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Health and Safety on construction sites has to be every developer’s number one priority. Every year there are tens of thousands of work related injuries on building sites, with 40 of them resulting in death in 2019/20. Many of this number can be attributed to a lack of health and safety measures.

Here are some of our top points for following health and safety, and to keep every person on site as safe as possible.

• PPE and Hi-Viz

Every time you enter a construction site you must wear PPE which includes a hard hat and Hi-Viz jacket or vest. Footwear must be construction standard – non slip soles with steel toe caps.

• Follow all Site Procedures

The first time you arrive at a new site, you will need to take an induction. This is so you are familiar with the safety practices and processes for that particular site. As all sites are different there is a legal requirement to have an induction for each new site you visit. All procedures are in place to ensure the safety of the workforce as well as the public.

• Report any faults

If you become aware of a problem with any aspect of a construction site, machinery or tools, then it is your duty to report it immediately. Action should be taken to resolve the problem at the first opportunity, however large or small.

• Work safely and be aware

When you work on any construction site you should be thinking about the safety of yourself as well as others. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, particularly if you’re using large pieces of equipment or machinery.

• Tidiness

Untidiness on sites can cause a number of accidents, particularly the aforementioned slips, trips, and falls. This shows that it is crucial that sites should be tidy, equipment stored securely and access and exit points are clear.

• Statistics and costs

Falling from heights accounts for 32% of work related injuries on construction sites. When working on scaffolding, take extra care that guard rails are secure.

Injuries that occur while handling, lifting, or carrying account for 27% of accidents, whilst a further 32% happen in slips, trips or falls. 13% of people injured on construction sites are struck by moving, flying or falling objects.

Around 2 million working days are lost each year because of workplace injury or work related illness – the economic cost is upwards of £1billion!

Here at Eynesbury Plant Hire we have extensive experience in providing plant hire and road sweepers for every kind of construction. Our whole fleet is maintained to the highest safety standards giving you peace of mind.  Contact us here for more details.

As with everything, there are pros and cons to many decisions we make in everyday life. Compromise can be a big factor too, but what if you could get the service you need without having to jeopardise any aspect of your building project or its budget?

Here are just 6 reasons you should use plant hire instead of purchasing.

1. It’s cost effective

Budget is the bottom line for many building projects. Hiring plant equipment and machinery can make the whole process more cost effective as the outlay for brand new machinery will almost certainly not be covered in most budgets. Hiring is literally a fraction of the cost of buying which is good news for those who are restricted to tight margins.

2. Good Selection

In order to select the equipment you need, plant hire companies such as ourselves have a vast range of machinery and equipment on offer giving you, the customer, more choice. We have an expert team available to advise you about the type and size of equipment you need for your specific requirements.

3. High Quality

All plant hire machinery is up to date, high quality and serviced regularly. This is of great benefit to consumers as they have the knowledge that anything hired is in good working order, and more importantly, safe to use. When you purchase your own machinery, it is down to you to service and maintain it; at a hiring facility we take care of all of that.

4. Depreciation

If you purchase the latest machinery, it will depreciate over time losing its value. Maintenance and spare parts all cost money and at some point in the future it will need to be replaced. When you hire, this responsibility falls to the provider and not you!

5. Eliminate storage issues

Plant equipment is large and tricky to store if you don’t have the correct facilities on your site. If you have planned your building project well, plant machinery and equipment can usually be delivered to site on the day that you need it, eliminating the need to spend on storage.

6. It’s flexible

Plans can often change in the duration of a construction project. In order to avoid delays in your timeline it’s sensible to build in a little flexibility. Hiring your equipment can give you that; if you need to scale up or down your plant needs, this can be facilitated relatively easily.

Eynesbury Plant Hire have extensive experience in providing plant hire services, Hiab trailers, road sweeping and haulage transport throughout Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire.

Our service is second to none and we pride ourselves on offering a quality service at a sensible price. Contact us on 01480 215555 or click here for information about our modern fleet of well-maintained plant and machinery. 

Before hiring any excavation machinery, it is important to understand how to choose the right digger for your site or project. This will involve understanding what each piece of machinery is used for, and its capabilities.

