HSE inspectors' intensive inspection initiative aims to stop dangerous practices on building sites London
(04/03/2010)

Construction is one of Britain’s most dangerous industries. During 2008/09, 11 people died and 1,553 were injured in the London area while working in construction.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) wants to raise awareness of construction site risks and prevent unnecessary injuries and deaths. The inspection initiative – which started on 3 March – will focus on refurbishment or roofing work. Inspectors will make unannounced visits to ensure that sites are managing work at height safely and are in good order.

Richard Boland, Construction Operations Manager for HSE London said: “Each year too many construction workers are needlessly injured or killed while working on site. While some sectors of the industry have made real improvements in recent years, we are really concerned about standards in the refurbishment sector, particularly on small projects.

“HSE does not think a lax attitude to health and safety in one of the more dangerous industries is acceptable, especially when many of the incidents are completely avoidable by taking simple actions and precautions.

"This is the third year running we have run initiatives like this and, after these latest inspections, we hope that we can report back that we have found good practice and safely operating sites. However, if we find poor practice that is putting the lives of workers and, in some cases the public, at risk we will take action; this could include closing sites and prosecuting those responsible."

Last year inspectors visited 1,759 sites and 2,145 contractors UK wide and were forced to issue more than 270 prohibition notices to stop dangerous work – much of it relating to working from height.