Health and safety policies are often well-written. But what happens when they meet the reality of a live construction site?

Jimmy Webb speaks with Beth Slade, Founder of Beth Slade Safety Ltd, about the gap between health and safety policy and everyday practice across construction.

The conversation covers:

• Where paperwork and compliance fall short on-site
• Why culture, behaviour, and communication matter
• The risks that accreditations and tick-box systems can miss
• How health and safety is experienced day to day in construction

This episode of the UK Construction Podcast, produced by UK Construction Blog, offers practical insight for anyone responsible for safety, people, or site operations.

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Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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Plumber of the Year 2022, Jimmy Hendry, joins the UK Construction Blog Podcast for a candid conversation on the realities of gas safety in the UK. Hosted by Jimmy Webb, the episode draws on over 30 years of hands-on experience in plumbing and gas engineering to explore why serious safety risks continue to exist despite strict regulations.

This episode looks at how gas safety is applied in the real world, not just on paper.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why gas safety laws and enforcement are failing homeowners and tenants
• How unqualified gas work continues despite the Gas Safe Register
• The dangers of cheap boiler servicing and what a proper service involves
• Why boilers can still be bought and installed without proper checks
• The gap between gas safety regulations and everyday practice
• What happens when plumbers challenge safety failures publicly

Gas safety is not just a compliance issue. It is a public safety issue.

This conversation is essential viewing for plumbers, gas engineers, landlords, construction professionals, and homeowners who want to understand the real risks behind boiler installations and servicing in the UK.

https://www.ciphe.org.uk/

https://plumberscompany.org.uk/

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https://web-motion.co.uk/

Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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Drugs and alcohol policies are meant to keep construction sites safe. But what happens when those policies don’t match real-life behaviour on site?

In this episode, Jimmy from UK Construction Blog speaks with Nick McMurray from Positive Matters, a company working with construction businesses to rethink how they approach drugs, alcohol, testing and support. Instead of relying on old “zero tolerance” rules that are often ignored in practice, Positive Matters helps companies build policies that actually work.

Nick explains why most drug and alcohol policies fail, how inconsistent testing leads to risk, and why proper education and operating procedures matter just as much as the tests themselves. He also breaks down how support programmes, second-chance pathways and clear accountability can help employers protect their people without compromising safety.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

✔️ Why most zero-tolerance policies fall apart on real construction sites

✔️ The four pillars of an effective drug and alcohol strategy

✔️ The business risks of inconsistent testing

✔️ How support programmes reduce reoffending and improve retention

✔️ The reality of substance use across all levels of the industry

✔️ Common myths about "detoxing", flushing out substances and passive smoking

✔️ Why ketamine, CBD oils and new synthetic opioids are becoming bigger issues on site

If you manage teams, handle safety, or work in construction leadership, this episode offers clear insight into the behavioural pressures driving substance use and what employers can realistically do to protect both people and projects.

https://positivematters.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-mcmurray-06b14628

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https://web-motion.co.uk/

Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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Kevin Bennison, the founder of InspHigher and a respected voice in the lifting industry joins us to talk about what’s gone wrong with construction training and how to fix it.

As he draws on his experience from the military to the crane cab, Kevin shares with our host Jimmy Webb from UK Construction Blog on how competence, repetition, and leadership can transform the industry from a “tick-box” culture into one built on real skill and accountability.

🔹 Why current training standards fall short
🔹 The difference between qualification and competence
🔹 How to lead yourself and others in lifting operations
🔹 Practical advice for companies and professionals looking to raise standards

It’s a candid look at how the industry can do better, and what it takes to get there. Follow Kevin’s journey and the work of InspHigher through the links below:
https://www.insphigher.co.uk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbennison
https://www.youtube.com/@InspHigher
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https://web-motion.co.uk

Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com
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Jimmy Webb from the UK Construction Blog sits down with Chris Scriven, Director of Education at The Restore Trust, to explore how construction is helping people with complex backgrounds — including those with criminal records — find purpose and meaningful work.