Mini excavators or diggers, as their name suggests, are smaller than standard excavators, but are still a very powerful piece of machinery. Due to their compact footprint and lighter weight, these diggers are more versatile and are generally used for small to medium jobs, that are too big for the use of hand tools. Of course, you’ll have to assess your project; mini diggers come in a range of sizes and hire prices, so you need to work out any space limitations and check the ground type before you make a final decision.

Like any large piece of machinery, mini diggers can be dangerous and should only be operated by a trained and experienced user.

So, what are the benefits of using a mini digger, and what makes them more suitable than their larger counterparts?

• They’re lighter weight

Being of a lighter weight, mini diggers will do far less damage to the ground under them, especially if it’s soft or loose. Larger machinery is bound to do more damage to the work area with its heavy metal tracks and heavier load.

• They have a smaller footprint

If your build project is on a small site or has restricted access, then this is the machine for the job. As in the previous point, a smaller digger lowers the chance of damaging the work area, but they are still powerful machines despite their size.

• Speed of work

Manpower is no match for a mini digger! Some jobs could potentially be carried out using hand tools but can be labour intensive and time consuming. A mini digger will speed up the work whilst reducing labour costs and saving time.

• They’re versatile

Mini diggers can be equipped with a wide range of attachments making them multi-functional. Whether they needed for construction purposes or demolition, several different jobs can be undertaken with the same machinery.

• They’re ideal for landscaping

Mini diggers work well within limited spaces and are perfect for clearance or digging. They can also be used to transport materials around the site.

• Holes and trenches

As the name suggests, digging is the primary role for these machines. The slim bucket is ideal for digging narrow trenches for drainage, mains, and utilities.

• Home extensions/renovations

Most home extension or garden renovation projects will have access issues of one sort or another, so a mini digger is ideal to get through narrow walkways to the rear of properties. A mini digger will also make short work of breaking up and removing concrete and ground levelling. And if you’re worried about upsetting the neighbours with the noise, a smaller digger = a smaller, quieter engine, so noise pollution need not be an issue.

At Eynesbury Plant Hire, all of our excavators and mini diggers are well maintained and regularly serviced. We hold full service histories and annual safety check documentation for our entire fleet. Pre and post hire checklists are completed for all plant machinery. Call us today on 01480 215555 for information and a quotation.

There are many scenarios and occasions when hiring plant equipment makes more sense than to purchase it outright. It can be cost effective within the budget of a construction project, and you can be assured that everything you hire is maintained to a high level, ensuring site safety.

Nevertheless, it can be quite confusing to sort through which type of equipment is most suitable for your job. We’ve put together some tips so that you can factor them in when making your decision.  

Does the equipment suit your needs?

Each construction project undertaken has its own set of needs. This is why you need to make sure the machinery you’re hiring is suitable for the particular job. In order to ascertain that, it’s helpful if you ask questions:

• Can the machinery be transported to the site safely, and is there adequate access?

• Can the machinery be used immediately, or will it require a trained operative?

• Does the size of the unit meet your requirements?

• Does the power capacity of the unit meet your requirements?

• Are any attachments all present and correct?

Getting the wrong piece of equipment is not cost effective and can also delay your job. Be sure that all issues are dealt with swiftly. If you need guidance, our friendly sales team can advise you of the most appropriate equipment for your needs.

Availability

Plant hire items are always in high demand, so it would be foolhardy to assume that the equipment you need will be available exactly when you need it. Check well in advance that what you need can be hired out rather than waiting until the last minute and hoping for the best. Delays in your project could incur penalties, resulting in dissatisfied clients, and costs for you.

Delivery

Delivery times and schedules are just as important as availability. During busier times of the year, there is extra pressure to stay on schedule. There are factors involved which could impact on delivery being on time, such as the distance between the hire facility to the delivery site, and the size of the machinery being delivered. The process will be less stressful if sorted out well in advance.

