Health and safety in the spotlight

Construction News (CN) reported that just three firms have received almost a third of all enforcement notices handed out to the UK's Top 100 contractors so far this year.

CN said that of the 76 prohibition and improvement notices logged on the Health & Safety Executive's (HSE) database in 2007, 24 were shared between Sir Robert McAlpine, Laing O'Rourke and Ardmore.

A Laing O'Rourke spokesman disputed reports that it received five prohibition notices and four improvement notices: "The data is flawed," he told CN. "Anything more than a cursory examination will show double counting and, in one case, triple counting." However, an HSE spokeswoman denied treble counting, saying the contractor had been hit by three separate notices in one day on one site, CN reported.

Building magazine revealed findings of a new report published this week, which found that most migrant construction workers in London have no knowledge of health and safety rights and obligations as they receive no training in these matters before coming to the UK.

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) survey, based on interviews with migrant workers, employers, trade unions and health and safety officials, said 52% of employees from overseas had never been made aware of health and safety regulations in their homelands, reported Building. The institution has suggested the creation of a single body to support the health and safety of migrant construction workers in London and the South-east.

Building also reported new HSE fatality figures showing that 35 deaths occurred in the industry between April and October this year, compared to 37 during the same period in 2005/2006. Deaths in refurbishment and repair, the focus of a government safety crackdown, have stayed high, accounting for 52% of fatalities, compared to 22% in 2006/2007, said Building.

Meanwhile, in a move to quell public concern over crane safety after several accidents in the past year, sites registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme are to issue a ‘Safe to Use’ public statement covering tower crane activities, reported Contracts Journal (CJ).

Under a short term action plan, drawn up at the Strategic Forum meeting on tower crane safety, the Construction Plant-hire Association's Tower Crane Interest Group and SAFed will work together on comprehensive Best Practice guidance for the maintenance and thorough examinations of tower cranes, said CJ.