From prison education programmes to hands-on training and mental health support, The Restore Trust is opening doors for people to rebuild their lives while helping the construction industry tackle its growing skills gap.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:
✔️ How ex-offenders and at-risk individuals are starting rewarding careers in construction
✔️ Why breaking the cycle of reoffending saves the economy millions every year
✔️ The real impact of mental health training in the construction sector
✔️ How forward-thinking employers are giving people second chances
✔️ Why understanding addiction and wellbeing is key to a safer, stronger workforce

If you care about second chances, mental health awareness, or seeing construction transform lives, this episode is a must-watch.

Learn more about the mission here: https://therestoretrust.org

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Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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Retentions have been used in UK construction since the 1840s. Yet today, many in the industry are questioning whether they still offer the security they once promised.

Originally introduced during the railway boom, retentions were meant to protect projects. Today, they’re locking up billions in unpaid funds and pushing contractors closer to insolvency. In fact, it’s estimated that £3 to £5 billion is held in retentions across the UK construction sector each year, with much of it never recovered.

In this episode, we sit down with Gary Ashton, Partner at Hawkswell Kilvington Solicitors which is one of the UK's few law firms focused solely on construction and engineering. Gary explains how retentions work, why they often go unrecovered, and what legal tools contractors have at their disposal.

We talk about:
✔️ How retention works in the UK and why it's so widely used
✔️ The legal and financial risks retentions create during insolvency
✔️ Why better contracts and clear payment terms matter
✔️ Alternatives like escrow accounts, project bank accounts and retention bonds

If you have ever lost money on a project or struggled to recover withheld payments, this episode offers practical insight and expert advice from someone who sees the impact every day.

Learn more about HK Legal here: https://hklegal.co.uk

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https://web-motion.co.uk/
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How do you keep construction sites safer, smarter, and more efficient using video?

In this episode of the UK Construction Podcast, we’re excited to introduce our new host, Jimmy Webb. Having years of experience as a construction industry expert and as the voice behind The Construction Cogs Podcast, Jimmy brings a wealth of knowledge and energy to the show.

Jimmy sits down with Paul “Indy” Newman, UK founder of Luma1, to explore how interactive video technology is changing the way the construction industry approaches safety, inductions, and training.

From saving companies hundreds of thousands of pounds a year to helping workers understand critical site information in their own language, Luma1 is continually proving that video isn’t just a tool—it’s a game-changer.

🔑 What you’ll hear in this episode:

✔️ Why traditional site inductions fail and how interactive video solves the problem
✔️ How multilingual video training keeps workers safer on site
✔️ Real-world examples of companies saving time and money with digital inductions
✔️ The surprising stat: why workers are most at risk of injury in their first 6 months
✔️ The role of AI and mobile tech in reshaping construction training

Learn more about LumaOne here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-indi-newman/
https://www.luma1.com/
https://indi.luma.one/live/

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https://web-motion.co.uk/

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How did Manchester go from a struggling industrial city filled with abandoned mills and a thriving rave scene to a forward-thinking hub for business, technology, and innovation?

For PushON, a leading digital agency based in Manchester’s Ancoats, this transformation isn’t just a story from the sidelines. It’s something they’re a part of every day.

In this episode, we sit down with PushON’s Strategist and Managing Director, Simon Wharton, to explore a range of topics — from Manchester’s remarkable transformation and choosing the right digital platforms, to harnessing SEO and AI as powerful tools for growth. With two decades of experience in this rapidly evolving space, Simon has witnessed firsthand the growth and constant need for innovation, both in the digital world and within the construction industry itself.

We get into:

✔️ The role digital marketing, SEO, and a strong online presence plays in helping construction companies grow — whether you’re a small corner shop or a large enterprise.

✔️ Why choosing the right platforms and tools is key to staying competitive in a changing market.

✔️ AI as a capability extender, not a threat, allowing companies to do more with less and respond faster to opportunities.

✔️ Predictions for the future of the industry, from smarter processes to a more connected, data-rich ecosystem.

Learn more about PushOn here: https://www.pushon.co.uk/

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https://web-motion.co.uk/

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