A New report says People in Britain spend on average eight days a year doing DIY.
But nearly 50 per cent of those questioned said they regularly carry out DIY work without the knowledge or skills needed for the task. And a third were honest enough to say they normally mess up the so-called 'improvements'.
The report says many of the people require the use of proessionals to fix their DIY efforts. Women are the worst offenders and end up forking out an average of £80 each to fix their foul-ups with men spending £37 to make good their own disasters.
According to the report, the top five tasks the nation mucks up the most is headed by replacing floors.
That's followed by fitting an electric shower, putting up a new garden fence, painting and decorating and fixing bathroom leaks.
But it's splashing paint on walls with a brush or roller that the UK sees as its biggest chore, with 20 per cent of those questioned claiming it as their most despised DIY job.
Clearing the gutters came second, with sorting the garden third.
The report also discovered a quarter of blokes have had an accident doing DIY with one in 10 needing hospital treatment for their injury.
With 25 per cent of men either cutting or hurting themselves using a tool, while 7 per cent have fallen off a ladder, 6 per cent were electrocuted and 1 in 20 flooding the room they were working in.
Another 3 per cent fell through a ceiling or floor.
Which just makes you think, maybe it's best to put down that screwdriver today and go out instead!
You mind how you go now!
Showing posts with label DIY accidents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY accidents. Show all posts
Monday, 1 September 2008
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Silly accidents
A Missouri man is suing a DIY store after he got stuck to a toilet seat while out shopping.
31 year old Hayword Rosales is seeking £12,500 in damages after pranksters covered the toilet seat in superglue.
Rosales claims he suffered cuts and bruises to his buttock and was off work for weeks.
In a seperate case a West Yorkshire woman is launching legal action against a store after a chain saw she brought from the store severed her hand.
40 year old mother of three Bridget Williams is an avid DIY fan and purchased the £30“Challenge Mitre” to help her put in a new kitchen. She claims she was putting in some kitchen units when the saw suddenly went out of control and ripped through her hand.
Surgeons were able to save the hand and sew it back on but it is now an inch shorter. She is seeking £100,000 in damages from the store.
31 year old Hayword Rosales is seeking £12,500 in damages after pranksters covered the toilet seat in superglue.
Rosales claims he suffered cuts and bruises to his buttock and was off work for weeks.
In a seperate case a West Yorkshire woman is launching legal action against a store after a chain saw she brought from the store severed her hand.
40 year old mother of three Bridget Williams is an avid DIY fan and purchased the £30“Challenge Mitre” to help her put in a new kitchen. She claims she was putting in some kitchen units when the saw suddenly went out of control and ripped through her hand.
Surgeons were able to save the hand and sew it back on but it is now an inch shorter. She is seeking £100,000 in damages from the store.
Monday, 11 August 2008
Costly kids
Children cause more than 850,000 accidents in the home every year and the resulting damage costs nearly £230 million.
According to new research young children are the number one cause of damage in their households, and are responsible for 42 per cent of all accidents.
It may be surprising to learn that teenagers are not the biggest culprits as far as causing accidents are concerned, they account for just one in five accidents around the home or 250,000 accidents a year. Resulting in £68 million worth of damage.
With the summer holidays in full swing and the usual English summertime weather, school-age children will be in and around the home for most of the day. So parents are being warned to keep an eye on their clumsy kids.
And even those without kids can’t escape the damage they cause, because of the 850,000 accidents last year, 250,000 of them happened in someone else's home while visiting.
According to new research young children are the number one cause of damage in their households, and are responsible for 42 per cent of all accidents.
It may be surprising to learn that teenagers are not the biggest culprits as far as causing accidents are concerned, they account for just one in five accidents around the home or 250,000 accidents a year. Resulting in £68 million worth of damage.
With the summer holidays in full swing and the usual English summertime weather, school-age children will be in and around the home for most of the day. So parents are being warned to keep an eye on their clumsy kids.
And even those without kids can’t escape the damage they cause, because of the 850,000 accidents last year, 250,000 of them happened in someone else's home while visiting.
Monday, 28 July 2008
Flying lawn mowers
DIY chain B&Q has been fined almost £28,000 after a lawnmower was dropped on the head of a worker at its Wednesbury store, knocking her out.
The store admitted a charge under the Health and Safety Act at West Bromwich Magistrates Court after the case was brought by Sandwell Council.
Gary Cook, prosecuting on behalf of the council, told district judge Derek French that on January 31, 2006 staff at the Axletree Way store were asked to replenish stock, in a process called a “stock rumble”.
