More HSE inspectors needed, says select committee

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) must up the number of full-time construction inspectors it employs to avoid escalating fatalities, according to a new report published by the government work and pensions select committee.

The number of full-time construction inspectors in the HSE has dropped to 124, the lowest figure since the division was launched in 2002, and just 14 of those cover all London sites.

That's despite the fact that industry workloads are increasing, with the government committed to building three million new homes and huge London projects including Crossrail and the 2012 Olympics. The report also recommends increasing fines for health and safety breaches, claiming current penalties were not a sufficient deterrent.

Elsewhere the report calls for the HSE to urgently set up a national register of cranes to ensure health and safety standards are met. Building focused on this angle, itself having set up the Safer Skyline campaign to call for the proposal.

Speaking to Contract Journal, civil service union Prospect cast doubt on the government's ability to heed the committee's warnings. Prospect HSE officer Michael Macdonald accused the government of 'ignoring' criticisms made of the HSE's resources in a previous committee report.