Posted By David Brede You will find a lot of the issues that you ask about are covered by competency certificates, use of ladders. However many older handy men may not have such things so you will have to ask for cv's from them so check any references given. You may find that ex service personnel may be good. They typically retire at 55 at the oldest so are experienced may not be necessarily wanting full time work due to their occupational pension kicking in if that is an advantage.

Posted By Alan Templeton I would never ask general employees to carry out any of the tasks you mentioned. I have seen many a well intention, level headed man take on what might look like to be a simple straightforward job, but has quickly turn and bit (very expensively), when it's gone wrong. Even a simple job of say putting up some shelve, involve some thought and skill. 1. Whats the load weight/size. 2. Is the wall strong enough to take the load 3. What type of shelving to use, 4. What type of fixing to use, taking into accout the material of the wall, and the load. 5. What is the wall made of, is it hazardous, flammable, in good condition. 6. Are there any services that may be behind or buried in the wall. These are just a few of the questions that must be asked. So i would advise that drilling, fabrication, painting, is left to only skilled people, who have been trained in the skills to carry out that perticular task. I was a engineering manager and H&S advisor for 28 years at a meat processing plant and have found that even so called apprentice trained engineers, who have not developed their skill, can make fundemental errors that have contributed to serious accidents occurring, which have resulted in injury to themselves and/or damage to equipment and property. So, i would advise that your general employee, never mind how well intended, would not be given this type of work.