Lawford Kidd's Blog

Health and safety in the construction industry has recently come under the spotlight after a nationwide campaign by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found an alarming number of sites were failing to meet basic safety standards.

Many sites visited by the HSE

The campaign involved HSE inspectors visiting 2,607 sites across the UK where refurbishment or repair work was being carried out. They looked at whether:

• jobs that involved working at height were identified and properly planned to ensure that appropriate precautions, such as proper support of structures, are in place,
• quipment was correctly installed / assembled, inspected and maintained and used properly,
• proper monitoring and control arrangements to prevent unnecessary exposure to harmful dusts were in place,
• sites were well organised, to avoid trips and falls, walkways and stairs free from obstructions, and
• work areas were clear of unnecessary materials and waste and welfare facilities were adequate.

Safety standards found to be inadequate

During their visits, inspectors found insufficient safety standards on almost half (1,105) sites, and on 644 sites work was being carried out in such an unsafe manner than enforcement action had to be taken to protect workers. As a result, HSE inspectors were forced to serve 539 prohibition notices ordering dangerous activities to stop immediately, and 414 improvement notices requiring standards to improve.

Unsafe practices on construction sites are to be targeted as part of a national initiative aimed at reducing death, injury and ill-health.

During a month-long drive to improve standards in one of Britain's most dangerous industries, the Health and Safety Executive will visit sites where refurbishment or repair works are taking place.

Inspectors will ensure that construction sites are effectively managing high-risk activity, such as working at height.

Construction sites are being put under the spotlight as part of an intensive inspection initiative aimed at reducing death, injury and ill health.

During February and March, inspectors from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) will be visiting sites where refurbishment or repair works are being carried out. This is part of a national drive to improve standards in one of the Britain's most dangerous industries.

Their primary focus will be high-risk activity such as working at height and also 'good order' such as ensuring sites are clean and tidy with clear access routes.

The purpose of the initiative is to remind those working in construction that poor standards are unacceptable, and could result in enforcement action.

During 2010/11, 50 workers were killed while working in construction and 2298 major injuries were reported. Falls from height remains one of the most common causes of fatalities and major injuries in the construction sector in Great Britain, with more than five incidents recorded every day.

Philip White, HSE Chief Inspector of Construction, said:

"The refurbishment sector continues to be the most risky for construction workers, all too often straightforward practical precautions are not considered and workers are put at risk. In many cases simple changes to working practices can make all the difference.”

Fines totalling £18,700 have been handed down after a foreman died when an excavator bucket filled with concrete fell on him at a London construction site.

In 2009/10 there were 23 fatal injuries to workers in Scotland, 2,548 reported major injuries to employees and 7992 over 3 day injuries to employees.