PP-EASY DOES IT

When it comes to fitting any laminate or compact laminate worksurface, wearing the correct PPE Kit mustn’t be overlooked, says Paul Graham, installation expert at Bushboard. Here, Paul outlines the basic requirements for personal protection when installing kitchen countertops.

The house building and home improvements boom over the last two years or so has certainly brought with it a healthy pipeline of work for kitchen installers, but with that can often come a degree of pressure to accelerate work and prevent lead times from slipping. As ever though, cutting corners when it comes to the safe and proper preparation and handling of a laminate or compact laminate worksurface will always prove to be a false economy.

Granted, the subject of PPE may not be the most exciting, or the reason installers chose to go into their line of work, but with the majority of KBB installers self-employed, we feel it’s our duty to ensure they are always in the best possible position to maximise their earnings. The harsh reality is that one freak accident in the absence of the correct PPE may cause the kind of injury or illness capable of putting an installer’s career at risk. So, what exactly does a manufacturer deem to be best practice from a health and safety perspective?

What equipment do I need for a compact laminate kitchen countertop installation? Regardless of the laminate type, arguably the most important piece of PPE is a pair of anti-scratch, anti-fog safety glasses, which will nullify the risk of eye damage caused by dust or debris. When a circular saw is used for cut-outs or to reduce a panel of compact laminate to size, the blade could be spinning at around 5,000rpm, which is enough to cause any loose debris to travel with some force.

Ear defenders are another essential piece of PPE for a fitter’s toolkit. The sheer density of compact laminate in particular can make a big difference to the noise created when cutting the product – especially if the installer doesn’t have access to a premium grade saw and blade. For best results, both in terms of product finish and noise levels, we recommend a circular saw with a new 48-tooth blade, but that certainly doesn’t reduce the need for ear protection.

Most of the circular saws used by installers will offer built-in dust extraction, but that’s not to say extra measures shouldn’t be taken. Around 85% of airborne particulates can be removed by a dust extractor, which means an EN149 standard face mask offers allimportant protection against the remaining 15% or so.

The unique characteristics of compact laminate such as Bushboard’s Zenith collection of kitchen worktops, mean they are generally thin but very heavy. This creates the requirement for protective gloves with a sturdy grip when carrying the product, which will help to protect the finish of the laminate as well aid the installer’s handling. Similarly, as with any working environment, safety shoes with steel toecaps are a must, not least because of how heavy the typical sheet of compact laminate can be. →

What else should I consider to be best practice?

No matter how fit and healthy you might feel, a sheet of compact laminate should always be considered a two-person lift. Not only is it naturally heavy, but it also always needs to be stored flat, so making sure the product can be manoeuvred into position carefully is hugely important to maintaining its structural integrity. Failure to store the product flat runs the risk of the product warping, which may then make the installation much more challenging than it needs to be.

With the rise in remote working among homeowners, the impact of your choice of equipment on noise levels should be as important a consideration as ever. The same goes for making sure the area you are working in is well-ventilated, which will reduce the disruption caused by any airborne dust particles created when the product is cut.

To sign up to the Zenith course on the BiKBBI Academy, visit: www.bikbbicampus.org.uk. To join the Bushboard Installer Network for VIP access to upcoming training opportunities, or to find out more about Zenith and the complete range of worktops available, visit:

www.bushboard.co.uk

KITCHEN KIT BY BA IS NOW AVAILABLE FROM TOOLSTATION

BA, is pleased to announce that multichannel retailer of tools and building materials, Toolstation is now an official online supplier of its new trade offer, Kitchen Kit.

“Now that we have kitchen cabinets in our range, we really can offer the full kitchen solution and coupled with the wider Toolstation range, everything our customers would need to complete the job,” says Cara Yates, Category Manager of Kitchens and Bathrooms at Toolstation.

She continued, “Kitchen Kit is easy to choose, easy to buy and easy to build and so a perfect fit for Toolstation customers,” thanks to its new product line, Kitchen Kit, which

“We feel this product will change how fitters work, freeing up time which will give them the opportunity to fit more kitchens and earn more. The added bonus of being able to design, price and order on-line 24 hours a day."

has fast become the new choice for anyone wanting a trade kitchen in quick-time. Made in Britain and available flat pack, and created for customer convenience, Toolstation customers can choose from 3 door styles: J-Pull, Slab and Shaker.

Available in standard sizes, the Flatpack offer provides a range of quick-build cabinets with a 3 day despatch and a build time as little as 30 seconds. Cabinets hold FIRA Gold Certification for quality assurance and peace of mind. Watch this quick demo video, where brand ambassador Mark Millar, gets two fitters to take on the Kitchen Kit Quick Build Cabinet Challenge in real-time: here

Toolstation has over 500 branches nationwide, which are open 7 days a week. Customers who al-ready have a Toolstation Trade Account will benefit from a 5% saving on all Kitchen Kit purchases straightaway. In order to receive this discount, customers must show their Trade Account card in store, or log into their online account at www. toolstation.com. Trade customers who do not have a Toolstation Trade Account can apply →

online or via the app and once accepted, also save 5% (Business only. Conditions apply).

Trade customers can benefit from the exclusive Kitchen Kit Kitchen Builder, which is embedded on the Toolstation in order to choose, buy and build quickly and easily. The easy-to-use kitchen styler tool helps customers visualize the space and ensure the best style of kitchen for each and every project.

Peter Rush, CEO of BA says, “We feel this product will change how fitters work, freeing up time which will give them the opportunity to fit more kitchens and earn more. The added bonus of being able to design, price and order on-line 24 hours a day, means prices are transparent, quality is controlled, and delivery is fast and direct to site.”

www.kitchenkit.co.uk