HSE Focuses on Safety Issues Within Construction
On the 12th September 2007, the Health and Safety Executive's Head of Construction, Stephen Williams, made the following, somewhat startling announcement: "Nearly 1 in 3 construction refurbishment sites inspected put the lives of workers at risk".
The comment followed a recent programme of site inspections undertaken by the HSE. Of the 1,586 such inspections carried out, regulatory action was deemed necessary on 426 instances, over a two month period taking in June and July.
The findings, and their implications, were detailed further by Mr Williams:
"We stopped work on site immediately during 244 inspections because we felt there was a real possibility that life would be lost or ruined through serious injury. It is completely unacceptable that so many lives have been put at risk. Our inspectors were appalled at the apparent willingness to ignore basic safety precautions. The simple fact is that despite knowing what they should be doing, too many people are prepared to allow bad practices to continue, even though last year 39 people died on refurbishment, repair and maintenance sites"
He continued: "We are determined to tackle this issue head on and will continue to take enforcement action against those rogues who flout safety precautions. Let me be clear to all those who put lives at risk - we will continue to carry out further inspections and will take all action necessary to protect workers, including closing sites and prosecution".
Work carried out at height is still the source of gravest concern. More than 50 per cent of the 426 enforcements were in respect of risky work carried out at altitude. In 2006, height-related accidents claimed the lives of 23 construction workers.
As per Mr Williams: "My advice to those who work in the refurbishment sector is to plan work, use competent workers and if working at height use the right equipment and use it safely".
The HSE has responded positively to the decision made by the Secretary of State to mount a dedicated forum, focusing on standards of safety within the Construction. Accordingly, the body provided confirmation that its inspectors would carry on targeting slips and trips relating to refurbishment.
Its accident target is pledged to be met within the next three years.
Source - Construction International's Sub Editor
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