Safety first

The biggest factor when hiring plant machinery is safety. Equipment must be properly maintained according to safely rules and guidelines is injury or damage is to be avoided. Therefore, you should only deal with reputable hire companies who regularly maintain all of their equipment.

Here at Eynesbury Plant Hire we have extensive experience in providing plant hire services, Hiab trailers, road sweeping and haulage transport throughout Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Hertfordshire.

Our service is second to none and we pride ourselves on offering a quality service at a sensible price. Contact us on 01480 215555 for information about our modern fleet of well-maintained plant and machinery. Our experienced, professional staff are on hand to discuss your requirements ensuring you select the best equipment or service for your needs – we can guarantee a sensible quote and first-class service!

You may have a large landscaping or building project coming up, and whether it’s domestic or commercial, purchasing plant equipment could be a huge financial drain on your bank balance. That’s why at Eynesbury Plant Hire, we have the latest equipment to help you with the most challenging of buildings projects, at a fraction of the cost!

Construction relies heavily on the machinery available, and although large scale projects might need several different types of equipment, a smaller project might only require the minimum.

Let’s look at some of the benefits of choosing to hire Plant machinery and equipment.

Safety and Reliability

There are many issues when considering the machinery needed for your job. Anything that is in poor working order can cause disruption to your timescale as well as eating into your budget where repairs are concerned. Faulty equipment could also violate regulations which could result in penalties.

All of our Plant Hire is maintained to the highest standards and is regularly serviced. Efficiency can be almost guaranteed, and in the rare instance that there is a problem with any equipment, the repair costs are not your responsibility.

Storage

On site storage issues can be a burden, and security goes hand in hand with that. Expensive machinery needs to be housed securely and can take up precious space in your operation. Hiring plant equipment cuts out the long term storage headache and with overheads reduced, you can channel your cash where you need it most.

Cost

One of the main benefits of hiring equipment is that it is more cost effective compared to purchase. With some machinery costing tens of thousands of pounds, hiring it will reduce the strain on your budget.

Hiring enables you to choose the exact machine you need for the job. You may need several different pieces of equipment, depending on each phase of your build, so hiring gives you the option to have the exact tools you need without the hefty price tag attached to buying.

Flexibility

Every building job is different and will bring its own set of challenges. That’s why hiring the most appropriate equipment for each task can give you the flexibility you need. If the machinery needs to be changed or replaced, then a simple phone call will set the ball rolling. Outright purchase could see you having to maintain and store units that could remain unused for long periods of time.

No depreciation

Once you invest in purchasing your own machinery, its value declines dramatically, and that’s money you’ll never get back. Unless you are constantly using the equipment it would be a false economy. It’s best to stick to hiring!

Here at Eynesbury Plant Hire, our experienced, professional staff are on hand to discuss your requirements ensuring you select the best equipment or service for your needs.

We serve areas in Cambridgeshire and beyond. Call our sales team today on 01480 215555 for a sensible quote and a first class service!

Struggling for space has become a common problem for growing families in recent years. Moving house can be hugely expensive and stressful and some people like where they live; it’s just that their living space has become too small.

House extensions are becoming more popular, and because of international travel restrictions during the pandemic and holidays on hold, many households are spending their vacation cash on home improvements. Creating extra rooms or space with family members at home more of the time has not only improved quality of family life, but also added value to their properties.

There are many ways to add living space to your home, and some can be achieved relatively cheaply. It might not be necessary to spend tens of thousands of pounds if all you need is one extra room.

Here are some ideas.

Garage Conversions

How many of us can say that we use our garages for their purpose? They’re mainly just large storage areas. The junk that can pile up and be forgotten about in no time at all!

A garage conversion would have no impact on the footprint of your property as you wouldn’t lose any garden space like building an extension might. Generally, a garage space is big enough to create a room for most uses, like an extra bedroom, an office, or a home gym.

Renovating your garage would also force you to clear some of the clutter! But if you really couldn’t bear to part with it, then a self-storage option is worth investigating.

Garden Buildings and Conservatories

Garden buildings are the perfect way to add another room to your property without the upheaval of having builder in and out of your house for weeks on end. As long as you don’t need to use the extra room as a bedroom, most garden rooms are pretty multi-functional. Free standing, and situated within your garden, they can be rooms to escape to!