The court heard two male members of staff were using ‘aircraft’ steps to remove boxed lawnmowers weighing 18kg from middle racking to floor level .
District Judge French was told while this was happening a woman member of staff walked underneath the steps. However, at the same time, while passing the lawnmower down the steps, it slipped, fell and hit her on the side of her head.
“As a result of having being struck by the box she was rendered unconscious and had since had headaches, blackouts and stress-induced pseudo seizures,” said Mr Cook.
Mark Balysz, defending on behalf of B&Q, said since the accident a new risk assessment has been drafted to deal with merchandising activity on aircraft steps.
He said in the past five years, the whole of the company’s 330 stores had only reported seven accidents involving aircraft steps and stock.
“You can be sure that this incident in these circumstances won’t happen at the Wednesbury store again.”
Summing up, district judge French, said: “I accept that B&Q is a responsible employer and indeed I accept the assertion made that they are concerned about the welfare of their employees. However, it seems to me and it seems to be accepted by B&Q that this accident was avoidable.”
Mind how you go now!
The store admitted a charge under the Health and Safety Act at West Bromwich Magistrates Court after the case was brought by Sandwell Council.
Gary Cook, prosecuting on behalf of the council, told district judge Derek French that on January 31, 2006 staff at the Axletree Way store were asked to replenish stock, in a process called a “stock rumble”.
The court heard two male members of staff were using ‘aircraft’ steps to remove boxed lawnmowers weighing 18kg from middle racking to floor level .
District Judge French was told while this was happening a woman member of staff walked underneath the steps. However, at the same time, while passing the lawnmower down the steps, it slipped, fell and hit her on the side of her head.
“As a result of having being struck by the box she was rendered unconscious and had since had headaches, blackouts and stress-induced pseudo seizures,” said Mr Cook.
Mark Balysz, defending on behalf of B&Q, said since the accident a new risk assessment has been drafted to deal with merchandising activity on aircraft steps.
He said in the past five years, the whole of the company’s 330 stores had only reported seven accidents involving aircraft steps and stock.
“You can be sure that this incident in these circumstances won’t happen at the Wednesbury store again.”
Summing up, district judge French, said: “I accept that B&Q is a responsible employer and indeed I accept the assertion made that they are concerned about the welfare of their employees. However, it seems to me and it seems to be accepted by B&Q that this accident was avoidable.”
Mind how you go now!
Monday, 21 July 2008
Monday, 14 July 2008
Demolition Dave
A DIY fan who cut an underground phone cable by mistake was hit with a £25,780 repair bill, two years after the accident.
David Brown, 40, rammed a metal post through a fibre-optic line while putting up a fence in his front garden in Rings end, Cambs.
A spokesperson for BT said: "A BT engineer was sent out to the incident and as a result of Mr Browns actions, we’ve had to replace 2,000 metres of cable"
David has been given just 21 days to pay.
The furniture sprayer, who lives with frail mum Jean, 70, in Rings end, Cambs, said: “I was shocked when I opened the bill. I had no idea the cable was in the garden.”
David has contacted his insurance firm to find out if he is covered.
Mind how you go now!
David Brown, 40, rammed a metal post through a fibre-optic line while putting up a fence in his front garden in Rings end, Cambs.
A spokesperson for BT said: "A BT engineer was sent out to the incident and as a result of Mr Browns actions, we’ve had to replace 2,000 metres of cable"
David has been given just 21 days to pay.
The furniture sprayer, who lives with frail mum Jean, 70, in Rings end, Cambs, said: “I was shocked when I opened the bill. I had no idea the cable was in the garden.”
David has contacted his insurance firm to find out if he is covered.
Mind how you go now!
Monday, 23 June 2008
Stick to carpet
Thousands of people are ending up in hospital after slipping on trendy wood floors says a new survey.
Latest figures show the DIY craze for the laminate boarding has seen accidents soar from 2,900 in 1998 to 12,300 in 2007.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said most of the mishaps were caused by walking about barefoot or in socks.
A spokesman advised homeowners to put down non-slip mats or wear shoes with extra grip and to avoid spilling liquid on the veneer planks as it cannot be absorbed.
The number of people hurt on micro-scooters has also shot up since the fad swept Britain two years ago, the RoSPA survey also showed.
Changing cooking habits led to a rise in microwave-related injuries from 1,800 to 2,700? half involving burns caused by hot liquids.
A total of 2.7million people were hurt in accidents in the home and 2.8million slipped up outdoors.
Children had the most accidents with more than 900,000 kids under five injured.
But a quarter fewer youngsters suffered suspected poisoning.
On the wackier side, 700 people were hurt by trouser zips and another 8,500 came a cropper on high-heeled and platform shoes.
