Construction Infonet is a free eBulletin from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) providing regular updates on health and safety issues for all in the construction industry.
HSE Construction inspectors are carrying out an intensive inspection initiative during February and March 2013, focusing on the refurbishment/building site risks that make construction one of Britain’s most dangerous industries. Inspectors will be targeting high risk activity, such as working at height and the risks associated with the removal of asbestos. They will also check for general good order on site, assess welfare facilities and whether suitable PPE, such as head protection, is being worn.
Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of fatalities and major injuries in the construction industry, with more than five incidents every day.
54% of the workers who have died in construction over the last few years were doing refurbishment, repair and maintenance jobs.
HSE will not hesitate to take action if we find poor practice that is putting the lives of workers and the public at risk.
Many incidents are completely avoidable by taking simple commonsense precautions. Find out what you can do to improve health and safety on your site before an inspector calls:
HSE’s Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) will be holding an open meeting on Wednesday 13 March 2013. The meeting will be held in the City/Cathedral Room at Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London, SE1 9HS. It will begin at 10 am and finish at around 1 pm. There will be an “open coffee break” approximately half way through the session to give attendees an opportunity to meet with Committee Members and officials in an informal setting and ask questions.
There is no charge for admission to the meeting, but it is necessary to register in advance, as places are limited. Register online (available from 20 February).
The Road Workers’ Safety Forum (RoWSaF) is an industry group promoting the health, safety and welfare of road workers. Members are drawn from UK roads administrations, enforcement agencies, contractors, designers and their associations.
To get to grips with Temporary Traffic Management (TTM), Tom Merry, an HSE inspector based in Merseyside, recently attended TTM training and went out with a TTM crew. He writes about his experience in the latest edition of RoWSaFnews.
The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has issued a ‘Safety Flash’ regarding a counterfeit safety helmet which is easily damaged with hand only pressure and is unsafe for use. The helmets were discovered having been issued to sub-contractors on a building site.
Hard hats - What you need to know as a busy builder
Solar panel Installation - What you need to know to work safely
Read details of some recent HSE prosecutions and enforcement action in the construction sector and find sources of relevant advice.
12 February 2013 - A construction firm has been fined a total of £10,000 (£2,000 for each offence) for exposing workers to risks of falling from height and other safety failings at a site in Newcastle city centre after it pleaded guilty to two breaches of Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005; and three breaches within the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. The company was also ordered to pay £5,195.70 costs,.
11 February 2013 - The director of a Nottingham building firm has been disqualified as a director for two years, fined £2,400 and ordered to pay costs of £1,585, after unsafe work on an asbestos cement roof.
Construction Safety Topic - Assessing all work at height
Construction Safety Topic - Roof work
Construction safety topic - Fragile surfaces
11 February 2013 - A 62-year-old self-employed scaffolder has been fined £1,670 after pleading guilty to breaching section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. A member of the public suffered head injuries after walking into an unguarded metal pole.
Construction safety topic – Scaffold checklist
6 February 2013 - A Darlington firm has been fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £6,123.55 costs, after a construction worker suffered severe burns to his face, neck and arms when he struck a buried electricity cable.
4 February 2013 - An architects' practice has been prosecuted after builders were potentially exposed to dangerous asbestos fibres during construction work at Aberystwyth Rugby Club in Mid Wales. The company pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 3(1) of The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £5,400 and ordered to pay £2,917 in costs.
HSE Construction Health Topic - Asbestos
Asbestos Essentials
Asbestos surveys
Improve the health and safety of your business by attending a health and safety event near you. Most of the Working Well Together (WWT) events we list are FREE and all provide an opportunity to meet like-minded people, see interesting new equipment and get confidential advice.
Find your nearest WWT Group
Plus many more WWT events over the forthcoming year.
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