Winter is soon approaching, meaning the dark and cold temperatures will quickly affect sites and work spaces. As we move through the seasons, hiring essentials such as heating and lighting is vital in creating a safe and productive atmosphere for workers from morning to evening. 

Let’s discuss some of the lighting and heating equipment best suited for different work environments:

Lighting 

As natural light becomes scarce in the mornings and evenings, maintaining adequate on-site lighting ensures workers can operate efficiently and reduce the risk of accidents. At The Hireman, we supply a range of site lighting solutions that are effective and energy-efficient:

Due to its clever compact design, the Cordless Worklight is a fantastic solution if you are away from a power source or need a lightweight and portable light source. This small but mighty work light can brightly light up a space of up to 220m² with a 240° tilt for a more focused task.

The Wobble Light is a great first pick for those with outlets or power sources. This highly robust and versatile lighting system is designed with a self-righting ‘wobble’ base, making the lights difficult to knock over. You can also remove the lit tube from the base and use it as an inspection light. 

Where floor lighting may be a potential hazard on site, an alternative is high-level site lighting. Our LED Festoon Lighting is invaluable for providing consistent and widespread light, ensuring that every corner of a site is well-lit. With 25m of Arctic cable and a 110V power source requirement, the kits are easily movable or extendable as your project progresses. 

Floodlights are a popular choice due to their ability to illuminate large areas whilst being lightweight, versatile and efficient. Our Twin Low-Energy Floodlights are ideal for indoor and outdoor sites as their telescopic tripod makes it easy to orient and adjust precisely to your project needs.

Heaters

Keeping sites comfortable for continued productivity is essential as we get into cold and dry winter months. We offer an array of heaters available for heating and drying, curated for various-sized rooms and locations:

With variable temperature control due to its built-in thermostat, our Industrial Fan Heaters are ideal for situations where operators are not stationary and warm air needs to be circulated throughout the space. Designed to not produce odours or humidity, the heater is ideal for indoor use.

A compact yet powerful option is the fan-assisted Propane Space Heater. With a height of 68cm and a reasonable weight of 13kg, this space heater is easy to move around and perfect for well-ventilated commercial and industrial premises to ensure all spaces are heated appropriately.

As the winter comes in, plastered walls and damp-affected areas will take longer to dry. The Infrared Heater is both robust and durable making it a brilliant choice for any site. Designed to provide directional infrared heat, users will have coverage of up to 6m. 

Compact heaters such as the convector heater and Portable Oil Radiator are the best choices for smaller spaces such as site offices and small to medium-sized rooms. Their slimline and compact design circulate warm air throughout rooms for instant relief.  

Hire lights and heaters today with The Hireman! 

If you are interested in hiring any lights or heaters, get in touch, and The Hireman will handle the rest. 

In the ever-evolving world of construction and maintenance, using the right access equipment can make all the difference in terms of safety, efficiency, and productivity. Enter the Desk Glider, a breakthrough access solution for working over and above desks. Whether you need it for its preliminary over-the-desk use or as a free-standing tower, maintenance tasks have never been simpler. Let’s explore if the Desk Glider is the right access solution for you:

Technical Specifications

• Boasts an impressive 2.0m platform and 1.3m working outreach
• Lightweight aluminium construction
• Compact – fits through single doorways
• Features safety railings, two integrated rear stabilisers and non-slip surfaces that are compliant with Work at Height Regulations
• No batteries or power source required

Suitable Environments

The Desk Glider’s versatility extends to the environments in which it can be used. It is well-suited for:

1. Offices and Facilities Management
As the name suggests, one of its top uses is in office spaces where the podium can easily be used for maintenance over desks. Facility managers and maintenance personnel can also use the Desk Glider to perform routine inspections, repairs, and maintenance tasks in commercial and industrial settings. Its compact design enables easy access to hard-to-reach areas.

2. Construction Sites
Construction professionals can benefit from the Desk Glider’s mobility and ease of use. It allows workers to access different levels of a building during construction or renovation projects, improving efficiency and reducing downtime.

3. Warehouses and Distribution Centers
In large warehouses and distribution centers, the Desk Glider can be used to access high shelves, conduct inventory checks, and perform repairs on equipment, all while ensuring safety and efficiency.

4. Retail and Display Setup
Retailers often require access solutions for setting up displays, changing signage, and performing maintenance in stores. The Desk Glider’s compact design makes it ideal for such tasks, even in confined spaces.