Mind how you go now!
Latest figures show the DIY craze for the laminate boarding has seen accidents soar from 2,900 in 1998 to 12,300 in 2007.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said most of the mishaps were caused by walking about barefoot or in socks.A spokesman advised homeowners to put down non-slip mats or wear shoes with extra grip and to avoid spilling liquid on the veneer planks as it cannot be absorbed.
The number of people hurt on micro-scooters has also shot up since the fad swept Britain two years ago, the RoSPA survey also showed.
Changing cooking habits led to a rise in microwave-related injuries from 1,800 to 2,700? half involving burns caused by hot liquids.
A total of 2.7million people were hurt in accidents in the home and 2.8million slipped up outdoors.
Children had the most accidents with more than 900,000 kids under five injured.
But a quarter fewer youngsters suffered suspected poisoning.
On the wackier side, 700 people were hurt by trouser zips and another 8,500 came a cropper on high-heeled and platform shoes.
Mind how you go now!
Monday, 16 June 2008
Costly DIY
A recent survey of 1500 men has revealed more than a third (37%) admitted they don't really like doing DIY and another third of all men feel under pressure from their partners to undertake DIY jobs.
This figure is corroborated by the fact that 31% of women expect their partners to carry out the necessary home improvement and 49% think DIY skills are desirable in a prospective partner.
Conversely, only 2% of men expect their partners to be able to accomplish DIY tasks.
The survey further suggests that, in order to impress their partners, many men take on too ambitious and even possibly dangerous projects such as electric wiring or major building or gas works.
A spokesperson for ROSPA said "TV home makeover shows make it all appear so simple, and it's easy to forget that these are highly skilled professionals."
"In reality trying to tackle certain areas you are not qualified for such as electrics or plumbing is dangerous and could even invalidate your home insurance policy, leaving you liable for any subsequent damage. We'd recommend using a reputable tradesman rather than going it alone."
ROSPA urges homeowners who do not have the necessary qualifications or experience to be cautious, because their home insurance might be invalidated if their home improvement work goes wrong.
Accidental damage of sinks, baths, ceramic hobs or glass in doors is included in most policies, but common DIY disasters like drilling into a water pipe or putting a foot through the ceiling might require additional cover.
Mind how you go now!
This figure is corroborated by the fact that 31% of women expect their partners to carry out the necessary home improvement and 49% think DIY skills are desirable in a prospective partner.
Conversely, only 2% of men expect their partners to be able to accomplish DIY tasks.
The survey further suggests that, in order to impress their partners, many men take on too ambitious and even possibly dangerous projects such as electric wiring or major building or gas works.
A spokesperson for ROSPA said "TV home makeover shows make it all appear so simple, and it's easy to forget that these are highly skilled professionals."
"In reality trying to tackle certain areas you are not qualified for such as electrics or plumbing is dangerous and could even invalidate your home insurance policy, leaving you liable for any subsequent damage. We'd recommend using a reputable tradesman rather than going it alone."
ROSPA urges homeowners who do not have the necessary qualifications or experience to be cautious, because their home insurance might be invalidated if their home improvement work goes wrong.
Accidental damage of sinks, baths, ceramic hobs or glass in doors is included in most policies, but common DIY disasters like drilling into a water pipe or putting a foot through the ceiling might require additional cover.
Mind how you go now!
Monday, 9 June 2008
Ingenious or stupid you decide!
What were they thinking!
Things are done a little differently in the rest of the world, try this at work and see what health and safety have to say.
Mind how you go now!
Monday, 2 June 2008
The tools to watch out for.
It’s worth putting safety first when dabbling with DIY. Here are the implements to watch out for according to RoSPA (Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents) figures:
1. Knives and scalpels (21,300 accidents in the UK each year)
2. Saws (15,100)
3. Grinders (6,400)
4. Hammers (5,800)
5. Chisels (3,900)
6. Screwdrivers (3,400)
7. Power Drills (3,000)
8. Axes (2,200)
9. Planes (2,100)
10. Welding Equipment (2,000)
Mind how you go now!
1. Knives and scalpels (21,300 accidents in the UK each year)
2. Saws (15,100)
3. Grinders (6,400)
4. Hammers (5,800)
5. Chisels (3,900)
6. Screwdrivers (3,400)
7. Power Drills (3,000)
8. Axes (2,200)
9. Planes (2,100)
10. Welding Equipment (2,000)
Mind how you go now!
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Trying to save money by DIY.
Recent research has shown DIY bodges cost people £850m a year in paying builders to sort them out.
