Inspectors to focus o
n unsafe refurb projects during coming months
HSE Construction inspectors will be undertaking a further intensive inspection initiative during February and March 2012.
These inspections will focus on the refurbishment/building site risks including working at height safely, good order on site, and the risks associated with the removal of asbestos.
This is an ongoing assessment as over three separate periods in summer 2007, February 2008 and March 2009 HSE Inspectors have carried out more than 4000 inspections nationally targeting refurbishment sites.
Unacceptable Safety Standards
During the inspection periods basic safety precautions on many of the refurbishment sites were deamed to be very poor, quite often placing the lives of workers at risk.
Many sites were found with unacceptable safety standards and the HSE had to take enforcement action.
HSE state that:
• falls from height remain one of the most common causes of fatalities and major injuries in construction industry with more than five incidents every day; and
• 54% of the workers who have died in construction in recent years were carrying out refurbishment, repair and maintenance work.
HSE inspectors will focus on poor practice in the following subjects and projects: Working at height, Good order, Site organisation, Smaller builders, Asbestos
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