If you’d rather have a conservatory added to the back of your home, this option lends itself to family living at the fraction of the cost of an extension.

Single Storey Extensions

This type of extension is usually added to the back or the side of your property. The extra room will open up the house and connect it more with the garden, as most people choose patio doors to enter and exit the building.

A ground floor extension gives you the option to extend an existing room or create a whole new one!

Double Storey Extensions

This option is the way to go if you want to add more bedrooms to your property. Along with the extra living space downstairs, the potential to add extra sleeping space opens up dramatically.

There are more considerations with a multi storey extension though; you must not cause serious loss or disruption of sunlight to neighbouring properties, and planning permission may be more difficult if your plans are too adventurous!

In Summary

All of these options will definitely add value and space to your property, but doing research beforehand is a must. Once you have decided, choose a contractor with good references and access to reliable Plant machinery. There will be digging/building required for any renovation listed above, and for the least amount of disruption to your household choosing the right builder is key.

Image Credit: Harvey Norman Architects

Without a professional approach to site management, the building sites around our country would be in chaos. All developers want to keep their good reputations intact, so how a site is managed goes a long way to contributing. How would the public feel about debris, mud and discarded materials piling up on the roads around the site? Not only would it be an eyesore, but a health and safety issue too. Each development has a duty of care to keep its workers and the public safe, and correct site management is always implemented to achieve this.

There may be room for improvement on many building sites, but there are some basic guidelines to follow when looking at ways to accomplish good site management.

Determine Clear Access Points

Defining clear access routes in and out of the site will help the whole project run more smoothly from the beginning. This will not only allow deliveries to be made more easily but will keep the site more safe and secure for its workers. Road sweepers can be hired on a daily basis to maintain a clean and clear route for all traffic and plant machinery coming on to or leaving the site.

Site Material Organisation

The organisation of site materials is crucial to any building site, so a system needs to be in place from the very first delivery. Excess materials or those delivered in bulk have to be store in safe and secure locations. Poorly stored items could be damaged, putting a strain on your build if they become unusable. Health and safety rules state that items need to be stored adequately, so that potential trips, slips and falls are avoided. Dangerous or hazardous materials should be contained to avoid spillage, contamination and/or waste.

Tools and Equipment

Regular and routine inspections need to be carried out on any site tools and equipment so that any potential problems are detected early. This will help reduce the risk of accidents later. Of course, with any maintenance task, trained personnel should be used to carry out any checks. In the case of plant hire, all machinery undertakes rigorous maintenance checks before being released to the customer. All on site employees should take an active role in helping to make sure that the site remains a safe and secure workplace.

Safe Waste Disposal

All businesses need to be environmentally conscious and building contractors and house developers are no exception. The safe disposal of waste is a priority, ensuring that all recyclables are taken care of, and hazardous or dangerous waste is disposed of via the correct channels.

Cost Control

Big build projects can cost a significant amount of money so on budget performance is essential. Using these project management strategies as well as others greatly reduces the risk of budget overruns.

Road sweepers are integral in keeping the roads around our towns and cities clean, and more so on the roads in and around construction and housing developments. There are many benefits of keeping these roads clean, and number 1 on the list must be health and safety.

Keeping the carriageways clear of debris and dirt build-up is a priority, as not only does it eliminate potential hazards, but it helps to keep the surface of the road from degrading more quickly. Regular road sweeping will also help prevent roadside drains and grates from becoming blocked, thus eliminating the risk of surface water build-up.

The longevity of road surfaces prevents the need for emergency repairs and aids road safety by maintaining the surface needed for vehicle tyre traction; the better the grip, the lower the accident risk.

Most construction sites have a regular flow of traffic in and out as well as the roads directly adjacent to them. By their very nature, construction sites produce dust, muck, and mess, all of which need to be managed. Large road sweepers scheduled regularly to patrol these areas can help stop the accumulation of much of the dirt before it has chance to build up to an unmanageable state. Developers have a duty to look after the environment after all.

