Smaller firms are often unaware of legal duties, warns safety body as it launches new campaign

Property developers are being targeted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure that safety remains important despite the donwnturn.

The campaign was launched yesterday, as the safety body warned that many developers might be tempted to cut corners when developing sites because of financial constraints.

Research indicates that many small-scale developers do not know of the legal responsibilities clients have under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.

Richard Boland, of the HSE's construction division in London, said: “Tragically, last year 38 people died on these types of projects and many more were injured or suffered ill health because of poor health and safety practices.

Whether you think of yourself as a property investor, developer or renovator, everyone has a role to play in helping reduce the number of serious and sometimes fatal incidents

Richard Boland, HSE construction division

“Whether you think of yourself as a property investor, developer or renovator, everyone has a role to play in helping reduce the number of serious and sometimes fatal incidents.”

HSE statistics show that 340 people died between 1999 and 2007 while working in the property and construction sector. Last year, it was responsible for 52% of construction fatalities - 38 deaths - with falls from height and electrocution accounting for most of these.

The HSE has worked with stakeholders from across the construction industry to develop the campaign.

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