where screws aren’t involved are slim, so you should be sure to take a decent supply wherever you go. Whether they’re small screws to attach basic components or fixtures, or long, sturdy screws with exceptional load bearing capacity, your toolbox should have a section that’s full to the brim.

Pair these with a good range of driver bits to help you get the job done in record time.

From caulking to blend fixtures and fittings seamlessly into walls, through to waterproof sealants to make bathroom electronics safe and secure, your sealant selection can achieve much more than just an attractive finish. Lighting and wiring installations will nearly always leave a gap, and sealing them ensures you leave your customer worry-free and ready to go.

As well as this, sealing and draught proofing any property is vital to creating a comfortable and energy efficient environment. For more information about sealing and draught proofing best practices, read our article on the topic here.

When working with plasterboard, the last thing you want to do is use the wrong fixtures and fittings. Plasterboard fixtures are specially designed for working with drywall, a particularly common sight in modern housing. 

Coupled with plasterboard plugs, you’ll have everything you need in your toolbox to create a strong bond between any fixture and the wall you’re working with.

Maintaining your tools is easily the most cost effective way to make sure you are always ready for any job. Keeping your tools in working order doesn’t have to be a tiresome job, and if you do it regularly the rewards will be well worth it. 

There are five things you need to think about: storing, cleaning, caring, sharpening and replacing. 

Tools are often left out in vans, basements, garages or sheds - all places where dust and damp can set in. While tools are designed to be sturdy, they’re not indestructible, and over time can succumb to wear and tear just like anything else. 

A toolbox or shelving unit will help keep everything in order and away from the elements, and will also make things easier to find when you need them. 

Before using any tool, inspect it carefully for signs of damage and do not use anything that is showing visible damage. 

If it’s been stored and used correctly, your tools should last a long time, but you don’t want to leave it to chance and turn up to a job that you’re unable to complete. 

After using your tools, it’s important to clean them to get rid of any dirt, dust or debris that might have built up on the job. 

Turn off your tools and disconnect them from any power source, before wiping them down with an old but clean rag or cloth. You should also check for any signs of rust and treat them with a rust remover. 

For hand tools such as hammers and screwdrivers, it’s worth looking for any splinters that may have occurred over time. Sand these down to prevent the handles from breaking. Finally, check the heads of any hammers and grind any ‘mushroom’ splays away. Left untreated, these can grow worse and cause your hammer head to shatter while in use. 

Caring for your tools should be a regular job. It doesn’t have to take long, and it could well save you a much more expensive job in the future. 

You should lubricate any moving parts to keep them running smoothly. Machine oil will generally do the trick, but be sure to check the manual to see if the manufacturer has any other recommendations. 

Batteries and chargers also need to be maintained. Cordless tools are incredibly convenient, but they only work as long as their batteries are in good condition. It’s a good idea to fully charge and then fully discharge batteries once every couple of weeks, and don’t leave them unused for too long. 

Store any batteries and chargers you aren’t using in a cool, dry place, and clean contacts with a cotton bud and alcohol. 

Some tools need to be sharp to work, so if you let components such as like drill bits or blades go blunt, you’ll have an expensive piece of kit that no longer performs. 

You can quickly sharpen tools with a blade sharpener or grinder. Simply clean the tools and don the correct PPE before grinding them, checking their sharpness and applying a thin coat of oil. This should ensure the next time you use them; they will perform like new. 

Some parts of your tools simply aren’t worth trying to fix. When a belt, brush, cable or switch breaks, no amount of cleaning will get it back to working condition, and you’re better off replacing it to ensure the tool works safely the next time you use it. 

Good care and storage should mean you need to replace things less often, but when the time comes, it’ll be worth it to get the job done safely. 

You can fill up your toolbox easily and at a price that won’t break the bank with our expansive range of Screws, Fixings and Adhesives, which includes a selection of Maintenance Sprays and Lubricants to make sure your tools are clean and operate smoothly. 

It’s fair to say that your tools aren’t just tools of the trade - in many cases they are crucial to the trade, and without them the bulk of your work would be impossible. That’s why it’s so vital to stay stocked up and keep your tools in top working condition. 

Guide to toolbox essentials and tool maintenance 

30th June 2021

BS 8300 Buyers Guide

Regulations are an important part of any project, ensuring that certain standards are met so that any building is safe and functional, as well as meeting the specific needs of the occupants.

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