Thermalite Trench Block - Save your back

Back pain is the most common cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in the UK and, within the construction industry; it accounts for 45% of all injuries lasting over three days. Unsafe manual handling injuries affect around 70,000 building workers every year, costing the industry an estimated £335 million. The Health and Safety Commission recently published its plan to reduce this figure, with a key activity area to "improve MSD risks by targeting HSE inspections and enforcement activities where there is a known risk, for example, lifting heavy building blocks in construction work."

For Thermalite, this is a welcome initiative, as Mark Hampshire, product manager from the company explains. "At Thermalite, we have been addressing the problems associated with manual lifting for some time. The aerated properties of aircrete blocks enable them to offer the required performance and strength yet still be extremely lightweight, with the majority of blocks weighing less than 20kg in accordance with guidelines. Additionally, we have recently developed Trench block Tongue and Groove which offers block handholds incorporated into Trench block for foundations, a feature recommended by the HSE who advocates that, where possible, blocks with handholds should be used to aid the process of lifting and laying."

Trench blocks are available at all good builders merchants. Please mention UK-Builder.com