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 (HSE) to provide a regular update on health and safety issues for all in the construction industry.
HSE has issued provisional figures of work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain. The report shows a slight decrease in the construction sector (from 79 in 2006/07 to 72 in 2007/08).
Responding to the released figures HSE Chair Judith Hackitt said,
"Whilst we welcome the headline decrease in overall numbers of fatalities, there is absolutely no room for complacency…’
Did you know that the Working Well Together initiative runs many Safety & Health Awareness events across the UK every year?
The Safety & Health Awareness events are organised regionally by a partnership including health and safety professionals from large local construction companies, the Federation of Master Builders, Local Authorities, Working Well Together groups and with support from the HSE.
These events are aimed primarily at small contractors who employ fewer than 16 people and the self-employed. All the events are practical and include demonstrations and the latest information on a variety of health and safety topics.
Falls from height continue to be the main cause of death in the workplace and one of the main causes of serious injury. Around a third of all 'falls from height' accidents across all industries are as a result of a fall from a ladder.
Ladder Exchange 2008 aims to highlight the risks associated with using a dodgy ladder and provide employers with the opportunity to exchange their substandard ladder for a new one at a discounted price. The Ladder Exchange will start in September 2008.
Whether you are just starting in business, are new to health and safety or are already set up and looking to measure and improve your health and safety performance, HSE can provide guidance and resource material to help.
Read details of some recent HSE prosecutions and enforcement action in the construction sector and find sources of relevant advice.
12 June 2008: Enforcement action was taken against 13 construction sites in Sefton, Merseyside following an intensive inspection initiative by the HSE.
24 June 2008: Work was halted on construction sites in Newcastle last week as part of a HSE crackdown on unsafe practices. Inspectors visited 24 contractors engaged on refurbishment sites in the city and served four prohibition notices, effectively stopping work due to concerns about working at height and electrical issues.
With schools breaking up for the summer holidays, HSE is warning the construction industry and parents that building sites are dangerous and must not be used as playgrounds.
From 2 June 2008 the new interactive electronic F10 form (EForm) is available for use.
Infoline - Health and safety information and advice: Call 0845 345 0055 or visit the contact page.
Report an accident: Call 0845 300 9923 or visit the RIDDOR web site.
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