While working with power tools and machinery is second nature to any professional in the heating and plumbing sector, technologies, techniques, and regulations are constantly evolving. Investing time into learning and development can therefore ensure you keep abreast of key changes, as well as reap further rewards for your business. 

Health and safety

At the top of the list is safety. Recent research from Direct Line Group found that many tradespeople lack awareness of the health and safety regulations, with 45% saying they are not fully aware of, or regularly updating themselves on, relevant legislation, and almost one in five suffering injury as a result of breaking health and safety rules on site. 

Indeed, figures from the Health & Safety Executive highlight the need for greater awareness; showing that within the plumbing industry alone, 2,930 workers (per 100,000 people) experienced problems with respiratory illnesses and skin disease, with further concern over Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome. 

Quite simply, a power tool improperly handled can be dangerous, and failing to use it safely can have a detrimental impact on your business: from personal injury, to injury to staff or the public, or damage to equipment and property; all can be costly and potentially lead to time off to recover, insurance claims, replacing damaged tools, or even the end of a career.

Ultimately, operator training is mandated by law, and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 requires those who own or operate work equipment to receive adequate training to ensure their safety. It also places responsibility on employers to ensure that anyone using equipment for work receives “adequate training for health and safety”.

The correct training will not only highlight potential hazards but also provide instructions on how these can be mitigated. 

Product knowledge

Whether to refresh one’s knowledge or to learn about a completely new machine, installers will also benefit from attending product demonstration and training workshops. These are particularly useful as tool manufacturers continue to develop new technologies and introduce new solutions to their portfolios. 

By exploring and understanding new tools that can offer enhanced productivity, power, and performance, you could potentially identify ways in which an arduous job on site could be made easier. 

Courses that include practical demonstrations where you can handle and test the tool also provide a valuable opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ or even just ‘kick the tyres’, and really determine what tools will benefit your business – and how.

Personal and business development 

Aside from keeping updated on relevant regulations and codes of practice, training also offers an opportunity to grow, learn, and evolve as a tradesperson. 

Professionals can expand their skill set, grow their knowledge, and add value to their business. With a growth mindset, installers may find business opportunities or new areas of expertise to pursue. 

If you are an employer, your trained staff will feel more confident in their job. You will spend less time supervising – therefore making your business more efficient – and there will be fewer accidents. 

Choosing the right training

Tool manufacturers offer a number of courses. Conveniently, in the case of Makita, certain sessions can be held directly on site so that all employees can benefit without the need to leave their place of work; although this can also take place at one of Makita’s four national Factory Service Centres. 

When choosing a safety course specifically, consider one that has been certified by an independent third party, such as City & Guilds. For example, Makita offers City & Guilds-assured correct and safe use courses, and Makita ‘Be Safe – Construction’ courses that can be tailored to any trade. The courses provide valuable training on best practices, how to select, safely handle, and store power tools, health and safety considerations, and PPE policies.

If you are looking to update your product knowledge, choose courses that include a mix of theory and practical instruction, where participants can get hands on with the tools and acquaint themselves with product technologies. The session itself should ideally include tool selection and understanding the capacities of each tool to ensure it is suitable for the task. 

Training has an important role to play in ensuring safe and effective working practices, as well as compliance with health and safety regulations. Even for those with many years of experience, making the time to gain knowledge, learn new skills, techniques and technologies, while working safely, can, in turn, help their business prosper.