Not only that, but some 70 people die each year from DIY disasters with a further 200,000 injured.
And despite that, a recent Federation of Master Builders survey reckons that 40% of people will still attempt all their building work themselves.
If you're one of the 40% - you've been warned.
Mind how you go now.
Not only that, but some 70 people die each year from DIY disasters with a further 200,000 injured.
And despite that, a recent Federation of Master Builders survey reckons that 40% of people will still attempt all their building work themselves.
If you're one of the 40% - you've been warned.
Mind how you go now.
Monday, 14 April 2008
Stick to the hammer and nails.
The perils of using a simple tool like a nail gun have been displayed recently as two victims will no doubt tell you when and if they recover. One DIY fan called Nigel from Leicester decided to nail the floorboards down in his bathroom with a DIY staple gun. Seems fair enough, you might say.
The problem arose when the clumsy clot lost his balance and fell over. As he explains 'I heard the gun go off. I felt a pain in my chest, so I went to take off my jumper, but I couldn't because it was nailed to my chest.' Ouch!
It was later revealed at hospital that the nail was an inch inside his heart, and a single millimeter away from the main artery. In the most shocking, and most stupid, aspect of the story, the man actually considered removing the nail with pliers before dialing 999. Certain death would have followed.
Best left to the professionals you might say or maybe not as a 17 year old working on a building site in Australia recently shot himself in the head with a nail gun.
Mind how you go now.
The problem arose when the clumsy clot lost his balance and fell over. As he explains 'I heard the gun go off. I felt a pain in my chest, so I went to take off my jumper, but I couldn't because it was nailed to my chest.' Ouch!
It was later revealed at hospital that the nail was an inch inside his heart, and a single millimeter away from the main artery. In the most shocking, and most stupid, aspect of the story, the man actually considered removing the nail with pliers before dialing 999. Certain death would have followed.
Best left to the professionals you might say or maybe not as a 17 year old working on a building site in Australia recently shot himself in the head with a nail gun.
Mind how you go now.
Friday, 28 March 2008
Safer living in the South?
Homeowners in the south-east of the UK are the worst culprits for DIY disasters, according to new research.
Some 29 per cent of the recorded incidents of damage caused to neighbours' properties as a result of property renovation occurred in the south-east, a new Halifax study indicates.
A cumulative £173 million worth of damage is caused by neighbours undertaking home improvement projects, with one-third of those affected having to cover the cost themselves, while others split the cost.
David Rochester, head of underwriting at Halifax Home Insurance, said: "A number of errant DIYers are not just damaging their properties, but their neighbours' homes too."
Mind how you go now.
Some 29 per cent of the recorded incidents of damage caused to neighbours' properties as a result of property renovation occurred in the south-east, a new Halifax study indicates.
A cumulative £173 million worth of damage is caused by neighbours undertaking home improvement projects, with one-third of those affected having to cover the cost themselves, while others split the cost.
David Rochester, head of underwriting at Halifax Home Insurance, said: "A number of errant DIYers are not just damaging their properties, but their neighbours' homes too."
Mind how you go now.
Thursday, 20 March 2008
DIY fans expected to cause up to £25 million damage this Easter
DIY enthusiasts could cause up to £25million worth of damage in British homes this Easter weekend - one of the most popular periods for taking on home improvements.
Research suggests that a clumsy 16 per cent of people have damaged their homes or their property carrying out a DIY improvement and the industry expects to pay out anything up to £25 million for DIY-related damage this Easter.
A survey of 2,000 householders by an insurance company also found that nearly 30 per cent of people admit they have injured themselves or someone else while carrying out a DIY job. This figure is supported by the fact that an estimated 200,000 DIY enthusiasts turn up at hospital each year.
Worryingly, 55 per cent admitted to starting a DIY job without the correct tools and almost 50 per cent said that they had started a DIY job without really knowing how to do it - including electrical and plumbing jobs.
So if you're looking to start those long-awaited home improvements this weekend - you just mind how you go!
Research suggests that a clumsy 16 per cent of people have damaged their homes or their property carrying out a DIY improvement and the industry expects to pay out anything up to £25 million for DIY-related damage this Easter.
A survey of 2,000 householders by an insurance company also found that nearly 30 per cent of people admit they have injured themselves or someone else while carrying out a DIY job. This figure is supported by the fact that an estimated 200,000 DIY enthusiasts turn up at hospital each year.
Worryingly, 55 per cent admitted to starting a DIY job without the correct tools and almost 50 per cent said that they had started a DIY job without really knowing how to do it - including electrical and plumbing jobs.
So if you're looking to start those long-awaited home improvements this weekend - you just mind how you go!
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