Almost one in five construction sites failed to satisfy inspectors during a national initiative of safety checks aimed at improving safety standards in the sector.
Of the 50 fatalities in construction in 2010-11, 27 (54 per cent) were in the refurbishment, repair and maintenance sector. In direct response to these statistics and the increased risks associated with this type of construction work, the annual safety inspection blitz, which is now in its fifth year, specifically targeted sites where repair work was being carried out.
Over the course of a month, HSE inspectors visited a total of 3237 sites – significantly more than last year’s total of 2128 – and saw 4092 contractors. The focus was on high-risk activity, including working at height and ensuring sites were clean and tidy with clear access routes.
Overall, practices at 581 sites were deemed to be unsafe, leading to a total of 870 enforcement notices issued; in 603 instances work had to stop immediately. Falls from height were responsible for nearly half of enforcement notices served, but this is a slight improvement on previous years.
Philip White, HSE chief inspector of construction, said: “It is encouraging that inspectors found a slight improvement in standards and small construction firms are taking safety seriously when carrying out refurbishment work.
“But this is just a snapshot, and the number of notices served for unsafe work at height is still unacceptable, particularly when the safety measures are well-known and straightforward to implement. Too many contractors continue to put their own or other people’s lives at risk and we will not hesitate to take action where standards are not met.”
Construction union UCATT said any decrease in dangerous working practices on sites is “good news” but it lamented that fact that serious failings, which are potentially putting workers’ lives at risk, are still being found.
Commented general secretary Steve Murphy: “With so many construction sites failing to meet fundamental safety standards it demonstrates that the HSE needs greater resources in order to ensure workplace safety for construction workers throughout the whole year.”
FFI at £124 minimum ( it will be a least 2-3 hrs by the time you write up a report then send a letter and follow it up, and if you need to consult an expert ????)
x 860 notices = Kerching?.
I can assure you that there would have been many more material breaches.
This is a nice earner for HSE. And remember, this was just construction.
I can see Mr Cameron & Mr Cable having a rethink about this scenario when employers start moaning. Mr Osborne may appreciate the income supplement though?
Who wants to spend ton loads of money on health and safety. 603 construction referb sites dont . putting a fence around a job or giving the lads the correct ppe to wear or just run a basic health and safety at work induction would not go a miss? or that bit more money for that holiday for you and the misses or risking the lads lives who bring you all that money. its sad when a young lad thinks its great to wear the latest nike or adidas trainers on site for feet proteciton. THINK ON.
A shocking indictment of h&s practices with small contractors…and the government is trying to reduce the burden on small businesses!