Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Construction
Welcome to the latest edition of Construction Infonet.
Construction Infonet is a free e-Bulletin from the Health and Safety Executive to provide a regular update on health and safety issues for all in the construction industry.
Fatal statistics released by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for 2006/07 show there was a 28% increase in the number of fatal accidents to workers in the construction industry. Tragically 77 workers lost their lives in construction.
Working at height remains the most significant risk on building projects. In 2006/07, there were 23 fatal injuries to workers in the construction industry due to falling from a height. There were 16 fatalities due to being hit by a moving or falling object, and 10 fatalities from contact with electricity.
Links to specific guidance on working at height and electrical safety are shown below.
At the launch of the statistics on 26 July 2007 Health and Safety Commission Chair, Sir Bill Callaghan, issued a challenge to all industry to put safety at the top of its priorities and do more to protect the work force.
As mentioned in the July edition of the Construction Infonet e-Bulletin, HSE will be launching a major campaign in autumn 2007 to highlight the issue of falls from vehicles.
HSE’s construction specific guidance material to support this campaign is now available.
We are developing further material to add to these web pages including a toolbox talk, case studies and information sheets. We will highlight new information in future editions of the Construction Infonet e-Bulletin.
[back to top]The Department of Work and Pensions Jobcentre Plus Project (DWP JCP) has allowed HSE to make the substantive content of their Achieving Behavioural Change (ABC) training course available, for use by the construction industry.
Achieving behavioural change is vital to preventing accidents and for helping you and your workforce improve standards and work smarter on site. It need not cost much to do. The lessons learnt by the Department of Work and Pensions through their ‘ABC Course’ will benefit everybody.
HSE is asking the construction industry to assist with a project aimed at reducing respiratory disease in kerb, paving and block cutting Cutting any concrete or stone products can create hazards that can cause respiratory disease. This project aims to identify a range of practical solutions to eliminate or control these hazards. Find out more…
[back to top]The CDM 2007 Industry Guidance, has been produced by the construction industry for the construction industry and has a particular focus on small / medium sized businesses. There is specific guidance for principal contractors, CDM co-ordinators, contractors, workers, designers and construction clients. The guidance is free to download from the Construction Skills website.
Read details of some recent HSE prosecutions in the construction sector and find sources of relevant advice.
Case 1 – HSE warns firms about the dangers of workplace transport following £115,000 in fines for Northamptonshire companies. The warning follows HSE's prosecution of two companies after an employee of one suffered serious head injuries as a result of being struck by a car.
Case 2 - The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned demolition companies that they must have safe working practices in the workplace. The warning follows the prosecution of a company after two employees were seriously injured when a floor collapsed.
Infoline - Health and safety information and advice: Call 0845 345 0055 or visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/index.htm
Report an accident: Call 0845 300 9923 or visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/index.htm
We issue E-bulletins on a regular basis and would welcome your feedback and views as well as any suggestions/contributions for future articles.
Thank you to those who provided feedback on the previous editions - we have tried to incorporate as many of the suggestions as possible. You can contact us at: construction-manager@bulletins.hse.gov.uk
[back to top]