Dangerous practices and poor standards were found at nearly half the construction sites visited during a month-long programme of safety checks by the HSE.
The nationwide campaign saw inspectors visiting 2607 sites where refurbishment or repair work was taking place.They found basic safety standards were not being met on 1105 sites. On 644 sites, practices were so poor that enforcement action was necessary to protect workers – with 539 prohibition notices served ordering dangerous activities to stop immediately and 414 improvement notices issued requiring standards to improve.
Heather Bryant, HSE’s Chief Inspector of Construction, said: ‘It is disappointing to find a significant number of sites falling below acceptable health and safety standards. The inspections revealed that poor practice often went hand in hand with a lack of understanding. ‘Through initiatives like this we are able to tackle underlying issues before they become established and we will continue to work with the industry in an effort to drive up standards.
‘However, those who recklessly endanger the health and lives of their workforce can expect to face tough consequences.’
Taken from HSE Newsletter Winter 2013