The Perfect Access Solution for Maintenance Tasks

With all its benefits and uses, the Desk Glider has found the perfect balance of streamlining work processes by providing quick and easy access to elevated areas.

If you’re ready to experience the Desk Glider’s advantages firsthand, look no further than The Hireman. We are proud to offer the Desk Glider platform with a 2.0m platform height, available for hire on our website here. Take your access solutions to the next level with Desk Glider and elevate your productivity and safety standards today.

The Makita CE001G is making a commendable attempt to steal the cut-off saw crown from the reigning champion – Stihl. Whilst they’re both renowned for their ability to effortlessly cut concrete, the big difference is their power source. Makita boasts a twin 40V battery system, whereas the Stihl TS420 and TS410 are equipped with their traditional 2-stroke petrol power.

Let’s take a deeper look at what makes the Makita CE001G a worthy contender.

What are the advantages of battery-powered tools compared to fuel-powered tools?

The key advantage of battery-powered tools is convenience. The very nature of 2-stroke fuel is that it needs a precise mix of unleaded petrol and oil to lubricate the engine correctly. If this is neglected, the engine may seize, causing damage to the saw and creating costly delays. There is also the inconvenience and hazards associated with storing petrol and oil compared to spare batteries. The 40V batteries used for the Makita CE001G are compatible across the entire Makita XGT range, making it flexible and convenient.

However, there is a trade-off for the convenience of battery power, and that is weight. The Makita saw comes in at 14.1kg compared to 9.78kg for the TS420 petrol saw. At almost a third more, this may lead to operator fatigue if used for long periods of time.

What should you consider when choosing a saw?

Cut-off saws are one of the most versatile tools on the market, but each saw has its own unique features worth mulling over when purchasing.

Power

Higher horsepower allows you to carry out more specialised tasks, work with a wider pool of materials and provide accurate results.

Of course, both are powerful tools, but the Makita CE001G has a slight edge in power with its 5.1 horsepower engine, enabling faster and more efficient cutting.

Environmentally friendliness

Environmental impact is quickly becoming an important factor when choosing the right equipment, and with climate change being a hot topic, protecting our environment is more crucial than ever.

Fossil fuel powered tools are known for their negative impact on the environment. When fuel is used to power the tool, it emits carbon monoxide (CO) fumes and particle matter into the atmosphere, creating pollution.

Fortunately, battery-powered tools like the Makita CE001G produce zero emissions, making them safer to use for the operator and can help businesses work towards their low emission targets.

Noise

Petrol engines are inherently noisy in comparison to the electric motor in the Makita saw, which is almost silent. Naturally, the operating sound of both machines will require ear defenders, but with electric tools, the background chatter of idling and revving 2-stroke engines is removed. This may be particularly relevant when used in residential and built-up areas where neighbours are a consideration.

Safety

All power tools are inherently dangerous without the correct training and safety equipment, but the Makita cut-off saw features an electric brake and anti-restart function for added safety. Zero emissions from the Makita saw also allow it to be used in enclosed spaces where exhaust fumes from the petrol powered Stihl would prohibit its use.

What saw should you choose?

Despite the disparity, both saws share features that enhance performance during use, including anti-vibration systems, reducing operator fatigue, and improving precision during function. Additionally, dust suppression and cooling during operation are supported through the water delivery system. The Makita cut-off saw features roller wheels on its body which, when cutting floors, can take the weight of the saw, aiding accuracy and minimising operator fatigue.

The Makita cut-off saw makes a compelling case for being the go-to saw for cutting abrasive materials on site. However, in real terms, to compete with the Stihl, you would need several battery packs ready to go, which makes the Makita more expensive to operate compared to the Stihl. The greater weight of the Makita over the Stihl means for all-day operating, the Stihl has the edge in terms of operator fatigue.

There are, however, many advantages to the Makita. Being battery powered makes it simpler to use, and not needing fuel and oil means that there is no need for the additional expense of a COSHH cabinet as well as minimising operator error in mixing fuels incorrectly – we can attest to the number of repairs we perform on broken petrol saws because of this reason!

The Makita is superb for specialist applications where exhaust fumes would be an issue. If you have already committed to the Makita 40V ecosystem and have spare batteries, then economically, the Makita is a viable option. With many construction sites in London switching to battery-only solutions, we expect to see the demand for tools like the Makita CE001G to increase over time.