Eynesbury Plant Hire services Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire and our company prides itself on offering rental services with superior customer care. All of our machinery and equipment is maintained to a high standard with full service history and annual safety-check documentation.

Our modern fleet of VT650 Lorry Mounted Road Sweepers provide consistently high pick up performance on duties including dirt pick up around site and cleaning access roads.

The sweepers have high capacity hoppers, water systems and fuel tanks and are designed to stay at work for longer and deliver superb coverage per hour.

Call our Cambridgeshire based team today on 01480 215555 for information and a quotation.

Road accidents can be bad enough, especially when they cause injury, but towing a trailer needs extra care and attention to ensure the safety of the driver as well as other road users. Here are our top tips for trailer safety on every journey.

Safety Checks

Make sure you do your trailer checks before you set off; ensure the lights work, check the brake lights and tyre pressures. Too much weight on the trailer can put extra stress on the tyres and cause blowout!

Don’t be fooled into thinking you’re invincible inside a 4×4. Do everything you can to stay safe, including remembering to fasten your seatbelt.

Check your weight

This doesn’t mean hopping on the scales either!  Make sure your trailer and haulage fall within the towing capacity of your vehicle. Double check that your trailer is hitched on properly before you set off on your journey.

Weight distribution

Make sure your load is distributed as evenly as possible on the trailer, but not too far back. If it is, there’s a good chance that the trailer will become unstable and ‘fishtail’ at a certain speed.

Vehicle handling

When towing a loaded trailer, your vehicle length can easily double, as can the weight. With a longer vehicle, you need to adjust your driving accordingly. Manoeuvres can be much harder work and may take a lot of practice before you get them right. You may need another person to guide you into reverse positions, particularly if you have blind spots and tight spaces to manoeuvre into.

Late braking and sudden turns are a no-no. Your stopping distance is greatly increased due to the extra size and weight, and you may think you have control over the vehicle, but the trailer may have other ideas!

Stay alert

When you first learn to drive, it’s drummed into you to use your mirrors. Often. They’re there for a reason, and more so when you’re towing a heavy load. Check them regularly to ensure your load stays where it should – on your trailer. If your load becomes unstable or unhitched, early detection will save time, hassle and even lives!

Whilst the housing market is buoyant due to the stamp duty holiday, many people are opting to move house to take advantage of the extra benefit. Stamp duty, as we know, can add thousands to your house purchase price. On the flip side, with holidays over the last year cancelled, many people are happy to spend on home improvements instead. Whichever camp you fall into, we have some ideas about how to improve the ‘kerb appeal’ of your property, whether it’s to sell it, or just to make your neighbours envious!

Landscaping

Your garden is an extension of your house. In the warmer summer months, it’s always nice to spend time in the outdoors, either relaxing or playing. Barbecues are likely to be the way we socialise this year (if lockdown is ever lifted!) as it’s safer to mix outside rather than in.

A mature garden will undoubtedly add value to your property, but if you’re starting a landscaping project from scratch, then it’s a bigger task to get the larger more mature plants and shrubs in place without the help of some kind of mechanical machinery. You might have to clear lots of scrubland first and even digging large holes for new fence posts can be too big of a job to do by hand.  Your local Small plant hire company can supply the right kind of machine for the job.

Rendering

This too can be a big budget project, but if the brickwork of your house is ugly, then cover it up! It will add a layer of protection from the elements, and the beauty of it is, if you get bored with the colour, paint it again! Render can give your home a more sleek and contemporary appearance, but you need to be sympathetic to the style of your house before you embark on any drastic change.

Maintenance

Check for maintenance jobs that need doing. A missing tile from your roof could be a red flag to any potential buyer, as well as causing all kinds of trouble in your roof space.  Look for cracks in your paths and driveway and fill accordingly, give your front door a lick of paint and place some brightly coloured flowers in pots at the side of it.

Windows

If you can’t afford to have all of your windows replaced, consider investing in just the front of your house first. You only get one chance to make a good first impression! If replacing even half your home’s windows is outside of your budget, make sure that your existing ones and their frames are clean.