HSE clampdown on unsafe construction sites

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will next month start a series of unannounced inspections of building sites in order to cut death and injury within the industry.

Last year 42 workers died on British construction sites - with nearly three quarters of deaths occuring during refurbishment, repair and maintenance. As a result these areas will be the main focus of the inspection initiaitve, starting February 14th, by the HSE.

Philip White, HSE’s Chief Inspector of Construction, said the HSE will take decisive action if they found any sites operating in breach of safety rules.

“This will be the fifth year that we have run the inspection initiative across Britain and we anticipate that that there will be examples of both good and bad practice.

“A lax attitude to health and safety in one of the more dangerous industries is not acceptable. As we’ve demonstrated in previous years, we will not hesitate to take action if we find poor practice is putting the lives of workers at risk.”

During the visits the inspectors will ensure that sites are managing work at height safely as well as monitoring the risk of asbestos exposure.

In 2010 inspectors visited 2,014 sites and 2,414 contractors. More than 350 prohibition orders were issued - much of it relating to work from height. Falls from height remains the most common cause of death and injury on British construction sites - with more than five incidents reported every day.