Ultimately, the choice between these two saws will depend on your specific needs and budget.

Hire a cut-off saw today with The Hireman

If you’re interested in hiring the Makita CE001G or the Stihl TS420, or the TS410, get in touch, and we will do the rest.

Celebrating national apprenticeship week 2023 and the growing success of our apprentices!

National Apprenticeship Week is an annual event showcasing the benefits of apprenticeships and their valuable pathway to various career opportunities as well as the positive impact it can have on communities, local businesses, and regional economies in England.

It celebrates how technical education can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and encourages employers to create a workforce with future-ready skills.

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2023 is ‘Skills for Life’. With this theme in mind, we will be reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a lifelong rewarding career. In addition, how it also encourages businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with skills for the future.

Growing The Hireman family

At the beginning of 2021, The Hireman decided it was time to welcome a new generation of talented individuals to the family and recruit our first-ever apprentices. Through the expertise and hard work of our HR & People Manager Michelle, she was able to find suitable courses and training providers that would strengthen and support the business, integrate with the created roles and ensure our foundations were strong for the learning journey ahead.

Since then, the past two years have been spent on providing an ideal environment for any apprentice to succeed and thrive in, including developing talents, rewarding those with a continuous commitment to learning by creating opportunities to move into different areas of the business and nurturing our peoples’ skills, strengths, and interests.

Thoughts from our apprentices

Last year we welcomed two of our apprentices as permanent team members of The Hireman and couldn’t be more pleased with the success they have had with us. This year, we welcome four more bright apprentices and are delighted to hear the story of one the individuals:

“My name is Mitchell, and I am currently an Admin Business Apprentice working at the South depot. I predominately work alongside the hire desk team supporting general tasks and focusing on the processing of paperwork for the depot. The reason I chose this route was because I believed it would be the best way for me to develop as I didn’t have any prior experience within this field. I think going down the apprenticeship route has given me the key support to really understand the business and grow within my role over the last 8 months.

I have enjoyed working with my team and mentors the most during this time. It has been a pleasure to work alongside so many great and supportive people. I have also enjoyed seeing my progress during this time both within my course and work at the depot. I have come along way, and it is very pleasing to see. The most challenging part to this is maintaining a good level of work for both my course and my work at the depot and managing my time well to ensure this.

During my time as an apprentice, I have learned so much about business studies and The Hireman, but I would say the life skill I have developed the most during this time that would lead to a rewarding career is taking responsibility for my work. As mentioned previously it can be a challenge to keep on top of both depot work and course work however, it has only taught me how to manage my time more efficiently and how to multitask better. These are key responsibilities anyone must take with their work, and particularly in the hire office.

I would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported so far while I have been completing my course and learning this new industry to me. I have learned so much and I am grateful for all the help I have received along the way”.

Mitchell, Admin Business Apprentice

Thoughts from The Hireman team

As our apprentices have been working their way through their course material and building their practical knowledge and skills, their teams and managers have also benefitted from this learning experience.

“It’s been great watching our apprentices flourish and get stuck into their role. They have been a great addition to our team through their willingness to learn and progress.”

Nick, Depot General Manager

“The apprenticeship has helped Individuals to focus on their development even more throughout the year. Through working alongside Weir training, we were able to gain permanent and valued members of the team who also have the necessary accreditation’.”

Noel, Depot General Manager

The Hireman is proud to be investing in the future

Our apprentices have become valued members of their teams, and their confidence and ability are growing day by day. They have shown their enthusiasm for learning, willingness to get stuck in and aspirations to progress in their careers.

Ali has recently completed a level 2 Supply Chain & Warehouse Operative Qualification through Weir Training and has since become a Warehouse Operative at our City Depot!

Molly also completed the level 2 Supply Chain & Warehouse Operative Qualification and has joined as Driver at our South Depot. Molly is also The Hireman’s first ever female driver!

The introduction of apprenticeships has been an invaluable endeavour for everyone at The Hireman, and it’s safe to say we are looking forward to creating more opportunities for apprentices to build their future with us.

For more from our managers and apprentices, keep an eye out on LinkedIn for our #NAW2023 posts 

‘If you or someone you know would be interested in an apprenticeship with The Hireman, you can get in touch with our training provider Weir Training or visit our website.’

If you’re interested in setting up an account, all you need to do is pop an email over to [email protected] and we’ll do the rest!